In this post, we review our list of the best water filter to remove calcium and lime from your home water supply.
When you look at your sink and you see gross, white deposits around the faucet and drain, you’ve got hard water.
Calcium is a large part of the cause of that hard water. It leaves limescale deposits in your pipes, reducing their flow rate, and it causes those disgusting stains you’re seeing in your sinks.
Today we discuss which filter system is best for your calcium and limescale problem and we review our top picks below.
Find The Right Section…
- Find our water filter systems to remove calcium & limescale best of list
- Find our calcium removal filter individual reviews
- Learn more about calcium and lime water filter with our buyers guide
- Find the evaluation criteria we used to select the best water filter systems to remove calcium & limescale
Best Water Filter to Remove Calcium & Lime Contaminants Compared
Here are our top picks. See the reviews that follow for more details.
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Top Calcium & Lime Removal Filters Reviewed
Review Order
- Springwell Water Filter and Softener Combo
- SoftPro Elite
- Aquasana Rhino
- Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series
- APEC Roes 50
- Home Master TM Undersink
- Aquatru Countertop RO System
- ScaleBlaster SB 75
- iSpring ED2000
- Fleck 5600 SXT
1. Springwell Water Filter and Softener Combo
If you’re looking for a whole-house water filter to remove calcium from your drinking water, the Springwell water filter and softener combo is a terrific choice. This is especially true if you have water with a strong chlorine taste and smell since the Springwell removes up to 3 ppm of chlorine from your water.
It’s a salt-free system, using a 5 micron filter to remove calcium, sediment, and water contaminants. It flows 9-17 gpm, depending on the size you select when you purchase.
This system comes with a lifetime warranty, which shows you that Springwell has a lot of confidence in the quality of their products. Having said that, it is not NSF certified.
If you’re handy with tools, you can install the Springwell yourself. It comes with most of what you need, lacking only a few connections you may need to tap it into your water line.
This is not just a calcium water filter, it is actually a water conditioner. It uses a physical process that converts the water hardness-causing minerals, calcium and magnesium, into crystals. The resulting crystals will not stick to your pipes, water heaters, and appliances, so you won’t get the limescale buildup you normally would.
Main Features
Flow rate- Depending on the size of Springwell you select, you get a flow rate of 9-17 gpm. That’s enough for about five people at the low end up to eight people or more for the larger sizes.
Filter technology- This filter uses a 5 micron sediment filter to remove calcium and contaminants.
Ability to remove calcium & limescale- You can expect this filter to remove up to 80% of the calcium from your water.
Certifications & warranty- While the Springwell filter is not certified, it does use certified media to remove contaminants like chlorine from your water. It comes with a lifetime warranty.
Price- This is not a cheap system, coming in at $981.79-1677.99, depending on the size you select.
Pros
- 9-17 gmp flow rate
- No need to add salt
- Filter lasts 6–9 months between changes
- Easy to install
- Whole-house coverage
- Reduces calcium and magnesium
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Not NSF certified
- Conditions water, but won’t actually provide soft water
2. SoftPro Elite System
The Quality Water SoftPro Elite is a great filter to remove calcium. It does a very good job of getting rid of calcium and magnesium in your drinking water using an ion exchange process. This uses sodium to replace the calcium and magnesium in your water.
The 9 gpm flow rate of this water softener is enough for the average size home. It uses a demand-based regeneration system that results in much less wasted salt and water compared to many water softeners.
This is a whole house water filter system. It provides you with soft water, of course, but it also provides filtration to remove 99% of heavy metals like mercury and lead. The SoftPro Elite also removes chlorine from your water, improving the taste and smell. You also get iron removal of up to 3 ppm.
SoftPro stands by this filtration unit with a lifetime warranty, providing you with peace of mind that you won’t need to replace the system anytime soon.
While the SoftPro Elite isn’t a cheap unit, it is more moderately priced than the Springwell above.
Main Features
Flow rate- The flow rate of this system is 9 gpm. That’s enough for about four or five people.
Filter technology- This filter uses an ion exchange system.
Ability to remove calcium & limescale- You can expect this filter to remove about 95% of the calcium from your water and prevent the majority of limescale.
