The Best Water Softeners of 2024

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A water-softener filtration system is a great way to keep appliances functioning and plumbing free of mineral buildup. Here are our top choices.

Water softening systems prevent common problems with water, including chalky deposits of calcium carbonate, called limescale (or scale), and other harsh minerals, like iron and magnesium. These deposits cause hard water, which dries skin and hair. When one of these units is installed in a home, it works to soften water running out of every faucet, reducing or altogether removing these harsh minerals. This improves the quality of the home’s drinking water and leads to healthier skin, hair, and nails after bathing.

The best water softeners work by either drawing heavy minerals out of the water using a process called ion exchange or by neutralizing these minerals so that they are unable to bind together and remain soluble in the water.

As a plumbing project manager, I installed and worked with a wide range of water softeners installed in both residential and commercial locations, including many Whirlpool and Rheem models. Drawing on this experience, I researched a broad pool of water softeners to find these top options to find these top options. Products were selected based on the size, capacity, type of water softener, and the regeneration cycle. Here are some of the best water softeners available based on our findings.

1. BEST OVERALL: Whirlpool 40,000-Grain Water Softener
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: WaterBoss 36,400-Grain Water Softener
3. UPGRADE PICK: DuraWater 48,000-Grain Water Softener
4. BEST SALT-BASED: Rheem Preferred 32,000-Grain Water Softener
5. BEST PORTABLE: On The Go Portable 16,000-Grain Water Softener
6. BEST FOR WELL WATER: Aquasure Harmony Series Water Softener
7. BEST ALTERNATIVE: iSpring Whole House Water Softener System

How We Chose the Best Water-Softener Systems

Water-softening systems aren’t widely known products like lawn mowers or cars, so it can be difficult for shoppers to judge the best ones. However, years of plumbing industry experience and extensive research into the types of water softeners helped us compile our list of top-rated water systems.

Key considerations included the type of soft water system, the capacity of the product, the suitability of the softener for various family sizes, the water softener companies buyers choose, and any outstanding features that made a water softener stand out from similar products.

Most water-softener systems are salt-based. That’s why a high number of salt-based systems were selected, including both single-tank and dual-tank products. Capacity and suitability were typically considered together because in most cases, a large family will require higher-capacity water softener systems. Also, metered systems from top water-softener brands were generally favored, simply because this design helps conserve water and only regenerate when necessary.

Our Top Picks

The best water-softener systems remove calcium and magnesium deposits, improving the overall quality of a home’s water. The following water-softening systems are some of the most reliable products in their respective categories.

Best Overall

Whirlpool 40,000-Grain Water Softener

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Installing this single-tank, salt-based water softener by Whirlpool immediately improves a home’s water quality by removing hard minerals from its water supply. This reduces the extra costs involved in replacing faucets, dishwashers, and other water-based fixtures or appliances due to the premature wear and tear caused by hard water.

Because this Whirlpool water softener treats the problem at the source, the rest of the plumbing isn’t exposed to the hard water. A small amount of salt is added to the water during the ion-exchange process and must be refilled regularly to ensure that salt levels are maintained. This water softener has a capacity of 40,000 grains, and it recharges automatically using a metered system.

Product Specs

• Type: Salt-based water softener
• Capacity: 40,000 grain
• Dimensions: 47.875 inches tall by 18 inches wide by 19 inches deep

Pros

• Monitors salt and water usage, and only regenerates when necessary
• Low-salt tank light makes salt level easy to see to know when to replenish
• Removes up to 125 grains per gallon of hardness and 10 parts per million (ppm) of water iron

Cons

• Adds salt to the water softener system for the house and must be refilled regularly
• Some users report that resin beads leaked into pipes after a few years of use

Get the Whirlpool water softener at Amazon or Walmart.

Best Bang For the Buck

WaterBoss 36,400-Grain Water Softener

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This water softener by WaterBoss regenerates salt in less than 30 minutes, saving users time and water. An affordable, single-tank, salt-based water softener, it has a capacity of 36,400 grains and is a suitable option for households with four or more people.

This is one of the best water-softener systems available at an affordable price, making it an attractive solution for hard-water problems in average-size homes. It comes with a factory-installed bypass valve, water filter, and a built-in safety shut-off system, making it easier to safely clean the water softener. Just keep in mind that the softener does add salt to the water and this salt does need to be refilled regularly.

Product Specs

• Type: Salt-based water softener
• Capacity: 36,400 grain
• Dimensions: 25.75 inches tall by 18.75 inches wide by 14.75 inches deep

Pros

• Treats most municipal water and well-water problems, reducing calcium, dirt, sediment, and iron
• Factory-installed bypass valve extends longevity of the unit and its water filter
• Rapid regeneration process takes less than 30 minutes, reducing water consumption
• Has a built-in self-cleaning whole-house water filter; no need for cartridge change

Cons

• Add salt as necessary; may require more maintenance than other water softeners

Get the WaterBoss water softener at Ace Hardware or  The Home Depot.

Upgrade Pick

DuraWater 48,000-Grain Water Softener

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Despite the premium price of this 48,000-grain-capacity water softener, DuraWater’s model is an excellent investment for a medium to large household. This salt-based water softener removes magnesium, calcium, and even traces of iron to protect pipes, clothing, and hair from the effects of hard water.

