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Both Puronics and Aquasana create exceptional water filtration systems, but which one is actually better for your home? If you’re looking for a water filter and water softener combination system for your house, we’ve researched the top products from these manufacturers, as well as looked at their customer reviews.
In addition, we tested each water filtration and softener system to determine which one reduced the most contaminants and resulted in the best-tasting water at home. Both products were able to reduce hardness in your home’s water, but some systems were designed for well homes, too.
You’ll find helpful answers to questions about both systems, and we’ll include an in-depth Puronics vs Aquasana review in this comparison. In our guide to water filtration and water softeners at the end, you’ll find helpful information about how these systems work and which one is best suited for your home.
Puronics vs Aquasana Water Filter-Softener Comparison Review
About Puronics
With headquarters in Livermore, California, Puronics has a long history dating back to 1947. Today, Puronics is one of the largest water treatment manufacturers used by restaurants and hotels, as well as country clubs, dry cleaners, and other commercial businesses. The company also sells water treatment systems for homes, including water softeners, micro-filtration, water filters, bacteriostatic carbon filtration, reverse osmosis filtration, and more.
Some of their top products include water filters and softeners, such as the Puronics Terminator® IGEN® B Whole-House Softening And Filtering System and Puronics IRONMAX™ Iron Water Filtration System.
One thing to note about Puronics is that these products are typically sold via a network of independent dealers. This leads to a variety of pricing and warranty differences that customers have expressed concerns about, which we’ll discuss in our comparison.
About Aquasana
Located in Texas, Aquasana is another top brand for water treatment products, especially water filtration and softeners. The company has a long history of customer satisfaction and high-quality products, which has produced high ratings of their products. The brand has always valued clean water and healthy living over everything, which is why the company’s mission is to create best-in-class water filtration products for home use.
Some of their top products include the Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 with UV Filter and Water Softener and the Aquasana OptimH2O with UV Filter and Water Softener.
In addition, customers appreciate the transparent pricing, lifetime warranty, low maintenance, and the absence of independent dealers. There isn’t any independent dealer markup on Aquasana products because you can buy them directly from the manufacturer. These products are also certified and have high ratings for low maintenance and dependability.
Here are reviews of Puronics and Aquasana’s top products, followed by our verdict on the best choice for water filtration and water softeners.
Puronics Terminator® iGEN® B Whole-House Softening And Filtering System
The Puronics Terminator iGen B series is a whole house water softener that comes with a bacteriostatic filtration system.
Puronics reviews fluctuate between very happy and zero stars. However, it’s actually a very advanced water filtration system that comes with a digital control valve to calculate the amount of water being treated, then notifies you as soon as it’s time to replace the Puronics Silvershield HYgiene filter. This is another special filter only made for the Puronics Terminator iGen system.
Commentary and Features
The Terminator iGen B series is a new water treatment system from Puronics. The design is innovative and sophisticated with a simple, steel casing that makes it easy to maintain. As a whole house water filtration and water softener system, you’ll notice immediately that your water tastes clean and refreshing, but you’ll also see a difference in your skin, hair, and laundry because it removes hard water.
As a water filter, the stainless steel tank does an amazing job of keeping your water and filtration system very clean. The Microsilver Bacteriostasis Technology is in a class of filtration on another level, eliminating bacteria in your water as well as within the filtration system.
It also comes with a proprietary filter, the Puronics Silvershield HYgene filter. Some other features include built-in diagnostics, auto reserve, and generation options.
The best part is that this filter can remove 99% of contaminants in your water, and it delivers clean, softened water to every faucet and water appliance in your home.
While there is a lot of value and advanced technology with this system, there are a few things that Puronics could do better to help customers and provide better support. We discuss these issues below.
What We Like
The system is expertly engineered to reliably deliver clean water to every water appliance, faucet, and bath in your home. In our test, we found that the Puronics Terminator iGen B series reduces 99% of all contaminants, and it removes nearly 100% of hard water. Puronics includes a water softening guarantee, so if you find that your system isn’t working properly, you may be able to get a refund or replacement system. However, we discuss some issues with that process below.
The Terminator iGen also comes with an automatic warning for filter replacement, and it has a backflush and recharge feature that ensures your system has a high flow rate. This correlates to how fast you receive clean, softened water on demand. We were surprised at the fastness of the flow rate to each faucet in the home.
Finally, this system doesn’t have a lot of salt content like some whole house water filtration systems. Instead, it includes a downflow brining system that reduces salt in your water.
