Best Whole House Water Softener for Well Water With Iron – 2024 Edition

Choosing the best water softener for your needs is one of the most important decisions a homebuyer can make. But there is an added stress when the water you are dealing with comes from a well with high iron levels. Many times, when a home is primarily run on well water, there will be an increased risk of iron buildup. Throughout the evolution of water softener systems, we now have the option to purchase a water softener that removes iron.

In this article, I’ll review the best water filtration systems for well water I have used so far so that will hopefully help you make the best decision for your home. It is extremely important to learn as much as possible regarding your options for water softeners, especially when dealing with high iron levels.

Take a look at my 3 favorite systems below. I recommend comparing these three for your needs to save time on research. I have also left up other reviews I have done over the years, but really these 3 are the ones I install most for my clients today.

The Springwell system is impressive. It works exceptionally well for those who live in rural areas and are dealing with well water that is heavy in iron. One noticeable thing was the water pressure after the installation was not as affected as many other whole-home water filters and softeners.

Whole House Water Softener for Well Water Reviews

1. Iron Pro 2 Combination Water Softener with Iron Filter Review

If your water supply comes from a well with high metal content, specifically iron, the Iron Pro 2 may be the best option. We mentioned that there is a specific iron filter associated with this water-softening unit, and when you combine that with its unique, specialized mesh resin, you may not be able to find a better iron-fighting hard water treatment system than this.

One of the few units on the market that can remove traceable sulfur from water, this model of the Iron Pro 2 is a great choice for anyone who has many contaminants in their water. At a very affordable price, the Iron Pro 2 system is a great option for those looking for cleaner water from their wells.

Watching sink water go from a brownish color to crystal clear, pure water is an extremely satisfying feeling, and the Iron Pro 2 hard water treatment systems with Iron Filter do just that with proper installation. It can remove over 1,000 different particles and elements in your water, promising a refreshing shower, clean glass of water, and water-spot-free dishware.

Additional Information:

• Type: Ion exchange, Salt-based water softener
• Grain Capacity: 64,000
• Flow Rate: ‎16 Gallons Per Minute
• Maximum Hardness Removal: Iron up to 6 ppm range, Manganese up to 6 ppm , Harness remove up to 75 GPG.
• Regeneration Cycle: Auto-regeneration based on water usage.
• Ideal Household Size: Up to 4 people.

What We Like:

What We Didn’t Like:

2. Pentair WS48-56sxt10 Fleck Water Softener System Review

If you’re looking for an iron-fighting water softener, the Pentair is a great option if you’re looking to maximize value. The Fleck control valve is arguably the best in its class and comes with all the features for total control of your hard water and water softening.

Not all homes come with standard pipe sizing, and one of our favorite things about the Pentair model is that they will send you the pipe connector of your choice to make installation a breeze.

We love that the resin comes stocked in the softening system; there is no messes or additional packaging that could stall you from having clean, crisp, and clear water for your home. Whether you’re in the city or the country, this model will have you covered for all your iron combatting hard water and water softening.

The large tank size holds over 250 pounds of pelletized salt, which is an amazing capacity causing fewer trips to the store for salt.

Additional Information:

• Type: Ion exchange, Salt based water softener
• Grain Capacity: 48,000
• Flow Rate: ‎14 Gallons Per Minute
• Maximum Hardness Removal: Up to 75 GPG
• Regeneration Cycle: Meter Based, Uses 50-60 gallons during regeneration
• Ideal Household Size: Up to 5 people

What We Like:

What We Didn’t Like:

3. AFWFilters 5600SXT Water Softener for Well Water Review

I cannot say enough good things about the installation guide that comes with the AFW water softening unit. Having in-depth videos at your disposal for easy installation is worth the price of this water softener alone.

Once you install the full system and the Fleck control valve, you can program the machine and step away while the system regenerates independently. The only thing you will have to worry about is salt!

