Best Water Softener For Well Water of 2024 | Top Picks & Reviews

Best Water Softener for Well Water
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There are so many setbacks to using hard water regularly. It causes so many health problems, and even more so, hard water reduces the life of the appliances that use water to function. Have you been wondering why your laundry seems so stale? It could be because of the high amount of iron and minerals in the water. Installing a water softener for treating the well water will also free you from the scaling and rust on your bathroom floor.

We have prepared a list of the best water softeners to treat the hardness of your well water and help you choose the best product.

Best Water Softener For Well Water
AFWFilters Fleck 5600sxt (Best Overall)
  • Type Water Softener
  • Water Flow Rate: 20 GPM
  • Grain Capacity: 48,000
  • Warranty: 5 Years
  • Weight: 20.4 Pounds
AFWFilters Iron Pro 2 (Best Softener + Filter Combo)
  • Type: Iron Filter + Water Softener Combo
  • Water Flow Rate: 16 GPM
  • Grain Capacity: 64,000
  • Warranty: 5 Years on head and 10 Years on tank
  • Weight: 119 Pounds
Pentair WS48-56sxt10
  • Type Water Softener
  • Water Flow Rate 14 GPM
  • Grain Capacity 48,000
  • Warranty 5 Years
  • Weight 130 Pounds
AFWFilters 5600SXT
  • Type: Iron Filter + Water Softener Combo
  • Irom Removal: 4-7 ppm Range
  • Flow Rate: 14 GPM
  • Grain Capacity: 48,000 Grains
  • Weight: 21 Pounds
  • Warranty: 5 years
AFWFilters 56-SXT
  • Type Water Softener
  • Water Flow Rate 16 GPM
  • Grain Capacity 64,000
  • Warranty 5 Years on valve and 10 Years on tank
  • Weight 20 Pounds

Best Water Softener for Well Water

1. Fleck 5600sxt On-demand 48,000 Grain Well Water Softener

Fleck 5600sxt On-demand 48,000 Grain Well Water Softener

One of the topmost water softeners for well water on our list is Fleck’s 48,000-grain water softener. The main function of the softener is to eradicate iron and sulfur from the water while it also removes the metals and minerals that make the water hard.

The system includes a softener and a tank, and everything you will need to connect the system to your lines except for the tools. The softener system uses highly efficient ion exchange to soften the water.

The softener system comes with fine mesh resin to filter the iron from the water. It also catches calcium, manganese, magnesium, sulfur, etc., and flushes it back down the drain.

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The system’s KDF 85 media guard makes that work extremely efficiently. Even the installation of the system is really easy and might just take an hour to do so. You will receive an instructional manual with the purchase to help you through that. There are also video guides available to make the installation even easier than that.

You do not have to worry about any reduced water flow because the system gives you the flow of 12 gallons per minute. It is an ideal system for a family that has 2-5 members.

There is a digital meter that makes it easy for you to monitor the water softener. You can even set the timer for regeneration with the help of this digital meter. What we like about the whole system from Fleck is that it comes with a 5-year warranty.

What we like
  • Installation is easy
  • Budget-friendly
  • Cost-efficient
  • Auto regeneration
  • Highly durable
  • Comes with a 5-year warranty
  • Great customer service
  • Perfect for your whole house
  • Resins are pre-installed
What we don’t like
  • Water waste while regeneration
  • Requires regular maintenance
  • Requires sodium and resin replacement

2. AFW Filters Iron Pro 2 Well Water Softener with Iron Filter

AFW Filters Iron Pro 2 Well Water Softener with Iron Filter

Too tired of scrubbing the brown rust from your bathroom floor? Get the AFW Filters Iron Pro 2 Combination system and get rid of that problem. You will get a preloaded system that you will just have to install.

The system efficiently removes fluoride, sulfur, iron, and manganese from the water. One thing we like the most about this combination system is that it comes with a digital metered valve, making the maintenance of the regeneration easy for you.