We Could Be Better
While the overall package of the Puronics Terminator iGen B series is excellent, there are some drawbacks because of customer satisfaction and overall reliability. Many customers complained that while installation seemed simple, some parts broke quickly and needed maintenance. However, this wasn’t always easily fixed as Puronics uses independent dealers. If a dealer chooses not to respond to your warranty request, then customers were left without a water filtration system.
There were also fluctuations in price from dealer to dealer due to markup and regional pricing. This leads to a lot of misinformation due to marketing, and customers are left with a sub-par water filtration system wrapped in a shiny steel case.
It’s important for customers to be aware of this practice and ask questions during the sale process, especially how to get a refund or replacement if there are manufacturer defects and broken parts.
Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 with UV Filter and Water Softener (1,000,000 Gallons or 10 Years)
The Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 comes with UV filtration and water softening, providing a multi-stage filtration process and remineralization. This combination water filtration system means that you always get refreshing, clean water that’s also healthy for your skin and water appliances.
This system also comes with a 10-year warranty or 1,000,000 gallons. For a whole home filter, that’s an exceptional value, and it guarantees that your system will be good for many years after purchase.
There are four filtration stages included with the Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000, including a micron pre-filter, copper-zinc oxidation and minced materials, carbon filter, and a 0.35 micron posterior filter that removes microscopic particles.
Commentary and Features
If you’re shopping for a whole filtration system, you want something that not only purifies your water but also removes hard water. These systems are better for your drinking water, but it also improves the overall health of anyone living in your home, as well as the durability of your water appliances.
In addition, this system does not use salt. These are much better filtration systems for the environment and your well-being. They work well for city municipality homes or well water homes.
The best part is that we found this system removed 99% of all contaminants, including lead, chlorine, chloramine, cysts, herbicides, pesticides, bacteria, viruses, and much more.
What We Like
The multi-stage filtration including UV lights and water softening is an incredible value for a whole home filter. With the professional installation kit, you also get a 0.35 micron posterior filter add-on. This means that if you have issues with mold, insecticide dust, car emissions, lead dust particles, or any other microscopic toxin, this filter can remove it.
We also liked how easy it was to install and that it maintains good water pressure throughout the home. You won’t have to worry about a poor flow rate or lack of water for showers. It’s an exceptional system that removes most hard water, too.
Filter life is about the same as the Aquasana OptimH2O, so you’ll likely need to replace the carbon filters once every six months. However, it’s much easier to maintain and change out these filters than other systems, and you don’t have to pay as much for these filters because of Aquasana’s filter replacement program.
What Could Be Better
There really is only one drawback to this system. You can’t install it yourself if you want to take advantage of the warranty and moneyback guarantee. Aquasana requires a professional installation partner that’s approved by their company to install your system. While this means your system should be installed perfectly without any hassles, you’ll have to make sure you choose the right installation service to get the warranty.
Aquasana OptimH2O with UV Filter and Water Softener
We also want to compare the Aquasana OptimH2O with UV Filter and Water Softener to the Puronics Terminator iGen B series. This is a whole house water filter that is famous for its ability to reduce lead, and it works with well water homes.
This combination water filtration system means that you always get refreshing, clean water that’s also healthy for your skin and water appliances. With five NSF certifications that guarantee 99% of contaminants are removed from your water, this system is best for those who want the absolute purest water delivered to every faucet, bathtub, and water appliance in their homes.
Commentary and Features
Aquasana has built an incredible water filtration system that doesn’t compromise on any features for the customer. If you’re looking for water filtration, water softening, and remineralization, as well as UV filtration, then this is the perfect system for whole house water filtration.
The OptimH2O is a reverse osmosis filtration system that has three stages. In the first stage, an activated carbon filter reduces chlorine and filters out larger particles, such as rust and sediment. Then, in stage two, the reverse osmosis membrane reduces 99% of other contaminants, including lead, cysts, nitrates, nitrites, pentavalent arsenic, and many other harmful toxins.
In stage three, further filtration from Claryum carbon eliminates micro-contaminants and other difficult toxins, such as pesticides, herbicides, chloramines, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals.
In the last stage, remineralization replenishes healthy minerals that were likely removed in reverse osmosis and stage three. This adds calcium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as balances the pH to create a naturally clean taste.
It’s absolutely refreshing and has a less metallic taste than results from the Puronics Terminator iGen B series. Additionally, the whole system has also been tested and certified by NSF/ANSI standards.
