Hard water can be harmful to your home and yourself as it contains high levels of substances, like iron. Therefore, it’s very important that you install the best water softener for well water with iron for your home to protect yourself and your family. And today, we will help you make a smart decision by showing you useful instruction.
Here are the best water softeners for well water with iron you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: Iron Pro 2
- iSpring WGB32BM
- Tier1 Essential Series 48,000 Grain
- Home Master Whole House Three Stage Water Filtration System
- The Highest Capacity: AFWFilters IRONPRO2 Pro 2
| 5 Best Water Softeners for Well Water With Iron | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Iron Pro 2 | |
| iSpring WGB32BM | ||
| Tier1 Essential Series 48,000 Grain | ||
| Home Master Whole House Three Stage Water Filtration System | ||
The Highest Capacity | AFWFilters IRONPRO2 Pro 2 | |
Best Overall: Iron Pro 2
- Installation is a snap – detailed instructions and simple design
- Able to filter a huge amount of water – up to 50-gallon of filtration capacity
- Easy to adjust – digital control
- Prevent overfilling – a safety float
- Expensive
We couldn’t be happier that our tester team, after a (literally!) really long time, has found out the best performer for this list.
Tested it with the water featuring a hardness of 10+ and an iron test of 8. Within 15 minutes of running it once connected, the iron taste and smell gone while the watercolor is crystal clear.
Our favorite feature is its digital control to make the adjustment like a breeze. It helps minimize salt usage while maximizing capacity.
Another big bonus is a safety float in the brine tank to avoid overfilling.
| Iron Pro 2 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Grain Size | 64,000 grain |
ppm of iron removed | 6-8 |
Filtration Capacity | 40-50 gal |
Flow Rate | 16 GPM |
Dimensions | 14 x 7 x 21 inches |
Weight | 119.2 pounds |
Highlight Features | Up to 50-gallon of filtration capacity |
All-in-all, we highly recommend this overall performer for anyone who is living in heavy-rust areas and looking for a good well water softener.
iSpring WGB32BM
- Able to cut off the iron significantly - max 3.0 -> 0.01 ppm of iron removed & 50,000 gals of filtration capacity
- Enhance the filter life & its efficiency - iSpring carbon block filter
- Minimize pressure loss & fewer clogs - Multi-layer filtration
- Installation is a bit time-consuming
- A bit messy when changing the filters
We will definitely recommend the iSpring WGB32BM for anyone who wants the well water to be cleaner and more tasteful.
It cuts our TDS measurement in half with a noticeable improvement in taste, and so far shower walls stay cleaner, soap and shampoo work better, and clothes look whiter.
That’s a big thank you to the carbon block filter using highly compact fabrication tech and coconut shell carbon for not just increasing the filter life but also filtration efficiency enhancement hugely.
Installation is simple and the cost is considerably less than other home filtration systems.
| iSpring WGB32BM Specifications | |
|---|---|
Grain Size | 30000 grains |
ppm of iron removed | MAX 3.0 ppm down to 0.01 ppm |
Filtration Capacity | 50,000 Gal. of water |
Flow Rate | up to 15 GPM |
Dimensions | 21 x 8 x 28 inches |
Weight | 3.06 pounds |
Highlight Features | Max 3.0 -> 0.01 ppm of iron removed & 50,000 gal of filtration capacity |
The tried-and-true iSpring WGB32BM wins our Best Buy award for its filtration efficiency and long-lasting durability.
Tier1 Essential Series 48,000 Grain
- Super-easy to set up - index manually to cycle position
- Ideal for low-tech people to use – visual LCD display, straightforward symbols and codes, and clear instructions
Plastic valve threads can cross-thread easily
If you're looking for a filter for your well water system with user-friendly design, this one will not disappoint.
It is specifically designed to fit on the power cord, drain line, and brine line with no issues. For souped-up ease of setup, it indexes manually to cycle position.
If you’re a low-tech person, don’t worry, this water softener is very simple to use. All of its symbols and codes are straightforward to remember, along with clear-concise verbiage.
