Best Water Softener System for Home (Review & Buying Guide)

Water can be classified as soft and hard. Do you know about soft water and hard water? Water softness and hardness depend on the dissolved elements of water. Your water can be “soft water” if it’s containing dissolved elements like calcium and magnesium is 0-60mg/liter. If it contains more than 60 mg calcium and magnesium in one liter is called hard water. it’s a tough challenge to defeat the hardness of the water. In this challenge, you need the best water softener system for home. Especially it is much needed for well water.

The hardness of water depends on its dissolved metal rate. 61-120 mg/L is classified as moderately hard, 121-180mg/L as hard, and more than 180mg/L as very hard. You can also determine your water soft or hard by open eyes. You may notice that your drinking glasses are becoming less crystal day by day. You may also notice spots or films in your heating appliance like the kettle, water heater, and others. What’s this? Its calcium- carbonate, hard water residue. When hard water is heated in a home water heater, solid deposits of calcium carbonate can form. Calcium carbonate can reduce the lifetime of your home appliance, clothes, and water supply line. So, In this article, I am going to describe some top-rated water softener system’s review. I think this will help you to select the appropriate and best water softener system for your home.

Best water softener system review

Before buying a water softener you should know details about it. If you are looking for the best water softener system for home, then this information will help you surely. Now it’s time to know about the top-rated water softener system in the market.

1. Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Water Softener

Product features

 

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Fleck 5600SXT water softener is made by fleck itself. It’s a high- quality water softener for home. It can filter 50 grains of minerals per gallon. Fleck 5600SXT water softener removes not only calcium and magnesium ion but also iron and sulfur too. This iron and sulfur can damage your water supply line and decrease the shining of your clothes. If your home water is hard with containing iron and sulfur, then Fleck 5600SXT is best for you. This model will be a great selection for a small family like 3-4 people. Fleck 5600SXT water softener works by using the ion-exchange method to remove the calcium and magnesium. It will help to extend the lifetime of your plumbing and home appliance by removing calcium, magnesium, iron, and sulfur.

 

Its digital meter measures water usage and regenerates as needed. The digital control system of this water softener system allows simple adjustment to maximize capacity or minimize salt usages. It’s a full package including all installation and operating equipment- The tank, resin, control head, brine tank with safety float, and installation and operating guide. This water softening system has a 1” bypass valve for easy plumbing connection without shutting off the main water supply. The standard brine tank of this water softener system holds used salt for regeneration. Its safety float prevents accidental overfilling. For installation and answer the most commonly asked questions, you can follow the provided instruction guide

Pros

• The USA made product
• Fleck 5600sxt on-demand meter
• Good water flow rate
• 1.5 cubic feet resin
• Excellent warranty

Corns

• No drainage tube in the package

2. Fleck Iron Pro 2 Combination water softener

 

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Fleck is a well-known U.S based company. It produces high-quality water softener product which is trusted by worldwide. It’s a combination of water softening and iron filtration. Hard water and iron contamination is a common problem. The fleck iron Pro-2 combination water softener can solve the problem of feeling nauseous after drinking water. If you want to upgrade your home water by removing hardness and iron contaminants, then it should be the first choice for you. It also removes sediment, sand, and rust. Normally it does not affect the pressure of your home water supply due to its advanced design. All these make it one of the best water softener systems in the market.

 

This combined water filtration and softener system remove the most common contaminants too. If you want a whole house water softener system, then you can select it. I’m telling you about the Iron Pro-2, 64000 grains unit. But you can select a more capable “Iron Pro-2, 80000 grains unit” or less capable Iron Pro-2, 48000 grains unit if need.

Fleck iron Pro-2 combination water softener comes with a complete system including all components. This system has a fleck 5600SXT digital meter that saves you a lot with annual energy and ease of use. The Iron Pro-2 combination water softener system is easy to install compared to other similar systems. If you are not experienced in the plumbing section, the included instructions can help to install.

Pros

• Proven Fleck 5600sxt digital metered valve
• A combined system of iron filtration and water softener
• 80,000 grain is available
• Fiberglass body
• High-grade resin
• Includes a bypass valve

Corns

• Some installation instructions are not clear

3. Pentair WS48-56sxt10 Fleck Water Softener

 Most of the water softeners treat hardness effectively. They can reduce calcium and magnesium easily which are responsible for limescale build-up in your plumbing pipes. But, when there is iron in your water, a normal water softener can’t solve the problem. Pentair WS48-56sxt10 is a top-class water softener for its versatile quality. Pentair removes not only hard water minerals but also iron. Iron can reduce the lifetime of resin. Provided 10 percent crosslink resin with this system is highly chlorine resistant. This resin works well against city water that contains a high concentration of chlorine. It removes the smell of chlorine and reduces contaminants from your water. So, it is a perfect water softener for both city and well water.