What We Like
It’s absolutely incredible that Aquasana achieved five different certifications with this water filter. This means that it’s certified to remove chlorine, chloramine, herbicides, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, detergents, total dissolved solids, and many other toxins found in city municipal water supplies and well water homes.
As a whole home water treatment system, Aquasana delivers with the OptimH2O reverse osmosis and water softener. It’s also a very simple system to install.
With over 100 contaminants reduced or removed, this is one of the top water filtration systems on the market. Unlike many other systems, it also adds remineralization, so you don’t have to worry about drinking water that doesn’t have healthy minerals.
The filters last for about 6 months for the carbon filters, but you’ll need to replace the RO membrane and remineralization filter each year. Sometimes the RO membrane can last up to three years. Aquasana has a Water for Life replacement program to replace your filters on schedule at a discounted rate.
Lastly, Aquasana provides warranties and a 90-day moneyback guarantee for all water filters. You’ll easily be able to contact customer support if there’s an issue. Customers report high satisfaction and great ratings of these filters as well.
What Could Be Better
Some customers had issues with leaks but also reported that Aquasana proved replacement parts free of charge. There were only a couple of reviews that mentioned leaks. Others mentioned that the system wasn’t as advanced as other water filtration systems that have sensors and digital monitoring for filter replacement.
Whole House Water Filter For Well Water
We wanted to specifically look at whole house water filters for well water homes. These offer different functions and capabilities, as well as filtration systems. These filters work to remove sulfur, tannins, iron, and other water-borne pathogens that you may find in well water.
Puronics IRONMAX™ Iron Water Filtration System
If you have a well system, you’re likely concerned about iron and other hard mineral deposits in your home’s water supply. You may have seen red stains in your clothing, appliances, and other fixtures if you have an overload of iron in your water, and it’s also likely that your drinking water doesn’t taste right either.
Puronics created a special water treatment system just for homes with this issue. The IRONMAX iron water filtration system is part of the iGen water treatment systems. It provides an exceptional water filtration system with water softening that also completely removes iron from your water.
Commentary and Features
The best part about this system is that it’s just like the Terminator iGen B Series, but it can also eliminate iron, manganese, and sulfide from your well water. If you have staining, unpleasant odors, and metallic tasting tap water, then you likely need this type of system.
During the regeneration phase, air is injected to activate and oxidize iron, manganese, and sulfides, thus removing them without chemicals. These particles are then filtered out with each filtration system.
What We Like
It’s important to note that this system is particularly for well water homes. While it’s the exact same build as the Terminator iGen B Series, it includes a special air injected oxidation stage to eliminate iron and other harmful hard minerals from your water.
In addition, the iGen also has a smart digital microprocessor that controls all system operations and maintains water usage history to maximize the regeneration phase. It integrates with IRONMAX technology, so that you never have to worry about iron in your water.
When tested, we found that the Puronics IRONMAX completely removed iron, sulfides, and manganese, as well as 99% of all other contaminants. It’s easy to operate and durable with a corrosion resistant 1” control valve.
What Could Be Better
It’s important to check that you receive the right unit once ordered. A few customers noted that they received the wrong unit. The IRONMAX has a black casing, where the typical Puronics Terminator iGen B series has a silver steel casing.
Additionally, there were issues with returns and replacements under warranty that were not resolved by Puronics due to conflicts with independent dealers. This continues to be an ongoing problem for the water treatment manufacturer.
Aquasana Rhino Well Water with UV
The Aquasana Rhino filtration system also comes with a well water version that includes UV lights. This system is tested and certified by NSF just like the base Rhino version, but it comes with additional UV filtration to remove bacteria. The system also has a carbon media upgrade, larger pre-filter, and post-filter. It can remove iron and other hard minerals.
Commentary and Features
The UV lamp in this water filter is powerful and removes 99% of bacteria and viruses that may be lurking in your well water. With multi-stage filtration, you also get a bacteriostatic media stage that prohibits any algae or bacteria from growing inside of the system.
What We Like
In testing, we found that Aquasana’s Rhino well water system removed 99% of all contaminants from your home’s water. Due to the water softening component, your whole home is now protected against toxins and hard water. You can bathe and shower with filtered water, as well as cook and use water appliances safely.
The Aquasana Rhino also has a unique dual tank design with up flow that increases the amount of time water spends with filtration media. However, you won’t experience a drop in water pressure or flow.
