14 Best Water Softeners – Top 10 Consumer

The best water can be hard to find even when being treated by a city or county treatment plant. While the treatment plants are there to remove the nasty germs and bacteria which make the water safe to drink, it doesn’t indicate that the water will taste better. In different areas water can contain excess minerals, like calcium, which impacts the taste of the water. Health effects can occur from drinking this hard water which includes dry skin and hair after showering.

The water softeners in this article work by removing heavy minerals from diluted water. It is a complicated process called ion exchange, or in other words, it neutralizes these minerals so that they can’t bind together to remain soluble in water. People around the world today began filtering water over 4,000 years ago and the first water softener system wasn’t created until the early 1800s. This article includes some of the best water softeners today that will ensure you are drinking the cleanest, purest water you can possibly put your hands on.

To help you make the best decision about which model will produce the best results for your household, our team of experts has compiled this list of the best water softeners on the market today.

Top 14 Best Water Softeners Consumer Reports

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1. Whirlpool WHES30E

[amazon box=”B07R2FK2X4″ description=” ” rating=”4.5″]

This product is ideal for households of up to 5 people and everybody loves the Whirlpool brands. This water softener automatically calculates how much salt and water is needed to generate and only uses what is necessary, which in turn will result in significant water savings for your home. This comes with a 1-year parts and labor warranty, but the system can be extended to 2 years if you buy 3 bottles of the Whirlpool water softener cleanser. The Whirlpool WHES30E 30,00 grain water softener will take care of all of the hard water and is the best overall pick on this list. A filter like this is bound for a happy house and its easy use is one of Whirlpool’s best traits.

Sample Customer Review… I love my water softener. Had a sales guy come out and he ran a water test using my tap water (which had been connected to the Whirlpool softener for 5 days) and every single test my tap water surpassed his fancy filtration system which was much more expensive than this. I hired 2 of my neighbors to install this for me as I didn’t have the space nor the piping to complete it. They advised me to use copper pipes as well as keep the salt container in a closed area so that the salt wouldn’t over time ruin any metals. This softener is worth every penny. I did not care for the instruction manual, it did not have the information I needed. I spoke to the support team and they said the salt level needs to remain between a 2-4 for optimal performance. It needs to be cleaned once every 4 months using their cleaner. And after applying water for the first use, you should never add water to the base again. The reservoir remains completely dry and only has salt in it. Every night at 0200 it recharges itself automatically. It’s actually very simple to use. Having soft water is life-changing — I’m super grateful for this!
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2. iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage

[amazon box=”B005LJ8EXU” description=” ” rating=”4.7″]

This is a beautiful water softener as it has a sleek European look to it. This sort of filter is under-sink and is easy to blend in with any surroundings. It is transparent for 1st stage housing for easy visual inspection. It comes with three long-lasting filters to remove the bad contaminants that homeowners do not want in their water. It has an ultra-fine (RO) filter that is made to reduce the water hardness all the way down to 0. Installation on this water softener is designed to be very simple for anybody to do as it comes with all of the necessary parts needed. ISpring RCC7AK is one of America’s favorite brands on the market for under-the-sink water filters for reverse osmosis systems.

Sample Customer Review… We had this RO system installed by professional plumbers, it took them 1-2h from start to finish. This is the first time we are using a RO system so I reached out to the support line, I was asked to leave a mail or email (I did both). Within a day, I got their responses to my questions. I followed up with more questions on the tank expansion and water quality and got further answers from the support. The support engineer’s name is Brian and he was very helpful. All my questions were answered. We are using this RO system on Well water. The tap water registers 70 ppm, and with this RO, we are down to 10ppm. We found that the first 10-15s of pouring the filtered water from the dispenser, it registers 60ppm. Brian from support confirmed this is caused by the water in the 6th filter (mineral filter), and this is normal. After 20s, filtered water is back to 10ppm. The tank can contain 3.2G of water. After 2.5-3G of water usage, the pressure decreases until the tank gets empty and then only a few drops come out. This is normal as RO does its job and starts replenishing the tank in 1-2h. I was hoping to get more filter water, Brian explained that instead of using one big tank, add another tank in addition to the first one, in that case, you can use it for other feeds (ie water fridge or ice, etc), and also get more pressure. Overall I’m very happy with this RO especially the support I got, strongly recommended.
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3. AFWFilters 5600SXT

[amazon box=”B00OGN3162″ description=” ” rating=”4.6″]

Starting off strong is the Fleck 5600SXT. With overwhelmingly positive reviews, this water softener is perfect for removing the ions that lead to hard water. This long-lasting model can run nonstop for up to 27 years. A system like this makes for great water softeners because of their lasting usage for homes.

