Top 3 Water Softeners for Iron Removal [Well Owner's Guide 2022] - Aqua Professor (2023)

We spendOver 100 hoursto test37+ water softenerto find the 3 best water softeners for iron removal in November 2022 with 3 shortlists.

We check and classify them according to critical parameters such asDeferrisation performance, water quality and flow rateso you get the best value for money.

Here are the details!

⭐Top 3 water softeners for well water – quick view

scenario	Products	Preis
#1	SpringWell SS1 salt based water softeneroverall better Maximum Iron Removal: ≤10ppm Grain capacity: 32,000-80,000 Flow Rate: 11-20GPM Family size: 1 to 6 people Guarantee: lifetime	Consult offerFull Review>>>
#2	SoftPro® Elite water softener for well waterThe best for the budget Maximum Iron Removal: ≤ 3ppm Bean Capacity: 48,000 bean capacity Flow: 10-23 GPM Family size: 1 to 8 people Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty	Consult offerFull Review>>>
#3	Aquasana EQ-1000-AST GanzhausfilterThe best water softener alternative Maximum treatment iron < 1 ppm Filter Capacity: 1 million gallons Flow Rate: 11.8GPM Family size: 1 to 5 people Warranty: 10 year limited warranty	Check the priceFull Review>>>

📖Best Water Softener Salt for Iron Removal: Detailed Reviews

It's not an isolated problem; 85% of the American population has water hardness problems caused by excess iron.

Water softeners are the easiest way to solve this problem, but with thousands of options on the market, it's difficult to find an efficient system designed solely for de-ironing.

So here we are with detailed reviews of the best iron treatment systems for well water:

SpringWell SS1 Salt Based Water Softener - Best Overall

Let's go into detail:

iron removal capacity

An SS1 water softener is best for iron levels below 3ppm; however, its reduction rate can be as high as 8 ppm. This reduction rate applies to ferric iron (Fe3+), ferrous ions (Fe2+) and other minerals such as hydrogen and manganese sulfide.

iron removal process

Used the SpringWell fabric softener systemAir injection treatmentit's himclassic ion exchange processas a combined unit. Iron ions are attracted to the resin grains in the main mineral tank and exchanged for salt ions.

On the other hand, ferric ions, which are insoluble and inert, are first oxidized by an air injection filter to produce oxide salts. These iron oxides are then filtered through a porous membrane.

installation and maintenance

TrotzSS1 water softener manualIt has clear and simple instructions, due to heavy weight and plastic hardware, you may need professional help to install.

water flow and grain capacity

Springwell SS1 has an excellent flow rate of 11-20 GPM depending on model size. The 11 GPM flow rate is adequate for a 1-3 bathroom home, but if you have more, choose the 20 GPM unit.

The device is available in three grain capacities: 32,000, 48,000 and 80,000. Therefore, you can choose a model according to your water consumption.

After-sales service, warranty and certifications

Springwell offers a 6 month satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime warranty on this product. Plus, it's built with NSF-certified components.

However, there have been many customer complaints about late replies and poor communication, which is worrying.

⭐SoftPro® Elite well water softener - detailed test

So let's reveal more of its features:

iron removal capacity

SoftPro Elite can only remove iron ions from water at an average reduction rate of 3 ppm. It can also remove other contaminants such as sulfur and heavy metals. The main tank is filled with fine-mesh resin for better de-ironing.

iron removal process

Like most water softeners, SoftPro Elite uses an ion exchange mechanism to absorb iron and other minerals.

installation and maintenance

The package has oneoperation manualto guide you through the installation of the system. The instructions may seem easy to follow, but have someone nearby to lift and position the pipes.

In addition, it has a built-in bypass, stainless steel hoses and a touch-sensitive LCD screen. Maintenance includes replacing the salt balls.

What you need to do:

water flow and grain capacity

SoftPro Elite softened water has a flow rate of 10 to 23 GPM depending on the model chosen. The more family members and bathrooms in the house, the more flow is required.

After-sales service, warranty and certifications

SoftPro Elite customer service is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. m. at 7 o'clock. from Monday to Friday.

You can get the contact details and live chat service from the official website. According to customers, they respond quickly and clarify their questions. You also get a lifetime warranty on the tank and control valve.

SoftPro Elite consists of NSF-certified components.

