Filtersmart vs Springwell: Water Treatment Systems Compared

Filtersmart and SpringWell are two well-known brands offering water filters, water softeners, and more. We’ve tried and tested all of the brands’ most popular products, and we’ll be sharing our findings in this guide.

Which brand offers the best whole-house water filtration system? The best water conditioner? The best reverse osmosis system? Read on to find out.

🏠 Whole House Water Filtration Systems

SpringWell

SpringWell’s whole water filtration system for city water is available in three sizes:

Model	Flow Rate (GPM)	# of Bathrooms
CF1	9	1-3
CF4	12	4-6
CF+	20	7+

All three systems offer the same performance and contain the same media – the only difference is their size and subsequent flow rate. We purchased the SpringWell CF1 for this review.

SpringWell also has a single well water filter, available in two sizes:

Model	Flow Rate	# of Bathrooms
WS1	12	1-4
WS4	20	4+

Filtersmart

Filtersmart has three whole house water filter systems for city water:

• The Filtersmart Premium Whole House Water Filter PRO Series- FS1000PRO- Catalytic (Chloramine) 1 Million Gallon
• The Filtersmart Whole House Water Filter System- FS1000-1 Million Gallon
• The Filtersmart Premium Whole House Water Filter PRO + Clarify Disinfection

We’ll be reviewing the FS1000PRO in this guide, as it’s the most popular Filtersmart whole house filtration system.

Filtersmart doesn’t currently offer any filters for well water.

⚖️ Comparison Chart

💡 Media Comparison

SpringWell CF1

The SpringWell CF1 uses KDF and catalytic carbon media. These media are both known for being the most reliable, effective options for removing common impurities in city water, like pesticides and herbicides, chlorine and chloramine, and PFOAs. A sediment pre-filter protects the filtration media from particulates larger than 5 microns in size.

With its 4-stage proprietary design, the CF1 avoids channeling and gives water a longer contact time with the media. We felt that this significantly improved the performance of the filter, allowing for the most thorough filtration for a system of its kind.

SpringWell Well Water Filter System

The SpringWell Well Water Filter System uses the most effective chemical-free iron-removal technology, known as air injection oxidation. This process involves an air pocket (sitting at the top of the tank) and a media bed (taking up the rest of the tank).

Water enters the tank through the top, and oxygen in the air pocket passes into the water. This oxidizes dissolved impurities like iron. Water travels through the tank, and the oxidized impurities are trapped in the media. When the system backwashes, the contaminants are drained out of the media.

The SpringWell Well Water Filter System is protected by a 100-micron spin-down sediment filter.

Filtersmart FS1000PRO

The Filtersmart FS1000 contains acid-washed, high-purity granular activated carbon, made from steam-activated coconut shells. That’s a fancy way of saying that the media is coconut shell-based activated carbon. The letdown here is that the FS1000 doesn’t use KDF, too, like the SpringWell CF1 does, but activated carbon alone is still very capable. The FS100 also uses a 5-micron sediment pre-filter.

Like the SpringWell CF1, the Filtersmart FS100 has an up-flow vortech style tank that minimizes channeling and maximizes filtration results.

🧫 What Contaminants Do They Remove?

SpringWell CF1

The SpringWell CF1 has separate filter stages that target different contaminants:

• Chlorine and harmful chemicals are reduced by the KDF media
• Organic contaminants like chlorine, chloramine, VOCs, herbicides, and pesticides, are addressed by the catalytic carbon media
• Silt, sand, and clay are filtered out by the sediment filter

The CF1 doesn’t remove a huge set of contaminants, but most people are looking for a whole house water filtration system that can remove these select impurities from their city water.

Read the full review 👉 SpringWell Whole House Water Filter System

SpringWell Well Water Filter System

The SpringWell Well Water Filter System targets three specific contaminants:

• Iron (up to 7 PPM)
• Hydrogen sulfide (up to 8 PPM)
• Manganese (up to 1 PPM)

Most well owners have problems with this set of contaminants. If you’ve noticed that your water has a brown tinge or is leaving orange stains, the SpringWell Well Water Filter should address the aesthetic issues in your home.

