This article is all about finding the Best Upflow Water Softeners on the market right now! Having a water softener is so important for every household, whether you suffer from significant issues with hard water or simply want a softer, nicer tasting supply of water for your family.
Upflow water softeners work slightly differently from other softeners and can sometimes be referred to as counter-current brining. This is because the water flows up through the brine at the bottom of the brine tank before flowing up through the system. This offers far better water and salt efficiency as well as other countless benefits that we will list in this article.
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DuraWater Fleck 5600SXT Metered UpFlow Water Softener
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Premier Whole House Package: Water Softener 64,000 Grain
You will find the 9 best up-flow water softener systems on the market below, with a brief description of their features and benefits, as well as helpful pros and cons for each. It is our belief that by doing research and understanding which is the most suitable for your household, you can save both time and money.
1. SoftPro Elite Plus High Efficiency 32,000 Grain water softener and filter
The SoftPro Elite Plus makes it onto our list for a number of reasons. Firstly, this electronic water softener uses up to 75% less salt than alternative downflow systems without losing performance.
It has a 32,000-grain capacity which means it will perform well for the average household removing harmful contaminants such as chlorine and lead, as well as delivering soft water for your whole house.
It features an easy-to-use touchpad LCD display, as well as a neoprene tank jacket for insulation. The resin used in the brine tank is designed to last longer to reduce running costs for households.
Pros
Cons
A 32,000-grain capacity tank will cope with the average household
It has an easy to use touchpad LCD display
Claims to use up to 75% less salt than a downflow water softener
It may not be suitable for larger households or those with high usage levels
2. ABCwaters built Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener and Upflow Carbon Filtration
A complete whole-house water softener system that comes with the impressive Fleck 56000 SXT valve meter. This water softener from ABCwaters has an impressive 48,000-grain capacity which utilizes an advanced 10% cross-linked resin.
This improved performance means it will offer a flow rate of up to 12GPM which is enough for the majority of households. Its upflow carbon filtration system has been designed to be as efficient as possible without requiring a backwash.
As a result, this system doesn’t require electricity to run or a drain line as no wastewater is produced. A more eco-friendly model than some others on our list without compromising on performance.
Pros
Cons
An impressive 48,000-grain capacity
Offers a flow rate of up to 12GPM
No backwash or wastewater required
Some reports that it can be difficult to install so you may need some support
3. DuraWater Fleck 5600SXT Metered UpFlow Water Softener
The DuraWater Fleck 5600SXT is a strong performer in tests of upflow water softeners, thanks in part to its capacity and its excellent filtration package. It has a 1.5 cubic ft capacity in its resin tank which means it will cope with even the busiest of homes and offices.
In terms of installation, it comes with everything in the box needed to get set up and enjoy clean, safe, soft drinking water.
This system has a 5-stage reverse osmosis package that removes the harmful contaminants found in the water supply including chlorine, heavy metals, bacteria and more. Thanks to this level of performance, it is one of the pricier models on our list so make sure you require this level of performance.
Pros
Cons
It has 5-stage reverse osmosis upflow filtration system
A large capacity that will cope with most households
It uses the Fleck 5600SXT control valve
One of the more expensive systems and so maybe more than some households require.
4. Premier Whole House Package: Water Softener 64,000 Grain
This water softener really delivers when it comes to capacity and filtration. Firstly, it has a 64,000-grain capacity making it one of the biggest systems on our list that is capable of supporting busy households. In terms of salt usage, it has an upgraded type of resin that improves performance and lifespan which reduces overall maintenance costs.
Its filtration system is an upflow carbon filtration design that removes the requirement for backwashing and electricity, as well as not producing wastewater. Its 4-stage reverse osmosis filter adds extra layers of protection against harmful contaminants found in your water supply.
Pros
Cons
A large 64,000-grain capacity makes this perfect for larger households
It utilizes an upflow carbon filtration design and 4-stage RO system.
It doesn’t produce wastewater
You may require professional help with installing these larger systems so build that into your budget
This water softener from AFWFilters is the perfect system for the average household. With a 48,000-grain capacity, improved 10% resin media, and a flow rate of 12GPM, it will deliver the soft, clean drinking water that you desire.
It has an eco-friendly up flow design for its carbon filtration that removes the need for backwashing and wastewater. This means you can install it without electricity or a drain line which makes life a lot easier, as well as reduces the impact on the environment.
It includes a reverse osmosis filtration system as well to remove sediment, chlorine, heavy metals, and many other harmful contaminants. All of the parts are NSF approved and it comes with a good manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
Cons
It uses an improved type of resin for longer-lasting results
Eco-friendly thanks to its upflow design
Includes carbon filter and reverse osmosis system
Some customers reported the need to buy extra fittings that don’t come in the box
A whole-house water softener from AFWFilters that includes a carbon up flow filtration system. This means you will not only get soft, odor-free water but the water that has had many harmful contaminants filtered out, including sediment, pesticides, chlorine, and more.
