The best water softener brands typically cost $400 to $6,500 for equipment and $900 to $7,500 installed, depending on capacity (grains), system type (salt-based vs salt-free), and whether you buy retail or through a dealer. Start by matching capacity to your home’s water hardness and household size, then compare warranties and service options. When your estimate looks right, request local quotes to confirm pricing and installation details.
- Budget/DIY: GE Appliances, Whirlpool, Aquasure, Rheem
- Mid-range performance: US Water Systems, Fleck (retail valve systems)
- Premium/dealer-installed: Kinetico, Culligan, Leaf Home Water Solutions
- Salt-free/conditioning focus: Aquasana
How to Choose
- 1 to 2 people, moderate hardness (up to 10 gpg): 24,000 to 32,000 grains
- 3 to 4 people, moderate to hard (10 to 20 gpg): 32,000 to 48,000 grains
- 5+ people or very hard (20+ gpg): 64,000 grains+
If you’re on well water, budget for pre-filtration (sediment/iron) to protect the softener.
Start with an estimate for your home’s hardness and household size, then compare brands below. When you’re ready for firm numbers, request local quotes to confirm installation scope, warranty, and ongoing service.
Best Brands at a Glance
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- In business since 1970
- Non-electric operation
- Wide range of products
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- Offers free water quality consultations
- Salt refill delivery available
- Softeners are equipped with smart features that track usage and more
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- Custom-designed systems tailored to your home's water quality
- Professional installation and ongoing customer support
- Compatible with other Leaf Home water filtration products
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- In business for more than 50 years
- Offers a wide range of products and models
- Has a robust parts supply for replacements
Top Water Softener Brands of 2025
Kinetico
- Average Cost: $600 to $3,000
What We Love
Kinetico offers a large range of water quality solutions from softeners to whole home reverse osmosis systems. They company is widely known and trusted and offers water softeners that don’t require the use of electricity, saving money.
Cost Information
Kinetico is a premium, dealer-installed brand known for non-electric twin-tank systems. Final pricing depends on dealer packages, capacity, and add-ons like pre-filtration or reverse osmosis.
- System price: $2,000 to $4,500
- Pro installation: $500 to $1,500
- Typical installed total: $2,500 to $6,500+
- Notes: Non-electric operation; pricing varies by dealer and bundled services.
Best Series
The Kinetico Premier XP Series features a dual-tank design that ensures a continuous supply of softened water. While one tank is actively providing treated water, the other is either on standby or undergoing regeneration. This setup guarantees that you won’t experience interruptions, even when multiple water-demanding appliances — such as the shower, dishwasher, and washing machine — are in use simultaneously.
Culligan
- Average Cost: $500 to $2,500
What We Love
Culligan is a leading brand in the water treatment industry with more than 85 years of experience. They offer a wide range of water softeners designed to meet the needs of different households. The company is available nationwide and offers white glove installation service and salt delivery.
Cost Information
The cost of Culligan’s systems varies depending on model size and features. Culligan quotes usually follow an in-home assessment through its dealer network. Installed totals often reflect bundled setup, salt delivery, and optional service plans or rentals.
- System price: $1,500 to $3,500
- Pro installation: $500 to $1,500
- Typical installed total: $2,000 to $5,000+
- Notes: Rentals commonly $30 to $55 per month plus salt in some markets.
Best Model
Culligan’s Aquasential Smart High Efficiency Water Softener uses smart technology to offer maintenance alerts and usage tracking, meaning you’ll be the first to know when your softener needs service or a salt replacement. The usage tracking feature also helps environmentally conscious homeowners to set usage goals and track progress.
Leaf Home Water Solutions
- Average Cost: $1,000 to $4,000
What We Love
Leaf Home Water Solutions offers high-performance, professionally installed water softeners designed to tackle even the toughest hard water problems. As part of a broader home improvement network, the company brings years of residential water expertise to every installation. Their systems are designed to improve water quality, protect plumbing and appliances, and reduce the buildup of mineral deposits — all with personalized service and ongoing customer support.
Cost Information
Leaf provides customized, professionally installed systems, frequently paired with whole-home filtration. Pricing reflects the packaged approach and labor for tailored installations.
- System price: $2,000 to $5,000
- Pro installation: $500 to $1,500
- Typical installed total: $2,500 to $6,500+
- Notes: Often bundled with filtration; in-home consultation standard.
Best Model
One standout option from Leaf Home Water Solutions is their Whole-Home Water Softener System, designed to reduce calcium, magnesium, and other minerals responsible for water hardness. It features a space-efficient design, energy-efficient regeneration cycles, and programmable settings to optimize performance based on your family’s water usage. This system also integrates seamlessly with other Leaf water treatment products, such as their whole-home water filtration or reverse osmosis systems, for homes that need comprehensive water quality improvements.
Fleck
- Average Cost: $600 to $1,600
What We Love
Fleck is a trusted name in water softening, known for producing reliable and durable systems that perform well for homes and businesses alike. With over 50 years in the industry, Fleck’s products are engineered for efficiency, providing high-quality soft water with its water softeners and water filters.
Cost Information
Fleck supplies the control valve used in many DIY and retail systems. Your total depends on tank size, resin quality, and whether you hire a plumber for installation.