The SpringWell Well Water Filter also uses a 100-micron spin-down sediment filter, which removes large sediment particles, preventing damage to the oxidation media.

Read the full review 👉 SpringWell WS Well Water Filter System Review

Filtersmart FS1000PRO

The Filtersmart FS1000’s main purpose is chlorine removal. This whole house water filter can remove up to 99.99% chlorine – but it doesn’t stop there. The FS1000 can also remove:

• Pesticides
• Herbicides
• VOCs
• Industrial solvents
• Chloramine
• SOCs

Plus, the FS1000’s sediment filter removes particulates down to 5 microns in size, including fine rust and dirt.

🚦 Performance Comparison

SpringWell CF1

We were impressed with the SpringWell CF1’s performance, and it met all of our “must-haves” for a whole house water filter.

The CF1 removes the most common contaminants from drinking water, and it’s quick to operate. The CF1 has a flow rate of 9 GPM, so your water pressure should stay almost exactly the same once you install the system.

We were pleased with the improved taste of our water when we started using the CF1. The chlorine after-taste was gone, and our water tasted much fresher.

Refer to the table below for our Springwell CF laboratory testing data.

SpringWell Well Water Filter System

The SpringWell Well Water Filter System has an even faster flow rate than the CF1 – the smallest unit has a flow rate of up to 12 GPM. We noticed no drop in water pressure after installing the system.

We think the SpringWell Well Water Filter System stands out for its contaminant removal, too. Although it only targets three contaminants, these are the most prevalent contaminants in most well water sources. We were impressed with the system’s ability to remove high levels of both manganese and iron, as most well water filters only target one of these contaminants.

See the results of our third-party laboratory testing for SpringWell Well Water Filter System in the table below.

Filtersmart FS1000PRO

The Filtersmart FS1000 comes in two sizes, with two flow rates: 12 GPM and 15 GPM. This is a fantastic flow rate for a carbon filter – even better than the SpeingWell CF1 – although it’s worth acknowledging that the faster the water flow, the less contact time it potentially has with the filtration media.

💲 Models & Upfront Cost

SpringWell CF Systems

The CF systems are a fantastic value for money, with a starting cost of just under $1,700.

SpringWell Well Water Filter System

The SpringWell Well Water Filter Systems are priced from around $4,000 to $5,000. We think this is a fair price for what you get, but it is slightly higher than average.

Filtersmart FS1000PRO

The Filtersmart FS1000PRO comes in two sizes, starting at just over $1,400. This is around $300 more expensive than the SpringWell CF’s smallest model.

📆 Filter Lifespan & Replacement Costs

SpringWell CF1

The SpringWell CF media has a 1 million gallon lifespan, which equates to about 10 years – ideal if you’re looking for a system that doesn’t need regular maintenance. The sediment filter lasts for 6-9 months.

SpringWell CF’s replacement media costs around $335, which isn’t bad, considering you only need to buy the media once a decade. The SpringWell 1-inch sediment filter is more expensive – around $80 – and you’ll need to pay for that about twice a year.

SpringWell Well Water Filter System

The SpringWell Well Water Filter System’s greensand media has a lifespan of 18-25 years. Apparently, this is how long the system lasts, too – so you never need to perform maintenance throughout its entire lifespan.

The spin-down filter needs to be replaced occasionally. The filter is self-cleaning, so it should last longer than a sediment cartridge filter, but there’s no information on exactly how long it lasts. A new spin-down filter costs just over $100.

Filtersmart FS1000PRO

The lifespan of the Filtersmart FS1000’s media is 1 million gallons, or around 5 years. The figures here don’t add up – SpringWell’s CF media apparently also has a 1 million gallon lifespan, but lasts for 10 years. We can only recommend following Filtersmart’s guidance and changing the media every 5 years to stay on the safe side.

Replacement media costs around $190, so it’s more affordable than the SpringWell CF’s replacement media. Still, it works out cheaper to buy and own the SpringWell CF1 in the long run.

