High iron in water is harmful, not only to the health of humans but also to plumbing and appliances. Ferrous iron is present in soluble form in water, but still, it will look crystal clear. Ferric iron is insoluble above 3.5 pH level and gives it a rusty color. No matter if it is ferrous or ferric iron, you need the best water softener for iron removal because your health matters a lot. So here we have got some perfect water softeners that can help you to reduce iron up to zero parts per million.
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Best water softener for iron removal in 2021:
Iron is in water no matter if you are on well water or you are connected to municipality water supply. Ignoring it’s presence and not taking measures for its eradication are fatal. So choose a best iron eradicator now and enjoy good health. See the list below.
List of best water softeners for iron removal:
Here is the list of 7 best water softeners that are here for iron removal from your house.
Water softeners for iron removal that are worth mentioning:
1. Iron Pro 2 – IRONPRO2 (Best rated for iron removal)
Iron Pro 2 is the best water softener for you if you have high iron content in water and want a complete removal from everything that comes in contact with water. The shipment will include a brine tank, bypass valve, a tank, and a DIY instructions manual. Indeed, it is one of the best iron removal water softeners. You can see the picture to know how this system looks like.
Digital control:
There is digital control in this system that is a popular choice nowadays. That is Fleck 5600SXT.
Compatibility:
This system is capable of removing ferrous and ferric iron up to 8 PPM. But reviews say that it can make iron content of 10 PPM to negligible. Also, it removes magnesium up to 6 PPM and can remove hardness up to 75 GPG. So there will be no red stains and scale buildup.
Capacity:
The smart control valve measures how much water you use and regenerates as per your requirement. The grain capacity of 64,000 can supply water up to 16 GPM.
Warranty:
The seller is offering a satisfaction guarantee of 30 days. After that, there is a 10-year warranty on the tank and a 5-year warranty on the control valve.
Technical support:
There is an instruction manual in the pack that is enough to make installation a DIY for all. But in case you need further assistance, you can have it any time over a phone call or email.
Weight:
The whole megical best water softener for iron removal weighs 119.5 pounds.
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You need the best salt for the optimal performance of your water softener. See all best options here.
2. Whirlpool WHES30E Water softener
Whirlpool is offering you this best water softener that is capable of giving a tough fight to city water that is full of iron. It includes a bypass valve and a 1-inch male pipe thread that is ready to connect along with the installation kit and instructions manual. See the picture to know how it looks like.
Power consumption:
This water softener needs electricity to run smoothly. So, arrange 110 volts of power supply to the point you want to install this system.
Compatibility:
It removes ferrous and ferric iron up to 8 PPM. Also, it is capable of removing hardness up to 95 GPG that includes calcium, magnesium, and manganese. It can improve the life of plumbing and appliances up to 50 percent. It also increases the efficiency of soap and detergent.
Capacity:
If you are a family of 4 people, this water softener system is enough for you. With the up-flow water softening system, it has the 30,000-grain capacity. It measures water usage and regenerates as per requirement and water hardness.
Light indicator:
The lightening indicator is in the system, which reminds you to add more salt when the salt level goes low.
Display:
There is an LED display screen along with a touchpad so that you can operate it conveniently.
Warranty:
There is a 10-year warranty on the tank, a 3-year warranty on the electronics, and one year warranty on the parts and labor by the manufacturer.
Technical support:
The installation manual is detailed enough to make the installation a DIY for all. If you need any further assistance, you can have it at any time over a phone call.
Weight:
The system weighs 102 pounds, and the shipment weight will be 104 pounds.
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3. Iron Pro – 48k-56SXT-FM-1 softener system
Now we will talk a water softener for iron removal from a True Blue Dealer. The seller will send you one brine tank, one mineral tank, a control valve with backlit LED display, safety float with brine tank, and connectors. See how it looks in the picture.
Compatibility:
It is capable of removing ferrous and ferric iron up to 8 PPM. Also, it will remove sand and sediments that cause red stains and scale buildup. So appliances and plumbing will work better and last longer too.
Digital display:
The user-friendly interface is equipped with a backlit LED display so that you can manage it easily. It also has a Fleck 5600SXT control valve to measure the usage and regeneration requirements.