- System price: $600 to $1,200
- Pro installation: $400 to $1,000
- Typical installed total: $1,000 to $2,200
- Notes: DIY-friendly; pro install advised if plumbing reroutes are needed.
Best Model
The Fleck 5600SXT is one of the most popular models, featuring a digital control that shows the amount of soft water left each day. It is programmable and maintains that programming memory despite power outages. This model comes with a 5-year warranty on the valve and 10-year warranty on the tank.
US Water Systems
- Average Cost: $800 to $3,500
What We Love
US Water Systems specializes in both salt-based and salt-free water softeners. The company also sells reverse osmosis systems, iron-removal systems, whole house filtration and ultraviolet disinfection systems. These systems are available for both home and commercial usage.
Cost Information
US Water Systems sells direct with a wide range of capacities and upgraded resins. Add-ons and optional professional installation influence the final total.
- System price: $900 to $2,300
- Pro installation: $400 to $1,000
- Typical installed total: $1,300 to $3,300
- Notes: Larger capacities and premium resins push costs upward.
Best Model
US Water Systems’ Matrixx-Hybrid Filter and Smart Water Softener used a proprietary carbon blend to filter chlorine and chloramine from the water while softening it. It’s equipped with a battery backup that keeps the system running in a power outage to prevent floods. You can also monitor its cycles with a free smartphone app.
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GE Appliances
- Average Cost: $500 to $1,200
What We Love
GE is a trusted brand in household appliances, and their water softeners live up to that reputation. Known for delivering straightforward, reliable performance, GE softeners are a solid choice for homes that need an efficient and affordable system.
Cost Information
GE offers budget-friendly softeners sold through big-box retailers. These units suit small to mid-size households; installation is typically straightforward.
- System price: $450 to $900
- Pro installation: $400 to $900
- Typical installed total: $900 to $1,800
- Notes: Good entry-level option; verify grain capacity for your usage.
Best Feature
GE’s water softeners use a feature called SmartSoft technology to learn and remember the needs of your family and its soft water patterns so you never run out of softened water to use. The systems also come with self-cleaning filters, which remove sediment.
Whirlpool
- Average Cost: $400 to $1,500
What We Love
Whirlpool is a household name known for offering affordable, reliable appliances, and their water softeners are no exception. With a focus on simplicity and ease of use, Whirlpool water softeners are great for homeowners who need affordable and effective softening without complex installation.
Cost Information
Whirlpool models focus on value and easy retail purchase. Be sure to match grain capacity to your water usage to avoid frequent regeneration.
- System price: $450 to $900
- Pro installation: $400 to $800
- Typical installed total: $900 to $1,700
- Notes: Simple controls; best for budget and light-to-moderate demand.
Best Model
The Whirlpool WHES40 is a standout with its efficient salt-based softening process and 40,000-grain capacity, making it ideal for medium to large households. It’s simple to set up and provides reliable water softening for everyday use, plus you can upgrade to an extended warranty on this product.
Aquasure
- Average Cost: $490 to $665
What We Love
Aquasure’s water softener systems offer robust performance with high grain capacities and efficient contaminant removal, ensuring high-quality water throughout the home.
Cost Information
Aquasure targets value shoppers with compact, kit-style systems. Pairing with filters or opting for pro installation moves totals toward the higher end.
- System price: $400 to $800
- Pro installation: $400 to $900
- Typical installed total: $900 to $1,700
- Notes: Combo filter packages can add $300 to $600.
Best Model
The Aquasure Harmony Series 48,000 Grains Water Softener balances capacity and efficiency, featuring a digital control head and automatic regeneration, ideal for medium-sized households.
Rheem
- Average Cost: $399 to $609
What We Love
Rheem’s water softeners are designed for straightforward installation and minimal maintenance, making them ideal for those who prefer a hands-on approach.
Cost Information
Rheem’s retail units emphasize convenience features like demand-initiated regeneration and monitoring. Installation needs and capacity selection drive overall pricing.
- System price: $500 to $1,200
- Pro installation: $500 to $900
- Typical installed total: $1,000 to $2,100
- Notes: Ensure space for brine tank and drain access.
Best Model
The Rheem Preferred Platinum Water Softener features Wi-Fi capabilities for remote monitoring and a 42,000-grain capacity, suitable for households of various sizes.
Aquasana
- Average Cost: $800 to $2,200
What We Love
Aquasana is a standout for homeowners looking for a sustainable, low-maintenance water softener. They offer salt-free water conditioners that are great for people who want to avoid using salt to soften their water. And they have a filter replacement program that ships discounted replacement filters to you for free on a schedule, so you never experience a lapse in water quality.
Cost Information
Aquasana specializes in salt-free conditioners and filter combos that reduce scale rather than remove hardness. Totals vary based on the filtration package and any plumbing adjustments.
- Conditioner only: $800 to $1,700 equipment; $1,200 to $2,900 installed
- Filter + conditioner combos: $1,200 to $3,000 equipment; $1,600 to $4,200 installed
- Notes: Best where scale reduction is the goal and softening requirements are moderate.
Best Model
Aquasana’s Rhino Whole House Filter System with Salt-Free Softener is a top choice for eco-conscious buyers. This system uses a unique combination of filtration and salt-free softening technology to deliver high-quality water without the need for harsh chemicals.
