Salt-based water softeners are the best solution to solve the hard water problem. Hard water is detrimental to your plumbing, appliances, showerheads, faucets, and causes stains on your laundry. Hard water can also lead to skin problems as it does not wash away the soap and shampoo absolutely while you shower. Hard water is also the culprit behind improper lather formation. Soap and shampoo deposit on your skin leads to dandruff, dryness, and eczema in rare cases.
A salt-based water softener is composed of many parts that work together to make your water soft. The resin is the most important. It is the heart of the system. A water softener is loaded with resin beads. When hard water flows through the beads, the ion exchange process takes place, calcium and magnesium from your water are removed, and sodium or potassium enters the water (depending upon the chemical composition of the softener salt).
Why do you need to replace the resin?
A good quality resin will work for 10-15 years depending upon the hardness of water, the volume of water passing through it, and the quality of regenerant (softener salt) used to wash the resin beads. When the regeneration cycle takes place, the hard ions are washed away, and the resin takes up the soft ions from the softener salt. In this way, the working capacity of the resin is restored.
Over the years, the resin beads’ capacity weakens to take up the soft ions and let go of the hard ones. Now you must replace the resin, so your softener can work well again. Luckily, we have solved this problem for you by selecting the best water softener resins. We have done considerable research on this and included only the best ones on our list. We have also included a buying guide and a FAQs section to make sure that you make the most suitable purchase decision.
Let’s look at some of the best water softener resins!
Best Water Softener Resins
| Top Picks (Comparison) | ||
|---|---|---|
 | Editor's ChoiceAFWFilters SOFRES1 Water Resin
| LATEST PRICE → |
 | Purolite C100E Resin C-100E Cationic Replacement
| LATEST PRICE → |
 | Resintech MBD-30 Nuclear Grade Mixed Bed DI Resin
| LATEST PRICE → |
 | Water Softening Resin Softener Media 100% Ion Exchange Replacement
| LATEST PRICE → |
 | 1.5 Cubic Feet of Water Softening Ion Exchange Resin Cation
| LATEST PRICE → |
 | Tier1 IER-100 Ion Exchange Water Softener Resin
| LATEST PRICE → |
1. AFWFilters SOFRES1 Water Resin 1 cu. ft. Bag Replacement Softener
- Type: Bag Replacement Softener
- Efficiency: 10-12 years
- Approved by: FDA, USDA, and NSF
More Features: It has no side effects. The product is shipped in 2 bags to keep it fresh and free from moisture.
At the top of our list is a softener resin from AFWfilters. It is one of the leading brands which produce quality water softener products and replacements. It comes in a quantity of 1 cubic foot and has a cross-linking of 8%. 1 cubic foot is enough to fill a standard water softener system completely. It helps in increasing the speed of the ion exchange process so that you get soft water when needed. The resin works for 10-12 years without any issues.
This resin has been certified by leading bodies like FDA, USDA, and NSF for safe and healthy materials. You don’t need to worry about any side effects while using this resin. The product may be shipped in 2 bags to keep it fresh and free from moisture. The bags are durable and sturdy. They won’t experience any leaks during the shipping process. It can work well between a pH range of 0-14.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is a bit expensive than the other resins in our list. Some users have reported a slight odor being imparted in water after it passes through the resin beads. Apart from this, it is an excellent softener resin with the best softening results.
2. Purolite C100E Resin C-100E Cationic Replacement for Water Softener 1 CuFt Bag Media
- Cross link: 8%
- Efficiency: 12-15 years
- Best for: coffee makers, dishwashers, and other appliances
More Features: Iit does not impact the taste of water and leaves no odor in it. Moreover, it keeps your nails and hair shinier.
Another excellent resin to be used with water softeners comes from the house of Purolite with an 8% cross-link and 1 cubic feet volume. It comes in clear beads and supports the standard ion exchange process to provide you with the best quality soft water.
It is a strong and high-efficiency resin and can withstand extremely hard water for 12-15 years. One thing which we like about this resin is that it does not impact the taste of water and leaves no odor in it. Water softened by Purolite can also be used with coffee makers, dishwashers, and other appliances. It makes sure that your plumbing stays safe and you bath with soft water, so that your skin keeps shining and glowing.
It can work well with all standard salt-based water softeners and can completely fill a tank with one pack.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It has excellent ratings from hundreds of people in the realms of softness, the value of money, handling, and bag durability. It is also inexpensive as compared to the one listed above. You can buy and use it without any worries.
3. Resintech MBD-30 Nuclear Grade Mixed Bed DI Resin, 5LB
- Cross Link: 8%
- Size: 5 lbs
- Best for: slight chlorine odor and iron taste in water
More Features: One cubic foot of resintech is sufficient to fill in one standard size residential water softener.
This resin also has an 8% cross-link and 5 lbs. size. One cubic foot of resintech is enough to fill in one standard size residential water softener. Please keep in mind that this resin has been developed to be used with moderately hard water and not for commercial uses.
Resintech is effective against iron and chlorine in water as well. It has been treated industrially to give you great results and produce safe water to be used with all your appliances. It is also effective against slight chlorine odor and iron taste in water.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
The most amazing thing about this resin is its economical price. It is way cheaper than the two filters listed earlier. We agree that it may not show the same results as the ones above, but if you are running on a tight budget, this one is the perfect option for you.
