If you happen to have iron-rich water, you’re probably already aware of its telltale signs. These include red stains on sinks and clothing, cloudy water streaming from your pipes, and perhaps worst of all, that nagging rotten egg smell. Oftentimes, iron-saturated water comes from wells, which are also known to have hard water.

Having hard and irony water usually requires two separate systems for purification. But now, thanks to the Iron Pro 2 Combination Water Softener, if you happen to be plagued with both iron and minerals in your water, you may no longer need two separate systems. This combo unit does double duty and works to remove both iron and mineral content from your home water supply.

The system does have its limitations when it comes to removing iron. The company states it removes 6-8 PPM (parts per million). If high levels are suspected, you’ll need to first have your water tested to find its iron content, and if it’s over the removal threshold, you’ll want to instead consider a separate aeration system to oxidize your water.

However, despite its limitations on iron removal, the Iron Pro 2 Combination Water Softener proves to be an effective, all-around unit and features a special fine mesh system for more effective, longer-lasting filtration. In addition to iron, the Iron Pro 2 Combination Water Softener removes Manganese, sediment, sand, and rust at a speed of 16 GPM (gallons per minute).  The system effectively removes water hardness up to 75 GPG (grain per gallon)

This unit also has meter-based regeneration, which means that the system only regenerates when necessary, based on the amount of water used. Since the system actively measures your water usage, the less water you use, the less the system regenerates, thus saving you water and money.

Overall, homeowners with combination hard and iron-rich water will want to give the Iron Pro 2 Water Softener a shot, as it effectively softens hard water and may also eliminate the need for a separate unit to remove iron.

If you’d like a water softener that allows for easy installation and ease of use, without taking up valuable floor space, you’ll want to take a look at the Tier 1 48,000 Grain High Efficiency Digital Water Softener.

The Tier 1 comes with all necessary components included and provides your whole home with soft, filtered water. The Tier 1 also includes a bypass valve and quick connections, which allow for a fast and easy installation process.

And, thanks to its small footprint, if you’re short on space and don’t want a large, bulky water softener, this unit is a great choice. The Tier 1’s smart design features its turbine meter incorporated into the bypass valve, which reduces the amount of required floor space by a whopping 4 feet.

The only negative to the Tier 1 is that its regeneration cycle is a manual one, and it requires two hours for completion. In order to avoid possible disruptions, the company recommends setting the regeneration cycle to occur at 2 a.m., a time period, when no one will likely require water consumption.

Another point to consider before purchasing: The Tier 1 is not recommended for water with high iron content (over 3 PPM) or water sourced from a well. If this applies to you, you’ll want to steer clear of the Tier 1 and consider a unit that is designed to work with high iron, well water.

If, however, you’d like a unit that features ease of installation without requiring a lot of floor space, the Tier 1 48,000 Grain High Efficiency Digital Water Softener is a smart choice. 

This water softener by Aquasana is a high-quality choice for a great deal. It removes up to 99% of 77 contaminants including lead, mercury, asbestos, herbicides, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and more. It is a zero-waste procedure overall as it just filters the water without using any contaminant or water for the filtration process.

You can have healthy and clean water for less as compared to the leading gravity pitcher. The Claryum Technology used in the filtration process keeps calcium, potassium, and magnesium to make the drinking water healthy. To keep the decor in your kitchen lead-free, the store has kept the design of the faucet in stylish metallic material. On top of that you can have a finish of your choice.

Another good feature of this setup is that you don’t need a professional to set it up. All that is required is available in the packaging and you can just DIY it. Everything is easy to install and you will be able to do it in no time. Also, the system is NSF certified to standards 42, 53, 401 +P473.

The filters are also very easy to change. All you need is to do a simple quarter-turn of the new cartridge housing and it's done. The system also informs when it's time to change the filters. The eco-friendly design of the system reduces plastic waste by minimizing disposable plastic parts.

If you’ve had your water tested and your iron levels are above 8 PPM, you’ll need an iron filtration system separate from your water softener, as a combo just won’t cut it. A strong contender for an iron filtration system is the Durawater Air Injection Iron Eater Filter.

The Durawater works by maintaining a pocket of air at the top of the tank while the system is in use. As water travels through the air pocket, iron and sulfur contents are oxidized, thus eliminating them from your supply.

In addition to removing iron and sulfur, the Durawater also removes some of the strong odors associated with well water. However, as this system does not soften water, the company recommends the Durawater be installed prior to installing a water softener for those with iron-rich or well water.

The Durawater features an easy DIY installation process, although the company advises basic plumbing knowledge is required for product install. The Durawater features a Fleck 5600SXT digital control valve that automatically flushes the system daily. Another unique feature about the Durawater is that it utilizes a patented piston in the control valve, so the whole oxidation system can stay in one tank, which keeps required maintenance to a minimum.

The downside to the Durawater is that it lacks water softening abilities, and instead focuses solely on iron and sulfur removal. However, if you have heavily iron-rich water, you’ll need to purchase this system or a similar type unit before you begin thinking about water softening.