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The water softening system will automatically do the regeneration process without needing to be manually set every time. You just have to set it up at once, and it will regenerate on the time set. The capacity of the system is 64,000 grains, which is extremely cost-efficient.

Installation is easy as well, and you will receive an instructional manual and video guides to help you set up your system. In the installation kit, you will also receive sanitizer and lubricants.

The KDF-85 media of the system is excellent in removing manganese and sulfur. After the installation, the system will give you a water flow rate of 16 GPM.

If you are skeptical about the system whether it will make the extremely hard water into soft water, you need not worry because you will get a water flow rate of 16 gallons per minute.

If you have 7-8 members in your house, this may be one of the ideal systems for you. The system is said to be really effective in making the extremely hard water of the well into perfectly healthy soft water.

What we like
  • Easy installation
  • Automatic regeneration
  • Removes Ferrous iron, manganese, and more impurities like that
  • 64,000-grain capacity
  • Prevents scaling and stains
  • Video guide for installation
  • Long-lasting
  • Includes KDF-85 media
  • Excellent water flow
What we don’t like
  • Might need a pre-filter if there’s a high level of contaminants
  • Installation instructions have been confusing for some customers

3. AFWFilters Iron Pro 2 64,000-Grain Well Water Softener

AFWFilters Iron Pro 2 64,000-Grain Well Water Softener

There is yet another combination filter from AFW you can get to remove the hardness of the well water. This well water softener removes hardness up to 75 GPG and is very cost-efficient.

The system includes an iron filter to make the process of removing iron from the well water more effective. Besides iron, the system also removes sulfur and manganese. If you have 7-8 members in your family, this system will provide you sufficient soft water for everyone.

Besides that, the system shows amazing performance in removing all the contaminants that make the well water hard. If we get into more details about the softening process, the system removes iron up to 6-8 ppm, manganese up to 6 ppm, and removes other large sediments from the water.

The installation of the system should be easy if you have basic knowledge of plumbing. Overall the system is designed in such a way as to make the installation easy for you anyway.

You will get an instructional manual with the purchase to make that even easier for you. The specialized mesh resin of the system makes it one of the best systems you can get for the whole house.

You get a 5-year warranty on the tank, a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, and a 10-year warranty on the system. The guarantees and warranties are self-explanatory about the results you will get from the system. Read the Full Review of this product here.

What we like
  • 2 of the great systems combined in 1
  • Removes iron, sulfur, and manganese effectively
  • Removes large sediments
  • 30-day satisfaction guarantee
  • Long-lasting
  • 64,000-grain capacity
  • Softens extremely hard water
What we don’t like
  • Installation is a little hard
  • Costs more than other units

4. AFWFilters 56-SXT Water Softener for Well Water

AFWFilters 56-SXT Water Softener for Well Water

AFW is one of the top brands that offer you water softeners that perfectly meet your requirement. The filter’s on-demand control on the valve ensures that you get pure water when you open any faucets in your house.

Getting this system will not only be healthy for your skin and hair but will also free you from cleaning out the rust and scaling on your bathroom floor. On the purchase, you will get high-capacity resins, a softener, a by-pass valve, a standard brink tank, and an installation instructional manual.

You can install this system by yourself without the need for any professional help from a plumber. You can use the instructional manual to assist you in the same.

After the installation, the system will use an ion exchange process to remove iron, sulfur, and manganese from the water. The best part about this kind of softener is that it regenerates and sends the iron down the drain. You might need to replace the salt and resins after a certain period of time.

The flow meters keep track of your water-softening system. You can control everything from its LCD digital display, and you just have to set a cycle for the regeneration process; the softener will do the process on its own.

This well water softener is one of those softeners that are really easy to maintain and does not take up your time in installation or maintenance.

