“I’m very pleased with this water softener — it works extremely well and has made a noticeable improvement in our home’s water quality. The customer service has also been excellent; Reid was friendly, responsive, and genuinely helpful”
Whole House Water Softeners
Water Softener Selection Resources
Softener Selection Quiz
We’ll ask a few questions to determine expert softener recommendations for you.
Softener Comparison Chart
Compare features, specs, and pricing across all water softener models.
Softener Selection Guide
Explore our ultimate guide to understand how to choose the right water softener.
About Whole House Water Softeners
Whole-house water softeners are engineered to treat all incoming water before it distributes through the home’s plumbing system, ensuring softened water at every tap, fixture, and appliance. This differs from point-of-use softeners, which only treat a single outlet or appliance and are not intended to protect the broader plumbing infrastructure. Because whole-house systems address hardness at the entry point, they prevent scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, and piping, reduce spotting on glassware and fixtures, and improve the performance and longevity of household appliances that rely on hot water.
For most homeowners evaluating whole-house water softeners, the buying decision is driven by both performance and long-term economics. Hard water can shorten appliance life, increase energy consumption, and lead to more frequent repairs and replacements—costs that whole-house systems are specifically designed to mitigate. Beyond infrastructure protection, whole-house softening also improves day-to-day living conditions, supporting better cleaning results, reduced detergent usage, smoother skin and hair after bathing, and less visible mineral residue throughout the home.
Whole House Softener Reviews
“I am very pleased with this purchase. Good price and super fast shipping. I installed the water softener with no issues and my water quality has greatly improved.”
"My wife is thrilled with our new water softener. We had no idea what a difference it would make, particularly keeping bathtub and shower clean. Amazing! Reid was very helpful in assisting me in choosing the right softener for our needs, without overselling."
"Our well water has 4.4 g/ml iron and 480 g/ml of hardness so we installed this iron remover water softener. It works like a charm." (Kerry F.)
”Easy to install, pretty much plug and play. Water softener efficiency for the first 3 weeks is awesome! I'm professionally working with an industrial size Fleck Sand filter on Industrial waste water, I brought back home the same reliability to a residential level and did not disappoint.”
"I chose the WS1 based on its reputation for reliability. The order process went smoothly and Reid helped me choose the right size. The WS1 arrived quicker than I had expected. Excellent manual made for easy installation. Our water is now luxuriously soft;. The icing on cake is that the regen cycle does not wake my wife - so all good."
"Perfect purchase - thoroughly & completely answered our questions. Delivery, even to western Canada, was very prompt & included in the price. Quality of product & ease of set up couldn't have been better. Highly recommend Aquatell."
"Easy installation. Easy setup. This softener is working very well. No valve leaks whatsoever. I previously owned a Fleck 9100 valve water softener with mechanical timer, but replaced it with this units digital timer and much prefer this type of timer for the accuracy and easy to read information it provides. Price was competitive. I received my order in one week from the time I placed the order."
"Experience with Aquatell was top notch! So far so good. The unit is sturdy and well built. It's been running for a week now. Here's to many more years... cheers!"
"System works well. Packaged very well for shipping. No broken parts. Instructions were well documented. No issues with installation. The system works as advertised and we are now enjoying soft water!"
"Loving my soft water! This softener was easy to install, using all of the resources available on the Aquatell website. What a difference going from hard water to soft! Thanks for a great product and excellent customer service."
"Great softener, great team. Softener is amazing. Reid and team were super super helpful. I researched and researched and connected with Reid and he was patient and understood our home's needs and recommended a great softener."
"Fantastic Product. Instructions on YouTube are very clear on how to set the soft water system. I paid half of the price I would have paid for it with a plumbing company. This soft water system works like a dream.”
Whole House Water Softener Parts & Accessories
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a whole-house water softener and how does it work?
A whole-house water softener is a point-of-entry (POE) system that treats all incoming water before it circulates through plumbing, fixtures, and appliances. Most residential softeners use ion exchange, where hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium are exchanged for sodium or potassium, preventing scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and other equipment.
What are the benefits of installing a whole-house water softener?
Whole-house water softeners improve water heater efficiency, extend appliance and plumbing life, reduce scale on fixtures and glassware, improve soap and detergent performance, and minimize maintenance associated with hard water. For homes with very hard water, these benefits directly reduce long-term operating costs and repairs.
Does a whole-house water softener require maintenance?
Yes, but maintenance is minimal. Standard units require:
- Annual inspection for settings and resin bed condition
- Occasional resin cleaning if iron or manganese are present
Proper maintenance supports long-term performance, efficiency, and system lifespan.
Can I install a whole-house water softener myself?
Many systems are designed for DIY or plumber installation, particularly in homes with accessible plumbing near the main water entry point. Aquatell’s entire selection of whole-house water softeners can be installed DIY, with the option to hire a local plumber if preferred. The appropriate installation path ultimately depends on budget, skill level, and desired level of service.
What doesn’t a whole-house water softener do?
Water softeners are designed specifically to remove hardness minerals that cause scale—primarily calcium and magnesium. They do not remove disinfectants (chlorine or chloramine), organics, PFAS, lead, sediment, microbiological contaminants, or improve taste and odor. If those treatment goals are important, a softener is typically paired with additional filtration technologies such as activated carbon, reverse osmosis, or UV disinfection, depending on the specific water quality objective.