The Pentair WS48-56sxt10 Fleck is a full package of water Softener that includes a brine tank, mineral tank, resin, bypass valve, and 1-inch yoke. In this system, you will get a control head that has a digital meter with touchpad controls. You can make your life easier with this excellent water softener.

Pros

• Fleck5600sxt digital on-demand control valve
• 1.5 cubic feet 10% crosslink resin
• Brine tank with safety float
• Excellent warranty
• The valves have been tested to run continuously for up to 27 years.

Corns

• Plastic made bypass valve may not last long
• May use significantly more salt than other systems

4. ABCwaters 5600sxt Fleck softener and carbon filter

 

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If you want to buy high quality, whole house water softener system, this product might be exact for you. It’s a combined system of water softener and carbon filter. ABCwaters Built Fleck 5600sxt will make you your water soft by reducing Calcium, Magnesium, and some other contaminants. It’s up-flow carbon filtration system removes a wide range of chlorine, chloramines, pesticide, herbicide, and chemicals. It is well equipped with fleck 5600sxt digital valve, 2 American made tanks, installation video, kit, and guide.

 

Fleck5600sxt digital valve is popular for its lower power consumption and easy usage. This system needs no backwash and it saves your electricity cost. Its grain capacity is 48000. It’s a best seller product. Both tanks come with a 10 years warranty. Fleck5600sxt digital valve has 5 years warranty and you also have the option of using tech support if you need it. You select it as the best water softener system for your home.

Pros

• Fleck5600sxt digital valve
• Combined package of softening and carbon filtration
• 1.5 cubic feet upgraded 10% crosslink resin
• NSF approved parts
• Excellent warranty
• No backwash system saves energy
• 60 days money-back guarantee

Corns

• Need huge space

5. AFWFilters WS-96k-91SXT Fleck 9100SXT Dual tank water softener

 

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Fleck 9100sxt is one of the best water softener systems for its enormous capacity and its exceptional effectiveness. It comes with two tanks and the capacity of each is 96000 grains. It will give you a non-stop service. In a single tank water softener, the softening system goes offline while regeneration is on. The WS-96k-91SXT Fleck 9100SXT has two tanks; the system will never go offline when the regeneration process is on. That means you will get soft water at every moment. When one is on regeneration mode, others will supply you with soft water. Both tanks have 10 years warranty and 5 years on the control head.  

 

Each tank contains 3 cubic feet of resin and which will last at least 5 years. Its ‘Flowmeter’ measures water use and regenerate based on it. It will save you up to 25% water and salt in every regenerating compared to a conventional unit that has a single tank. The flow rate of this model is excellent which 20 GPM.

The brine tank comes with a brine line for an easy connection to the main tank. Fleck 9100SXT Dual tank water softener removes all ions causing hard water and scale buildup. It also removes iron too. You won’t have to worry about reprogramming because Its “built-in memory” will save all your settings. The water system will also save your time for up to 2 days in the case of an emergency or power shortage. You can see the best water softeners review consumer reports. It’s a big one. So you need more space to install it. Fleck 9100SXT Dual tank water softener also can be used for small offices.

Pros

• Maximum water flow rate 20 GPM.
• Non-stop soft water
• Total 6 cubic feet resin
• Cover big family or small office
• Easy to install

Corns

• Need more space to install

6. Tier1 Everyday Series 48,000 Grain Water Softener

Each system comes with a digital meter, a brine tank, a pre-loaded mineral tank, 1.5 cubic feet of resin, a control valve, and other mechanical components necessary for standard installation. The digital meter on the tier1 is one of the best control interfaces. It has a few buttons and you don’t need to learn more to use.  Tier1 uses NSF certified digital control valve. Tier1 also provides excellent tech support.

It’s a great water softener but won’t produce enough soft water for a big family. Tier1 is the best water softener system for small families of less than 6 peoples.

Pros 

• USA based fast technical support
• Excellent digital meter
• NSF certified control valve

Corns

• Some installation information is not clear.

7. Aquasana Whole House Water Filter and Softener

 

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The aquasana whole house water softener is a salt-free system that softens and filters your water. You can call it ‘water filter softener system combo’. It uses proven salt-free Scale control Media (SCM) technology to prevent scale build-up and protect pipes and plumbing from corrosion. SCM softening technology changes the structure of hard minerals into a crystal structure. That prevents the minerals from binding and forming scale build-up.

 

A salt-based water softener uses the chemical process to remove minerals from water but it doesn’t use any chemical. The Aquasana uses filters to reduce hard water minerals. By using this water filter and softener you will get clean and great tasting water from every tap in your house. It can remove 97 percent chlorine in regular tap water. This water softener and filter system also reduce many harmful contaminants like heavy metals, organic chemicals, and industrial solvent. 

