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The Best Water Softeners of 2024

best-water-softener

What Is The UK’s Best Water Softener?

In this guide we’ll take a look at the best water softeners.
I’ve compared efficiency, size, extra features and cost
to give you my top recommendations.

Water Softener Reviews

B077ZKKC2R
5060011262168

The Eddy Electronic Water Descaler Water Softener is an excellent value water softener system, capable of reducing limescale in both home and business settings. It’s easy to install using either metal or plastic pipes.

According to Eddy, this is not technically a water softener as it does not alter the properties of the water itself. Instead, it uses a magnetic field that alters the adhesion properties of limescale and other hard minerals in the water. As a result, the limescale no longer easily adheres to appliances, pipework, etc.

This softener emulates softened water, by removing limescale, without altering or ridding your water of any healthy minerals. It’s far more cost-efficient than traditional salt-fed water softeners, and it’s very compact.

If you’re looking for the best value water softener system, the Eddy Electronic Water Descaler Water Softener is my top recommendation.

The Eddy Electronic Water Descaler Water Softener is an excellent value water softener system, capable of reducing limescale in both home and business settings. It’s easy to install using either metal or plastic pipes.

According to Eddy, this is not technically a water softener as it does not alter the properties of the water itself. Instead, it uses a magnetic field that alters the adhesion properties of limescale and other hard minerals in the water. As a result, the limescale no longer easily adheres to appliances, pipework, etc.

This softener emulates softened water, by removing limescale, without altering or ridding your water of any healthy minerals. It’s far more cost-efficient than traditional salt-fed water softeners, and it’s very compact.

If you’re looking for the best value water softener system, the Eddy Electronic Water Descaler Water Softener is my top recommendation.

Our Score:
4.9
Check Price
B077ZMMQJV
5060011262267

The BWT WS555 Hi Flow Electronic Demand Water Softener is a cost-effective softener that’ll help protect your appliances from limescale. It can also lead to softer laundry, as your soap suds will rinse away easily.

This water softener has a 14-litre capacity and it’s very easy to set up. It works by passing hard water through a cylinder containing ion exchange resin. This absorbs the minerals, and the softened water is guided into your household water supply.

This process happens automatically once the unit is set up. All that’s required for you to do is occasionally top the water softener up with salt.

It comes with an installation kit included and the compact design can fit in most kitchen cupboards.

The BWT WS555 Hi Flow Electronic Demand Water Softener is a cost-effective softener that’ll help protect your appliances from limescale. It can also lead to softer laundry, as your soap suds will rinse away easily.

This water softener has a 14-litre capacity and it’s very easy to set up. It works by passing hard water through a cylinder containing ion exchange resin. This absorbs the minerals, and the softened water is guided into your household water supply.

This process happens automatically once the unit is set up. All that’s required for you to do is occasionally top the water softener up with salt.

It comes with an installation kit included and the compact design can fit in most kitchen cupboards.

Our Score:
4.85
Check Price
B009SOYMTE
5060299261037,5060299260016

The Water2Buy W2B200 Water Softener is a great water softener for families of up to six people. This softener can generate around 1,250 litres of filtered, soft water every day.

It’s engineered for both city and well water, with a digital control to ensure it consumes the minimum amount of salt and water possible.

This softener measures 22 x 52.5 x 65 cm, and it’s suitable for installation in the garage, basement or kitchen. It connects to the mains supply and softens the water for your entire home.

This water softener quietly takes care of itself, regenerating when needed. It comes with all you need to get it set up, and it connects to the Water2Buy easyConnect app which helps with installation.

The Water2Buy W2B200 Water Softener is a great water softener for families of up to six people. This softener can generate around 1,250 litres of filtered, soft water every day.

It’s engineered for both city and well water, with a digital control to ensure it consumes the minimum amount of salt and water possible.

This softener measures 22 x 52.5 x 65 cm, and it’s suitable for installation in the garage, basement or kitchen. It connects to the mains supply and softens the water for your entire home.

