Looking for the best water softeners in 2024? If you’re dealing with hard water issues in your home, understanding what a water softener is and whether you need one is crucial. Hard water, characterised by high mineral content, can lead to limescale build-up and impact the efficiency of your appliances.
Living in a hard water area may prompt the need for a water softener to tackle these challenges. Determining the type of softener that suits your household size and requirements is essential for optimal results. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best water softeners available in 2024. Additionally, we’ll address common questions such as servicing frequency, lifespan, and the difference between salt-based and salt-free softeners in this comprehensive overview.
At a glance
- Best water softener for most households (1-5 people) – Monarch Midi HE
- Best water softener for large households (1-7 people) – Monarch Master HE
- Best non-electric (Not mains powered) water softener – Monarch Dual Power Ultra
- Best small water softener for small spaces – Monarch Mini Aqua HE
- Best water softener for very large households (2-18 people) – Monarch Matrix HE
What is a water softener?
Hard water is water that contains a high level of minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. Do you need to soften this hard water?
A water softener is a device that can effectively reduce the hardness of your water by removing these minerals. By installing a quality whole-house softener in your home, you can enjoy better-tasting drinking water, improved soap-lathering ability, and reduced scale buildup on plumbing fixtures and appliances we have written more about the benefits of a water softener in this article.
What is hard water?
Understanding the properties of hard water is essential to identifying the best water softeners in 2024. Hard water is simply water that contains a high mineral content, primarily calcium and magnesium. These minerals can create a variety of problems when used for domestic purposes, from reducing the effectiveness of soaps and detergents to leaving behind deposits in pipes and other fixtures.
A good Water Softener can help alleviate these issues by removing excess minerals from your home’s water supply. The best water softener UK models, such as those offered by Monarch Water Softeners, are designed to provide years of reliable service with minimal maintenance requirements.
Selecting the right softener for your needs will depend on several factors, including the hardness level of your home’s water supply and the size of your family or household. High-end domestic water softeners offer several features, like digital displays that indicate salt levels, adjustable settings for different hardness levels, and more efficient operation than standard systems. But it’s important to remember there is no single “best” softener – you should choose one based on which features are most important to you and how it fits into your budget.
Do you live in a hard water area?
The areas in the UK with the hardest water are:
- Bedfordshire
- Berkshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Dorset
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Greater London
- Hampshire
- Hertfordshire
- Kent
- Oxfordshire
- Surrey
- Sussex
- Wiltshire
If you live in one of these areas then you are likely to get the most benefit from a water softener.
Do you need a water softener?
Deciding whether you need a water softener depends on the hardness of your home’s water supply and the size of your family. If you have hard water (defined as more than 61mg of calcium carbonate per litre), it is likely to cause scale build-up in your pipes, fixtures, and appliances. This can lead to clogged pipework, reduced efficiency in hot water heaters and appliances, and higher energy costs.
If you’re noticing any of these problems, a water softener may be an ideal solution for you. The best way to determine if a water softener will work for your home is by having an expert test the hardness of your water supply. Once they’ve determined whether or not a softener is needed, they can help you choose from among the different types of electronic water softeners available in the UK today.
Choose one that meets all your needs, from budget to maintenance cost and capacity. There is one that will fit perfectly into your home environment and lifestyle. Investing in one of the best water softeners available today can save you money over time by increasing the lifespan of fixtures and appliances while also reducing energy costs associated with hard deposits in pipes and other components.
What type of softener do you need?
Knowing what type of water softener you’ll need for your home in 2024 can be tricky, but that’s why we’re here to help! The key is figuring out how hard your water is and then selecting a system that will suit the needs of your household.
Typically, if you live in an area with very hard water, you’ll need something more powerful than a basic water conditioner. Water Softeners are the only systems designed to reduce calcium and magnesium ions from the water, which are responsible for causing scale build-up in pipes and fixtures.
You should also consider factors such as the size of your home, budget, and maintenance requirements when selecting a softener. For instance, some systems require frequent regeneration cycles, while others may have more long-term solutions built into them.
With so many different types of softeners on the market today, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Luckily, our team of experts has all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision!
What is the best water softener?
If you’re looking for the best water softener in 2024, you’ve come to the right place. The Monarch Midi is a great option for most households (1-5 people). The Monarch Master is an efficient choice for large households (up to 7 people).
The Monarch Dual Power Ultra is a great non-electric (not mains powered) water softener that works well even in small spaces – perfect for those with limited space, such as apartments or tiny homes. The Monarch Mini Aqua is also an excellent small water softener for smaller spaces but still provides effective filtration of hard minerals.
Best water softener for most households (1-5 people) – Monarch Midi HE
Monarch Midi HE
- Suitable for households up to 5 people
- Fits in most kitchen cupboards – 555 x 270 x 485 HxWxD (mm)
- Can soften 2280 litres per day
- 7-year parts and 2-year labour guarantee
- WRAS approved
For households of 1-5 people, the Monarch Water Ultimate Midi HE Water Softener is the perfect choice for tackling hard water. Its WRAS-approved FreeFlow Valve, Opti-Brining technology, and self-protect program all work together to deliver efficient and sustainable performance.
With its digital display panel and easy 3 button control, you’ll be able to quickly set up and monitor your system with ease. Plus, it uses up to 24% less water than previous generations, saving you money in the long run! This softener also offers a 7-year parts guarantee and 2-year labour guarantee for peace of mind.
