Our Best Water Softener Systems

Finding the best water softener system for your home is a really simple numbers game. And it’s worth the time, because once you’ve made this choice, you’ll either be saving an incredible amount of money or losing out in the long run. That’s not to mention the unnecessary harm caused to the environment.

So instead of flushing away gallons of water per day and adding needless amounts of sodium and chloride salts back into our rivers, do the smart thing for you, the environment and your community you live in.

Things To Consider

Buy The Right Water Softener

The first thing to bear in mind is that not all ion exchange softener’s are as efficient as they should be. That’s why benchmarks have been established by independent organizations working with industry experts to develop high performance softeners. These reduce water, salt and energy usage. To make the most of these benchmarks, we suggest the following:

Only Purchase A NSF Or ANSI 44 Water Softener

This certification states an industry minimum of hardness which must be removed (3,350 grains per pound). It also requires that the softener will not use any more than 5 gallons of water per 1,000 hardness grains removed. Many of the softeners on the market are far more efficient, but whenever you buy a softener, consider this a minimum standard.

Water Softener Performance Data

Suppliers will make this information available on their machines. This is an NSF certification requirement. That places you, the customer in the position to make an informed decision. Either visit the supplier’s website, or just ask us.

Test The Hardness Of Your Water

There are several inexpensive ways to determine the hardness of your water. One of these is to buy a water-testing strip. These cost little more than a dollar a piece. For a more accurate reading though, you could purchase a digital water quality meter. But if all this sounds too technical, why not find a commercial water tester in your local Yellow Pages?

What Size Water Softener Should You Get?

Household water softener sizes are organized according to the grains of hardness they can tolerate, given a specific amount of resin inside the tank, and the volume of salt required to renew that resin.

There are two essential numbers aside from hardness needed to find your ideal softener size:

1. Your daily household water requirements on average. (Excluding outdoor watering.)

2. The average hardness of your tap water measured as grains per U.S. gallon.

Now you can calculate your daily hardness removal needs with these simple methods.

 

Water Softener	Dimensions	Reviews	Average 5 Star	Price
Fleck 5600sxt	0.1 x 10 x 54 inches	200+	Over 75%	Check Prices
The Air Injection Platinum System	54 x 10 x 10 inches	30+	Over 80%	Check Prices
iSpring RCC7	14.5 x 5.2 x 17.5 inches	2000+	Over 85%	Check Prices
APEC Essence ROES-50 5 Stage Water Filter	16 x 5.2 x 17.5 inches	4000+	Over 80%	Check Prices
APEC Ultimate RO-90 Water Filter	15 x 7 x 18 inches	900+	Over 90%	Check Prices
Aquios FS-220 Salt Free System	27 x 10 x 8 inches	60+	Over 40%	Check Prices
Eddy Electronic Water Descaler	6.7 x 1.6 x 3.5 inches	300+	Over 50%	Check Prices

 

Finding Your Average Household Water Usage

The recommended method:

1. Firstly, use your winter and fall water bills to arrive at the daily average for that period. To do this, divide the total water consumption for that period by the number of billing days for that same time-period. (This is provided on your bill in cubic meters.)

2. Next, you’ll need to convert that number into gallons. In order to do so, simply multiply by 264.

Lastly, multiply this figure by the number of people in your household.

Tip: Don’t be fooled by marketing gimmicks. Some retailers may state that dishwasher requires you to add another household member to this calculation. In fact, dishwashers consume less water than washing by hand!

Determine Your Daily Hardness Removal

For this step, multiply your average daily water usage, as calculated in the last step, by the hardness (in grains) of your water. The full formula goes like this:

No. of People in your household × Avg daily water consumption/person × Grains of water hardness = Grains of Hardness Removed Daily

Tip: If you’re using a private well, have your iron and hardness tested independently. Water with high iron content requires that for every gram of iron per liter, three (3) grains per gallon need to be added to the total value of the above calculation.

Find The Correct Size Of Your Water Softener

Your daily grain removal needs to be multiplied by seven (7) to match the total grain removal number provided on the retail description. This is why the number is so large on product descriptions. For instance, in our guide you’ll find that this number ranges anywhere between 8000 and 40000.

The Benefits Of Owning A Water Softener

Chances are that you know the chalky buildup in faucets, water heaters, drains and kitchen and bathroom fixtures that bother so many people in the US. You may have even watched as calcium or magnesium ions crystallize inside your shower or bath over time.