The LCD display where you can track pertinent information is another big bonus.
| Tier1 Essential Series 48,000 Grain Specifications | |
|---|---|
Grain Size | 48k |
ppm of iron removed | 3ppm |
Filtration Capacity | 15 x 34 Inch Mineral Tank & 14 x 42 Inch Brine Tank |
Flow Rate | 11.2 GPM |
Dimensions | 57 x 27 x 15 inches |
Weight | 10.4 ounces |
Highlight Features | Index manually to cycle position |
Over the course of testing, we found ourselves gravitating towards the Tier1 Essential Series 48,000 Grain over and over again.
Home Master Whole House Three Stage Water Filtration System
- Improve flowrate and not draw down the water pressure - Oversize filters
- Versatile and functional – able to remove iron, chemicals, and multi-gradient depth sediment
- Save lots of time and money – provide longer service intervals and a better flowrate of 15gal/minute
- Not able to work in freezing temps
- No vent button
A+ for quality and A+ for the support!
Using this water softener, we can really tell the difference in the quality of the water.
It boasts a three-stage filtration system – the first has 4 layers that remove multi-gradient depth sediment, the second for iron, and the last for chemicals. The biggest bonus is while doing that, it doesn’t draw down water pressure.
The unit is also a true time- and money-saver by giving longer service intervals and a better flowrate of 15gal/minute.
Plus, it lasts very long.
| Home Master Whole House Three Stage Water Filtration System Specifications | |
|---|---|
Grain Size | 64,000 grain |
ppm of iron removed | 3 PPM |
Filtration Capacity | 95,000 gallons of water |
Flow Rate | 15 to 40 GPM. |
Dimensions | 25h x 24w x 9d inches. |
Weight | 48 pounds |
Highlight Features | Oversize filters |
After testing, we’re very pleased with the ease of use and value of the Home Master Whole House Three Stage Water Filtration System.
The Highest Capacity: AFWFilters IRONPRO2 Pro 2
- Give better iron removal results – fine mesh resin
- Easy to use - tried and true 5600 digital metered valve
- Huge capacity – up to 120 gallons
- Poor instructions
AFWFilters IRONPRO2 Pro 2 – the latest controller from Fleck - can eliminate red staining and scale buildup efficiently to keep your fixtures and appliances last much longer.
It emphasizes the tried and true 5600 digital metered valve for higher ease of use and filtering efficiency. Meanwhile, the added mesh resin hugely enhances the unit’s lifespan and its iron removal result.
In fact, this water softener is able to remove manganese up to 6ppm, iron up to 8ppm, and hardness up to 85gpg.
But what impressed us the most was its capacity – up to 120 gallons. Ah, did we tell you that it’s 100% USA-made?
| AFWFilters IRONPRO2 Pro 2 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Grain Size | 80,000 Grains |
ppm of iron removed | 6-8 ppm |
Filtration Capacity | 100-120 gallons |
Dimensions | 65 x 13 x 13 inches |
Weight | 110 pounds |
Highlight Features | Fine mesh resin |
The AFWFilters IRONPRO2 Pro 2 is our recommendation for those people who are in need of the highest capacity well water softener.
How To Choose The Best Water Softener for Well Water With Iron?
#buying_guide_intro
Size & Grain Capacity
Each water softener comes with a different grain capacity, resulting in varying sizes of a water softener. To know which size is suitable for your family, you need to calculate how much water your family uses a day as well as the amount of hardness, in gallons, and in grains per gallon (GPG), respectively.
Water hardness: you can either get this information from online annual reports or testing the water yourself. If the hardness is measured in mg/L, you can convert it into GPG by dividing it by 17.1.
Daily water usage: just multiply the total number of people in the household by 70 (the average amount of water used per day).
Daily softening requirement: multiply the water hardness (GPG) by the daily water usage (gallons).
Once you’ve done calculating the softening requirement per day, multiply the result by 7 and you will have the suitable capacity for your water softener.
Water Hardness & Number Of Users
You also need to consider the number of users in relation to water hardness to choose the right water softener.