The aquasana whole house water filter and softener system has a powerful UV filter. This UV filtration kills almost 100 percent of viruses, bacteria, chlorine resistant cyst. This system is easy to install and comes with all components including filter tank, conditioner tank, pre-filter, post-filter, brass fittings and shut off valves. It will be the best whole house water softener and filter if you want salt-free mode.

8. Eddy Electronic Descaler Alternative Water Softener

 

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Do you need an easy solution to your hard water problem? If the answer is yes then, choose Eddy Electronic Descaler. Eddy uses an alternative water softening method. Hard water contains calcium, magnesium, and some other minerals. Eddy doesn’t remove these salts, but it will protect you from the hard water effects.

 

Eddy uses the electromagnetic system to reduce hard water minerals. These contaminants create limescale in your plumbing pipe, shower head, and other water accessories. As a result, the flow rate of water decreases. Limescale reduces the lifespan of your plumbing system as well as washing machine, water heater, and other household appliances.

Eddy Electronic Descaler Alternative Water Softener has an easy solution to these problems. It has two coils that are placed around your incoming water supply line. Eddy water softener produces electromagnetic waves and changes water into the electromagnetic field. In this way, It prevents minerals to attach inside the pipe and water can pass through easily.

Eddy is easy to install. You do not need to change your plumbing pipe. It is also economical. You don’t need any salt or other expensive materials. It comes with 12 months money-back guarantee and lifetime warranty. Thousands of people use it to consider its pros though it’s not an actual water softener.

Pros

• Easy installation
• Low price
• Lifetime warranty
• Salt-free system
• It doesn’t require maintenance.

Corns

• Low effective than salt-based water softener
• The system is not waterproof and it’s a little bit risky

9. Nuvo H2O Dphb-a Home Water Softener System

 

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NuvoH2O Home Softener System introduced us to a novel technology of water softening. It doesn’t use the traditional method of water softening. To lower the pH level, NuvoH2O uses the basic scientific process of chelation. NuvoH2O uses chelating agents, which create bonds with hard mineral contaminants and keep them soluble in water. As a result, calcium and magnesium can’t attach to your plumbing fixtures and appliances. In this way, it prevents scale building and reduces hard water scale. 

 

The NuvoH2O Home Softener System uses FDA approved chelating agents. It will improve the taste of your water. NuvoH2O will save you in many ways. This product works without salt, electricity, or water wastage. Its price is also reliable. It’s a salt-free water softener system, so you have no tens though have a low salt diet

The system contains everything to install. It has a compact design that fits almost everywhere at your home. The inlets are 1-inch in diameter, so you need to check the size of your pipes. If the hardness of your water is low then it will be the best home water softener system for you.

Pros

• Price is fair
• The water flow rate is good
• Salt-free softener
• Easy installation
• Excellent customer service 

Corns

• Cartilages need to change relatively often – ever 50000 gallons
• Require connector with the proper diameter 

10. Triple Action Bullet Poly Hard water Softener

 

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The triple-action bullet poly water softener is a salt-free system. It’s a compact and lightweight product. This water softener is a combination of water filter, scale control, and siliphos treatment. Its scale control system break-down the calcium scale into aragonite crystals and prevent them to adhere to pipes. 

 

Bullet poly triple action water softener has a 2-micron size pre-filter and it is capable to remove bacteria and iron from your water. It will not waste your water like other conventional water softeners. It will also save your electricity costs.

 Some water softeners need huge space to install but you can install it in a small area. You can install it outside of your house. It comes ready to install with a pre-filled polyphosphate cartridge and, stainless nipples. It comes with a lifetime warranty on the catalytic core, 2 years on housing parts, and 3 months complete satisfaction warranty. It is one of the best water filtration systems for well water.

Pros

• Salt-free softening technology
• BPA free plastic body
• You can install it anywhere in your home
• Excellent warranty
• NSF certified

Corns 

• Won’t remove chloramines elements
• Not a value-for-money purchase

Triple Action Poly Salt-Free Water Softener Review

11. SpringWell FutureSoft water softener

 

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Springwell FutureSoft salt-free water softener is one of the best water softener systems for its high technology. It’s a salt-free water softener. You can use it as an alternative to a salt-based water softener. It’s a chemical-free and environmentally friendly water softener system. Springwell FutureSoft water softener removes scale building minerals and protects your plumbing pipes. It also eliminates other bad effects of hard water. It has a self-adjusting system for water hardness. It needs no electricity like other softener systems that will save you money. It also needs no maintenance cost. Springwell FutureSoft salt-free water softener comes with a lifetime warranty on tanks and valves. It also provides 6 months money-back guarantee.