What we like
  • Easy installation
  • 64,000-grain capacity
  • Removes iron, sulfur, and manganese effectively
  • LCD digital meter for easy maintenance
  • Cost-efficient
  • 5-year warranty on valve and 10-year warranty on tank
  • Auto-regeneration feature
What we don’t like
  • Some people find the installation process time consuming

5. Pentair WS48-56sxt10 Fleck Water Softener

Pentair WS48-56sxt10 Fleck Water Softener

Last but not least, Pentair makes its way on our list of best water softeners for well water. This softener mainly focuses on removing iron, sulfur, and manganese from the water.

On purchasing this system, you will receive both a brine tank and a mineral tank. The brine tank can hold up to 250 pounds of salt. Like all the other softeners, this one also uses the ion exchange process for removing calcium, magnesium, and iron from the water in order to make the water soft.

Installation of this system is easy. You get an instructional manual with the purchase so you can refer to it while installing the system. The softener has a capacity of 48,000-grain.

It is said and also noticed by the feedback from some customers that once installed, the valve of the system lasts at least up to 27 years, making it one of the most long-lasting valves.

The regeneration of the system flushes the brine tank of the system. You can control all of this with the help of an LCD digital meter.

What we like the most about the Pentair water softener is that they provide you with a service application you can scan for your system, and you can get all the technical configuration, documents, spare parts, and troubleshooting manual on your android or apple phone app.

If you have 4-6 members in your household, this water softener for well water can be added to your shortlist.

What we like
  • Easy installation
  • Effective system
  • An android or iPhone application for easy assistance
  • Extremely long-lasting
  • 5-year warranty on the digital meter valve
  • The system comes preloaded
  • Removes iron and manganese effectively
What we don’t like
  • Programming the system is time-consuming
  • The instructional manual is full of words and no pictures

Why do I need a water softener for my well water?

There are so many contaminants and heavy metals in the well water that you are using every day, whether to drink or to shower with it. Moreover, these heavy metals then pass through the pipelines, and other factors like air and humidity, affect these metals in the water and cause clogging in your plumbing lines. Water softeners prevent that from happening.

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If we even look at the health hazards caused by hard water, it causes so many skin infections and hair fall depending upon the hard minerals. The water softener uses an ion exchange process to remove the hardness of the water. When this process is done with hard minerals and metals, the magnesium and calcium of the water are stopped from going further in the lines, which is why The water softener requires a regeneration process. This regeneration process sends calcium and magnesium down the drain making your softener as efficient as ever.

If you have a water softener installed in your house, the life of the appliances that use water to function will also increase. Without the water softener, the minerals like calcium and magnesium will slowly cause rust or clogs in those appliances.

There are several health hazards you can avoid by installing a water softener in your house.

Different Types of Water Softeners

If you want to purchase a water softener, it is necessary to know all the types that are available for you. We have prepared a list of different types of water softeners and their main function in how they operate to make it easy for you,

Salt-free softener

Salt-free water softeners are basically descalers. This kind of softener does not remove any hard minerals from the water but just prevents scaling in your plumbing lines and the appliances that use water. The best part of descalers is that you do not have to load the salt into the system. Salt-free softeners are really low maintenance, and once installed, you barely need to do anything to maintain it.

Salt-based softener

Salt-based softeners are the most common type of softeners customers prefer to purchase. Salt-based softeners follow an ion exchange process that makes the resin work on the minerals that causes water hardness. When these resins start doing their work, it automatically flushes out all the hard minerals from the water, making the water soft and healthy for you. This kind of softener makes the water extremely soft by removing 99% of hard minerals and metals from the water, which also increases the lifespan of the appliances in your house that uses water.

Magnetic Descalers

This has to be one of the latest technologies in the market, and you need electricity for it to function. All you will need to do is install the magnetic descaler in your main water line, preferably at the point of entry. The magnet of the system prevents all the hard minerals from going further. There is yet need for extensive research to be done on this type of softener. But we can see them becoming the big thing in the future.

