Best Salt-Free Water Softeners – [Reviews – 2023 Edition]

Salt-Free water softeners are quickly becoming one of the most popular water softening solutions. There are many reasons why they are so popular, and as this technology evolves, you will see advancements that make them even more effective than they currently are.

The unique thing about the best saltless water softeners is that they are entirely maintenance-free and do not require electricity. These systems are ultra-appealing to consumers compared to salt-based systems because there is no need to add salt every few months and no need to discharge water with no salt water softener.

As salt-free technology has evolved, more and more systems are entering the market, and choosing the best salt-free water softener for you needs could be daunting. Throughout this guide, I will tell you about my favorite salt-free systems and answer some questions in our buying guide to help you choose the perfect one.

Quick Overview of My Top 3 Salt-Free Softeners:

 Best Salt-Free Water Softener Reviews

1. SpringWell Salt-Free Water Softener (Most Reliable/Longest Lasting)

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Highlighted Features

• This water-softening solution does not require any water to be discharged, nor does it produce any salt brine that needs to be expelled.
• The salt-free system will prevent over 99% of scale build-ups without needing salt or other chemicals.
• It should never need to be replaced (with proper maint.) and does not need electricity.
• Improvement in how clean your dishes and glassware appear. Water spots are significantly reduced.

Best For: The SpringWell Salt-Free Water Softener is an excellent choice for homeowners looking for a simple, environmentally-friendly solution to hard water problems. This system can handle a water flow rate of up to 12 gallons per minute (GPM), making it a suitable option for families with up to 4-6 members. The SpringWell system uses Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) technology, effectively preventing scale buildup without salt or chemicals. This feature makes it a preferred option for individuals concerned about sodium intake or the environmental impact of salt-based softeners.
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This salt-free water softening system that SpringWell offers is loaded with everything one could want out of a salt-free system. It comes with everything you need to install the system yourself, saving money and allowing you to provide your entire home with clean water sooner. In short, I love my system and have been using it for almost two years now in my main house.

The installation package includes mounting brackets and pre-filter supplies, so you do not have to go out of your way to find and add a sediment filter.

In terms of performance, the SpringWell system is one of the highest-rated salt-free systems on the market for a reason.

The included pre-filter does a great job with water supplies that are high in sediment like sand, gravel, and other larger contaminants.

As water is brought into the system after the pre-filter, the softening system will condition the water to “break-up” hard water particles, which means that these hard water particles cannot attach to anything like pipes or faucets. The steep decline in scale build-up is worth the price of this unit; it virtually removes all of it!

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2. KIND Water Systems E-2000 Whole House Salt-Free Softener (Easiest To Install)

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Highlighted Features

• This system is entirely maintenance-free and does not require electricity to operate.
• Includes the whole home saltless water filtering unit and a pre-filter that removes sediment and other large contaminants.
• The salt-free water softener and the pre-filter will effectively remove water hardness particles like calcium and magnesium.
• You will see an immediate improvement in the amount of limescale in pipes and faucets.
• Reduce scaling

Best For: The E-2000 Whole House Salt-Free Softener is a high-capacity system that accommodates larger households and those with higher water usage requirements. With a flow rate of up to 20 GPM, this system is ideally suited for households with 6-8 members or properties with multiple bathrooms. The E-2000 utilizes a combination of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and NSF-certified Scale Prevention Media (SPM) to provide efficient softening and filtration without the use of salt. This makes it a great option for eco-conscious families or individuals living in areas with strict regulations on salt usage in water treatment systems.
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The Kind Water System E-2000 system is one of the most sophisticated water-softening systems on the market that does not rely on salt. It combines the salt-free water re-ionization process with a pre-sediment filter rated to handle anything larger than 10 Microns.

This combination improves homeowners’ overall water quality and helps your appliances last longer. The most important appliance you need to worry about for limescale is your hot water heater.

Most water heaters feature a device that helps descale water as it flows into the water heater, but even the best water heaters have trouble avoiding residue build-up on these nodes.