Sample Customer Review…The unit requires two people to bring in the house, just because of the weight of the pre-filled tank. The two boxes (not four like the one picture on the listing shows) arrived directly from the manufacturer on time. The smaller parts are packaged in their own box INSIDE the brine tank box, which was environmentally friendly. The instructional video is awesome and shows you step-by-step how to assemble and install the unit. The customer service line was great and answered two questions I had on the same phone call-specifically, Kathleen and Tony helped me. Note that you have to buy the drain line, 1/2” ID (inner dimension) and whatever length your situation dictates, two 3/4” pipe clamps, salt, polytetrafluoroethylene film tape (the white thread sealing tape in the plumbing aisle), a pipe cutter, water connection lines (I used Sharkbite’s water heater connection set and it worked great!), screwdriver, and a pipe wrench. I got it hooked up by myself (except a team lift in moving the resin tank downstairs) in an hour. I plan to purchase another unit from A Plus Water for my sister and install it for her.
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4. iSpring ED2000

[amazon box=”B0744TC3PW” description=” ” rating=”4.1″]

The iSpring ED2000 unit is certainly a fascinating option–and offers great value! Instead of ‘softening’ your water, the unit uses electromagnetic pulses through the pipes to prevent build-up. The product installs a computer chip that controls these waves. This means no build-up but you can still enjoy the benefits of having healthy minerals in your water. This is one of the most versatile products on this list because it will work with a number of different materials and can be installed vertically or lying flat. This makes it a quick and simple option for the midrange price point. Using electronic components brings a new aspect to water filters and creates more trust in this type of technology.

Sample Customer Review…Let me first say that I prepared for this purchase by researching the recommendations the manufacturer had made before buying it. I knew I needed water within a certain hardness range, <3 ppm iron, and that it would only be good for 50 ft of pipe after the wrap. I tested my water and it was all good so I went ahead and bought it. Luckily, I have two water inlets to my house because one end is an addition. This allowed me to easily install the unit while observing the 50ft pipe rule. I have a total of maybe 30 ft of pipe after the install, with the hot water heater being within 10 feet. Within the first week, I noticed that the water felt different and my soap was getting my hands cleaner. I used to wash my hands and have a slick feeling like my hands were oily still (I have oily skin/hands) but I noticed that when I would wash my hands they were very “sticky”. Not really like I have syrup on my fingers, but if I tried to slide my fingers against each other after washing and drying them, they’d feel more like I washed my hands with something that took off all the oils. All in all, I’d recommend it 100% if your water meets the requirements or can be conditioned to meet them. Otherwise, I have no idea, but I doubt it’ll work outside what the manufacturer says it will. I will be buying another one to install on the other water inlet to the house, which is the one that supplies the kitchen.
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5. Nuvo H2O Dphb

[amazon box=”B0042A8HFY” description=” ” rating=”4.3″]

This system uses revolutionary technology to decrease the pH level of your home’s water based on a complex process of chelation which is used to destroy hard water, calcium, and magnesium that you do not want. Great for smaller homes usually consisting of 1 – 2 residents. The NuvoH2O creates a longer life for your water heater, plumbing, and appliances which in turn, will save you and your housemates money over time. Having salt free water is reassuring to anyone’s health. It is very eco-friendly by using no salt, no waste of water and no electricity!

Sample Customer Review… Filters for the Nuvo H20 water softener arrived in just two days via Amazon. However, I also ordered the Nuvo H20 water softener into which these filters will eventually be installed on the same day and it will be about a WEEK more before it arrives! I wish Mammoth of Murray Utah also sold the water softener, not just the replacement filters! I would have received the softener probably in two days as well! Not a big deal, because I won’t install either of these replacement filters for another six months or so. The (small size) softener suggests replacement after 6 months or 20,000 gallons, so there was no real rush on the new filters! But.. thanks for shipping the correct product, and shipping it so quickly!
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6. Aquasure Harmony Series Whole House Water Softener

[amazon box=”B07F1W1JBD” description=” ” rating=”4.6″]

This is certainly one of the best water softeners on this list. The Aquasure harmony series reduces the hardness in the water greatly, especially in spot build-up spots like the shower and the toilet. It is rated to treat up to 64,000 grains of hardness by eliminating the minerals that harm your skin such as iron and magnesium which can cause rough irritation. This system includes 2 CF premium-grade resin that is prefilled, a 5’ brine line, 14’ drain line, and a bypass valve with 1” in and out NPT. Overall, this is a great product.

