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Culligan Water Softener Reviews (Pros & Cons Feedback)

Jennifer Hansen
Last Updated on
by Jennifer Hansen

Like other water services, Culligan’s goal is to get clean, safe water to every customer’s home or business. To accomplish this, the company provides a range of products and services.

These include:

  • Water softeners
  • Filtration systems
  • Home water tests
  • Water delivery

This range of services aims to provide everything you need to have fresh, clean water in their home. In addition to water softeners, they also provide filtration systems. These include reverse osmosis filters or whole home filtration systems to filter water for the entire house.

Culligan Water Softener

Culligan Water Softener Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Plenty of versions/models to choose from, letting you decide which is best for your home’s needs
  • Some Culligan models are more efficient than comparable products on the market
  • Some models have a dial to let you control the hardness level and sodium content in your water
  • Some models let you monitor your in-home water usage
Cons
  • The majority of Culligan’s water softener models are salt-based. This means that they need regular salt replacements. Additionally, salt-softened water is not safe to drink and is harsh on the environment. Over time, salt in water can reduce the effectiveness of dish and laundry detergent.
  • Costs can run higher than comparable products on the market
  • Installation needs to be done by a professional
  • Service calls are expensive

Culligan Water Softener Costs

As mentioned above, Culligan offers a large variety of water softeners. These range from basic models to more high-efficiency ones with a larger range of settings. Unsurprisingly, the more complex water softeners come with a higher price tag.

The company’s website does not list any prices. Instead, it recommends that interested people have a certified professional inspect their home and recommend a water softener based on review. The recommendation is based on the size of the home, the number of water outlets, and other factors.

How much does a culligan water softener cost? On average, a basic Culligan water softener starts at about $400. This does not include installation costs. Higher-end Culligan models start in the $1,000 range, again not including installation fees. If you have a large home or need a full-home filtration system, you may be looking at costs close to $5,000 or even more.

Because most Culligan water softener models use salt to filter minerals out, you will also need to buy salt bag replacements and have your water softener treated regularly to ensure it continues to work at maximum efficiency. Some people prefer to replace salt with a potassium substitute, but this can also run costs up. Although salt bags are not expensive, they may need to be replaced as often as monthly.

Culligan Water Softener Reviews

Culligan water softener reviews from users are mixed. Many users praise the quality of their water softener and cite their long-lasting installation. However, there are also complaints about the complexity of the systems.

This complexity means that any installation or repairs necessitate a service call to a Culligan representative. This can run up costs, with service calls averaging about $150. Many users prefer to tackle repairs themselves, but this brand is not friendly to repair hobbyists.  

Other users mention faulty parts on their water softeners and a decline in quality in recent years. In general, complaints focus on the complexity of the products and the high costs associated with repairs and maintenance. Positive reviews, however, focus on the quality of the water softeners and their long lifespan, with users saying that Culligan water softener prices are worth it for the level of quality.

Who Should Buy Culligan Water Softeners?

Like any product, Culligan water softeners are better suited for some people than others. If you notice buildup in your pipes or around your drains or white stains on your laundry, it may be worthwhile to look into a water softener.

Culligan water softeners might be better suited for users who have smaller homes with fewer pipelines. If you have a large home or multiple bathrooms, sinks, showers, or other water appliances, costs will likely run high. This will mean buying a higher-end water softener that can filter water for an entire home.

With this in mind, Culligan products may be better for users with a large budget for a water treatment system. Since Culligan water softener costs include regular maintenance, you will need to have the budget to keep your system in its best shape.

Lastly, since Culligan mostly uses salt filtration systems, they should not be used by people with hypertension or sodium sensitivities. If you have a health problem that requires you to limit sodium intake, you should not drink water from a Culligan water softener.

Alternatives to Culligan Water Softeners

If you decide that a Culligan water softener is not a good choice for your home, there are plenty of alternatives available. Springwell Water Softener offers two options for home water softeners. One option is a traditional salt-based water softener. The other is salt-free for a safer and more environmentally friendly water filtration system.

These water softeners neutralize more than 99 percent of the minerals that corrode pipes and clog drains. They are also designed to save water — which cuts back on your bills.

Conclusion

Culligan water softener reviews are mixed. While many users praise the quality of the products, there are some consistent negative reviews as well. These particularly focus on the high price of installation and the need for frequent maintenance. Other reviews mention the complexity of Culligan water softener systems, which require professional maintenance — and therefore more fees. They are also not suited to large homes on their own.

However, positive reviews for the products mention that they are long-lasting and work at maximum efficiency for many years. This seems generally more true of higher-end Culligan water softeners.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if a Culligan is a good choice for your home. If you are looking for an alternative, Springwell offers environmentally-friendly, sodium-free options. These water softeners use the latest technology to keep your water system in great shape for years to come.

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About Jennifer Hansen
Jennifer Hansen
Jennifer is a clean water enthusiast and the lead editor of Water Filter Spot and created this website several years ago to share information that she's been researching in this industry for over 20 years.Jennifer studied environmental resource science in college and studied Western US water issues, including water policy, water rights, water pollution and environmental concerns.
Jennifer Hansen
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