Water Softener Comparison

The Comparison Categories

This chart compares water softeners across a number of important categories. The goal was to evaluate the most popular water softeners in Canada based on the concept of 'total cost of ownership'. The comparison categories that were chosen look at how much money and how much time you'll need to invest in your softener to purchase it and keep it in good working order for at least a decade. Read below for a more in-depth description of each of the comparison categories.

Price

This refers to the initial purchase price, not the long-term cost of keeping the softener in good working order. Some softeners in Canada such as the models available in Big Box stores, may have a low initial purchase price but due to poor reliability and lifespan, they'll end up costing you more in the long run. At the other end of the price spectrum are some very expensive brands like Culligan® and Kinetico®. Are they really worth the big price?

Reliability

Some water softeners are truly 'set it and forget it' while others are notorious for requiring constant attention. When buying a softener be sure to find out how long the battery backup lasts for the control valve to maintain its programming. Otherwise you'll be reprogramming it after every thunderstorm. All softeners have some consumable parts that will eventually wear out  - but some softeners will wear out much faster than others. Common parts that you may want to ask about are the piston / seals / spacers and the brine valve.

There are a few softeners on the Canadian market that are advertised as very high efficiency systems. These systems use a very small injector - an important part of the softener responsible for creating suction that pulls the brine out of the brine tank. Very small injectors are notorious for clogging and needing frequent cleaning.

Lastly, you should only be looking at softeners that regenerate based on how much water has been consumed. Softeners that do this are called 'demand regenerated' softeners and they use a flow sensor to measure water consumption. Some models have flaky sensors that work intermittently and/or break easily.

Lifespan

The lifespan of a softener is how long you can expect it to last before a repair is required that costs more than 30% of the original system purchase price.

DIY Potential

Some water softeners for sale in Canada are a perfect candidate for the do-it-yourselfer - they're easy to install, easy to program, have very good documentation, and offer easy-to-access support. Some softeners are much more technically difficult, while other softeners due to the way they are distributed and sold, are just not available as a do-it-yourself project.

Ease of Use / Repair

If you plan on being a 'hands-on' water softener owner this is a big deal. Water softeners need to be programmed after they're installed, and perhaps again after a long power outage. Some softeners are really intuitive while others are extremely difficult to program. If your softener has a problem, the ease of diagnosis and repair is really important - it could be difference between a quick-fix by owner, or a $300 service call with a dealer. Even little things, like how easily the salt can be added to the brine tank all contribute to the overall ease of use and satisfaction with the experience. Another consideration in this category is how easily technical support can be accessed. For some brands it's easy, while for other brands it's nearly impossible.

A Little Secret

All of the softeners that are rated 8 or above are excellent choices - don't waste too much time on the very small technical differences between these softeners. If you've decided to go with any of these brands it's who you decide to purchase from that will predict your satisfaction more so than what you buy. Are you stuck between a Fleck, Autotrol, or Clack system? Go with the dealer that you think understands their product the best, and can service you well. Whether it's a Fleck, Autotrol, or Clack won't make much difference! Make sure you Google the name of the dealer and read the reviews. Also check the Better Business Bureau and read any complaints against the company and see how they were resolved.