Filteredwaterguide.com is supported by readers. If you purchase through referral links on our site, we make a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
We’ve seen firsthand how hard water can wreak havoc in homes across the country.
From stubborn scale buildup on fixtures to expensive appliance repairs, hard water problems can quickly spiral out of control.
While traditional salt-based systems work well, we’ve found that maintaining them can become a real hassle for many homeowners. That’s why we were excited to test these innovative alternatives from Pelican Water, a brand we’ve come to trust for water treatment solutions.
Through our extensive testing, we discovered that these NaturSoft NS3 & NS6 salt-free systems offer an incredibly efficient way to tackle hard water issues without the usual maintenance headaches.
Based on our hands-on experience, these systems deserve serious consideration if you’re looking for a low-maintenance solution to your hard water problems.
The key difference between the models lies in their capacity: The NS3 handles homes with 1-3 bathrooms at 10 gallons per minute (GPM), while the NS6 manages 4-6 bathrooms with a robust 15 GPM flow rate.
After thoroughly testing these systems, here are the standout features that impressed our team:
Our decades of experience in the water treatment industry have shown us just how challenging traditional water softening can be for homeowners.
Traditional water softeners that use salt require regular maintenance and the constant hassle of lugging heavy salt bags from the store.
We’ve found the Pelican NaturSoft systems offer a refreshing departure from this labor-intensive approach. Instead of removing minerals through ion exchange, these systems use innovative technology to neutralize calcium and magnesium, preventing scale formation while keeping these minerals in your water.
Through our testing, we’ve confirmed these systems effectively prevent the frustrating buildup of scale on bathroom fixtures and surfaces. More importantly, they protect your plumbing system from expensive scale-related clogs and damage.
What really sets these systems apart, in our experience, is their ability to prevent scale while preserving beneficial minerals in your drinking water. This dual benefit of scale prevention and mineral retention is why we confidently included these units in our guide to the best water softeners that are available in the marketplace.
During our extensive testing process, we paid special attention to practical installation concerns.
Most homeowners without basements typically install water softeners in their garage, and nobody wants an unsightly appliance in that space.
That’s where the Pelican NaturSoft NS3 & NS6 Salt-Free Water Softeners really shine with their sleek stainless-steel exterior.
Our team was particularly impressed by the robust build quality – these units come with a lifetime warranty that reflects their exceptional durability
Through years of testing water softeners, we’ve discovered that particle contamination can seriously impact performance.
The included 5-micron pre-filter showcases Pelican’s attention to real-world usage concerns.
This essential component removes common problematic particles like hair, rust, dirt, sand, and pollen before they can affect the system’s effectiveness.
From our hands-on experience, this pre-filtration step is crucial for long-term performance.
When we evaluate water softeners, third-party certifications carry significant weight in our assessment.
The DVGW 9191 certification these units achieved is particularly impressive – they demonstrated up to 99% scale reduction in independent testing.
This exceptional result validates Pentair’s claim of 97% scale prevention capability.
Our team finds this kind of independent verification essential for separating marketing claims from real-world performance.
For environmentally conscious homeowners, these systems offer compelling advantages.
Unlike traditional salt-based softeners that waste water during regeneration, these units operate with zero water waste.
We’re especially impressed by their electricity-free operation.
If you’re dealing with hard water issues and want an environmentally responsible solution, these conditioners offer exceptional performance without the environmental impact.
Our hands-on testing revealed the key advantages and drawbacks of the Pelican NS3 and NS6 water softener alternatives.
Here’s what we discovered after extensive real-world evaluation:
From our installation experience, we can confirm that while these systems represent a significant initial investment, the ability to handle the setup yourself can save you hundreds of dollars in professional installation fees.
What impressed us during our installations was the completeness of the package – the system arrives with virtually everything needed for setup, minus some basic plumbing supplies.
The package includes:
In practice, we found that once you’ve assembled the components from both boxes, the final step is simply connecting the system to your home’s main water line.
Throughout our extensive testing period, we found the minimal maintenance requirements to be one of the strongest features of these systems. Once properly installed, these units run almost entirely on their own.
We’ve found this to be perfect for homeowners who want the benefits of softened water without the regular upkeep that traditional salt-based systems demand.
The only maintenance task we needed to perform was replacing the sediment prefilter cartridge every 6-9 months. In our professional experience, this represents a significant advantage over conventional water softeners.
This exceptional ease of maintenance explains why we’re seeing more homeowners choose water conditioners like the Pelican NaturSoft NS3 & NS6 over traditional salt-based systems.
Based on our thorough testing and industry expertise, here’s what you should consider: If your primary goal is complete removal of hard water minerals, these systems aren’t the right choice – they condition rather than remove minerals.
The higher upfront cost might also push you toward more budget-friendly alternatives.
However, we found these systems excel at two critical tasks: preventing limescale buildup and operating with minimal maintenance. For these specific needs, both the NS3 and NS6 proved to be well-engineered solutions.
From our professional perspective, we confidently recommend either model for homeowners seeking an effective alternative to traditional salt-based systems.
You can also check out our Pelican Water Softener reviews page to see all the models they produce.