As summer approaches, your thoughts turn to heading out down the open road in your RV, and all the adventures that await. Unfortunately, many areas of the country are plagued with hard water that can corrode the pipes in your RV, dry out your skin, and leave unsightly water spots on your dishes and windows. What is the solution? An RV water softener will remove heavy metals from the water supply and make your water taste better, smell better, and not leave water spots. With all the products available on the market today, choosing the best RV water softener can be daunting. Never fear, we have taken the guesswork out of selecting the best RV water softener by reviewing the top products available today. Read on to discover our choice for the best RV water softener.
Product FAQ
1. What Is an RV Water Softener?
An RV water softener is a system that removes magnesium, calcium, iron, lead, radium, and other heavy metals found in well and municipal water. They are compact and portable to fit in the confined space of an RV.
2. How Does an RV Water Softener Work?
Most RV water softeners work using a highly charged resin to remove metals from the water. After a period of time, the resin needs to be recharged. Common table salt is used to recharge the resin.
3. Where Can I Buy an RV Water Softener?
We have provided links to the RV water softeners reviewed in this article. Click on the link to purchase the product. All of the RV water softeners reviewed in this article are available to purchase from Amazon.com.
How We Reviewed
The products in this list were reviewed based on the following parameters: Features, Pros & Cons, Capacity, Where to Buy, and Warranty.
What We Reviewed
- On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT Portable RV Water Softener
- ABCwaters Portable Water Softener
- Mobile Soft Water Portable Unit
- Watts Water Flow Pur RV-Pro Water Softener
- On The Go OTG4-STDSoft Portable RV Water Softener
- Mobile Soft Water Portable Softener for RV
- Triple Action Poly Salt-Free Water Softener
- ABCwaters Compact Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener
- On The Go OTG3NTP3M Portable Water Softener
On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT Portable RV Water Softener
Features
The On the Go Double Standard Softener and Conditioner produces twice the water of a standard model; it is the largest compact RV water softener on the market. This 16,000-grain unit supplies approximately 40% more soft water than other units on the market. It regenerates with two boxes of table salt in less than 30 minutes. It provides up to 1,600 gallons or 40 days of soft water. It has a compact, space-saving design that allows it to be installed in the tightest spaces. It offers high flow rates with low pressure drop. It features an easy carry handle on top, a large opening for easy salt addition, high-grade premium resin, a 360-degree swivel to connect the inlet hose easily, and a cap and plug to prevent leakage.
Pros
- Easy carry handle on top
- Space saving design fits in tight spaces
- High-grade premium resin
Cons
- Hose fittings are plastic and break easily
- No mounting bracket available
- Large footprint
Capacity
This tank will provide up to 1,600 gallons on a recharge.
Warranty
This product carries a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
ABCwaters Portable Water Softener
Features
The ABCwaters portable water softener is ideal for use in an RV and will eliminate hard water while on the road. The unit is also ideal for washing cars and boats. Regeneration is easy and can be completed in minutes with a table or rock salt. The unit will provide up to 2,000 gallons of soft water between regenerations, making this one of the most efficient models on the market today. The 10″ x 18″ tank is easy to handle and store. It features a handle for carrying.
Pros
- Great for washing cars and boats
- Regeneration takes minutes
- Tank has a handle for easy transport
Cons
- Intake/output nozzles installed incorrectly
- Unit is heavy
- Must unscrew intake nozzle to recharge
Capacity
This unit will provide up to 2,000 gallons on a recharge.
Warranty
This product carries a five-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Mobile Soft Water Portable Unit
Features
The Mobile Soft Water Portable Softener removes calcium, magnesium, iron, lead, radium, and other heavy metals from well and municipal water. The unit regenerates without electricity. The tank is loaded with 1/2 cubic foot of highly charged high capacity water softening resin. The unit can treat up to five gallons per minute for up to 1,600 gallons of conditioned water between recharges. The unit has a 9″ fiberglass-reinforced plastic tank with nylon hose connections made with NSF (National Sanitary Foundation) listed materials for safe drinking water.
Pros
- Unit regenerates without electricity
- Conditions up to 1,600 gallons between recharges
- Nylon hose connections contain no lead
Cons
- Nylon fittings fail
- Does not include all necessary fittings
- Can not be stored outside
Capacity
This unit will provide up to 1,600 gallons between recharges.
Warranty
This product carries a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Watts Water Flow Pur RV-Pro Water Softener
Features
Pur’s portable water softener is the most user-friendly RV water softener on the market today. This versatile softener is compact and portable and it will preserve the life of all appliances. The unit will eliminate hard water stains by removing calcium, magnesium, and trace amounts of iron from the water. The unit features a built-in drain line flow restrictor to provide a more effective regeneration that increases the capacity by up to 55%. The custom designed flow valves allow you to regenerate the unit without having to disconnect the system. The full cradle base keeps the tank more secure than competing open base tanks. The unit provides high flow rates up to 4 gallons per minute with low pressure drop. It uses common table salt for regeneration.