This water softener quietly takes care of itself, regenerating when needed. It comes with all you need to get it set up, and it connects to the Water2Buy easyConnect app which helps with installation.

Our Score:
4.8
Check Price
B077ZKXN2V
5060011261581

The BWT WS355 Standard Electronic Water Softener is a great choice for families who want to enjoy the benefits of soft water.

This compact 14-litre unit is small enough to be concealed in a cupboard, meaning you won’t even know it’s there most of the time.

It uses an ion-exchange process to remove magnesium and calcium from hard water, preventing these minerals from depositing on pipes and appliances. As a result, the WS355 can help to extend the life of your plumbing and keep your surfaces clean.

If you’re looking for an affordable and effective way to soften your water, the BWT WS355 Standard Electronic Water Softener is a great option.

The BWT WS355 Standard Electronic Water Softener is a great choice for families who want to enjoy the benefits of soft water.

This compact 14-litre unit is small enough to be concealed in a cupboard, meaning you won’t even know it’s there most of the time.

It uses an ion-exchange process to remove magnesium and calcium from hard water, preventing these minerals from depositing on pipes and appliances. As a result, the WS355 can help to extend the life of your plumbing and keep your surfaces clean.

If you’re looking for an affordable and effective way to soften your water, the BWT WS355 Standard Electronic Water Softener is a great option.

Our Score:
4.75
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B07N45R4RJ
5060134172498

This Monarch Water Ultimate Midi HE Water Softener will help to improve the quality of your water. In turn, this can benefit your appliances, laundry, skin and hair.

It’s suitable for a 1 – 7 person household in hard water areas, and a 1 – 5 people household in very hard water areas.

The unit includes a pair of /4″ inlet/outlet standard hoses, 60 cm long, a rapid fit hi-flow bypass and a complimentary water hardness test kit.

It uses an ion-exchange process to remove hardness and minerals from your water, resulting in soft water that is gentler on your hair and skin. In addition, the softener will help to prolong the life of your appliances by protecting them from hard water build-up.

Overall, the Monarch Water Ultimate Midi HE Water Softener is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to improve the quality of their water.

This Monarch Water Ultimate Midi HE Water Softener will help to improve the quality of your water. In turn, this can benefit your appliances, laundry, skin and hair.

It’s suitable for a 1 – 7 person household in hard water areas, and a 1 – 5 people household in very hard water areas.

The unit includes a pair of /4″ inlet/outlet standard hoses, 60 cm long, a rapid fit hi-flow bypass and a complimentary water hardness test kit.

It uses an ion-exchange process to remove hardness and minerals from your water, resulting in soft water that is gentler on your hair and skin. In addition, the softener will help to prolong the life of your appliances by protecting them from hard water build-up.

Overall, the Monarch Water Ultimate Midi HE Water Softener is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to improve the quality of their water.

Our Score:
4.7
Check Price
B077ZKKC2R
5060011262168

The BWT WS455 Water Softener is a family sized water softener, with the added benefit of a compact design. This 10-litre softener measures 48 x 27 x 53.2cm so it can fit into most kitchen cupboards.

This softener is very easy to install, with an installation kit included. It’s cost-effective, prolonging the lifespan of your appliances, and can make water kinder to laundry and skin.

This softener is suitable for a family of 4, and it has a low salt reminder, so you’ll never be without softened water.

If you’re looking for a compact and efficient water softener, the BWT WS455 Water Softener is a good option to consider.

The BWT WS455 Water Softener is a family sized water softener, with the added benefit of a compact design. This 10-litre softener measures 48 x 27 x 53.2cm so it can fit into most kitchen cupboards.

This softener is very easy to install, with an installation kit included. It’s cost-effective, prolonging the lifespan of your appliances, and can make water kinder to laundry and skin.

This softener is suitable for a family of 4, and it has a low salt reminder, so you’ll never be without softened water.

If you’re looking for a compact and efficient water softener, the BWT WS455 Water Softener is a good option to consider.