Many people have even had the misfortune of needing to to replace their water heater because of the problems associated with hardness. So if high concentrations of these minerals are a concern for you, it might be time to buy a water softener.

On the other hand, you might be wondering,”Just how bad can water hardness be for me and my home? Especially since most people in the US experience it?” Well here’s a list of 5 practical benefits just for you. Hopefully these will help you decide if you need a water softener or not.

5 Top Reasons For Owning a Water Softener

Pipe and Water Heater Longevity

This is by far the most important reason for owning a water softener. Pipes that carry hot water tend to be the worst effected. Over time, there they build up a layer of hard material that can corrode or create pressure on pipes. If you’ve noticed a dramatic loss of pressure in your plumbing system, and if you suspect hard water as the culprit, your pipes are in danger of bursting.

Healthier Appliances & Fixtures

Your water heater, faucets and other important appliances will thank you in the long run. Not literally of course, but you’ll definitely have to fork out less money for replacements. Coffee makers are some of the expensive appliances around, and you might not think about the effect of hard water on these until it’s too late!

Brighter Sinks and Bath Tubs

Hardness can create an ugly mess inside your bath tubs and sinks. The metal parts of these areas, especially taps, and the areas around drain holes become far more difficult to clean. Water softeners can dissolve your cleaning worries. They also prevent the kind of build up that rusts your metal bathroom fixtures over time, including taps and chrome drain holes.

Hygienic Dishes, Softer Clothes

Just think about how difficult it is to clean greasy pots and pans using your present hard water. You might not have thought about it until we mentioned it here. Now you know why oil seems to stick to everything. And there’s real science behind this. Having hard water makes it incredibly difficult to for soap to dissolve. But owning a water softener means no more soap scum on your white sheets or clothes. It also reduces water spots on your dishes and you’re that means you’re more likely to have guests coming back.

Softer, Shinier Hair and Skin

Is your hair dry or brittle? Hair and skin are usually the first victims of hard water. So if you have sensitive hair type or just want to look and feel healthier to the touch again, buying a water softener is a great step towards that goal.

How Do Water Softeners Work?

The water softener is a device that’s built into your home plumbing system. All softeners rely on the same basic principle: To trade the minerals inside your existing water for something else. Usually this is sodium which is used to remove magnesium and calcium in a process known as “ion exchange.”

Water Softener Tank

The mineral tank is the core of the whole softening process. This consists of tiny beads of polystyrene which are commonly known as resin. They’re useful for the negative charge they carry. Since both calcium and magnesium are positively charged, they’ll cling to the beads in such a way that no hard water passes through the tank.

The beads are renewed by flushing a very strong brine solution through the system. The charge of the sodium ions in this salt-water solution is sufficiently strong to wash the calcium and magnesium ions out of the beads. A separate tank is used for creating this sodium solution, and it relies on normal salt (Yes, the kind you’ll find at the dinner table.)

The Process

So during everyday operation, hard water enters the main tank, and the magnesium and calcium ions are replaced with sodium ions. The sodium ions in turn, enter into the water. When the beads have been saturated with the magnesium and calcium, a cycle begins to regenerate the beads. This has three parts to it.

The backwash phase. This washes any large particles of dirt out of the tank. .

The recharge phase. High-concentration saltwater is driven into the resin tank with the saltwater being washed down the drain.

The Brine-clearing phase . Brine is washed out of the resin tank with the brine tank being filled once more. Afterwards, the cycle begins again.

The Controller System

Most commercial water softeners regenerate automatically. An electrical timer takes care of flushing and recharging the entire system, during which time it might happen that no soft water will be available. There are ways around this problem though.

One of the controllers used in this process keeps a watch on the amount of water passing into the tank. After the resin has been depleted, this computer initiates regeneration all over again. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be without soft water at this point. Many softeners come with a reserve tank which will still store some resin to produce a reserve of soft water during charging.

An alternative to this is the type of controller doesn’t use electronics at all. Instead, it’ll trigger a recharge after a set amount of water has passed through and used by the household. This can be advantageous if you only want soft water for a certain portion of the day. It can save you plenty of money in the long run and a second mineral tank can be plumbed in along with this system so that a new tank of water is continually available while the first tank is charging.

