If you have limescale spots and buildup, dry skin and hair, scratchy laundry and decreased efficiency in water-using appliances, your home likely needs a water softener. But is it better to rent or to purchase a water softener?
The best option depends on a few specific factors, including:
- Price and budget
- Maintenance requirements
- Water softener type
- Water hardness
- Consumption habits
To get a better understanding of what each option means for you, here’s a closer look at renting vs. buying a water softener, including key considerations you should be aware of.
Water softener: The pros and cons of buying vs. renting
Buying and renting can have different benefits depending on your situation, which is why it’s important to consider both:
Pros and cons of buying your water softener
Purchasing a water softening system is a fairly straightforward process:
- Step 1: You choose the right model for your needs with help from your local Culligan water expert.
- Step 2: You review purchase or financing options.
- Step 3: You schedule your installation.
Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of buying:
Pros
- Flexible payments and financing: When you buy a softener, you can often put little to no money down or and choose from a variety of other affordable payment options.
- Maintenance plans: You can add maintenance and repair agreements to get even more out of your Culligan water system.
- Salt delivery: Scheduled on your time, salt delivery options make it easy to keep your new water softener functioning at full capacity without interruption.
- Ongoing value: Purchasing a softener can addadds value to your home and provides ongoing protection for plumbing, fixtures and water-using appliances.
- Ownership: If you finance or purchase your softener outright, you’ll eventually pay off the system, which means no monthly fees.
Cons
- Investment: Buying a system typically requires more of an upfront investment. You also should consider how long you’re planning to stay in your current home. While it’s possible to take your water softener with you if you’re going to move to a new home, it may not make sense based on your new home’s water quality, pipe size and other factors. In that case, your investment would stay with the property. That said, having a water softener installed can add adds value to your home during the sale process.
- Permanence: When you purchase a softener, that’s the one you’ll keep until you pay to have it replaced. If you want a newer model or updated technology, you can’t just make a quick swap.
Explore water softening solutions.
Pros and cons of renting your water softener
When you choose to rent your water softening system, you get all the benefits of soft water without strict commitment. You’ll still be able to get rid of the hassle and damage hard water causes, You’ll still go through the process of choosing the right model for your home’s needs — but instead of making a purchase, you’ll sign a rental agreement that specifies payment terms and contract length.
Here’s what to know about water softener rentals:
Pros
- Flexible financing: You often can choose among payment options, including month-to-month and long-term agreements. No matter what you choose, you’ll get one monthly fee that covers everything.
- Maintenance includedplans: Your regular fee covers all equipment servicing and repairs. That means you don’t have to worry about additional costs or effort.
- Salt delivery: Adding on salt delivery service is an effective solution for rented water softeners, too. It eliminates the need to worry about salt types and schedules (though isn’t included in the rental price).
- Rent to own: If you decide you want to purchase your unit, you can contact your local dealer for details about equity arrangements or “rent to buy” options, as this may be an option as well.
- Non-homeowner option: If you don’t own your home, renting a water softener may be the best solution for hard water problems, provided you get permission from your landlord to have it installed.
- Upgrades: When you rent, you may have the flexibility to upgrade to the latest systems and technologies as they become available.
Cons
- Investment: Depending on the length of your agreement and your financing options, you might end up paying more in the long run.
- Impermanence: As with any standard rental agreement, you don’t get to keep the softener when the contract is up (unless you choose a rent-to-own option).
Renting vs. buying at a glance:
| Factor | Renting a Water Softener | Buying a Water Softener |
| Upfront Cost | Low or no upfront cost; typically one predictable monthly payment | Higher initial investment, but may be financed where available |
| Commitment Level | Shorter-term flexibility; ideal for temporary residences | Long-term commitment; system ownership builds lasting value |
| Maintenance & Service | Included in most rental agreements | Owner is responsible, but can add a maintenance plan |
| System Upgrades | Potential to upgrade to newer technology during rental term | Upgrading requires a new purchase or trade-in |
| Homeownership Impact | Great for renters, apartments or vacation homes; can be installed with landlord approval | Can enhance home amenities when selling and protects plumbing and water-using appliances |
| Total Cost Over Time | May cost more in the long run depending on contract length | Higher upfront cost, but can be lower long-term expense once paid off |
| Flexibility | Option to end, renew or potentially transition to rent-to-own if desired | Permanent installation; ideal for long-term homeowners |
| Maintenance Coverage | Regular service and repairs usually covered by rental fee; salt delivery can be added | Optional service agreements available; salt delivery can be added |
| Best For | Renters, short-term homeowners or anyone wanting low-maintenance soft water | Long-term homeowners looking for maximum value and system ownership |
5 key considerations when buying or renting your water softener
No matter how you choose to address the hard water minerals responsible for limescale, dry hair and more, there are a few key considerations you shouldn’t ignore. These include:
1. Assessing your financial situation
It’s likely no surprise that your finances will play the biggest role in choosing a water softener and deciding whether to buy or rent it.
