Written by Joletta Dinkins
Published: 03 Feb 2024
Reviewed by Camryn Rabideau
When it comes to making sure your water is safe and enjoyable to use, having a good water softener can make a big difference. 7 Best Water Softeners highlights some of the top options available for removing mineral buildup and improving the quality of your water. Whether you're dealing with hard water or just want to ensure that your water is as clean and fresh as possible, these water softeners are worth considering.
Overall Score: 7/10
The GE Water Softener System is a reliable solution to reduce hard mineral levels at the water source. It's designed to improve water quality for drinking, laundry, dishwashing, and more. The system has electronic controls and a grain capacity of 30,400. With up to 20% less water usage, it also features GE exclusive days to empty to ensure you never have to guess when to refill the salt tank. The gray-colored system has dimensions of 22.44Lx14.44Wx43.25H and plumbing connections of up to 1". While it received positive reviews for water quality improvement, some users faced issues such as shipping damages and malfunction after a few months of use.
Key Features
- Electronic controls: Easy to use up-front electronic controls with status light indicator
- Grain capacity: 30,400
- GE exclusive days to empty: Makes sure you never have to guess when to refill the salt tank
- Water usage: Uses up to 20% less water
- Plumbing connections: Plumbing connection up to 1"
Specifications
- Color: Gray
- Dimension: 22.44Lx14.44Wx43.25H
- Size: 30,400 Grain
Pros
- Improves water quality for various uses
- Up to 20% less water usage
Cons
- Shipping damages reported
- Malfunction after a few months of use
The GE Water Softener System offers an effective solution for improving water quality. With electronic controls and a generous grain capacity, it aims to reduce hard mineral levels. However, some users faced issues such as shipping damages and malfunction after a few months of use, indicating a need for enhanced product durability and shipping protection.
Overall Score: 8/10
The Whirlpool WHEWSC Water Softening Cleanser is designed to maintain the peak efficiency and performance of your water softener. This 16oz cleanser helps remove harmful deposits from your water softener’s resin bed, valve, and system, allowing for softer, better-tasting water that benefits your appliances, as well as your skin and hair. It is recommended to use this cleanser every 4 months for best performance.
Key Features
- Maintains water softener's peak efficiency and performance
- Removes harmful deposits from resin bed, valve, and system
- Recommended use every 4 months
Specifications
- Color: Off-White
- Dimension: 5.50L x 3.75W x 9.00H
- Size: 16 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Pros
- Noticeably softer water
- Easy to use
- Improves system efficiency
Cons
- Slightly pricey
The Whirlpool WHEWSC Water Softening Cleanser is a highly recommended maintenance product for anyone with hard water issues. It effectively removes mineral buildup and helps maintain the system’s efficiency, resulting in softer, better-tasting water. While it may be slightly pricey, the noticeable improvements in water quality and system performance make it a worthwhile investment.
Overall Score: 9/10
Keep your water softener in tip-top shape with the Morton MWSC Universal Water Softener Cleanser. This off-white 16 fl oz cleanser removes iron, sediment, dirt, and rust from your water softener's resin bed and is suitable for use in any brand water softener. Recommended for use every 4 months, this product can extend your softener's life up to 5 years, and it has received glowing reviews for its performance, ease of use, and value for money.
Key Features
- Helps remove harmful deposits from resin bed, valve, and system
- Removes iron, sediment, dirt, and rust from resin bed
- Recommended use every 4 months
- Compatible with any brand water softener
- Use 3 times a year to extend softener life to 5 years
Specifications
- Color: Off-White
- Dimension: 6.00Lx4.00Wx9.00H
- Size: 16 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Pros
- Easy to use
- Extends water softener's life
- Great value for money
- Improves water softener's performance
Cons
- Temporary bad taste in water after use
- Some users cannot verify its effectiveness
The Morton MWSC Universal Water Softener Cleanser is a top-notch product that does exactly what it promises. It is a valuable investment for anyone looking to keep their water softener working at its best and can save you money in the long run by extending the softener’s lifespan. While some users have reported a temporary change in water taste, it quickly fades, leaving softer, cleaner water. Overall, this product offers great value for money and is a must-have for anyone with a water softener.
