8 Best Water Softener Salt

Choosing the right water softener salt is crucial for maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of your water softening system. The quality of salt you use can impact how well your system removes hard water minerals and prevents scale buildup.

This article reviews the best water softener salts, focusing on their purity, solubility, and compatibility with various water softener systems to help you select the ideal product for optimal performance.

DISCLOSURE: We may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.

Our Top Pick

4.5/5

Morton 40-D System Water

Morton salt is one of the best water softener salt brands guaranteeing no buildup! Alongside combatting the scale problem, it also aids in softer skin and hair! Morton salt guarantees to extend the life of your water-based appliances.

Best Salt For Water Softener Comparison

Image PRODUCT/ Features Rating  
Top PickComparing Morton 40-D System Water Softener Pellets Morton 40-D System Water Softener PelletsType: Pellets
Features:
Improves the taste of water
Price:
$
Weight:
50 Pounds
Read Full Review
Iron PickComparing Diamond Crystal Iron Fighter Pellets Diamond Crystal Iron Fighter PelletsType: Pellets
Features:
Made for water with high iron concentration levels
Price:
$$
Weight:
40 Pounds
Read Full Review
Rust ProtectionComparing Morton Rust Defence Water Softener Pellets Morton Rust Defence Water Softener PelletsType: Pellets
Features: 15 times more effective than normal salt
Price: $
Weight: 40 Pounds
Read Full Review
Potassium ChlorideComparing Diamond Crystal Potassium Chloride Crystals Diamond Crystal Potassium Chloride CrystalsType: Crystals
Features: Made with a sodium concentration
Price: $$
Weight: 40 Pounds
Read Full Review
Comparing Morton 40E Solar Salt Crystals Morton 40E Solar SaltType: Crystals
Features: Natural water softener salt
Price: $
Weight: 40.5 Pounds
Read Full Review
Comparing Cargill Salt 7304 Crystals Cargill Salt 7304 CrystalsType: Crystals
Features: Multiple benefits aside from water softening; hides curing and curing pickles
Price: $$
Weight: 40 Pounds
Read Full Review
Comparing Morton System Saver II Salt Pellets Morton System Saver II Salt PelletsType: Pellets
Features: Helps extend the lifespan of water appliances
Price: $$
Weight: 44.5 Pounds
Read Full Review
Comparing Morton Potassium Chloride Pellets Morton Potassium Chloride PelletsType: Pellets
Features: Up to 99% sodium-free
Price: $$
Weight: 40 Pounds
Read Full Review

1. Morton 40-D System Water Softener Pellets

review of Morton 40-D System Water Softener Pellets

The Morton 40-D salt pellets are a great option if you want salt pellets in a larger quantity.

Not only will this help your water softening system run efficiently, but these pellets are specifically tailored to take care of your appliances.

Lesser buildup means your household items and water appliances will be easier to clean than before. You won’t spend more on cleaners and detergents because you won’t use twice the amount you initially did.

Most importantly, these salt pellets eliminate another major consequence of hard water minerals. With the help of the ion exchange process, sodium ions remove hard water ions thus stopping your appliances from losing their work-life!

Specifications

  • Item Dimensions: 16 inches x 15 inches x 4 inches
  • Item Model: Morton 40-D
  • Item Weight: 50 Pounds
  • Color: White
  • Batteries Needed: None

Features

  • Aids in easier cleaning
  • Increases life expectancy of appliances
  • Results include softer hair and skin

The means of application are also fairly simple since all you have to do is keep your tank at least half full at all times. During this make sure you’re monitoring your salt levels consistently.

Since they come in a 50-pound bag, these pellets last a long time, only needing to be used every two months or so!

Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

PROS
+ Larger quantity
+ Lessens soap and detergent costs
+ Helps appliances last longer
+ Eliminates dryness from scalp and skin
CONS
Two packets needed for refilling the tank every two months

2. Diamond Crystal Iron Fighter Pellets

review of Diamond Crystal Iron Fighter Pellets

Scaling is problematic but so are rust stains. Diamond crystal pellets are specifically made to fight rust stains left behind due to iron in hard water.

These iron fighter pellets simultaneously stop scaling and rust forming on tubs, sinks, appliances, and pipes.

For your water softening system to run smoothly, brine tank maintenance is equally necessary. These diamond crystal iron fighter pellets are formulated to do that automatically!

Salt bridges are a menace if not taken care of properly, which makes them harder to clean! Diamond crystal pellets also stop salt bridges from forming. Thus preventing additional costs that may occur in plumbing maintenance.

