Consumers Digest Best Buy Award Winner

Culligan High Efficiency Series

• MSRP: $2,300 to $2,900
• Best Price: $2,289.00

The High Efficiency Series has a unique sensor that continuously monitors incoming water hardness and provides only the amount of salt that’s needed, which saves salt. (Other water softeners use the same amount of salt during regeneration.) This series also includes a unique wireless usage-monitoring station that displays water usage, regeneration frequency and low-salt messages. And this series has Culligan’s unique “dial-a-softness” feature, which allows you to adjust the softness of the treated water. Upflow regeneration versions of the water softener, which include a 9-inch-diamter model ($2,300), are suited for homes that receive water from municipal water supplies. Downflow regeneration versions of the water softener—9-inch($2,300), 10-inch ($2,500), 12-inch ($2,700), and 14-inch ($2,900)—are suited for homes served by well water.

Best Buys in Water Softeners

Best Buys in water softeners were selected based on capacity, quality of construction, salt usage and warranty.

Water softeners use sodium chloride (table salt) to remove unwanted minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, which are dissolved in tap water.

The content of source water can vary greatly among different locations, so you should check with your local water-treatment agency regarding your area’s water quality before you determine which water softener will best meet your household needs.

Filter capacity is measured in grains of minerals and is the amount of material that a softener can filter out of the water before it performs a self-clean rinse, or regeneration. 

Efficiency is measured in the number of grains of minerals that are removed per pound (g/lb.) of salt that’s used.

Flow rating is the amount of water that a softener can provide to the home at any one time and is measured in gallons per minute (gpm). Softeners that have a low flow rating might decrease water pressure during showers and make for longer laundry-cycle times.

Best Price is a reflection of the lowest retail price that was available at press time and is subject to change.

VIsit Culligan Website for more information