On top of that, it comes with a complimentary water hardness test kit so you can get an accurate reading on your home’s water quality.
Read our full review of the Monarch Midi HE here.
Best water softener for large households (1-7 people) – Monarch Master HE
Monarch Master HE
- Suitable for households up to 7 people
- Up to 78 litres per minute flow
- Can soften 3420 litres per day
- 710 x 270 x 485 HxWxD (mm)
- Higher flow rate than any other water softeners in the UK
- Lowest pressure drops of any water softeners in the UK
- 7 year parts guarantee and 2 year labour guarantee
If you’re looking for a water softener that can cater to the needs of larger households, look no further than the Monarch Master HE FreeFlow Water Softener. This highly efficient water softener helps to remove existing scale and prevents any new scale formation, protecting your appliances from limescale build-up. It’s suitable for 1-7 people in hard water areas and allows for 3420 litres of soft water per day – making it perfect for large families.
Plus, its HiEx resin with Opti-Brining technology ensures a higher flow rate and lower pressure drops than other models on the market. The Monarch Master comes with an easy-install Hi-Flow Rapid-Fit bypass as standard, plus a complimentary water test kit to ensure maximum efficiency and convenience. And in addition to being kinder to your skin and saving you money in the long run, this model is also sustainable – using up to 24% less water and 12% less salt per annum compared to other traditional models.
Best non-electric (Not mains powered) water softener – Monarch Dual Power Ultra
Monarch Dual Power Ultra
- Can be powered by 9v battery or mains
- Suitable for 1-10 persons
- 557 x 269 x 489 HxWxD (mm)
- Can soften 1520 litres a day
- Can use tablet or block salt
- 7 year parts guarantee and 2 year labour guarantee
Discover the Monarch Dual Power Ultra Water Softener – a convenient and budget-friendly solution for non-electric water softening. This compact and user-friendly water softener is designed for easy installation and operation, making it an ideal choice for households with 1 to 10 people.
The advanced features of the Monarch Dual Power Ultra make it one of the best non-electric water softeners in 2024. With its high-capacity resin, this machine can remove scale from your hot water system and save you up to 50% on washing powder bills, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and cleaning products. Removing chalk from your water supply can also help improve dry skin problems such as eczema. Plus, it ensures no more tide lines or scum around your bathtub or shower! The Monarch Dual Power Ultra will give you clean, silky feeling results in just minutes!
Best small water softener for small spaces – Monarch Mini Aqua HE
Monarch Mini Aqua HE
- Suitable for 1-3 people
- Extremely small design 480 x 270 x 485 HxWxD (mm)
- Can soften 1471 litres a day
- 7 year parts guarantee and 2 year labour guarantee
Experience the power of a Monarch Mini Aqua Water Softener – perfect for small spaces and big results! If you have hard water, this is the perfect solution for your home.
The Monarch Mini Aqua is WRAS approved and uses up to 24% less water and 12% less salt than previous generations, making it an efficient and sustainable choice. It removes existing limescale and prevents new scale formation while protecting appliances, being kinder to skin and hair, as well as saving money.
Installation is easy with a standard Monarch installation kit included, as well as a complimentary water hardness test kit. With its digital display panel and easy 3 button control, set-up time is minimal so you can start enjoying soft water in no time at all.
Plus, the Self Protect Programme detects leaks, delays regeneration until 2am, stores data in event of power cut, initiates additional regeneration if required, learns and remembers water usage patterns; it even automatically adjusts to GMT or BST time changes!
The Monarch Mini Aqua comes with a 7 year parts guarantee and 2 year labour guarantee so you know that you’re getting quality that lasts.
Suitable for family sizes of 1-3 people in hard water areas, this softener will help make life easier – not just now but long into the future.
Read our full review of the Monarch Mini Aqua HE here.
Best water softener for very large households (2-18 people) – Monarch Matrix HE
Monarch Matrix HE
- Suitable for 2-18 people
- 1038 x 270 x 503 HxWxD (mm)
- Can soften 5,700 litres a day
- 7 year parts guarantee and 2 year labour guarantee
For large households of 2-18 people, the Monarch Matrix Water Softener is the best choice for a long-lasting softening experience that saves both money and energy. It has an impressive flow rate, pressure drops lower than any other water softener in the UK, and a unique HiEx resin with Opti-Brining for greater exchange capacity. Plus, it comes with a complimentary water test kit and an installation kit that includes hoses and bypass valves for easy setup. And its Fast 8 minute mini top up regeneration feature ensures your family can enjoy soft water all day long!
This high efficiency model is designed specifically for the UK market, so you know you’re getting the best quality product available. Its sustainable design means it uses 24% less water and 12% less salt per annum compared to other models – which translates to substantial savings on electricity bills over time. And its compact size makes it perfect for small spaces or tight areas around your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a water softener be serviced?
You should service your water softener every 12-24 months for optimal performance. This will help keep it running efficiently, and ensure you have the best quality of softened water. Regular maintenance also helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs. We have written a more indepth article about how often a softener should be serviced here.
What is the expected lifespan of a water softener?
The expected lifespan of a water softener is generally 10-15 years, depending on the type and how well it’s maintained. With regular upkeep, you can ensure yours will last for many years to come. You can find out more about how long a softener lasts here.
What is the difference between a salt-based and a salt-free water softener?
Salt-based water softeners use salt to reduce hardness in water, while salt-free systems condition the water using a physical or chemical process. While both have proven benefits only a water softener can truly and permanently treat your hard water.
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