Water Softener Tips

Match Household Size and Water Usage

Grain Capacity is the number one consideration in buying a water softener. This refers to the number of grains of hardness you system can handle before needing to regenerate. Perhaps you use more water than the average family. Then you may want to look into a softener with a better capacity than usual.

Energy Efficient Water Softeners

You could save as much as 35 percent in water and drastically lower your energy bills just by choosing an more energy efficient model.

Removes All The Right Particles

Depending on your specific water, consider removing other chemicals at the same time. Does your water smell heavily of chlorine? Maybe you’re tired of clear-water iron leaving your toilets, sinks and tubs full of unsightly stains. There are plenty of all-in-one systems developed just for that.

Removes Enough Hardness

Your GPG measure (Grains per Gallon) will give you an indication of just how high your softener’s capacity should be. Tester kits are easily available from your local hardware store. Or just find a commercial water testing company in your local Yellow Pages.

You Might Want a Self-Learning System

Inconsistency in the hardness of your water supply, a greater reliance of water in certain months, or absence from the home, may call for a smart system. These use internal sensors that tell your system when to regenerate.

Consider Some Added Features

Some softeners can be adapted according to the user’s needs. Consider some added features like self-cleaning filters, a sensor for keeping track daily salt use, or any number of options to make operation less of a hassle.

Warranty

Warranties vary according to companies and even specific models. Keep an eye on whether they cover labor, or just specific parts like the tanks or electronic instruments.

Our Best Water Softeners

Here are some of the best water-softeners money can buy:

1. Pentair Fleck 5600sxt

How The Water Softener Works

The Pentair uses ion exchange to remove the calcium and magnesium that creates hard water. The 10 percent Cross  linked resin inside the tank is an upgrade on older versions of the substance achieving a longer lifespan.

What the Softener Does

This system focuses exclusively on removing hard water ions.

Key features

• The Pentair regenerates using a water meter
• This means that you’ll only use as much water as you need
• Along with the water meter, a digital controller is built in to keep up with increased demands.

The Advantages

The electronic SXT controller is has some very useful features, including power back up of 48 hours. The interface is user friendly meaning you won’t need a special course in programming it!

The whole package includes pre-loaded resin in the tank, making installation fairly easy.

The Disadvantages

We can’t think of any major disadvantages with this system. Quality and all-round affordability are faultless.

Overall Verdict

If you’re looking for a great-quality filter which will serve you for the long term, this is a great high capacity option. For moderate to high levels of hard water, it will amply serve a family of three to six people.

 

 

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2. Fleck Iron Pro 48K Combination Water Softener

How The Water Softener Works

Water is treated using a specialized mesh that can treat up to 14 GPM.

What It Does

This is a combination filter which removes both hard water and high iron content. Using a Fleck 5600SXT Digital Metered Valve to save on water, it’ll treat hardness of up to 48,000 grains and serves the entire house. It’ll treat iron content of between 6 and 8 ppm, Manganese content of up to 6 ppm, and dust and sediment in that range too.

Key Features

• This softener is perfect for households with 2-3 bathrooms, or 2-5 people.
• Includes a bypass valve
• Although specialized for clear water iron, it will remove some ferrous iron content.
• The system will conserve water by regenerating only when necessary.
• A digital control allows you to program the hours and days of the week the system should function.

The Advantages

• This is much more than a hard water treatment system. It’s an all in one filter that can take care of small grit particulates.
• With some basic knowledge of plumbing, installation only takes 1- 2 hours.
• The company is well-known for its excellent customer service.

The Disadvantages

• This system isn’t equipped to handle ferrous iron in large volumes.

Overall Verdict

If you’re experiencing problems relating to algae or toilets and showers which continually turn brown because of clear water iron, this is a very reliable solution that will save you from having to pay thousands of dollars for expensive treatment options.

Need more info, have a look at our Fleck Water Softeners & Filters Buyers Guide

 

 

 

3. Aquios FS-220 Salt Free Water Softener

How The Water Softener Works

A catalytic material is used for template-assisted crystallization. The calcium and magnesium are converted into crystalline form so that they’re no longer able to bind to surfaces.

What It Does

A system like this is known as a water-conditioner, and is not a softener in the traditional sense. Water tests will prove this result. This treatment option is specifically meant for preventing scale on surfaces exposed to hard water.