Sample Customer Review… The unit arrived in good shape sans for a small clip the fell out of the control head and was damaged (it was a small clip, the company mailed one out immediately, ground shipping is always a gamble)…but in the meantime, I found two pins to retain the backwash line fitting until it arrives. The tank was in excellent condition and the instructions are very well written with pictures. I was pretty impressed with the documentation. It was already filled to the correct level with resin and even comes with o-ring lube for all the connections. Followed the instructions to the letter and tested the water following a complete region. Samples speak for themselves…the water was soft all testing was right on the money. It’s a quality unit! The mechanicals are based on the Fleck 5600 valving, which is a very reliable system and easily rebuilt if needed. The time between cycles is pretty fast and the menus allow for a lot of customizing. Gallons count-down is great, as I’m saving about 30lbs of salt a month over my old mechanical timer unit that was 15yrs old. Thanks for a great softener!!!
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7. Iron Pro 2 Combination

[amazon box=”B004LUJ6L4″ description=” ” rating=”4.6″]

This great product combines a water softener and iron filter into one product that provides a high-quality flow for the whole house. With a 64,000 grain capacity, and fine mesh resin designed for excellent iron removal, as well as long-lasting. It comes with an astounding 5-year warranty and removes hardness up to 75 gpg, iron ranging from 6-8 ppm, and manganese up to 6 ppm. This sort of combo is bound to get the job done and will leave any customer feeling satisfied with great tasting water. It has been rated one of the best hard water and iron remover by destroying the nasty red stains produced by some hard water systems and you can even get the tank in different colors!

Sample Customer Review... I already have a Fleck tank system bought from another source in my primary home from a seller that also sells on Amazon (not the one that sells this system). I love that system and my other house has been in need of a system due to the really old and insufficient one that the previous owner had installed (an 18K). I bought the 64K Fleck 5600. The tank (HEAVY) was already loaded with resin. It took 2 people to handle it safely. The second box had the brine tank, Fleck, and accessories. Wash-out tubes for brine flush and overflow on brine tank were needed (bought at b&m store) along with new flexible hoses. I did not want to re-solder a new pipe right away. There were 2 sets of directions inside which slightly caused me confusion. I just referred to one then the other to make sure I was installing it correctly. Of course, the Fleck settings needed very little tweaking — the hardness setting needed computing, but I found that on our city’s water website. I did an auto-flush and the water was ready to be used! The water tastes great and is much clearer. The iron smell dissipated nicely. Another water softener ready to go!
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8. Tier1 Essential Series 48,000

[amazon box=”B01MXF7G6C” description=” ” rating=”4.4″]

With this highly efficient water softener, the flow rate or GPM is 11.2 which speaks for itself. The operating pressure is not bad at a psi of 20-120, and the operating temperature is 40 – 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which shouldn’t cause any problems at all. It is reliable, has on-point precision, and is easy to operate for people who have never used such a machine before. The LCD display shows all of the important information that is needed for use. Overall for the price of this water softener, it is a very solid choice for your home.

Sample Customer Review… I am so glad I purchased this product. I was a little apprehensive about installing a softener myself, but watched a ton of videos and looked at customer reviews that made me push forward and give it a shot. I am normally a handy guy, but I had not done a softener before. The softener came in a timely manner. No damage. It was super easy to install! Just went step by step in the manual, and if that wasn’t clear enough for me, the seller had many setup videos that really helped a lot. We have had it for a few months now, and we love it. I am glad I chose this over some pricier options. This product seems just as solid.
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9. DuraWater 64k-56sxt

[amazon box=”B075XYMSQH” description=” ” rating=”4.6″]

This product is a heavy-duty commercial-grade water softener that is proven to improve durability and have a longer life than most water softeners. The most popular softener from reviews of experts this machine offers an abundance of digital controls with a very easy display for easy setup. This complete system includes the tank, control head, brine tank, and of course 10% resin. With a 64,000 grain maximum capacity, this water softener makes a very good purchase for your home.