The safety features of this AFW water softener system give me peace of mind as a homeowner that the system will function at peak performance, and I won’t need to worry about an overflow thanks to the built-in safety float and additional overflow drain. Look no further than a quality softener that will handle its business while you handle everything else in your life.

Additional Information:

• Type: Ion exchange, salt-based softener
• Grain Capacity: 48,000
• Flow Rate: ‎12 Gallons Per Minute
• Maximum Hardness Removal: Up to 50 GPG
• Regeneration Cycle: Auto-regeneration based on water usage, uses 40-50 gallons during regeneration.
• Ideal Household Size: Up to 6 people.

What We Like:

What We Didn’t Like:

4. iSpring RCC7 High Capacity Water Softener for Well Water Review

If you’re looking for better drinking water and sink water without needing a full-scale water softening unit, look no further than the iSpring under-sink model. Using a 5-stage reverse osmosis process, your sink water will come out crystal clear after the softener, and the filter combo removes over 1,000 elements that do not need to be in your water.

Another thing we love about this iSpring unit is how easy it is to change the filters out. First, filters are available from the manufacturer at direct pricing and can be changed in minutes. On average, a filter replacement is needed every three months, but considering this small sink unit does not use salt, you can offset the cost, and besides, there is no value you can place on clean drinking water.

Our Recommended Best Water Softener Reviews – (Tested for the subdivision homeowner)

With the iSpring model being used specifically for sink applications, it also comes in handy when washing dishes. Water that has gone through the iSpring hard water treatment systems and water filtration system will not leave water spots on any dishware. You will also realize very quickly how much better the water is for your skin compared to untreated water!

Additional Information:

• Type: 5-Stage Ro Water Filter
• Capacity: 75 Gallons
• Certified: NSF/ANSI 58
• Contaminates Removes: Including Iron It Removes up to 99% of over 1,000 contaminants.
• Flow Rate: Takes about 10 seconds to fill a glass.
• Ideal Household Size: Up to 5 people.

What We Like:

What We Didn’t Like:

5. Aquasana EQ-Well-UV-Pro-Ast Salt-free Water Conditioner Review

The most customizable water softener on our list, the Aquasana is not just a water softening system but entire water purifying, filtering, and softening system all in one. Using the saltless technology that Aquasana has developed on its own, this unit uses custom filters that are easily replaceable and affordable.

While this unit may be on the higher end of price, it is the only one on the list with UV light purification technology that adds additional cleaning elements to your water tank. This is also the largest tank system they have, using dual tanks to lessen the time between regenerations.

The Aquasana Salt-free Water Conditioner system is not your typical water softening system, while it does do a great job at softening water, it is also a purification and filtration system all rolled into one. It can clean your sink and shower water of 99.9% of contaminants, all while providing a dedicated drinking water line for clean drinking water every time.

Additional Information:

• Type: Salt-Free Water Softener Alternative.
• Capacity: 500,000 gallons or 5 years.
• Flow Rate: ‎7 Gallons Per Minute
• Maximum Hardness Removal: Works best with hardness levels at 15 GPG or below.
• Ideal Household Size: Up to 5 people.

What We Like:

What We Didn’t Like:

6. DuraWater 80K-56SXT-10AL 80K Water Softener System Review

The Durawater model is a classic design and technology that has been proven time and time again by homeowners all over the world. The included 10% crosslinked resin is better for the system tanks due to needing fewer regenerations because the resin can capture more particles than a typical 8% crosslinked system.

The LCD display touchpad could not be simpler, even for folks that have extremely little experience with technology or plumbing. The price point is just right as well, but you will see as you upgrade capacity from 24,000 GPI to their 80,000 GPI model, the price will increase, but that is to be expected within the water softener world.

Additional Information:

• Type: Ion exchange, Salt-based softener
• Grain Capacity: 80,000
• Flow Rate: ‎14-16 Gallons Per Minute
• Maximum Hardness Removal: 28 GPG.
• Regeneration: 8 lbs of salt and 60 gals of water per regeneration.
• Ideal Household Size: Up to 8 people.