Key Features

• Scale elimination without the usual pressure loss
• Compact and maintenance-free with no need for electricity
• Appropriate for commercial purposes with a cartridge life of 6 months
• Comes with a 20 year warranty
• Includes a 40,000 gallon cartridge
• Salt-free operation

The Advantages

• This product is extremely handy for solving scale problems. It’s a compact and very effective solution.

The Disadvantages

• Even though the filters will last longer than most others, it’s not appropriate for extreme cases of hardness.

Overall Verdict

You’ll notice a distinct difference in water quality on the very first day. If you’re looking for complete extraction of calcium and magnesium ions though, look for a more suitable option. This one is especially developed for preventing scale and build-up on surfaces, and it does an excellent job of it.

Need more info, have a look at our Aquios Water Softeners Buyers Guide

 

 

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4. Eddy Water Descaler Electronic Water Softener

How The Water Softener Works

This product uses the unusual method of incorporating electromagnetic waves. These are passed through two wires which are coiled around your incoming water pipes. The magnetic field continually shifts polarity to neutralize negative ions.

What It Does

By changing limescale into a less adhesive form, this filter ensures that lime deposits will no longer create build-up on clean surfaces, inside delicate appliances or inside your pipework.

Key Features

• Eliminates scale in your business and home
• A great alternative to salt-based softeners
• Beneficial to your health if you need to conserve minerals
• Comes with a 12 month Money-Back Guarantee and a warranty for lifetime Repair/Replacement

The Advantages

This is an easy system for anyone to fit, meaning you won’t have to pay plumbing charges. It’s also one of the cheapest options around and certainly much cheaper than a traditional water-softener.

The Disadvantages

The Eddy will alter, not remove hardness from your water.

Overall Verdict

With this system, you’ll notice a drastic reduction in build-up in your sinks and shower heads. We put this unit to the test and noticed a difference in only a few weeks.

 

 

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5. iSpring RCC7 WQA Gold Seal Certified 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System

How The Water Filter Works

Once water has passed through a set of pre-filters that remove large particulates, it’s forced through a reverse osmosis membrane. This eliminates particles as small as 0.0001 microns in diameter. This not only removes lime particulates, but also a long list of other contaminants.

What It Does

This system will leave you with bottled-quality water of the kind you can buy at reverse osmosis filtration shops. It’s specifically meant for drinking.

Key Features

• Filters out more than 1000 pollutants and eliminates the dangers of chlorine and flouride
• Built for streamlined installation
• Produces WQA Gold certified water quality
• Includes a 1 year money back guaranteed
• Excellent lifelong support from the producer

The Advantages

• You’ll be encouraged to drink healthy amounts of water without wasting money on expensive bottled water. This is great for both you and the environment.
• Installation is simple and you’ll receive comprehensive tech support along with your written and video support.
• A money-back guarantee means you won’t be left unsatisfied.

The Disadvantages

Although this is an excellent method for removing fluorine, you’ll need an alkaline filter if you want those desirable minerals back in.

Overall Verdict

This is a seriously high quality reverse osmosis option. Even though you’ll only be able to draw out about 2.5 gallons at a time, this price is unbeatable for the overall quality.

Need more info, have a look at our iSpring Water Filtration Buyers Guide

 

 

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6. Aquasana 10 Year, 1,000,000 Gallon Whole House Water Filter with Professional Installation Kit

How The Water Filter Works

Potent Ultra-violet light is used to eliminate 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, as well as resistant strains. The main two filters are comprised of copper-zinc and activated carbon respectively, while activated carbon is used to remove any remaining particulates.

What It Does

Produces clean, fresh-tasting water by removing more than 90 percent of the chlorine in normal tap water. It also removes large quantities of harmful heavy metals including lead and mercury. It also reduces organic compounds like pesticides, industrial solvents and VOC’s.

Key Features

• Meets and exceeds NSF benchmarks by removing more than 97% of the chlorine in as much as 1 million gallons of water
• Filter made of activated carbon, drastically reducing toxins in the water.
• Pre-filter included

The Advantages

This method of filtering can lead to improved air quality because chemicals like chlorine are vaporized in shower steam.

Deals with low to moderate levels of calcium and magnesium and other byproducts which tend to build up on pipes and fixtures. This filter will have a positive impact on the health of you and your family.

The Disadvantages

The hard water minerals are not fully removed as with salt-based systems.

Overall Verdict

This system will save you money consistently and provide you with much cleaner supply of water. It’s especially beneficial for drinking-water. Please note that this is a water-conditioner rather than a specialized water softener.

