Top 6 Best Outdoor Water Softeners

If you have to deal with hard water regularly, you will need a good quality outdoor water softener. Hard water can cause many issues, such as itchiness in the scalp and hair, dry skin, and a myriad of plumbing problems. 

Outdoors water softeners are unique and treat the hardness in water and improve the overall quality. So, you won’t have to deal with any issues mentioned above. 

But what are the best outdoor water softeners, and how to choose the best option for your household? This guide will address these problems and discuss a few other things. 

So, scroll down to get a full scoop of everything about outdoor water softeners. 

Best Outdoor Water Softeners 

1. Springwell Salt Based Water Softener System

This salt-based water softeners system by Springwell comes with a lifetime warranty. Moreover, it comes with some upgrades. You can add a UV water purification system with the softener unit and a reverse osmosis drinking system for a complete water treatment solution. 

You can conveniently choose the size of the system based on how many bathrooms you have in your home. This system is a whole-house water softening unit that relies on an ion-exchange water softening mechanism. 

It is effective and prevents any development of hard water scale build-up. You won’t have to deal with any plumbing issues anywhere in your house. 

When cleaning or washing dishes or clothes, you will consume 40 percent less detergent. Apart from that, when you have the unit in your home, you won’t have to deal with any of those spotted hard surfaces. 

Moreover, you can control it with your mobile phone. Just down the app and manage all the controls using your phone. You will also get your satisfaction guarantee for the first six months. 

Another advantage is getting this unit in monthly installments if you can’t manage the payment upfront and get free delivery from FedEx. Springwell has used certified and quality components to develop this outdoor water softener, and hence you will receive a lifetime warranty on the tanks and valves. 

Summary

It is a quality outdoor water softener that can manage hard water throughout your home. You might have to deal with a slight drop in the water pressure, but it is still a pretty high-performing unit that will significantly remove hardness in your water. 

2. SoftPro Elite Water Softener

This water softener comes fully assembled, so installation will not be a problem for you. You can also benefit from free-of-cost shipping and 24/7 available customer support to sort things out for you. 

One of the advantages of going for this unit is choosing the grain capacity according to your requirements. The grain capacity available ranges from 24000 to 110000. You can choose based on how much hardness in the water you have in your area. 

Furthermore, it comes with some upgrades if you want. You can get quick connect hoses for easy installation, and these hoses range in diameter from 0.75-inch to 1-inch. You can also go for an upgrade that will enable you to get bottled water throughout your home with the chlorine + filter. 

Apart from that, you can also go for an advanced alkalizer filter with a reverse osmosis system. Another option for you to choose is to go for KDF55 for your unit to remove heavy metals in your water. 

This unit features high generation flow technology. As a result, you won’t have to deal with any drop in pressure throughout your home. SoftPRo has used certified components in constructing this unit, and it’s all about full compliance with the state regulations. 

It also comes with a smart, clean feature that will automatically clean the softener and prevent any development of scales within it. As a result, you won’t have to do any backwashing. This allows you to further save on your utility costs and repent water waste. 

Last but not least. It can manage water savings of up to 64 percent, salt savings of up to 75 percent, and operational cost savings of up to 68 percent. 

Summary

It might not have any smart features, but this unit will not drop water pressure. It can also clean itself up when needed. Installation and maintenance are relatively easy. 

3. Premium Filter-Salt Free Softener Alternative Combo PRO Series

This premium quality soft-free water softener might be a bit on the expensive side, but it’s all about quality and performance. It comes with a total capacity of 1000K gallons and long-lasting water softening and filtration for good tasting bottled water quality throughout your house. 

This filter uses the catalytic carbon mechanisms for better removal of chloramines, and you will also get an upgraded pre-filter that is 20-inch in size. The water softener comes with a lifetime warranty on its tanks and valves, and it is pretty easy to install. You will only need some basic plumbing know-how, and everything will be a-okay. 

You will also get free-of-cost shipping on your order. The unit comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee and only has premium-quality certified components inside it. Therefore, this unit will continue to perform for a long time to come. 

This super combo of water softener and filter extends the life of your appliances and keeps the entire filtration process salt free. So, you end up saving on your salt costs too. You can also conveniently change the sediment pre-filter on your own, and the change has to be done every 6 to 9 months. 

It can reduce up to 99 percent scales, and it won’t drop the water pressure in your home. It doesn’t wastewater, and it will also not use electricity to keep your costs down. The tanks that it comes with are 100 percent reusable for life. You can conveniently install this outdoor water softener outside or inside your home. 

