Best Salt-Free Water Softener Systems

Unfortunately, traditional water softening techniques use a lot of salt, and they also involve an ion exchange process to remove minerals from water.

All you have to do is soften your water without adding sodium to it. Therefore, you have to use salt-free water softeners. You don’t have to purchase a lot of salt every month. And you also won’t end up increasing the salt content in your water.

But which salt-free water softener system should you go for, as the market has plenty?

Best Salt-free Water Softeners 

1. Best Overall: FilterSmart FS500 Salt-Free Water Softener

The FilterSmart FS500 is the best salt-free water softener available on the market. It produces genuine results, and you will not have to deal with any materials or excess sodium content in your water. 

The best part is that the unit comes with a money-back guarantee. So, if you think it is not performing up to the mark (which is not going to be the case), you can send it back to the manufacturer. 

Furthermore, the tank in this kit and the valves are all covered under a lifetime warranty. You don’t have to worry about buying again and again later. 

The kit is simple to install, and you will only require some basic plumbing skills to get the job done. The unit operates completely free of salt and is green for the environment. 

The unit will change the sediment filter every 6 to 9 months, and the entire process is simple. This water softener unit is practical and can reduce up to 99 percent scale production and blockage. Therefore, it can help in extending the lifespan of your appliances. What’s more, you won’t have to deal with any drop in water pressure either. 

The unit doesn’t use any electricity, and it doesn’t create any waste either. The unit comes with a sediment filtration kit, and it will get rid of chlorine which will keep your skin and hair safe from any chlorine damage. The water will taste delicious, and you can use it for drinking and cooking. 

Summary

It is a powerful unit that can clear out minerals and sodium from your water and make it suitable for daily consumption. The installation of this unit is simple and comes with a lifetime warranty. 

2. Runner Up: SpringWell Futuresoft Salt-free Water Softener

The FutureSoft Salt-Free water softener comes with a lifetime warranty. You add a UV water purification system to make your water cleaner and free of germs or bacteria.

This unit can guarantee up to 99.6 percent scale prevention and doesn’t use any chemicals or salt for this process. Therefore, you won’t have to deal with anything harmful to your body in your water. 

This unit is designed to waste no water. It also doesn’t discharge any salt brine back into the environment. Apart from that, you won’t have to worry about any drops in your water pressure. As it eliminates any chances of scales, the unit can significantly improve the overall lifespan of your appliances that are associated with water. This can save you a lot of your hard-earned money.

You will always get clean and delicious tasting water whenever you open the tap. Springwell has used all certified components to construct these FutureSoft units. So, you don’t have to compromise on any of these health standards when it comes to your drinking water. And as you are purchasing directly from the factory, you will get to save plenty. The unit comes with a lifetime warranty and a 6-month money-back guarantee. 

The installation of this unit is simple, and you won’t have to go through a lot to get it into place and start using it. You also won’t have to deal with any drop in water pressure. If you are a DIY type, installing this unit won’t be a thing for you. Just follow the instructions, and you will be done in no time. 

Summary

The unit has easy installation, and it is highly effective in reducing scales. It will treat hardness in water and reduce minerals to make your water taste delicious and excellent for various consumption purposes. 

3. Lifetime Warranty: SoftPro Elite Salt-Free Water Softener

The SoftPro Elite salt-free water softener is one of the best when it comes to warranty. This unit comes with a lifetime warranty, and it is also backed up with a money-back guarantee. Therefore, you will always have peace of mind when using this unit to get soft water for your home. 

The unit is powerful, and it can significantly reduce scale production. Therefore, it will not let the water damage your appliances or fixtures. Hence, it will reduce your costs and keep your appliances clean.

Installation of this unit is simple, and you will only have a DIY thumb with a bit of skill set to get through the job. The unit comes with all the instructions for installation. So, go through these instructions and complete the installation process. But if you are not very experienced with DIY projects, you can always call in some professional help. 

It can treat minerals from your water and make sure it tastes delicious. And the best part is that you won’t have to maintain large salt deposits to soften your water, as this unit can help you with that. 

One advantage of using this unit is that it will not increase the sodium content in your water and keep chlorine in control. Therefore, you won’t have to deal with any bad-tasting water again. The components used in this unit’s construction are all certified, so construction quality is not compromised. 

Summary

The unit is simple to install, and it produces quality results. It will soften the water and will keep sodium content low. The unit features certified components that come with a lifetime warranty. 

4. Simple Installation: Pelican NaturSoft Water Softener Alternative

The Pentair Pelican NaturSoft unit is suitable for up to six bathrooms. It can provide conditioned water, and you don’t have to do much maintenance. It also keeps the entire water softening process swift and straightforward. No other no-salt solution can save you any time and money. 