Need more info, have a look at our Aquasana Water Softener Buyers Guide

 

 

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7. APEC Top Tier 5 Stage Ultra Safe Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System

How The Water Filters Works

This filter uses reverse osmosis to deliver clean, high quality drinking water. This is achieved by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane using the home’s water pressure.

What It Does

This system provides drinking water at a reasonable price. Chemicals like chlorine and toxic fluoride, as well as arsenic, lead and chromium are eliminated. This is a long-term solution that will serve your needs for decades to come. The system is scientifically guaranteed to eliminate 99% of water-born contaminants.

Key Features

• Superlative quality. The system is assembled in the USA to ensure your safety and health.
• Removes as much as 99% of all water-born contaminants, including viruses and bacteria.
• Uses the best RO filters on the market so that you’ll have an unlimited supply of crisp, fresh tasting water.
• Certified according to WQA standards.
• A noise-free and very compact system (11” x 11” x 15”) which will fit into your kitchen cabinet.
• Comes with a satisfaction guarantee (1 year).
• Premium quality fittings that are convenient to set up. There’s no need for additional lock clips or special steps for sealing leaks.
• Includes a chrome faucet and specialized food-grade tubing (certified by the NSF and FDA). This is an extra measure of added safety.

The Advantages

With minimal plumbing knowledge, installation will take less than 30 minutes. The drain valve will require drilling into your waste water pipe. Make sure you know how to do this beforehand.

The system includes a reservoir tank so that you are always within reach of 2 – 3 gallons of filtered water at any given time. This water emerges from the faucet quickly, so despite the relatively slow filtering speed, you’ll have a consistent supply.

The Disadvantages

Reverse osmosis does have a high water rejection ratio (4:1) but this is still a far cheaper option than buying bottled water. So if you’re in the market for a system that produces clean drinking-water, this is your ideal overall solution. It will also leave your water without much mineral content.

Overall Verdict

This is a far superior option to smaller and less expensive purifiers. Although the water pressure is somewhat reduced, you definitely won’t need to wait particularly long to fill a glass of water or a teapot. This is because of the reservoir under the tank which is situated under the sink. So unless you require large volumes of water, in the order of a hundred gallons or so, this is the ideal option for your drinking water needs.

Need more info, have a look at our APEC Water Filters Buyers Guide

 

 

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8. APEC Top Tier Supreme Certified High Flow 90 GPD Ultra Safe Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System

How The Water Filter Works

This APEC uses a 5 stage process involving 5 different media for filtration. For that reason, it’s one of the most important filters on the market for anyone with health-related concerns.

What It Does

Firstly, water passes through a polypropylene sediment filter. This 5 micron-fine grid removes particles like dust and rust, protecting the rest of the system.

Second and third stages extract unpleasant odors, tastes as well as coloring. VOC’s and other hazardous chemicals are removed here too.

The fourth stage is the reverse osmosis phase. This incorporates filmtec, reverse osmosis filtration like none other in the industry. By this stage as much as 99% of all dissolved contaminants have been removed.

In the fifth stage, specialized coconut shell carbon provides an extra layer of filtration removing any strange taste resulting from the other stages.

Key Features

• Provides 99% contaminant free drinking water.
• Developed for people who take their health seriously.
• Enhances the taste of the water after RO stage.

The Advantages

This is a robust product and installation is incredibly easy. If you’re sensitive to the taste of filtered water, this is a great method of dealing with it. The system is also extremely quiet and customer services is excellent. Lastly, it’s very affordable to maintain.

The Disadvantages

The high rejection rate of water might push up your monthly water bill.

Overall Verdict

All in all, we’re extremely proud to offer this product. It’ll give you the peace of mind that comes with making a healthy and inexpensive investment.

Need more info, have a look at our APEC Water Filters Buyers Guide

 

 

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9.Morton System Saver 30,000 Grain Water Softener M30

How The Water Softener Works

The Morton uses regular resin-based softening methods.

What It Achieves

The notable effects of softening include better lathering of soap, which translates into cleaner laundry and dishes that are spot-free. More importantly however, is that the longevity of water pipes and delicate equipment like coffee-makers will be increased. This system will also eliminate lime scale in bathrooms and showers and result in healthier looking hair and skin.