It uses a Fleck 5600SXT valve meter which you can rely on. Furthermore, it has a 48,000-grain capacity and a 12GPM flow rate which will cope with average household usage. The valve comes with a 5-year warranty and the tank has an impressive 10-year warranty so you can trust it will deliver soft water for your family for many years to come.
Pros
Cons
It has a 48,000-grain capacity
It will offer a flow rate of up to 12GPM
It has a carbon upflow filtration system
Some customers got a bit confused by the installation processes so you may require help if you’re new to DIY
7. AFWFilters 56SXT-10% Combo Package Abundant Flow Built Fleck 5600SXT
Yet another water softener and filtration system from AFWFilters makes it onto our list and it is easy to see why. Firstly, its combination of a whole-house water softener and upgraded upflow carbon filtration system means it delivers both soft water and safe water.
When we get into the details, it has a 48,000-grain tank which is the industry average for softeners targeted at the average household. Its upflow carbon filter will remove harmful contaminants such as chlorine and pesticides, without impacting the flow rate too badly. Delivering a flow rate of up to 12GPM means it should cope with the demands of a family getting ready for work or school in the morning.
Pros
Cons
Thanks to its up flow design it doesn’t require electricity or a drain line
It has a 48,000-grain capacity tank
Very positive feedback from real-world customers on its ability to treat hard water.
Some reports that it doesn’t include all the parts required to fully install
The Genesis 2 Premier water softener utilizes a high-efficiency upflow system. This means not only does it deliver a flow rate of up to 13GPM, but it has a reasonable capacity of 40,000-grain which will support medium-sized households.
It’s large brine tank is capable of holding up to 200lbs of salt, reducing the frequency by which you need to refill and its resin tank comes with a lifetime warranty. This combination of size and efficiency means the average family will be able to save over 30,000 gallons of water versus the average downflow water softener. With minimal moving parts and reverse flow regeneration, it will save a significant amount in terms of money and impact on the environment. It also has an automatic system refresh that flushes stagnant water after 7 days without use, to protect the system whilst you are away.
Pros
Cons
A strong flow rate of up to 13GPM with this water softener
It has large tanks that store more salt than the average system to reduce the frequency you need to maintain it
The up flow design means significant savings on water and salt
Some customers have complained the customer support provided isn’t the best
9. Premier Water Systems Whole House Fleck Water Softener
This water softener from Premier Water Systems is designed for the whole house and thanks to its 48,000-grain capacity, it should cope with the requirements of an average household (e.g. 3-6 people). It has a flow rate of up to 12GPM so you shouldn’t see any performance issues unless you have a larger household or high usage.
Its softener tank is quite large and comes preloaded with an upgraded type of resin, as well as a Fleck Valve that improves performance. The upflow carbon filtration system will help remove harmful contaminants from your water supply, including chlorine and heavy metals. As a result, this is a fantastic choice for those families wanting clean, safe, soft water for the whole house.
Pros
Cons
It includes a 48,000-grain capacity tank
It has an upflow carbon filter for improved performance and reduced waste
It is preloaded with an upgraded type of resin
Larger households may find it doesn’t deliver the results they need.
Buyers Guide: Things to consider before buying an Upflow Water Softeners.
With any purchase, it is important to make sure you do your research and understand the most important features. When it comes to an up-flow water softener this is no different and as a result, we’ve put together some of the key things to consider before buying an up-flow water softener system.
The capacity of the Upflow Water Softener.
With any water filter or water softener system, you need to think about the daily water usage in your household. This can make or break a system because if it cannot cope then the system won’t last, you will be frustrated by the lack of water and you will have wasted money.
Take the time to calculate the size and capacity of the water softener you require, thinking about the number of people in the house, the number of bathrooms etc. Furthermore, you need to check the service flow rate and level of water hardness as these all impact the size of the system you require. Our advice would be to target a capacity of at least 48,000-grains if you’re a family of 4.
Installation location
The majority of the upflow water softener systems on our list are whole-house water systems. This means they are normally installed at the point that your water enters the house and then softeners and/or filters the water that feeds to every faucet in the home. Think about where this entry point is in your property and whether you can fit the system there. Equally, some come with an under-sink option and so you may want to check the space and sizing of each upflow water softener system.
If in doubt, ask an expert to provide assistance as these whole-house systems can be more complex than single-point water softener units.
Budget
One of the important considerations – how much do you wish to spend and how much does your preferred upflow water softener cost?
Consider your budget and use this when exploring the systems on the market right now as you may find that you need to spend more than you’ve budgeted for to achieve the desired results. Equally, you may find that you can go for a cheaper system, saving money. However, also take into account the cost of using and maintaining the system. For example, does it use electricity and how often do you need to replace the salt in the tank? All add to the overall budget for an upflow water softener.
