If you have already used a whole house water softener before, you will be aware of its complete working and usage. However; when it comes to the best portable water softener systems, there are a few differences that you should always keep in mind before purchasing them. First of all, an RV water softener works similarly to any other water softener system, the only extra feature it provides is portability. You can take your water-softening unit with you anywhere you want without any hassles, especially on a road trip.
Those people who are always concerned about their health should use this portable soft water system to improve their water quality anywhere they want. While you will be going anywhere in your RV, the most common problem you will face will be hard water. You may also experience several annoying conditions due to this, such as skin irritation, dry skin, and hair problems. Moreover; the taste of hard water is also very foul-smelling. But, buying a portable water softener for overhead tanks or RVs is the only rescue for these annoying issues.
However, here we will review some of the top-selling portable water softeners for RV products that will help you make a smart choice in 2024.
After reviewing water softener consumer reports, discussions, research, and comparisons, our experts selected these 5 best portable water softeners for RV.
Among the portable, RV, and marine water softener reviews, On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT is a perfect option as it comes from one of the leading water softener brands. This model has double the capacity of all other RV water softeners. It provides the marine and RV owners up to 1600 gallons of softened quality water supply for up to 40 days. It comes with a fully compact design without compromising water-producing capacity as it can quickly produce twice the water quantity as its competitors.
The installation of this RV model is also straightforward, and you can connect it anywhere by using simple garden hose connections. Another key feature that makes this unit a priority is its dual functionality as a water conditioner and portable water softener. The dual action of reducing and eliminating water minerals comforts owners that they can use soft water anywhere.
The OTG4-DBLSOFT RV Water Softener is one of those few products that use a space-saving design to adjust on the tightest spaces. This portable softening unit accommodates you during bathing, washing dishes, or laundering. With this portable RV softener, you can avoid most leakage-related issues with its cap and plug option.
Pros
Compact design & portable softener.
Easy to install.
Built for RV/Marine models.
High-pressure hose.
Cons
Bit heavyweight.
Lacks shut off valve.
OTG4-DBLSOFT may cost a bit higher than the others commercially. Still, the amount of water it can supply without compromising the water quality makes it worthwhile.
Going on vacations or camping with family or friends is now made better with Watts Water Quality M7002 Flow-Pur RV Water Softener. By using Watts M7002, you will no longer experience bad-smelling or metallic taste water on your RV. A unique built-in drain line flow restrictor is used in this water softener to ensure effective regeneration and enhanced capacity. The custom-designed valves are also present to ensure flawless regeneration without any connection and disconnection-related hassles.
The Flow-Pur RV-PRO 10,000 uses common table salt. As a result, it will help you to maintain your health and water taste anywhere. However, installation is straightforward, and its stable base will give you convenient storage. It has a compact lightweight structure that you can easily take anywhere you want. Being travel-friendly is one of its best features.
Beyond that, it delivers quality softened water. Moreover; it has a low maintenance cost. Watts Portable Water Softener comes with a set of precise hardness test strips, which are essential for monitoring the softened water.
Pros
User friendly allowing a high flow rate.
Premium quality resin eliminates chemicals in hard water.
Low maintenance cost.
Trouble-free installation.
Excellent regeneration capacity.
Cons
Valves are a bit loose but can be adjusted.
Convenience, quality soft water, and portability are just a few of the benefits of owning a Watts Water Softener. Having this around is an excellent buy for travelers, campers, boat owners, and others who love living outdoors.
Are you looking for a portable water softener for apartments or recreational vehicle use? If yes, then Mobile-Soft Portable 16,000 Grain Unit will be the most wonderful rescue for you. It’s a fantastic water softener that efficiently removes the total hardness of the water. One finest features of the Mobile Soft Water Softener is that it can eliminate up to 5 gallons of water in a minute. However, the resulting soft water is safe for washing, showering, and drinking.
This specific unit is a low-maintenance product that doesn’t consume much electricity for the regeneration process. The highly charged quality resin used in this portable water softener is also practical enough to get the job done with maximum accuracy. The Mobile-Soft-Water Portable softeners come with an instruction manual and also installation process is easy.
Pros
Easy to install and maintain.
Affordable cost.
Improves all-around water quality.
The water flow rate of 5 gallons of water per minute.
Energy-efficient.
Cons
Not compatible with brass fittings.
The output soft water is best for skin, and hair and leaves no stains on a car or boat. This Mobile-Soft-Water softener uses sturdy nylon fittings that can become cross-threaded and unusable. The unit is inexpensive as compared to other portable RV soft water systems available in the market.
The Portable RV Water Softener 16,000 Grain features a broad base to ensure maximum stability despite using it on uneven surfaces. It’s one of the unique water softeners available on the market that offers high-flow ports. The 16,000-grain capacity will provide an uninterrupted flow of 2,000 gallons of soft water that will be enough for your traveling requirements. This durable unit gets rid of hard water on boats, trailers, and recreational vehicles. It also works best for washing mobile cars.
This efficient water softener reduces calcium, magnesium; iron, lead, and several other heavy metals in water. Portable RV Water Softener also has a tank jacket that protects your unit in sunny or rainy weather. It’s specially designed to ensure maximum portability and durability. If being outdoors is your way of life, this sturdy water softener should be your priority.
Moreover, you will also get the standard garden hose connections in this RV softener to ensure a convenient connection between the park faucet and RV. The portable soft water system comes fully assembled at the time of delivery, and you don’t have to use any tools for assembling.