There’s also a salt-free water conditioner add-on if you’re worried about too much salt in your water. This reduces scale buildup on your pipes and plumbing, but it may not reduce as much hard water.
The UV lamp also sterilizes your home’s water, removing bacteria, chlorine-resistant cysts, and viruses.
Everything is backed by a five-year warranty and 90-day moneyback guarantee.
What Could Be Better
One issue is with installation. To take advantage of the warranty, Aquasana is one of those companies that requires customers to use a professional and approved installation partner. You’ll make an appointment when you purchase the system. This actually saves a lot of time and hassle, while ensuring that the system is installed correctly so you won’t have any issues with leaking.
Customer Concerns About Puronics
Before going to the verdict, we want to address some of the concerns we uncovered during research for our Puronics review. There were multiple complaints about aggressive financing and scams by individual dealers. In addition, customer support may not exist, even if customers were promised that their system was protected by a warranty.
Multiple Puronics reviews mentioned the poor quality of support after products broke or were defective after installation. Individual dealers have not followed up with customers after a repair or replacement has been requested through the warranty, which has led to some pretty low ratings and a drop in their BBB score.
With proprietary products and advanced technology, water filtration systems may need costly repairs from outside vendors if you can’t get in touch with Puronics customer support. However, this also voids any warranty if repairs are made without using an approved technician by Puronics.
Here’s Why You Should Consider Getting a Whole House Water Filter and Softener Combo
The beauty of a whole house water filtration and softener combination system is that you don’t have to ever buy bottled water or worry about hard water in your home. You can drink, cook, clean, bathe, and do everything in your home with pure, softened water. These filtration systems are also designed to remove 99% of all contaminants. Both systems are capable of this level of purity, so customers really have to look at the installation, value, customer support, and warranty to determine the right water treatment system for their home.
Final Verdict: We Can’t Recommend Puronics Products
After reviewing the top water filtration and softener combinations from Aquasana and Puronics, we found that each of these manufacturers create great water filtration systems. They are popular with customers for different reasons, however. In this case, we’d rather purchase Aquasana products because of the warranty, guaranteed satisfaction, and reliability, as well as the filter replacement program.
We can’t recommend Puronics products due to the non-transparent pricing, dealer markups, and inconsistent customer support. Aquasana Whole House Filters offer long-lasting filters, and effective water softeners and UV filter add-ons. Customers write positively about their customer service and warranty experience with Aquasana.
More Information and FAQs
Before you purchase a water filtration system with a softener, you may wonder why it’s necessary to have so many filtration stages. Does it really work? We review some of the reasons why these systems are considered healthier for your home and drinking water below.
Hard Water vs Soft Water
Depending on where you live, your home may have issues with hard water.
Hard water is water that contains large deposits of calcium and magnesium. These cause issues for your home’s pipes and water appliances, but it can also lead to dry skin, hair breakage, and other health problems.
Soft water is water that has been treated to remove hard water, typically using salt so that the only ion in the water is sodium.
Rainwater is naturally soft, but as water makes its way through the ground and other waterways, it can pick up other minerals like calcium, lime, chalk, and magnesium. This creates hard water, which can wreak havoc on your home if it’s incredibly abundant.
Benefits Of Water Softener
Water softeners remove hard water so that it’s safe to shower, bathe, and use water appliances. In homes with hard water, you can likely tell because of issues with faded laundry, itchy skin, flaky scalp, and dull hair.
Do No Salt Water Softeners Work?
In short, salt-free water softeners work to reduce hard water, but they don’t always remove as much as a salt water conditioner. However, there are benefits to using salt-free conditions, especially if you don’t want the additional salt in your water.
In many cases, abundant hard water causes health problems, but reducing it even to a slightly traceable amount is beneficial for the home. In this case, salt-free water conditioners also produce water that may have a better taste. Some prefer the taste of salt-free conditioned water because soft water with salt doesn’t always have the best taste. This depends on the type of filtration system and how many stages of filtration are available. If a system has multi-stage filtration and uses salt for their water conditioner, it’s likely that the salty taste is filtered out in the last stage with reverse osmosis.
Reverse Osmosis Vs Water Softener
Reverse osmosis is a filtration stage that uses a membrane to block out microscopic particles and toxins, including lead and chlorine. It also removes salt in your water. While this does soften your water slightly, water softeners will reduce hardness in your water by a larger degree.
However, water softeners reduce the hardness of water using ion exchange to replace minerals with sodium or potassium.