Power backup:
There is an internal power backup for up to 48 hours that ensure smooth operations by the water softening system in case of a power outage.
Capacity:
No worries about the decrease in flow rate by adding a water softener to the water supply system as it will give you a flow rate of up to 14 GPM. All this is possible with the help of 48,000-grain capacity.
Technical support:
The seller provides you with the installation video to make sure everything goes smoothly. Also, there is an app where there are all the details related to configuration, spare parts, technical documentation, and troubleshooting manual.
Weight:
This water softener weighs only 53 pounds, but the shipment weight with all the parts will be 136 pounds.
Power consumption:
This water softening system consumes low energy and requires you to arrange a power outlet of 120 volts at the place where you want to install it.
Warranty:
There is a warranty of 10 and 5 years on the tank and control valve respectively.
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4. AFWFilters IRONPRO2
When AFWFilters combines with Iron Pro 2, you get the best water softener to remove moderate level of iron from water. There will be a brine tank, a mineral tank, Fleck 5600SXT control valve, lubricant, sanitizer, installation kit, instructions manual, and fine mesh resin in the delivery pack.
Compatibility:
It can treat ferrous iron up to 7 PPM along with 6 PPM of manganese. Also, it can eliminate sand and sediment that cause scale buildup and rust stains on everything that comes in contact with water. The overall hardness removing the capability of this system is up to 70 GPG.
Digital control:
Fleck 5600SXT control valve is in the system that measures your water usage and also take account of water hardness level and regenerates as per both of these factors.
Capacity:
This water softener has a 64,000-grain capacity, which means it is enough for even more than six people. And don’t worry about the flow rate as it can go up to 16 GPM.
Technical support:
Written and video instructions are detailed and enough to guide you. Also, there is email and telephone customer support available to help you in case you need some further assistance.
Weight:
This water softener weighs only 54 pounds, but the shipment with all the other components will weigh around 95 pounds.
Power consumption:
This energy-efficient water softener system requires 120 volts of power to run smoothly.
Warranty:
The tank has a warranty of 10 years whereas the valve has a guarantee of 5 years.
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Also check top quality water softener resins.
5. Fleck IRONPRO2 iron removing water softener
Fleck combines with an Iron Pro 2 water softener to give you the best iron removal softener for the whole house. The pack will contain a resin tank with safety float, a mineral tank, a Fleck 5600SXT control valve, a bypass valve with one-inch male connectors along with fine mesh resin. See how the system looks like in the picture.
Compatibility:
The system is capable of removing ferrous iron up to 7 PPM with 6 PPM of manganese. Also, it eliminates soap scum and red stains that are the cause of sand and sediments. The overall hardness removal capacity of this softener is up to 7o GPG.
Digital display:
The Fleck 5600SXT control valve with a digital display shows water consumption and time to regeneration left. So all the information is available on the go.
Capacity:
For a home of 5 or more people, it is enough. As it can provide a flow rate of up to 14 GPM. The grain capacity of this water softener is 48,000.
Warranty:
A 5-year warranty is available on the control valve and 10-year warranty on the mineral tank.
Technical support:
Written and visual instructions are available to make installation and programming easy for you. However, in case you need further assistance, you can have it on the distance of a phone call or email.
Power usage:
You need a power outlet of 120 volts at the spot you want to install this water softener to ensure it’s smooth operations.
Weight:
Thes system weighs 53 pounds, and the shipment will arrive at your doorstep of only 54 pounds.
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6. DURAWATER 48k-56sxt-fm
Durawater in combination with Fleck provides you a water softener from a True Blue Dealer. The pack contains Fleck 5600SXT control valve, fine mesh resin, brine tank with safety float and overflow elbow, mineral tank, one-inch noryl plastic male threaded bypass, upgraded paddlewheel, and 1/2 inch drain barb. See how this system looks like in the picture.
Warranty:
There is a warranty of 5 and 10 years on the valve and tank respectively.