 

Pros

• Easy installation
• Low price
• Lifetime warranty
• Salt-free system
• It doesn’t require maintenance.

Corns

• Low effective than salt-based water softener
• The system is not waterproof and it’s a little bit risk

12. Genesis premier 40,000 Grain water softener

 

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The genesis premier is a digital metered, on-demand, and one of the best up-flow water softener devices. It uses the latest technology to soften water. It has an advanced feature and simple design for easy programming and installation. You do not need to worry about re-programming because of its ‘set and forget’ system. It keeps all data before the next regeneration. Its standard memory will never lose your system settings forever. The genesis premier can save you up to 75% on salt usage and 64% on water. The flow rate of water is excellent which are13 gallons per minute. 

 

The system contains a large brine tank, 3/4″ and 1-inch bypass valve, and 10% crosslinked 1.25 cubic feet resin. Brine tank can hold up to 200 lbs of salt. Its up-flow regeneration system uses less salt than any other water softeners. Its automatic refresh system flushes non-use water after seven days and prevents bacterial growth. It provides 7 years warranty on the control head and a lifetime on the resin and brine tank. Its installation system is easy, but you need some previous knowledge to do it. 

Read also Genesis Water Softener Reviews: Top Picks

Pros

• Salt saving technology
• Easy programming system
• Up-flow regeneration system
• Automatic refresh system prevents bacterial growth 
• Easy installation

Corns

• Not appropriate for the big families

13. Whirlpool WHES30E 30,000 Grain Softener

 

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The whirlpool 30000 grain is one of the best water softener systems on the market. It’s a U.S.A made product. It uses the ion exchange method to soften hard water. Whirlpool 30,000 grain water softener is a single tank softener system, where the resin and brine tank are combined into a compact unit. It is small in size and needs less space than other salt-based water softeners. 

 

Whirlpool water softener uses demand initiated regeneration technology that will calculate the daily water usage of your home. The system regenerates based on the hardness level and actual use of water. This results in significant savings on both salt and water. The whirlpool softener system has a ‘low salt light’ indicator. When the salt level is low, it will alarm you. In this package, you will get a softener system, a bypass valve, installation kits, and an instruction manual, which will help you to install the device.

It can remove hardness up to 95 grains per gallon (GPG) and iron up to 8 parts per million (PPM). If you are searching for the cheapest way to remove iron from well water along with hardness, it should be your first choice. It’s an ideal water softener for a family of 1-4 people. It is an NSF certified water softener. You will get a 10 years warranty on the tank and 1 year on all parts, which can be extended to 2 years when you buy 3 bottles of Whirlpool water softener cleaner.

Read also: Reviews on Whirlpool Water softeners

Pros

• Space-saving design
• Removes both hard minerals and iron
• ‘Low salt light’ indicator
• Salt and water-saving technology
• the trustworthy company made product
• Quality customer service
• NSF certified.

Corns

• Not ideal for a big family
• Some customer experienced leaks and broken display 

14. SoftPro Elite Plus High Efficiency 64000 Grain Water Softener

 

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ElitePlus High Efficiency 64000 Grain Water Softener is the USA made product. It’s an elite product for quality service. The up-flow regeneration system of this softener uses less salt than the downflow one. This package contains a large brine tank with float assembly, protective tank jacket, 1-inch bypass valve, 10% crosslink resin, and a Mediaguard KDF chlorine filter. 

 

Its 10% crosslink resin is chlorine resistant and lasts longer. The Mediaguard 55 filter removes chlorine, lead, and other heavy metals. This will make your water taste great. Black Neoprene Tank Jacket protects the tanks from heavy moisture and cold. The flow rate of this model is 14 GPM. It is a perfect softener system for the medium family up to 6 peoples.

 

This softener system comes with 10 years warranty on the control head and a lifetime on the mineral tank and brine tank. The customer service of SoftPro is excellent. You will get support anytime from their service team. It is the best water softener system for its quality, warranty, and technical support.

Read more Softpro Water softener Review

 

Pros

• High flow rate of water
• Removes both hard minerals and chlorine 
• Salt saving up-flow system
• Confusion free LCD touchpad
• Quality customer service
• Excellent warranty

Corns

• The installation process is a little bit tough

15. WECO High Efficiency 32,000 Grain Water Softener

 

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If you want to say goodbye to hard water minerals then you need the most efficient water softener. The WECO High Efficiency 32,000 Grain is that kind of softener system. It is one of the best water softener systems for well and municipal water supplies. This softener will release you from the problem of scale build-up on sinks, faucets, showerheads, and other plumbing fixtures. The system regenerates automatically when its need. The WECO water softener uses a premium grade of 10% cross-linked gel-type resin which has a high resistance to oxidation, osmotic, and thermal shock. It also has programmable auxiliary relays, a touch screen display, and a bypass valve. 