A digital LCD screen with touch pad controls the water softener. This allows users to customize the unit’s metered regeneration system to suit their weekly schedules. The display can also be used to view error codes for help troubleshooting. The salt-based softener system weighs 53 pounds and includes a bypass valve and an installation tutorial for handy DIYers.

Product Specs

• Type: Dual-tank salt-based water softener
• Capacity: 48,000 grain
• Dimensions: 54 inches tall by 10 inches wide by 10 inches deep

Pros

• Includes upgraded paddle wheel meter; fully programmable for various water-treatment applications
• 10 percent chlorine-resistant resin offers better filtration while minimizing wear and tear
• Standard brine tank includes safety float and is fitted for quick connection

Cons

• Some users report the water having a foul smell and taste after unit installation
• May need to be replaced more frequently; some users say the unit doesn’t last long

Get the DuraWater water softener at Amazon.

Best Salt-Based

Rheem Preferred 32,000-Grain Water Softener

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This single-tank Rheem water softener optimizes salt consumption, water usage, and regeneration cycles. The tank measures 43.5 inches tall by 15.25 inches wide by 20.5 inches deep. Its metered system only regenerates when necessary, instead of relying on a fixed schedule that may regenerate too frequently or too infrequently to treat the water adequately.

This salt-based Rheem water softener has a capacity of 32,000 grains, making it a good choice for small to average-size households of up to four people. As expected of a salt-based system, a small amount of salt is added to the water in exchange for the heavy minerals. This water softener includes a low-salt indicator light so users know when to refill the salt.

Product Specs

• Type: Salt-based water softener
• Capacity: 32,000 grain
• Dimensions: 43.5 inches tall by 15.25 inches wide by 20.5 inches deep

Pros

• Affordable option for average-size households of up to 4 people
• A low-salt indicator light flashes when it’s time to replenish salt
• Optimizes water usage and regeneration cycles
• High-flow valve maintains water pressure in 1-inch plumbing and homes with multiple bathrooms

Cons

• Some users say this unit doesn’t soften hard water as well as other models
• Parts may be faulty; may not regenerate as quickly as other models

Get the Rheem water softener at The Home Depot.

Best Portable

On The Go Portable 16,000-Grain Water Softener

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Designed for portability, the On The Go portable water softener is an excellent choice for an RV, a large boat, a small one- or two-person home, or an apartment. An included hose allows for connection directly to an outdoor faucet or campground water supply for instant access to softened water for cleaning, drinking, and bathing.

Intended for portable functionality, this sand-based water softener can be recharged using simple table salt. This is great because the 16,000-grain capacity will require frequent recharging with regular use. However, with the reduced size, there’s a lower price, making this option easier on the wallet.

Product Specs

• Type: Salt-based water softener
• Capacity: 16,000 grain
• Dimensions: 22 inches tall by 9.5 inches in diameter

Pros

• 2 boxes of table salt provide around 1,600 gallons of soft water
• Regenerates in less than 30 minutes; compact design is ideal for camping and travel
• Connects directly to park faucets and campground water supplies

Cons

• Some users report having to recharge this unit frequently, usually after a few days
• At 32 pounds, this unit may be considered too heavy for some travel

Get the On The Go water softener at Amazon or On The Go.

Best for Well Water

Aquasure Harmony Series Water Softener

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Aquasure’s dual-tank water softener is known as one of the best hard water softeners for a well system, with a high-capacity 48,000-grain tank that’s suitable for homes with up to five people. The digital control panel allows users to see the time of day, current flow rate, and the volume of soft water or the number of days remaining until regeneration.

This Aquasure water softener works to eliminate iron, magnesium, calcium, and scale. It also has a metered regeneration system that helps to reduce overall salt and water consumption. Just keep in mind that dual-tank systems can take up a lot of floor space.

Product Specs

• Type: Dual-tank salt-based water softener
• Capacity: 48,000 grain
• Dimensions: 62 inches tall by 10 inches wide by 10 inches deep

Pros

• Designed to provide soft, scale-free, and spot-free water for entire house
• Dual-tank system is a suitable water softener for well water
• 48,000-grain tank optimal for a 2- to 4-bathroom house
• Built-in advanced digital control console allows precise backwashing only when needed, saving water

Cons

• May leak after a few months of use, according to some users, so careful installation is important
• Some users report a notable taste of salt in their home’s water supply after installing unit

Get the Aquasure water softener at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Aquasure.

Best Alternative

iSpring Whole House Water Softener System

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The iSpring ED2000 water descaler is an affordable solution for treating scale buildup in appliances, on faucets, and on shower heads. Like all electronic magnetic water softeners, it does not remove heavy minerals from water, so clothing may still suffer from premature fading. However, whole-house water-softener reviews for this descaler indicate its effectiveness at treating mineral buildup.

This top whole-house water softener is easily installed on all types of pipe, including PEX and PVC, by wrapping the two antenna cables from the water softener around the water pipe and then plugging the unit into a power outlet. The neutralized soft water doesn’t just prevent scale buildup; it breaks down existing scale to give the home a cleaner look and feel.

Product Specs

• Type: Magnetic water softener
• Capacity: 10 to 19 grains per gallon of