💧Aquasana EQ-1000-AST Whole House Filter: Detailed Test

Let us know more about this unit:

iron removal capacity

The Aquasana EQ-1000 activated carbon filter treats iron concentrations below 1 ppm and reduces limescale deposits in pipes and fittings.

iron removal process

The water goes through 3 stages in the Aquasana water filter system. This multi-tank cleaning process optimizes the contact time between the filter medium and the water.

installation and maintenance

The Aquasana EQ-1000 whole home water filtration system will require modifications and adjustments during installation depending on the installation of your home.

Filter elements should be replaced every 2 to 6 months depending on water usage to avoid clogging and contamination of the water supply. Since no salt is used, you only have to pay the cost of replacement filters annually.

water flow and filter capacity

Unique upflow dual tank design keeps water direction and pressure constant. It has a flow rate of 7 GPM, enough for 6-10 members. Aquasana also claims to provide one million gallons of clean drinking water over 10 years.

After-sales service, warranty and certifications

Aquasana's technical team offers customer support five days a week. Contact times and email addresses can be found on yourofficial site.

Unfortunately, they are only available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Many buyers also complained about lengthy return procedures and delayed responses.

👉Good water softening system for well water contaminated with iron

Here's a surprise! We also review ours3 Finalistsbelow for you.

However, we couldn't resist sharing its good qualities and including them in our recommendations:

1️⃣Fleck Iron Pro 2 water softener iron filter combo

Somecombines an iron filter and a water softener. With excellent performance and additional features, the Fleck Iron Pro 2 is also a great option to check if your site is high in iron water.

Its durable construction resists corrosion and is made from non-reactive fiberglass components.

Let's take a closer look:

Features we like

Fleck Iron Pro 2 has smart features like:

what customers say

Stain Blend Fabric Softener has got good reviews from global buyers, with most of the buyers being satisfied with the product.

However, many complained about fit and compatibility issues. In addition, the stain softening system cannot handle extremely high levels of iron (greater than 6 ppm).

reason for non-selection

2️⃣Crystal Quest whole house water softening system

Himin search of crystalAll home water softeners do an excellent job of removing hard water for household purposes. It has a well-defined and durable construction complemented by an efficient working system.

Features we like

what customers say

From the few online reviews we found, customers are responding well to the product. The ordering and delivery process is quick and easy.

reason for non-selection

Due to declining online sales and customer reviews for Crystal Quest, we removed it from our top 3 list.

3️⃣Pelican NaturSoft water softener alternative

NaturSoft stands out as an efficient and salt-free alternative to water softening. In addition, the device requires very little maintenance.

Features we like

The fact that fabric softeners require minimal maintenance is a plus for busy people.

what customers say

From online reviews we can see that customers appreciate the low maintenance requirements. Customers have also purchased this product for multiple households.

reason for non-selection

Customers have encountered some leakage problems. While it works well against hard minerals, it cannot be considered a complete replacement for salt-based water softeners. The softener has non-standard water connections, which causes many installation problems.

Also read:The 5 best iron filters im 2023

🥼Expert Buyer's Guide to Choosing Water Softeners for Well Water Contamination

💦 Well water hardness

Before you buy fabric softener, you should know the iron content in your well water. Many DIY water test kits are available to check contamination levels at home. However, if you want more detailed and accurate results, look for certified laboratory tests.

🌬️ Softening capacity

Water softeners come in different qualities and sizes. Therefore, you need to calculate your water usage and water hardness to decide what type of water softener to buy.

Softener capacity is directly controlled by grain capacity. The higher the grain capacity, the better results you will get.

🌀 Water flow

You wouldn't be happy if you had to stand for a long time to get a glass of water from the tap. Therefore, it is necessary to check the flow rate before purchasing.

⚒️Ease of use and maintenance

A clean water supply should be the least of your daily worries. Make sure that a regularly needed device like a water softener doesn't cause too many problems once installed.

It must be easy to use, operate and maintain. Maintenance includes changing the salt medium in the softener. The higher the replacement frequency, the more expensive the maintenance.

Today's water softeners are equipped with a digital control head and a built-in bypass valve. A digital control head makes system setup quick and easy.

💰Award and Certifications

Budget is the most important aspect for most of us. But unfortunately, it is not always possible to make a large investment, even when the problem is severe.

So make sure you find the best option in your price range. However, remember that this investment can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Certifications are also important to check before any overall purchase. Quality products are always certified by the government or higher authorities to ensure that the product works properly and the public does not suffer.

