Best Outdoor Water Softeners: Reviews and Buying Guide
Whether you live in a region with hard water or just want to avoid the salt that comes with most softeners, there are some great options for outdoor water softeners.
Outdoor units can be installed on the side of your house and hooked up to a hose that will direct softened water all-around your property. We've compiled reviews from customers who have decided to purchase an outdoor unit so you can get a feel for what is out there before making your final decision!
We have reviewed over 30 of the best outdoor water softeners available on the market today and narrowed it down to the best 8 outdoor water softeners you can buy. With all of the great options on this list you should easily find one to meet your home's needs.
Best Outdoor Water Softener Reviews
In a rush? Here are the top 3
- SpringWell Salt Based Water Softener System - Purchase | Full Review
- SoftPro Elite - Purchase | Full Review
- SpringWell Futuresoft Salt-free Water Softener - Purchase | Full Review
- Fleck 5600SXT - Purchase | Full Review
A good place to start looking for an outdoor water softener is online, where you can read customer reviews and find out which products are rated highly in terms of quality. Outdoor water softeners don't need much protection from the outside elements as they typically sit outside on your property. If you want to get a cover anyway, make sure it's durable and completely protects your outdoor water softener.
Here at Water Softener Solutions, we have tested the best outdoor water softeners on the market. We have also performed intensive online research and examined the specifications, customer reviews, and more to give you a comprehensive list of all the best outdoor water softeners that are available.
#1 SpringWell Salt-Based Water Softener
SpringWell's traditional salt-based water softener comes in at number 3 on our list. This is said to be one of the most dependable ion exchange softeners available on the market.
From our testing and hundreds of positive customer reviews, we are very confident in our recommendation of this water softener.
With a lifetime warranty and a 6 month satisfaction guarantee this is an easy decision to give the SpringWell salt-based softener a try.
The SpringWell salt-based water softener uses 40% less detergent and is designed to help extend the life of your appliances. This unit helps remove hard-causing minerals and reduce limescale buildup. The are many benefits to using a high performing salt-based water softener. Some of the the top benefits include:
Features
- Factory Direct Pricing
- Lifetime Warranty on Tanks and Valves
- No More Scale or Hard Water Buildup
- Healthier Hair and Softer Skin
- Cleaner Clothes with Less Detergent
- No Drop in Water Pressure
#2 SoftPro Elite Water Softener
The SoftPro Elite is an excellent choice for a salt based water softener system. SoftPro has built a reputation to be on of the most efficient and affordable units on the market.
It's upflow Regeneration Technology reduces both salt and water consumption to save you money over the life of the unit.
The SoftPro Elite is easy to use and offers automatic settings to keep the system performing with ease.
After installation this unit is pretty much maintenance free. Backed by a limited lifetime warranty you can purchase the SoftPro Elite with confidence.
The SoftPro Elite offers an easy to use LCD screen to select from various presets. This unit is packed full of benefits and easy an easy choice as our number 2 best water softener.
Features
- Priced Extremely Well
- Easy To Use Presets
- NSF / ANSI 44 & 61 certified
- Free Shipping
- Only Uses 2 to 3 salt bags each year
#3 SpringWell Futuresoft Salt-Free Water Softener
f you are looking for a whole house water conditioner and descaler that really performs, we highly recommend the SpringWell Futuresoft.
In our hands on review of this truly maintenance-free system we were highly impressed. With claims of 99.6% scale prevention without needing to use salt or chemicals, the Futuresoft gets the job done with zero drop in water pressure.
The FutureSoft really outperforms every other water softener on the market.
There's no point in purchasing a water system, installing it, and getting great tasting water if you're going to experience a drop in water pressure. That's why Springwell Water Systems design their systems based on the number of bathrooms you have in your home so that everyone gets high-pressure water.
Here's what you need to know: the average shower uses a gallon of water per minute. If your bathroom has three full showers and each one is running at once, this means you'll be using about 3 gallons per minute (GPM). Make sure that when buying a system, it comes with at least 8 GPM in case your appliances.
Other Units often underestimate the importance of water pressure. Make sure you're not creating a new problem by solving another. With this unit you can be confident you will get the best performance without the issues.
Features
- Prevents and cleans existing scale
- Salt-Free System
- Extend the life of appliances
- Never needs to be replaced
- No Electricity Required
#4 Fleck 5600SXT 64,000-Grain Water Softener
Our favorite outdoor water softener is the Fleck 5600SXT 64,000-grain water softener. It's one of the best outdoor water softeners on the market because it is fully capable of larger homes and provides a high level of efficiency.
Its electronic controls are easy to use and maintain while its fast flow rate makes filling up kiddie pools, sprinklers, or anything else that needs regular filling a breeze. It also has a carbon filter and a reverse osmosis unit.
Pros
- 64,000-grain capacity
- Digital valve
- Regenerates automatically
- Easy to install
- Uses premium-grade resin
Cons
- Heavy and hard to move
#5 Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series Softener
The Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series Softener is our second favorite outdoor water softener. It has a 42,000-grain capacity and is designed to be installed on the ground near an outlet where it can then connect with your home's plumbing system for maximum convenience.
