Most residential locations in the UK suffer from a certain degree of hard water. This annoying problem leaves an accumulation of limescale on the surface of sinks, washbasins and bathtubs, and damages pipes and appliances like dishwashers, hot water dispensers and washer dryers.
Hard water is not only an issue for your laundry machine, but it also means you will wash your bathroom more frequently.
Sometimes hard, mineral-rich water can have toxins, so utilising the best water softener in the UK is crucial to keeping you and your family healthy. But which softeners do you go for?
This article focuses on the best water softeners in the UK, their features and the advantages and disadvantages of each product so that you can find the best water softener to suit your needs.
Eddy Water Descalers
Although technically not an electronic softener, the Eddy Water softener is a great option. Essentially, this water softener removes all the metal that would result in limescale without removing other healthy minerals and vitamins in the water.
The Eddy electronic water softener is very easy to install and also eco-friendly, meaning that it has a minimal effect on the environment. This softener ensures that limescale does not build up or damage your pipes. This method is cost-effective as it uses less electricity and requires no salt, however, it can be too mild if you want softer, highly purified water.
Compared to a regular water softener, it utilises a magnetic field to prevent lime from reaching showers and sinks. Although it does not remove the hardness of the water, it changes its composition so that the lime does not stick to any of the showers or sinks. This is to ensure that magnesium and calcium levels, which may have health benefits, remain relatively unchanged.
Tthis salt-free softener does not function well with lead conduits, so you may have to replace many of the connectors or find another solution that may be convenient.
Pros
- Does not require salt, making it easy to use.
- A healthier substitute to water softeners because minerals are preserved
- More environmentally friendly method of dealing with lime and hard water
- Cost-effective
- Simple to install, so anyone could do it.
Cons
- Does not function properly on lead pipes
- Compared to a regular water softener, it does not remove as much limescale
- Must be installed adjacent to a power source
Our Rating: 4.0/5
Water2Buy W2B110 Softener
The W2B110 is among the smallest softening systems, making it a more suitable option for smaller homes with lower water consumption.
Once installed, this product needs little salt and is inexpensive to use. Like other softeners, the cleaning characteristic is relatively quick and works at night, so you don’t have any hard water issues in the morning or throughout the day.
Compared to the W2B200, this brand is much more compact and takes up less space, which makes it ideal if you live in a bed-sit, flat or small house. It may be easily placed under the counter without taking up too much storage space. While it is still large enough to supply a large amount of softened water, a maximum of 1,250 litres per day, it is considered small compared to other water softeners from this company.
Like most water softeners, the directions for this softener are concise and clear, however, many individuals found the installation annoying. Because of this, it is probably best for someone with a lot of know-how in installing a water softener.
Pros
- Small softener that takes up little space
- Fast, silent and automatic cleaning
- Salt tablets that last a long time, which means you don’t have to constantly refill them
- Economical use of electricity
- Perfect for singles or couples
Cons
- It can be difficult to install
- Some individuals complained that it produced a lot of noise
- Not suitable for big families or houses
Our Rating: 4.3/5
Water2Buy W2B500
If you are searching for a water softener that is suitable for a large family home, this Water2Buy model water softener system may be what you require. The W2B500 Water Softener is a self-cleaning water filter that can deliver up to around 1,415 litres of smooth, healthy filtered water every day. It is perfect for a 4-7 person home and is completely compatible with the majority of the British boiler systems.
W2B500 can be used to soften water both outdoors and indoors to feed the filtered water throughout the property without affecting the water pressure. So you will still be able to enjoy a revitalising hydro-massage shower without worrying about uncomfortable limescale. This intuitive system is designed to be cleaned at 3 am so it won’t interrupt your daytime schedule. The cleaning cycle is also incredibly quiet, perfect if you are a light sleeper.
While this Water2Buy water softening system is suitable for the majority of homes, setting the regeneration cycle can be a little confusing. Rewind, brine, and wash options can be challenging to correct. The manual is also not very useful and seems to contradict the data on their site.
Also, be very careful when filling the device, as the lugs on the top are quite thin and can easily break. The product comes with 3/4 ″ BSP fittings and 15 mm replacement fittings if needed. Please note that you might need to buy additional parts to set up the device to your current configuration.
Pros
- Provides up to 1,415 litres of filtered soft water per day
- Silent self-cleaning cycle at 3 am
- Suitable for families of 4 to 7 people
- Does not affect water pressure
- Easy and quick to install and also fits most British boiler systems
Cons
- Configuring the regeneration cycle may be hard to master
- Additional parts might be needed to install the device
- Some plastic parts are easily damaged
Our Rating: 4.4/5
Alternative AquaHouse NSWS
This AquaHouse salt-free water softener is the perfect if you are searching for a product to prevent limescale. It functions well for small to medium sized families and can be easily installed anywhere because of its size.