If you’d like to buy a water softener but are a little standoffish about purchasing from an unknown manufacturer, the Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener may be a great fit for your home. While this softener is on the smaller side — it’s recommended for households of 1 to 4 people — it’s a quality, USA made product backed by Whirlpool’s parts and labor warranty, and customer service helpline.

The Whirlpool offers a water hardness removal of 95 GPG, which again, is on the smaller side, but also offers iron removal of 8 PPM, making this an effective unit if you have combination hard and iron-rich water.

This unit also features demand-initiated regeneration, so the system senses the amount of water used and adjusts for hardness levels. This saves both salt and water and means the system won’t needlessly regenerate while you’re away on vacation. This also allows the system to not run out of soft water if you happen to use more than usual.

The Whirlpool comes with a DIY installation kit, so that you don’t have to hire an outside contractor to install it. The unit also comes with a low salt indicator, so that you aren’t left guessing about when to add more. And, not only does the Whirlpool work with typical hard city water, it also is compatible with iron-rich well water, unlike other competing units.

If you are looking for a water softener from a well-known manufacturer, would like combination iron/water softening, and have a smaller household, the Whirlpool WHE30 will be your perfect fit. 

If you’d like to go the traditional water softener route instead just a temporary electronic system, but you’re on a salt-restricted diet, you may want to look into the Hansing Whole House Water Softening System. The difference in the Hansing is that it softens water without the use of salt, but instead relies on fruit polysaccharide to combat scale.

Hard minerals found in water, calcium and magnesium, leave scale behind due to their alkalinity. The fruit polysaccharide neutralizes this alkalinity, thus eliminating 95-98 percent of scale and removing 99.5 percent of chlorine. The makers of Hansing state that calcium and magnesium are essential nutrients, and for health purposes should not be eliminated from your water, as is done with traditional water softeners that replace these minerals with salt.

The downside to the Hansing is that it doesn’t include the pipe fitting needed to install, and it is up to the consumer to find the correct one. If the wrong fitting is selected, it appears that the Hansing will leak. If you plan on purchasing the Hansing Water Softening System, ensure you select the correct pipe fitting needed for your plumbing system, or reach out to a licensed plumber for assistance.

Overall, the Hansing is a strong alternative to traditional softening systems for those on salt-free diets, and provides whole home water softening capabilities without eliminating essential minerals from the water supply.

Most water softening systems work by exchanging a “soft” mineral such as sodium, which doesn’t build up scale, for “hard” minerals such as calcium and magnesium. However, the drawback to these types of systems is that they are high-maintenance, and create water loaded with sodium, which is not healthy for those on a low-salt diet. The overly softened water also has the potential to leach lead from your plumbing system and pipes, which is obviously not water you want to consume or bathe in.

The iSpring works differently and utilizes a computer chip to release electromagnetic waves that cause water molecule clusters to break down into twin-molecules, which allows them to bond with hard mineral ions. The new water molecules are able to more easily carry the hard-mineral ions, which reduces the scale buildup on pipes.

The iSpring is easy to install and is essentially two antennas that wrap around your main pipe and release electromagnetic waves. Since the iSpring is not a traditional water softener, it is virtually maintenance-free and requires no salts, chemicals, or replacement filters. The best part about the iSpring is that since it reduces limescale buildup in pipes, it allows your appliances to run more efficiently. The company even claims that these reduced energy costs balance out the purchase price, and the iSpring will pay for itself within one year of use.

While the iSpring sounds like a dream come true, you’ll also want to consider its limitations. First, consider whether your water has iron, and if so, you’ll likely want to pass on the iSpring, as, according to the company, high-iron content will reduce the machine’s effectiveness.

Secondly, you’ll also want to consider the size of your home, as the treatment effects from the iSpring are only temporary, and the water molecules lose their descaling abilities after traveling 50 feet.

Lastly, you’ll need to understand that while the iSpring is designed to reduce mineral buildup in pipes it will not have any effect on your laundry. So, if your hard water leaves a soapy residue on your clothes and this is a concern for you, keep in mind the iSpring won’t do anything to reduce this.

Overall, the iSpring is a great choice for those who would like their pipes to remain descaled and free of buildup, and want their appliances to function efficiently.

If you’d like a metered, complete home water filtration system that includes all necessary components and is simple to operate, you may want to consider the Fleck 5600SXT Metered Whole House System.

The Fleck 5600SXT comes complete with a tank, control head, resin and brine tank, and is ready to be plumbed. However, note that drainage tubing, which is necessary for the unit’s installation, is not included.

The Fleck 5600SXT can be self-installed or done with the help of a professional. If you choose to go the DIY route, the company advises that you’ll need to have some basic plumbing skills, although they do offer an installation helpline.

The system uses a flow meter in order to measure water usage levels, and regenerates when needed. The benefit to having an on-demand metered system is the reduced waste from water and salt consumption.