 

The WECO high-efficiency water softener is an industrial-grade water softener but you can use it for your home. The capacity of this water softener is 32,000 grains but WECO has different sizes. You can consult with WECO technical support team for assistance in selecting the proper size for your home. You can select it for better water.

Pros

• It’s an automated system. You don’t need to look for regularly.
• Produces high-quality soft water
• Stainless steel body
• Technical support for assistance in selecting proper support

Corns

• Need plumbing experience for installation

What is the Best Water Softener for the Home?

Overall best

Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grains Water Softener

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Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 grains water softener is the overall best in our opinion. Here are the reasons-

• Comes with Fleck 5600sxt on-demand control head
• Excellent water flow rate which is 12 GPM
• Removes hard minerals (calcium and magnesium) properly
• Removes also sulfur and iron
• High graded and long-lasting 10 percent cross-linked resin which is also chlorine resistant
• 5-years warranty on the control head and 10-years on tanks
• Easy installation and excellent customer service

Best Water Softener System for Well Water with Iron

Fleck Iron pro-2 64,000 Grains Combination Water Softener

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AFW’s Fleck iron pro-2 64,000 grains water softener is the best choice for well water with iron. It’s a combined system of water softening with iron removal. Let’s see it’s features-

• Removes iron up to 8 ppm
• Comes with well-known Fleck 5600sxt digital control valve
• Removes hardness up to 75 GPG
• High iron removal 10 percent cross-linked fine mesh resin
• Also removes manganese up to 6 ppm
• Excellent warranty (5 years on control valve & 10 years on tanks)

Best Water Softener for City Water

Softpro Elite Plus High-Efficiency Water Softener

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We know that city water is pre-treated and contains different chemicals in it. You should install an appropriate water softener that is capable of removing these chemicals. In our opinion, Softpro Elite Plus is the best softener system for city water. Let’s see Why- 

• Softpro Elite Plus is specially built for city water. It comes with a Mediaguard KDF-55 chlorine removal filter.
• It comes with chlorine resistant 10 percent cross-linked resin
• A highly efficient water softener that saves 75 percent on salt and 64 percent on wastewater
• Lasts over 20 years
• A 10 years warranty on control head and lifetime on both mineral and brine tank

Types of water softener system and how do they work

Salt-based water softener

Most salt-based water softeners use the ion-exchange method. Ion exchange is a commonly used process of water softening and removing other substances from the water. There are two types of ion- positively charged ion and negatively charged ion. Positively charged ions are called cations and negatively charged ions are anions. In the process of cation exchange, positively charged ion that comes with contaminated water and contact with resin bed. Positively charged sodium ion ( or potassium ion) is available on the resin bed and exchange ion. Dissolved calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), along with Manganese (Mn3+) and iron (Fe2+ or Fe3+) can remove in this process. 

Related Post: Best salt for Water Softeners

Salt-free water softener

The salt-free water softener system is different from the salt-based water softener. The name “salt-free water softener” sounds exciting due to the absence of salt. Actually, it’s not a water softener. We can call them a water conditioner. Because they don’t remove any contaminant from your water. They don’t reduce any of the hard water minerals too. Instead of removing mineral grains, they remove their negative effects only. Salt-free water softeners help to remove hard water mineral build-up in your plumbing pipe. The Salt-free water softeners change the physical properties of the minerals, and transform into the crystal or coat them. That helps the minerals to easily pass through the pipes, appliances, or drains. If you have no option, then you can use this.

Magnetic water softener

Magnetic softener is an alternative solution to water softening. It has some advantages and disadvantages too. Its installation is too easy. No need to call any plumbing expert. It gives you a hassle-free service. Magnetic softener doesn’t remove any mineral from your water which caused hard water. It creates a magnetic wave around the pipe and prevents hard water ion to attach to the plumbing pipe. This type isn’t as popular as a salt-based water softener.

Reverse osmosis

Reverse osmosis acts as a water filter rather than a water softener. But many people use the best reverse osmosis system for their home. This system uses one kind of semi-permeable membrane to reduce harmful contaminants. By using pressure, it pushes the hard water through the membrane and delivers fresh drinking water. It needs no salt or minerals. The Reverse osmosis system is not so expensive but its effectiveness is very low at eliminating hardness.

Dual tank water softener

The dual tank water softener is a complete water softening system. They have two resin tanks and a mineral tank. It’s a heavy-duty water softener system. Dual tank water softener regenerates on demand, but they have some advances. When a single tank water softener regenerates, it will not supply you with soft water. The twin tank water softener will serve you continuously. When one tank is on regeneration mode, another will supply you with soft water. You will get soft water under all circumstances.

