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About This Guide
Unlike our hands-on water filter reviews, we haven’t directly tested the salt-free water softeners in this guide (yet). Instead, we researched a wide range of options and selected 7 systems based on specifications, popularity, third-party user feedback, and our prior experience with the brands. For each system, we evaluated:
- Key product features: The effectiveness of the applied water-conditioning process, ease of installation (per the manual), everyday use, cost, and more.
- Real-world experiences: User ratings across multiple platforms, with fake reviews identified and excluded.
Before We Dive in
This guide covers DIY salt-free water softeners only – systems you can buy directly and install yourself, with no in-home consultations or professional installation required. Also, a salt-free water softener (aka a water conditioner) does not remove hardness minerals. Instead, it helps prevent scale buildup to protect plumbing and appliances. It will not address other hard-water issues such as soap scum, staining/spotting, or dry skin and hair.
Our Top 4 Salt-Free Water Softeners/Conditioners at a Glance
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| Kind E-2000 |
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| USWS GreenWave |
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| SpringWell FutureSoft |
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| AO Smith Whole House Descaler |
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7 Salt-Free Water Softeners Compared
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| Salt-Free Water Softener (Conditioner) | Kind E-2000 | USWS GreenWave | SpringWell FutureSoft | AO Smith Whole House Descaler | Aquasana Salt-Free Water Conditioner | APEC FUTURA | Crystal Quest Salt-Free Water Conditioner | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Final Rating | 4.94/5.00 | 4.93/5.00 | 4.78/5.00 | 4.20/5.00 | 4.57/5.00 | 4.78/5.00 | 4.45/5.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Verdict (Best For) | #1 Overall | #1 Overall + Made in USA (Except Media) | Budget Pick | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comment | 7 gpm Service Flow Won’t Suffice for Larger Homes | 7 gpm Service Flow Won’t Suffice for Larger Homes | Manual Says to Use a Licensed Plumber for Installation | Manual Says the System Must Be Installed By a Licensed Plumber or Qualified Contractor | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Buy Here | kindwater.com | uswatersystems.com | springwellwater.com | Amazon | aquasana.com | 10 gpm (1-3 Baths) Version: Amazon | crystalquest.com | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| 15 gpm (3-6 Baths) Version: Amazon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 20 gpm (6+ Baths) Version: Amazon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discount Code | BOS5OFF – 5% Off! |
BESTRO-5 – 5% Off! |
BOS5OFF – 5% Off! |
AQBOS50 – Up to 50% Off! |
BOS5OFF – 5% Off! |
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| Score Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conditioning | 5.00/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 | 4.00/5.00 | 4.50/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Usability | 5.00/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 | 4.00/5.00 | 4.50/5.00 | 4.50/5.00 | 4.50/5.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone. | 4.72/5.00 | 4.65/5.00 | 3.92/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 | 4.84/5.00 | 4.38/5.00 | 2.75/5.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Full Analysis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PriceNo short-term sales. (May 22, 2025) | $1,038.40 | $1,449 to $2,395 (Depending on the Size You Pick) | $1,452 to $2,416 (Depending on the Size You Pick) | $399 | $1,658 (Save 50% With Filter Subscription) | $1099.99 to $1521.25 (Depending on the Size You Pick) | $2,147 to $2,393 (Depending on the Size You Pick) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sizes | -Up to 15 gpm (Up to 6 Baths) | -GW-100: 10 gpm (Up to 3 Baths) -GW-150: 15 gpm (Up to 6 Baths) -GW-200: 20 gpm (Up to 8 Baths) |
