One of the biggest downsides to sourcing your home’s water from a well is that it tends to be harder than other water sources. This makes water softeners a must-have for every home that relies on well water.
Our recommended well water softener is the SpringWell Salt-Based Water Softener — which offers 32,000 – 80,000 grain capacity , flow rate of 11-20 GPM, and a lifetime warranty. If you’re looking for a softener that can also remove iron from your well water, then we’d recommend the SpringWell Water Filter & Softener Combo.
- Process: Ion Exchange
- Grain Capacity: 32,000 to 80,000 grains
- Flow Rate: 11 to 20 GPM
- Warranty: Lifetime on both tanks and valves
- Process: Ion exchange + Oxidation filtration
- Grain Capacity: 32,000 to 80,000 grains
- Flow Rate: 11 to 20 GPM
- Warranty: Lifetime on both tanks and valves
- Process: Electromagnetic impulses
- Grain Capacity: No limit
- Flow Rate: No limit
- Warranty: 10 years
1. Springwell Salt-Based Well Water Softener
- Process: Ion Exchange
- Grain Capacity: 32,000 to 80,000 grains
- Flow Rate: 11 to 20 GPM
- Warranty: Lifetime on both tanks and valves
The SpringWell Salt-Based Water Softener is the best well water softener system if you’re looking to soften water for 1 – 7 bathrooms. It comes with 32k – 80k grain capacity options, metered regeneration, and up to 20 GPM water low rate.
Wide Range Of Options
When you head to SpringWell’s product page, you’ll see that your first option is a 1-3 bathroom model with a 32k grain capacity. As most of the other softening systems in its price range offer 20k-30k for 1-3 bathrooms, this one gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
In addition, if you have more bathrooms in your house or if you’re looking for a softener for an office or a restaurant, SpringWell has options for 4-6 (48k grain capacity) and 7+ bathrooms (80k grain capacity) as well.
Furthermore, the flow rate of 11 GPM this salt-based water softener offers is more than capable of accommodating households that have 1 to 3 bathrooms as the flow rate of its peers varies only between 7 to 10 GPM. There are more options for bigger spaces as well: 13 GPM for 4-6 bathrooms or 20 GPM for 7+ bathrooms. Of course, if you’re in the market for the grain capacity and flow rate suitable for 4-6 or 7+ bathrooms, you’ll need to make a slightly bigger investment.
Effective Ion-Exchange
This SpringWell water softener is a conventional ion exchange unit that replaces mineral ions with those of sodium through a salt-based regeneration cycle. However, it’s remarkable how effective it is when you compare it to other models: less limescale formation, longer lifespan for appliances, better laundry, dish-washing, and bathing performance, and less hassle overall.
Bluetooth Connectivity
The salt system head this softener uses makes monitoring the system easier, so it’s a feature that truly stood out for us. This particular system comes with a Bluetooth app that allows you to set and control the regeneration cycle, which takes roughly an hour or so.
In our experience with softeners, an app can come in handy since most softeners regenerate automatically, which then causes disruptions in the water flow. With the SpringWell Salt-Based, you can set the cycle to run at a time when you don’t use water, which is super convenient.
Low Maintenance and Lifetime Warranty
The only real maintenance requirement is to add salt to the brine tank. This is not a big deal as you’re only going to do it once or twice a year. The brine tank is capable of holding 200 lbs of salt, and the system makes use of only 40 lbs of it in two months.
The SpringWell Salt-Based comes with a lifetime warranty for both its tanks and valves. Its installation requires the assistance of a professional plumber or knowledge and experience in plumbing, but it’s only 1 to 3 hours of work. Just keep in mind that it’s quite a big unit, which might make the installation tricky, especially if you’re already short of space.
2. Springwell Filter & Water Softener for Well Water With Iron
- Process: Ion exchange + Oxidation filtration
- Grain Capacity: 32,000 to 80,000 grains
- Flow Rate: 11 to 20 GPM
- Warranty: Lifetime on both tanks and valves
Does your well water have so much iron that you’re worried that a standard water softening unit can’t handle it? Then, you’ll find that the SpringWell combination of water softener and iron filter is the perfect solution.
Iron Removal Capabilities
Iron in well water is a common problem in the United States. Although its levels in water rarely exceed 10 parts per million (ppm), it still reaches up to 6-7 ppm in some locations. Not even our top water softener, the SpringWell Salt-Based, is equipped to deal with such high levels.