Sample Customer Review…This product was super easy to install. I’ve never really touched any sort of plumbing before. Just go to YouTube and they have some easy-to-follow videos. Installed it 3 days ago and our water hardness was a 16 (very hard). I checked it today and compared it inside the house to outside. The outside hose still put out a 16 and the kitchen faucet put out less than a 1. Which you will see in the pics. I was skeptical and the process to find a water softener was tedious. My neighbor has a GE installed for $7000. This was $700 and the results are better. Worth the purchase. Showering in soft water is life-changing.
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10. OneFlow + Salt-Free Scale Prevention

[amazon box=”B01H273O4M” description=” ” rating=”4.1″]

This water softener is an outstanding product for what it’s worth by including housing and head assembly with a pressure relief valve, which is rare for these products. It comes with a scale reduction cartridge (preinstalled), outlet connector, two 1 inch NPT inlet/outlet adapter locking pins, and best of all the installation process is relatively easy. The high-capacity cartridges can be easily replaced with an included multifunction tool, and they generally last up to 250,000 gallons or 3 years. Also, this product is certified by the Water Quality Association to the NSF/ANSI standard 372 for lead-free water.

Sample Customer Review… We didn’t want an actual softener for myriad reasons but we needed a solution for the extremely hard water. After a week of research, we settled in giving this a shot and have not been disappointed. Our house is new construction and I finally installed this filter after we’d been here for a month, and already fixtures were accumulating scaling and we were running vinegar through the dishwasher. We saw that stop within a couple of days and while standing water that evaporates will leaves spots, those spots are more a dusty residue that easily wipes up. We are running the filter in sequence with an electromagnetic de-scaler (HQUA), which was installed simultaneously, so it is difficult to say how much effect is compounded by the joint treatment. The carbon filter does exactly what it’s supposed to. Tap water is now plenty satisfying to drink and the old chlorine odor is hardly present, if at all. Overall extremely satisfied with the installation process, the only difficulty was my inability to properly apply the silicone tape properly the first time to the brass threading.
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11. Aquasana Whole House Water Filter System

[amazon box=”B00XAJK0S0″ description=” ” rating=”4.0″]

The Aquasana Whole House Water Filter System is one of the best water softeners on the list. It can hold a whopping 1 million gallons, making it extremely ideal for long-term home use. I love that this product is not only a water softener but also a filter. The process of this product yields some of the best results out of all of the products on the list. The only real drawbacks of this product are the cost and installation steps. But, that isn’t enough to dismay the quality of this product.

Sample Customer Review… Purchased this product for my parents’ home. They kept complaining about the smell and taste of their water, so decided to try this product out. Let me tell you, it made a substantial difference in the water quality. It took me and my brother a good afternoon, and we’re really satisfied with the ease of installation. After shutting the water off at the main, it was all just a matter of putting everything together. The system came with everything but the lines to tap into the water system, but we quickly picked it up at our local hardware store. My parents have been using the system now for over a month now, and they are really happy with it. They even stopped purchasing bottled water.
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12. Eddy Electronic Water Descaler

[amazon box=”B003Z96GR4″ description=” ” rating=”4.1″]

Eddy is great for anyone to fit, as it requires no plumbing at all. Also, it does not require a salt addition which helps the cost of the product. This product uses a special electromagnetic wave that is applied through two coils placed around the incoming water pipe. This Eddy water softener is very effective on a variety of different water pipes (besides ones that are lead and iron) and is the only one to come risk-free, with a 1-year money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty for replacements or repairs.