It can also reduce any scale buildup of the surfaces and retain beneficial minerals in your water. You get the option of adding a white-glove service if you are not DIY-savvy. You may also save a few bucks and get through the installation process on your own. 

The unit doesn’t run on electricity and won’t contribute to your monthly bills. It doesn’t have wastewater, so it will not increase your water bills. This unit also comes with a 5-micron prefilter. Therefore, it reduces sediments and debris from your water. The unit is made of durable stainless steel, and it will stand the test of time.

You don’t have to go through a lot when it comes to maintenance, and you don’t require any salt refilled. The unit is simple to operate, and it is highly effective in its performance. 

With its certified filtrations system, this unit can reduce up to 97 percent of chlorine from your water. It means the water will taste delicious, and you can use it for cooking purposes. And as there is no salt needed, this unit is virtually maintenance-free. 

As the unit can reduce scale, it can improve your plumbing system’s overall efficiency and lifespan and your appliances and fixtures. 

Summary

The unit effectively reduces water hardness and reduces some minerals and sodium content in your water. But it is not highly effective in reducing high chlorine content so you might want different processes. 

5. Budget Option: Aquasana Salt-Free Water Conditioner

The Aquasana water conditioner can protect your home pipes, plumbing, and appliances from scales, and you don’t have to use any salt or harsh chemicals for this purpose. This unit provides you with a whole-home solution with easy replacements. 

As you won’t have to worry about scale buildups, this unit will significantly extend the life and performance of appliances and fixtures. This unit also doesn’t produce any wastewater or salt brine. 

You also won’t have to deal with any maintenance issues as the unit can hold up well on its own. No salt refills or frequent filter replacements are required to use this unit. The unit is easy to install, and its operation is not that complicated either. 

As there is no scale development, this unit can significantly improve your appliance life. It can also keep your plumbing safe as it will filter out any buildups and residues. You don’t have to use any chemicals with this unit, and the entire process is eco-friendly. 

All the credit goes to the scale control media that uses the water flow to naturally change hard minerals for binding prevention. It results in less scale buildup and less blockage. As a result, your appliances and fixtures will remain safe, and it will significantly reduce your maintenance and repair costs. 

Another excellent feature of this unit is that you don’t have to deal with pressure drops in your water flow. Therefore, this unit is the best option to consider if you have a large household with a business schedule. This unit comes with a 6-years warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee to provide you with peace of mind. 

Summary

This is a good quality unit that does its job quite efficiently. Of course, you will have to deal with a bit of pressure drop over time, but the unit handles everything well and reduces water hardness to a good extent. 

6. Best Electromagnetic Water Descaler: Yarna Salt-Free Whole House

The Yarna Salfr-Free Whole House Unit is the best electromagnetic water descaler that you will find. This alternative water softener will reduce limescale effects with the help of electric impulses, which are controlled with a computerized microchip. 

It transmits the signal frequencies through the impulse bands present around the pipe. These bands from the frequency field alter the crystal present in the water as it passes through. As a result, these crystals will not stick to one another and form limescale. As there are no scale buildups, the water that flows through the appliances and fixtures will not damage them.

This unit is a top choice for small homes and businesses, and it can significantly reduce any effects of water hardness. As a result, it not only keeps your appliances and fixtures safe, but your entire plumbing system remains safe from any buildups and residues.

The entire installation and maintenance process is simple as this unit uses descaling instead of softening to make the process work. Descaling this unit doesn’t remove any essential minerals from your water. These include magnesium and calcium. 

Therefore, the hardness of your water will remain the same, but it will prevent the minerals from forming any scaling deposits. This is the primary disadvantage of hard water, and this unit entirely focuses on this particular aspect. 

This unit has gone a completely different route, and its approach seems understandable. One of the best features of using this unit is that you won’t have to deal with any bad-tasting water. Therefore, you can use it for cooking and drinking. 

Summary

This unit focuses on descaling and not water softening. Therefore, it will not remove any essential minerals from the water. Hence, your water will taste good, and you can use it for cooking and drinking. You also won’t have to deal with any scale buildups, which is a piece of good news for your plumbing system and appliances. 

7. All Parts are Certified: Crystal Quest Salt-Free Whole House Water Softener + Water Filtration System

With this unit in place, water will pass through four stages of filtration. In stage one, the water will flow through a 20-inch sediment filter to eradicate any silt, dirt, or sediment from the water. 

Then in the second stage, water flows through the Crystal Quest Eagle Anti-Scale media to reduce sediments and minerals. There is a 20-inch carbon cartridge in the third stage to remove any volatile components along with pesticides, industrial solvents, or insecticides. 

And then, in the fourth and final stage, a 20-inch ultrafiltration membrane is used to produce high-quality purification water.

