Best RV Water Softener: Top 8 Picks You Can Buy In 2023 For Soft Water

Are you facing a challenge while choosing the best RV water softener? Your search to find the best product is over. I invite you to check out the list of the 8 top picks that make your water soften quickly and with ease. So, without much delay, let’s get started!

Quick Review

An RV water softener makes the water smoother by removing minerals that can cause problems like limescale buildup in pipes and appliances. Before purchasing one, there are some critical factors you need to consider that are mentioned below:

• Type of Water Softener;
• Grain Capacity of the water softener;
• Maintainance Cost;
• Pricing.

Now the question boils down to how you identify the best RV water softener that fulfills the above criteria. Continue reading and learn about the best 8 picks in detail, their specs, features, and more.

Also, get insights into why soft water matters in an RV. Such information will help you make a well-informed decision. Let’s dive deeper into the review guide!

Best RV Water Softener: Comparison Table of Top 8 RV Water Softeners

Here I have compiled a quick comparison showing the different RV Water Softener models. Let’s see how they compare with one another:

Now that we have had a glimpse of all the products, let’s study them in detail.

1. Best Overall: NPGLOBAL Portable

Let’s weigh the pros and cons of this portable water softener to understand why it is at the Top!

The NPGLOBAL impresses users with its capacity to handle large amounts of water i.e. approximately 1600 gallons with 10 grains/gallon. Moreover, it is quick to set up as it is ready to use in 4 minutes.

You can use it for multiple purposes since it is compatible with a range of RVs. Lastly, the company offers quick customer support that you can access to solve your issues related to this water softener.

Features

Let’s see what remarkable features offer one of the best portable water softeners:

• It is made from NSF-certified food grade and high-quality resin that efficiently softens the water.
• It stops scale from forming and decreases the amount of metals in the water. Thus removing the foul taste and smell.
• You get multiple types of valves such as the Y Splitter, shut-off valve, and a hose to make setting up easier.
• A 7-year service which is a huge advantage and value for money.

Specs

Here are the specs of this RV water softener:

2. Best Budget-Friendly: Camco TastePURE

Let’s uncover the merits and demerits of this RV water softener to gain better insight:

When you compare the TastePURE with other RV softeners, it is quite lightweight. It measures only 8.5 inches wide and 20 inches high making it ideal for storage on various standard compartment sizes. In terms of working, this unit is highly effective in removing minerals like magnesium and calcium from water, which ensures that the hardness of the water is greatly reduced.

Features

Let’s examine the features this one brings to the table!

• The excellent water flow rate of 4 gallons per minute offers ample water supply for use.
• A low regeneration time of 30 mins makes it easily ready to use in less than an hour and you don’t have to spend time setting it up.
• The handle on top of the unit makes it extremely grip-friendly.

Specs

Let’s check out the specs of this portable RV water softener:

3. Best Compact Option: OTG3NTP3M Portable Softener

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of the portable water softener for your RV:

The OTG3NTP3M offers both compactness and efficiency in a single packaging. The feature that differentiates this from other water softeners is its ease of use. With just a packet of table salt, you can generate it quickly, making it a very cost-effective and suitable choice for your RV. Moreover, it removes dust, paint, as well as heavy minerals from the water that can be harmful to your health.

Features

Let’s dive into the amazing features of the softener:

• The unit processes 800 gallons of water and lasts for 20 days.
• It offers an immense capacity of 32,000 grains.
• It can easily be connected to an RV, marine, garden hose, or inside the house via connectors.

Specs

Let’s explore the specifications and key details of the RV water softener:

4. Best For Flow Rate: Pro+Aqua Portable

Let’s see some of the positives and the negatives of this softener:

Pro + Aqua is a solid choice as a softener due to its high grain capacity, prolonged use on a single regeneration, and ability to process large amounts of water. Plus, it helps in getting rid of the foul smell and hard water taste in a single filtration cycle. The most impressive quality is that it takes hardly 5 minutes to set up the whole system on any location or type of RV vehicle.

Features

Let’s see what remarkable features offers this one of the best portable water softeners:

• You get a pre-filter and regeneration kit making the performance more efficient.
• High-quality NFD materials guarantee that the unit will function and supply clean water for multiple years.
• A broad base and small design make it easy to install even in compact places such as an RV or a boat.

