Say goodbye to hard water with these hardworking options.
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When it comes to home appliances, water softeners aren’t always fun to pick out. After all, they’re usually tucked into a utility closet or basement and aren’t going to be on display. Yet depending on your water quality and hardness, a water softener may be a necessity for your home.
Water softeners filter out heavy metals, chlorine, iron, and other unwanted substances that can cause buildup in your plumbing fixtures or leave stains in your tub. But it’s important to understand the different types of water softeners and "to choose a water softener with an appropriate capacity based on your household's water consumption," says Logan Cox, assistant general manager of John The Plumber Kingston,
Cox encourages homeowners to talk with a plumber about buying a water softener, adding, “They can also provide information about maintenance requirements, warranty, and ongoing costs associated with the system.”
Whether you choose to install your own water softener or work with a plumber, the list of options are dizzying. We scoured through the options to find the best water softeners of 2023.
This salt-based softener lets you customize how soft your water is, and it cuts back on your salt usage.
This won’t be the best option for larger households.
There are a few reasons we chose this GE softener as the best water softener overall. First, it allows you to choose how soft you want your water. It also has built-in technology that analyzes your typical water usage habits, which then provides you with a customized level of readily available soft water.
This is a salt-based model that can hold up to 230 pounds of salt and takes about two hours to run through a regeneration cycle. The brand notes this model has salt-saving capabilities that actually reduce how much salt you use by up to 34%. And its electronic controls are easy to use, letting you see at a glance what the salt level is and when you should refill it.
Depending on the hardness level of your water, this softener is great for households with up to four people. While this won’t be the best option for larger families, it’s a solid pick for households with a smaller number of people.
Product Details: Type: Salt-based | Size: 14.44 x 47.63 x 22.44 inches | Capacity: 40,000 grain | Regeneration Cycle: 123 minutes | Household Size: Up to four people
It helps you cut back on the amount of water you use over time—saving you money in the long run.
At two hours, its regeneration cycle is on the longer side.
Rheem makes it possible to get a decent-sized water softener for less than $400, so it’s our pick for the best water softener on a budget. Though it comes with a smaller price tag, it’s a 32,000-grain softener that can service households with up to four people.
The brand includes technology that can adapt to your water usage, ultimately helping you cut back on the amount of water you use. The angled top makes pouring salt into the softener a bit easier and the unit has a flashing light to let you know when it’s time to refill the salt.
The tank includes a 10-year warranty while the electronics have a three-year warranty and the parts and labor include a one-year warranty. Overall, its features are comparable to less budget-friendly picks on the market.
Product Details: Type: Salt-based | Size: 15.25 x 43.5 x 20.5 inches | Capacity: 32,000 grain | Regeneration Cycle: Two hours | Household Size: Up to four people
It's worth the splurge if you’re concerned about filtering out chlorine and heavy metals but want an efficient softener that uses more sustainable materials.
There’s no indicator light to tell you when salt levels are running low.
If you’re willing to splurge a bit, this pick from Tier1 is the best water softener. Though the household size isn’t specified, the softener can handle homes that have as many as six bathrooms, meaning this has a respectable capacity.
The softener uses KDF-55 and carbon media to filter out unwanted minerals like heavy metals, scale, and even chlorine. The recyclable KDF-55 used in the softener contains both zinc and copper which also cuts back on levels of chromium, lead, mercury, and nickel that may otherwise be found in your water. According to the brand, KDF-55 may prolong the water softener lifespan by about six years. Plus, the carbon media used is derived from coconut shells, making it a renewable option.
It’s designed to be efficient while using less salt, water, and power, so it can potentially save you some money on utility and salt bills. Keep in mind that this is a two-tank system, so you’ll need space for both the brine tank and the mineral tank. Another small drawback is that you’ll have to remember to keep an eye on the salt levels, since this softener doesn’t have a handy refill indicator light.
Product Details: Type: Salt-based | Size: 10 x 61.5 inches (mineral tank with control valve), 15 x 34 inches (brine tank) | Capacity: 48,000 grain | Regeneration Cycle: Two hours | Household Size: Unspecified
This is the best water softener option if you’d rather skip the traditional method of filling a softener with heavy bags of salt and want a quick, DIY installation process.
You may need to wait as long as three months to see an improvement in your water, depending on water hardness and whether you have existing limescale.
This magnetic softener from Yarna attaches right to a water pipe and doesn't have a regeneration cycle because there’s no tank. Instead, the unit works to descale your water by using electrical pulses. As water flows through the pipe, the minerals or crystals it contains are broken down so they’re unable to create limescale buildup within your home.
Depending on your water, you might need to exercise some patience when using this magnetic softener. In fact, it could take up to three months for you to notice an improvement in your water. However, it’s lower in price than most traditional water softeners, and you won’t need to lug around heavy bags of salt.
Though the exact household size isn’t specified, Yarna notes it can treat water in large houses or an apartment building with up to 20 units. It can be installed on a variety of water pipes, including steel, PVC, and copper. Installation can easily be done on your own and should only take about 15 minutes.
Product Details: Type: Magnetic | Size: 1.8 x 2 x 5.9 inches | Capacity: Not specified | Regeneration Cycle: Not applicable | Household Size: Unspecified
The softener regenerates based on your personal water usage, which can save on water as well as salt.
The model is on the higher end of the price spectrum.
With 40,000 grains, the Whirlpool WHES40E can handle households ranging from one person up to as many as six people, making it a versatile pick.
Though its regeneration cycle time isn’t specified, this is a demand-based softener. The model takes into account how hard your water is and the amount of water that your household uses to determine when to regenerate. That can add up to savings in water use since it isn’t running on a timed regeneration cycle—it only regenerates when it’s needed. You’ll also save money on salt, since the softener actually determines what amount is needed for regeneration.
You’ll know right away when salt is low thanks to the indicating light on the unit. It’s also certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), meaning it’s gone through rigorous testing to be sure it works just like the manufacturer claims it will. This model is on the higher end of the cost spectrum, but it does have the ability to handle larger households and may save on utility bills.
Product Details: Type: Salt-based | Size: 18 x 47.88 x 19 inches | Capacity: 40,000 grain | Regeneration Cycle: Unspecified | Household Size: Up to six
You’ll get up to 40 days of softened water with this portable unit, and there’s minimal installation required.
At 35 pounds, the softener may be a little too heavy for some users to easily transport.
If you want soft water on the go, this is one of the best water softeners available as a portable unit. It’s a compact size that you can hook up to your RV or even to a boat, and you don’t need tools or electrical power—simply hook it up using a typical hose connection.
It’s a salt-based softener, though you’ll actually use regular table salt instead of special softener salt pellets. It takes about 30 minutes to run a regeneration cycle, so you won’t need to wait too long if you run out of soft water while washing up some dishes during your next camping trip.
The softener itself weighs about 35 pounds, which could be a little heavy for some users to easily carry. Household size isn’t specified, but the company notes that you’ll get about 1,600 gallons of softened water from the tank. Depending on how often you’re using water, that could mean you’ll have as many as 40 days worth of soft water.
Product Details: Type: Salt-based | Size: 10 x 24 x 10 inches | Capacity: 16,000 grain | Regeneration Cycle: 30 minutes | Household Size: Unspecified
It’s a compact tank compared to its high capacity.
This may be more capacity than you need if you only have one or two people living in your household.
The Waterboss Model 900 is the best high-capacity softener, especially if you value a quick regeneration cycle. This softener is designed to be efficient for households with high levels of water usage, even though it has a compact, space-saving design.
It includes a water filter that’s built right into the system to filter out any dirt or other sediment. Plus, you won’t need to clean the filter because it cleans itself. It regenerates quickly, taking less than 25 minutes to complete a regeneration cycle—so no waiting around for hours for soft water free of metals or minerals that can cause stains.
The electronic display lets you quickly update softener settings or start a regeneration cycle. It comes with a five year warranty on parts and a 10-year warranty on the tank. We also appreciate that this is built in the United States.
Product Details: Type: Salt-based | Size: 14.75 x 30.75 x 18.75 inches | Capacity: 36,400 grain | Regeneration Cycle: 24 minutes | Household Size: Up to six people
This is the best softener for well water since it’s designed to capture iron, which is commonly found in wells.
As a two-tank system, it takes up more space.
Dealing with rust stains or other evidence of hard water on your clothes, tubs, toilets, and appliances is not pleasant. And well water tends to have more minerals in it, especially iron, that can lead to buildup and those unsightly orange-brown stains in the shower or toilet bowl. This is the best water softener if you have well water since it contains a fine mesh resin designed to capture those troublesome iron particles.
You can program a regeneration cycle to run at a specified time, or you can simply push a button to run the cycle to get soft water. Keep in mind that a regeneration cycle will take over an hour and a half, which is a little longer than some of the other softeners on the list.
It’s best for households with a maximum of four people, so it’s on the smaller side of capacity. But it’s an excellent pick for well water if you’re experiencing iron buildup or staining.
Product Details: Type: Salt-based | Size: 10 x 62 x 10 (resin tank with control head), 36 x 16 (brine tank) 24 x 62 x 16 inches | Capacity: 48,000 | Regeneration Cycle: 98 minutes | Household Size: Up to four people
After concluding our research, our overall pick for the best water softener is the GE 40,000 Grain Water Softener since it lets you customize your water’s softness and also reduces your salt usage.
Before shopping for the best water softener, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the various types that are available. Logan Cox, assistant general manager of John The Plumber Kingston, explains, “Common types include salt-based ion exchange softeners, salt-free or descaler systems, and magnetic or electronic water conditioners.”
Salt-based softeners are quite common and use an ion exchange system, resin, and sodium to soften hard water. The hard water gets filtered through resin in the softener, which then adds in salt ions. Salt-free softeners use potassium chloride and a template-assisted crystallization (TAC) system, which works by descaling.
Magnetic water softeners also descale via their electromagnetic coils, but instead of removing particles, they neutralize the minerals to prevent them from scaling. Keep in mind that magnetic water softeners aren't as effective as salt-based models, especially in larger homes. They also won't prevent scaling in sitting water, such as in a water heater.
Cox advises, “Each type has its own advantages and considerations, so it's best to consult with a plumbing professional to determine which type suits your needs.”
It’s important to look at regeneration cycles when shopping for a softener as well. Cox explains, “Regeneration cycles are the periods when the system cleans and recharges itself by flushing out the accumulated minerals. The regeneration frequency and duration can vary depending on the system and water usage.”
Each water softener will have different cycle lengths as well, ranging from under an hour to two or more hours. If you go through plenty of water and don’t want to wait for a long cycle, you may want to consider softeners with shorter cycle times.
If you choose too small of a capacity, you may end up having to wait for your softener to regenerate before showering or doing other household chores that require soft water. According to Cox, “Capacity refers to the amount of water a softener can treat before needing to regenerate or recharge.” You’ll want to take into account how much water you use and how many people are in your house when shopping for a softener.
To help you choose the correct capacity, take a look at the “grain” number on a water softener. The grain number in part refers to the amount of hard-water-causing minerals (like calcium or magnesium) that a softener can take out of the water before it needs to regenerate, and it plays a role in how much salt you’ll use.
The level of water hardness will vary based on your water supply. Some areas, such as rural areas with well water, may require a higher level of hardness removal. Hardness is typically measured in grains per gallon (GPG) or milligrams per liter (mg/L).
“Considering the hardness removal capability of a water softener is crucial,” Cox says. “Different softeners have varying efficiency in removing hardness minerals. Look for softeners with a high hardness removal rating to ensure effective water softening.”
Just like the name implies, water softeners actually “soften” water. Cox explains, “A water softener is a device that removes minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium, from the water supply, making it ‘soft’ by reducing the hardness. It does so through a process called ion exchange, where the calcium and magnesium ions are replaced with sodium or potassium ions, effectively softening the water.”
If you’re not sure whether you have hard water, there are some things you can do to check it. Cox advises, “You may notice soap scum residue on bathroom fixtures, spots on dishes and glassware after washing, dry skin and hair, or a decrease in the efficiency and lifespan of water-using appliances.” If these signs sound familiar, you may have hard water due to the buildup of minerals.
“A professional water test can provide accurate information about the hardness level,” Cox adds.
You’ll want to take a few factors into account when deciding what size water softener to buy. Cox advises that you’ll need to know how hard your water is, how many people live in your house, and how much water you typically use. Ultimately, he says, “The size of the water softener is determined based on the water hardness and the gallons of water used per day.”
The best water softeners will last 10 to 15 years, and regularly maintaining the appliance will help extend its lifespan. Salt levels in salt-based water softeners will generally need to be checked once a month to make sure enough salt is in the tank (typically at least half-full). Magnetic water softeners require less maintenance and last longer but are generally less effective than salt-based options.
Brittany VanDerBill is a freelance writer who has been working with Better Homes & Gardens since 2021. In addition to water softeners, she has researched and written about other home appliances and fixtures including whole-house humidifiers, range hoods, and kitchen faucets.
To find the best water softeners, she researched a variety of options, keeping in mind type, capacity, household size, and more. She also consulted Logan Cox, assistant general manager of John The Plumber Kingston, for additional insights.
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