So, SpringWell combined that same model with an iron removal system that comes with its own separate tank. Everything else about the system remains the same, so you can still find all the features that make the SpringWell Salt-Based Water Softener great: it has the same grain capacity and flow rate options, and it’s still quite effective against the minerals that give the water its hardness.
The difference is that the added iron filter also removes up to 7ppm of iron, 8ppm of hydrogen sulfide, and 1ppm of manganese. As that much iron gives the water a brown color and hydrogen sulfide is often the culprit for the rotten eggs smell that comes from the water, this filter is truly a game-changer.
The SpringWell Air Injection Oxidizing Filter System (AIO) is the oxidizing agent that removes the iron, hydrogen sulfide, and manganese. The AIO is responsible for creating an air pocket at the top section of the filter tank.
When the water flows through this pocket, the said contaminants are oxidized and trapped in a green sand bed. The contaminants are then flushed out via a backwash cycle, and the air pocket is refreshed.
Programmable Head
Similar to the salt system head of the SpringWell softener, this filtration system features an electronic control valve that only needs to be programmed once. We always give filter systems good marks if they have Bluetooth connectivity and app integration, and this one does.
We found the app user-friendly, and it was really easy to adjust the system’s settings from a smartphone. After you’ve programmed the head, it’ll keep filtering out iron, sulfur, and manganese and keep your water free of malodors and weird coloring.
Size Options
Those with 1 to 4 bathrooms should opt for the WS1 model, which has a 12 GPM flow rate, while the WS4, with its 20 GPM flow rate, is ideal for 4+ bathrooms.
3. Yarna Capacitive Water Descaler for Well Water
- Process: Electromagnetic impulses
- Grain Capacity: No limit
- Flow Rate: No limit
- Warranty: 10 years
The Yarna Capacitive isn’t a water softener; it’s actually a little device referred to as a descaler. However, despite its size, it supports any kind of water pressure and flow rate, and even more impressively, it has unlimited grain capacity, which makes it special.
Unlike any of the other units on our list, the Yarna Capacitive Descaler doesn’t have a tank, and it doesn’t utilize technologies like ion exchange or crystallization. Rather, it neutralizes the mineral molecules in hard water by sending electrical currents.
- Electrical impulse tech: The electrical impulses reach the water inside the pipe via the signal cable. They then form another frequency field that manipulates the hard water molecules to prevent them from bonding together. As a result, the limescale formation in appliances and abrasion in pipes and faucets are significantly reduced as the minerals can’t stick to surfaces anymore. Furthermore, the unit provides better water for laundry and bathing as it also eliminates scum.
- Retains minerals: What we specifically like about the Yarna Capacitive Descaler is that it doesn’t replace mineral ions with sodium ones as salt-based water softeners do. The water that’s softened with this descaler still has minerals in it; it’s just that these minerals go down the drain without damaging clothes, appliances, and the plumbing system.
- Health benefits and eco-friendliness: In addition, minerals in water are actually quite beneficial to our health, and drinking water is one of the main sources of mineral intake. So, the fact that the Yarna Descaler doesn’t completely eliminate them or replace them with sodium is very positive. Also, considering that sodium can degrade soil and that plants don’t really enjoy mineral-free water, it’s one of the most eco-friendly devices that you can use to soften water.
- Easy installation: The uniqueness of the system might make you think that the installation process will be a hassle and require professional assistance, but that’s not the case either. The only thing you need to do is pick a good spot for it and wrap its cable around the pipe carefully. The instruction manual and the video guide you can find on Yarna’s website are quite helpful in that regard.
- Compact design: The bulky water softeners that come with a primary tank and a brine tank can sometimes be very difficult to place. There’s no such problem with the Yarna Descaler; it can be mounted to any wall or pipe, and it’ll never get in your way.
- Low maintenance and long warranty: It requires very little maintenance unless it malfunctions, and when it malfunctions, you can just make use of its 10-year warranty. As a cherry on top, it’s the most affordable product on our list, and the efficiency you’ll get from it makes it a very good bargain.
