Are you interested in buying an ion exchange water softener model?
Then you should read this article!
I’ll describe 5 best Ionics water softener models you can find on the market. Read about their technical specifications, design, user-friendly functions, and other features. Here you’ll find useful info that will help you in choosing the best ion exchange softener.
Things To Know Before Buying Ionics Water Softener
Where To Buy The Best Ion Exchange Water Softener?
The best market for the search of many different models is online retailers such as Amazon or Walmart. Amazon has the widest offer and many discounts. However, you can find models at their brand’s official website. If you don’t like online buying, go to the local store with household appliances or specialized stores for water softeners.
Ion Exchange Water Softener Price
Ionics water softener price range is between $100 and $3000. In general, this model listed is priced below $1000. The price depends on the system capacity, included high-tech features, additional functions, material, brand, etc.
User-Friendly Features
It’s great if ion-exchange softener has some user-friendly features such as filtration system and low salt level indicator. The filtration system can be multistaged, including pre-filter and smaller filters. Also, there is a UV filtration system type. Both ensure soft and clean water that’s healthy to drink.
The System Capacity
You can ask one of many ionics water softener services to calculate the softeners sizing. In other words, how much capacity the model should have to process efficiently the amount of water needed in your household. Bigger homes will require a higher capacity of hardness removal that’s measured in grains.
Warranty And Certifications
Ionics water softener dealers should offer a warranty on all parts of the softener in the package. The longer warranty is a guarantee for higher quality and longevity. Also, materials should be NSF certified, which means they meet safety and health requirements.
The Best 5 Ion Exchange Water Softener Reviews
The Best General Ionics Water Softener:
Fleck 5600SXT Softening System
System Capacity For 1-4 People Household
For this low general Ionics water softener price, you’ll get a high-quality whole house softener model with a high system capacity of hardness removal. This unit has 48000 grains of system capacity, and it’s ideal for home with 1 to 4 people.
Metered Control Valve
The unit has a metered control valve, which is very user-friendly because it ensures energy-saving operation with controlled use of salt and water. The meter is counting the amount of water that’s softened.
Microprocessor-Based Regeneration
The system additionally has a microprocessor that is generating a regeneration process based on data collected from the paddle wheel meter. Therefore, if you aren’t using this device, there’s no need for the regeneration process and excess waste of salt and water.
Mineral And Brine Tank
Besides the control valve, the device comes with the mineral and brine tank. The mineral tank is processing water with a salt-based system that removes hard ions from water by ion exchange. In other words, positively charged hard ions are connecting to the resin, and negatively charged salt is disconnecting from the same resin into the water.
Dimensions And Package Content.
This salt-based system is the most efficient in softening the water. The unit has a brine tank with additional salt that’s used during the regeneration process when resins are recharged. The brine tank is 14” long and 34” high, while the mineral tank is 10” long and 54” high. Package includes bypass valve and 1” male threaded yoke connection.
- 48000-grain system capacity
- paddle wheel metered control valve with a microprocessor
- 10” long and 54” high mineral tank
- 14” long and 34” high brine tank
- bypass valve and 1” male threaded yoke connection included
The Best Ion Exchange Water Softener For Home:
Whirlpool WHES40E Water Softener
Hardness Removal Capacity
Unlike the previous model, this model has slightly lower system capacity, but it’s efficient enough for a household that sustains from 1 up to 6 people. It has 40000 grains system capacity to remove hardness from water.
NSF Certified Materials
The great user-friendly feature is that the materials used for the production of the unit are NSF certified which means they meet safety and health requirements. Another great feature is, unlike the previous model, this unit has both tanks inside the exterior compact cabinet.
Durable Cabinet And Dimensions
The cabinet of this model is made from high-quality and durable ABS plastic. It’s 19” long, 18” wide and 48” high. Inside of the cabinet is both mineral and brine tank used for processing the water and regenerating.
Built-In Saving Technology
The unit has built-in salt saving technology that uses a meter of control valve to calculate the amount of water processed before the regeneration is initiated with the microprocessor. In that way, there isn’t any waste of salt and water, and regeneration is used only when needed.
Iron Removal And Efficiency
A great function that this model has is ferrous iron removal. The iron filtration has an efficiency of up to 10 ppm. All parts have a 1-year limited warranty. It can be extended to 2 years when you buy 3 bottles of Whirlpool WHEWSC water softener cleanser. The
- 40000 grains hardness removal
- warranty included
- NSF certified materials
- salt-saving technology of metered microprocessor-based control valve
The Best Smart Ion Exchange Water Softener:
Aquasure Water Softening System
User-Friendly Features Included
This unit has many great user-friendly features that previous models don’t have. The mineral tank comes with pre-loaded 1.5 cubic feet of premium-grade resin. Also, the unit has a quick connection for simple installation.