Compatibility:
This water softener is capable of treating iron up to 6 PPM along with 6 PPM of manganese. It is more suitable for you if you are on well water. Therefore, it will be no water messes because of the presence of safety float and overflow drain. Also, it will eradicate soap scum and scale buildup from everything that comes in contact with water.
Capacity:
If you are a family of 2-5 people, it is enough for you as it can supply 14 GPM of water with its 48,000-grain capacity.
Digital control:
Reduces water wastage and improves salt efficiency as it measures water usage and hardness level of water. And every information is available on the go on the system’s digital display.
Technical support:
The installation manual is in the pack, which can assist you in each step of installation and programming. In case you need some further assistance, you can have it from a knowledgeable person over a phone call.
Weight:
The system, with all its components, only weighs 120 pounds.
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7. AFWFilters Iron pro 48k
AFWFilters, along with Iron Pro, cares for people who are in well water. So this is the water softener for you that will remove both ferrous and ferric iron. The system contains a resin tank with safety float, a mineral tank, an on-demand control valve, fine mesh resin, KDF 85 media guard 48,000 grains, and 25 cubic feet gravel bed. See the picture to know how it looks like in actual.
Compatibility:
The system will eliminate ferrous and ferric iron up to 4 PPM. Also, it removes hydrogen sulfide up to 2 PPM. So the overall hardness removal score is up to 50 GPG.
Digital control:
The digital control measures water usage and can also minimize salt usage. So you can set the capacity as per your requirement level, and every information will be available on the go on the digital screen.
Technical support:
There are installation manuals and instructional videos available by the seller to assist you at each step of installation and programming. Also, customer support is very knowledgeable to answer your every query.
Weight:
The system weighs 95 pounds. However, the shipment will weigh 140 pounds with all the components.
Warranty:
The valve has a warranty of 5 years whereas the tank has a warranty of 10 years.
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8. Springwell Salt-Free Combo
Performance:
You get a water softener that uses the Templated Assisted Crystallization (TAC) method to change the shape of ions such as calcium and magnesium that cause hard water, stopping them from attaching to the surfaces in your pipes and appliances.
Filtration:
For those who have a well water supply or perhaps a poorly treated city supply you will be pleased to know that this water softener has an effective filtration system that will filter out iron, manganese, iron and sulfur. Removing up to 7ppm of iron and 8ppm for sulfur, it really does do an impressive job.
Water flow:
Built into this water softener is Activflo technology that helps minimise the impact of the water flow rate, in some cases boosting it when you have a lower flow rate than desired.
Features:
There is the option of downloading a mobile app to help control the digital system attached to this water softener, as well as fantastic customer support for those that need it.
Warranty:
You will get a lifetime warranty and a 6 months money-back guarantee, making it one of the safest options for those needing a water softener for well water.
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9. Durawater Iron Eater
The name of this next device pretty much tells you everything you need to know – the Durawater Iron Eater will target iron in your water supply, particularly if you use well water. Thanks to its innovative design and technical features, it definitely stands out from the crowd.
Filtration:
Whilst it is important to note that this isn’t a traditional water softener, it will remove odors from your water supply but more importantly, it will filter iron from well water. It will help remove iron up to 12ppm, which is great compared to some other models on the system. You also get protection against sulfur and manganese.
Installation:
We really like how quick and easy it is to install this system from Durawater, so as long as you have some basic plumbing knowledge or can follow instructions then you will have no problems.
Dimensions:
Weighing 68 pounds and with dimensions of 10x10x54 inches, you shouldn’t have problems fitting this system into your current plumbing.
Features:
Firstly, it uses air injection (oxidization) to remove the iron from your water supply, via the air pocket at the top of the tank. It also has an automatic flushing feature that makes maintenance almost non-existent and a digital control head to go with it.
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10. GE gxsh40v
Filtration:
Whilst its iron removal capacity is lower than some other specialist systems on the list, it still reaches a respectable 7ppm, which should be more than enough for most water supplies, even those who use well water.
Water softener:
This water softener will help deliver you from the frustration of hard water, removing hardness up to 95GPG, which means its perfect for medium-hard water levels.