Another benefit to the Fleck 5600SXT is its LCD touchpad display, which allows you to easily check system status, and troubleshoot any problems thanks to the error code display. The LCD touchpad also allows you to easily make adjustments and provides quick access to all settings and features.

The Fleck 5600SXT is a 48,000-grain system that treats up to 12 GPM (28 GPM peak) and is recommended for households of six or less with moderately hard water.

If you want a metered home water softener that is easy to operate and troubleshoot, the Fleck 5600SXT may be your best choice.

If you’d like to soften the water in your boat or RV, you may want to consider a portable water softener. Until recently, portable units were limited in their water softening abilities, were too bulky to install in cramped quarters, and were difficult to transport.

The On the Go OTG-4-DBLSOFT Portable Water Softener seeks to change that, by offering a unit that is known for its ease of transport, flexibility of install location, and overall effectiveness at softening hard water.

The On the Go features an easy carry handle, to allow for effortless transport, and its compact size of 22 inches high and 9.5 inches in diameter allows for simple storage. The unit also features a large mouth opening, which allows for the easy addition of salt.

Installing the On the Go is also simple, as it utilizes a standard garden hose connection, and requires no tools or electricity. Regeneration of the unit is also simple and requires only 30 minutes and two boxes of table salt.

It’s important to note, however, that this unit requires regeneration once every 40 days, or performance is greatly affected. And since regeneration requires two boxes of table salt, plan on purchasing about 24 boxes a year which adds to the cost of ownership.

Another negative of the On the Go is the machine’s limited water softening capabilities. While the company claims the On the Go will soften water 40 percent better than competing units, this compact, portable 16,000 grain model simply cannot compare with the performance abilities of a whole home 48,000 grain system.

However, despite its drawbacks, the On the Go does appear to be the best portable water softener on the market. So, if you’re living the RV lifestyle and loving it (minus the hard water at the rest stops!) the On the Go OTG-4-DBLSOFT Portable Water Softener is your best buy.

If you’re looking for a whole house water filtration system that will last a guaranteed 10 years or 1 million gallons of water, the Aquasana Whole House Water Filtration system is designed to do just that.

The Aquasana works to soften water by utilizing a brand specific filter media system, that removes chlorine, contaminants, and heavy metals from water without the addition of salt or chemicals. The only downside is that the filter media must be replaced approximately once every three months, but more often for particularly hard water.

The system also contains a UV filter that eliminates harmful bacteria such as E Coli from your home’s water supply. The Aquasana effectively descales your pipes without removing essential vitamins and eliminates scaling and corrosion.

The Aquasana comes complete with a pro-install kit that includes everything needed for a DIY installation, although PEX tubing is not included. 

Note that, in order to honor their warranty, the company requires video evidence showing where the problem exists in the system. These types of service issues are definitely important considerations to keep in mind prior to purchasing the Aquasana Whole House Water Filtration System.

AO Smith has a water softener for you that is the best thing to descale the water system that supplies water to your entire house. It uses a salt- and chemical-free system to reduce scale build-up in pipes and plumbing. And to function, it doesn't require cleaning, backwashing, salt-bags, or electricity.

You can use the descaler for any region of your house that you use for whatever purpose, be it drinking, cooking, showering & bathing. In short, any area of your house that has water in the taps can be used in this system and will be descaled perfectly. It can work efficiently for a household of 4 or more people.

However, the system will not reduce TDS, sulfur, or iron. Also, the system is engineered to work with both well & city water systems. You can never be sure of the purity level of the water supply at your house or building. So it becomes only necessary that you take as many precautions as possible.

The descaler will do exactly what the name implies. The plumbing system often falls victim to scale build-up. This is because the water supply is filmed with heavy minerals that become part of the supply that is flowing through our water systems for everyday use for drinking, cleaning, and cooking.

The best part is that with this system your household will be free from scale build-up for up to 6 years or will last for 600,000 gallons. Additionally, the system includes a 6-Year warranty. The descaler package comes with a shut-off valve, hose adapter, and nipple.

Pro+Aqua brings to you a portable RV water softener that is just about everything that you need to sort out the clean, fresh water problem. It is handy, unlike anything you have ever seen with its wide 10-3/8" base that provides maximum stability and is the absolute best thing for uneven surfaces.

The portable system has a 10" x 19.5" total size and can be placed anywhere you deem fit. Not only that but it has high flow ports for minimal pressure drop and 5 GPM flow. It has a 16,000-grain capacity and will provide for you for up to 40 days. That makes about 2,000 gallons of softened water on average, based on your usage.

You’ll also get a female adapter for backwash purposes as well. You can also pair your purchase with WS-P-REG-KIT for regeneration. This portable water softener system is ideal for well or city water to reduce the calcium, magnesium, iron, lead, radium, and other heavy metals that are unfortunately found in hard water.

Your water will be ready and clean for usage in just a short span of 5 minutes. This portable softener and conditioner is capable enough to produce twice the amount produced by a standard model. This truly is the ideal deal for you as it has the best value and is the best compact RV softener on the market for all your water purification needs.