What a softener does and doesn’t do
A softener removes the minerals that cause scale. It isn’t designed to remove chlorine, improve taste or treat every possible contaminant. A whole-house carbon filter installed before the softener can reduce chlorine taste and odor at every tap, and a separate drinking water system at the kitchen sink adds another layer for water you drink and cook with.
Start with what you want to fix
If scale and spotting are your main complaint, a softener alone may be all you need. If taste and smell bother you too, a combo may make sense. Ask the installer to explain what each piece of equipment does and what ongoing filter or salt costs to expect. Read salt vs. salt-free softeners for more background.
Related: water softener installation.