What We Like:

What We Didn’t Like:

7. On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT-Portable Grain RV Water Softener

If you are looking for portable, on-the-go water softening and purification, the OTG is the way to go. Designed for campers and RVs, all our test runs with this resulted in nothing but satisfaction. If you have an onboard water supply, this can be hooked to that to provide clean and softened drinking water and give owners peace of mind that water will not be a worry.

The standard size of 16,000 GPI is plenty for an RV or camper usage as well; we never ran out of water during our weekend trial in the mountains.

Using common table salt rather than pelletized salt, carrying regeneration salt is much easier than most water softeners for this application. You can store this machine anywhere on your vehicle or campsite and weigh only a mere 18 pounds; it is a must-have for RV users.

Additional Information:

• Type: Ion exchange, Salt-based
• Grain Capacity: 16,000
• Flow Rate: ‎5-7 Gallons Per Minute
• Maximum Hardness Removal: 10-25 GPG.
• Regeneration : 15 minutes.
• Ideal Household Size: Up to 2 people.

What We Like:

What We Didn’t Like:

8. Tier1 Essential Series 48,000 Grain Water Softener

Boasting one of the highest flow rates we have seen, Tier 1 is a great choice for people who want to keep their water pressure up, which is a concern of many homeowners. Another concern for many homeowners is finding a water softening system that does not take up a ton of space in their utility closet or basement.

Tier 1 takes up four fewer square feet of space than the typical water softening unit while providing the same features as the big players in the water softening game.

It comes with a standard capacity of 48,000 GPI, which is more than enough for the typical family of four. On average, a four-member family needs a unit that can produce 33,000 gallons in a day, and this unit covers that and a lot more.

Additional Information:

• Type: Ion exchange, Salt-based
• Grain Capacity: 48,000
• Flow Rate: ‎9 Gallons Per Minute
• Maximum Hardness Removal: Recommended for iron levels above 3ppm and Hardness 26 GPG.
• Regeneration: On-Demand Regeneration.
• Ideal Household Size: Up to 4 people.

What We Like:

What We Didn’t Like:

What To Consider Before Buying A Well Water Filtration system

When choosing a filtration & softening unit for your home, several questions need to be answered. Every situation is different, just like every home is different. You must answer several questions to find the one that will work best for your home.

Budget

Water softening systems can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands. There are numerous features and added programming capabilities that you can purchase. However, some of those are not necessary, they are nice to have, but you can still get a quality water softener that does that job at a more affordable number.

Water Hardness

To determine the best water softener for your home, we first need to get an idea of how hard the water is in your home. This will you exactly what elements, toxins, and chemicals are in the water and, most importantly, the grains per gallon (GPI) within your water supply.

Choose The Right Softener Based On The Water Hardness vs. Users

Hardness in GPG	1 to 2   people*	3 to 4 people*	5 to 6 people*	7 to 8 people*
5-10 GPG	32,000 Grain	32,000 Grain	32,000 Grain	40,000 Grain
11-20 GPG	32,000 Grain	32,000 Grain	40,000 Grain	48,000 Grain
21-30 GPG	32,000 Grain	40,000 Grain	80,000 Grain	96,000  Grain
31-40 GPG	40,000 Grain	64,000 Grain	64,000 Grain	96,000  Grain
41-50 GPG	64,000 Grain	80,000 Grain	96,000 Grain	110,000 Grain
51-75 GPG	64,000 Grain	80,000 Grain	96,000 Grain	110,000 Grain
76-100 GPG	80,000  Grain	96,000 Grain	96,000 Grain	110,000 Grain

You can figure out these levels in a few different ways. If you are connected to a city water supply, you can request a water report from your city itself, but if you are running water from a well or other supply, you can purchase a water testing kit from several different sources.