Economy:
Away from the headline figures, you will notice that the design of this water softener means you can save up to 34% in salt and 35% less water thanks to how it regenerates and processes hard water.
Flow Rate:
A big plus here is that it delivers a flow rate of 9.5GPM, which should be enough for most households, except for larger families or those with a high usage.
Flow Rate:
For further peace of mind, you will be getting a water softener that is certified by both the NSF and CSA, as well as reasonable warranties.
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Summary
How does a water softener work?
At a basic level, a water softener will turn hard water into soft water by either removing or changing the minerals found in a water supply that cause hard water. However, there is a little more to it and this is primarily because of the types of water softeners and extra features out there that you can go for.
The traditional water softener will include a mineral tank, at least one brine tank and potentially filters as well. The mineral tank has resin beads inside and salt is used in the brine tanks. Water is processed through the mineral tank, whereby the rein beads interact with the hard minerals in the water causing them to stick together.
Once this process has filled up the beads then the softener must regenerate which is sometimes referred to as brining. This uses the brine tanks to wash the particles away from the resin beads and allowing the system to work effectively once more.
The important point to note that this traditional method is a salt-based water softener but you can go for a salt-free softener system that doesn’t interact with water in the same way but actually change the shape of the ions causing hard water. Each type of softener has its own benefits and potential pitfalls.
Why water softeners are important
If you don’t treat hard water then it can have some significant implications on your pipes, faucets, appliances, hair, skin and clothes. Whilst it won’t necessarily affect your health, over time it can cause added stress, expense and frustration. We’ve put together some of the main reasons why having water softeners installed in your home is vital, particularly if you use well water.
Protect plumbing
When there is an excess amount of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium that cause hard water, then they can build up and cause limescale to build on pipes. Whilst this won’t immediately cause a problem, it can begin to make the plumbing less efficient slowing down the water flow rate. It can then lead to cracks and failures in the plumbing that will be expensive to repair or replace. It also causes an unwanted odor and affects the taste of your water, which is never a good thing.
Protect appliances
Along a similar line to the impact hard water can have on plumbing, it can also cause damage to the appliances in your home. Calcium and magnesium minerals will build up, causing cloudy films and marks, as well as cause the pipework leading to them to be less efficient. This will shorten the lifespan of appliances and potentially cause faults to occur. That can be a costly mistake all for the sake of not having a water softening system installed.
Protect your skin and hair
This is an important issue that many don’t realise and really shows you why water softeners play an important part in our health and life at home. Hard water can cause irritation to your skin, particularly for those with existing conditions such as eczema and it can also use hair to dry up. Installing one of the best water softeners on our list is an easy way to prevent dryness and damage to your skin and hair.
Save on maintenance and cleaning
This reason for installing a water softening system is less about health and more about saving you time and effort. The more you can protect your plumbing and appliances from the ill effects of hard water, particularly if you have a well water supply then the less maintenance and cleaning you will be required to do. If you prevent scale from building up and remove iron and other contaminants, then you will see a massive reduction in cleaning efforts.
Key Considerations
There are some very important considerations to bear in mind when choosing which of the best water softeners to buy. It can range from the best water softener for well water, the best option that includes iron filtration or whether it is salt-free or salt-based. We’ve put together the most important to help you shortlist water softeners.
Hard water levels
The first step you need to take is to test what level of hard water you have at your property, as well as the quality of the water. You can often get a report from the local authority if you get your water from them, but if you use well water then you can get cheap home water testing kits that will do the job. Once you understand the make up of your water supply, you will understand what performance level that is required, such as how much iron you need to be filtered out.
Water usage
It is important to think about what capacity you need from the water softeners on our list. Do you live in a small household that doesn’t use much water each day, or do you have a busy family that is constantly using water? If you don’t consider this and choose a product, you may find it can’t cope with your demands even if you buy a whole house water filter. As a guideline, most studies suggest that the average person requires 80 gallons of water per day and the average family of 4 will use 33,000 GPI of softened water each day.
Budget
The consideration we add to every review and it’s pretty obvious why! You need to consider your budget and whether this will get you the water softener that you need. It may be that you will have to think about increasing your budget, but likewise, you may find that you don’t need to spend as much as you thought.
