What is a water softener?
A water softener is a filtration system that attaches to a household water supply to soften hard water through an ion exchange process. There are two main types of water softeners - electric and non-electric (or mechanical).
Many Mumsnet users recommend them for households, with benefits including saving damage to taps and appliances. While they don’t come cheap initially, water softeners can save money on appliance repair costs and heating bills. If you opt for a non-electrical model, this will help push your energy bills down even further.
How do water softeners work?
Without getting too technical, a water softener works by removing the hard water culprits – namely calcium and magnesium – that are responsible for causing limescale chaos. The unit connects to the mains water supply and softens water for the entire property.
All softeners need to regenerate every so often, flushing the unwanted minerals through the system with a saltwater solution that cleans them out. This process often takes place when it’s unlikely that any water is being used in the home, such as in the early hours of the morning.
To find out how hard your water is, go to your supplier’s website. You can either type in your postcode or view on a map which water type you have. Almost two-thirds of the UK has hard water, which affects millions of households and results in extra maintenance, repairs, and even the replacement of everything from shower heads to hot water cylinders.
What is hard water and how do I know I have it?
Hard water is where the water supply has a high amount of calcium and magnesium, which can taste and smell unpleasant and lead to a build-up of limescale on appliances, taps, toilets and shower screens. It can even dry out hair and skin, aggravating and possibly even triggering skin conditions such as eczema. If you have experienced any of the above, you are likely in a hard water area. Soft water doesn’t contain the same level of calcium and magnesium and won’t leave telltale limescale deposits all over your appliances and surfaces.
The most effective and efficient way to find out if you have hard water is by entering your postcode into an online water hardness map.
Are there other ways to deal with hard water?
There are steps you can take to minimise the damage caused by hard water. Vinegar works wonders in destroying calcium deposits. Place small fixtures covered in limescale buildup into a bowl of hot, all-natural vinegar to dissolve the calcium deposit in an hour. Distilled vinegar is helpful for tackling white film and spot problems in appliances (including dishwashers) while a mix of 1-part apple cider vinegar and 3-parts filtered water will get rid of a build-up of soap scum.
You may find that lowering your water temperature helps too as running hot water through the hot water heater contributes to mineral buildup. However reducing the temperature of the heater will only delay the accumulation, not prevent it. Flushing the heater every so often will prevent mineral deposits from clogging it up.
But as they say, prevention is better than cure, so if you’re tired of fighting an ongoing battle with limescale, it may be cheaper and easier in the long run to invest in a water softener.
Can you fit a water softener yourself?
It is possible to fit a water softener yourself, and there are plenty of videos online that can walk you through it, but DIY water softener installation is generally not recommended, particularly if you have zero plumbing skills. A professional plumber will be able to install the water softener without hassle and will be able to identify any issues should they arise. However installation can be pricey, so it’s worth getting a few quotes before going ahead.
How to choose the best water softener for your home
There are several factors to take into account when buying a water softener:
How many people does it serve?: Choose one of an appropriate size for your household. Consider the daily maximum capacity to ensure this covers your family’s typical water consumption.
Where will it be fitted?: Ideally, this will be where the water supply enters the property, if there’s room. Some units are small enough to fit in a standard kitchen cupboard, whereas other larger or double-cylinder units may require installation in a garage or basement.
Will yours use salt?: Most do and those that don’t aren’t technically water softeners – they condition the water to inhibit limescale, as opposed to softening it, and are generally less efficient than their salt-consuming counterparts.
What’s the best water softener to buy?
The BWT WS455 Water Softener is a budget-friendly water softener that Mumsnetters swear can do the job just as well as the high-end softeners, but without setting you back £1,000-plus.
How we chose our recommendations
We’ve thoroughly researched the best water softeners you can buy in 2026, including tried and tested experiences from a wide range of reliable, trusted sources. We regularly update our listings page to reflect the best products currently available in the UK.
Here's how we carefully selected our picks.
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
Many of our users within the Mumsnet community have experienced the challenges of living in a hard water area and have chosen to have a water softener fitted at home. Firstly, we weighed up Mumsnetters' tried and tested reviews and recommendations on the water softeners they’ve used and rated from their own experiences, including their advice on any critiques, challenges or things to be aware of when making the investment.
Expert opinions
Water softeners don’t always come cheap, so we wanted to be confident that the products we recommended were safe and performed well across the industry. We investigated the views of industry experts on the water softeners they rate and trust to perform most highly. We also considered which products had Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) approval - having gone through vigorous mechanical and water quality testing. Whilst it isn't compulsory for water softeners to have WRAS approval, it provides additional peace of mind that products are safe and of a high standard.
Authentic customer reviews
Finally, we evaluated the bestseller lists and scrutinised authentic reviews from a variety of retailer sites to see which products were best-rated. We weighed up the pros and cons of each choice to determine which products were best suited to a variety of home environments.
Celebrated Water Softeners
Whether you’re after a compact model that will fit in your tiny kitchen, a non-electric softener to help keep your energy use down or one that is relatively easy to fit yourself, here are the best water softeners to buy in 2026.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
About the author
Laura Cooke is a freelance writer and mum-of-two. Laura started writing Swears By articles for Mumsnet in 2021 to help Mumsnetters make informed choices when it comes to parting with their pennies. She's written about some of Mumsnet's favourite home products, from the best steam irons to the best budget dehumidifiers.
Laura has also written articles for publications including the Daily Mirror, the i, Metro, The Big Issue, Stylist and Happiful magazine.