-FS1: 12 gpm (1-3 Baths) -FS4: 15 gpm (4-6 Baths) -FS+: 20 gpm (7+ Baths) |
-7 gpm | -7 gpm | -FUTURA-10-FG: 10 gpm (1-3 Baths) -FUTURA-15-FG: 15 gpm (3-6 Baths) -FUTURA-20-FG: 20 gpm (6+ Baths) |
-6 Liters of Media -8 Liters of Media |
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| Setup Process Incl. System Startup | -Should Be Straightforward but Manual Doesn’t Include Full Color Pictures | -Should Be Straightforward Thanks to Detailed Instructions (Manual Includes Full Color Pictures) + Video | -Should Be Straightforward Thanks to Detailed Instructions (Manual Includes Full Color Pictures) + Video | -Should Be Straightforward but Both Written and Video Instructions Are Not Very Detailed | -Should Be Straightforward Thanks to Detailed Instructions + Video | -Manual Says to Use a Licensed Plumber for Installation | -Manual Says the System Must Be Installed By a Licensed Plumber or Qualified Contractor | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Everyday Use | -Should Be Straightforward | -Should Be Straightforward | -Should Be Straightforward | -Should Be Straightforward | -Should Be Straightforward | -Should Be Straightforward | -Should Be Straightforward | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Filter Replacements | -Sediment Pre-Filter Cartridges Should Be Easy to Replace -eSoft Cartridge Doesn’t Need Replacement |
-Post-Filter Cartridges Should Be Easy to Replace | -Pre/Post-Filter Cartridges Should Be Easy to Replace | -Carbon Pre-Filter Cartridges Should Be Easy to Replace | -Pre/Post-Filter Cartridges Should Be Easy to Replace | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water Conditioning Technology | TAC (Template Assisted Crystallization) | TAC (Template Assisted Crystallization) | TAC (Template Assisted Crystallization) | SCM (Scale Control Media, We Assume This Is TAC) | SCM (Scale Control Media, We Assume This Is TAC) | TAC (Template Assisted Crystallization) | TAC (Template Assisted Crystallization) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Media | 5/8/10 Liters of Filtersorb SP3 | 6/8 Liters of Eaglesorb ES3 (Filtersorb SP3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pre/Post-Filters? | 20″ 5-Micron Pleated Sediment Pre-Filter | N | Sediment Post-Filter: 5-Micron Melt-Blown, 4.5″x10″ | 20″ 5-Micron Melt-Blown Sediment Pre-Filter 10″ 20-Micron Polishing Post-Filter |
10″ 25-Micron GAC Pre-Filter | 20″ 5-Micron Pleated Sediment Pre-Filter 20″ 5-Micron Coconut-Based Carbon Post-Filter 20″ 0.2-Micron Ultrafiltration Membrane Post-Filter |
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| Bypass Valve? | N | Y | Optional | N | N | Y | N | ||||||||||||||||||||
| System Dimensions | 15.5″x29″x8″ (WxHxD) | 52.5/58.5/58.5″x9/10/12″ (Hx⌀, Incl. Valve) | 39/52/58″x6/9/13″ (Hx⌀, Incl. Valve) | 26.5″x8″ (Hx⌀, Incl. Valve) | 32″x46″x9″ (WxHxD) | 53/59/57″x9/10″/12 (Hx⌀, Incl. Valve) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Plumbing Connections | 1″ | 1″ | 1-1.5″ | ¾” | 1″ or ¾” | 1″ | 1″ or ¾” | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Feed Water Requirements | -Max Hardness: 75 gpg -No Iron, Sulfur/Hydrogen Sulfide -pH: 6.5-9.5 |
-Max Chlorine: 0.05 ppm -Max Ferrous Iron: 0.3 ppm -Max Manganese: 0.05 ppm -Max Copper: 1.3 ppm -Not for Well Water Containing Sulfur/Hydrogen Sulfide or Other Impurities That Could Foul the Media -pH: 6.5-8.5 |
-Max Chlorine: 3 ppm -Max Hardness: 81 gpg -Max Salinity: 35,000 -Max Silica: 10 ppm -No Iron, Manganese, Copper, Oil, Sulfur/Hydrogen Sulfide or Other Impurities That Could Foul the Media -pH: 7.0-9.5 |
Ideal Conditions: -Max Hardness: 15 gpg -Max Alkalinity: 250 ppm -pH: <8.3 -Max Iron: 0.3 ppm |
Ideal Conditions: -Max Hardness: 15 gpg -Max Alkalinity: 250 ppm -pH: <8.3 -Max Iron: 0.3 ppm |
-Max Chlorine: 2 ppm -Max Hardness: 25 gpg -No Iron, Manganese, Oil, Hydrogen Sulfide, Concentrated Nitric Acid -Max Copper: 1.3 ppm -pH: 6.0-9.0 |
-Max Chlorine, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Oil, Chloride, Hydrogen Sulfide, Phosphate: 3 ppm -For Hardness >25 gpg Pre-Treatment May Be Required |