Certifications & warranty- This system is NSF certified, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Price- This is not a cheap system, coming in at $2137.55.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- NSF certified
- Demand regeneration reduces salt waste and water usage
- Removes chlorine, iron, and heavy metals
- Softens water
- Low maintenance
Cons
- While it is possible to install it yourself, many people suggest a plumber to install this softener
- A bit pricey
3. Aquasana Rhino Filter
The Aquasana Rhino is a whole-house water filter that works well to remove calcium from your water supply. It uses a sediment filter technology, with both pre and post filters. These filters last anywhere from one to three months, depending on your water usage.
With the Aquasana Rhino, you get a very small filtration system. Because it is just a filter, not a softener, it is relatively small. This makes it simple to easy to find room to place your Aquasana unit.
This filter removes 97% of the chlorine in your water. It also removes lead, mercury, and other heavy metals.
The Rhino allows a water flow rate of 7 gpm. That’s enough for three or four people. You won’t see any pressure drop with this system.
It’s a very easy filter to maintain, only requiring a filter swap every few months and you’re good to go.
You get a ten year warranty on this filter. That’s a decent warranty, and it shows that Aquasana backs up what they build.
Main Features
Flow rate- The flow rate of this system is 7 gpm. That’s enough for about three to four people.
Filter technology- This filter uses a sediment filter system to remove impurities and calcium from your water..
Ability to remove calcium & limescale- You can expect this filter to remove about 80% of the calcium from your water.
Certifications & warranty- This system has a lifetime warranty and is NSF certified.
Price- This system is currently priced at $953.99.
Pros
- Removes 97% of chlorine
- 7 gpm flow rate, good for three to four people
- Easy to install
- Simple maintenance
- No pressure drop
- Small
Cons
- Only a filter, does not soften water
- A bit pricey
- Frequent filter changes
4. Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series
The Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series is a commendable option and is particularly beneficial for households that experience hard water issues and are looking to improve the overall quality of their water.
Offering a hybrid system, the Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series combines the functionalities of both a water softener and a filter. It is designed to remove hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium, as well as other contaminants, ensuring you get clean and soft water throughout your home.
This system boasts a high flow rate, ensuring that even larger households won’t experience a drop in water pressure. Best yet, Whirlpool is a trusted brand in the home appliances sector, and this product lives up to its reputation for quality and reliability.
Main Features
Flow rate- N/A
Filter technology- This is a hybrid water softener and filter.
Ability to remove calcium & limescale- You can expect this filter to be effective at removing calcium from your drinking water.
Certifications & warranty- This system has a 2 year full parts and labor warranty.
Price- This system is currently priced at $869.00.
Pros
- High flow rate ensuring consistent water supply
- Dual functionality: filters and softens water
- Reduces calcium and magnesium effectively
- Trusted brand with a reputation for quality
- Comprehensive warranty
Cons
- Might be on the pricier side for some households
- Installation might require professional assistance for some
5. APEC Roes 50
The APEC Roes-50 is a reverse osmosis water softener. It makes your tap water taste as good as bottled water and removes 99% of the chlorine.
This filter also removes 99% of the VOCs and heavy metals, making for better water quality and giving you healthy and calcium-free drinking water.
The unit is very small. Being just a filter, and not a softening system, it is quite compact.
This is an under-sink water filter, not a whole-house filter. This makes it both easy to install and easy to maintain. It comes complete with a faucet, making for a nice little addition alongside your kitchen faucets.
You can soften up to 50 gallons of water per day with this system, which means the entire family can drink plenty without any concerns.
The APEC comes with a 1 year warranty, which is on the short side. But it is NSF certified and Water Quality Association (WQA) certified, which gives some confidence in the quality.
Main Features
Flow rate- The maximum throughput for this filter is 50 gallons per day.
Filter technology- This is a reverse osmosis water filter.
Ability to remove calcium & limescale- You can expect this filter to remove up to 99% of the calcium from your drinking water.
Certifications & warranty- This system has a 1 year warranty and is NSF certified.
Price- This system is currently priced at $199.95.
