If your water's hardness is greater than 7 grains per gallon or 120 mg/L, then you might need a water softener to ensure your appliances run well and to improve the taste, smell, or look of your water.
Never mind, what is the best water softener for home use?
Here's our picks for the Best Water Softeners.
- Springwell Softener System – Best Buy in 2020.
- Fleck 5600SXT Water Softener – Best Salt-Based Water Softener.
- Fleck Iron Pro 2 Water Softener – Best for Well Water with Iron.
- Pelican Salt-Free Water Softener – Best Salt-Free Water Softener.
No less, which brand of water softener is the best? Our Top Picks
- BEST OVERALL: AFW Filters Iron Pro 2 Water Softener. ...
- RUNNER UP: Fleck 5600SXT 64,000 Grain Water Softener. ...
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: iSpring ED2000 Whole House Electronic Descaler. ...
- UPGRADE PICK: DuraWater 64k-56sxt-10al 64,000 Grain Water Softener. ...
- SALT-BASED PICK: Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Water Softener.
At least, what is the best whole house water filter and softener system?
Top 10 Whole House Water Filtration Systems
IMAGEPRODUCTFEATURES
Best Overall Filter | Best Overall Filter | #1 AquaOx |
Best for City Water | Best for City Water | #2 SpringWell CF1 |
Best for Well Water | Best for Well Water | #3 SpringWell WS1 |
| | #4 Aquasana 1000 Rhino |
Are salt free water softeners better?
A salt water softener would be your better choice. Salt-Free Water Conditioners create hardness crystals but leave minerals present in the water. The crystals won't adhere to surfaces so you will see a reduction in scale build up. ... Salt based systems will outperform salt free for overall water softening.
Fleck 5600SXT 64,000 Grain Water Softener Digital SXT Metered Whole House System
- Fleck 5600 SXT On Demand Digital Metered Water Softener
- 64,000 Grain 2.0 cubic ft of High Capacity Resin Pre Loaded in the tank
- Black USA Pentair mineral and brine tanks. Ultra efficient digital on demand water softener valve saving on salt and water.
- Includes 1 inch noryl threaded plastic bypass compatible with standard plumbing and flex lines.
- Ship pre loaded with resin in brine tank for easier installation. Built-in capacitor keeps memory up to 48 hours and programming will not be lost if power is lost
Aquasure Harmony Series Whole House Water Softener with High Efficiency Digital Metered Control Head (32,000 Grains)
- Reduces hardness in the water, and eliminates scale, spot build up for the entire home.
- Rated to treat 32,000 Grains of Hardness by removing skin damaging hard minerals like iron and magnesium that clog up the skin pore and causes irritation.
- Equipped with Aquatrol Advanced Digital On-Demand Meter Control Head, in and out bypass, 1" NPT Male Adapter, and pre-filled premium quality resin.
- Featured, time delayed, metered and manual double backwash for optimum regeneration, cleaning, and performance.
- Every Aquasure Water Softener is constructed of High strength corrosion resistant fiberglass lined polyethylene tank, durable bypass valve and prefilled premium grade resin. It also comes with 5 year manufacturer warranty
Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener-Built in USA-Salt Saving Technology-NSF Certified, Off-White
- Whirlpool WHES40E water softener is ideal for households of 1-6+ people and removes up to 10 ppm of clear water (ferrous) iron
- NSF certified to reduce hard water symptoms such as embarrassing stains, build up on your Plumbing and Faucets and spotting on dishes
- Whirlpool water softeners automatically Calculate how much salt and water is required to regenerate and only uses what is necessary, resulting in a significant reduction in salt and water usage
- Full 1-year parts and labor . The system can be extended to 2 years when you buy 3 bottles of Whirlpool WHEWSC water softener cleanser (sold separately)
- Dimensions: 19" D x 18" W x 47 7/8" H
- Designed, engineered and assembled in the USA. Questions? Call the Whirlpool helpline at (866) 986-3223
Fleck 5600sxt Metered On-demand 48,000 Grain Water Softener with brine tank, bypass and 1" adapters
- Engineered with double backwash
DuraWater Fleck 5600SXT Metered Softener UpFlow 1.5 Cubic Ft Carbon Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter Combo Package, Black
- Fleck 5600 SXT Metered Softener 48,000 Grain Low Salt and Water Usage
- Up Flow Carbon Filter No Backwashing Required Removes Chlorine
- 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis System 75 gpd Membrane
- Combo - Great for whole house general filtration
Pentair WS48-56sxt10 Fleck water softener, Black
- Fleck 5600Sxt digital metered control head
- 1.5 cu. Ft. Upgraded 10 percent crosslink resin
- Easy to install with AFW install kit as pictured included, reliable long lasting water treatment
- Complete system including standard 14x33 brine tank, mineral tank, valve with bypass and adapter
Iron Pro 2 Combination water softener iron filter Fleck 5600SXT digital metered valve 64,000 grain, 64k for whole house
- Water softener, iron filter, all in one! high flow for whole house use!
