Now, for the rebels: NuvoH2O. This brand doesn’t use salt. Instead, it uses a citrus-based chelation process (fancy talk for lemon power). It’s eco-friendly and great if you’re on a low-sodium diet.
NuvoH2O systems are tiny and can fit under a sink. You can take them when you move. It’s like the InstaPot of water softeners—compact and trendy.
The downside? They don’t work on extremely hard water. If your water is harder than a two-dollar steak, stick with salt. But for mild to moderate hard water? NuvoH2O is pure magic.
Hague vs AO Smith Water Softeners (2026) | McCowin Water