Installation
The majority of the water softeners on our list are relatively easy to install and maintain, even for those with minimal plumbing and DIY experience. Furthermore, the manufacturers often have very helpful support teams and online videos detailing how to install their products. This can also be affected by whether you go for a salt-based water softener or a salt-free water softener, as each has its own differences that must be taken into consideration.
The Pros and Cons
There are some fantastic advantages to installing a water softener in your house, whether that is a whole-house softener or a smaller single faucet system in the kitchen. However, it is important to consider both sides of the equation and we’ve put together to big pros and cons involved in this purchase.
Pros
Improves the quality of your water
Water softeners will improve the quality of your water by reducing the water hardness, as well as potentially filtering out harmful contaminants depending on the model you go for. If you choose a salt-based water softener then it will replace the minerals that cause hard water, including calcium and magnesium with sodium minerals. If you choose one of the salt-free water softeners then you will change the shape of these minerals, improving the water but not removing these minerals. Both options make the water better for your pipes and appliances in your home.
Protects your pipes and appliances
Hard water can have a significant effect on your household pipes and appliances that are connected to the water supply. This is particularly the case if you use well water and can end up being both an inconvenience and a costly issue to deal with. Hard water causes scale to build up, reducing the effectiveness of pipes and appliances. It can also cause them to require maintenance or reduce the lifespan of them.
Saves you money in the long-term
Fundamentally, the big benefit of installing one of the best water softeners in your home is saving money because you are tackling the issues that hard water causes. You won’t suffer from appliances breaking or needing to be replaced more frequently, your pipes and plumbing particularly if you install a whole-house system will be free from scale build-up. All of these things will save money in the long-term, with minimal maintenance costs depending on which of the water softeners you choose.
Cons
Initial costs
Fortunately, this isn’t that big of a problem as water softeners are gradually coming down in price as the technology advances and the industry becomes more competitive. There will still be an initial cost required but if you do your research and follow our guide then you can certainly get the most efficient, value for money water softener for your individual requirements.
Adding salt to your water
Traditional water softening systems will swap calcium and magnesium minerals for sodium minerals, which means you are adding salt to your water supply. This may not be an issue for many people, but for those who need to control their salt intake, this isn’t that appealing. Luckily, the answer comes in the form of salt-free water softeners which are freely available and do a great job, even for those households that use well water with iron at a high level.
FAQs:
What is the best well water softener for iron removal?
Iron Pro 2 is the best water softener for iron removal. It can remove ferrous and ferric iron up to 8 parts per million. Most of the people also claim that it can reduce iron up to 10 parts per million to negligible.
How can a water softener remove iron?
Yes, a water softener can surely remove iron. It uses the ion-exchange method to attract the positively charged iron components through the negative charge of the resin beads. The resultant water will be free from iron.
Does a water softener remove iron and manganese?
Water softeners can remove iron and manganese both from hard water. AFWFilters Iron Pro 2 water softener is the best water softener that removes iron and manganese. It can remove ferrous iron up to 7 PPM and manganese up to 6 PPM. The overall hardness removing the capability of this system is up to 70 GPG.
Does a water softener remove iron and bacteria?
Water softeners can remove iron and bacteria both from water. Fleck Iron Pro 2 is the best water softener to remove iron and bacteria from water. It can also eliminate soap scum and red stains from plumbing, faucets, appliances, and kitchen.
What is ferrous iron in the water?
Ferrous iron is present in soluble form in water, but still, it will look crystal clear.
What is ferric iron in the water?
Ferric iron is insoluble above 3.5 pH level and gives it a rusty color.
Is ferrous iron soluble?
Yes, ferrous iron is soluble no matter how high the pH level gets.
Is ferric iron soluble?
Ferric iron is soluble up to 3.5 pH level Beyond that, it becomes insoluble and gives water a rusty color.
See all the best water softeners for well water here.
Don’t wait to think for too long. Choose the best water softener for iron removal now as per your water hardness and capacity requirement. You will surely be impressed by the results. And when it happens, don’t forget to write back to us if you think our efforts are helping to improve your life.
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