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RainSoft Water Softener Review 2024

Modernize Rating: 5/5

Average Cost: $6,000 - $11,000

Investing in a RainSoft water softener can significantly enhance your home’s water quality, benefiting everything from your hair’s health to your laundry’s softness. RainSoft, a trusted brand with nearly 75 years in the business, offers a range of portable systems backed by a comprehensive lifetime warranty. Costs for their water softeners typically range from $6,000 to $11,000, with high-end models like the EC5 series reaching up to $11,000 installed, providing advanced features and robust performance.

The Modernize Mission

Modernize maintains homeowner-first editorial integrity, meaning we accept no commissions and no partner links for this review. Our reviews are thoroughly fact-checked by our home improvement experts. Ratings are determined by a sophisticated algorithm to rate brands, including analyses of products, materials, quality, costs, sizes, durability, energy efficiency, and warranties.

The quality of your home’s water affects everything from the health of your hair and the softness of your laundry to the taste of the food you cook. That’s why investing in a whole home water filtration system can be a game changer for you and your family. 

In this RainSoft Water Softener review, we’ll take a look at one of the major competitors in this space, a company that’s been in business for nearly 75 years and counting. 

RainSoft water softeners are known for their effectiveness in removing minerals such as calcium and magnesium from hard water, resulting in softer, cleaner water for your daily household use.

In order to decide whether RainSoft is right for your home, we’ve compiled information about the company and its products while looking at customer reviews as well as cost and location. By the end of this review, you’ll have a better understanding of what RainSoft offers and whether it’s the best option for your home. 

RainSoft Logo

Pros and Cons of RainSoft Water Softeners

RainSoft has a long history in business and suits a variety of needs and budgets, but their offerings are not without their caveats. We’ll take a quick look at the pros and cons of this brand. 

  • Pros

    • Solid, Long-Running Reputation
    • Fully Portable Systems
    • Limited Lifetime Warranty
  • Cons

    • Limited Availability
    • No Pricing Information Online

Pros

  • Solid reputation since 1953: In business for nearly 75 years, RainSoft has enjoyed a steady climb to success, opening additional facilities over the years as the company has grown and expanded. These days they’re a recognizable brand name trusted by thousands of customers.
  • Systems are fully portable: Some water filters and softeners stay with the house when you move. RainSoft offers fully portable systems which can move with you to a new location, meaning you won’t have to purchase a new system. 
  • Backed by a limited lifetime warranty: RainSoft calls its warranty the most comprehensive in the industry, claiming it will be the first and last filtration system you ever have to buy, especially given that it’s portable.

Cons

  • Only available in 14 states: While it enjoys a good reputation, RainSoft is not available in all states at this time, meaning you might not be able to find a dealer in your area from which to purchase their equipment. 
  • Pricing information not available online: RainSoft doesn’t share the details of its pricing online, meaning you’ll have to consult with a dealer for the cost of a system. Some customers say this model means you are often subject to costly upgrades and add-ons. 

A hand reaching into the hot water from a shower

RainSoft sells a few types of products: water softening systems, drinking water systems, filters, and a laundry system.

Their systems use a variety of technologies to remove harmful chemicals from your water while improving performance and taste. 

The company’s water softening systems come in four series: EC5, EC5-CAB, EC4 and TC-M. Each of these systems offers different features.

  • EC5 is a series with high-tech computer monitoring for water status updates.
  • EC5-CAB not only softens but filters, clarifies and polishes water.
  • EC4 is primarily a water conditioning system.
  • TC-M uses a computer-controlled water meter to keep soft water pumping through your home.

For its drinking water systems, RainSoft offers an under-the-sink option with multistage filters that purify tap water. They also offer a RainSoft faucet which uses carbon block filtration to reduce chlorine. 

RainSoft also offers a single air purifying solution with its AirMaster Ultra, which uses ultraviolet light and ozone technology to neutralize all kinds of smells in your home from food odors to pet odors. It also works to combat any airborne bacteria and molds that form.