Once your plumber has installed this product and connected it to your cold water supply, it not only prevents contamination with 99.6% efficiency but also actively cleans the pipes to enhance water flow. You should note that this item is not compatible with warm water inlet conduits.
Since it is a salt and chemical free softener, it removes the “slippery and sticky” feeling you might experience with salt-based water softeners. Hence, this model is the right choice if you find this feeling unpleasant when utilising salt-based brands. Instead, it makes use of a process recognized as Template-Assisted Crystallization that breaks down the water hardness and changes it into minute crystals that can’t change or harm your water system. Lack of salt requirements means this device needs less maintenance and wastes less water, in addition to preserving the useful minerals in the water supply.
In terms of flow capacity, AquaHouse can support households where the water flow rarely reaches over 8 litres per 60 seconds. Although it can withstand a maximum flow of 20 litres, it is not advisable that this water softener undergoes this load for a prolonged length of time. So if you regularly require this flow level, you would be better off choosing a more powerful model. Although it provides a 3-year warranty on system mounts and parts, you should note that this warranty does not apply to filters.
Pros
- Fabric softener free of salts and chemicals
- Reduces wastage of water
- Low maintenance
- Descales pipes actively
- 3-year guarantee for water softening in fixings and parts of the system
Cons
- To make adjustments you will need a plumber
- Not fit for hot water
- The warranty does not cover the filters
Our Rating: 4.0/5
Tapworks AD11Meter Controlled Softener
Tapworks AD11 Softener controls total water use and removes all limescale from your household using smart tech.
This softener is designed to minimise carbon emissions. It also offers high stream rates and a notable soft water volume of 2,266 litres every day at 300 ppm. That is why the Tapworks AD11 softener is perfect for ecologically conscious people.
After installation, the softer water volume is more than adequate for a small home or office that can accommodate 4 – 7 people. The water softening programmes are simple to use, and an integrated 48-hour electricity loss backup system ensures that you will have access to soft water in the event of a power failure.
When it comes to size, the Tapworks AD11 softener is solid enough to fit under a standard countertop. The content of the brine tank is 37 kilograms. However, please note that this is only well-suited for tablets or grains of salt.
This device comes supplied with 22mm fittings, so if your conduits are 15mm by default, you may require the assistance of a plumber to set up.
Pros
- Accurately monitors water use through smart technology
- Has a capacity of 2,266 litres at 300 ppm
- It is suitable for small houses or offices for 4 to 7 people
- Minimises CO2 emissions
- 48-hour backup system for power outages
- 37 kg brine container
Cons
- Does not have standard 15mm tubes for installation
- Uses only pellets or tablets and does not contain granular softening salt
- You may need a plumber to install the system
Our Rating: 4.6/5
Water2Buy W2B800 Softener
While the W2B110 is great for apartments and small houses, the W2B800 is slightly larger and is capable of handling the capacity required for bigger households. This model is suitable for the required softening volume for up to 10 individuals. It holds an average of 3,680 litres every day. This makes it an excellent option if you live in a busier house.
W2B800 softener promises to get rid of 100% limescale without making noise or needing huge amounts of salt. It is fully compatible with combination boilers and nearly all British boiler systems, so you should have no problem with the compatibility of the installation kit. Plus, it won’t alter your water pressure, so you can enjoyin a smooth water supply without forfeiting on pressure.
W2B800 has a fast and quiet automatic washing mode, so it doesn’t take long to clean. Smart technology ensures that the washing cycle begins automatically at night, so you don’t get interrupted by it during the day, and the water is fresh and ready for use when you get up. The smart technology also ensures that as soon as you run out of salt, it starts cleansing itself more frequently, so you don’t suddenly experience lower water quality.
To set up this product, it takes effort and time, as it can be a bit confusing. You must also purchase connecting hoses and overflow/ drain kits independently. Because of this, it’s probably best to leave the installation to someone with the expertise. Also, some parts might need to be replaced more frequently, which means it may be more costly to use in the long term.
Pros
- Fast, silent and automatic cleaning
- Can be connected to the majority of the water supply systems
- Cleans at night
- Regenerates as soon as the whole amount of salt is used up
- Excellent for drinking water as it does not need a lot of salt
Cons
- Installation equipment is not ready to use, you must first purchase extra parts
- Complicated installation process that is not suitable for beginners
- The run-off hose may need to be replaced regularly
Our Rating: 4.5/5