Overall Score: 9/10
The Aquasure Harmony Series delivers ultra-softened water to every outlet throughout your entire home. It reduces water hardness, eliminates scale buildup, and prolongs the lifespan of household appliances. Rated to treat 32,000 grains of hardness, it features an automatic digital metered control head and is constructed with high-strength, corrosion-resistant materials. It is equipped with a 5-year extended warranty and lifetime US-based tech support. The reviews were generally positive, but there were a few complaints about customer support and minor design flaws.
Key Features
- Perfectly designed for 1-2 bathrooms
- Protects your appliances by reducing water hardness and scale buildup
- Rated to treat 32,000 grains of hardness
- Automatic digital metered control head with customizable settings
- Constructed with high-strength, corrosion-resistant materials
Specifications
- Dimension: 9.00Lx9.00Wx1.00H
- Size: 32,000 Grains
Pros
- Effectively reduces water hardness and scale buildup
- Customizable settings for auto-flush intervals
- High-strength, corrosion-resistant construction
- 5-year extended warranty and lifetime US-based tech support
Cons
- No battery backup during power outages
- Slight design flaws with difficult display visibility and valve placement
The Aquasure Harmony Series Whole House Water Softener offers great value with its effective water softening capabilities and customizable settings. While there are minor design flaws and some complaints about customer support, it remains a reliable and high-performance water treatment system for small to medium-sized households.
Overall Score: 8/10
The AO Smith Whole House Water Softener Alternative – Salt Free Descaler System is a maintenance-free solution for reducing scale build-up in pipes and plumbing. It works with both well and city water systems and comes with a 6-year warranty. The black system has a 6 lakh gallon capacity and includes a shut-off valve, hose adapter, and nipple. Installation might require some practice, and it may not be a 100% cure for water spots and rings. However, it is praised for its effectiveness in reducing chlorine smell and taste in water. The product has received a customer rating of 4.2 out of 5 and has received both positive and negative feedback from users.
Key Features
- Salt-Free Scale Prevention
- Works For All Your Water Needs
- Well Or City Water
- Long Lasting & Cost Efficient
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Dimension: 30.00Lx9.25Wx9.25H
- Size: 6 lakh gallon
Pros
- Effectively reduces chlorine smell and taste
- Long-lasting with a 6-year warranty
- Great for both well and city water systems
Cons
- Requires professional installation
- May not completely remove water spots and rings
- Issues with leaking reported after several months
The AO Smith Whole House Water Softener Alternative – Salt Free Descaler System offers a cost-efficient and long-lasting solution for reducing scale build-up and chlorine in water. While there are some reported issues with leaking and a few limitations in its effectiveness, the product has generally received positive feedback from users and is a popular choice for improving water quality in both well and city water systems.
Overall Score: 9/10
The On The Go OTG3NTP3M Portable Water Softener effectively removes dirt, paint, rust, and scale. It is perfect for RV life and travel, ensuring soft, clean, and safe water for various uses. With a portable design, easy setup, and low maintenance, this water softener is highly recommended for RVs and outdoor activities. Customers have praised its effectiveness in reducing hard water, maintaining plumbing, and improving the overall quality of water for showers and cleaning.
Key Features
- Removes Dirt, Paint, Rust, And Scale
- Package length: 7.0"
- Package Width: 24.25"
- Package Height: 7.3"
- Tank Size: 6-3/4 Inch Diameter X 22 Inch Height
Specifications
- Color: Blue
- Dimension: 7.00Lx19.50Wx7.30H
Pros
- Effectively removes hard water
- Portable and easy to set up
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Plastic cap may have leakage issues
- Replacement parts may be needed
The On The Go OTG3NTP3M Portable Water Softener is a highly effective solution for RV owners and outdoor enthusiasts. Its ability to soften water, reduce scale build-up, and improve overall water quality makes it an essential addition to any RV or camping setup. The convenience of portability, easy setup, and minimal maintenance adds to its appeal, making it a valuable investment for those seeking clean and safe water on the go.
Overall Score: 7/10
The Whirlpool WHES40E Softener is an ideal solution for households of 1-6 people. It is NSF certified and equipped with salt and water-saving technology. It's designed to remove up to 10 ppm of clear water iron and reduce hard water symptoms such as staining and spotting. This automatic whole-house soft water regeneration system is designed to calculate the exact amount of salt and water needed to regenerate, resulting in significant savings on salt and water usage. It comes with a 1-year parts and labor warranty and has the option to be extended to 2 years with the purchase of Whirlpool WHEWSC water softener cleanser. The system is relatively easy to install and operate, with simple programming. Its dimensions are 19" D x 18" W x 47 7/8" H. However, there have been some issues with packaging, with several customers receiving damaged units. Despite this, the product has received mostly positive reviews for its performance and efficiency.
