Water softening has increasingly been becoming popular in recent years. There are plenty of available options from different brands. If you are in the middle of deciding if you should get one for your household, or if you simply need help deciding which one to get, this is the right article for you.
You read on for a detailed discussion or you may check out our top three picks below:
Table of Contents
Understanding Water Softening
First of all, let’s understand what water softening means. Natural “hard” water contains metal ions like calcium and magnesium as bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates. This causes certain problems such as the buildup of limescale, which can damage plumbing systems, among others.
In softening water, a process called ion-exchange is used to remove the calcium and magnesium minerals from hard water. The water-softening machine passes the water through a cylinder which has small food-grade polymer beads which the metal ions get attracted to, hence removing it from the water, turning it to “soft water.”
What to Consider When Buying a Water Softener
Capacity
The number of bathrooms, sinks, and other water systems inside the property helps determine the maximum amount of water that is used at any time. This is an important piece of information to know as you would need a water softener that has the capacity for all the water systems being utilised simultaneously.
Additionally, tanks with larger capacities can be used for longer periods with less maintenance compared to smaller tanks.
Salt
Although there are non-salt based options (as detailed further below), most water softeners use a certain type of salt for the removal of minerals in the water that cause its hardness. These salts come in either “cake” or crystalline form. It is important to find out what type works for your water softeners, as well as the availability of such salt especially when they already need to be replaced.
Where is Your Mains Water Located?
In most cases, the water softener is installed right at the entry point of the mains water supply. This varies from one property to another. Some have it under the kitchen sink but it can also be found under the stairs, basement, or stock room. Think about the location, size, and appearance of mains water entry point when choosing a water softener.
What Type of Water Softener Should You Buy?
Salt-Based Systems
Water softeners that run this system utilise sodium to replace hard water ions, and in the process, soften the water. They have two major components: (1) a tank for resin beads, and (2) a salt chamber, otherwise known as a brine tank. Through regeneration, the resin beads are refreshed, hence softening the water. The advantage of using salt-based systems in the very minimal maintenance required especially since they are metre-based. When installing these systems, remember to put them near the drain to easily empty the salt tank.
Salt-free Systems
These systems are ideal in moderately-hard water areas. In the absence of salt, what these systems use is nano-technology. The technology changes the atomic structure of the water so that it is softened. This is especially helpful when needing to remove limescale buildup in your plumbing system. The cost and the maintenance of such a system are relatively low, and they do not necessarily need to be installed near the drain.
Electromagnetic Systems
Lastly, if your primary concern is you don’t have that much space to install a water softener, then electromagnetic systems are ideal for you. What it uses is magnetic wires around the water pipes. This process restructures the water molecules and in the process softens it. It is an especially effective system to use for low to medium-hard water.
Best Water Softeners in the UK
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The Water2Buy W2B500 water softener is meant to make water softening a simple business. The installation is very simple and intuitive, ensuring that in no time, you can already start enjoying soft water regularly.
This model is engineered so that it can eliminate 100% of limescale from your household. Although designed for a household of four to seven people, this water softener can sustain a much bigger household since it can provide up to 1417 liters of soft water every day. Despite the power and functionalities that this relatively small appliance performs, your water pressure will not be affected at all. Additionally, you would not hear any noise from the machine. This addresses two main concerns that water softener users commonly raise about water softening: water pressure and noise. With the Water2Buy W2B500 water softener, you would not even notice any difference after installing it.
Pros
- Addresses common water softening concerns of decreased water pressure and increased noise levels
- Eliminates 100% of limescale
Cons
- May be awkward to fit especially for inexperienced users
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If you own a small house with an average flow rate of 8 liters per minute or up to 20 liters per minute at peak flow, then this is the ideal water softener for you. The AquaHouse NSWS Salt-free Scale Prevention system is proven to prevent future scale build-up in your pipework and appliances, while at the same time descaling where necessary.
There is minimal to no reduction in water pressure observed upon installation of this device, which makes it ideal for homes with appliances that require consistent water pressure including cold feet electric showers and boilers.
One key functionality of this water softener is its scale prevention which happens within the filter without adding any salt or chemicals to the water by using a technology called Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC). What this system does is it conditions the water so that the minerals in it like Calcium and Magnesium are converted into harmless crystals.
Pros
- Proven to prevent scaling and descales existing build-up
- Specifically designed for small homes
Cons
- DIY installation is not encouraged; hiring a plumber is recommended
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This Hi-Flow Electronic Water Softener from BWT was developed with UK homes and plumbing system specifically in mind. Its efficient, fully automatic, and aesthetically appealing design along with its easy installation (can fit easily in a kitchen cupboard) and maintenance make it an ideal choice for UK households.
Besides removing the minerals responsible for scale and scum, this water softener also produces water that is nicer to the skin. Say goodbye to having to rinse the soap off your body repeatedly.