For many, renting is the best option because it provides plenty of cost flexibility — particularly month-to-month contracts, where available, which allow you to end the agreement if you don’t want to continue regular payments. For others, buying is a better option because it creates longer-term value.
However, the biggest cost consideration is usually how much you’re already spending to deal with the problems hard water causes — more cleaning supplies; more detergents, soaps and shampoos; more energy to operate your water heater, more appliance repairs and even appliance replacement.
2. Comparing system prices
The next element to consider is the system’s price — both upfront and lifetime.
Keep in mind that this will differ between financing plans. That’s why it’s important to get all of the details before you make any final decisions. Think about:
- What you’ll pay at the beginning of the rental contract or purchase agreement
- What your monthly payment will look like
- Whether maintenance is automatically included
- How long the system will last or how long you expect to keep it
3. Evaluating size, type and features
Once you move past the financial factors, it’s time to look at the water softener itself. You’ll have two main considerations:
- Size: The right size for a water softener depends on your home’s hardness levels and water usage habits. This may also impact the overall price and the amount of salt you’ll need regularly.
- Type: There are different types of water softeners depending on budget, water quality, preferences, home requirements and more.
Another key element is the features included with your water softener. These can vary, so remember to ask questions about what’s included — for example, Wi-Fi connectivity that allows you to track water usage and get maintenance alerts right from your smartphone.
4. Clarifying maintenance and service expectations
When you rent a Culligan water treatment system, you’ll get maintenance as part of the package. It’s important to know what that covers so you can get a clear picture of the value you’re signing up for. The same is true if you add maintenance agreements to the purchase price of your softener.
Keep in mind that systems may have varying maintenance requirements based on their features, size, type and more. You can ask your local Culligan water expert what the differences are before making any decisions.
5. Thinking about your future plans
Your future plans should be part of the story when choosing how to get a water softener. Ask yourself questions like these:
For renters:
- Will the landlord allow a water softener?
- How long do we expect to continue renting this property?
- Are we planning on owning a home in the near future?
For homeowners:
- How long are we staying in this home?
- How much have we spent on water-using appliances and how much will soft water help us protect these investments?
- Are we planning or budgeting for any big costs?
Top questions to ask when renting a water softener
If you decide to go the route of renting a water softener, here are a few essential questions you’ll need to answer with your local Culligan water expert:
How hard is your water?
If you suspect that you have hard water, it’s important to schedule a test to find out what’s causing your water quality issues and to determine how hard your water is. A quick, free in-home test is all it takes to discover the levelpresence of hardness minerals, like calcium or magnesium, in your household water supply.
Moreover, it’s important to find out how hard your water is. Anything less than 1 grain per gallon (gpg) is considered soft, and any result higher than 10.5 gpg is classified as very hard.
Determining the hardness level of your water will impact your water softener system choices, though its role in the rent vs. purchase decision is smaller. You’ll want to make sure that the best option for your water is available for rental. . “If you find that your water is only moderately hard, you may want to rent first before you decide to purchase,” says Gary Falkengren, Culligan’s problem water specialist. “That way, you can see for yourself how much you’ll actually benefit from having soft water before you commit to a larger investment.”
Schedule your free water test.
How much water does your family use?
Household water consumption can also impact your choice of water softener while further influencing whether you decide to rent a system or purchase one.
Properly sizing a water softener requires you to work with a professional to determine how much water your family uses. By combining this information with your water hardness level, you’ll be able to select a system with the appropriate capacity for your needs. In addition, flow rate, which is affected by the number of taps in your home, can impact what size water softener you need.
Ultimately, whether you’re renting or buying, you’ll need to know how much water you use to select a suitable model. If you suspect that your household needs will change substantially in the future — for example, if you anticipate that your family will grow or that you’ll soon become an empty nester — you may want to rent a system for the interim and later purchase a unit that’s more reflective of your long-term usage needs.
Do you own or rent your home?
If you rent your home, the question of whether you should lease or buy a water softener may be fairly straightforward. Renters won’t benefit from the additional home appeal equity that comes from purchasing the system, and you likely won’t be able to take it with you to your next home. The property owner may also limit your ability to make permanent alterations to the house or apartment.