This unit can reduce any scale buildup due to excess minerals present in the water, and it can also alter the taste of your water. Therefore, the unit does a fine job dealing with this matter. Consequently, you can use this unit to get water in your household that you can use for cooking and drinking. 

As there will be no scale buildup, your appliances will last longer, and your plumbing system along with fixtures will last longer too. Apart from that, with this unit in place, a corrosion resistive layer gets into place, and it keeps your plumbing system safe from rusting and corrosion. 

The unit is not difficult to install, and it is certainly not that difficult to operate. Only certified components are used in the construction of this unit, and they last for a long time. 

Summary

This is a unit that can reduce limescale from your water. It can treat minerals and salt from your water and make it taste delicious. You can use it for various purposes and won’t compromise on the pressure level. The unit is made of certified components that are built to last. 

Salt-free Water Softeners Buying Guide

What is a Salt-Free Water Softener (Water Conditioner)?

A salt-free water conditioner or water softener is a system for water filtration that can crystallize calcium and magnesium minerals present in hard water. 

These micro-crystals cannot leave the water, and they stay attached to the pipes, fixtures, appliances, and water heaters in the form of limescale. Now the thing is that these units do not soften hard water. 

In reality, the condition alters the minerals present in the hard water. But they do work when it comes to making the water easier to consume than in its original condition. Some units also feature additional filtration techniques to clear out any impurities from water. 

Types of Salt-Free Water Softeners and How They Work?

Primarily, there are two types of salt-free water softeners. These water softeners are used in different filtration combinations to produce the best results according to the requirements. 

There are salt-free water softeners that come with different filter combinations. You can find several filtration combinations that come with varying qualities of descaling, and you can use them with water filtration that can remove contaminants in your water. 

This can work well if you have a tight space and want to improve the water quality besides re-ionizing the process that salt-free water will accomplish. The system will combine the ionization process with several filters, and they do a better job in removing solids or heavy metals.

There are various electronic descaling options also available. This system uses electromagnetic capabilities for water softening, and you can attach them directly to pipes. The unit will jolt it with re-ionization as water passes through, breaking water molecules into smaller parts.

When this happens, contaminants are removed from water molecules. The minerals don’t have anything to hold on to with electrical destabilization. It can significantly reduce limescale buildup and keep your pipes, fixtures, and appliances safe from any buildups. 

What To Consider Before Buying Salt-free Water Softener?

You must consider various features before buying the best salt-free water softener. As there are so many available on the market, finding the best one that meets all your needs can be tricky. 

Therefore, you must buy a unit according to your requirements to get the best bang for your buck. You urge to consider some features before buying such a unit. 

Water Parameters

First of all, understand the water content you receive. And for that, you will have to run a water test. Determine the water minerals and salt your water has different water hardness levels, and sort things out accordingly. 

Also, make sure you don’t end up clearing any important contents from your minerals. Therefore, the unit you want to install must have these features to adjust the water parameters according to your requirements conveniently. 

System Technology

Some units work on electricity while others don’t run on electricity. The units that run on electricity use a descaling method to clear out any limescale and other minerals from the water. The systems that don’t use electricity focus on their filters to remove contaminants, and water flows through the filters. 

Different units use different filters for filtration purposes. For example, some units don’t come with carbon filters, and they are suited for areas with not much heavy or dirty water. 

Water Flow Rate

Another aspect to consider is the water flow rate. Again, you have to only go for units to manage a higher water flow rate. With a higher flow rate, you will notice that you won’t have to deal with any pressure drops no matter what your household demand is. 

But with more powerful units, you can experience a bit of drop in pressure as water flows through different media. If you experience pressure drop in your area, you should go for a unit with a higher flow rate to compensate for the pressure drop so you can comfortably use water in your home. 

Installation and Maintenance

People often forget how difficult installing and maintaining a unit is when looking at the features. But there is no point in going for a unit that comes with all the features in the world, but its installation and maintenance are complicated. 

It is also important to consider how much DIY-savvy you are. If you can handle these DIY projects independently, installing these units won’t be much of a thing for you. But if you have no DIY experience under your belt, it would be better for you to seek professional help. 

Go through the instructions manual and see what you will have to deal with regarding maintenance. But some units require more maintenance than others, and you have to find it out. Go for the unit that doesn’t need much maintenance, and you will be more than happy to use them without any hassle. 

System Control & Features

Most of the units come with simple controls, and you will only have to turn the unit on to make it work. For example, if you are not going to be home for an extended period, you can turn the system off. If there are any special features and controls, you can find them through the instruction manual. 

But usually, there are not many controls present on these units, and it’s a more autonomous process where the water flows through the unit and the filtration system starts working. However, some units have easy installation features and can clean themselves much better than others. 

Most units do come with timers that allow these units to recharge depending upon your water consumption automatically. These units also feature DIR controls which refer to demand-initiated regeneration. It senses when the resin requires recharging. As a result, the unit doesn’t recharge unnecessarily.