4. Springwell Tannin Removal System
- Process: Ion exchange + tannin removal
- Grain Capacity: 30,000 to 45,000 grains
- Flow Rate: 12 to 15 GPM
- Warranty: Lifetime on both tanks and valves
We really like the SpringWell STR Softener and Tannin Removal System simply because it’s the best tool for treating well water that has high tannin levels. Moreover, its softening capabilities are almost on par with the best on the market.
Although tannins pose no health hazards and are only considered to be an aesthetic nuisance, none of the properties of tannin-rich water are actually pleasant. Therefore, it’s best to remove them, and there is no other system on the market that can do it better than the SpringWell STR.
- Highly effective resin bed: Unlike the SpringWell combo we reviewed just above, the tannin removal doesn’t take place in another tank. It all happens in one single tank thanks to the high-capacity resin bed provided by SpringWell. This resin is able to have more contact time with water as it passes through. As a result, it has more time to neutralize hard water minerals and absorb tannins.
- Resilient resin: Although the other water softeners may also absorb tannins, their resin beds can get covered with tannins quite easily and eventually become ineffective. That’s not a problem with the SpringWell STR since the resin is specifically designed for this purpose.
- Versatility: The system comes in two models: the STR 1 for houses with 1 to 3 bathrooms and the STR 4 for houses that have more than 4 bathrooms. While the STR 1 entertains a grain capacity of 30k and a flow rate of 12 GPM, the STR 4 offers a 45k grain capacity with a 15 GPM flow rate.
- Long warranty and low maintenance: Similar to other SpringWell products that made it to our list, the SpringWell STR has a lifetime warranty. Moreover, with the Bluetooth app that allows you to monitor its condition, it’s almost maintenance-free.
- Affordability: The extra feature of tannin removal comes with its spike in price, but not nearly as big as the filter and softener combination from SpringWell we just discussed.
What To Know About Well Water Softeners
We evaluated well water softener systems based on:
- Grain capacity
- Water pressure/flow rate
- NSF certifications
- Process/technology
- Ease of installation
- Maintenance requirements
- Warranty
- Price
Below, you’ll find detailed explanations for each as well as comparison tables that show how these devices fare against the others on our list.
Grain Capacity
Grain capacity is a term used to describe how much hardness a water softener can remove from the water. This feature is determined by the efficiency of the resin beads and the sodium coat over the resin.
Traditional water softeners employ a process known as ion exchange. During this process, the molecules of minerals like calcium and magnesium are trapped in the resin and replaced with sodium ions. So, as the capacity of the unit to trap mineral molecules increases, its grain capacity will do so as well.
That said, the product we picked as best in this category, the Yarna Capacitive, doesn’t operate via ion exchange. Instead, it utilizes electric impulses to eliminate mineral ions. Thanks to this innovative tech, it has an unlimited grain capacity.
| Water Softeners | Grain Capacity |
|---|---|
| Yarna Capacitive | Unlimited |
| Springwell Salt-Based | 32,000 – 80,000 |
| Springwell Softener + Iron Filter | 32,000 – 80,000 |
| Springwell Tannin Removal System | 30,000 – 45,000 |
Flow Rate
Pretty self-evidently, flow rate refers to the amount of water that a softening device is able to process in a given period. It’s usually measured in gallons per minute (GPM).
When the water is getting processed, it passes through several parts of the softener, namely, the float valve, control valve, bypass valve, and the overall distribution system. All these parts have an effect on the flow rate of the water softener.
In addition, the efficiency of the resin and the quality of salt you use might play a role in the amount of water you’ll get from your faucets.
The Yarna Capacitive also takes the lead when it comes to flow rate. It features a system in which the water isn’t processed like in a standard softening device. Rather, it just passes through without any intervention except for electric impulses, which allows it to handle any kind of water pressure and flow rate.
| Water Softeners | Flow Rate (GPM) |
|---|---|
| Yarna Capacitive | Unlimited |
| Springwell Salt-Based | 11-20 |
| Springwell Softener + Iron Filter | 11-20 |
| Springwell Tannin Removal System | 12-15 |
NSF Certifications
The National Sanitation Foundation is an organization that tests, inspects, and certifies products that might have a health impact in industries like food, automotive, construction, and inevitably, water and water-related technologies like filtration systems and softening devices.
Such water treatment devices are independently tested and certified by the NSF to ensure that they remove all the contaminants they claim to remove. In that sense, NSF certifications are the only proof you have that a water treatment device is doing what it should.