Pros
Durable base & affordable price.
Uses high-grade premium resin.
Quick connect adapter.
Uses brass ports.
Portable and easy to assemble.
Cons
Efficient but a bit heavy in weight.
Aqua Pro portable water softener delivers up to its pro features. However, the materials are indeed durable enough, but it is highly best to check it out if you can place it on your own. Overall, this unit can be tough on the outside but still soften your water internally. That makes it an incredible investment that will last for quite some time.
It’s an excellent portable water softener that delivers superb efficiency to ensure flawless soft water production. If you are tired of scale build-up, rust, paint, and dirt, then you must try this portable On The Go OTG3NTP3M Portable Water Softener. It’s an excellent water softener in which you will also get trouble-free salt addition as it contains a wide reservoir opening. Moreover; the RV water softener regeneration process is also super quick and easy; it won’t take more than 15 minutes to regenerate the water.
This unit is perfect for both RVs and standard trailers as it offers an impressive 8,000-grain capacity. It can store water for up to 20 days depending on your usage. You can use this portable water softener for multiple purposes such as drinking, washing, and bathing. It also brings out the best in your hair and skin as the residues of hard water will not mix up with your shampoo and body soap.
The OTG3NTP3M also comes with a user manual that includes all its installation and usage instructions. Carrying it is also convenient with its rope handle. Overall, it’s a wonderful product for families and groups of travelers who frequently travel on their RVs.
Pros
Easy to install & NSF61 Approved.
Patent-pending design.
Allows high flow rates.
Reasonable price.
Wide opening for salt addition.
Cons
Use quality plastic fittings.
However, On The Go OTG3NTP3M uses plastic fittings, which may easily break. The good thing is it can be replaced ahead of use. The effectivity in softening water isn’t affected at all. Your RV’s plumbing will be preserved, and you will never have to settle on hard water again.
Before buying any portable water softener for your RV, you need to consider many important factors for promising results. However, here are some of the key buying factors that you must consider.
Water Hardness Level
The key factor, which should contribute to your decision is the water’s level of hardness. In this case, you have to measure and test the level of hardness that is present in your water. You can use commercial hardness kits for this purpose.
Size & Weight
We all know that there is already minimal space available on most of the RVs. It’s not easier to adjust any water softener on the tight areas as it may not adjust correctly. However; you must consider a portable water softener that offers a compact design with a smaller size and ensures that the unit is not underpowered to handle your requirements.
Flow rate
The flow rate in water softener systems actually refers to the speed through which they can produce soft water. Such speed is measurable in grains per gallon (GPM). The flow rate actually varies based on the model.
Brand/Manufacturer
Another critical factor that you shouldn’t ignore at any cost is the trusted manufacturer. As we all know, there are many low-quality manufacturers available in the marketplace, they may fool you with useless claims and guarantees. It’s very critical to choose any trusted manufacturer with a complete history of producing high-quality products.
Easy to Install
The best portable water softener should be easy to install and use; many units use low-quality plastic fittings that do not offer the desired stability. You should carefully choose those specific products that provide an easy installation setup. Otherwise, it’s a very hectic process to adjust the unit in RV’s tight spaces.
Maintenance
Your choice of a water-softening unit should also be determined by its maintenance requirements. Several systems actually need regular maintenance, like the need to periodically clean the tank or regularly refill the salt pellets.
Cost
Price is another crucial factor that decides the reliability and durability of any unit. You need to ensure that you are not going on the too-expensive and cheaper side while buying a portable water softener. You should always consider middle-range products from trusted manufacturers.
1. What is the most trusted water softener for RV brands?
The most popular RV water softener brands include On the Go, Watts, and Mobile-Soft-Water among the rest, whích were featured earlier. They are reputable and trusted by consumers worldwide.
2. What is the best RV water softener?
On the Go OTG4-DBLSOFT Portable RV Water Softener
Watts Water Quality/Condition M7002 RV Water Softener
Mobile-Soft-Water Portable 16,000 Grain Water Softener
3. How do portable water softeners work?
The idea behind how a water softener works is simple. To do the ion replacement, the water in the house runs through a bed of small plastic beads or water softener resin. The resin is covered with sodium ions. As the water flows past the sodium ions, they swap places with the calcium and magnesium ions.
4. Are water softeners worth the cost?
Yes. Soft water makes a huge difference when it comes to the longevity and performance of your appliances. Using soft water with your everyday appliances helps reduce wear and tear on them. Because a water softener prevents scale build-up in the pipes and on faucets, it increases their longevity and working power.
5. How much does a whole house water softener cost?
Water softeners can generally cost anywhere from $300 to $4000, depending on the type and quality of the water softener as well as installation costs.
6. Is Softened water OK to drink?
While most softened water is perfectly safe to drink, the amount of sodium in the treated water will depend on the hardness of the original water. If the water hardness is below 400 ppm calcium before you soften it, then you can drink it with little concern.
We hope this detailed review of the best portable water softener for RV will help you make a wise decision. If you want to know about our recommendation, then On the Go OTG4-DBLSOFT Portable Water Softener and Watts Pro RV Water Softener in your priority list. Both are excellent unit that offers durability, efficiency, and reliability at a very affordable price range.
Steve Smith is a United State Licensed Plumber with over 18 years of plumbing experience. Steve has conducted residential and commercial plumbing jobs throughout the state and currently works for one of California’s largest plumbing companies. When he’s not working, Steve enjoys spending time with his daughter and son.
Leave a Reply