What is an Upflow Water Softener?
It can be a little confusing trying to understand the differences between the different water softener systems on the market right now. They all perform very similar functions but go about it in a different way.
An upflow water softener system pushes water up through the bottom of a resin tank and up through the softener system. This means the system pushes the hardness away from any resin and into a drain reducing the parts of the system that need to be restored. It also extends the life of resin whilst still delivering the same process which is exchanging the hardness-causing ions (magnesium and calcium) with sodium, so that soft water is produced.
Look at our guide on replacing a water softener resin here
Advantages of Upflow Water Softeners.
There are some significant advantages to choosing an upflow water softener when compared to other systems and we’ve put some below to help with your purchasing decisions.
Durability
An upflow water softener is often more durable. This is because the design means that resin is used more efficiently and less of the tank needs to be restored. It often produces far less wastewater as well, all improving the lifespan and performance of your chosen water softener.
Efficiency
The upflow design means that it is more efficient as it sends water through the bottom of the tank in a swirling motion, going up through the resin. A downflow system will have to flow all the way through the system and often produces more wastewater, takes longer to work, and requires more salt. Overall a far more efficient solution is an upflow water softener.
Eco-friendly
Thanks to the efficient, durable, and effective design you will be saving on salt usage and wastewater production. These things mean you will be kinder to the environment, reducing the harm you do, whilst also saving money.
Frequently Ask Question (FAQs)
We’ve put together some of the most frequently asked questions by customers, as well as helpful answers. This is to allow each reader to make sure that they do all the research necessary to make an informed choice on the best water softener for their household.
What is the difference between an up-flow and downflow water softener?
There is a significant difference between an upflow and downflow water softener and as the name suggests, it’s down to the way water flows through your system.
An upflow water softener directs water up through the bottom of the water tank in a spinning motion. It drivers the water through the resin and up the tank. A downflow water softener sends water down from the entrance of the tank, through any holding tanks or connectors before flowing down into the resin at the bottom.
An upflow solution is far more efficient and effective, reducing the amount of wastewater created, salt used and extending the lifespan of the water softener.
Does it need frequent maintenance?
No, these types of systems are relatively easy to maintain thanks to their efficient design. Depending on the system you go for, there will be a requirement to replace salt periodically (depending on usage) and some may need to regenerate but this is often automatic. Furthermore, if the system includes a filtration unit then you will need to replace filters but this is often every 6 months to 1 year.
Take the time to do your research about the maintenance requirements for each system, as they are often placed where the water supply enters your house and this can be difficult to access. As a result, one that requires minimal maintenance will make life a lot easier in the long run.
How to choose the right softener for me?
There isn’t a simple answer to which is the right softener for you and your household. Every home has slightly different requirements and the most important thing is to consider all of the key factors and features that your house needs. Start with the water usage, level of hard water and budget and from there explore the other features that many systems offer such as filtration and the regeneration cycle.
Once you have a breakdown of your individual requirements, you will be able to shortlist the most relevant products and then compare their relative pros and cons. If you don’t follow this process then you may find you buy an insufficient system that wastes time and money.
How easy is it to install one?
The manufacturers have made it much easier to install an upflow water softener but they can still be a little complicated for those with a minimal DIY experience. As a result of these systems being designed to protect the entire house, they offer to take a little more time to install and use more parts. If you’re ever worried about installing it, then our advice would be to speak to a professional plumber or tradesman that you trust and get a quote from them.
Does the type of resin matter?
Ultimately, they will all deliver excellent results but you will see more of the products nowadays coming with an upgraded 10% crosslink resin. This is because it has a higher ion exchange capacity and will improve performance. This means you will get better results and the resin will last longer, which reduces the maintenance costs.
Do they all come with water filters?
The vast majority will come with a water filter, whether that is an upflow carbon filter or a 4 or 5-stage reverse osmosis filtration system. It is important to check as some people often get confused, thinking that a water softener means it also filters and this isn’t true.
A water softener will help remove the hardness-causing ions in water, such as calcium and magnesium but it won’t remove harmful contaminants like bacteria, sediment, or pesticides. Run a test of your water supply, which can be done at home or by asking your local authority and find out the quality of your water. This will tell you the kind of softener and filtration system that you should buy. It is always a good choice to have a filtration system in place because no water supply is perfect even if it comes from a city water supply.
Summary
Thank you for reading our article on the best up-flow water softener systems on the market right now. It can be difficult to choose between very similar systems but there are some fantastic manufacturers out there who deliver truly efficient and effective systems that last for many years. By choosing the right water softener, you can ensure your family has clean, safe water to drink, cook with and wash with for years to come.
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