Is The Waterboss Water Softener Worth it?
You may have heard that Waterboss water softeners are inexpensive and cheerful, costing about half as much as the majority of softeners available today. However, are these water softeners a good investment?
Will you regret not spending the additional $500 on one of the more “conventional” softeners that are available, or will you find the value to be there?
We tested the Waterboss whole-house water softening unit firsthand, and in our Waterboss water softener review, we’ll tell you all you need to know about the three Waterboss systems. By the time you’re done, you’ll be able to judge with certainty if a Waterboss system is worthwhile investing your money in.
A whole-house water softening unit and whole-house filter, or whole house water softener, the Waterboss water softener softens water while removing impurities like iron, grime, and sediment. Customers have had varied opinions of the inexpensive, single-unit Waterboss water softener.
Models & Upfront Cost
Three versions of Waterboss water softeners are available: The Waterboss 700 Water Softener, which costs around $500 and has a capacity of 22,000 grains, softens water with a hardness of up to 70 GPG, filters out 10 PPM of iron, and eliminates debris and sediment;
The Waterboss 950 Water Softener, which costs about $530, has a 22,000 grain capacity and is designed for city water, reducing chlorine and softening up to 35 GPG hardness.
The Waterboss 900 Water Softener, which costs about $650, has a 36,400 grain capacity and softens up to 90 GPG hardness, filters 10 PPM iron, and removes dirt and sediment.
The Waterboss 700 and Waterboss 900 remove iron and soften hard water, making them more appropriate for well water. Iron is not removed by the Waterboss 950, which only handles lower water hardness levels. Instead of adding chlorine, it subtracts it, making it a better option for city water.
System Specifications
Features
Softens extremely hard water
Between 35 and 90 grains per gallon (GPG) of water hardness can be softened by any of the three Waterboss water softening systems.
Targeted iron removal
Up to 10 PPM of iron may be removed by the Waterboss 700 and Waterboss 900 water softeners.
Single-tank design
The Waterboss systems are all single-tank systems, which reduces installation complexity and frees up space.
On-demand regeneration
Every Waterboss softener regenerates on-demand, which means it keeps track of how much water you’ve used and only goes through the regeneration process when it’s really essential. Thus, water waste is avoided.
Salt-saving design
When the Waterboss 900 and 700 are used with water that has a pH of 7 or above and premium, very pure salt, they may regenerate with up to 75% less salt.
Excellent warranty
The Waterboss pleased us with its guarantee, which covers the resin tank and outside cabinet for 10 years and the electronic and mechanical parts for 3 years.
Performance
Waterboss 700 & Waterboss 900 Review
The sole difference between the Waterboss 700 and 900 is that the latter is made for larger households with somewhat harder water. Both models offer nearly identical performance. Observe the following performance notes:
Both the Waterboss 700 and the Waterboss 900 include an integrated, self-cleaning whole-house drinking water filter. This performance attribute is quite distinctive. Most filters would ultimately require replacement.
The Waterboss 900 water softener can soften up to 90 grains of hardness, compared to the 700’s 70 grains per gallon. For households with really hard water, this is perfect and a highly efficient water softener.
Highly effective water softening systems, the Waterboss 700 and 900 has water usage up to 80% less water and up to 50% less salt than a conventional water softener. The systems cut down on your salt intake as well, needing just 5 pounds of salt every few days for the regeneration process.
For the removal of barium and radium 226/228, both Waterboss systems have earned official NSF Standard 44 accreditation.
Waterboss 950
Only municipal water is intended for use with the Waterboss 950. It cannot handle iron and has a lower softening capacity (35 GPG) than the 900 and 700. With its integrated chlorine filter, it does eliminate up to 3 PPM of chlorine taste and odor.
The system is perfect for houses with up to four people because of its peak flow rate of 8 GPM. It is also a highly efficient water softener.
According to Waterboss, you need to use high purity, high-quality salt to keep this entire home filter and softener’s good function. In other words, no rock salt. The regeneration process only requires 15 gallons of your water supply and 2.5 pounds of salt, and it takes less than 20 minutes. More so than any other softener on the market, the 950 was created to consume less water.
In addition, the WaterBoss 950 has received NSF Standard 44 accreditation for the removal of barium and radium 226/228.
Installation & Maintenance
Waterboss 700 & Waterboss 900
The Waterboss 700 and Waterboss 900 water softeners are quite simple to install because to their single-tank construction. The Waterboss water softening systems include all they require inside of a single square container, unlike other water softeners that have at least two separate tanks.
Depending on how comfortable you are with DIY, installation takes between two and four hours. For equipment that isn’t included with the goods, you’ll probably need to visit your neighborhood hardware shop. Although installation kits are included with the Waterboss systems, you shouldn’t assume that you’ll have everything you need.
The digital control head on the Waterboss 700 and Waterboss 900 requires initial setup in roughly 5 minutes. Simply enter your water hardness, then select the regeneration method and the number of cycles between regenerations.
Waterboss 950
The process for installing the Waterboss 950 is comparable. There is one less component to worry about installation because the system features a single tank design and a built-in bypass valve. In order to configure the system functions, the 950 also incorporates a digital control panel with an LCD display.
This system may be installed in a single afternoon if you are handy around the house. If not, think about contacting a plumber.
