10 Best Salt-Free Water Softeners

Best Salt Free Water Softener Comparison

Salt-Free Water Softener Review

To help you carefully decide which product suits you the best, we compiled this detailed review section for you!

1. Softpro Elite (Top Pick)

The SoftPro Elite salt-free Water Softener is our top pick from the best salt-free water softeners.

This water softener system neutralizes any magnesium and calcium in your water through the process called ion exchange, giving you water that is safe to shower in.

This filter has also earned Water Quality Platinum Seal by the IAMPO Research and Testing.

The SoftPro Elite salt-free Water Softener comes with basic pre-filters that can act as a  whole house water filter system. This quality also makes it worth the price that it comes in.

On top of everything else, this product also comes pre-assembled, hence saving you a lot of time and trouble!

Specifications

• Item Weight – 8 different options available
• Item Dimensions – 8 different options available
• Maximum Flow Rate – 12 Gallons Per Minute
• Lower Temperature Rating – 40 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Upper Temperature Rating – 90 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Purification Method – Ion Exchange Process

Features

• available in 8 different sizes and weights
• has earned Water Quality Platinum Seal by the IAMPO Research and Testing

The cartridge of a SoftPro Elite salt-free water softener is to be replaced every 6 months – or earlier, in case, lower water flow pressure is observed.

The annual maintenance cost is approximately a little over $510.

Customer Rating – 4.6 out of 5 stars

2. Pelican NaturSoft Water Softener

Specifically aimed at removing calcium and magnesium, salt-based softeners work to soften water to make it fresh and clean and free of any damaging chemicals.

However, the Pelican Water Softener does the same job of providing you soft water without removing these chemicals. It neutralizes calcium and magnesium, converting them into their crystallized forms.

This high-performance saltless water softener gives you a clean water supply for about 2 to 3 years without needing a replacement! This makes it highly low maintenance.

Specifications

• Item Weight – 2 Different Options Available (10 Pounds)
• Item Dimensions – 2 Different Options Available (18 x 18 x 49.5 Inches)
• Maximum Flow Rate – 70 Gallons Per Minute
• Lower Temperature Rating – 40 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Upper Temperature Rating – 100 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Purification Method – Carbon Filter

Features

• certified 99.6% effective in limescale prevention
• IAPMO Certified NSF / ANSI 61 and NSF / ANSI 42 for structural integrity
• does not demineralize water

The Pelican NS3 and NS6 only need a routine replacement every 2 to 3 years, depending on the incoming water that the salt water softener conditions or softens.

Normally, the annual maintenance cost lies over or under $500.

Customer Rating – 4.7 out of 5 stars

3. Aquapure AP904 (City Water Pick)

The AP904 is a whole house water filter that treats water to rid it of any chlorine. This means that no matter which outlet you use, you will always have access to chlorine odor and taste-free water.

This product will give you an uninterrupted water supply of 100,000 gallons with pressure as high as 20 gallons per minute.

With this Aqua-Pure water filtration system installed in your house, you can have both healthy showering water and drinking water at the same time!

Specifications

• Item Weight – 10.35 Pounds
• Item Dimensions – 25.2 x 4.5 x 4.5 Inches
• Maximum Flow Rate – 20 Gallons Per Minute
• Lower Temperature Rating – 40 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Upper Temperature Rating – 100 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Purification Method – Activated Carbon
• Material – Stainless Steel and Plastic

Features

• reduces sediment build-up
• removes both chlorine taste and odor
• NSF standard 42 certified
• 100,000 gallons capacity cartridge
• contaminates water down to 5 microns

It is generally expected that the whole house Aqua Pure water filters would last about 12 months.

However, it is recommended that you change your Aquapure AP904 as soon as you notice a reduced water flow since the replacement period also depends on the incoming water. The replacement cartridge is easy to install.

The annual maintenance cost lies between $260 and $340, depending upon the cartridge you choose for your replacement.

Customer Rating – 4.7 out of 5 stars

Check out our AquaPure whole house filter review to learn more about this filter.

4. Filtersmart FS500

This product promises to remove all and every chemical from your hard water – chlorine, chloramine,  SOCs (synthetics organic compounds), VOCs (volatile organic compounds), THMs (trihalomethanes chemical compounds), industrial solvents, herbicides, and pesticides.