🤔 How do water softeners remove iron from well water?

Most water softeners are salt-based systems and work on the principle of water softeningion exchange mechanism.

If theiron contaminated waterIt enters the softeners, is diverted to the resin tank, which is mixed with the brine supplied by the brine tank. The resin balls consist of aspecial polymer, which attracts mineral ions and adheres to its surface.

In return, theThe Salzion(sodium or potassium) are returned to the water and soften it. Therefore, the water coming out of the water softener system is emptyIron causing hardnessand therefore does not generate problems such as clogging, peeling or staining.

🤔Why do you need to remove iron from well water?

We agree that iron is abundant on earth and has many benefits. But since anything is dangerous in excess, you should be alarmed if your water supply contains dangerous levels of iron. Here are some reasons whyremove ironBrunnenwasser:

😫Changes in water aesthetics

The colour, taste and smell of the water are crucial aspects of drinking water. You never want to drink water that looks discolored, tastes bitter, or smells bad.

If this is the case, have your water tested and install a water filtration or softening system soon.

❤️‍🩹High levels are harmful to health

Iron-rich water generally does not cause health problems when it is below the 0.3 ppm limit. However, at toxic concentrations, water does more harm than good.

Can cause:

Therefore, it is best to keep the iron levels in your water under control.

💥 Corrosion in pipes

Corrosion is the most common problem you can expect with iron. When iron and its salts come into contact with the water and oxygen it contains, rust begins to form. As a result, your plumbing system and the metal pipes in your water fixtures begin to wear out.

🧹Rust spots on dishes and floors

Iron leaves red-brown stains on dishes and floors if left uncleaned. These blemishes are enough to make your life miserable; So it is better to install filters or softeners and avoid this type of problem.

👔Skin, hair and clothing pigmentation

Excess iron in the water causes hair breakdown, making it dull and unmanageable. Leaves dry and pigmented skin behind. Clothes do not foam with soaps and detergents, but on the contrary, get dirty with the water.

🔰Pros and cons of using water softeners to remove iron from well water

Since there are two sides to every story, water softeners also have some pros and cons. Whether the disadvantages affect your home or not depends on your situation.

then check yoursAdvantages and disadvantagesand decide if they fit your needs:

💎Types of water softeners for iron removal

Many types and combinations of hardness removal systems are available today. As soonwhich one?should work?

Read below, analyze your situation or needs and decide for yourself:

🧂Salt-based water softener

These are the most common and widely used soft water harvesting systems. Not only do they remove iron, but other inorganic minerals as well. They have a resin main tank with thousands of polymer beads to attract mineral ions when water flows through them.

➿Double tank water softener

A dual tank water softener is basically two identical units running at the same time. When one shuts down or goes through the regeneration cycle, the other continues to deliver clean, soft water and vice versa.

🌀 Water conditioner

Technically, water conditioners are not water softeners, but they help prevent hardness problems. They're sometimes called unsalted water softeners, but that's a bit of a misnomer as they don't actually soften the water.

Water purifiers have a metallic plasticizer in the system that rearranges mineral ions, including iron, so that they repel each other. Therefore, mineral ions cannot accumulate to clog the pipes and stay dispersed in the water.

These microcrystals can no longer react with the pipes to cause fouling since they have become inert, nor are they large enough to clog.

Therefore hardness problems are solved without actually removing the hard minerals. You should also know that water treatment systems are smaller and lighter than water softening systems.

🔨Iron filters with water softeners

The Iron Filter + Water Softener is one of the best combos you can buy if you have a significant water hardness problem and high iron levels in your water. An iron filter has a resin bed that oxidizes ferrous ions to insoluble particles that are eventually removed by a filter membrane.

So as you can see, an iron filter and water softener can take all your worries away as they are complemented by mechanisms that reduce iron levels and hardness. Upfront costs can be high, but the long-term benefits are worth it.

⚔️Difference between fabric softener and water conditioner

You might be interested to know the difference betweenWater softeners and water conditioners, so here they are:

📝 Water softener maintenance tips

Regular fabric softener care should always be on your checklist to prolong the life of your appliance.

Here are someprofessional tipsFor the perfect functioning of your descaling system:

💡 Frequently asked questions about the best water softener to remove iron

Ufa! Congratulations on making it to the end of our super detailed article. We hope your search for the best water softener ends here.

If you still have questions, we've answered some frequently asked questions below: