Best Water Softeners for Well Water

The SpringWell WS-SS series is the most targeted water treatment system for well water that we know of. It’s designed to remove the four most common hard mineral and metal contaminants found in US well water: iron, calcium, sulfur, and magnesium. The WS-SS uses a traditional ion-exchange softener with ample capacity for most homes (plus, a larger option is available) and has a metered regeneration system that can be programmed using a Bluetooth-compatible tank head.

The filter component of the SpringWell system, which we rated as the best filter for well water, is able to remove 8 PPM of sulfur, 7 PPM of iron, and 1 PPM of manganese using an air-injection filter that regenerates alongside the softener brine tank. This means there’s no need for replacement cartridges!

Those looking for a simple, traditional solution for hard well water should be happy with the Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000-Grain Softener. It combines a brine tank and water softening system into a single, compact tank that helps to save floor space alongside money. The Whirlpool even includes metered regeneration to help reduce salt, plus iron filtering, all for under 750 dollars.

The drawbacks? Reviews suggest the metering system in the WHES40E isn’t as efficient as more premium options, meaning you’re likely to use more salt. The all-plastic design also carries a greater risk of deterioration over time compared to composite or metal tanks. This can be a particular issue for those living in cold or hot climates – or if you’re planning to install your softener system in an outbuilding.

Salt-free water conditioners like SpringWell’s FutureSoft® FS4 don’t demineralize water. Instead, they crystalize dissolved calcium and magnesium so that they can no longer bind to surfaces and cause stains or scale. The result is mineral drinking water from your well that retains its great taste and health benefits, without annoying calcification build-ups.

The FutureSoft® conditioner uses SpringWell’s Template Assisted Crystallization technology to descale pipes and appliances without salt, regeneration periods, or replacement parts, providing the ultimate in maintenance-free softening. When using any crystallization water conditioner, it’s important to properly filter well water before it enters the device, to prevent other contaminants like iron from clogging the TAC media.

Because they’re designed to remove high amounts of hard minerals, whole-house water softeners for well water tend to be expensive. But cost doesn’t need to prevent well owners from enjoying the benefits of calcium and magnesium-free water.

For around 500 dollars, the Tier1 Everyday Series provides several premium softener features, including a digital metered regeneration system, a 32,000-grain capacity, and an adequate flow rate for the majority of wells and homes.

We don’t think the Tier1 can’t use salt as efficiently as more expensive systems, and it doesn’t offer additional filtering or bypass features. However, those looking for a reliable softener on a budget won’t go far wrong with this system.

Pentair is known for making quiet, reliable water softening systems that keep running year after year. This traditional salt-based softener runs at 13 GPM, enough for homes with 7-8 bathrooms, and includes a programmable regeneration system to help you make the most of its large, 64,000 grain cycle capacity.

The Pentair Softener series use singular, rotary disc seal to reduce the chance of leaks or maintenance issues, while its chlorine-resistant resin helps protect the softener after a well has been shock-chlorinated.

Electric descalers are a budget and installation-friendly way of conditioning water, with this product from Eddy being a favorite on Amazon. Descalers wrap around the water pipe and reformat the water inside so that minerals no longer create scale. That means no need for large tanks or tampering with plumbing (great for rental properties). The Eddy works on both metal and plastic piping and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Aquasana’s ever-flexible Rhino filtration system is a great option for those looking to pair effective descaling with one of the most well-reviewed whole-house water filters online.

This version of the brand’s flagship system includes a 20″ sediment filter to remove small undissolved particles (rust, silt, dirt), a carbon filter that handles common chemical and metal well water contaminants (VOCs, pesticides, lead) and a 6-year/600,000-gallon water conditioner, which clears your pipes and appliances of scale and provides soft water without removing beneficial minerals.

As the most popular large-capacity water softener on Amazon, the Aquasure Harmony can treat up to 64,000 grains of hardness per cycle, as well as remove minor amounts of iron. This softener comes with a pre-filled resin tank, a fiberglass-lined leakproof tank, and a 5-year warranty. As a metered system, users can pick from a range of washing and regeneration cycles, including a double backwash option that’s handy for annual deep cleaning.

The Fleck AFW Iron Pro 2 is another popular option with well owners who experience iron contamination alongside hard water. It’s able to handle 4 PPM of iron and 6 PPM of manganese, as well as softening water using an ion-exchange resin tank that contains a special iron-resistant mesh. Reviewers of the Fleck AFW system report high flow rates and an impressive ability to reduce iron stains on bathroom and kitchen fixtures.

Because it spends long periods underground, domestic well water often contains dissolved minerals and metals—otherwise known as hard water.