4. Water Softening Resin Softener Media 100% Ion Exchange Replacement – 1 CuFt Bag
- Type: Ion Exchange Replacement
- Cross link: 8%
- Best for: water appliances, faucets, showerheads, and plumbing
More Features: The bag is durable and easy to handle while you are pouring the resin inside the tank.
Aquatrol is also one of the famous companies which produce quality resins. This resin comes in a 1 cubic foot bag and has a cross-linking of 8% to support an efficient ion exchange process. It works well for 8-10 years without depleting the working capacity.
1 cubic feet bag is enough to fill in a standard residential water softener for an average American family. It is a bit costly, but its features are excellent and have the power to resist extreme hard water. It is certified by NFC for safety and structural integrity. The bag is durable and easy to handle while you are pouring the resin inside the tank.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
The only issue with this resin is a high price tag. It works well, but its results cannot be compared with the top 2 resins in our list.
5. 1.5 Cubic Feet of Water Softening Ion Exchange Resin Cation + Resin Loading Funnel
- Type: Ion Exchange Resin
- Cross link: 10%
- Bag: 1.5 cubic feet
More Features: LiquaGen is suitable for large systems and for people who have to face a high percentage of calcium and magnesium in their water.
If you have a large water softener system installed at your property and your usage is more than average, then you need resin in a large quantity. LiquaGen has been specifically made for large systems and for people who have to face a high percentage of calcium and magnesium in their water. It comes with a cross-linking of 10%, which is perfect for extremely hard water, and the bag has a size of 1.5 cubic feet. It can easily fill in the tank of a large softening system.
Don’t worry about the working efficiency of the resin, as it has been tested by a lot of people and comes with good reviews. It is costlier than all of the resins in our list, but it also has a higher cross-linking percentage. With a higher cross-linking percentage, it offers more physical, and stability for your softener and you get excellent quality water.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is excellent for commercial uses and large residential softening systems. If a standard 8% cross-link resin is not working for you, you probably need a stronger one on the shape of LiquaGen.
6. Tier1 IER-100 Ion Exchange Water Softener Resin (0.88 Cubic feet)
- Packing: 0.88 cubic ft
- Cross Link: 10%
- Best For: 12-15 years
More Features:
The last resin on our list is perfect for smaller water softener units with a capacity of 0.88 cubic feet. It comes with a 10% cross-linking to deliver you with a strong water softening system. It can work better than the original one as it has been made industrially to give it more power and efficiency while softening the water.
The price, according to the resin’s volume, is a bit high, but its working capacity and results justify the price hike. It can be used for both residential and commercial purposes. It is also capable of removing the scum formed inside your softener and plumbing pipes, thus enhancing their life. It will work for 1-15 years with excellent results, and you would never face any issues if you use a good quality salt along with this resin.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is quite a reasonable water resin to be used in areas with very hard water. The quality of the packing bag is not up to the mark, other than that there are no issues with this softener resin.
Buying Guide
Cross-Linking
Cross-linking refers to the amount of divinylbenzene (DVB) in the resin formula. Resins are a mixture of polystyrene and DVB. Resins with a higher percentage of cross-link are costly as compared to the lower ones. Any resin having a cross-link of 8% or above will work well. If your water is harder, then you need to get a 10% cross-link resin.
Quantity
Another feature you should look forward to while buying is the quantity of resin in the bag. Most residential softeners can be filled with 1 cubic foot of resin. If you have a larger unit, look for a bag that offers more quantity of resin.
Budget
Always keep your budget in your mind while selecting the resin, you would need to buy the softener salt as well. So, it is better to look for a resin which fits in your pocket easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to replace the softener resin?
Most of the softeners come loaded with resins. A few may not have the resin loaded because they are less in price. A standard resin will work well for 10-15 years. However, you may need to replace the resin after 5-7 years, depending upon the water’s hardness and how much water you use. The quality of the softening salt also impacts the resin’s life as it is used to wash away the calcium and magnesium deposits on the resin beads.
How can I change the resin in my softener?
Most salt-based water softeners have the same procedure for the replacement of resin. You have to turn off the water supply, unhook the unit away from plumbing and take off the control head by unscrewing the fasteners. Now pour the existing resin, water, and gravel in a self-draining bucket and use water to wash away the residual resin. Now pour back the old gravel (not all softeners use gravel), shake the softener, so it settles down. Put in the new resin with the help of a funnel. Once you are done pouring the resin, attach all the components as you took them apart and turn on the water supply. Make sure you put your system on the manual regeneration mode to allow the resin to settle down.
How much resin should I use?
The answer to this question depends upon the size of the resin tank. Most residential softeners can be filled with 1 cubic foot of resin. If some resin is left, make sure you store it in an airtight bag, away from the children’s reach.
Can I use a standard water softener resin for my well water?
Yes, you can use a standard resin for softening our well water. All the resins in our list can be used with municipal water and well water. The choice of resin is not based on the type of water but the level of hardness in your water.
Conclusion
Resin is the most important component of a salt-based softener system. It is the area where the actual process of softening the water takes place. If your softener does not have enough power left in the resin, your water will not be softened. Running your softener without a resin can also impact the life of your system. We have included the best resin in our list to facilitate your buying, select the one according to your needs and water hardness, and forget the tension of replacing the resin for the next 10-12 years.
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