That said, the NSF/ANSI 44 is the only relevant certification for water softeners since these devices don’t actually remove any contaminants. The only proof that the NSF/ANSI 44 establishes is that the device operates on an ion exchange process recharged by sodium or potassium chloride.
| Water Softeners | NSF/ANSI 44 Certifications |
|---|---|
| Springwell Salt-Based | No |
| Springwell Softener + Iron Filter | No |
| Springwell Tannin Removal System | No |
| Yarna Capacitive | No |
Process
By process, we mean the technology that a water softener utilizes to eliminate minerals.
We’ve already established that conventional softening devices employ ion exchange, in which mineral molecules are replaced with sodium.
In cases where there’s an excessive amount of iron in the groundwater, an iron filter is thrown into the mix as well, as in the case of the combo offered by SpringWell. Similarly, when there’s too much tannin in the water source, SpringWell adds a tannin removal media, as is the case with this, second, 2-in-1 system on our list.
However, the most innovative tech is found in the Yarna Capacitive Descaler. This unique product completely does away with ion exchange and uses electric impulses to break the bonds of mineral molecules.
| Water Softeners | Process |
|---|---|
| Yarna Capacitive | Electromagnetic impulses |
| Springwell Softener + Iron Filter | Ion exchange (salt) + iron filtration |
| Springwell Tannin Removal System | Ion exchange (salt) + tannin removal media |
| Springwell Softener | Ion exchange (salt) |
Ease of Installation
Water softener devices are often bulky, and to install them, you need experience and knowledge in plumbing. In addition, you need plumbing tools like a wrench, pipe cutter, PVC glue, plumber’s tape, and drill.
The products on our list are no exception to that rule. Only the installation of Yarna Capacitive can be handled by a non-professional and without any tools since it just needs to be connected to a pipe and plugged in. Moreover, its installation video and manual are pretty thorough.
| Water Softener | Ease of Installation |
|---|---|
| Yarna Capacitive | Doesn’t require professional help |
| Springwell Softener + Iron Filter | Professional help required |
| Springwell Tannin Removal System | Professional help required |
| Springwell Softener | Professional help required |
Maintenance Requirements
Normally, taking care of a softener is easy. You just need to add softener salt to the brine tank every now and then and check whether there are any clogs in the system or not, and the system will continue operating effectively.
However, not all the systems on our list are traditional softeners. Therefore, each has its own unique requirements. For example, the SpringWell Softener + Iron Filter requires you to change the iron filter regularly depending on the iron levels in your well.
The Yarna Capacitive Descaler, on the other hand, is as low-maintenance as it gets. It doesn’t have any parts that can be clogged, it doesn’t feature any filters that need to be replaced, and it doesn’t even make use of salt or potassium. It just needs to be plugged in to keep on softening your water.
| Water Softeners | Maintenance Requirements |
|---|---|
| Yarna Capacitive | Little |
| Springwell Salt-Based | Moderate |
| Springwell Softener + Iron Filter | High |
| Springwell Tannin Removal System | High |
Warranty
The warranty shows how much trust the company has in its product. In addition, as the warranty period increases, the money you’ll spend on maintenance when a malfunction occurs decreases. Both these factors combined make one of the most important criteria to look for when you’re buying a water softener for your well.
While the lifetime warranty of the SpringWell systems extends to their valves as well, the SoftPro Elite offers only a 10-year warranty on its valves. The Yarna Capacitive, on the other hand, comes with a 10-year warranty overall accompanied by a 365-day money-back guarantee.
| Water Softeners | Warranty |
|---|---|
| Springwell Softener + Iron Filter | Lifetime |
| Springwell Tannin Removal System | Lifetime |
| Springwell Softener | Lifetime |
| Yarna Capacitive | 10-year |
Price
Generally, the price of water softeners on the market is in the range of $500 – $6,000, depending on their flow rate, grain capacity, quality, and brand. The systems on our list, on the other hand, have a different range: $259.99 – $3,302.35.
The decrease in the minimum price is mainly due to the most non-conventional item on the list: the Yarna Capacitive Descaler. Although it softens water, it’s not really a water softening system in the traditional sense as it doesn’t feature tanks or valves, and so, at only $259.99, it’s much more affordable than the others.