This system will elongate the life of your home’s water heater and every other appliance. The salt-free system and sediment filter combination will stop the limescale build-up within your pipes and water supply.

The installation process is straightforward, thanks to KIND’s in-depth instructional videos and detailed installation booklet.

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Here are some of the installs I have performed of the E-2000 over the years. These are some of the most straightforward systems out there. If you are handy in any way then you shouldn’t have trouble installing this on your own.

3. Aquasana Salt-Free Water Conditioner (Best For Small Spaces)

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Highlighted Features

• This salt-free solution comes with a 6-year expected lifespan, 6-year warranty, and 90-day money-back guarantee.
• It is the smallest salt-free water softener that we have reviewed so far. The entire system is only 27” wide and 46” tall.
• It has an advertised flow rate of 7.0 Gallons Per Minute (GPM,) which is great for such a small package.
• Aquasana offers a Scale Control Media (SCM) technology that transforms dissolved solids into harmless particles.

Best For: The Aquasana Salt-Free Water Conditioner is a versatile and compact system that effectively addresses hard water issues while also providing excellent filtration capabilities. This system can accommodate a flow rate of up to 7 GPM, making it perfect for families with up to 4 members. The Aquasana system employs a unique Scale Control Media (SCM) technology that alters the structure of hard water minerals, preventing scale buildup without the need for salt. In addition, the system’s dual-tank design allows it to filter out harmful contaminants such as chlorine, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This makes the Aquasana Salt-Free Water Conditioner a top choice for health-conscious individuals seeking both softening and filtration benefits in a single system.
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First off, we are huge fans of the size of the unit. It is so small and compact that you can fit it into virtually any space you want to install this system. While the instructions are not the best in the business, the installation process is simple because this system has so few parts.

The Aquasana has some of the best water testing results regarding water softeners that do not rely on salt.

Most notably, chlorine is completely removed from your water supply, which is a tough contaminant to kill. We were also very impressed with the flow rate of all the faucets throughout the house.

This is one of the biggest complaints that we get, is the reduction in water pressure after installing any water softening or filtration system.

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4. Aquios AQF220 Whole House Salt-Free Water Softener

Highlighted Features

• This system is smaller in size than most and easily installs to your home’s main water line.
• It comes with a 5-Micron filter and salt-free softening features that break up hard water molecules.
• The system is designed to allow water to sustain a high-pressure flow rate without the need for electricity or maintenance.
• The 5-Micron filter will handle up to 40,000 gallons of water before needing to be replaced, which is typically about 6 months.

The Aquios Salt-Free water softener is one of the most affordable options on our list. With a price tag coming in under $500, you are getting great value for the price with this system.

It combines the water ionization process that you will find in most salt-free systems with a 5-Micron filter that can remove chlorine and other large sediments.

The water softening process takes hard water particles into the device and sequesters them, which prevents them from sticking to a surface. This is an excellent feature for removing scale build-up and lime deposits from your pipes and appliances.

The 5-Micron filter boasts a 40,000-gallon maximum capacity and will retain solid water pressure throughout its life.

If you are looking for a water-softening system that does not require any maintenance and does not require water to be discharged, this is the system you should have your eye on.

Once it is installed, you will not have to worry about any softening system maintenance, just keep an eye on the filter. Additionally, because it does not require electricity, it is free to operate, and you will not see any increase on your monthly water bill!

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5. APEC Water Systems Whole House Salt-less Water Softener

Highlighted Features

• You can choose between a 1-3 bathroom or a 3-6-bathroom model; the latter allows for more faucets to run simultaneously.
• APEC also offers this system with a variety of upgrades, including filters and more.
• There is an included 10-year warranty on the softener and all components, which is standard across the industry.
• It will work in homes where the source water supply has less than 25 grains per gallon of sediment and contaminants.

One of the biggest complaints we get with salt-based water systems is the additional sodium that homeowners experience in their water supply. While some sodium is good for you and your drinking water, there is a point where you do not need any more sodium in your water.