The Filtersmart FS500 is a salt-free water softener that takes up very little space for the jobs that it undergoes. With this softener, you no longer have to worry about plumbing problems that come with water-based water softeners.

This product offers a water capacity of 1,000,000 gallons, and gives a water flow rate of 12 gallons per minute!

Above all, the Filtersmart FS500 is also NSF certified, which makes it an overall safe water softener that can be purchased.

Specifications

• Maximum Flow Rate – 12 Gallons Per Minute
• Lower Temperature Rating – 40 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Upper Temperature Rating – 90 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Purification Method – Natural Coconut Shell Carbon Filtration
• Material – Stainless Steel

Features

• made of eco-friendly materials
• 1,000,000 gallon capacity

Unlike the previously mentioned water softeners, the Filtersmart FS500 only needs to be replaced once every year, unless the water pressure indicates otherwise.

Customer Rating – 4.5 out of 5 stars

5. Aquasana SimplySoft

Unlike salt-based water softeners, the Aquasana Simplysoft salt-free water softener prevents the demineralization of your water.

It also uses SCM (Scale Control Media) technology, which converts dissolved hard minerals from your water into harmless, inactive microscopic crystal particles. They are then passed through your water and down the drain.

Generally speaking, this low-maintenance water softener by Aquasana is a good option to purchase if you want a long-lasting water softener that is easy to install and replace.

Specifications

• Item Weight – 32 Pounds
• Item Dimensions – 27 x 9 x 46 Inches
• Maximum Flow Rate – 7 Gallons Per Minute
• Lower Temperature Rating – 40 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Upper Temperature Rating – 90 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Purification Method – SCM

Features

• uses SCM technology
• prevents demineralization of water
• 600,000 gallons capacity

The Aquasana SimplySoft salt-free water softener is a long-lasting product that does not need a replacement for 6 years! This makes them virtually maintenance-free.

However, the prefilter should be replaced every 2 months to prevent dirt sediments from clogging the filter. If not replaced, the clogged filter will lower the water flow rate around the house.

Therefore, the annual distributed cost is around $250.

Customer Rating – 4.6 out of 5 stars

Check out Aquasana SimplySoft water softener review to learn more.

6. OneFlow+

The OneFlow+ salt-free water conditioner is a salt-free conditioning or softening system that helps prevent scale formation and scale buildup in your pipes and other appliances, increasing your life span.

This product is known to remove any taste or odor from your hard water by its water softening process.

This salt-free softening system uses a technology called TAC (Template Assisted Crystallization) which converts hard water minerals into microscopic crystals. These crystals are then allowed to flow through the drain, keeping your pipes and appliances free of scale build-up.

Specifications

• Item Weight – 15 Pounds
• Item Dimensions – 19.3 x 9.2 x 9.2 inches
• Maximum Flow Rate – 10 Gallons Per Minute
• Lower Temperature Rating –  40 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Upper Temperature Rating –  100 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Purification Method – Carbon Block Filter

Features

• uses TAC technology
• 250,000 gallons capacity
• 20 micron water filter

With a cartridge capacity of 250,000 gallons of water, the OneFlow+ salt-free water conditioning system only needs a replacement every 3 years!

This means that you only need around $100 annually to maintain this water conditioner.

Customer Rating – 4.1 out of 5 stars

7. Tier1 salt-free Softener

The Tier1 salt-free water conditioner has a powerful blend of KDF-55 and carbon media. Both of these work together to rid water of any chlorine, microorganisms, heavy metals, or any scales.

KDF also uses zinc and copper alloy to oxidize any impurity in water, and also reduce nickel, chromium, mercury, and lead.

This means that the Tier1 salt-free softener provides you with odorless and tasteless clean water, free of any possible sediments that could clog your filters.

Specifications

• Item Weight – 91.9 Pounds
• Item Dimensions – 48 x 36 x 12 inches
• Maximum Flow Rate – 5 Gallons Per Minute
• Lower Temperature Rating – 40 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Upper Temperature Rating – 90 Degrees Fahrenheit

Features

• provides ultraviolet (UV) disinfection

The pre-filters in Tier1 are to be replaced every 3 months, making the annual maintenance cost around $35.