Pros
- Low cost
- Small
- Removes 99% of chlorine, VOCs, and heavy metals
- NSF certified
- Easy to maintain
- Simple installation
Cons
6. Home Master TM Undersink Filter
This is another under-sink water filtration system that uses reverse osmosis to clean your drinking water. While not specifically a calcium water filter, it is a solid overall filtration system. It has a 5 micron filter, and removes up to 98% of chlorine and heavy metals.
The Home Master TM delivers purified drinking water to the whole family. You can get up to 50 gallons per day from this little filter.
The filter lasts up to one year between filter changes, which is quite a long span. This is much longer than the time between filter changes on many competitors.
The five year warranty on this filter is pretty good, considering the low price. And it is NSF certified, as well.
Main Features
Flow rate- The maximum throughput for this filter is 50 gallons per day.
Filter technology- This filter uses a reverse osmosis system to clarify your water.
Ability to remove calcium & limescale- This filter can remove up to 99% of the calcium from your water.
Certifications & warranty- This filter is NSF certified and comes with a 5 year warranty.
Price- This system is currently priced at $205.77.
Pros
- Decent warranty
- Long time between filter changes
- NSF certified
- Easy installation
- Low maintenance
- Low price
- Removes 98% of chlorine and heavy metals
Cons
- Doesn’t soften water, just filters it
- Being an under-sink unit, does not help with the rest of the home
7. Aquatru Countertop RO System
For those in search of a countertop water purification system that ensures clean and safe drinking water, AquaTru is an excellent pick. This system stands out, especially for those who are concerned about the presence of harmful contaminants like lead, chromium-6, and PFAs in their tap water, as AquaTru efficiently removes over 82 contaminants.
AquaTru operates using a 4-stage reverse osmosis filtration process, ensuring the removal of a wide range of contaminants. The system is designed to purify a gallon of water in about 12-15 minutes, making it a convenient choice for households.
One of the standout features of AquaTru is that it doesn’t require any plumbing or installation. Simply place it on your countertop, and it’s ready to provide you with purified water. Moreover, the system is certified to NSF standards for the removal of several contaminants, ensuring its efficiency and reliability.
The filter replacement is also hassle-free, with an indicator notifying you when it’s time for a change. This ensures that you always have access to clean water without any guesswork.
Main Features
Flow rate- Not listed.
Filter technology- This is a 4-step reverse osmosis water filter.
Ability to remove calcium & limescale- You can expect this filter to remove 82 contaminants. See the complete list here.
Certifications & warranty- This system has a 1 year limited warranty and is NSF certified.
Price- This system is currently priced at $499.00.
Pros
- Efficient 4-stage reverse osmosis filtration
- Removes over 82 harmful contaminants
- No installation required
- NSF certified for contaminant removal
- Filter change indicator for hassle-free maintenance
Cons
- The purification rate might be slower compared to some other systems
- Requires countertop space, which may not be suitable for smaller kitchens or cluttered countertops.
8. ScaleBlaster SB 75
The ScaleBlaster SB 75 is not actually a calcium filter. It’s also not a water softener. What it is, instead, is a water conditioner and descaler. Using an electromagnetic system, it helps prevent limescale buildup in your pipes, and some reviews even report it reducing current buildup.
The way this works is by creating an electromagnetic field, causing the suspended minerals such as calcium in your water to clump together into crystals. These crystals don’t stick to your pipes the way free-floating minerals will, and simply flow out of the faucet with the rest of the water.
You connect this system to the water supply coming into your home. It will effectively reduce the future limescale throughout the whole home. It works on water with a water hardness of up to 19 gpg.
This unit is extremely easy to install and requires no maintenance at all. There are no filters to change and no salt to top up. It’s also takes up almost no space when compared to the water softeners and filters above.
The downsides are few, but there are some. For one, you get no warranty with this system. That’s not exactly confidence-inducing.
It also doesn’t actually remove the calcium or magnesium from your water, it just makes sure they come out of the faucets instead of clinging to your pipes. While this prevents damage to your plumbing, it doesn’t reduce the minerals you’re showering in or drinking.
Main Features
Flow rate- Unlimited- whatever the flow rate of your pipes.
Filter technology- This is not a filter, it is a descaler. It uses an electromagnetic charge to prevent limescale buildup in your plumbing.