Dual tank systems

Dual tank systems are ideal for those who need extremely softened water in large quantities. The dual tank of the system includes a tank that has resins that makes the water soft and the other tank stores that soft water. Although, the whole system requires some space.

Point of entry for the whole house

This kind of water softener is made for families that want soft water in every bathroom, every sink, and at every tap of the house. The system includes just one tank that you need to install at the point of entry into your house. The softener removes hard minerals like calcium and magnesium from the water, significantly giving you soft water on every tap of your house.

You can choose any of these softeners based on your need for soft water. It is advised to get a system that also prevents scaling as well as giving you soft water.

What are the benefits of using a water softener?

There are several benefits you get if you purchase a water softener.

Healthy hair and skin

The hard water causes a lot of hair and skin problems like hair fall and eczema. A water softener removes all the hard minerals like calcium and magnesium from the water, making it the perfect water that is healthy for your skin and hair. Calcium and magnesium in the water block the pores of your skin, literally blocking them. Also, taking a 15-minute shower is the same as drinking a glass of water and affects your body the same. So many customers install a water softener for healthy skin and hair.

Prevents scaling

Have you noticed rust or stubborn rust on your bathroom floor? Do your crystal-clear glass utensils seem really dull? When you get a water softener, you can free yourself from all of this. The water softener also prevents scaling in your plumbing lines, saving you a fortune on the need to change the clogged plumbing lines.

Long-lasting appliances

If the hard water can cause the scaling in your plumbing lines, it also can reduce the life of the appliances in your house that use water—the appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, etc. Technically, without the water softener, you have two major setbacks; one is obviously the clogging and scaling. Second, the appliances do not work as efficiently as they should.

Better washed Laundry

The magnesium and other hard minerals, when mixed with soap, kind of make the water extra hard and also causes bad chemical reactions. When you do your laundry with this kind of water, the clothes stay dim and dull. When you have installed a water softener in your house, and your laundry is washed in that water, your clothes will be cleaned properly, and it will even make your water soft.

What to look for when choosing a water softener for well water?

When you are looking to purchase a well water softener for your house, the first-ever thing you need to do is make a list of all the features and specifications you need. Here we have prepared a list of features you can look out for before purchasing a water softener. Among all these features you can still choose a few that meet your requirement perfectly and get a water softener that perfectly meets your needs.

It is advised to first test your well water for the amount of hardness it holds, which can easily aid you in making your decision.

Size

Before you make the purchase, compare the size of your house to the system’s grain capacity of making your water soft. You can get a water softener whose capacity meets your usage. The softener comes in different capacities of grain. These grain capacities include 32,000, 40,000, 48000, 64,000, and 80,000.

Type

Depending upon your need and your preferences, you can choose a water softener that meets your requirements and preferences. The main kind of softeners that you can get are salt-free water softeners, salt-based water softeners, magnetic-based water softeners, dual tank systems, and points of entry. You can choose a system that is most easy and most suitable for you to maintain and install.

Cost

Sometimes, some customers have set a budget to purchase a well water softener. After you set your budget, you can shortlist the softeners that meet your budget and choose the best one after examining other features that accurately meet your needs.

Maintenance

Different types of softeners require different kinds of maintenance. For example, salt-based softeners need to be loaded with salt every once in a while, whereas salt-free water softeners do not require any extensive maintenance. If you have already set preferences about the maintenance of the water softeners, you can choose one based on that.

Installation

Although most of the softeners don’t take much time for install, some of them require a little hard work. You will get an instructional manual with whatever softeners you get. You will not even require any plumbing services for the process of installation. The only difference in the installation is that some of the softeners might take a longer time than others for installation.

Features and controls

When you are getting a water softener for your house, there are some specific features you need to look out for; one of the features is a digital meter. It lets you control your softener without any hassle. The digital meter even shows you when it is time to change the resins or salt in the water.