Different parts of water softener and their functions

A water softener consists of three main and some other important parts. It’s important to know insight information before selecting any model of water softener for your home. The 3 main parts of the water softener system.

1. The resin tank/Mineral tank

It’s the main part where actual water softening takes place. It contains a resin bed which is covered with sodium ions in respectively potassium ions. The incoming hard water passes through the resin beds of the tank. These resin beds exchange calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or potassium ions. This exchange of ions softens the water and all it happens in the resin tank.

2. Brine tank

This component is another important part of the water softener system. It’s a plastic tank that contains a brine solution. The brine solution is made with sodium salt. In rare cases, it’s made with potassium salt. If you are on a low sodium diet then you can use potassium salt in your brine tank. Sodium brine has some other disadvantages too. Bacteria are important for our septic system. Sodium based water softener discharge sodium brine into the septic system. This salt affects the activity of bacteria as well as a septic system. Potassium may be used as an alternative. Environmentally friendly water softeners use potassium but it’s a bit more expensive.

3. Control valve

The control valve act as an alarm clock of your water softener. It determines the regeneration time of your softener system. But, what is regeneration? Frequently using the water softener system deposits calcium and magnesium on the resin bed. The process of cleaning the bed is called regeneration.  Most of the newer models use a programmable digital meter for this purpose. Regeneration system completes in three phage- backwash, recharge, and rinse.

• Backwash: Backwash is the first step of regeneration. In this system, the valve reveres water flow within the tank and flushes the dust of the tank. The dust is then eliminated out the drain.
• Recharge: The brine solution is pumped up into the mineral tank in this step. This solution is highly concentrated with positively charged that attract to the negatively charged plastic beads. In this process, positively charged sodium ions force the Ca2+ and Mg2+ off the beads. The excess metallic elements and calcium-rich salty solutions are then flushed out and down the drain.
• Rinse: After filling the tank it rinse with water and the step repeats itself. Finally, the system is ready for softening water again.

Why Do You Need a Water Softener?

According to the Geological Survey of America, water hardness is a great problem in this country. It’s not the only problem of the U.S.A but also many other countries. Now take a view of some of the main negative effects of hard water.

• The heavy presence of minerals in your home scrapes kitchen and home appliances. You may see some soap scam on your dishes and bathroom fixtures. When the hard water dries out, it leaves a cloudy film. Your glassware will lose shining by frequently using this hard water.

• The skin problem is the most noticeable sign of hard water. Skin Irritation and eczema of children is linked to hard water. When we use soap, shampoo, or other cleaning products, they don’t dissolve fully in hard water. This can lead the irritation when they don’t rinse off the skin well.
• Hard water has lots of negative impacts on our health. According to the International Journal of Preventive medicine, regular use of highly dense mineral contaminated water causes many health problems. High levels of calcium and magnesium can affect several organs of the body. It can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to several international studies, both heart disease and high blood pressure can be caused by drinking hard water. Drinking hard water can cause a certain type of cancer.

• Hard water reduces the activity of hygiene supplies. When you clean your cloth or hair, you may notice less foam. It’s a sign of less effectiveness.
• It also reduces the efficiency of water appliances like the water heater, cattle, cloth washer,

Now, we know the negative role of hard water. How we can solve this? By using quality water softener, we can get rid of this. Hard water creates all these problems, and water softener removes hardness. Now we will know about the main benefits of using a water softener.

• You will get softer skin and clean, smooth hair. Fabrics last longer and whites last longer stay whiter without the grey caused by hard water.
• Softer water will increase the functionality of soaps and detergents. It will reduce the use of cleaning materials.
• It will keep you away from different types of health risks that are caused by hard water.

• It will also remove the cloudy spot which is left by hard water. The life of all water appliances such as coffeemakers, dishwashers, water heaters, cattle, and laundry equipment will be prolonged.
• A water softener will save your money on monthly energy costs. It will also protect your appliance from damage.

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Vital things to keep in mind

Before selecting any water softener you should consider some important things. It’s important to determine the actual hardness level of your water. Knowing the hardness level will help you to select the exact water softener for your home. It also prevents you from buying unnecessary and expensive items. Everyone wants affordable and necessary goods. You need not buy high performing ones if the hardness level of water is low. You have to choose the best water softener system that is appropriate for your home.

To select the best water softener system for home, you should keep in mind some vital information.

1. Determine the actual size you need 

Determining the size you need, will help to decide the best product. First, you should consider the purpose of the product. Most water softeners are built for household needs, and if you are looking for that, you should go to the next step. It will be best to consider the number of family members and property you have. The size of the water softener impacts on its regeneration system. A low capable system regenerates again and again if you use much water. The grain capacity may vary, and it starts from 16000. Some of them reach 100000. Duel tank water softener is quite in the capacity. If your resin tank stocks a lot of resin, then you will need more salt than usual.