This low cost annual maintenance is also a reason why it is one of the best saltless water softeners.

Customer Rating – 4 out of 5 stars

8. Nuvo H2O Dphb-a

The Nuvo H20 Dphb-a is a salt-free softener that uses chelation to lower the pH level of water. This in turn causes mineral ions of the hard water, such as calcium and magnesium, to the chelating agent in NuvoH2O’s proprietary formulation, which keeps the minerals soluble, preventing any hard water problems.

The resulting water is soft and healthy and without any sedimentation or impurities. This water softener gives you clean and fresh water without harming the environment with any damaging salt, electricity, or water drainage, etc.

This also means that the Nuvo H20 Dphb-a prevents the formation of any scale buildups.

Specifications

• Item Weight – 8 Pounds
• Item Dimensions – 5 x 5 x 24 inches
• Maximum Flow Rate – 15 Gallons Per Minute
• Lower Temperature Rating – 40 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Upper Temperature Rating – 115 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Purification Method – Carbon Filtration

Features

• prevents sediment buildups
• does not demineralize water

The Nuvo H2O Dphb-a has a long-lasting cartridge that lasts for 6 months! This means that the annual maintenance cost after replacing cartridges twice every year falls around $100.

Customer Rating – 4.3 out of 5 stars

Check out our NuVo H2O water softener review to learn more.

9. Aquios FS-220

The Aquios AQFS-220 is a salt-free technology for soft water supply that delivers you clean and fresh water without demineralizing it of essential minerals such as magnesium and calcium.

This water softening system helps prevent the formation of sedimentation or scale buildups in pipes and other appliances.

This product also does not alter water flows and has a flow rate of about 12 gallons per minute.

Above all, it also offers a warranty for 20 years.

Specifications

• Item Weight – 7.5 Pounds
• Item Dimensions – 5 x 23.5 Inches
• Maximum Flow Rate – 12 Gallons Per Minute
• Lower Temperature Rating – 40 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Upper Temperature Rating – 115 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Purification Method – Coconut Carbon Block Filtration

Features

• removes up to 98% taste and odor of chlorine
• 40,000 gallons capacity
• 5 micron water filter
• the point of entry system removes sediments like sand, dirt, rust, silt, rust, etc.

The Aquios AQFS-220 needs to have its cartridge replaced every 3 months on average. However, you might need to replace it every 1-2 months if your water is highly contaminated.

Depending on how often you have to change the cartridge, the annual maintenance cost falls over $150.

Customer Rating – 3.7 out of 5 stars

To learn more, please visit our Aquios FS-220 water softener review now.

10. SpringWell FutureSoft

The SpringWell FutureSoft salt-free softener tends to neutralize essential minerals such as magnesium and calcium, crystalizing them instead of removing them completely.

This salt-free water softener uses TAC  (Template Assisted Crystallization),  which converts all the hard minerals of water into a form that can easily flow through drains and pipes without causing scale formations or clogging filters.

The SpringWell FutureSoft salt-free system for softening hard water also uses premium certified components, which add to this product’s credibility.

Specifications

• Item Weight – 60 Pounds
• Item Dimensions – 6 x 39 x 6 Inches
• Maximum Flow Rate – 3 Different Options Available (12, 15, and 20 Gallons Per Minute)
• Lower Temperature Rating – 34 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Upper Temperature Rating – 120 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Purification Method – Carbon Filtration

Features

• provides 99.6% scale prevention
• provides ultraviolet disinfection
• eliminates all hard chemicals but not the essential minerals
• uses TAC technology

Normally, the SpringWell FutureSoft salt-free water softener needs a cartridge replacement every 3 months. But it can also need a replacement before reaching that 3-month mark, depending on the contamination of incoming water.

The annual replacement cost is around $150.

Customer Rating – 4.4 out of 5 stars

Conclusion

Opting for the right salt-free water softener can greatly enhance your water quality and extend the life of your plumbing and appliances. The models featured in this article are selected for their effectiveness in preventing scale buildup while being low-maintenance and eco-friendly.

Choose the best option to enjoy cleaner water and reduce maintenance hassles with a reliable salt-free solution.