Depending on the water test results, you can determine the rating of the water softener you need by looking at your water’s GPI.

Rating

If you have a lot of sediment and grains that need to be removed from your water, you will want a higher-rated water softening unit. For most household applications, water softener systems come with a capacity ranging from 24,000 GPI to 80,000 GPI, the higher the number, the more grains per gallon the softening system will remove.

If you are on a city water supply, this will typically be a lower rating than someone who is using well water or an alternative source.

Usually, water coming from a well has a higher number of metal elements such as iron, which is a tough element to filter out. Therefore, the need for a home water softener system with 80,000 GPI capability may be needed.

Capacity

If you are looking for a softening system for your family home, your needs will be different than those looking to get a water softener or water filtration system for a summer home or maybe even an RV or camper. According to most studies, the average person uses 80 gallons of water daily.

You will need to combine the number of people in the home and the GPI in your water from the testing to determine the perfect unit for your home. The typical family of 4 uses 33,000 GPI of softened water daily, keep this in mind when starting your search for the best water softener for iron.

Special Situations

As we mentioned before, every situation is different. If you live in a country home with an old well, your water test will most certainly come back with different levels of sediments than someone living in an urban environment.

Suppose your water has a high amount of lead or something similar. In that case, you may want to gear your research toward iron-fighting water softeners or models that come with specific add-ons to fight high levels of metal or contaminants.

Typical Costs of Iron Filters For Well Water

Whether you want an affordable model or the best water filter for iron money can buy, you will have to spend at least $150 for the piece. A high-end iron filter can cost over $1,000.

Of course, it also depends on the type. Air injection control head models are the same price as water softeners, typically below $1,000. But an actual iron and manganese filter can get over $2,000 quickly. These are more effective, but their price makes them hard to acquire.

Price Saving Considerations

While it is essential to do a cost analysis or at least for what the total cost of powering and maintaining an iron will be for a year or set timespan, it is also important to remember the savings it could have for your home.

Iron can significantly reduce the lifespan of washers, dishwashers, and water heaters. Heavy iron in the water can also ruin your clothes and dishes or leave them with an odor.

In most cases, extending the life of clothes, appliances, and anything else the water comes in contact with can save more money and frustration thof the unit and main countenance.

What Else To Consider When Buying an Iron Water Filtration System

When considering purchasing an iron water filter for your well water, your needs are important. From maintenance costs to the ease of installation, many considerations can be taken during the decision-making process.

This buying guide will give you additional details on the types of filters you can install, features to look for, maintenance considerations, and more. When you finish reading the buying guide, you should understand iron water filters for your well water.

A water softener will use salt as its filter media. As described above, when water is run through the water softener, the cations of magnesium, calcium, and iron are quite literally traded with sodium ions. In this way, the elements that make your water hard are removed from the water.

Water softeners are very efficient at removing the elements that make your water hard but won’t remove anything else. So if you have hard water with no other concerns, then a water softener is the perfect solution. But to remove contaminants, you also need to use a filter.

Types of Iron Filters for Well Water

Water softeners are very efficient at removing the elements that make your water hard but won’t remove anything else. So if you have hard water with no other concerns, then a water softener is the perfect solution.

After reading our iron filter reviews, you may have noticed that most of them are different from the rest. This is because we included several types of filters. Here, we’re going to explain more about each:

3-Stage Water Filters

The 3-stage water filters usually use a combination of a sediment filter, a KDF media filter, and a carbon block. The sediment filter will reduce or remove any physical particles from the water such, as sand dirt, dust, silt, rust, and scale.

The third stage is an activated carbon block. Some are made of coconut carbon, and they are just as efficient as a normal carbon block would be. Carbon blocks will remove or reduce chlorine, benzene, radon, solvents, THM, and TCE.