Key Features

• A 30,000 grain capacity softening system.
• Features “look-ahead” electronic technology. This will predict how much water you’ll need.
• This is one of the most economical and ecologically friendly way of softening your water.
• Will reduce salt usage by up to 50%
• Total space requirement: 1.3 sq feet.
• 8 hour power protection from power interruption.
• The installation kits include connectors, nuts allowing step down conversion.
• Includes 120/24 V AC-AC adapter

The Advantages

Installation is incredibly easy, provided you know how to connect the outlet to the drainwater pipe.

The Disadvantages

It’s highly advised that you spray the control board with paint or sealer before use. Replacement control boards are only available from Morton and they are relatively expensive.

Overall Verdict

For what it achieves, this Morton model is very well priced relative to its competitors. Be sure to insulate that control board though. Other than that, this is a great quality buy at an affordable price.

 

 

 

10. WaterBoss City Water Softener, Model 950

How The Water Softener Works

Redox and activated carbon form the first stage of the filtration process. After this, the water is softened using an ultra-fine resin mesh. The self-cleaning filter then removes any sediment still left in the tank. 

What It Does

Eliminates sediments like iron as well as softening your water.

Key Features

• Patented design uses much less water than other products on the market.
• Up to 35 grains of hard water particles removed for each gallon.
• The design is compact and maintenance is hassle free
• Includes activated charcoal filter to remove unpleasant odors.

The Advantages

Regeneration takes only 19 minutes and only requires 2.5 lbs of salt. In short, it’s extremely efficient, and you’ll also save money in the long run because of the lowered wear and tear pre-filtering affords.

The Disadvantages

Activated charcoal takes a while to deplete, but will ultimately need to be replaced.

Overall Verdict

Another quality product from Waterboss. One of the most dependable and easily serviceable items on the market. We can enthusiastically recommend this product as an economical and long-lasting solution to hard water problems in the city.

 

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11. Nuvo H20 DPHB Home Salt Water Softener System

How The Water Softener Works

Rather than removing calcium like a traditional softener, the Nuvo binds (chelates )and then isolates the calcium ion particles, stopping them from creating scale. The second element in the filtration process is to measure and reducing the pH. This also prevents scale from forming. 

What It Does

This system is designed to prevent scale. A teardown assessment of hard water heating elements shows that this Nuvo system drastically improves the efficiency and longevity of water heaters.

Key Features

• The capacity matches the annual water usage for a household of 2 (50,000 gallons).
• Will also remove already present scale in your water heater, shower or coffee-maker.
• Salt-free operation.

The Advantages

This unit takes up far less space than regular units, and eliminates the hassle associate with salt-based softeners.

The Disadvantages

If your require the complete removal of calcium and magnesium ions, this won’t be the system for the job.

Overall Verdict

Should one use the word softener to describe this unit? The answer is “no.” But it still does an excellent job of eliminating scale in your home. At this price, it’s an excellent choice and a great alternative to the traditional softener system.

 

12. i-Spring ED2000 Whole House Electronic Descaler Water Conditioner

How The Water Softener Works

This ingenious system works by passing current through two antenna cables wrapped around the main water pipe. This creates what’s called frequency modulation, an alternating magnetic current that discharges ions in your home.

What It Does

It creates a measurable reduction in solid particles, meaning excess deposits which normally form inside pipes that carry hard water are dissolved.

Key Features

• A nifty solution which doesn’t rely on chemical filtration methods
• Keeps healthy minerals in the water.
• Designed specifically to extend the life of your pipes and appliances.
• Perfect for home and environment alike.
• Treated water leaves skin feeling less dry and/or itchy.
• Comes with a 1 year money-back guarantee and a lifetime of technical support.

The Advantages

It’s inexpensive, requires little maintenance, and doesn’t require the usual salt cartridge replacements.

The Disadvantages

Even though little can go wrong with this system, contacting customer service can be tricky since the manufacturers aren’t American.

Overall Verdict

This is an innovative solution, and it’ll save you in terms of cost and plumbing headaches.

 

 

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13. Air Injection Iron, Sulfur and Manganese Removal Oxidizing Water Filter For Whole House

How The Water Filter Works

Filtration uses the oxidation process, during which contaminants are forced to make contact with oxygen. This is one of the most cost effective and efficient means of removing virtually all traces of these three major contaminants.

What It Achieves

This is the ultimate high-capacity solution for all your iron and magnesium problems. It’s built and designed with this specific purpose in mind.