The APEC salt-free water softener does not only avoid salt pellets altogether; it does a wonderful job of disrupting sodium and other chemicals that may sneak their way into your water supply.

The APEC system is easy to install, and the company is a joy working with. They do a great job of providing environmentally conscious water solutions to their salt-free softeners and all their products.

Some folks have complained to us that their untreated water has a somewhat slimy feeling to it, and if you are dealing with this, you know exactly what I am referring to.

With the APEC system, this will go away, and you will notice that the water’s odor and taste will improve. Overall, the APEC system and all its optional accessories are a great solution for your water-softening needs.

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6. Tier1 Essential Certified Salt-Free Water Softener

Highlighted Features

• This salt-free water softener is certified by NSF/ANSI 61, which confirms the positive health effects of implementing this system.
• The salt-free tank is made from a resin blend and is combined with a sediment filter to remove larger contaminants.
• There is a 100% “No-Worry” guarantee that Tier1 provides to all folks that buy their products.
• The Tier1 system does not require any backwashing cycle, nor does it need electricity to run.

Tier1 is an extremely popular salt-free water softener for various reasons that would make any homeowner happy. For starters, I believe that this is the only water softening device we have reviewed that is certified by NSF/ANSI for standard 62, ensuring that you are getting a device that will improve your water quality.

Before installing this system, you will know that you are about to improve your entire home’s water quality. Speaking of installation, this is one of the easiest systems to install that we have reviewed thus far. It is a simple yet effective product that immediately improves your water quality.

One of the things we appreciate the most about this system is the wonderful job it does removing chlorine from your water supply.

After installing, we saw virtually zero traces of chlorine, one of the toughest contaminants for salt-free water systems.

In addition to chlorine, it also does a wonderful job dealing with metals such as iron, magnesium, and copper. The pH level of the water is also something we like to be aware of, and the Tier1 System does a great job of maintaining a pH between 6.5 and 8.5.

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7. OneFlow + Salt-Free Scale Prevention and Water Softener

Highlighted Features

• The OneFlow system uses a unique Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) process that suspends hardness particles from attaching to your pipes.
• It includes a media cartridge that helps fight scale buildup for over 250,000 gallons of water.
• There is no electricity or water discharge required to operate this system.
• In addition to the media cartridge, a 50,000-gallon carbon block sediment filter helps remove larger Micron contaminants.

The OneFlow salt-free softener is one of the most popular salt-free solutions available on the market. Due to its small stature, it is easy to fit into even the smallest spaces you could imagine.

Do not let this fool you though; even with its small size, it is one of the most effective salt-free softening solutions we have seen. Looking at it from afar, it is one of the simplest designs that we have seen, but there is a lot going on in that cartridge.

By combining the TAC process unique to the OneFlow system and the 20-Micron sediment filter, you get great results for water testing and the main benefit, scale buildup. Because no electricity is required, this system will save you around $300 per year in operational costs based on your typical 4-person household and a 75 gallon per day maximum.

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8. AO Smith Whole House Salt-Free Water Descaler

Highlighted Features

• The AO Smith system is a small, resin-lined water softening solution that does not rely on salt or any other chemicals.
• It is designed to last up to 6 years or 600,000 gallons.
• There is a 6-year warranty on the entire system, which is a nice touch by AO Smith,
• The system will not remove TDS amounts but will disrupt them so that water is healthy for cooking, cleaning, and bathing.

We love AO Smith products and this salt-free water softener is one of their best products. It is a small, compact system that removes sediment buildup and limescale from your appliances and water pipes.

It does a beautiful job maintaining a stable pH balance within the water supply and will make any water supply healthy for everyday use.

The one thing that sticks out about this system is its ability to work with a water supply that relies on a well. Many salt-free water softeners have a maximum amount of grains per gallon that they can manage, and the AO Smith does not have this shortfall.

Well water is among the most difficult water supplies to deal with, and out of all the systems we have reviewed, this is the best one we have found.
Overall, the AO Smith salt-free conditioner is among the most reliable systems we have seen.

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