Hard water isn’t a health risk, but a high mineral content can problems around the home.

Water hardness creates stains on kitchenware, limescale in your appliances and faucets, and prevents detergents from lathering. It can also dry out skin and lead to buildups of sediment in plumbing and water heaters.

Luckily, the right water softener for well water will solve all of these issues, creating water that feels more pleasurable, is more efficient for laundry, and is easier on pipes and appliances.

1. Well water softening technology

Water softeners are categorized as either salt-based systems or water conditioners.

Salt-based systems are the more traditional and popular method of softening water, using an ion exchange process, where hard calcium and magnesium ions in water are replaced with soft sodium ions.

Water conditioners use a number of different methods to reduce scale without actually removing hard minerals from water. Some crystalize the minerals so that they can’t form scale deposits, while others use a magnetic charge to stop them from binding together.

Salt-based softeners

traditional salt-based water softeners are the most popular type of water softener. We recommend them for homes and wells with moderate-to-high levels of hard water, due to their reliability and proven success.

Salt-based, ion exchange water softeners may also be effective and removing iron and manganese, two of the most common well water contaminants, depending upon the specific model.

The downsides of salt-based water softeners include their large size. these water softener systems need dual tanks so that the resin bed can be washed and regenerated. Salt systems also completely remove hard minerals from water, which affects water taste, and negates any potential health benefits.

Magnetic/electric water softeners

A magnetic or electric water softener is a less popular form of salt-free water conditioner that offers a convenient, low-installation way of softening water. These devices are mounted directly onto the mains water pipe and use magnets or electrical charges to change the format of hard mineral ions and prevent them from calcifying into limescale.

Because they attach to pipes, these water softener systems don’t require users to cut into the water line or mess with their plumbing. They’re also often cheaper than other conditioning methods.

Reverse osmosis water softeners

Reverse osmosis systems are often categorized as water filters rather than softeners, thanks to their impressive ability to remove almost all common water contaminants. However, this ability also makes them effective water softeners that can effectively remove hard minerals thanks to their micropore membranes, which remove unwanted substances on a molecular level.

Crystallizing water conditioners

For those who want to reduce scale without adding salt or affecting the taste of water, crystallizing conditioners provide an effective solution. A crystallizing water softener system contains sites that attract and bind hard minerals, where they form crystals.

After forming into crystals, the hard minerals detach from the binding site and return to the water supply, where they’re no longer able to attach to surfaces and form scale.

While a salt-free water softener is likely to cost more than a traditional system, it can run for longer without maintenance and doesn’t require brine tanks or salt refills.

2. Well water softener grain capacity

Water softeners don’t have an unlimited ability to treat water, so it’s important to choose a system with sufficient capacity for your needs.

The capacity of softeners is measured in grains per gallon (GPG), with a single grain equal to approximately 60 mg of hard minerals. Most softeners are able to remove between 24,000 and 80,000 grains per treatment cycle.

The harder water is, the more demand it places on a softener, meaning a higher grain capacity is needed to produce successful results.

Well water capacity considerations

Water softeners used on well water contain the same technology as other devices—but they need a few key features to ensure smooth operation. One of those is a slightly larger capacity.

Because well water is normally much harder than surface water, it’s important to appropriately size your well water softener.

Even if you don’t think you’ll process a large volume of water using your device, well water is still likely to use up more of a softener’s capacity than an equal amount of surface water.

3. Well water softener regeneration type

Salt-based water softeners require a regeneration period, where accumulated hard minerals are washed from the resin tank and replaced with fresh sodium.

Softeners regenerate in two main ways: metered systems and timed systems.

Metered water softeners contain sensors and processors that count the gallons of water passing through a system, then activate the regeneration process. This makes them responsive to water demand.

Timed water softeners operate on a regular schedule, and are usually set to regenerate during low-demand periods such as the early hours of the morning. With a timed system, it’s important to set a regeneration schedule that’s not so long that salt runs out, but not so short that excess salt is wasted.

System control & features

If you’re going to be relying on a water softener, then it’s convenient to use one with a digital metered control head, that can provide up-to-date information about the system status. This will allow you to run diagnostics, set personalized programs, and even control things from a Bluetooth device with some water softeners.

4. Well water softener flow rate

The flow rate of a softener measures how much water it can process at a single time. It’s important to use a softener that matches or exceeds the flow rate of your well and water filtration system so that it doesn’t restrict flow from the rest of your system.

Flow rate is measured in gallons per minute (GPM). When deciding what GPM you need, think about how many appliances, faucets, and showers are likely to be used at any one time. Most homes can function happily on 6 – 12 GPM.