You’ll need to buy a 20-inch pre-filter every 6-9 months, too, and a pack of 4 filters costs around $100.

💬 Customer Reviews & Complaints

SpringWell CF1

Most customers were impressed with the CF1’s easy install and clean water benefits, and the SpringWell whole house water filter reviews are largely positive.

One customer wrote that they were new to the area and needed a filter to make them feel better about their water. After installing the SpringWell CF1, they started drinking water from the tap again after 30 years of only drinking bottled water. They were also pleased with SpringWell’s customer support.

Some customers said that installing the system themselves was fine, while others said that it was a hassle. If you’re not the DIY type, you’ll probably need a plumber to install the system for you.

SpringWell Well Water Filter System

The SpringWell Well Water Filter System is also well-received by customers, with one customer writing that they thought the filter was working “perfectly”, and had effectively reduced the bad smell and staining that they’d experienced in their new home. The customer praised the SpringWell Well Water Filter for its ability to improve the quality and clarity of their water.

Some customers said that they thought the system backwashed too frequently, but this depends on your water usage.

Filtersmart FS1000PRO

Customers are generally happy with the Filtersmart FS1000PRO, although they’re not as happy as SpringWell’s customers.

One customer wrote that setting up and installing the FS1000 was easy, but they couldn’t comment on the system’s functionality because they’d only had it installed for one day.

In several of the more negative reviews, customers complained that the metal covering the carbon filter was a “sloppy fit”, and that the tank had arrived damaged, suggesting that packaging could be more secure.

☑️ Pros and Cons

🪨 Salt-Free Water Softeners (Water Conditioners)

SpringWell

SpringWell offers a single water conditioner, the Futuresoft, in three different sizes:

Model	Flow Rate (GPM)	# of Bathrooms
FS1	12	1-3
FS4	15	4-6
FS+	20	7+

Filtersmart

Filtersmart has a couple of water conditioners available:

• The Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener Alternative System, Saltless Water Conditioner – FS500
• The Filtersmart Premium Salt Free Water Softener Alternative PRO Series – FS500PRO

Both products are virtually the same. The only difference is that the PRO series comes with a 20-inch pre-filter – and costs around $200 more because of it. We reviewed the non-pro Filtersmart Conditioner, as it’s the most popular with customers.

Read a related review 👉 Filtersmart Whole House Water Filter & Salt-Free Softener Alternative Combo Review

⚖️ Comparison Chart

🚦 Performance Comparison

SpringWell FutureSoft® Salt-Free Water Softener

The SpringWell FutureSoft uses template-assisted crystallization, or TAC for short, which is the most popular and effective conditioning technique. The FutureSoft prevents up to 99.6% of scale buildup – a figure that most other water conditioners can’t match.

TAC alters the formation of hardness minerals, turning them into crystals that are suspended in water, unable to leave mineral deposits. Although TAC isn’t quite as effective as salt-based softening.

Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener FS500

The Filtersmart Salt-Free Softener uses the same popular technology as the SpringWell FutureSoft: template-assisted crystallization. The unit provides up to 99.6% scale prevention and gradually clears up existing scale deposits, and works efficiently regardless of the existing water hardness level of your water supply.

The Filtersmart Salt-Free Softener’s vortech-style tank extends water’s contact time with the conditioning media and allows for a more effective process.

💲 Models & Upfront Cost

SpringWell FutureSoft® Salt-Free Water Softener

The SpringWell FutureSoft is about average price for a water conditioner, with models costing between $2,800 and $4,800, depending on size.

Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener FS500

The Filtersmart Salt-Free Softener FS500 starts at $2,280 for the smallest model. This is more affordable than the SpringWell Futuresoft, so Filtersmart has the price advantage here. You can pay a bit extra for a stainless steel cover for the conditioning tank.

📆 Resin Lifespan & Replacement Costs

SpringWell FutureSoft® Salt-Free Water Softener

The SpringWell FutureSoft uses a TAC media with a 1 million gallon lifespan. The media should last for about 6 years before it needs replacing. Currently, SpringWell’s website doesn’t stock replacement TAC media, so you might want to reach out to customer service to learn about media replacement costs.

Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener FS500

Again, Filtersmart’s tank media has a 1 million gallon lifespan, but it lasts for 5 years – one year less than the SpringWell FutureSoft’s estimated media lifespan. Filtersmart also doesn’t stock the replacement TAC media on its website, so you’ll need to contact the manufacturer for more info. You can buy a 4-pack of replacement sediment filters online (they need changing every 8-10 months) for around $90.

Model	Consumable	Replacement Cost
SpringWell FutureSoft® Series	Pre-Filter Cartridge	$70
SpringWell FutureSoft® Series	TAC Media	Not listed
Filtersmart FS500 Saltless Water Conditioner	Pre-Filter Cartridge	$88
Filtersmart FS500 Saltless Water Conditioner	TAC Media	Not listed
Filtersmart Premium FS500PRO	Pre-Filter Cartridge	$99
Filtersmart Premium FS500PRO	TAC Media	Not listed

💬 Customer Reviews & Complaints

SpringWell FutureSoft® Salt-Free Water Softener

Customers were pleasantly surprised with the SpringWell FutureSoft’s ability to reduce scale, and most customers agreed that they noticed a difference within one week.

One customer wrote that they were happy with the small, space-saving size of the SpringWell FutureSoft, and said that although the system felt new to them, they already thought that their water tasted better. They were pleased with the simplicity of the installation process and said that there was no loss in water pressure after installing the system.

Some customers mentioned that the install kit isn’t worth buying or doesn’t meet local plumbing regulations, so check with a SpringWell rep before you buy.

Read the full review 👉 SpringWell Futuresoft Salt-free Water Softener

Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener FS500

The Filtersmart Salt-Free Softener doesn’t have many customer reviews, but the handful of customers that have left reviews are generally happy with their purchase.

One customer wrote that they installed the Filtersmart Salt-Free Softener in their basement alongside a water filter. They had hard city water of 14 ppm (parts per million) and said that they thought the Filtersmart was a good product for their needs. The customer was happy that there was no wasted water and recommended the softener for people who didn’t want to use a salt-based system.

The only complaints related to installation – you need to pre-soak the media prior to installing the system, and some people didn’t realize this.

☑️ Pros and Cons

⚗️ Reverse Osmosis Systems

SpringWell

SpringWell offers a single reverse osmosis system:

• The SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System

Filtersmart

Filtersmart also has a single reverse osmosis system:

• The Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

⚖️ Comparison Chart

🧫 Contaminants Removed

SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System

The SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System targets the majority of drinking water impurities. This means that not only the bad stuff is removed, but all the neutral stuff – like minerals, salts, and ions – is also removed.

Some of the contaminants treated by the Springwell RO Drinking System are:

• Fluoride
• Lead
• Mercury
• Arsenic
• Iron
• Chloramine
• Aluminum
• Herbicides
• Pesticides
• Chlorine
• Disinfection byproducts

It’d be great to know exactly how many contaminants the SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System removes, but this information isn’t available online.

Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

The Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System removes up to 99.9% chlorine, as well as:

• Heavy metals
• Mercury
• Copper
• Sodium
• Lead
• Chromium
• Chloride

Alongside these contaminants, this RO system “may” reduce the following contaminants from your drinking water supply:

• Arsenic
• Radium
• Potassium
• Nitrate
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Sulfate
• Phosphorous 

Again, it’d be great to see a datasheet for the Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System’s contaminant removal capabilities, but there isn’t one available on the manufacturer’s website.

🚦 Efficiency Ratio & Performance

SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System

The SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System offers a thorough filtration performance, combining a sediment filter, a carbon filter, a semi-permeable membrane, and another carbon filter.

There’s no information on how many gallons of water are wasted for every gallon produced by the SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System – the closest we get to knowing about the system’s efficiency is in the user manual, which states that the membrane’s efficiency rating is 23.16% -this equates to roughly 4 gallons of water waster for every 1 gallon produced.