Specifications

  • Item Dimensions: 4 inches x 16 inches x 24 inches
  • Item Model: Diamond Crystal Iron Fighter
  • Item Weight: 40 Pounds
  • Color: White
  • Batteries Needed: None

Features

  • Up to 99.6% pure salt.
  • 100% water soluble
  • Eliminates salt bridges and salt mushing
  • Two-handle bags; easier to lift and carry
  • Certified by the NSF

Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

PROS
+ Removes rust stains
+ Keeps your brine tank safe
+ Works with most water softening systems
+ Increases longevity of water softening systems
+ Easier to maintain
CONS
More expensive than most salt bags

3. Morton Rust Defence Water Softener Pellets

review of Morton Rust Defence Water Softener Pellets

Water softeners shouldn’t only produce soft water but should also reduce the scale problem your household items face due to hard water.

Water hardness, when removed, may leave behind an unpleasant taste. To combat a higher iron concentration, improve taste and remove stains, Morton Rust Defence pellets are the best option!

Morton Rust Defence pellets give you optimum saltwater quality. These pellets are up to 15 times more effective than plain salt.

These guarantee to keep rust and stains off your bathtubs, sinks, appliances, and washing machines. These pellets are most suited for high iron water content and to improve the taste of soft water.

Specifications

  • Item Dimensions: 19 inches x 13 inches x 4 inches
  • Item Model: Morton-Rust-40
  • Item Weight: 40 Pounds
  • Color: Plain
  • Batteries Needed: None

Features

  • Up to 15 times more effective
  • Includes a well-built plastic bag
  • Easy to carry, pour and lift

The application requires using two bags of pellets every two months. Keep an eye on the salt levels in the brine tank making sure it’s half full at all times.

Using two bags every two months means a monthly cost of approximately $15 per month!

Customer Rating: 4.4 out of 5

PROS
+ Special bag features
+ Easy to handle
+ 15 times more effective than normal salt
+ Low water solubility
+ Eliminates rust stains
+ Eliminates scale and buildup
CONS
Two packs required every two months

4. Diamond Crystal Potassium Chloride Crystals

review of Diamond Crystal Potassium Chloride Crystals

Water softener potassium chloride crystals are an effective substitute for sodium chloride.

Made with almost completely pure potassium chloride, these softener crystals work as smoothly as a salt-based water softener salt.

They work as well as a sodium salt-based water softener, with potassium removing calcium and magnesium ions instead of sodium.

These Cargill salt crystals are the option to go for especially if you don’t like the residing taste of pure sodium chloride in your water softener.

These 40-pound bags are required for use every two months. The crystals perform like normal sodium chloride water softener crystals.

On average with a price of $45 per month, these are one of the few water softener maintenance costs you need to keep in mind!

Specifications

  • Item Dimensions: 4.35 inches x 16 inches x 24 inches
  • Item Model: Potassium Chloride-40
  • Item Weight: 40 Pounds
  • Color: White
  • Batteries needed: None

Features

  • Contains 99.1% pure potassium chloride
  • Low solubility levels
  • Two-handle bags
  • Easy to pour and carry

Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

PROS
+ Low sodium water softener alternative
+ Efficient salt substitute
+ Reduces brine tank residue
+ Certified by the NSF
+ Available in multiple packs
+ Usable in all kinds of water softeners
+ Highest customer reviews
CONS
Per monthly high cost, especially if more than one pack is required for refilling

5. Morton 40E Solar Salt Crystals

review of Morton 40E Solar Salt Crystals

These are solar salt crystals. This makes them all-natural and pure water softener crystals.

Solar salt pellets or crystals are formed through solar evaporation of sea salt or any type of salt brine solution.

The brine solution is exposed to sunlight through which evaporation occurs, leaving pure solar salt crystals behind.

Solar salt evaporation gets rid of any insoluble impurities which prevent your brine tank from accumulating buildup. This helps to maintain your water softener’s brine tank.

While the regeneration cycle takes place, it’s the brine that washes away calcium and magnesium ions.

For your water softener system to continue working, these crystals also stop hard water scaling.

Furthermore, solar salt crystals prevent mineral buildup in pipes and appliances because of their all-natural quality.

Specifications

  • Item Dimensions: 12 inches x 25 inches x 3.5 inches
  • Item Model: Morton-40E
  • Item Weight: 40.5 Pounds
  • Color: White
  • Batteries Needed: None

Features

  • Natural water softener salt
  • Special bag features
  • Includes well-built plastic handle
  • Easy to tear and use

As required with other Morton salt products, the solar salt 40E crystals should be used every two months.

Keeping an eye that your brine tank solution should be at least half full at all times, two packets of 40E solar salts crystals are sufficient!

Customer Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

PROS
+ High Purity
+ All-natural salt
+ Prevents hard mineral buildup
+ Makes cleaning easier
+ Helps in attaining softer skin and hair

6. Cargill Salt 7304 Crystals

review of Cargill Salt 7304 Crystals

We wholeheartedly recommend the Cargill Crystals due to their multifunctional use. You get additional benefits besides water softening benefits for a cost between $21-$25 only!