This unit features carbon filtration that is activated with steam. This carbon comes from select coconut shells and can absorb any impurities from your water in no time. 

Summary

It might not come with any smart app, or the price tag might be higher, but the unit is effective in performance. It can remove all impurities from your water, and you won’t have to deal with any droop in water pressure throughout your home. 

4. SpringWell Futuresoft Salt-Free Water Softener

The FutureSoft water softener by Springwell also comes with a lifetime warranty, and you can also go for some upgrades. These upgrades include a UV water purification system, an easy installation kit, and an RO drinking system.  

This unit provides up to 99.6 percent prevention of scales, and it does not use any chemicals or salt for this process. Furthermore, the unit also comes with a guarantee that you won’t have to deal with any drop in pressure throughout your home. As it doesn’t use salt, it also won’t release salt brine into the environment keeping the surroundings clean. 

It will also eliminate scales and extend the life of your appliances. Doing the dishes and washing your clothes will become easier. You won’t have to apply plenty of detergent during the cleaning process. 

And of course, Springwell has used quality and certified components to construct their units, and the same goes for the Futuresoft outdoor water softener. Your purchase is covered under a 6-month money-back guarantee. It also has a lifetime warranty on its valves and tanks. 

Make sure you choose the right water pressure of the unit before you buy one according to your home water demand. You don’t want to go for a unit that doesn’t even meet the demand, and all you have to worry about is a drop in the water pressure. 

It is a SrpngWell unit, so you won’t have to worry about the installation process. These units by Springwell are easy to stall. You can conveniently manage the installation job on your own, even if you have the little plumbing experience. Of course, if you can’t do it yourself, you can always contact a professional who can install it in your home.

Summary

You might have to go for an upgrade to tackle heavy metals in your water with a separate unit or an upgrade. However, it does manage a pretty good one when dealing with the hardness in your water. 

5. Fleck 5600 SXT 48K Grains Water Softener

Fleck brings you its outdoor water softener system that is easy on your pocket and highly effective when talking about the performance. It is pretty easy to install and comes with free shipping. You have the option of choosing the grain capacity that ranges from 24000 to 64000.

There are a few upgrades available if you want to go for it. You can choose the quick connect hoses for easy installation, and these hoses range in diameter from 0.75-inch to 1-inch.

When you install this unit, you will be able to get bottled water throughout your home thanks to its Chlorine+ filter. You can get purified drinking water using the reverse osmosis system with the alkalizer filter. Apart from that, with the KDF55 filter, you can get rid of any heavy metals in your water. 

Your unit also comes with a money-back guarantee of 6 months. You will also get free shipping with a lifetime warranty on tanks and valves. 

The unit features metered control based on the actual water usage. It can adapt pretty effectively according to our daily water needs. Moreover, it can start the regeneration process on-demand. Therefore, you will always have treated water which can present water wastage. 

The unit also allows you to control the entire cycle according to your water softening and filtration needs. You won’t have to deal with any drip on water pressure throughout your home. Installation is pretty simple and easy, and you won’t need much plumbing experience to get the job done. 

But of course, if you need some professional assistance, you can always add installation services when you are finalizing your purchase. Make sure you go for the suitable capacity based on your demand and requirements; otherwise, you will have to deal with the drop in pressure and flow. 

Summary

You might not get to control it with your smartphone. However, the unit is pretty effective in cleaning out hardens from your water along with heavy metals with upgrades without using any salt. And its installation is pretty simple too. 

6. Aquasana Rhino 1,000,000 Gallons Water Softener

The Rhino lies up to its name as it comes with an overall filtration capacity of 1,000,000 gallons. This high-performance water filtration system reduces chlorine and other heavy metals found in well water in every tap inside your home for up to 10 years. 

There are a few upgrades also available that you can consider. You can go for a salt-free water conditioner, choose a UV filter, or go for a pro-grade installation kit.

It is the top choice for your whole home protection, and you can permanently say goodbye to any of those impurities or contaminants in your water. Of course, when you get better water, you will cook better and clean or wash better. 

This unit has superior filtration with different sequenced stages. It works on a unique formula that features high-potency filtration with contaminant-grabbing media. The smart design ensures low maintenance, and you won’t have to do much to replace those filters either. You also won’t have to deal with any drop in water pressure.

There is one issue: the fitting of your purchase. These fitting could have been of better quality, and they tend to break. So, you will have to go for a replacement set of these fittings. It is pretty much the only issue that most customers have complained about. 