Specs

Let’s explore it’s detailed specifications:

5. Best for Odor Removal: OTG4-DBLSOFT

Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of the softener:

The DBLSOFT water softener is excellent for supplying your home or RV with odor-free and soft water. It can easily improve the taste of the water by removing mineral ions. An additional back flush adapter is included which comes in handy when needed reverse connection. Plus, it has brass fittings which are highly durable and do not rust easily.

Features

Here are the notable features of the filtration system:

• It does not need electricity or tools to operate which saves the cost.
• It processes the water with a respectable flow rate of 3GPM and a combination of softening and conditioning methods.
• The attachments, caps, and plugs make the overall experience stress-free as there are no leakages while traveling.

Specs

Let us dive into the specs of the unit:

6. Best for Easy To Use: Essential RV Water Softener

Let’s explore what this softener’s advantages and disadvantages are:

The Essential Softener stands out with its long-lasting resin that can easily last for 5 years. On a single regeneration, the unit can supply twice the gallons of soft water. This amount is more than half the yield of most of the RV water softeners in the market. Moreover, you get a hose inside the box which ensures a quick setup without any hassle.

Features

Let’s examine the features this one brings to the table:

• You can choose between a range of capacities depending on your use.
• It can easily last 2 months while processing 2000 gallons of water.
• It does not require any electricity so you save cost on power consumption.

Specs

Let’s take a look at the detailed specs of the portable water softener:

7. Best for Efficiency: OTG4-StdSoft-Portable 8,000 Grain

Let’s uncover the pros and cons of this portable water softener:

The StdSoft Softener excels in rapid water softening. Working on a battery, you can even take this softener out of your RV to any remote location. It can hold water for up to 20 days with just a single packet of salt.

Its efficient hard water to soft water transformation is quickly achieved within an hour with a low-pressure drop. If you are camping outdoors then this softener is your best choice to use the water available nearby.

Features

Let’s explore the features of this water softener:

• The filtration process eliminates mineral buildup on faucets and other water outlets.
• A single box of table salt can provide you with water for 20 days.
• It also eliminates any odor in the water and enhances the taste of the remote water.

Specs

Here are some of the notable specs of this product:

8. Best for Customization: Tier1 Digital 32,000 Grain High-Efficiency

Here are some of the pros and cons of the water softener:

The Tier1Soft Water system impresses RV owners with its customizable cycle times and grain capacity. The tank houses 1 cubic foot of high-quality resin which can take about 2 hours to regenerate. This water softener is effective against calcium and magnesium buildup resulting in better hair health, soap/detergent foaming, and better laundry results.

Features

Let’s examine the appealing features of the RV water softener:

• Valves included with the packaging are made from high-quality material and they fit precisely on the water softener.
• Available in a range of grain capacities.
• The user-friendly LCD on the top of the unit shows essential information.

Specs

Let’s discover the detailed specifications and properties of the RV water softener:

Major Reasons for Getting a Softener for Your RV

Water may contain minerals like calcium potassium and iron that increase the water hardness levels. A water softener helps filter out these heavy elements with the help of a specialized filter.

These water softeners are designed for homes or commercial buildings but you can install them in an RV to take full advantage of its cleaning features. Here are some major reasons for using a softener in your RV:

• Filter Out Harmful Minerals: Installing a water softener helps to filter out the harmful minerals from the water preventing build-up in RV appliances.
• Increased Efficiency of Water Heaters: The heavy quality of minerals increases the boiling point. Equipping the RV with a softener boosts the efficiency of the water heaters.
• Effective Against Corrosion: Different minerals can react with piping materials and cause corrosion. Getting rid of the mineral ions reduces this chance.
• Better Taste: Water filtered through a softener will taste better.
• No Limescale on Taps: With a unit installed in your RV, you will avoid that limescale on your taps and showerheads.

For more insights about water softeners, check out this helpful video.

RV Water Softeners - Are They Worth It?

6 Important Considerations Before Investing in an RV Water Softener

There are numerous factors that you need to look out for when purchasing a softener. I have compiled below a quick guide to highlight the important considerations so your investment won’t go to waste. Let’s check it out!

