After testing six of the most popular water softeners, Mobile-Soft-Water’s Water Softener was the best solution for your RV rig.
Dealing with a hard water supply in an RV can be unbearable. Not only can it leave your skin and hair feeling dry, but it can affect the plumbing and appliances in your rig. Of course, these reasons are why it’s so important that you pick the best water softener for your RV.
To pick the best water softener for your rig, you need to understand the different types of systems that are available. You’ll also need to keep in mind aspects like portability, usability, and brand. Luckily, we’ve considered all these factors when testing the most popular water softeners for RVs available today!
1. Mobile-Soft-Water RV Water Softener – Best Overall
2. Pro+Aqua Premium Water Softener Regeneration Kit – Best Budget
3. On The Go Portable RV Water Softener – Best High-End
4. RV Water Filter Store Essential Portable Water Softener – Best Combo
5. Camco TastePURE Portable Water Softener – Most Compact
6. Watts RV PRO Portable Water Softener – Best Regeneration
What truly sets Mobile-Soft-Water’s RV water softener apart from competitors is its combined effectiveness and simplicity. With a large grain capacity, this water softener will not only meet the standards of most RV owners but will also surpass them! With included water connections, this system is highly compact and portable, making it easy to use on the move.
If you want to find the best RV water softener for your rig, we’ll help you find the perfect system!
The 6 Best Water Softeners For RVs
1. Mobile-Soft-Water RV Water Softener – Best Overall
This fantastic RV water softener from Mobile-Soft-Water can remove total hardness and soluble iron from your rig’s water supply. Designed for use in RVs, this system is portable and easy to transport. Not only that, but it is highly simple to regenerate this unit.
Lead-free materials are used to construct this system, making it safe for pets and family members. With a 16,000-grain capacity, this water softener will be able to need the water needs of most RV owners.
With the included manual, you’ll be able to set this system up in your rig in no time. With this compact system, hard water will be a problem of the past. Not only will the appliances and plumbing in your rig work better, but you’ll be able to feel the difference when you’re on the road.
2. Pro+Aqua Premium Water Softener Regeneration Kit – Best Budget
If you’re looking for the best value system, this Pro+Aqua kit will be ideal! With a double filtration system, this softener will be able to effectively reduce the hardness of your RV’s water supply. With the included kit, regeneration is simple and takes less than an hour.
This water softener kit does not require any electricity or specialized tools to install in your RV, making it easy to use. The dual-stage system is made from quality materials, including brass fittings. This system is compatible with ¾-inch fittings.
3. On The Go Portable RV Water Softener – Best High-End
If you’re looking for a high-quality water softener from one of the leading brands, this portable RV system from On The Go is perfect! With a 16,000-grain capacity, this system is designed to last. If you’re looking to invest in a high-quality, durable RV water softener, this On The Go model may be perfect.
Compared to similar products, this model always produces clearer water. However, this system is also highly compact and features a handy travel handle. Furthermore, the compact size allows it to be installed in even the smallest spaces in your RV.
4. RV Water Filter Store Essential Portable Water Softener – Best Combo
This portable water softener from RV Water Filter Store is perfect for those on the move! This pre-assembled system will only take five minutes to set up. You’ll be able to easily connect this system to water connections found at parks and campgrounds.
Made from NSF materials, the safety of your pets and family is not compromised. Furthermore, the resin used can easily last five years. This system utilizes a ¾-inch High Flow port and includes hose fittings with your purchase. When purchasing this system, there are many combinations available.
With this water softener, buyers can choose between an 8000-grain and 16,000-grain capacity. With the 16,000-grain capacity, your water softener will be able to process more than 2000 gallons of water and will last for up to two months. With this combo deal, water test trips are included!
5. Camco TastePure Portable Water Softener – Most Compact
This ion-exchange water softener from Camco is perfect for those looking for a system that is highly compact. If you don’t have a large RV, this system will be an ideal choice. This system can be stored in tight spaces and features a carry handle for transportation.