Our Score:
4.65
Check Price
B004TM7WT2

The Little Plumber LP1 is a water softener that is perfect for 1-4 person households.

It works by sending a series of low frequency radio frequencies through the water. These will break down and remove limescale and prevent limescale from forming.

Installation is easy as there are no plumbers required. You simply wrap the coils around your copper or plastic cold water pipe and plug the device in to a USB port.

The LP1 is a great choice for those who are looking for an effective water softener that is easy to install and use.

The Little Plumber LP1 is a water softener that is perfect for 1-4 person households.

It works by sending a series of low frequency radio frequencies through the water. These will break down and remove limescale and prevent limescale from forming.

Installation is easy as there are no plumbers required. You simply wrap the coils around your copper or plastic cold water pipe and plug the device in to a USB port.

The LP1 is a great choice for those who are looking for an effective water softener that is easy to install and use.

Our Score:
4.6
Check Price

Water Softener Buyer’s Guide

Hard water is a common problem around the UK, and water that’s too hard can cost you more money long term. Hard water can lead to mineral stains on glasses, lower water pressure around your home, and a greater amount of limescale on your appliances.

Many people opt to soften their water using a home water softening system. There’s a range of systems on the market to choose from and finding the best one can be tricky.

Not sure what to look for when it comes to the best water softener? Take a look at this buyer’s guide.

Efficiency

Water softening systems work by running hard water through a resin, coated with sodium ions. The sodium replaces the magnesium and calcium in the water, leading to softer water. The water is then guided into your water system.

A system with large pipes will need a water softener that can process water faster, so the efficiency will depend on the system you have. Single cylinder systems can struggle with a large water demand, while twin cylinder systems are more efficient, as one tank can regenerate while the other provides soft water.

Salt-free softeners are another good option, but they don’t technically remove the hard minerals from the water. Instead, they prevent the minerals from sticking to surfaces and building up in your pipes. So, while they are called ‘softeners’, they actually prevent scaling. These are preferable because they don’t add salt to the water, but they aren’t quite so efficient.

Size

Water softening systems designed for home use are available in a range of sizes, but you’ll need to purchase a system based on how much water your family gets through.

The best water softeners have a compact design that can fit in a kitchen cupboard, while larger systems will need to be installed either in the garage or basement.

Extra Features

Extra features can make the softener easy to use. Most modern softeners have a metered regeneration, so it’ll start a regeneration only when needed, based on how much water you use. Others are timer-based. These regenerate at a certain time, regardless of whether the softener actually needs regenerating.

A digital control unit or App control is another great extra feature. These allow you to easily monitor your water softening and can also alert you when your system is running low on salt.

Water Softener FAQ

How does a water softener work?

Most home water softeners work by using a salt-based ion exchange system. Hard water is fed into a tank containing resin. As the water comes into contact with the resin, sodium ions replace the calcium and magnesium ions. As it’s calcium and magnesium that makes water hard, replacing these ions with sodium make it softer. The water is then fed back into your mains supply.

Once the sodium ions have been depleted, the softener will need regenerating. For this to happen, brine solution is passed through the resin tank. All the hard water ions dissolve into the water and the resin is recharged.

As already mentioned, salt-free softeners don’t replace the ions. Instead, they use either citric acid or polyphosphate to keep the hard water ions soluble.

How to install a water softener?

Installing a water softener is a relatively straightforward process, and they can usually be installed under the kitchen sink. However, many people prefer to have a professional install their water softener, as you will need to cut into the pipes.

To start, position the water softener where you would like it. The inlet should be attached to your water supply pipe, and your outlet should head towards the water heater. Shut off the water supply valves and drain any excess water from your pipes.

You’ll need to cut into the water supply line using a pipe cutter, then install the bypass valve. Connect the inlet/outlet ports, then connect the drain hose to the drain valve fitting. An overflow connection is an additional safety measure which can be routed to the drain.

If you are inexperienced or unsure, please contact a professional to help you install your water softener.

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