The Best RV Water Softener Options on the Market Today

If you travel around the country in an RV, you’re aware that many regions are plagued with hard water. You’re also probably aware of the damage hard water can do to your RV’s plumbing and appliances, not to mention how it makes your skin, hair, and clothes feel. The best solution is to install an RV water softener to treat your water before using it. But, with so many RV water softeners on the market, choosing the right one can be daunting. We have taken the guesswork out of choosing the right RV water softener by reviewing the top products on the market. Read on to find our results.

Best Water Softener Comparison Table

Product FAQ

1. What Is an RV Water Softener?

2. How Does an RV Water Softener Work?

3. Where Can I Buy an RV Water Softener?

How We Reviewed

Mobile-Soft-Water Portable 16,000 Grain (tm) Unit with Tank, Tank...

Image via Amazon

The products in this list were reviewed based on the following parameters: Features, Pros & Cons, Price, and Where to Buy.

Overall Price Range

Mobile-Soft-Water Portable 16,000 Grain (tm) Unit with Tank, Tank...

Image via Amazon

The price of RV water softeners varies widely. The RV water softeners reviewed in this article range in price from $145 to $439.

What We Reviewed

  • On the Go OTG4-DBLSOFT-Portable 16,000 Grain RV Water Softener

  • Watts Water Quality/Condition M7002 Flow

  • ABC Portable Water Softener 16,000 Grain Capacity

  • Mobile Soft Water Portable 16,000 Grain ™ Unit with Tank

  • On the Go OTG4-StdSoft-Portable 8,000 Grain RV Water Softener

  • Mobile-Soft-Water Portable Softener 3.2 Kgr Shorty for Rv

  • On The Go OTG3NTP3M Portable Water Softener

  • Triple Action Poly Salt Free Water Softener

  • On The Go Park Model Portable RV Water Softener & Conditioner

  • Eddy Electronic Water Descaler – Water Softener Alternative

On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT-Portable 16,000 Grain RV Water Softener

  • The Double Standard Softener & Conditioner produces twice the gallons…
  • Built for the owner of any RV/Marine model, this 16,000 grain unit is…
  • Its compact, space-saver design allows it to be installed in the…

Features

This double standard softener and conditioner produces twice as many gallons as the standard model. It is the largest compact RV water softener on the market. The 16,000 grain unit fits perfectly and supplies up to 40% more soft water than any other conditioner available. It regenerates with two boxes of common table salt in less than a half hour and provides up to 1,600 gallons or up to 40 days of soft water. It features a space-saving design to fit into the smallest space. It allows for high flow rates with minimal low-pressure drop.

Pros

  • Double the output of a standard softener

  • Up to 1,600 gallons or 40 days of soft water

  • No tools required to install

Cons

  • Plastic hose fittings aren’t durable

  • Does not adequately soften extremely hard water

  • Does not include mounting bracket

Watts Water Quality/Condition M7002 Flow-Pur RV-Pro 10,000 Water…

  • Built-in drain line flow restrictor provides a more effective…
  • Custom designed flow valves allow regeneration without having to…
  • Full cradle base keeps tank more secure than cometing open base tanks….

Features

​The Watts water conditioner features a built-in drain line flow restrictor to provide more effective regeneration and increase capacity by up to 55%. The custom-designed flow valves allow the unit to perform regeneration without having to connect or disconnect the system. A full cradle base keeps the tank more secure than other open base tanks. The unit provides high flow rates (up to 4 GPM) with low-pressure drop. The unit uses inexpensive common table salt to condition hard water.

Pros

  • Flow restrictor increases capacity up to 55%

  • Regenerates without needing to connect or disconnect

  • Uses common table salt

Cons

  • Does not include back flush adapter

  • Instructions are incomplete

  • Plastic valves leak and break

ABCwaters Built Portable Water Softener with Handle 16,000 Grain…

  • [PERFECT FOR RVs] We have created the ideal RV water softener unit….
  • [REGENERATES IN MINUTES] Very easy to regenerate and can be done in…
  • [2000 GALLONS] Enjoy up to 2000 gallons of softened water between…

Features

​This portable water softener is perfect for the RV, boat, and auto detailing. Regeneration is easy and takes just minutes using table or rock salt. The unit will provide up to 2,000 gallons of soft water between regenerations. The tank, which measures 10″ x 18″, is easy to carry and store.