With the purchase of this water softener, hose fitting, a 4-foot hose, and water test strips are included. This water softener only has a grain capacity of 10,000 due to its more compact design. Table salt will be needed to regenerate this system.
6. Watts RV PRO Portable Water Softener – Best Regeneration
If you’re looking for a system that regenerates quickly, this water softener from Watts Water Technologies is ideal. Available with either 1000- or 10,000-grain capacities, buyers can choose the model that’s best for them.
With this system, Watts Water Technologies includes a built-in drain line flow restrictor. Essentially, this improves regeneration. In turn, this can increase the capacity of your water softener by more than 50%!
Buyer’s Guide
From the previous section, it’s clear that there are many factors to consider when choosing the perfect water softener for your rig. If you want to have a better understanding of the factors that need to be considered when choosing the best RV water softener, we’ll break down everything you need to know. Firstly, let’s consider the different types that are available!
Different Types Of Water Softeners For RVs
Before we outline the aspects that you should consider when picking a suitable water softener for your rig, it’s important to understand the types of water softeners available today.
Salt-Free Water Softeners For RVs
Water softeners will either use a filter or chemicals to remove unwanted minerals from water. Salt-free water softeners are ideal for RV owners looking for a water softener that uses a filter. While this method is ideal for softening water without any chemicals, it will not be sufficient for excessively hard water.
Magnetic Water Softeners For RVs
With magnetic water softeners, magnets are used around and within water pipes in order to soften water. Essentially, these magnets allow water minerals to be altered, effectively softening hard water. However, the water softening process is not permanent with this type of softener. After two days, softened water will be hard again.
Ion Exchange Water Softeners For RVs
This type of softening system works by exchanging the ions already present in the hard water with salt or potassium. These ions, or minerals, cause water to be hard. By removing the ions with this process, water is softened.
Ion exchange systems are ideal for use with appliances like washing machines. However, this type of water may not be the tastiest to drink. This ion exchange leads to higher sodium levels, which can negatively impact the taste of the softened water.
Reverse Osmosis Water Softeners For RVs
Reverse osmosis water softeners work by removing sediments and chlorine from hard water. This is done by making the water pass through a semipermeable membrane, which removes impurities from the hard water, softening it in the process.
With this type of softener system, a postfilter is also used once the water has passed through this membrane. These systems are some of the most effective water softeners, capable of removing up to 98% of all water impurities. This type of softener will produce water that you’ll want to drink!
RV Water Softener Buying Considerations
Now that we’ve explained the different types of water softeners that are available for your RV, it’s time to break down your buying considerations. This includes aspects like portability, user-friendliness, cost, and more!
Water Softener Type
You need to consider the type of water softener you purchase. If you’re concerned about your RV’s pipes, fixtures, and appliances, an ion exchange system may be ideal. However, if you want softened water that tastes good, you may prefer a reverse osmosis system. The type of softener you choose will inform many of the other factors.
Water Softener Portability
While many water softeners installed in homes are permanent, the ones used in RVs are portable like your rig. Of course, this means you can take the water softener along on your trips to make your life easier. However, when considering different available options, you should consider the portability of different models. You want to ensure your water softener can be easily transported.
Water Softener Weight
Weight is an important factor to consider when purchasing a water softener for your RV. Of course, you want your system to be lightweight, as this will allow it to be easily stored and transported. This closely links to our previous point regarding the portability of these water softening systems. Many of these systems weigh less than 35 pounds.
Water Softener Useability
When purchasing a portable water softener for your RV, you need to consider the device’s useability. Many options today feature easy hookup processes, allowing RV owners to get water flowing in no time.
If your water softener needs to be recharged, you want to ensure that this can be simply done. By keeping the usability of water softeners in mind, you can choose one that will truly simplify your trip!