Key Features
- Ideal for households of 1-6 plus people
- Removes up to 10 ppm of clear water iron
- NSF certified to reduce hard water symptoms
- Automatic salt and water usage calculation
- 1-year parts and labor warranty
Specifications
- Color: Off-White
- Dimension: 20.50Lx15.00Wx48.00H
- Size: 40,000 Grain Water Softener
Pros
- Significant reduction in salt and water usage
- Relatively easy to install and operate
Cons
- Issues with packaging and delivery
The Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Softener offers efficient and reliable water softening for small to medium-sized households. Despite certain issues with packaging and delivery, the softener has been praised for its performance and water-saving features. It’s a cost-effective and valuable addition to any home.
Buyer's Guide for Bob Vila Water Softener
Key Factors to Consider
- Water Hardness: Measure the hardness of your water to determine the level of softening required.
- Capacity: Consider the size of the water softener to meet your household's water usage needs.
- Regeneration Process: Look into the regeneration process – options include time-based, meter-based, or manual regeneration.
- Water and Salt Consumption: Check the water and salt consumption to ensure it aligns with your preferences and budget.
Types of Water Softeners
- Salt-Based Water Softeners: These use salt to remove minerals from water and are effective for highly hard water.
- Salt-Free Water Softeners: These systems use potassium chloride to prevent scale buildup, suitable for mildly hard water.
- Dual-Tank Water Softeners: Ideal for heavy water usage, these systems have two resin tanks for continuous soft water supply.
Installation and Maintenance
- Installation: Consider the space requirements and potential need for a professional installation.
- Maintenance: Research the maintenance requirements for each type of water softener to ensure it aligns with your capabilities.
Brand Reputation
- Bob Vila Water Softener: Look into the reputation of the brand, customer reviews, and warranty options to ensure long-term satisfaction.
Budget Considerations
- Upfront Cost: Assess the initial cost of the water softener, including installation expenses.
- Operating Cost: Factor in the cost of salt or potassium and ongoing maintenance when evaluating the budget.
Environmental Impact
- Salt Discharge: Consider the environmental impact of salt-based water softeners and explore eco-friendly alternatives.
- Water Efficiency: Look for water softeners with high efficiency to minimize water wastage during the regeneration process.
Compatibility with Plumbing
- Compatibility: Check the compatibility of the water softener with your existing plumbing system to avoid potential issues.
- Space Requirements: Consider the space availability for installation and the layout of your plumbing for proper fitment.
Warranty and Support
- Warranty: Explore the warranty options for the water softener and consider the coverage and duration provided.
- Customer Support: Research the availability and quality of customer support for troubleshooting and assistance.
Additional Features
- Smart Technology: Some water softeners offer smart features for remote monitoring and control.
- Filtering Options: Look for water softeners with built-in filters for additional water purification.
- Sizing Options: Consider the sizing options available to accommodate different household needs.
Final Considerations
- Research: Take the time to thoroughly research and compare different options in the market to make an informed decision.
- Consultation: It may be beneficial to consult with a water treatment professional for personalized recommendations.
- Long-Term Benefits: Consider the long-term benefits of investing in a high-quality water softener for improved water quality and appliance longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions about 7 Best Water Softeners
The Bob Vila water softener uses a process called ion exchange to remove minerals like calcium and magnesium from your water, which can make it hard. This helps make your water better for cleaning and can prevent buildup in your pipes and appliances.
Using a Bob Vila water softener can make your water feel softer and can even help your hair and skin feel smoother after showering. It can also help extend the life of your appliances and make cleaning easier.
Installing a Bob Vila water softener can be a bit of a project, but it’s definitely doable for those with some DIY experience. Just make sure to follow the instructions carefully and maybe have a friend help you out.
You’ll want to check and refill the salt in your water softener every few weeks, depending on how much water you use. You may also need to occasionally clean the resin tank or replace the filter, so it’s good to keep an eye on it.
Yes, the Bob Vila water softener is designed to work with well water and can help remove any minerals that might make your water hard. Just make sure to follow the instructions for well water use to get the best results.
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