While this won’t be the best option for larger families, it’s a solid pick for households with a smaller number of people. 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.ĭepending on the hardness level of your water, this softener is great for households with up to four people. The brand notes this model has salt-saving capabilities that actually reduce how much salt you use by up to 34%. 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. 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. First, it allows you to choose how soft you want your water. There are a few reasons we chose this GE softener as the best water softener overall. This won’t be the best option for larger households. We scoured through the options to find the best water softeners of 2023. Whether you choose to install your own water softener or work with a plumber, the list of options are dizzying. Cox encourages homeowners to talk with a plumber about buying a water softener, saying, “They can also provide information about maintenance requirements, warranty, and ongoing costs associated with the system.”

We consulted Logan Cox, assistant general manager of John The Plumber Kingston, for some insight into how water softeners work and what to know about them before shopping for one. But it’s important to understand the different types of water softeners as well as their capacity and the household sizes they serve before you decide on one. 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.

Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Softener, our Best Salt pick, is 20% off.

Yarna Capacitive Electronic Water Descaler System, our Best Magnetic pick, is 39% off.

Soft bet