Pros

  • Provides up to 2,000 gallons of soft water between regenerations

  • Uses rock or table salt

  • Compact design is easy to store

Cons

  • Valves leak

  • Fittings too short

  • Poorly packaged

Mobile-Soft-Water Portable 16,000 Grain ™ Unit with Tank, Tank…

  • 16,000 grains Total Hardness Removal Portable and Manual
  • Removes Total Hardness and Soluble Iron
  • Suitable for Recreational Vehicle Use

Features

​The Mobile soft water conditioner removes calcium, magnesium, iron, lead, radium, and other heavy metals. It regenerates without electricity and uses simple garden hose in/out connections. The unit will treat up to five gallons of water per minute, treating up to 1,600 gallons of conditioned water between regenerations. The softener vessel is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic.

Pros

  • Regenerates without electricity

  • Simple garden hose in/out connections

  • Treats up to five gallons of water per minute

Cons

  • Does not include input hose connector

  • Plastic connectors should be replaced with brass connectors

  • Can not store outside

On The Go OTG4-StdSoft-Portable 8,000 Grain RV Water Softener

  • On The Go Standard Softener-Features easy to carry handle, large mouth…
  • The softener provides soft water that prevents hard water & rust…
  • Built for the owner of any RV/Marine model, this 8,000 grain unit is a…

Features

​The On The Go standard softener prevents hard water and rust stains, avoids scale build-up, improves taste, eliminates odor, increases the lifespan of appliances, and improves rough skin, and increases soap lather. It features an easy-to-carry handle, a large mouth for easy salt addition, quick regeneration, and fast installation. The compact design results in a lightweight unit that is easy to move. The 8,000-grain unit regenerates in less than 15 minutes using one box of common table salt and provides soft water for up to 20 days between regenerations. The unit uses a standard garden hose connection and requires no tools or electricity.

Pros

  • Compact, lightweight design

  • Uses standard garden hose connections

  • Use up to 20 days between regenerations

Cons

  • Resin comes underfilled

  • Hassle to install

Mobile-Soft-Water Portable Softener 3.2 Kgr Shorty for Rv and Other…

  • Compact, space saver
  • Mobile softeneing
  • Portable softeneing

Features

​This Mobile soft water portable softener is a compact model suitable for tight spaces, short trips, and many other uses. The 1/10 cubic foot size delivers 3,200 grains of capacity. It regenerates without electricity, it is mobile, and it is easy to use. It features garden hose in/out connections. The tank is loaded with 1/10 cubic foot of highly charged, high-capacity water softening resin. The unit treats up to five gallons of water per minute, up to 320 gallons between regenerating. All fittings are made with NSF (National Sanitary Foundation) listed material and are guaranteed to be free of lead.

Pros

  • Treats up to five gallons per minute

  • Compact design for tight spaces

  • Lead-free fittings

Cons

  • Limited capacity

  • Inadequate instructions

On The Go OTG3NTP3M Portable Water Softener

  • Removes Dirt, Paint, Rust, And Scale
  • Package length: 7.0″
  • Package Width: 24.25″

Features

​This portable water softener will remove heavy metals from hard water. It has an 8,000-grain capacity. It works with standard garden hose connections to make it universally adaptable. The unit is compact and portable. It is suitable for use in an RV, for auto and boat detailing, or for filling a hot tub. The product comes with a full manufacturer warranty.