Installation is pretty simple and easy, and it won’t take much space either. You won’t need much plumbing experience to install this unit. It is a pretty durable unit that will last for a long time to come. 

Summary

As long as you replace the fitting in the package, it is a pretty good option for an outdoor water softener. There is not much maintenance that you have to do, and installation is simple. It can conveniently remove hardness from your water without dropping the pressure. 

Outdoor Water Softener Buying Guide

Can you put a water softener outside?

If you install a water softener outside, it might not last for long. It is because they are exposed to various elements and dangerous environments. But you can still place them out there. Therefore, going for the units designed for outdoors is a better option because they can handle these elements much better. But you have to keep in mind that not all these units are meant to be installed outside. 

These units have resin beds and brine tanks that are prone to damage due to scorching heat or chilling cold. These components are critical to the overall performance and upkeep. The resin bed helps expel metals from your hard water, and the brine tank cleans out the container. 

Without both these components, your outdoor water softeners will become useless. Some water softeners are made of quality materials that can withstand the test of time, even outdoors. But it is better to cover your outdoor water softeners appropriately to keep them safe as much as possible. 

For that, you can install them under a shed or within some plant or tree cover. Still, you will have to take some precautionary measures for maintenance over time. 

What is an outdoor water softener?

It is a machine or an appliance that can filter hard water supplies. For differentiation, water is considered hard when it has 60 mg or more of dissolved metals, such as magnesium and calcium. Conversely, water is soft when these heavy metals are anywhere less than 60 mg.

With the charged resin bed, this unit can remove these metals from your water as it attracts these metals away from the molecules of water. This softened water then passes through the machine and is supplied to your home. The filtered metals remain stuck in the resin bed, and the brine tank cleans them out later. 

Outdoor water softeners are best suited for residential and commercial use. The water that a facility receives might not be soft, and it is unhealthy for usage and consumption. Therefore, these units help soften the water to make it safe for drinking, cooking, plumbing, cleaning, laundry, and hair and skincare. 

Why should I put a water softener outside?

A water softener is a pretty simple appliance for installation and maintenance. However, you still have to consider a few factors to decide whether you should install it outside or not. It is advisable to install your water filter outside your home because you will be installing it where the water enters your home.

So, you will be installing it right on the main supply. From here, water gets treated right initially, and then it is supplied to your home. This supply location would be your garage, storage room, or heated basement. 

Nevertheless, if your home is without a basement, finding the best location for installing your water softener becomes a bit trickier. If you live in a warmer climate and have limited space, you can always install your softener kit outside your home. 

You will always have more space in your home. You should adhere to your local laws and requirements associated with outdoor installations. 

These water softeners can operate within a temperature range of 35F to 100F. It means that states like Iowa, Nebraska, and the surrounding states are not ideal because winter temperatures can fall below 35F. These are not the perfect conditions to install a water softener. Apart from temperature, you also need to consider many other factors. 

• You need to have sufficient space for all the plumbing work and consider ease of maintenance. 
• You have to keep the entire installation close to the water and electricity source. 
• Also, make sure that you parcel the softener in a palace that is very easy to access. 
• It also needs to be close to a drain as it needs to flush out the minerals after the regeneration cycle. 
• You also have to keep the installation out of the sun and in the shade, so the equipment doesn’t damage the harsh UV rays. 

Indoor vs. outdoor water softener

There are two types of water softener units, and they both have their pros and cons. Indoor water softeners are generally smaller. You will need to have an appropriate room to install them. 

If you don’t have enough room indoors, you will only have to go for a smaller unit. Outdoor units can be bigger as you don’t have many limitations associated with the room available. So, capacity is not going to be a problem in this scenario. 

However, indoor softeners have an advantage because you can go for a relatively low-quality build. After all, the unit will be located inside and will not be exposed to elements outside. On the other hand, outdoor units must withstand outdoor elements. 

As they are exposed to the outside elements, these outdoor units can only last up to an extent. On the other hand, indoor units are far better in terms of lifespan because they are less exposed to these external elements like UV rays, rain, winds, mold, and moisture. 

But one-way outdoor water softeners can perform better than indoor units. It is because you can install these outdoor units right at the source of the water supply to your entire house. 

So, the water will get softer before entering your home, and all taps will get this soft water. Normally, it is a pretty tricky scenario if you have gone for an indoor water softener. 

How do I protect my outside water softener?

You can effectively use some ways to protect your water softener outside. Opt for a space heater in the surrounding area of your water softener and keep an eye on the temperature of that area during the coldest times of the year. 

