Water softener advice, please

[Ladyw/theTramp]

We have lost too many appliances to our hard water, so it's time to get a water softener.
Any advice on what to look for?
We have heard Kinetico and Water Boss and I'm guessing there is a significant price difference, but I'm wondering why and which would be a better, economical yet reliable choice...

thank you in advance for your two cents!

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I don't know about the those you mentioned but we rent from Culligan. They exchange tanks twice a month. I've seen many systems at Home Depot and other stores like that but never looked into it. One thing I'd just pay extra attention to is those little "pebbles" used. Twice they've gotten into our water heater and it's a major, major problem. Had to be replaced.

 

[NinaBella]

I also have never heard of the companies you mentioned. We also have Culligan. We don't "rent" like the previous poster mentioned and I never heard of "renting" from Culligan. We have the water softner system installed in our garage. We bought our first one in 2003. We actually bought the new system last month and it was $2,849 with six months no interest. It's the water softner/purifier. That includes the warrant and service agreement (salt delivery, maintenance, etc.) The previous one my husband turned off a couple years ago... something about water pressure. Since I was not living at home then (military sent me overseas) it didn't bother me. Now that I am back, every time I took a shower my head itched so much from the hard water. We live in Florida and need the water softner.