Hard water causes more problems than you might realize—from spotty dishes and dry skin to limescale-clogged pipes and shortened appliance lifespans. A water softener eliminates these issues, protects your home, and saves you money.
A water softener removes calcium and magnesium through ion exchange, replacing hard minerals with sodium ions. The result? Soft water delivered to every faucet in your home—protecting your plumbing, appliances, and family.
Buy a Water Softener
Recognize any of these issues in your home? These are the 6 most common signs of hard water that indicate limescale and mineral buildup are damaging your property.
White chalky deposits on faucets and showerheads that require heavy scrubbing to remove.
Soap scum left behind by hard water clogs pores, causing irritation, dryness, and eczema flare-ups.
Dishes come out of the dishwasher with a cloudy film or water spots, never looking truly clean.
Hard water traps detergent in fibers, making clothes feel scratchy and causing colors to fade rapidly.
Scale accumulation narrows your pipes' diameter, significantly reducing flow rates to showers and taps.
Heating elements in water heaters and dishwashers burn out years early due to heavy mineral coating.
Choosing the right size water softener doesn't have to be complicated. The key factors are your home's water hardness level, daily water usage, and household size. A properly sized system ensures efficient operation, lower salt usage, and soft water throughout your entire home. Use our water hardness converter to understand your water test results.
We'll help you find the right size for your home
Correct sizing is critical for efficiency. An undersized system will run out of soft water, while an oversized system wastes salt and water. Use our tools below to find your perfect match.
Need help? If you're unsure about your water hardness or have complex water issues, request a free consultation from our experts.
The first step in sizing a water softener is knowing your hardness level in Grains Per Gallon (GPG). If your water test report gives you results in Parts Per Million (PPM) or mg/L, you will need to convert it.
You can use our Water Hardness Calculator for an exact conversion, or check our US Water Hardness Map for regional estimates.
If you are on a private well, we strongly recommend a laboratory water analysis. Iron and manganese compete with hardness minerals, meaning you may need a larger system than the standard calculation suggests.
The "Grain Capacity" (e.g., 48,000 grains) refers to how much hardness the resin tank can remove before it needs to regenerate (clean itself).
| System Size | Grain Capacity | Household Size | Hardness Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 Cu Ft | 48,000 Grains | 1-4 people | Up to 25 GPG |
| 2.0 Cu Ft | 60,000 Grains | 5+ people | Up to 40 GPG |
For extremely hard water (over 40 GPG) or large estates with high flow rates, a residential unit may cause pressure drops. In these cases, we recommend a Commercial Water Softener or a Whole House Reverse Osmosis system to handle the load without sacrificing water pressure.
Deciding between the standard and high-capacity models? See the specifications side-by-side to make the right choice for your home.
| Feature |
Standard Capacity
1.5 Cu Ft System
|
Best Seller
High Capacity
2.0 Cu Ft System
|
| Household Size | 1-4 People | 5+ People |
|---|---|---|
| Grain Capacity | 48,000 Grains | 60,000 Grains |
| Resin Volume | 1.5 Cubic Feet | 2.0 Cubic Feet |
| Flow Rate | 12 GPM | 14 GPM |
| High-Efficiency Meter Valve | ||
| 8% Crosslink Resin | ||
| Bypass Valve Included | ||
| $1,531 Configure System | $1,633 Configure System |
Real reviews from homeowners who have transformed their water quality with Crystal Quest water softeners.
"This is the cadillac of filtration systems. We purchased this to filter our well water (22 GPG hardness) and it has helped tremendously. Prior to having filtration, we were pumping through faucet fixtures like crazy due to the hardness of our water. After 8 months with this system, we've already saved on two faucet replacements. This system has completely reversed that trend."
"Awesome filtration unit with all the capacity that we need for our family of 5. Our softener was pretty outdated (15+ years old) so we updated that as well and it is surprisingly more compact than our old one. We are sitting on a well so we did not have a ton of filtration options. Glad we ran into this one—installed in about 2 hours."
"We replaced an old Whirlpool unit with this and it is working out perfectly. The old system was bulky and this is saving us a ton of space in our utility room. The install was seamless and we completed it in under an hour. No more white spots on our glassware!"
"The unit was installed about two weeks ago. Thus far I am very pleased with the performance—my shower pressure is noticeably better and my hair feels softer. Additionally, the salesperson Raquel was extremely helpful when we had questions during the installation process, and she walked us through our issues. Y'all should give her a raise for her professionalism and patience."
Keeping your system running efficiently is easier than you think. Our experts answer the most common questions about salt, service, and system longevity—to read more click here.
Expert answers to your most common water softener questions—everything you need to know before buying
A water softener works through a process called ion exchange. Here's what happens inside:
The Regeneration Cycle:
When the resin beads become saturated with hardness minerals, the softener regenerates. A concentrated salt brine solution flushes through the tank, recharging the beads with sodium and washing captured minerals down the drain. Most systems regenerate every 3-7 days depending on water usage.
Learn more in our complete guide: How Do Water Softeners Work?
Yes, a water softener is worth it if you have hard water (7+ grains per gallon). About 85% of American homes have hard water, making softeners one of the most valuable home improvements.
Financial Benefits:
Quality of Life Benefits:
A quality water softener lasts 15-20 years and costs less than $100 annually in salt. The long-term savings far outweigh the initial investment, especially when you factor in appliance replacement costs from hard water damage.
To size a water softener correctly, calculate your daily softening demand:
Simple Formula:
(Number of People) × (80 gallons/day) × (Water Hardness in GPG) = Daily Grain Requirement
Example: Family of 4 with 10 GPG hardness
4 × 80 × 10 = 3,200 grains per day
Recommended Grain Capacities:
Important Adjustments:
Use our water softener size calculator for a personalized recommendation, or our water hardness converter to understand your water test results.
If you notice several of these signs of hard water, you would likely benefit from a water softener:
Around Your Home:
Personal Effects:
Appliance Issues:
Read our full guide: 10 Common Signs of Hard Water
Standard water softeners can remove low levels of ferrous (clear water) iron—typically up to 2-3 ppm. However, for higher iron levels or ferric iron, you'll need additional treatment.
Types of Iron in Water:
Signs of Iron in Your Water:
Best Solution for High Iron: Pair your water softener with a dedicated iron removal system installed BEFORE the softener. This protects your softener resin and ensures complete iron removal.
A quality water softener typically lasts 15-20 years with proper maintenance. Some premium systems can last 25-30 years.
Component Lifespans:
Factors That Affect Lifespan:
Signs Your Softener Needs Replacement:
Crystal Quest water softeners include comprehensive warranty coverage that reflects our confidence in their durability:
Warranty Coverage:
What's Covered:
How to File a Warranty Claim:
Performance Guarantee: If you're not satisfied with your water quality, our experts will work with you to diagnose and resolve any issues.
Every home's water is different. Tell us about your situation and our experts will recommend the perfect water softener for your needs—no guesswork required.
Our water experts are happy to walk you through your options and answer any questions.
Tell us about your water and we'll recommend the right system for your home.
