Top 5 Water Softeners
Best Magnetic Softener: YARNA Capacitive Electronic Water Descaler System Best Hybrid Softener: Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series Softener Best For Large Households: AFWFilters Iron Pro 2 Combination Water Softener Best Shower Filter: MEETYOO Shower Filter 15-Stage Water Softener Best Value: iSpring ED2000 Whole-House Water Descaler System
Best Magnetic Softener: YARNA Capacitive Electronic Water Descaler System
This magnetic water softener balances the need to eliminate hard water with the health benefits of maintaining some levels of calcium and magnesium in your body. This salt-free softener is ideal for customers with high-sodium diets who need to eliminate hard water but don’t want to reduce mineral intake.
Key Features
Magnetic design Treatment capacity of 3,500 liters per hour One-year warranty with the option to extend it to 10 years with registration
What Customers Are Saying
Positive reviews of this product said that it worked quickly and noticeably improved their water. Unhappy customers said that this water softener didn’t remove calcium deposits from sinks or that it arrived with copper oxidation.
Best Hybrid Softener: Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series Softener
This single-tank hybrid softener has a grain capacity of 31,000 with a removal rating of 120 grains per gallon (gpg) to eliminate hard water and reduce stains. Additionally, it also eliminates sediment, chlorine, and odor from water to make for a better drinking experience.
Key Features
Hybrid softener and filter design 31,000-grain capacity Removal rating of 120 gpg One-, three-, and 10-year warranties of various parts
What Customers Are Saying
Those who left positive reviews for this water softener said that it was easy to install and improved the flavor of their water. They also loved its self-cleaning filter. However, other reviewers said that it didn’t filter water in the entire house as advertised, and several customers said that the product arrived damaged.
Best For Large Households: AFWFilters Iron Pro 2 Combination Water Softener
With a capacity of 64,000 grains and a removal rating of up to 70 gpg, this water softener is able to soften water for your whole household. It also comes with an attached filter to reduce iron levels in your water.
Key Features
Hybrid softener and filter design 64,000-grain capacity Removal rating of 70 gpg Five-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who left positive reviews for this water softener said that it was installed easily, cleared water quickly, and significantly reduced iron levels. Dissatisfied customers said that its instructions were unclear and that it altered the color of the water.
Best Shower Filter: MEETYOO Shower Filter 15-Stage Water Softener
If you’re concerned about hard water coming through your shower head and causing skin irritation, this water softener is the solution for you. Compatible with handheld, wall-mounted, rainfall, and all other types of standard showerheads, this product will leave your skin feeling soft after a shower.
Key Features
Hybrid softener and filter shower head design Treatment capacity of 13,000 gallons of water per cartridge Cartridge lifespan of four to six months
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who left positive reviews for this product said that it reduced dry skin, smoothed out hair, and prevented stains. Those who left negative reviews said that it was cheaply made and that its attachment was difficult to tighten.
Best Value: iSpring ED2000 Whole-House Water Descaler System
At an affordable price, this magnetic whole-house water softener maintains mineral levels while preventing deposits from forming. It descales all of the water coming into your home to prevent buildup in your pipes.
Key Features
Magnetic design Removal rating of 10–19 gpg One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers said that this water descaler worked instantly to reduce residue in their appliances. Those who left negative reviews said that it didn’t work as expected. They also had a hard time communicating with customer service to resolve these issues.
Buyer’s Guide
Purchasing the right water softener can be challenging, but the following factors can help you determine which model works best for your home.
Capacity
Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon. Water softeners can hold a certain number of grains per week before they need to be replenished. For apartments or small houses, water softeners with grain capacities of up to 32,000 should be sufficient. Medium or large homes need softeners with capacities between 40,000 and 64,000 grains.
Type
Water softeners typically come in the following types.
Ion-Exchange
Ion-exchange softeners are the most common type of water softener. They replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions.
Salt-Free
Salt-free water softeners don’t use salt to remove minerals. Instead, they crystallize the minerals, making them unable to attach to pipes. Salt-free softeners are typically more expensive than ion-exchange softeners, but they work without using electricity.
Dual-Tank
Dual-tank softeners have two resin tanks. They perform in a similar way to ion-exchange softeners except that one tank operates in a regeneration cycle, while the other provides softened water.
Magnetic
Magnetic softeners don’t require discharge lines or salt replacements. They’re affordable, and they take up little space. However, they’re only recommended for small spaces or light hard water issues.
Size
Certain water softeners, especially salt-based or dual-tank softeners, can take up a lot of space in your home. If you live in a smaller home, measure the area where you plan on installing the water softener to ensure it will fit.
What is hard water?
Hard water is water that contains minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium, that accumulate over time. Hard water is safe to drink and bathe in, but it could leave your skin feeling dry and itchy and cause damage to appliances. Hard water also causes pipe blockages over time if it’s not treated.
What are some of the signs that I have hard water?
Some tell-tale signs of hard water include:
Chalky film accumulating on dishes or dishwashers Clothes feeling rough after being washed Stains forming in tubs or sinks Water pressure decreasing Water bills being more expensive because your appliances are working harder
What are the negative effects of using a water softener?
Water softeners pose a health risk for people on low-sodium diets, as the ion-exchange process used in some water softeners adds 7.5 milligrams of salt per quart of water. Water softeners also eliminate nearly all calcium and magnesium from your water, so you may need dietary supplements to add those minerals back into your diet.
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