SpringWell’s combination of water softener and iron filter with $3,302.35 is at the other end of the range. Since the system also features a high-end iron filter, the spike in the price is well-justified.
| Water Softeners | Price |
|---|---|
| Yarna Capacitive | $299 |
| Springwell Salt-Based | $1,478 |
| Springwell Tannin Removal System | $2,605 |
| Springwell Softener + Iron Filter | $3,189 |
How to Test Well Water for Hardness
There are two ways of testing well water for hardness. One is called the “quick soap suds test” and it’s the traditional way of assessing hardness. The other requires you to purchase a water hardness test kit.
- Quick soap suds test: Fill one third of a clean bottle with water from a tap at your house, add a little liquid soap to it, shake it for 20 seconds, and put it down. If your water is hard, the soap won’t create bubbles in the water. Instead, it’ll just turn cloudy.
- Home water hardness test kit: Water hardness test kits provide more scientific results. You can either purchase test strips that show water hardness in colored scales or order a more professional kit that you’ll send to a lab after taking a sample from your well. If you opt for the latter, you won’t only know about water hardness but the lab will also supply you with a comprehensive sheet that lists all the contaminants found in your well.
What Are The Disadvantages of Using Water Softener for Wells?
Removing or neutralizing minerals, lengthening the lifespan of appliances and clothes, and preventing limescale are definitely great benefits. There are also certain disadvantages to having soft water via water softening devices:
- Soft water isn’t ideal for plants and irrigation: Minerals like calcium, manganese, and iron are essential for plants to grow in health (especially for vital activity of photosynthesis) and soil to remain fertile. So, if you have a garden or if you’re cultivating plants indoors, it’s not recommended to water them with softened water.
- Too much sodium is not good for the environment: Traditional water softeners that operate on the basis of ion exchange replace mineral ions with sodium. When soft water is used and sent down the drain, sodium minerals end up in the soil. Even if the quantities are small, it can lead to soil degradation. When too much sodium is involved in the process, soil erosion is a likely outcome. That said, the Aquasana Salt-Free Conditioner and the Yarna Capacitive from our list don’t employ ion exchange. So, if you’re worried about soil and eco-friendliness, those two are your best options.
- Reduced mineral intake: Minerals in drinking water remain an important dietary source for calcium and magnesium, especially for infants and children. A mineral-free drinking water supply might cause health problems in bone growth, blood sugar, and immunity. Therefore, even if you need to install a softening unit, having a different, mineral-rich drinking supply might be more beneficial.
- Purchasing and installing a water softening device is quite costly: Although the Yarna Capacitive Descaler on our list shines with its affordability, it’s not a traditional softener. More often than not, traditional softeners cost more than $1,000. Depending on your flow rate, grain capacity, and pre-filtering needs, that number might reach up to $3,000-$5,000. If you factor in the installation cost and expenses you’ll make on softener salt and resin replacement, it will likely cost you even more.
Popular Questions About Water Softener For Wells
Which well water softener removes the most hard water minerals?
The Springwell combination of iron filter with softener, removes the most hard water minerals. This product removes up to 7ppm of iron, 1ppm of manganese, and 8ppm of hydrogen sulfide.
What does installing a well water softener require?
What you need for installing a well softener depends on the type of the softener. For example, we installed the Yarna Capacitive quite easily and without any tools since we just wrapped its signal cable around the pipes and mounted it on the pipe itself. However, that’s not the case for traditional softeners that come with tanks.
To install those, you need space. Nowadays, most American houses feature a water softener loop as a part of the piping system.
If there isn’t a loop in your house, you need to make sure that the system is placed in a location where it won’t get in your way and will stay out of harm’s way. For example, damp places can degrade the salt inside the brine tank and cause problems.
The following tools will come handy when trying to DIY-install a softening unit:
– Pliers and pipe cutter
– Plumber’s tape
– Drill
– Wrench
– Primer and glue
– Copper wire and hose clamps for grounding
– Shut-off valves
– Water connectors
– Zip ties
– Drain line(s)
– Power supplies (batteries)
Some of these items may already be included in the product package. So, make sure you ask the seller what’s included in the package or research the product before you buy it.
What is the average lifespan of the system?
The average lifespan of a water softening system is 10 to 20 years.
You can prolong its life by replacing the resin before it goes bad, using good salt, and identifying and resolving issues like standing water in the brine tank.
In addition, installing a water softener pre-filter and replacing the filter before it gets worn out can prolong the product's lifespan.