The contaminant of water is not the same in every house. Some have the iron problem but all types of water softeners are not capable to remove iron. If you have this issue, then choose one that can remove iron.

2. Consider pricing and quality

Everyone wants the best water softener to buy but the high price is a big issue here. There are a lot of water softener systems in the market. You can buy a cheaper one from them but naturally, it will offer low performance. An efficient system can cost you $500 to $1500. Many systems offer low cost but they won’t last you long. In the end up they spend a lot of money on replacement parts. Otherhand, some systems may seem costly, but they will serve you longer and save your money in the long run. 

Resin is the most important element for salt-based water softener. If you select a softener system with low quality resin, it will end up cost you much. Low-quality resins need quicker replacement and it is expensive. High-quality resin lasts many years and it will save your cost.

Read also Reviews on Pelican Water Softeners

3. Find out the type of water softener you need

All the water softener or conditioner systems don’t work with the same method. So, you must find out the exact system which will solve the problems of your home water. You can get an idea about your water problems to see your plumbing pipe, shower head, water heater, and other water appliances. But, it’s best to analyze water conditions before choosing a water softener. For this, you can go to a water treatment professional. By using the analyzed data you will be able to choose the best water softener system or conditioner for your home.

4. Consider space availability

You must consider the available area in your house. If you have not enough space around the intake pipe to install a big one, then you should avoid it. Duel tank water softener system has more capacity but it needs enough space to install. The middle pack softener system is the best for most household use. If you have an idea about any certain model that will be fit around your intake pipe, then go for it. You can see the specific measurements and dimensions which is available online. You can also ask it the manufacturer.

5. Consider the flow rate

Before choosing any water softener system for home, you should consider its flow rate. Flow rate means, how many gallons of water it can supply per minute. The unit of measuring flow rate is GPM (Gallons Per Minute). It’s a crucial thing and you should not avoid it when buying a water softener. If the flow rate of your water softener is low and you use too many fixtures at the same time, then the system will not work properly. You need to consider the maximum number of fixtures you could use at the same time.

6. Grain capacity

Grain capacity is another important issue that needs to consider before choosing any salt-based water softener. You should focus on the family members and using water to determine the grain capacity you need. You can follow the formula to determine your required grain capacity which is given below.

Grain capacity calculator:

Required Grain Capacity = Hardness of water * Number of users (1 for appliances) * 80 gallons * Duration between regeneration

For example,

Harness level = 9 GPM

Number of user = 5

Regeneration cycle = 7 days

Now, Minimum required grain capacity = (5+1) X 9 X 80 X 7

                                                                  =30240 Grains

If your water has iron at 1.20 ppm,

 The minimum softener capacity should be = (5+1) X ( 9 + 6 X 1.20 ) X 80 X 7

                                                                      = 54,432 Grains

Note: Here, the average amount of water use is 80 Gallons. It may vary. You can adjust the figure according to your using.

7. Regeneration setting

You can select a metered water softener or a timed one. Metered water softener regenerates after using a certain amount of water. Otherhand, timed water softener regenerates after a certain period based on setting the program. It has some negative sides. Timed water softener regenerates frequently, though you are not at your home. It will waste your valuable resin, salt, and water. If you use much water than the previous plan, it will not supply soft water. A metered water softener will regenerate only after using a fixed amount of water. 

8. Warranty & Certification

 

Before choosing a water softener for your home, you should check the warranty and certification. Warranty and certification increase the reliability of any products. Offering a warranty means the company is confident in its products. Though, both of them don’t ensure that the product is error-free but ensure the standard quality. They will also give you the confidence to get the best water softener system for your home.

Best Water Softener Systems Brands for Home

• Fleck

Fleck is the most popular brand of Pentair. This brand has 50 years of experience in the field of water treatment. Fleck was founded in Minnesota, and till now, it’s the leading water softener brand in the USA market.

Fleck produces various water treatment products like water softener, control head, and water softener replacement parts. Highly capacity and effectiveness make it the number one brand in this sector.

• Whirlpool

Whirlpool is a well-known name all over the world. It’s a Michigan-based company that produces different home and water appliances. Whirlpool has more than a hundred years of experience in manufacturing quality home appliances.

Whirlpool is one of the most popular water softener brands in the U.S.A. These water softeners come with some special features that make them unique. The self-cleaning technology, space-saving design, and many other features make them popular in the world of water softeners.

• GE

GE water softener is the product of the General Electric Company. It’s also an American multinational company and the headquarter is in Boston city.