Renting a water softener provides you with a suitable, affordable alternative to buying the device. You’ll enjoy a more pleasant experience while bathing, washing dishes and more. In addition, if you rent the property but you’ve purchased your own water-using appliances, like a washing machine or dishwasher, water softener rentals will help you get the most out of these devices and extend their lifespan by preventing damaging buildup.
How long do you plan to stay in your current home?
If you rent a house or apartment, you may not plan on being a long-time tenant, which means that renting a water softener will still likely be the more cost-effective solution.
Even homeowners may be considering moving before too long. This can sometimes provide added incentive to rent a water softener. However, it still might make more sense to go the extra mile and purchase a new system for the household. Why? Water softeners may increase the appeal value of your home. First of all, softeners help improve the appearance of your fixtures, sinks, shower doors and tubs while avoiding potentially costly buildup in your plumbing. Secondly, new homeowners and potential buyers may find that an up-to-date water softening system is a huge plus for the property.
Nevertheless, renting is still a viable alternative if you’re moving soon and if you think it’s more important to save on your immediate expenses.
Does your rental agreement include regular service and repairs?
When you rent an apartment, your landlord is responsible for handling maintenance and repairs for the unit and the building. Your water softener rental provider should offer you the same benefit.
Look for companies that include routine service and repairs bundled into your low monthly rate. Basic servicing shouldn’t come with surprise fees that raise the cost of your water softener rental bill. After all, renting is supposed to provide quick cost savings compared to buying a unit and handling all of the maintenance yourself.
Attempt to find out how responsive your water company is, too. A quick turnaround from your rental provider means uninterrupted soft water for you and your family. After all, isn’t that the whole point?
Is there a rent-to-own option?
This is especially important for homeowners who have opted to rent a water softener as a starting point. In these cases, what often happens is that once people realize how much better soft water is for cleaning, bathing and more, they don’t want to go back to the way things were. With a rent-to-purchase agreement, you can simplify the process of going from having a water softener lease to owning the appliance yourself.
If you know that purchasing a water softener is in your future, but you aren’t ready to pay for it upfront, the rent-to-own pathway isn’t your only option. Dedicated local partners in your area may also be able to assist you with financing options.
Water softener FAQs
Ready to learn more about softening water and the systems that make it happen? Here’s a closer look:
What is hard water?
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. As groundwater moves through rock and soil, it absorbs these naturally occurring minerals. While hard water is generally safe to drink, it often leaves visible signs throughout the home such as limescale, soap scum, and spotty dishes and glassware ..
Why is hard water an issue?
Hard water minerals can build up on fixtures and glass, all around bathtubs or showers, inside plumbing systems and even on your skin, hair and scalp. They reduce the lather and effectiveness of soap, shampoo and cleaning products, which is part of the reason they’re so difficult to clean away.
What is a water softener?
A water softener is a household system designed to reduce water hardness by removing calcium and magnesium ions. By treating your home’s water supply before it reaches taps and appliances, a softener helps prevent scale buildup, improve cleaning performance and extend the lifespan of plumbing, dishwashers, washing machines and water heaters.
How does a water softener work?
Most water softeners use a process called ion exchange. Hard water passes through a resin tank filled with small beads that attract and capture calcium and magnesium ions. In exchange, the resin releases sodium or potassium ions, removing the hardness minerals and producing soft water. The system periodically regenerates using a saltwater brine solution to flush away hardness minerals and recharge the resin beads — ensuring continuous, efficient softening throughout your home.
Why use a water softener?
The benefits of a water softener include:
- Improved water pressure
- Healthier-looking hair, skin and nails
- Brighter, better-smelling laundry
- Increased efficiency in water-using appliances
What’s the difference between water softening and water filtration?
Softening and filtering water are two separate processes. While some softeners have built-in filtration elements for chlorine or iron, most are designed to remove hardness minerals only. Fortunately, a filtration system can complement a softener to address drinking water quality concerns like contaminants, odors, tastes and appearancecolors.*
Take the first step toward better water
When it comes to buying vs. renting a water softener, there’s no “right” answer. The decision depends on considerations like your unique needs, financial situation and future plans.
However, one thing remains constant, and that’s the need for water testing. This crucial step tells you how hard your water is and whether any additional contaminants are present that need separate filtration solutions. With this information in hand, you can choose the right softener and how you’ll get it.
Start today by scheduling your free, in-home water test and consultation.
*Contaminants may not be present in your water