Cargill water softening salt is primarily intended to aid water softeners. You can use these salt crystals for both home-based and commercial systems.

Cargill 7304 crystals have no wastewater impurities making them a viable option for your water softener.

The pure crystalline sodium chloride salt crystals, used in brine form have other benefits besides a water softener cleaner.

These crystals efficiently work during the ion exchange process and help resin beads last longer due to their lack of impurity.

Customer reviews concur that these crystals are a better option compared to rock salt. They also prevent salt bridges and salt mushing!

Specifications

  • Item Dimension: 3.8 inches x 16 inches x 24 inches
  • Item Model: Cargill 7304
  • Item Weight: 40 Pounds
  • Color: White
  • Batteries Needed: None

Features

  • Easy to open salt bags
  • Require no salt channeling
  • More efficient than rock salt

Customer Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

PROS
+ Available in 40, 50, 80-pound packages as well as 40kg kraft containers
+ Brine form can be used for processing poultry and meat
+ Brine form can be used to cure pickles and olives
+ Can be used in hide curing
+ Polyethylene packages provide moisture protection
+ Can be used to quality grade vegetables
CONS
It may become expensive as an annual cost

7. Morton System Saver II Salt Pellets

If you’re a big household, it means you use more water. This also means that your water softener needs a higher capacity.

If you’re looking for a variety of sizes, the Morton system saver pellets are the way to go!

Morton salt pellets are one of the best water softening salts as depicted by the countless water softener salt reviews!

Available in at least 4 different sized packagings, these pellets have a patented formula specifically designed to prevent calcium and magnesium scale buildup. These pellets work smoothly to give you a clean supply of soft water too!

Morton system saver II pellets guarantee the elimination of scaling, making it easier to clean your appliances and prevents water clogging in pipes.

Specifications

  • Item Dimensions: 21.5 inches x 15 inches x 4.49 inches
  • Item Model: Morton-40C
  • Item Weight: 44.5 Pounds
  • Color: White
  • Batteries Needed: None

Features

  • Specific bag features
  • Includes sturdy plastic handles
  • Easy to carry
  • Easy to tear open and pour

Soft water generated by the Morton system saver pellets will save you time and money.

this water softening salt is necessary to acquire because it reduces your plumbing maintenance costs and decreases the use of detergents and soaps.

Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

PROS
+ Extends life of appliances
+ Removes stains off of tub, sinks, pipes, etc
+ Available in 25, 40, and 44-pound bags
+ Extends the life of water heaters
+ Improves the efficiency of water-based systems
+ Recommend by renowned companies like Whirlpool and Ecopure
CONS
Large salt bags create larger annual costs

8. Morton Potassium Chloride Pellets

review of Morton Potassium Chloride Pellets


If you’re an avid user of Morton salt but want a different sodium-free alternative, these pellets are just that!

If you think potassium chloride will reduce the working capacity of resin beads and the regeneration cycle, these pellets guarantee you the opposite.

These are 99% sodium-free which will lessen the overwhelming taste salt-based softeners sometimes leave behind.

This is one of the best salts for your water softener systems since they remove mineral buildup through a salt-less alternative.

The regeneration cycle consistently discharges whatever brine solution is added to the brine tank. These potassium pellets reduce chloride discharge by up to 20%. This will lessen the amount of potassium chloride needed and save on annual salt costs.

Specifications

  • Item Dimensions: 20 inches x 16 inches x 6 inches
  • Item Model: Potassium Chloride-40
  • Item Weight: 40 Pounds
  • Color: White
  • Batteries needed: None

Features

  • Specific bag features
  • Easy to carry
  • Easily torn and poured
  • Special plastic handles

Like all Morton salt, these potassium chloride pellets are the best water softener salt.

Make sure your brine tank level is always half and you’ll only need to use two packets of these pellets every two months!

Before purchasing these potassium chloride pellets, make sure you take into account the annual salt costs you’ll have, depending on the size and packaging.

Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

PROS
+ 99% sodium-free
+ Remove scaling
+ Extend the life of water-based appliances
+ Highest rating out of Morton based salts
+ Gives no strong aftertaste
+ Suitable for any water softener system
+ Improves the efficiency of water-based appliances
+ Lowers maintenance costs
+ Gives softer hair and skin
CONS
Might become too pricey annually

Conclusion

Selecting the best water softener salt can enhance the effectiveness of your water softening system and improve the quality of your water. The salts featured in this article are chosen for their high purity, excellent solubility, and compatibility with a range of systems.

Choose the best option to ensure efficient water softening and protect your home’s plumbing and appliances.

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