Certifications

When the softener is certified by organizations like NSF, you do not have to worry about the functions and quality of the softeners. When the system is certified by the NSF or FDA, it means that the softener is tested and examined in labs for its functions and quality. Although, the certification can be given for particularly specified features or materials.

Brand

Some brands are older and have a higher reputation than others. If you are loyal to one specific brand, you can always get a softener from that brand. Before you purchase the well water softener, make sure the brand is reputed and provides good customer service when you need it.

Warranty or Guarantee

Most of the softeners come with a warranty of 5 years. Some companies even provide a 10-year warranty on the tank of the softener. It is advisable to get a system with a warranty so you can get the most cost-efficient system.

How do I Install the water softener?

Installing the softener is very easy. Depending upon the type of softener that you get, you will receive an instruction manual with the purchase. There is one most common way for the installation process of the system. We have prepared a short guide to help you get the idea of installation, and you will get almost every component you need for the installation of the softener. These are the most common few steps for almost all water softeners,

  • Shut off the water supply and drain the lines by opening the faucets.
  • Check the components and how they are to be fitted, and you can check the manual instructions for this purpose.
  • The softeners come with a bypass valve, and for the installation of that, you have to do a single incision on the waterline.
  • Place the softener and install the bypass valve with the lines.
  • Connect the drain tube and drain valve with the tank.
  • Pour the salt into the tank, and you can avoid this step if your tank came preloaded.
  • Install the digital meter that you received with the softener.
  • Set up the softener’s mode with the help of the meter.
  • Slowly open the bypass valve and wait for the air to pass through the system, and after a few minutes, open the valve completely and let it backwash once.
  • Open the water supply valve, and your water softener is ready to be used.
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A few steps of the installation might differ with different brands, and you have to refer to specific instructions for the particular softener that you purchased. Some brands also provide customer services to help you solve any queries regarding the installation.

How can I do the maintenance of the well water softener?

Maintaining the well water softeners is really easy but takes up a good amount of effort from you. Different types of softeners need different maintenance.

  • You will need to replace the salt from the salt-based water softeners after a certain period of time. You will need to empty the tank and wash it out thoroughly before you pour in the fresh salt.
  • The resin bed of the softeners needs changing and cleaning after a certain period. The duration of this kind of maintenance may depend on the water quality and use.
  • Some parts of the softener might get clogged after a while if the water has a high amount of iron or other contaminants. That will require you to clean the few parts of the softener that require frequent cleaning.
    When you purchase the water softener, you will get all the guidance of maintenance from the providers you purchase your system from. It is important to perfectly maintain your softener so that your softener can last for a long period of time and you get perfectly soft water.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Will the water softener remove iron from the well water?

Ans. Yes, the water softeners use the ion-exchange process to remove iron from the water effectively. Most of the softeners come with a regeneration process that sends the iron back down the drain.

Q. Will, I need a professional to install the water softener?

Ans. You will not need a professional to install the water softener. Almost all the systems are easily installable, and you might require a little bit of extra time for the installation of a few systems. If you do not want to do it yourself, you can always hire a professional.

Q. Does getting a water softener cuts off expenses?

Ans. Yes, if we look at this from the big picture perspective, well-water softeners save you a lot of expenses. Softened water prevents the scaling in your plumbing lines; hence, it protects your appliances that use water. The most beneficial advantage you get out of installing a water softener is that you can avoid health hazards caused by hard minerals and metals in the water.

Q. How much salt does the salt-based water softener need?

Ans. For better results, it is advised to fill up the brine tank with salt that is 3 times water level or to the halfway mark.

Q. Can a water softener increase my water bill?

Ans. Yes, but it will not be a significant amount. However, it can entirely depend on the hardness of the water. The high amount of calcium and magnesium in the water will require your system to be flushed often.

Best Water Softener For Well Water of 2024 | Top Picks & Reviews

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