Key Features

• Removes the highest amounts of iron, sulfur and magnesium particulates
• Simple to install, it treats the entire home
• Requires no chemicals, just air
• For even higher levels of iron removal, the choose the platinum series

The Advantages

Solves high iron and sulfur content problems without any need to replace filters. You’ll notice a marked reduction in toilet and tub discoloration. Installation and programming is very simple. Maintenance is hardly ever required.

The Disadvantages

We couldn’t find many. The setup instructions could be clearer, but these can be found online and installation isn’t too tricky to manage on your own. If you’re unsure, it’s best to enlist the services of a reputable plumber.

Overall Verdict

If you’re on the wall about buying this system, we would highly recommend it. This is a highly regarded company in the industry and this is a virtually hassle-free system once it’s installed.

 

 

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14. On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT-Portable 16,000 Grain RV Water Softener

How The Water Softener Works

Standard water-softening, resin-based operation.

What It Does

Provides softwater on a portable basis for 2 – 5 people in an RV setting. 

Key Features

• This double volume version will produce 2 x the standard amount
• In this compact form it is by far the largest softener on the market
• Built for boats and RV’s
• 16,000 grain filter
• It can generate about 40 percent more than it’s closest competitor
• Requires 2 boxes of common table salt
• Takes only 30 minutes to regenerate a fresh water supply
• Easy to handle and operate, fitting even the tightest spaces
• Very low drop in pressure when connected to a water source
• Can be connected to a water source (park faucet) with a standard garden hose
• Requires no tools or electricity
• Easily stored

The Advantages

Very easy to install, carry and store. The best portable water softener on the market at this price point. It makes use of high grade resin and the nozzle incorporates a nozzle that swings a full 360 degrees.

The Disadvantages

Despite it working so well, the hose fitting could be stronger. Be careful not to tip it over or this may break.

Overall Verdict

This is the greatest portable water softener we’ve seen, especially at this price point. It’s developed especially for RV’s but there’s no reason why it can’t be used at home, or in holiday homes for limited applications, and provided you don’t mind an unsightly garden hose trailing through your bathroom. Be sure to buy a funnel to make the addition of salt easier.

 

 

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15. ABC waters Built Fleck 5600sxt 48,000 Black Water Softener with UPGRADED 10% Resin & Hardness Test & Install Kit

How The Water Softener Works

• Standard resin-based Softening Technology 

What It Does

Complete whole house system.

Key Features

• The system is controlled using the Fleck 5600sxt digital meter, one of the better meters around
• This valve carries a 5-year warranty
• With a 48,000 grain capacity, it incorporates upgraded resin (10% Cross-linked) for longevity
• Perfect for a service flow of 12 GPM
• Serves a household of 2 – 5 people
• The company also provides an extra install guide with a DIY installation kit
• The brine tanks are developed for a whole-house system
• These tanks carry a 10 year warranty and are manufactured in the US

The Advantages

Highest quality which comes with a complete value-added package. The technical product support is professional and always helpful and the YouTube videos will help you during every step of the installation. This is a great quality product from a great quality company.

The Disadvantages

Takes about a week before you’ll see the full effects of the system.

Overall Verdict

This particular model has gained plenty of popularity in the industry, giving you peace of mind and reliability which will last longer than most other comparable models.
After the first week, you’ll begin to notice that water becomes much clearer than before and that your skin becomes less dry. On the second week the water is completely clear and soft.

 

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16. On The Go OTG3NTP3M Portable Water Softener

How The Water Softener Works

Standard water softening technology

What It Does

There are 3 models which handle three different hard water requirements:

• The standard 8000 grain model.
• The double standard 16,000 grain model.
• The 32,000 grain park model .

These are all intended for use in RV’s and mobile homes.

Key Features

• Small and compact
• Perfect for small-scale usage

The Advantages

This is a great way to down-scale on your water-softening needs or to save money on the initial equipment outlay. Even though it’s original intention was for portable water-softening needs, if you just require it for bathing, there’s no reason it won’t fit those types of one-off applications.

The Disadvantages

We couldn’t find any serious disadvantages. This is a great, high-capacity portable system that’s sturdy and hasn’t let our customers down.

Overall Verdict

If you’re on the fence about buying this product, we can recommend it with confidence. It’s a high quality piece of equipment and very reliable and great for camping, RV’s and mobile homes.

 

 

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