Always winterize or insulate your piping and other equipment with special tape or wrap for additional safety and protection. Have your unit within a shade during the winter to keep it away from rain and sun. Regularly check the piping and the unit for any damage or mold. 

It is always better to install your water softener in the shade of a tree or plant. Keep it away from direct sunlight or rain. A better choice is to install it under a shed. Another option is to make an enclosure and designate it for your water softener if your area sees a lot of sunlight and rain. You will significantly increase the overall lifespan of your water softener by doing this. 

What types of water softeners can I install outside?

Look for units made of quality materials that can withstand the outdoors and harsh weather conditions. These are the units that are designed to be installed outside homes. 

Make sure the installation location is not directly impacting the overall performance of your water softener. But there are certain water softeners that you can use to install outside for best performance. 

Salt-based ion exchangers

These units run on an ion exchange process for removing magnesium and calcium from the water. These systems have two kinds of tanks; one is a resin tank, and the other is a brine tank. For many people, these are the best solutions for water softening. 

These units are pretty solid, and you will need to have enough space outside to replace the salt and filters. They need some room around them and are better suited for outside installation than inside. 

Salt-free conditioners 

These units don’t need salt to soften water. They don’t soften water at all. Instead, they condition your hard water with a process called temperate assisted crystallization or TAC. Therefore, magnesium and calcium are not removed from the water. 

Instead, the TAC media alters them, resulting in a crystallized layer that doesn’t stick to your appliques and pipes. These units only have a single tank, making them slightly easier to install and maintain. And you don’t have to replace salt, so you have at least one thing less to worry about. 

What to consider before purchasing a water softener for outdoor installation?

You need to consider some key factors when looking for these outdoor water softeners. We have listed them down for your reference in this brief buying guide. 

Climate

You have to consider the local climate where you live and install this unit. It shouldn’t be too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. You can visit your local hardware or water treatment specialist to see what type of units are more prevalent in your area. 

Whatever unit you consider, make sure that you prepare in advance and address any hot or cold weather issues beforehand. For instance, you need to have an enclosure for your unit to keep it dry from the rain. Or you can place a heater near it to prevent it from freezing in winter. Or you will have to palace it in the shade where it is not overexposed to UV rays.

Additional cover for enclosure costs

If you are going down this route, you will have to remember that you will need to spend a few bucks on an enclosure to install your unit. This enclosure will cost you anywhere from USD 50 to USD 150, depending upon the material of the enclosure and its size. 

Location of installation

You have to install your outside unit at the main water supply close to the entry point to your home. It means you can’t be picky about choosing the installation location. It will not be under any natural shade in most cases. 

You will also need a connection to the drain to expel waste during the regeneration process. There needs to be enough room outside your home for the installation process, and you might have to prune back some plants or remove some of your garden furniture that is in the way. 

Required grain capacity

These water softeners come in different filtering capacities from one model to another. The grain capacity measures how long it can produce soft water before regenerating. Most homes will need 32,000-grain capacity, but for a large house with 4,000 sq ft in area and at least 6 people living, a 64,000-grain capacity or even more is required. 

System type

No water softener is best for outdoor use. You can either go for salt-based or salt-free units, and both are pretty effective. However, salt-based units are better because they act and protect your hair and skin and keep the appliances safe. 

People Also Ask

Can water softeners be stored outside?

Yes, it is possible to store your water softener outside. But it needs to be in some kind of a shade or cover. The best solution to this problem is to put it inside an enclosure to protect it from external elements. Apart from that, you can install it under a shade.

How do I protect my outside water softener?

The best way of protecting it is to install it within an enclosure to keep the unit safe from all external elements. Moreover, you can keep the unit under a shade or greenery to avoid direct contact with external elements. Also, keep a close eye on your outdoor unit to see any damage and repair instantly.  

How do I winterize my outdoor water softener?

You need to take a few simple steps to winterize your water softener. These are, 

• Take insulation tape or wrap and cut it to secure the pipes. 
• Now, place this insulation wrap around a pipe and start wrapping it securely to cover both pipes. 
• You can secure the material using a tape of your choice or even a cable. 
• Now repeat the entire process for each pipe running towards or coming out of the water softener. 

Final Word

Outdoor water softeners are somewhat durable compared to indoor units, but they still need plenty of protection. Therefore, you need to look for a unit made of quality materials. You should also closely assess the installation location. 

To ensure your unit doesn’t expose external elements, you have to do this. Also, keep in mind to install it directly on the entry point of the water supply to make the entire softening process more effective.