Considering a Magnetic Water Softener? Here’s What You Should Know.

Mark Alpers
August 31, 2023

You might be mulling over the idea of investing in a magnetic water softener, possibly driven by those frustrating mineral deposits on your faucets or the unsettling pipe scale build-up. Well, the culprit here is hard water. Let’s unpack this and see if magnetic water softeners are genuinely worth your money.

Unpacking Hard Water's Effects

Sure, hard water isn’t jeopardizing your health, but it’s no friend to your hair, skin, or household appliances. Hard water’s mischief is due to the minerals it carries. So, if these hard water blues resonate with you, it’s probably time to start looking into water softening solutions.

Magnetic Water Softeners: A Glimpse

Ever heard of the Anti-scale Magnetic Treatment (AMT)? It’s another name for magnetic water softeners. The principle is straightforward: pass the hard water through a magnetic field to soften it. Sounds promising, right? Especially when it ditches chemicals from the process.

How's It Supposed to Work?

Picture powerful magnets attached to your pipes, pulling out the mischief-making hard water ions before they can enter your plumbing. Simple, isn’t it?

The Crux: Do They Really Work?

Magnetism is intricate. There’s no straightforward way to determine how these magnets would influence ions. While some studies hint at potential benefits, like inducing electrical charges in calcium carbonate particles, the consensus isn’t clear. Many findings are inconclusive, leaving consumers in a bind. So, though these gadgets might not break the bank, there’s a possibility they might not break your hard water problem either.

My Two Cents on Magnetic Softeners

To offer a first-hand perspective, I took a leap of faith and tried out a magnetic water softener. Bought a well-reviewed one, attached it, and waited. The result? Not much. It seemed my hard water issues persisted, leading me to believe that if these magnets were a sure-shot solution, traditional water softeners might’ve become obsolete by now.

Alternative Paths

If you’re aiming for undeniable results, perhaps veer towards:

Traditional ion-exchange water softeners that employ salt – these champs have a track record of banishing hard water woes.
Salt-free softeners, known as descalers, come in if you’re averse to using salt or chemicals.

Yes, these might be pricier than magnetic softeners, but their efficacy isn’t up for debate.

The Undisputed Solution

Looking for an absolute, no-guesswork solution? Traditional water softeners that utilize sodium or salt are your best bet. Though they might require professional installation, they guarantee relief from the clutches of hard water.

Closing Thoughts

Hard water can be a hassle. And while magnetic water softeners might seem tempting due to their affordability and ease of installation, it’s essential to weigh their actual effectiveness. Sometimes, the traditional route, albeit pricier and a tad more complicated, might be the only sure way to get the job done.

Scientific Reference

Effects Of Magnetic Treatment On Scaling Power of Hard Waters.
Bali Mahmouda, Mabrouk Yosraa, Abdelli Nadiab – Separation and Purification Technology Volume 171, 17 October 2016, Pages 88–92. Magnetic Water Softener.
Smothers, KW; Curtiss, CD; Gard, BT; Strauss, RH; Hock, VF (15 June 2001). “Magnetic Water Treatment” (PDF). Public Works Technical Bulletin 420-49-34. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
MacAdam J PhD Thesis Cranfield University UK. Dept of Water Science and various studies
Coetzee PP, Yacoby M and Howall S (1996) The role of zinc in magnetic and other physical water treatment methods for the prevention of scale. Water SA, 22(4): 319-326.


Treats hard water UP TO 25 ppm (low to medium low hard water).	Treats hard water OVER 25 ppm (medium to extremely hard water).
Does NOT require electricity.	Requires electricity if using the electronic head monitor.
Control Your System With An App:? NO	Control Your System With An App:? YES
- Powerful salt-FREE water softener. - 1,000,000 one million gallon capacity. - Aquasana Rhino exceeds NSF standards. - Treats hard water WITHOUT salt. - Removes chlorine, bacteria, iron, sulfide, manganese, mercury, lead etc. - Includes pre-filter, copper-zinc and carbon filtration stages with standard fittings. - 90-Day Pure Satisfaction Guarantee. - Limited 10 year warranty.	- Powerful salt-BASED water softener. - 1,000,000 one million gallon capacity. - Also includes a multi-stage filter. - Easy installation (inside or outside) - Sufficient for 1-3 bathrooms (options for 4-6 and 7+ bathrooms also available). - 6 month money back guarantee. - Limited lifetime warranty.

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