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| Rated Life | Sediment Pre-Filter: 1 Year | TAC Media: ~4-6 Years | Sediment Post-Filter: 6-9 Months | SCM Media: 600,000 gal or 6 Years | Sediment Pre-Filter: 2 Months SCM Media: 1,000,000 gal or 10 Years Post-Filter: 6 Months |
Carbon Pre-Filter: 50,000 gal TAC Media: 3-5 Years or 600,000 gal |
Sediment Pre-Filter: 18-24 Months Carbon Block Post-Filter: 12-18 Months Ultrafiltration Post-Filter: 2-3 Years |
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| Maintenance CostEstimate is based on rated/claimed pre/post-filter life. No short-term sales. (May 22, 2025) | Sediment Pre-Filter Cartridges: ~$40 Per Year (Save 15% With Filter Subscription) | TAC Media: ~$520-1020 (Depending on the Size You Pick, About Every 4-6 Years) | Sediment Post-Filter Cartridges: ~$25-40 Per Year (Save 5% With Filter Subscription) | Pre/Post-Filter Cartridges: ~$140 Per Year (Save 15% With Filter Subscription) Main System: ~$749 (Every 10 Years or 1,000,000 gal) |
Carbon Pre-Filter Cartridges: ~$80 Per Year TAC Media: ~$620-940 (Depending on the Size You Pick, Every 3-5 Years or 600,000 gal) |
Pre/Post-Filter Cartridges: ~$80-115 Per Year (Save 5% With Filter Subscription) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Product Warranty | Limited Lifetime 120-Day Satisfaction Guarantee |
Tank + Head/Valve: Lifetime (Limited) TAC Media: 4 Years (Fouling or Damage to the Media Caused By Iron, Sulfur, Bacterial Iron, Silt, Sand, Tannins, Organics, Bacteria, or Chlorine >0.01 ppm Voids the Warranty) 1-Year Satisfaction Guarantee |
Limited Lifetime 6-Month Satisfaction Guarantee (25% Restocking Fee) |
6 Years (Limited) | Main System: 10 Years Limited Installation Kit + Pre/Post-Filter Housings: 1 Year 90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee |
10 Years (Limited, TAC Media Excluded) | 1 Year (Limited) Performance Guarantee |
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| Claimed to Be Made in | USA (Except Media) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (More) Features/Pros | -Pre-Filter Cartridges Are Washable -Standard-Sized Pre-Filter Cartridges Allow You to Go Off-Brand |
-(Upflow) Tank Design Fluidizes Bed Optimizing Contact Between Water and TAC Media -Chrome Cover Protects Tank Against UV Damage |
-(Upflow) Design With ActivFlo Technology Optimizes Contact Between Water and TAC Media -Optional Tank Jacket Protects Tank Against UV Damage and Gives Unit a Nice Appearance Overall -Standard-Sized Post-Filter Cartridges Allow You to Go Off-Brand |
-Dual-Flow Tank Design Optimizes Contact Between Water and SCM Media -Standard-Sized Pre/Post-Filter Cartridges Allow You to Go Off-Brand |
-Upflow Design -Optional Tank Jacket/Stainless Steel Coat Protects Tank Against UV Damage and Gives Unit a Nice Appearance Overall -Standard-Sized Pre-Filter Cartridges Allow You to Go Off-Brand |
-Optional Stainless Steel Tanks (Resin Tank, Pre-Filters, Post-Filter) for Durability | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (More) Cons | -7 gpm Service Flow Won’t Suffice for Larger Homes -You Don’t Get a Whole Lot of TAC Media Based on System Size and Weight |
-7 gpm Service Flow Won’t Suffice for Larger Homes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Frequent Complaints From Third-Party Customer Reviews | -Note: Not That Many Customer Reviews Yet | -Note: Not That Many Customer Reviews Yet | -No Difference/Improvement in Water Quality -Problems With Optional Install Kit |
-Leaking -No Difference/Improvement in Water Quality -Might Be of Lower Quality Overall -Issues With Customer Service Honoring Warranty |
-No Difference/Improvement in Water Quality -Might Be of Lower Quality Overall |
-Leaking Fittings -Unresponsive Customer Support |
-Note: Not That Many Customer Reviews Yet | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Please note: This page is still a work in progress. Additional content and details will be added shortly – stay tuned!
About the Author(s)
Raoul has a background in mechanical engineering and has been writing about home water treatment since 2015. He designs our product review processes, analyzes the results, and ties everything together. As editor-in-chief, he tries hard to keep the whole operation running smoothly behind the scenes.