Pros
- Built-in drain line flow restrictor increases capacity up to 55%
- Regenerate without disconnecting the system
- Uses common table salt for regeneration
Cons
- Does not include back flush adapter
- Instructions are vague
- Valves leak
Capacity
This unit will provide up to 80 gallons on a recharge.
Warranty
This product carries a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
On The Go OTG4-STDSoft-Portable RV Water Softener
Features
The On The Go Standard Softener features an easy carry handle, a large mouth opening for easy salt addition, quick regeneration, easy hookup and a lightweight design. The unit prevents hard water and rust stains, avoids scale build-up, improves water taste and odor, increases the lifespan of appliances, improves dry skin and increases soap lather. The unit regenerates with one box of common table salt in less than 15 minutes. It will provide soft water for up to 20 days. It is compact and can be installed in tight spaces. It allows high flow rates with low pressure drop. The unit can be installed without tools or electricity.
Pros
- Regenerates in under 15 minutes
- Installs without tools or electricity
- Provides soft water up to 20 days
Cons
- Ships with low resin supply
- Lots of work to set up
- Plastic fittings are weak
Capacity
This unit will provide soft water for up to 20 days.
Warranty
This product carries a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Mobile Soft Water Portable Softener Shorty for RV
Features
The Mobile Soft Water Portable Water Softener Shorty is ideal for tight spaces, short trips, and many other uses. The unit removes calcium, magnesium, iron, lead, radium, and other heavy metals from well and municipal water. The unit regenerates without electricity. The unit features garden hose in/out connections and is loaded with 0.1 cubic foot of charged high capacity water softening resin. It will treat up to five gallons of water per minute, up to 320 gallons between recharges. The tank is a 6″ diameter fiberglass-reinforced plastic. The inlet and outlet are made of lead-free nylon.
Pros
- Regenerates without electricity
- Loaded with 0.1 cubic foot of resin
- Garden hose in/out connections
Cons
- Very small capacity
- Nylon connectors will crack over time
Capacity
This unit will provide up to 320 gallons of soft water before needing a recharge.
Warranty
This product carries a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Triple Action Poly Salt-Free Water Softener
Features
The Triple Action Poly Salt-Free Water Softener provides true salt-free hard water treatment. One advantage of this water softener is that there are no costly cartridges to replace like in citric filters. The softener uses a catalytic/electro-mechanical process that does not require back washing brine or electricity. The unit has a high flow rate of 30 gallons per minute. It includes a stainless steel inner screen, polyphosphate, and installation nipples. It has been tested and endorsed by the Isreal Institute of Chemistry/Technology.
Pros
- Softens water with a catalytic/electro-mechanical process
- Requires no back washing brine or electricity
- Flow rate of 30 gallons per minute
Cons
- Conditions water, doesn’t soften water
- Requires refill kits
- Does not reduce stains or scaling
Capacity
This unit has a high flow rate of 30 gallons per minute.
Warranty
This product carries a five-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
ABCwaters Compact Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener
Features
The ABCwaters TC Water Softening System is a complete turnkey compact water softener system. Unlike other portable water softeners, there’s no need for manual regeneration. The Fleck 5600sxt digital time clock valve automatically controls the unit. The high capacity resin is the highest quality in the industry. The unit includes an installation kit that includes silicone lube, a hardness test strip, a sanitizer packet, brine and drain lines, a small parts kit, and an install guide. The unit arrives with a pre-loaded mineral tank and a pre-programmed digital valve to save time and mess.
Pros
- Does not require manual regeneration
- High-quality resin
- Includes installation kit
Cons
- Does not include turbine water flow meter
- Unit ships with parts missing
- Water connection too large for most RVs
Capacity
This unit will provide up to 1,100 gallons of water before requiring regeneration
Warranty
This product carries a 10-year warranty on the mineral tank and a one-year warranty on the brine tank from the manufacturer.
On The Go OTG3NTP3M Portable Water Softener
Features
The On The Go Portable Water softener features a large mouth opening for easy salt addition, speedy regeneration, an easy-to-carry handle, easy hookup, and a lightweight design. The unit prevents rust and hard water stains, avoids scale build-up, improves water taste and smell, and increases the lifespan of appliances. This portable unit can be installed in a small space without the use of tools or electricity.
Pros
- Regenerates quickly
- Easy carry handle
- Lightweight
Cons
- Arrives with damaged parts
- Only effective at low flow volumes
- Underfilled with resin
Capacity
This unit will provide up to 250 gallons of softened water before requiring a recharge.
Warranty
This product carries a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
The Verdict
Based on our research we believe the best RV water softener is the Mobile Soft Water Portable System. It comes loaded with a 1/2 cubic foot of resin and will soften up to 1,600 gallons of water before it requires a recharge. The tank is made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic for durability. Whether you are traveling in your RV or looking for a way to reduce water spots when washing your vehicles, you will not be disappointed with the Mobile Soft Water Portable System.
If you purchase any accessories for your RV, this should be the first. I bought this last November while wintering in Nevada. I never set it up because of freezing concerns. I tested the sample after use this water softener and the result showed that it was soft. Two glasses of water side by side with one being before filtering and the other being after filtering showed the filtered water to be noticeably clearer. There is even a difference in odor.