Ability to remove calcium & limescale- This system doesn’t actually remove calcium from your water, it just prevents it from sticking to your plumbing. Expect all of the calcium to flow from your faucets and shower heads.
Certifications & warranty– There is no warranty or certification on this system.
Price- This system is currently priced as low as $179.00.
Pros
- Very low price
- Small
- Easy to install
- No maintenance
- Prevents limescale damage to plumbing and appliances
- Whole-house coverage
Cons
- No warranty
- Doesn’t produce soft water
- No filtration at all
9. iSpring ED2000
The iSpring ED2000 is another water conditioner and descaler. Like the ScaleBlaster above, it uses an electromagnetic charge that causes the calcium and other hardness-causing minerals to clump together. These clumps then harmlessly flow through your faucet and won’t stick to the inside of your pipes or appliances.
The main selling point of this kind of system is that it very cheaply prevents limescale deposits throughout your whole house. Simply connect it to the incoming water supply line and plug it in.
The iSpring ED2000 works well on hard water with a rating up to 19 gpg. That means it will work for the vast majority of homes.
It uses no salt or chemicals, has no filters to change, and requires only a tiny space for installation.
And as far as that installation goes, pretty much anyone can do it. This is one of the easiest solutions on this list.
The iSpring comes with a one year warranty.
Main Features
Flow rate- No limit, just whatever flows through your pipes already.
Filter technology- This is a descaler, not a filter. It uses an electromagnetic charge to prevent limescale buildup and protect your pipes.
Ability to remove calcium & limescale- The iSpring ED2000 doesn’t remove calcium from your water, it prevents it from forming limescale buildup in your plumbing.
Certifications & warranty– This system comes with a 1 year warranty.
Price- You can currently buy this system for as low as 123.59.
Pros
- Very low price
- 1 year warranty
- Whole-house coverage
- Maintenance free
- Simple to install
- Prevents limescale damage to home
Cons
- Doesn’t soften water
- No filter
10. Fleck 5600 SXT
The Fleck 5600 SXT is a whole-house water filter and softener that can provide up to 7 gpm, which is enough water for about three to four people in the home.
Fleck uses an ion exchange system in the 5600 SXT, using salt to replace the calcium and magnesium in the water. This effectively reduces the limescale producing minerals from your water. Because of this, your plumbing won’t clog, your appliances aren’t damaged, and you won’t see deposits in your sinks and toilets.
The Fleck 5600 is one of the most popular water softeners available right now. That shows that this is a well-tested system, having been used by so many people.
It’s easy to install, though more difficult than some of the under-sink filters above.
The 5600 uses a demand-based regeneration method, so it reduces the amount of wasted salt and reduces water consumption.
The Fleck 5600 has a five year parts warranty and a warranty of ten years on the tanks. It’s also NSF certified, which adds to the certainty that this is a good quality unit.
Main Features
Flow rate- The system has a flow rate of 7 gpm, good for three to four people..
Filter technology- This is an ion exchange system.
Ability to remove calcium & limescale- This system can remove up to 95% of the calcium from your water.
Certifications & warranty– The Fleck 5600 SXT is NSF certified. It comes with a five year warranty on parts and ten years on the tanks.
Price- The Fleck 5600 SXT costs $769.00.
Pros
- Softens water very well
- 7 gpm flow rate for three to four people
- Five year parts warranty, ten years on tanks
- NSF certified
- Whole-house system
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Bulky if all you need is a filter
- While you can install it if you’re a DIYer, you may need a plumber
Calcium and Lime Water Filters Buyers Guide
Calcium is a natural element that you can find in almost all water. Most of our water comes from either underground or from surface water. As this water flows through and on top of the ground, it picks up minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Why is Calcium a Problem?
While most water supplies send at least some calcium and magnesium through to homes, some have too much calcium, which can cause problems. This can include water pulled from wells.
Calcium carbonate is the main component in limescale. Dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water cling to plumbing and appliances, forming those limescale deposits. These deposits can damage anything they build up on, and often reduce the flow capacity of the plumbing in a home.
Because of all of this, you may want to reduce the amount of calcium and magnesium in your water, particularly if you have really hard water. One of the best ways to do this is to soften the water. You can also tackle this issue by filtering out the calcium or by using an electromagnetic system to prevent the calcium from clinging to pipes.