- 64,000 grain capacity, fine mesh resin designed for high iron removal & long life
- Fleck 5600SXT digital metered valve for efficiency and ease of use, 5 year warranty!
- Removes hardness up to 75 gpg, Iron up to 6-8 ppm range, Manganese up to 6 ppm, sediment, sand, rust
- *tank color may vary*, this comes complete with brine tank, DIY instructions, bypass valve
Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Water Softener Digital SXT Metered Whole House System
- Fleck 5600sxt Digital on-demand Metered Water Softener with paddle wheel meter (BR5600SMS-SXTPW), Made in the USA.
- Black Structural 10x54" PG 2.5T (CH30579-03010203-30), 14"x34" black square brine tank with safety float, made in the USA
- Includes Fleck bypass valve (60049) and 1" male threaded yoke connection (18706-01)
- Will treat up to 12 gpm service flow rates (28 GPM peak) perfect for up to 6 people in home, moderate to very hard water
- 48,000 grain or 1.5 cubic feet of high capacity 8% cross linked resin (BR8)
APEC Water Systems FUTURA-15 Premium 15 GPM Whole House Salt-Free Water Softener & Water Conditioner
- Designed for 3-6 bathrooms homes with 15 gallons/minute flow rate, FUTURA-15 effectively prevents scale buildup and prolongs lifespan of pipes and home appliances without the use of harsh chemicals or salt.
- Easy to install and lasting for years, this maintenance-free system does not require electricity, backwash, drainage for wastewater, or troublesome salt replacement.
- The system conditions water without slimy feeling and offers much easier clean-up of hard water spots on cars, windows and dishes. Suitable for water hardness levels below 25 grains/gallon.
- Without discharging any salt waste or chemicals into the water, the system is 100% and safe for plants, as well as reduces health risks and improves your cardiovascular system.
- Worry free: Comes with 10-year limited , plus life-time expert support directly from a first-rate manufacturer.
AFWFilters AFW Filters IRON Pro 2 Combination water softener iron filter Fleck 5600SXT digital metered valve for whole house (64,000 Grains, Black)
- Ships Pre Loaded Water softener, iron filter, all in one! high flow for whole house use!
- Comes with AFW Filters install kit with sanitizer, lubricant, and instructions
- Fleck 5600SXT digital metered valve for efficiency and ease of use, 5 year ! Removes hardness up to 70 gpg, iron up to 4-7 ppm range, manganese up to 6 ppm, sediment, sand, rust
- Comes with the standard brine tank and bypass valve -
5 More Questions Answered
General guidelines for classification of waters are: 0 to 60 mg/L (milligrams per liter) as calcium carbonate is classified as soft; 61 to 120 mg/L as moderately hard; 121 to 180 mg/L as hard; and more than 180 mg/L as very hard.
Interpreting Test Results
Classificationmg/l or ppmgrains/gal
Slightly hard | 17.1 - 60 | 1 - 3.5 |
Moderately hard | 60 - 120 | 3.5 - 7.0 |
Hard | 120 - 180 | 7.0 - 10.5 |
Very Hard | 180 & over | 10.5 & over |
Do I need a whole-house filter? Unless it's required for a very specific need, such as well water that's otherwise undrinkable, experts say most homeowners don't need a whole-house system. These cost a great deal more than point-of-use systems without providing equal benefit.
This is an unfortunate misunderstanding. Although a water softener may help to make your drinking water taste better, it does not make it a cleaner or safer drink. Using a water softener instead of a high-quality water filter will not give you the cleaner water that you want to for drinking, cooking or taking showers.
Determine the proper water softener based on your hardness and number of people in your house.
| Number of people in your house |
Hardness in Grains Per Gallon1 to 2 people*3 to 4 people*
5-10 GPG | 32,000 Grain | 32,000 Grain |
11-20 GPG | 32,000 Grain | 32,000 Grain |
21-30 GPG | 32,000 Grain | 40,000 Grain |