Hardness (GPG) | 1-2 people | 3-4 people | 5- 6 people | 7-8 people |
5-10 GPG | 32,000 Grain | 32,000 Grain | 32,000 Grain | 40,000 Grain |
11-20 GPG | 32,000 Grain | 32,000 Grain | 40,000 Grain | 48,000 Grain |
21-30 GPG | 32,000 Grain | 40,000 Grain | 80,000 Grain | 96,000 Grain |
31-40 GPG | 40,000 Grain | 64,000 Grain | 64,000 Grain | 96,000 Grain |
41-50 GPG | 64,000 Grain | 80,000 Grain | 96,000 Grain | 110,000 Grain |
51-75 GPG | 64,000 Grain | 80,000 Grain | 96,000 Grain | 110,000 Grain |
76-100 GPG | 80,000 Grain | 96,000 Grain | 96,000 Grain | 110,000 Grain |
Resin
Resin is a sticky organic substance used on a water softener for ion exchange. You need to know about Standard resin as well as Fine mesh resin and choose which one to use.
The standard type is commonly used in softening water, removing up to 4 P.P.M of iron, which is the best for water that has less than 3 to 4 P.P.M of dissolved iron. This resin can last for 10 or 15 years.
On the other hand, Fine mesh is physically smaller and tightly packed with the capability of removing up to 8 P.P.M of iron. If used with activated carbon, it can remove the majority of common contaminants from water.
Which Brands Make The Best Water Softener for Well Water With Iron?
iSpring
With 20 years of experience, iSpring has been offering a range of products including RO system, ultrafiltration systems, whole house water systems, faucet, shower, and countertop filters, filter housings and cartridges, etc.
Tier1
This brand is specialized in offering water softeners with a user-friendly LCD screen to show pertinent operational information. Its products are also easy and quick to install.
Home Master
This brand focuses on solving the most common problems of traditional RO systems to offer faster flow. The ultimate purpose is to offer consumers a purer experience with RO systems.
FAQs
Is a water softener worth it?
Yes, it is. A water softener can be costly but it can enhance the efficiency of heating and hot-water systems among other benefits for your house. So it’s definitely worth it.
How long should a water softener last?
A water softener can last from 10 to 15 years, or even longer if properly maintained.
Can you drink water from a water softener?
Yes, you can. There have been concerns about drinking water from a water softener due to the sodium used in the softening process. However, this water is actually considered safe to drink.
It’s worth noting that the recommended sodium level in drinking water is 200 mg/l, so you should pay attention to this variable when buying and using a water softener.
Is iron in well water bad for you?
Technically, it doesn’t do harm to your health. However, it does destroy food and property, like dishes, laundry, tubs, and sinks.
Stains: results in brown, yellow, or red stains on your clothes, sinks, etc.
Clogs: sometimes iron stops while traveling through the pipes and accumulates to cause blockage in washing machines, dishwashers, water pumps, or sprinklers.
Food: iron makes water taste metallically offensive, harshly, affecting the flavor of tea, coffee, and water beverage you make. It also causes drinks to have a certain blackness. Food cooked this water will turn dark and absorb the awkward taste too.
How do I test my iron for well water?
There are two types of tests, high iron content, and low iron content. And you need a test kit.
High iron content: 0.25-15 mg/l
Grab two test tubes and fill them with 5 ml of test water.
Add 6 drops of indicator to one tube, close the cap, mix, then wait for 5 minutes. The other tube is for comparison.
Now, place the tubes with the holder on the image showing the high content of iron.
Remove the cap on the first tube, slide the holder to let the water move along the test colors. Find the closest match on the test, then compare the colors from the top of the tubes by vertically looking through them.
The value of the iron content is shown on the test picture in mg/l Fe.
The low iron content test is conducted similarly, the low iron content is 0-0.5 mg/l. In this test, you will need 24 drops of indicator instead of 6.
Can I install a water softener myself?
Conclusion
At this point, we hope that through our comprehensive guideline, you now know what to look for in the best water softener for well water with iron.
Choosing a water softener is not an easy task, so make sure you understand the terms and get the product from a reliable brand like the ones we introduced here. Good luck!