Water Softener Brand
When purchasing a water softener for your RV, you’ll want to consider the system’s brand manufacturer. Often, brand names correlate to quality. If you want to purchase a water softener from an industry-leading brand, you’ll want to consider brands like Mobile-Soft-Water and On The Go. These brands will pop up again in the following section when we outline our top picks!
Water Softener Grain Capacity
The weight of magnesium and calcium minerals that can be removed from the water before the water softener needs to be regenerated is called the system’s grain capacity. In many cases, you’ll find a correlation between grain capacity and price, which we’ll discuss in more depth below.
Water Softener Pricing
Naturally, the cost of a water softener is a crucial consideration. The cost of your water softener can be anywhere from $120 to $400. The price will depend on aspects such as the type of system you chose, the brand, its portability, and more. Generally, most water softeners cost around $250.
You’ll find that models that cost less than $200 have a grain capacity of roughly 6500. The more expensive a water softener is, the higher the grain capacity is likely to be. For models that cost between $200 and $300, the grain capacity can be up to 16,000. For even higher-end models, this grain capacity can be up to 28,000.
Testing Your Water Filter
Once you’ve purchased a portable water softener for your RV, you’ll want to test your system! Of course, you can test this by simply mixing some of your softened water with soap and seeing how many bubbles are produced. As we mentioned earlier, hard water struggles to react with soap, producing minimal bubbles.
However, for more conclusive results, you can use a water testing kit to determine whether your system works the way it should. These inexpensive kits can yield results in minutes. If you’d like to find out more about testing the hardness of your water with such a kit, you can watch the following YouTube video!
Is An RV Water Softener Really Worth It?
In order to understand why you should use a water softener in your RV rig, you need to know about the benefits a water softener can offer you. From protecting your RV to making your trip more comfortable, let’s look at the benefits of purchasing a water softener for your rig!
Water Softeners Prevent Mineral Buildup In RV Pipes
Purchasing a water softener for your RV will reduce the amount of mineral buildup in your RV’s pipes. Your RV’s plumbing and fixtures like faucets will run more smoothly with reduced mineral buildup. When a softener has been installed, you’ll notice an improvement in how your RV’s fixtures and appliances function.
When mineral deposits aren’t clogging your pipes, water will flow more freely through them. This will reduce your overall plumbing maintenance and the need for costly repairs and replacements in the long run.
Water Softeners Are Better For RV Fixtures And Appliances
Hard water can damage the appliances and fixtures in your rig. For example, mineral buildup in faucets and showerheads can reduce the effectiveness of these components. As a result of mineral buildup, washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters in your RV will not be able to perform efficiently.
Water Softeners Will Help You Clean Your RV
Whether you’re cleaning the outside of your RV or the shower inside, hard water can leave unsightly spots and stains behind. These spots are unsightly, but they can be difficult to remove. These spots form due to a lack of minerals like calcium and magnesium in your hard water. A water softener will prevent these spots from forming and keep your rig in an immaculate condition!
Water Softeners Will Improve Your RV Trip
From drinking the water in your RV to using it to clean your rig, water softeners greatly improve any RV rig and your rides in it. As we explained, hard water can result in drier skin and hair. It can even leave spots on various surfaces. With a water softener, you won’t have to worry about these concerns. Instead, you can enjoy your RV trip without worrying about your water’s quality!
Conclusion
When choosing a water softener best suited to your RV rig, you need to carefully consider the different types of softeners available. When considering different options, you need to keep aspects like weight, portability, usability, and price in mind. Not only did we break down these factors in our buyer’s guide, but we kept them in mind when testing different available options.
Of course, Mobile-Soft-Water’s RV Water Softener is our top pick for the best overall system for your rig. Made from premium materials and featuring a large 16,000-grain capacity; this system is ideal for most RV owners and their water softening needs. With an included tank head, connections, and instructions, this system is easy to install and use.
If you’re interested in this fantastic portable water softener from Mobile-Soft-Go, you can find out more about it here. You’re sure to see why this system has a fantastic rating of 4.6/5!
Good luck, and happy campaing!
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