GE produces high-quality electrical appliances. Most of the GE products tested and certified by NSF & WQA. No doubt, these two organizations are most trusted and prestigious in the field of water quality control.

• Pelican

Pelican is famous as an elite brand in the water treatment market. The brand produces a wide range of water treatment products. Pelican also offers UV sterilizers to kill harmful microorganisms that may appear in the home water. Pelican salt-free water softener is one of the most popular names. These salt-free systems are very effective and environmentally friendly.

• Aquasana

Aquasana is not an old brand like GE, Whirlpool, or Pelican. But they have popularity in the water treatment market. The product of Aquasana is affordable and durable that makes them one of the best water softener system brands for most homes.

• Softpro

Softpro is another elite brand of water softeners. They manufacture high-quality water softener systems. The purpose of Softpro is to produce environmentally friendly and durable products. But it costs more than the others.

 

How to install a water softener system

Installing a water softener is challenging but not so tough. The installation system of most whole house water softeners is almost the same. Some of them are different but all products come with instructional guides and manuals. Many softener companies also provide videos or USBs for customer convenience. If you are not still sure then call a professional. However, we will know the basic steps of installing a water softener.

• Stop the main water flow of your home water supply by using the main control valve.
• Select the part where you want to install the device.
• Cut the pipe after your water meter.
• After that, you need to set three valves- one prior valve to control entering water, one after the valve to exiting the water, and the third one is for maintenance purposes. 
• Check the fittings to make sure that, they are well connected. If you need soldering them, do so.
• Connect the tanks with the provided tubing line. If not, you have to buy it from the nearest hardware store. They have standard sizes which will fit easily
• Then, connect the drain line using a clamp.
• Finally, connect the pipe from the unit to the entering water line of the house.

Read also: How to Clean Your Water Softener Unit

Best Water Softener Systems Comparison Chart 

Product	Capacity	Weight	Flow rate	Dimensions	Price
Fleck 5600sxt 48,000 Grain Water Softener	48,000 Grains	20.8 pounds	12 GPM	27 x 17 x 62 inches	Check Price on Amazon
Fleck Iron Pro2 Combination Water Softener	64,000 Grains	119.5 Pounds	16 GPM	14 x 07 x 21 inches	Check Price on Amazon
Pentair WS48-56sxt10 Fleck water Softener	48,000 Grains	130 Pounds	14 GPM	10*10*54 inches	Check Price on Amazon
ABCwaters 5600sxt Fleck softener and carbon filter	48,000 Grains	95 Pounds	12 GPM	54 x 10 x 10 inches	Check Price on Amazon
AFWFilters WS-96k-91SXT Fleck 9100SXT Dual tank water softener	96,000 Grains	53 Pounds	20 GPM	14 x 14 x 65 inches	Check Price on Amazon
Tier1 Everyday Series 48,000 Grain Water Softener	48,000 Grains	135.6 Pounds	11.2 GPM	15.5 x 15.5 x 66.5 inches	Check Price on Amazon
Aquasana Whole House Water Filter and Softener	10 year, 1 million Gl	43.5 Pounds	7 GPM	9 x 46 x 44 inches	Check Price on Amazon
Eddy Electronic Descaler Alternative Water Softener	N/A	7.8 ounces	N/A	6.7*1.6*3.5 inches	Check Price on Amazon
Nuvo H2O Dphb-a Home Water Softener System	35,000 Grains	8 Pounds	15 GPM	5 x 5 x 24 inches	Check Price on Amazon
SpringWell FutureSoft water softener	N/A	60 Pounds	12 GPM	N/A	Check Price on Amazon
Triple Action Bullet Poly Hard water Softener	N/A	4 Pounds	30 GPM	4.5 x 4.5 x 10 inches	Check Price on Amazon
Whirlpool WHES30E 30,000 Grain Softener	30,000 Grains	102 Pounds	7 GPM	19*18*43.5 inches	Check Price on Amazon
Genesis Premier 40,000 Grain Water Softener	40,000 Grains	N/A	13 GPM	24 x 18 x 52 inches	Check Price on Amazon
SoftPro Elite Plus High Efficiency Water Softener	64,000 Grains	N/A	14 GPM	30 x 18 x 56 inches	Check Price on Amazon
WECO High Efficiency 32,000 Grain Water Softener	32,000 Grains	300 pounds	15 GPM	10*10*64 inches	Check Price on Amazon

Conclusion

All things have an end, and now, we are at the same of our guide best water softener system for the home. We would be very happy if our hard work benefited you. Our expert team is working on it. Hopefully, our best water softener systems reviews have helped you to choose the best one. If you like this article, please don’t forget to share it with friends. Thanks for reading this article. Stay good