Finally, RainSoft offers a laundry solution with a targeted approach to improving the way you wash your clothes and linens. The CleanStart Laundry System uses only cold water and requires less detergent, meaning you’ll save on heating bills and the cost of soap. The system works by oxidizing your tap water and adding a small amount of ozone to your washing machine for improved performance.

How Much Do RainSoft Water Softeners Cost?

Costs for RainSoft water softeners typically range from $6,000 to $11,000, depending on the model, features, and installation requirements. Some of the company’s higher-end systems can cost as much as $11,000 installed, based on the features and complexity of the installation. As mentioned above, RainSoft doesn’t list specific pricing information on its website, instead referring customers to its approved local dealers for more details.

Typically, the company will send a representative to your home for a free water test and provide a custom quote based on the results of that test.

Most reviews online say that RainSoft is markedly more expensive than its competitors, which can be a drawback for some homeowners. However, considering that their filtration systems are portable, it can be a benefit to purchase a RainSoft system you can move with you from home to home.

Factors Affecting Cost of RainSoft Water Softeners

Several factors can affect the cost for your RainSoft water softener or filter. Your system will cost more based on the model, the size of the unit needed based on household water usage, any additional features or upgrades, and whether professional installation is required.

Each of RainSoft’s key products offers features that contribute to its overall cost. The EC5-CAB series water conditioning system, for example, is equipped with a large digital display that alerts you to your water’s current condition and uses alarms to notify you of low salt levels or maintenance needs. 

The EC5 is equipped with fail safe features that ensure smooth operation with a battery back-up and tank construction that reduces the chance of an overflow. These features will add to the product’s overall cost. 

RainSoft’s CleanStart Laundry System also comes with a computerized control and is installed behind your washing machine with your washer’s hoses rerouted into the unit. Like RainSoft’s Airmaster Ultra, both of these systems will require professional installation, which also adds to the overall cost. 

Image of a white laundry room with a green backsplash, a sink, and creative storage

Benefits of Investing in RainSoft

Investing in a RainSoft water softener can lead to numerous benefits for your home and family. 

  • Better Water: Investing in a RainSoft solutions means softer, cleaner water for drinking, bathing, and household chores. Water shows fewer contaminants and chemicals and has been shown to have increased softness, meaning healthier hair and softer laundry, for example. 
  • Better Performance: Using better water means increasing the life and performance of your home’s appliances. That includes your washer and dryer, dishwasher and water fixtures. Improved water quality also means less build up on your home’s plumbing and fixtures, which can add up to money saved down the line. 
  • Cost Savings: Not only will you save when you get a longer lifespan from your appliances and plumbing, you can also save with improved water and energy efficiency. That’s certainly the case with the CleanStart laundry option, which only uses cold water.
  • Peace of Mind: While this benefit is less tangible, many customers report wanting a home water filter for the added peace of mind it offers. Knowing your water is free from harmful chemicals and contaminants can lead to an overall feeling of safety for you and your family.

RainSoft Water Softeners Vs. Competitors

Compared to competitors such as Culligan and Kinetico, RainSoft water softeners offer comparable performance and features. Of course pricing will vary as will availability in your region. 

Rainsoft Water Softeners vs Competitors
 RainSoftKineticoCulligan
Ion Exchange TechnologyXXX
Smart Technology / App ControlXX
Laundry OptionXX
Salt Free optionsXX
Professional Installation RequiredXXX
Water Testing and Personalized SolutionsXXX
Environmentally Friendly OptionsXXX
Lifetime WarrantiesXX
Advanced diagnosticsX

Are RainSoft Water Softeners Right for Me?

RainSoft water softeners are a good choice for homeowners looking to improve the quality of their water and protect their appliances and plumbing fixtures from scale buildup. The company has a longstanding reputation and offers many features its competitors do not. 

However, given that RainSoft is considered a bit more expensive than its competitors, they may not be suitable for every budget. Knowing that, it’s best to consider the upfront cost against the long term benefits of investing in one of RainSoft’s systems. It’s essential to consider the upfront costs and long-term benefits before making a decision.