Iron Oxidizing Filter

It is the standard iron filter you’ll find, using the same filtering process as explained above. In short, it catches the ferrous iron particles in the water and oxidizes them. Then these particles become denser non-soluble ferric particles helping the filter clean them out of the water.

This oxidation of the iron happens using chlorine, ozone, or potassium permanganate. Then, the particles are caught up in filter media. This media is typically made of solid manganese dioxide.

Air Injection Filter

This is another oxidizing filter, but it uses air instead of materials. Because of this, we had to put it separately.

The process is simple: it creates an air pocket on the tank, producing the perfect environment to oxidize the iron. Again, the ferrous iron becomes ferric, which stays on a filter media. Then the backwashing process takes it off the tank.

This filter is cleaner and more efficient than those using chemicals for oxidation.

Ion-Exchange Filter

Lastly, you’ll find water softeners. Using the ion-exchange process, this filter catches all the ferrous particles in the water and pierces them through the brine or salt. Here, the ferrous particles become ferric.

Then the water can get out of the system cleaner. Of course, as explained before, this process is less efficient and leaves a lot to be desired.

Maintaining System Costs

Maintaining your system is one of the biggest considerations that you will likely make when choosing your water filter, especially one that removes iron from well water. Unfortunately, the filter media’s lifespan depends on how hard or contaminated your water is and how much water you use.

A home with four people and very hard or contaminated water will go through salt or filter cartridges faster than a couple who wants to get rid of the iron in their water. Manufacturers usually give a range for the filter cartridges’ lifespan, so knowing where you fall in that range is important.

A water softener will need salt added to it as needed. Most of the other filters will have cartridges that need to be replaced. You can usually buy the cartridges either individually or as a set. Depending on the filter, some of the cartridges might age differently.

Maintaining your system is an added cost, but one that will keep you and your appliances healthy. It is important to consider this cost when purchasing your iron filter so the maintenance does not fall to the wayside.

That said, the typical maintenance cost for a water softener for well water can run annually between $500-$1500.

How Does Iron Affect the Human Body?

In small quantities, iron is actually helpful. Our bodies need iron to transport oxygen, maintain healthy blood cell count, avoid lead toxicity, enhance skin’s semblance, and even keep nails and hair growth.

But iron can get dangerous once it starts to accumulate in large quantities, where water gets a yellowish color, and changes the smell and even the taste. Without the best whole house water filter for iron, you can suffer a wide array of health issues, including:

• Dehydration
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Liver and kidney damage
• Blood vessel damage
• Skin damage
• Hemochromatosis
• Diabetes
• Cirrhosis
• Heart failure

As you can see, reducing the amount of iron in your water may help you change its taste and odor and prevent potentially life-threatening health conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Well Water Softener – (Comparison Chart)

Name	Type	Grain Capacity	Flow Rate	Household Size
Pentair WS48-56sxt10	Ion exchange	48,000	14 GPM	5 People
AFWFilters 5600SXT	Salt-based	48,000	12 GPM	6 People
iSpring RCC7	Ro Water Filter	75 Gallons	10 seconds to fill a glass	5 People
Iron Pro 2 Combination	Salt-based	64,000	16 GPM	4 People
Aquasana EQ-Well	Water Softener Alternative	500, 000 gallons	7 GPM	5 People
DuraWater 80K-56SXT-10AL	Ion exchange	80,000	16 GPM	8 People
On The Go OTG3NTP3M	Salt-based	16,000	5-7 GPM	2 People
Tier1 Essential Series 48,000	Salt-based	48,000	9 GPM	4 People

Conclusion

Choosing a water softener, especially when dealing with well water and high iron levels, can be daunting for new homeowners. Using our guide, you will, at the very minimum, have a great place to start your search, and hopefully, you will find the right water softener in our in-depth list above.

With technology constantly evolving, it can be difficult to know what the newest and ‘best’ water filtration systems are on the market, but at this point, we know what works, and we have so many stories about people whose lives have been changed by the information above, I hope we can aide in your search too.