Pros & Cons – Waterboss Water Softener Reviews
Pros – Waterboss 700 & Waterboss 900
The Waterboss 900 is equally as quiet as the Waterboss 700. In our tests, the systems barely even registered as being active, and they certainly didn’t keep us up at night.
Consider Waterboss water softener if you’re seeking for a water softener that is really effective. You will have access to soft water with less water waste thanks to the systems’ ability to only initiate regeneration cycles when necessary. Your operational costs will go down, and the environmental effect will be minimal.
It’s helpful to have the option to select between the Waterboss 700 and the 900 based on the size of your home. The majority of folks will do well on the 700.
None of the Waterboss water softener systems’ prices can be faulted. The majority of water softeners cost at least twice as much. The fact that the Waterboss 900 and 700 also provide iron filtration is unquestionably a plus.
Cons – Waterboss 700 & Waterboss 900
We are aware that even the finest brands have some faulty goods amid their whole product line. However, there are several consumer concerns concerning the quality of the Waterboss 900 and 700. People have gotten water softeners that are defective or have been unimpressed by control heads that aren’t working properly and fragile connections.
If any of your Waterboss systems do require new components, be prepared to spend a significant price for them. Additionally, Waterboss’ customer service is subpar.
Only ferrous iron may be treated by the Waterboss 900 and 700. If there is any ferric iron present, such as floating rust particles, it will foul the resin bed since ferrous iron is dissolved in water.
Pros – Waterboss 950
The 950 waterboss water softener is perfect for you if you have mild hardness and chlorine issues. Unquestionably practical is its all-in-one, low-maintenance filter and softener design.
Because of its water- and salt-saving design, the Waterboss 950 not only saves you money when you buy it, but also while you use it.
The 950 regenerates quickly and quietly in contrast to certain softeners.
The 950 is a no-nonsense Waterboss water softener for a typical family with its robust, small form.
Cons – Waterboss 950
Once more, several consumers reported experiencing problems with faulty, damaged, or leaking parts. When thinking about this system, go over both favorable and negative customer evaluations.
Once more, Waterboss support is lacking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is well water or city water better for Waterboss water softener systems?
Because they can remove up to 10 PPM of iron, the Waterboss 900 and 700 are the ideal for well water. The Waterboss 950 works best with municipal water since it eliminates chlorine rather than iron.
What is the process of a Waterboss water softener?
Like other salt-based water softening systems, Waterboss creates soft water. The system’s built-in filter and the brine tank lack of separation from the resin tank are the main changes. As long as the salt level in the brine tank is at least one-third full when the system is configured using the digital programmable control unit, it will soften your water supply.
Are the Waterboss softener systems safe?
Yes. To avoid leaks or serious failures, all Waterboss ion exchange systems incorporate safety measures including a pressure regulator and a safety shut-off.
Do the Water Boss softeners allow the use of potassium chloride?
Yes, however if you want to use potassium chloride in place of salt in the brine cabinet, you should raise your hardness setting by 12%.
The Waterboss systems come with sediment filters, right?
Yes, there is a built-in sediment filter in each of the three Waterboss systems. However, ferric iron cannot be protected against by the sediment filter.
Would you recommend the Waterboss water softeners?
Yes, but none of them would rank on our shortlists of the “best water softeners.” For those with limited resources who wish to enhance their water quality and lessen mineral deposits without wasting large amounts of salt and water, the Waterboss systems are suitable. To increase client confidence, Waterboss must address a few design-related concerns that are currently present.
Waterboss Water Softener Review – What’s Everyone Saying about the Waterboss 700?
On the website of Home Depot, the Waterboss 700 gets significantly more positive evaluations than the Waterboss 900. There are almost 140 5-star ratings compared to only 30 1-star ones.
Naturally, the trend of negative evaluations is different. The majority of the most insightful waterboss water softener review is five stars, and about 81% of customers say they would suggest the item.
Despite this, there are a few unfavorable waterboss water softener review that are typically the consequence of a specific unit being assembled incorrectly or major installation issues that lead to flooding. Expect some installation challenges with ion exchange systems since they require a discharge valve, an electrical supply, and more maintenance than template aided crystallization softeners. Installation issues often increase as a product becomes more difficult to install.
Waterboss Water Softener Review – What’s Everyone Saying about the Waterboss 900?
A combination of extremely negative and very good reviews for the Waterboss 900 can be found on Home Depot, where there are just under 400 total reviews. The pro, as stated by reviewers Charlie and HappyWithRefrigerator, is as follows:
So, when Waterboss functions, it functions. The issue is that there are also a disproportionately large amount of unfavorable evaluations. The most useful water softener review includes a video showing the Waterboss 900 leaking resin into the owner’s toilet, faucet, shower, and water heater after completing its initial regeneration.
This is his water softener review of the Waterboss water softener: “This product either works or it doesn’t. This one didn’t…. It was a nightmare.”
Other poor evaluations reveal a recurring pattern: significant leaks, sporadic flooding, and generally defective units.
If you choose to purchase the Waterboss 900, be sure to keep a close check on it after installation (and the first regeneration) to ensure there are no significant problems. Not the device itself, but a poor installation may always cause issues. Always err on the side of caution.