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Water purifiers and water softeners serve different purposes, so the best one will depend on your particular needs. Water purifiers remove contaminants from water (such as bacteria, viruses, and chemicals), leaving you with ultra-clean and safe water. However, water softeners remove minerals from your water so that the water doesn’t leave stains around your house or cause plumbing problems.

The primary difference between a water softener and a water filter lies in what they remove from the water. A water softener is designed to remove hard minerals like calcium and magnesium. In contrast, a water filter has a broader effect, removing various contaminants above a certain size, which can include bacteria and other impurities.

To decide which you need, consider your goal. If you want to eliminate hard minerals, choose a softener. If you want to remove a wide range of contaminants, a filter is the better option. Filters are also generally less expensive to install. Depending on your water supply, you may need to install both for comprehensive treatment.

Replacing a water softener costs $200 to $6,000, depending on the capacity of the water softener, the type of water softener, and the amount of people living in your home. An ion exchange water softener is the most common type and costs $500 to $3,000. Water distillers, which cost $1,200 to $4,000, and dual-tank models, which cost $1,000 to $5,000, are definitely pricey, but they offer more filtration or capacity, respectively.

A water softener removes minerals from your drinking water and can make your house water softer. These softeners are designed to extend the lifetime of your plumbing system while also making water safer and more palatable for drinking. Hard water, which is water with a heavy amount of suspended particles, can also cause hair damage, skin irritation, and buildup in your pipes.