Which Water Softener Should I Choose? Start Here

Updated August 2026

Choosing a water softener is much easier once you know what information actually matters.

Rather than comparing dozens of specifications straight away, start with three questions:

1. How hard is your water?
2. How much water does your household use?
3. Do you want an electric meter-controlled or non-electric system?

We've created several guides to help you answer each question without having to work through everything at once.

Step 1: Check How Hard Your Water Is

Water hardness varies significantly across the UK, and the hardness of your incoming supply directly affects how much work a water softener has to do.

Start by checking your postcode:

Check your water hardness by postcode

If you already know your hardness in ppm or mg/L, keep that figure handy when comparing machines.

Step 2: Understand How a Water Softener Works

If you're unsure what terms such as ion exchange, resin, regeneration, meter-controlled or twin tank actually mean, we've created a detailed video explaining the process.

The video uses two real machines, the EMS10 Eco Premier and Harvey Crown. We demonstrate the differences between an electric meter-controlled system and a mechanically controlled non-electric softener.

For the full written explanation, read:

How Does a Water Softener Work? Electric vs Non-Electric

Step 3: Work Out What Your Home Needs

Once you understand the basic technology, the next step is sizing the softener correctly.

Things worth knowing include:

• Number of people in the property
• Number of bathrooms
• Whether several showers or taps are regularly used together
• Incoming pipe size
• Available installation space
• Water pressure
• Whether there is a nearby drain
• Whether a power socket is available

We've covered all of these practical checks separately in our:

Water Softener Buying Checklist

Want an Electric Meter-Controlled Softener?

If you're looking for electronic control, adjustable hardness settings and a larger-capacity resin system, take a look at the:

EMS10 / EMS15 Eco Premier

The EMS range uses an electronic meter to monitor actual water consumption and control regeneration.

Prefer a Non-Electric Twin-Tank Softener?

If you'd prefer a completely non-electric machine with mechanically metered operation and twin resin cylinders, see the:

Harvey Crown

Harvey Homewater

Their twin-cylinder design allows one resin cylinder to remain available while the other regenerates.

Want to Compare More Water Softeners?

If you're already familiar with how softeners work and simply want to compare models, go straight to our:

Best Water Softeners UK 2026 – Top 4 Compared

That guide compares several of our most popular domestic softeners side by side.

Still Not Sure?

You don't need to choose based on specifications alone.

If you send us:

• Your postcode
• Number of people in the household
• Number of bathrooms
• Incoming pipe size, if known
• Approximate installation space

the East Midlands Water team can help you narrow the options down.

Or start with our video:

▶️ How Does a Water Softener Work? Electric vs Non-Electric Compared