In terms of speed, the SpringWell is capable of filtering up to 75 gallons of water per day – more than enough to keep you going. The unit uses a storage tank, which holds filtered water and supplies your faucet whenever you turn it on, so you don’t have to wait for water to pass through all the filtration stages every time you turn on the tap.

Check the SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System’s user manual before buying the system to check that your water parameters are optimal for the system’s performance.

Related: Other Top Rated RO Systems to Consider in 2023

Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

The Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System is another high-performing RO filter, reducing contaminants down to 0.0001 microns. The system uses four stages of filtration: a 5-micron sediment pre-filter, a carbon block filter, an RO membrane, and a final carbon block filter. TDS should be noticeably reduced after installing this system.

Again, the manufacturer doesn’t share the efficiency ratio of the Filtersmart, so it’s unclear how much water is wasted per gallon of water filtered. (although one of the listed benefits of the product is “low water waste”). What we do know is that the filter can produce up to 75 gallons of water per day, so it’s equally matched with the SpringWell RO System in this respect.

Thanks to the system’s built-in tank, there’s no more waiting than a couple of seconds for water after turning on the tap. You can choose to upgrade to the FS-75-twistloc-RO if you want a bigger storage tank that can hold more water at once, but for most people, this isn’t necessary.

Filtersmart’s website gives incorrect information about the filter stages – it looks like the information has been incorrectly taken from the Filtersmart whole house filter page as it discusses coconut shell carbon media.

💲 Models & Upfront Cost

SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System

The SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System is priced fairly for a tank-based under-sink reverse osmosis filter of its kind. You pay for a top performance by a trusted brand.

Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

The Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System costs just under $600, so it’s another fairly priced under-sink RO system.

📆 Filter Capacity & Replacement Costs

SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System

The SpringWell RO membrane lasts for about 2 years and costs around $100. The sediment filter lasts for up to 6 months and costs around $20, and the carbon block filters have a 6-month lifespan and cost around $30 each. The total annual maintenance cost is about $160-$260, depending on whether you need to replace the RO membrane or not.

Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

The Filtersmart’s sediment and carbon filters need replacing every 1 year, and the RO membrane needs replacing every 2 years. This means you’ll need to replace the filters less frequently if you choose to buy the Filtersmart RO system instead of the SpringWell system. It’s not clear how much the replacement filters are, though, as they’re not available online.

💬 Customer Reviews & Complaints

SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System

Customers were generally pleased with the SpringWell RO drinking system, agreeing that the system was easy to install and produced great-tasting water.

One customer wrote that they were happy with the taste and water quality of their city water (which was originally more than 250 ppm) after installing the SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System. The customer was also pleased with the service they received from SpringWell’s staff.

Some customers complained of a ‘gurgling’ sound coming from the system occasionally, and others said that the installation instructions were confusing.

Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

Customer reviews for the Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System are overwhelmingly positive – in fact, this is the best-rated Filtersmart product we reviewed. With that said, none of the reviews go into detail about the RO system itself.

One customer wrote that they loved the system and found it easy to install. They were so impressed with the results that they had installed a second system in two different houses.

We don’t know much about what the customers think of this system’s performance based on the reviews available online. We could only find one complaint: somebody hadn’t received instructions with their filter.

☑️ Pros and Cons

🥇 Springwell vs Filtersmart: Which Brand Wins?

There’s a lot going for SpringWell’s and Filtersmart’s products, but ultimately, SpringWell comes out on top across all areas of water treatment.

SpringWell’s whole house water filtration systems, conditioners, and RO systems consistently receive praise and positive feedback with customers. The only thing that people complain about is installation – but you can always hire a plumber to do the job for you. When it comes to performance, reliability, and durability, SpringWell is a customer favorite.

We loved that the SpringWell systems produced instant results in our testing. It was immediately obvious that our water quality had been improved, and our testing confirmed this.

The Filtersmart products are almost as capable as SpringWell’s, but not quite. Generally, SpringWell’s products are slightly more durable and better-quality than Filtersmart’s. In most cases, SpringWell’s whole house water filters and other water treatment products are a better value for money than Filtersmart’s.