Dimensions (Do You Have Enough Space?)

You also have to consider whether you have enough space to use such a unit or not. There are various types of units when it comes to size. For example, there are whole-house units and single-room units. The units that are much smaller in size are suitable for smaller households like apartments. 

The larger units are suitable for larger households or even offices. But even if you have an apartment, if you have enough space to install in your kitchen or under the counter, then go for it. Because with a larger unit, you won’t have to worry about pressure drop in flow rate. 

Certifications

Consider some certifications when buying these salt-free water softeners. First, you must look for NSF certification. This certification guarantees the quality of the filtration products and their optimal results.

Another certification that you need to look for is the Water Quality Association. This association issues a Gold Seal, which means the unit has international standards to produce quality results. However, none of these certifications guarantee better results and performance. They just tell you that the unit and its components have passed industry standards. 

Costs

Different units come with different price tags. Price is going to vary based on the size of the unit. Larger units are much more expensive compared to smaller units. But the technology that they use also influences the costs. For example, electromagnetic units are much smaller, but they are costly. Regular units can range from low to high prices based on their size. 

Warranty

Another factor that provides you with some information about the quality of a unit is its warranty. Quality units come with bigger warranties. Most units come with warranties ranging from 5 to 6 years. But some of them also come with lifetime warranties. These units are best because they provide you with the peace of mind that the company stands behind the product you are using. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Saltless Water Softeners

Salt-free water softeners do not use any ion-exchange process for removing minerals for hardness from the systems. The process water through a catalytic media called Template Assisted Crystallization. This process alters the crystal hardness, and they cannot stick to any surface. As a result, these systems do not capture minerals, and they don’t urge a cleaning cycle. 

Advantages

• They are usually less expensive compared to salt-based and electromagnetic units. 
• They don’t use any harsh chemicals to soften the chemicals in water, and they also don’t have any wastewater. 
• This unit can counteract any contaminants such as magnesium and calcium and prevent them from sticking to surfaces. Instead, the unit removes them from water. 

Disadvantages

• One of the big disadvantages of this unit is that most people consider salt-free systems to be water conditioners and not water softeners.
• This salt-free system will never make your water feel soft compared to salt-based systems. 
• The salt-free system creates hardness crystals, leaving minerals within the water. So the buildups will be reduced, but they will still be there in the water. 
• Salt-based systems are much quicker in showing any results than salt-free systems. 

What Is the Difference Between Salt and Salt-free Water Softener?

We already know what a salt-free water softener is. A salt-based water softener uses salt to remove hardness through ion exchange. The hardness comes from magnesium and calcium. And the unit removes water hardness with the help of ion exchange. 

These units come with a resin bed, and it filters water and changes those hardness materials for sodium particles. When this bed is full of hardness, you need to initiate the cleaning cycle. First, you will have to run a few backwashes to flush the trapped minerals out. After that, you will have to replenish the salt in the system. 

Here, a clear difference is that salt-based systems use salt while salt-free units don’t use salt. But the results are much better in the case of salt-based units than the salt-free units. You will notice that a significant amount of hardness is reduced in your water when using the salt-based unit. 

Therefore, alt-based units are much better, but they entail a few maintenance steps to keep them working at an optimal level. 

People Also Ask

Do salt-free water softeners work?

Salt-free water softeners work, but they are suitable when there is not much hardness in your water. If you have to deal with a lot of hardness in water, go for salt-based units. They effectively reduce scales in your water, but they are not as effective for removing hardness. 

Can a whole house salt-free water softener work with both tap and well water?

You will have to run a water test to check the water contents. If there are not enough minerals and salts and the water is coming from a well, you can use a salt-free water softening unit. On the other hand, if there are high minerals and hardness in water, you will need a salt-based water softener. And this is a unit that you can use for both tap and well water. 

How can I know if a salt-free water softener works?

Salt-free water softeners don’t work when removing hardness from water. But they are effective when reducing scales in your water. These units are most effective if your water doesn’t feature a lot of hardness. But these units are not highly effective when it comes to removing hardness. 

Final Word

Water softeners are effective in their work, especially salt-based. Still, recently, salt-free water systems have entered the market, and due to their low maintenance, they have taken the market by storm. 

These units are pretty effective when it comes to handling little water hardness. But if there are multiple impurities in your hard water, go for salt-based options. 

Salt-free units don’t require much maintenance, and they are easy to install. They are available in different sizes, and you can pick one according to your requirements. 

You have to pick one based on your requirements and get the best value from your hard-earned money. They come with not many controls and are pretty simple to operate. Make sure you run a water test before ordering anything to determine what impurities you are dealing with. This way, you will find a better solution to your problems and won’t have to deal with any returns.