Three Regeneration Modes
Also, it has very easy programmable and adjustable settings that you can adjust through an interface on the control valve. Regeneration of this unit can be programmable in three modes. There is time clock delayed control, meter immediate control and meter delayed control of regeneration.
High-Quality Materials
There is a one-button manual regeneration for extra softness which allows the system to automatically go to the manual regeneration mode. Both mineral and brine tanks are made from high strength fiberglass lined polyethylene that’s resistant to corrosion.
Package Content And Warranty
The package also includes a durable bypass valve and a 1” wide NPT male in/out port. Also, you’ll get 5′ high strength brine line and 14′ flex tubing for the drain. All parts are covered with a 5-year limited warranty. The brine tank comes with an overflow regulator, which is one more user-friendly feature.
System Capacity And Dimensions
The system has a capacity of 48000 grains hardness removal, which is suitable for a household of 3 to 4 people. The unit is 10” long, 10” wide and 60” high. It weighs 120 pounds so you’ll probably need help for installation.
- three regeneration modes with one button manual regeneration
- fiberglass lined polyethylene tanks
- quick connection for easy installation
The Best Ionics Softener With Filtration System:
EcoPure EPHS007 Water Conditioner
Great For City Water And Well Water
A unique feature of this unit is its filtration system that works together with the salt-based softening process. Therefore this device will be great for city water and well water process. It has both mineral and brine tanks.
Mineral Tank For Ion Exchange
Mineral tank is processing the water by ion exchange, in other words, salt from resins is exchanging with hard ions. After a certain amount of processing, resins are all used and regenerated with salt from the brine tank which also includes a low salt indicator light.
Saving Salt And Water With Smart Technology
The unit won’t waste salt and water during regeneration because it has smart technology that runs regeneration based on the hardness level and how much water is used in the household. Meter is calculating the amount of softened water, while the microprocessor is initiating regeneration when needed.
System Capacity, Dimensions, And Weight
The system capacity is 30000 grains. This unit is 16.5” long, 19.8” wide and 48” high. It weighs 110 pounds so it’s not very lightweight, and you’ll need help with the installation. The package comes with the installation kit with the user manual, bypass valve and 1” male pipe thread.
Included Warranties
All parts are covered with a 1-year limited warranty which can be extended to 2 years if you purchase 3 bottles of EcoPure EPCL water softener cleaner within the first year of ownership. The unit has a 3-year limited warranty on electronics and a 10-year limited warranty on both tanks.
- 30 000 grains system capacity
- filtration system included
The Best Whole House Ionics Water Conditioner:
Ge 30 000 Grain Ionics Water Softener
Durable And Long-Lasting Structure
This unit has both brine and mineral tank inside of the compact exterior cabinet with a nice design. The unit is available only in white color, and it’s made from high-density ABS plastic that’s durable and long-lasting.
Dimensions And Easy-To-Use Interface
It’s 22.5” long, 14.4” wide and 43.2” high. The device is great because it has a very informative interface that allows you to program the softener in a way that’s most suitable for you. It has a backlit LCD and control panel with buttons that help you search the menu.
The Lightweight Design
The weight of the unit is 80 pounds, so it’s one of the lightest models from this list. However, it’s not suitable for easy and quick transportation, and you’ll probably need help with the installation process.
Installation Kit And Instructions
All tools, together with bypass valve and 1” NPT connection are included in the installation kit. In the user manual, you can read described instructions, step-by-step in detail, as well as operating instructions.
System Capacity And Regeneration
The ion-exchange system capacity is 30 000 grains, which is enough for a household that sustains 1-3 people. Therefore, it’s ideal for smaller to medium-sized living spaces. The brine tank has salt for the regeneration of a mineral tank, which is initiated when needed with a metered control valve.
- 5” long, 14.4” wide and 43.2” high
- weighs 80 pounds
- 30 000 grains system capacity
- includes bypass valve and 1” NPT connection
- The LCD with control panel
Ionics Water Softener Maintenance
Unlike other alternative units such as electronic or magnetic softeners, ionic exchange models are needing maintenance. Therefore, you must replace the salt in the brine tank for regeneration. Additionally, you should buy cleaning salts that are extending the longevity of the unit.
Conclusion: Which Two Ion Exchange Water Softener Models Are The Best?
In my opinion, the best ionics water softener models are the Whirlpool ion exchange water softener and EcoPure EPHS007 water softener because they have long warranties included. The first model also has a high capacity with smart saving technology, while the second is multifunctional because included a filtration system.
If you want to get more information from the buying guide and look at the wider offer, read this review on the best water softener for sale. For more information on alternative models, read this article on water softener salty water. Many portable units you can find an article about the best soft water filter shower models