[Ducay]

They're not completely snake oil, but generally, it is a totally different output than you get with salt based softeners. Key is to understand what you're buying and if it meets your needs. Many people fall for the marketing 'wank' and are disappointed in the results.

Salt-free isn't softening, it is just conditioning (tweaks the Calcium and Magnesium to reduce effects). You get some of the benefits at a limited amount. I'd consider it like getting 30% of the net benefit of softened water (basically just less build up of scale), at a much higher price, but much less ongoing effort. Depends how much you hate refilling the salt tank with a couple bags every 4-5 months. My view is that the negatives of ongoing salt-refilling are worth the net benefits of actual soft water (better detergent effect, even less buildup, soft water feel, lower initial cost)