Sample Customer Review… I was not sure if this was going to work, so I have waited 6 months to be sure before writing this review. Yes, it does work. We put in a new steam shower and clear glass sinks and our water was not good where we live. We had terrible watermarks everywhere. We had our plumber put in the Eddy to make sure we had the right pipe, as it makes a difference. It MUST be the COLD water coming into the house. And for those who don’t have a basement, it can be hard to get to. It took about 3 months, just like it said in the booklet. The build-up in the pipes makes it take a while, but then I would squeegee the glass and it was shiny and clear. No more watermarks. Even my husband could see the difference. My plumber was very skeptical about the unit and he said he has 3 bathrooms that have horrible watermarks so he is planning to put them in his house now too. I would highly recommend the Eddy. It really does work!
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13. Fleck 56SXT

[amazon box=”B01LZ8GF3F” description=” ” rating=”5″]

The Fleck 56SXT is easy to install and built for success. This is partly due to the product having resin already in the tank as well as being partially assembled. Because it has a grain capacity of 48,000-grain water, it is perfect for the use of an entire house. There is a five-year warranty on the valve and ten years on the tank itself. It is eco-friendly because the precision of the valve allows for minimal water waste, saving you money!

Sample Customer Reviews… Great softener. Minimal issues at installation. It took my 27-grain hardness down to less than 1-grain hardness so we are happy campers…
I installed this Fleck SXT 5600 system in my house…5 YEARS ago…Absolutely no problems! I would highly recommend this unit!
Great system, very quick shipping. If installing yourself, just know there is no manual. What is on the website is not much help either. Plenty of other sellers/websites that have detailed instructions or videos. Several trips to HD for items not included. Also, know that resin comes in a separate bag, not in the cylinder. Overall, very pleased with the end result and soft water.
This is my second Fleck and I have several years of quality service from them. I couldn’t be happier. There are a lot of excellent videos available online that detail the installation. It’s very straightforward.
Review from DiscountWaterSofteners.com

14. Filtersmart Salt-free Water Filter

[amazon box=”B088MMKR84″ description=” ” rating=”3.8″]

This product has the most efficient offering when it comes to having both filtration and softening in a household’s water. The tank has a large capacity that is designed to create great-tasting, quality water. The Filtersmart removes contaminants from the line with very little wastewater–no electricity needed and salt-free. This system works to solve issues with scum and scale on appliances all the while creating a bottled water quality taste. While some salt-based alternatives can take minutes, the Filtersmart works within seconds of turning on a tap. After installation, the unit is good to go with little upkeep necessary besides regularly changing filters.

Sample Customer Reviews… My handyman and I installed the filter system without any problems. But understanding some plumbing would be helpful. The system works great as advertised. I highly recommend purchasing this water filtration system for your house. This is the best system for the money on the market.
This is a water conditioner and I have to say… I love it a whole lot! I have very thin hair and maybe that’s not a big deal to other people but it’s a big deal to me. Before I got this setup I would comb my hair and there was always a hand full of hair loss in my comb.. now I can count two hairs. Wow! Love it, love it, love it! There was also a problem in our area with drinking this poison water. There was so much chlorine in our water we had it tested before we put the system in and it had 5 times more chlorine in it than a swimming pool. Now, I drink gallons of water. It’s so refreshing. No more bottled water!
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Things to Consider Before Buying

When choosing the best water softeners on the market, there are many different factors that come into play. The best softeners that you can get don’t always consist of the most expensive ones and may not even work for the type of water in your house. So the first thing you need to take into consideration is how hard your water is, so it’s great to start by sampling your water to determine how hard it is and what kind of system you will need.

Generally, the hardness level of water is measured in grains per gallon, which can vary from multiple of different numbers. To determine the number of grains you need, take the number of grains tested per gallon of water, and then figure out how many gallons you use per day (understandably can be difficult to determine, but needs to be accurate). Lastly, compare that number to the number of grains of hardness used in the system that is rated to remove in a day.

Most homes that contain very hard water generally use saltwater systems that are most effective for softening water. These systems require less maintenance and most of the newer systems do not operate well with these salt systems. These salt-based systems usually have two tanks, one being for resin, and the other for the salt solution.

The downside to these systems do take up a lot of space and in order to be able to install them, you must have knowledge of plumbing. In the scenario where you do not mind adding salt to your system, the Eddy system as mentioned above is a salt-free system that doesn’t require much maintenance once installed. The downside to this is that it may not be effective if your water is not very hard.

Finally, when you decide which is the best water softener for your home, ensure that you always begin with the water test to determine exactly what kind of system you will need. The system will be considered on the hardness level of your home’s water. Another important factor is the size of the system you plan to receive, and where it will be positioned, as this will be a factor in the cost and how it is installed.

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Written by Jo Wampler and Mackenzie Dukes