1. Choosing the Right Type of RV Water Softeners

With the use of a water softener, you ensure water quality and the lifespan of your appliances/plumbing system. There are three types of water softeners for a recreational vehicle and they are as follows.

Magnetic Water Softeners – Attracting the Ions

As the name suggests, the magnetic water softener uses the concept of magnetism to get rid of minerals that cause the most water hardness. These water softeners have the following qualities:

• A very economical investment;
• These water softeners are small in size;
• These are also lightweight;
• You can install them in any type of RV.

Salt-based Water Softeners – Replacing Minerals with Salt

Salt-based softeners are considered the most efficient for removing hard minerals from the water. Here are some of the qualities to learn:

• These water softeners are larger compared to other types;
• An ion exchange water softening process exchanges sodium ions with the minerals;
• A bed (filled with resin beads) traps the hard minerals and swaps them with sodium ions;
• To remove the calcium and magnesium captured in these softeners need regeneration multiple times.

Salt-free Water Softeners – Turning Minerals into Crystals

The third type on my list also works like salt-based water softeners but potassium chloride salt is used instead of common salt. Here are some of its features:

• Salt-free water softeners trap magnesium and calcium ions while replacing them with elements from the salt;
• If you are following a salt-free diet then this is the best softener type for you;
• Minerals turned into crystals saving the plumbing system of your RV.

2. Higher Grain Capacity Offers More Filtration Capacity

The threshold of a water softener to remove heavy minerals such as magnesium and calcium before needing regeneration is called its grain capacity. The grain capacity should be greater than at least 3,333 GPS.

However, remember that the higher the grain capacity the higher the price would be.

3. Water Softeners Offering Portability

When choosing an RV water softener you need to keep in mind the ease of transportability. This is to ensure that it fits well in your vehicle and fulfills your water needs. Here are some important things you need to consider:

• Calculate your water usage requirements and select a unit that balances size and performance;
• Find a portable water softener that’s compact yet capable of providing sufficient clean water.

4. Ease of Use and Ready to Install

You should invest in a user-friendly water softener for your RV. This is necessary while considering the convenience of having clean water without a complex process of use.

Here are some key factors that can help:

• Choose water softeners that are ready to use and don’t require tools or electricity for installation.
• Look for a unit that can be set up right out of the box.
• Give importance to hassle-free operations like easy regeneration process, availability of parts, and good customer support in case you need any help.

This way you can focus on enjoying your RV lifestyle while the water softener works perfectly.

5. Maintenance of the RV Water Softener System

Here is a breakdown of the maintenance cost:

However, keep in mind that the maintenance of your RV water softener from professional servicing companies is not available everywhere. So, you have to consider an option that offers prolonged use. Here are some tips to ensure that the filter works efficiently.

• Regularly refill the salt in the brine tank to keep the water softener functioning effectively.
• Invest in high-quality connectors and pipes.
• Clean the pipes and connectors after routine checks to ensure a better lifespan.
• Make regular inspections to ensure that the unit is clean and functioning properly.

6. Materials Used for Manufacturing

Always prefer high-grade materials used in your RV water softener. Here are some smart tips to follow:

• Water softeners manufactured using NSF-certified materials offer the best safety standards.
• Water softener tanks made via HDPE (High-density polyethylene) should be preferred due to their chemical resistance and durability.

FAQs

How long do RV water softeners last?

RV water softeners last up to anywhere from 5 to 15 years.

Do water softeners cause kidney stones?

No, softened water has low levels of minerals while hard water has increased calcium, potassium, and iron levels. A high amount of Potassium mineral buildup is one of the major causes of kidney stones.

How do I store my RV water softener when it’s not in use?

The best way to store portable RV water softeners is to drain the water out and let it rest on its side on a plain surface.

Conclusion

The final say is that when buying a portable RV water softener, carry out thorough research as it is the most critical part of product selection. Keep an eye on models that have high grain capacity, NSF certification, offer excellent water flow rate (GPM) and have a reasonable price tag. While all these factors are essential you also need to check out its performance and maintenance cost.

Based on my experience and research, I recommend the NPGLOBAL RV Water Softener. It offers the best balance between pricing and operational capabilities. It is suitable for RVs and other applications like vacation cabins and boathouses as well. For RV owners who face challenges with complex installation processes, this is a blessing as it does not require tools to install.