SOFTENERS AND CONDITIONERS
Water Softener Reviews
Water Softeners use salt to tackle hard water issues such as scale build-up that can damage your plumbing and appliances. Read on to find out if you need one for your home and how to make the best selection.
What is a Water Softener?
Water softeners are systems that address hard water through a process known as ion exchange. Essentially, they grab the ions hard water minerals (calcium and magnesium) and replace them with harmless sodium ions. Through this process, the water is softened by removing hard minerals.
How Do Water Softeners Work?
As hard water flows into the system, it passes through a bed of resin beads that have a negative charge from sodium ions. Since the hard water minerals calcium and magnesium have a positive charge and opposite charges attract, they will be drawn to the resin beads as hard water passes through the system. The beads grab the hard water minerals and swap them with harmless sodium ions, so only softened water passes through to your home. Since water softeners rely on sodium for the ion exchange process, homeowners will need to add salt to the system on a regular basis. They also require electricity to function.
Buyer’s Guide for Water Softeners
Choosing the best water softener system for your home requires more than comparing key features of products and reading reviews. Here’s some background information to help you better understand water softeners.
Softeners
A. O. Smith - 40,000 Grain Water Softener with Audible Salt Alerts - AO-WH-SOFT-400
Engineered to protect your home from the effects of hard water. Includes audible alerts, salt-sensing technology and fast and quiet regeneration.
Learn More about the A. O. Smith - AO-WH-SOFT-400Best Price*
System
$529.00
Performance
Certified
NSF 44
Integrated Pre-Filter
Yes
Power Loss Protection
Yes
Salt Technology
Yes
Best Price*
System
$529.00
Performance
Certified
NSF 44
Integrated Pre-Filter
Yes
Power Loss Protection
Yes
Salt Technology
Yes
Other Benefits:
- 3/10 year warranty
Rheem - 32,000 Grain Water Softener - RHS32
Designed for households up to 4 people. Provides on-demand soft water for your home. Includes low salt monitor.
Learn More about the Rheem - RHS32Best Price*
System
$399.00
Performance
Certified
Test
Integrated Pre-Filter
No
Power Loss Protection
Yes
Salt Technology
Yes
Best Price*
System
$399.00
Performance
Certified
Test
Integrated Pre-Filter
No
Power Loss Protection
Yes
Salt Technology
Yes
Other Benefits:
- 10-year satisfaction guarantee
- 1/3/10-year warranty
Whirlpool - 18,000 Grain Compact Home Water Softener - WHES18
Compact water softener designed to regenerate brine and water only when needed in order to save energy.
Learn More about the Whirlpool - WHES18Best Price*
System
$529.99
Performance
Certified
NSF/ANSI 44
Integrated Pre-Filter
No
Power Loss Protection
No
Salt Technology
Yes
Best Price*
System
$529.99
Performance
Certified
NSF/ANSI 44
Integrated Pre-Filter
No
Power Loss Protection
No
Salt Technology
Yes
Other Benefits:
- 1/10-year warranty
WaterBoss - 700 Water Softener - 700
Conserves water and requires the least amount of salt necessary for regeneration. Features built-in self-cleaning whole house sediment filter.
Learn More about the WaterBoss - 700Best Price*
System
$426.31
Performance
Certified
No
Integrated Pre-Filter
Yes
Power Loss Protection
No
Salt Technology
No
Best Price*
System
$426.31
Performance
Certified
No
Integrated Pre-Filter
Yes
Power Loss Protection
No
Salt Technology
No
Other Benefits:
- 5/10-year warranty
Water Softeners vs. Water Conditioners
Water softeners and conditioners are two solutions for addressing hard water that have a few differences.
Most notably, these systems work through different processes. Water softeners remove hard water minerals through ion exchange. Water conditioners don’t remove hard water minerals, they alter their chemical structure to make them harmless. Both options will address hard water, so your decision may come down to other differences between the systems.
Typically, water conditioners can only tackle minimally hard water. If your home has very hard water, you will likely need to use a water softener.
Beyond how they work, the largest difference between water softeners and conditioners is the maintenance and resources they require. Water softeners rely on sodium to perform ion exchange, so you’ll need to fill the system up with large salt bags on a regular basis and the system will also requires electricity which can add to your utility bill. As an alternative, water conditioners don’t require salt or electricity to work so they are seen as low-maintenance and more eco-friendly.
Resources
How To Read Your Water Quality Report
Just because your tap water looks and tastes fine doesn’t mean it is. Sometimes, tap water contains chemicals and impurities that could harm you and cause problems to your appliances.
Bottled Water vs Filtered Tap Water: Important Facts
Americans consume around 1,500 disposable plastic water bottles each second, or nearly 2.2 million each day. Many Americans place a high trust in bottled water, and assume it’s safer than tap water. The truth is there are virtually no real benefits to consuming bottled water. Most bottled water is little more than over-priced tap water in a bottle that contributes to over 2 million tons of plastic waste in our landfills every year.
Comparing Water Filter Technology
Depending on the type of water filter you’re interested in, you may be able to choose from a range of different water filter technologies including mechanical, activated carbon, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and ultraviolet light filtration. With so many options to choose from, it’s important to understand these filter technologies to determine which option is best suited for your needs. To assist you with the buying process, we’ll explain how each of them work.
Why Do I Need a Water Filter?
Just because your tap water looks and tastes fine doesn’t mean it is. Sometimes, tap water contains chemicals and impurities that could harm you and cause problems to your appliances. Yes, it happens. We’re not saying this applies to all homes but in many cases, unfiltered tap water just isn’t safe enough.
Need Help?
Get expert advice choosing a water filter
*Product performance claims and prices were taken from publicly available information on Amazon, are accurate as of 9/1/2022, and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Cost per gallon is calculated as replacement filter price/capacity. Not all contaminants will be listed in charts. If you find information that is inaccurate, please send the correct info with supporting documentation to info@waterfiltercomparisons.com, and we will address any errors. As an Amazon Associate, Water Filter Comparisons receives a commission on purchases made through our Amazon links.