It provides optimal efficiency through its single regeneration cycle which cost-efficient and reduces the amount of salt used. It also has a carbon filter and a reverse osmosis unit.
Pros
- 42,000-grain capacity
- Single regeneration cycle reduces salt usage
- Easy to install
Cons
- Heavy and hard to move
- Best for homes that have no outdoor water needs (i.e., pools)
#6 Ecopure EPHS007 Conditioner-Water Softener
The Ecopure water softener and filter system are worth every penny. It features a sophisticated reverse osmosis system as well as an ion-exchange resin to produce the best water quality. It has been designed for those who do not want to worry about their outdoor water needs and is perfect for pools or other waters that require heavy filtration.
The Ecopure EPHS007 Conditioner-Water Softener has an auto-sending technology feature that can analyze how much salt and water are needed to regenerate the unit. This will help reduce your salt use and save water in the long run.
This is a great option for those who already have outdoor water needs (i.e., pools), or live in areas that are not prone to freezing weather conditions.
The Ecopure EPHS007 Conditioner-Water Softener offers the best of both worlds: quality and affordability - it is perfect for any budget!
Pros
- Compact design
- Easy to install at home
- Autosense technology
- Filters and softens hard water
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Filters need to be replaced
- Old Valve may not fit
#7 Portable Water Softener Pro
The Portable Water Softener Pro is a great option for those who already have outdoor water needs (i.e., pools), or live in areas that are not prone to freezing weather conditions.
This unit is extremely popular for RVs, trailers, and boats. The wide shape of the unit makes it stable even on the roughest of terrains.
It has a 16,000-gain capacity delivering you up to 2,000 gallons of clean water. This would provide you with freshwater for up to 40 days!
It is easy to install, and it comes with a storage tank.
This water softener has one primary drawback: the unit doesn't come with in-built filters that can be replaced by users at any time. This means you will have to go out of your way every six months or so for replacement filter packs.
Pros
- 16,000-grain capacity
- durable unit with protective jacket
- east to install
- compact design
- softens and conditions
Cons
- Heavy
#8 On The Go OTG4-StdSoft
The On The Go OTG4-StdSoft is one of the leading outside water softening units on the market. This water softener is stored in tanks of 20 pounds of salt. The unit has a capacity to soften up to 32,000 gallons per year and can work with pressures as low as 30 psi or 193 Kpa with the help of its pressure regulator valve.
The On The Go OTG-StdSoft also comes equipped with an easy-to-carry handle making it great for RV owners who travel. a lot.
The unit also has a built-in gauge to monitor salt levels (which includes a power indicator light) and an automatic water valve that helps you save on the cost of your water bill!
There is no installation required for this product as it simply attaches to your existing hose connection or faucet, making it truly a hassle-free experience.
Pros
- Easy to carry handle
- Space-saver design
- Regenerates quickly
- Uses garden hose connections
- Light to carry
Cons
- Smaller capacity unit
What Is An Outdoor Water Softener?
An outdoor water softener is a device that uses salt to clean the hard minerals from your home’s water. Once these salts are dissolved, they’ll attach themselves to impurities like calcium and magnesium in order to remove them from the H20 molecules.
Outdoor water softeners are an affordable option for households and businesses. Country water may not be softened, which means it is unsafe to drink and makes maintenance difficult. In homes, softened water is safer for drinking purposes and easier on plumbing, laundry machines, cleaning solutions, and your skin.
How Does it Work?
Outdoor water softener units are typically installed on your property, making them perfect for rural areas that lack city water. A hose is then attached to the unit’s intake valve and run across a nearby stream or lake where it can draw in untreated water to be softened through a process known as ion exchange.
Outdoor water softeners are made just like other appliances. They are made to withstand the natural elements and should be cared for as one would do with any other appliance.
Outdoor water softeners tend to wear out more quickly than other home appliances, but they can still be installed outside. Many manufacturers design their products to resist harsh environments and last a long time in an outdoor setting. Still, it's important to research the specific model before buying and installing your appliance outside.
Indoor vs Outdoor Water Softeners
Both indoor and outdoor water softeners use the same ion-exchange process to soften water, but outdoor units must be able to withstand outside elements.
Outdoor models are typically more expensive than indoor ones, and they last about five years on average. Indoor units should also have a high capacity that matches their home size because of the smaller space and the greater demand for water.
Current Trends in Outdoor Water Softeners
A recent trend has been to install outdoor units on higher ground so that they are more accessible, but also safe from flooding or other natural disasters. Additionally, many homeowners have moved their softener outside once they realized it can still work by just needing an external connection and can save room inside your home.
Conclusion
Outdoor water softeners are a wise investment for homeowners who need to maintain the appearance of their home or want an aesthetic advantage. Water softeners are a great way to produce soft and clean water for your home, but also be cost-effective.
Softeners are recommended for families with children or pets because they reduce the number of minerals in their hair and skin which can cause irritation. Overall, an outdoor unit is a great way to save space inside your house while producing quality water outside!