You can also be sure that this water softener is efficient. It comes with smart water monitoring which tracks consumption. Additionally, the machine has low water and salt usage which translates to low operating costs.
Pros
- Developed specifically for UK households with easy installation and low maintenance
- Efficient and low operating costs
Cons
- May not be ideal for small households with flow rates under 10 litres per minute
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This water softener can be installed either by a professional plumber or even by a DIY enthusiast since the package comes with all the accessories and components that are needed to install this device on a conventional vented system.
The water that has passed through this water softening system feels softer to the skin, results in cleaner tiles, shower taps, and basins. You can also be sure that your appliances like boilers and heaters are protected. You can also expect a softer finish to your laundry and lower bills.
Pros
- Professional plumber installation is optional as all the parts and accessories as well as instructions are included in the package
- Efficient design resulting in lower bills
Cons
- Maximum flow rate of 5 litres per minute means it is not ideal for bigger households/businesses
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The manufacturers of this M1D1 Water Softener are so confident in the design and construction of this water softener that they give a seven-year warranty, exceeding what’s prescribed by European regulations by five years. There is a good balance of performance and style in the design of this water softener from the control panel is highly visible with a backlit display to the resin vessel with a high capacity.
As far as efficiency is concerned, this water softener is the more economical option. You can save up to 56% salt over other conventional water softeners.
In terms of the construction, this water softener is designed to be suitable for any and all types of plumbing systems.
Lastly, this water softener has added features of a clock and the Self Protect Programme (SPP). They work together so that it is ensured there is enough soft water available so that the regeneration does not need to happen until 2 am which is when little or no water is being used.
Pros
- The efficient choice since 56% less salt is used compared to other conventional softeners
- Additional features like Self Protect Programme and a clock ensures there is enough softened water so that the regeneration is delayed until such time no water is being used
Cons
- None reported
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One key feature of the Tapworks Ultra 9 EASYFLOW Metered Compact Water Softener is compact design. The device is only about half a metre high, which means it can be installed hidden in a kitchen cupboard or somewhere not easily visible.
This model is ideal for larger households or establishments, as it has a maximum flow rate (during peak hours) of 56.7 litres per minute, which is pretty impressive. Its maximum softened water capacity is 300ppm which is equivalent to 1690 litres.
Though the overall construction and design of this water softener looks rather overwhelming or even intimidating, the complete installation kit that it comes with makes the installation a breeze.
Pros
- Large capacity of the device makes it ideal for larger households
- Compact design makes the device easily concealed in a cupboard
- Suitable with combi boilers
Cons
- None
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This water softener was designed with catering businesses and commercial kitchens in mind. There is no electricity needed for this device to work as it purely manual. It is a cost-effective way to manage hard water in a commercial establishment especially kitchens. This device is specifically certified for use with all warewashers, glasswashers, and dishwashers in the catering trade.
This water softener is made out of stainless steel and is physically pleasing and quite practical. You do not need to worry about hiring a professional plumber to install this water softener as it is rather simple and straightforward.
Pros
- No additional cost incurred for installing this water softener as it is purely manual
- Designed specifically for the catering business and commercial kitchen establishments
Cons
- Has a limited flow rate of 8 litres per minute and may not be ideal is your establishment uses more than that
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The Aquadial Softlife HI-TECH Compact Standard Water Softener is the ideal water softening solution for an average family size of seven people. This device has an ‘Electronic Demand System’ which smartly makes adjustments to meet the varying water usage as your household changes. This is convenient since this saves you the need to adjust the water softener, but also, this is cost-effective as it results in significant savings.
On average, installing this water softener can save you up to £200 per year on soaps and detergents. This water softener also helps you save or increase the life of your boiler, which costs around £1000 to replace.
Pros
- The device’s ‘Electronic Demand System’ adjusts to meet the varying water usage of your household, ultimately resulting in savings
Cons
- None
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Unlike other water softeners, this water softener only does the regeneration as needed, based on your water consumption, which makes it the more efficient choice. Additionally, this machine can work with either block or tablet salt.
What makes this water softener stand out compared to other similar products in the market is its two tanks. Single tank water softeners cannot supply soft water while performing regeneration, which is the process of cleansing the resin to continue to produce soft water. Single tank machines, which most water softeners are, tend to perform this task at around the time that water is being used the least, if at all. While this is generally okay, this creates a slight problem if a household uses water at any part of the day, or when there are guests spending the night with your family. This machine effectively addresses that problem.
Pros
- Dual tank system allows the machine to perform regeneration programme at any time.
Cons
- None reported
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Wrap-up
It’s not an easy choice to make, but our favourite water softener in the UK would have to be the No products found.. It’s simple to use, requires low maintenance, and it does the job pretty effectively, eliminating 100% of limescale in your household.