Pros

  • Standard garden hose connections

  • Capacity of 8,000 grains

  • Full manufacturer warranty

Cons

  • Only works with low flow

  • Leaves hard water spots on vehicles

  • Resin is under-filled

Features

The Triple Action Poly Salt-Free Water Softener provides true salt-free hard water treatment. There are no costly cartridges to replace, no backwashing brine or electricity needed. This unit is designed for well or city water up to 25 grains hard. It has a high flow rate of 30 gallons per minute It includes a stainless steel inner screen, installation nipples, and polyphosphate. This unit is tested and endorsed by the Israel Institute of Chemistry and Technology. It carries a lifetime warranty on the catalytic core and a two-year warranty on all housing parts.

Pros

  • No cartridges to replace

  • Flow rate of 30 gallons per minute

  • Catalytic core carries a lifetime warranty

Cons

  • Conditions water, does not soften

  • Does not work in extremely hard water

  • Expensive to recharge

On The Go Park Model Portable RV Water Softener & Conditioner

  • 28,800 Grain
  • Regenerates with 4 boxes of common table salt and provides 1280-3200…
  • Requires NO tools or electricity.

Features

​​The On The Go Park Model provides soft water that prevents hard water and rust stains, avoids scale build-up, improves taste, eliminates odor, increases the lifespan of appliances, and improves rough skin and soap lather. It features an inlet high-flow shutoff control valve to allow a very slow rinse, resulting in improved water quality and greater capacity. It is designed with a 360-degree swivel for easy connection of the inlet hose. It has a cap and plug to prevent leakage during travel. It includes a back flush adapter for quick reverse connection when necessary. Hardness test strips, inlet and outlet hose adapters, drinking hose, and a cradle base are also included.

Pros

  • Slow rinse option for improved quality and greater capacity

  • Includes back flush adapter

  • Inlet hose connect easily with 360-degree swivel

Cons

  • Doesn’t work well in extremely hard water

  • Resin receptacle is under-filled

Eddy Electronic Water Descaler – Water Softener Alternative

  • 12 month 100% “no quibble” Money-Back Guarantee + Lifetime Repair or…
  • Easy customer installation on metal or plastic pipes. Helps prevent…
  • No salt alternative to a water softener. Emulates softened water…

Features

​The Eddy Electronic Water Descaler requires no plumbing changes, does not require any salt, and costs a fraction of the price of a conventional salt water softener. The Eddy produces a complex electromagnetic wave applied through two coils installed on the incoming water supply, altering the adhesion properties of limescale, so it no longer adheres to surfaces inside pipework and appliances. This unit does NOT alter the chemical hardness of the water, so the water retains the beneficial effects of calcium and other particulates. This product has been successfully deployed around the world for over 15 years. The Eddy is an eco-friendly alternative to salt-based water softeners.

Pros

  • Treats water with electromagnetic waves

  • Water retains beneficial effects of calcium and other particulates

  • Eco-friendly alternative to salt-based water softeners

Cons

  • Doesn’t soften water

  • Doesn’t work in very hard water

  • Limited reduction of limescale

The Verdict

Mobile-Soft-Water Portable 16,000 Grain (tm) Unit with Tank, Tank...

Image via Amazon

Based on our research, we believe that the best RV water softener is the Mobile Soft Water Portable 16,000 Grain Unit With Tank. With double the capacity of a standard softening unit, the Mobile will soften enough water for full-time RV living, hot tubs, or boat detailing. The unit features one-half cubic foot of highly charged resin. The garden hose in/out connections make installation a breeze, and its compact size makes it easy to manage and install. Whether you’re looking for a unit to condition hot tub water, a solution for eliminating hard water spots when detailing vehicles, or a solution to minimize limescale in your appliances, you won’t be disappointed with the Mobile Soft Water Portable 16,000 Grain Unit with Tank,

Featured image via Amazon

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Hi I'm Jamie, teacher and owner/chief contributor at waterfilteranswers.com. We strive to bring you the most informative water filter reviews in the most intuitive and user friendly way. Besides offering advice on the water filter to suit your needs, we also post topical articles on water pollution and the environment. Stay connected and follow us on, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and more!

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