How do I Remove Calcium and Prevent Limescale?
One way you can remove calcium from water in a very low-volume way is to boil water. If all you’re looking for is to remove calcium from tap water you plan to drink or cook with, this can work. It causes the calcium to settle to the bottom of the pan, letting you pour the clearer water off.
The problem with this method is that you cannot keep up with the required volume you’ll need for drinking long term, and it won’t do anything to protect your plumbing. In the end, this method is not viable.
If you choose to filter the calcium directly, a 5 micron water filter is what you should look for. It will remove a large percentage of the calcium molecules from your water. This can be a whole-house water filtration system, an under-sink filter, or even a pitcher-based filter, but the only way to really protect your pipes is with the whole-house calcium filter or water softener.
How Does Calcium Affect Water Quality?
High amounts of calcium in your water also alters the overall quality of the water. It affects taste, for one. But it also reduces the effectiveness of soaps and detergents, so you’ll have to use more soaps and more water to rinse it away. It leaves gross stains in your sinks, coffee pots, washing machines, showers, and toilets.
When selecting a filter or softener, remember to keep the evaluation criteria mentioned above in mind.
Calcium and Lime Water Filter Evaluation Criteria
When we began trying to find the best water filter to remove calcium, we realized we needed to lay down some criteria to search for. After all, you can’t compare one water filtration system to another without knowing what aspects you’re comparing between them.
The search criteria we use should be something that makes a difference in how the system works, the unit’s efficiency, how well it improves the water, and the overall user experience with the water filter. The criteria we decided on are below.
Filter Flow Rate
The flow rate of the filtration unit is important. If a whole-house water filter doesn’t allow enough water through to service your family, it will actually be more of a detriment instead of a help.
Certifications and Warranty
While it doesn’t play a role in the functioning of the unit, a unit certified by an outside authority, such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), provides added confidence that the water filter is high quality.
This is a sign that the manufacturer doesn’t just say their filtration unit works well, it was willing to submit it for someone else to verify that claim.
Warranty is similar to the certification, in some ways. It shows you the confidence the manufacturer has in the quality of their hardware. If a water filter has a long warranty, it shows that the manufacturer is willing to back up what it is selling. That can also save you a lot of money down the line, should you run into problems.
Water Filtration Technology
There are different systems of filtration available, and it can make a difference to how the water filters work and the quality of water they produce.
An ion exchange system removes calcium ions and magnesium ions from your water by exchanging them for ions of sodium. It’s an effective system, used in may water softeners and filters. These remove a large percentage of calcium in the water.
Reverse osmosis filters work by pushing water through an RO filter membrane and other filters. This filters out sediment and heave metals, and they are very effective at reducing calcium as well. A many people find water that has gone through a reverse osmosis filter better tasting than bottled water.
Sediment filters are probably what you think of when you think of water filters. They physically filter out water impurities as well as calcium. While not as efficient as the methods above, they do reduce your calcium.
Ability to Remove Calcium & Lime From Water
Many filters remove some of the calcium and limescale from your system, but not all remove the same amounts.
If you’re having trouble with calcium and limescale in your water, the ability to remove the calcium is one of the most important aspects of a filter. For that reason, you want a filter that removes the highest percentage of calcium you can get.
Price
The final criteria we’ll consider is price. While that doesn’t directly affect the quality of the filtration system, if two water filters are relatively equal overall then you can use price as a tie-breaker.
Price can also be a consideration if you have a limited budget. Lets face it, not everyone can afford to put $2000 into a great water softener and filter. Some people may be happy spending less than $200 for an under-sink water purifier.
In Conclusion
We’ve discussed the ways in which calcium and limescale can damage and cause problems for you and your home. You’ve also seen what criteria to keep in mind when shopping around for calcium water filters. We’ve discussed our top pick, the Springwell water filter and softener combo, and we’ve given the details we believe make this one of the best options for many people.
Before you buy a new filter, check out all of the filter systems mentioned above. Compare the features before you make a decision and consider what matters most to you in a calcium water filter. Maybe you only want better-tasting water, or maybe you worry about protecting your plumbing.
Whatever you decide, know that you can feel comfortable selecting any of the products listed above.
