13 Best water softeners in 2022: Comparison Table
Depending on your municipal water source, the water you drink every day can either be classified as hard or soft. Hard water contains minerals dissolved in groundwater, like limestone, heavy metals, and other remnants. Over time, these minerals can build up on your dishes, pipes, and in your own body.
Water softeners help to remove minerals, which helps to reduce long-term costs associated with hard water use. Softeners use a process known as ion exchange, which replaces positively charged minerals with weakly charged sodium ions. Water softeners decrease dishwashing and laundering costs, in addition to preventing the transmission of water-borne diseases and medical issues.
Many users have turned to the Whirlpool WHES40E, which is ideal for medium-sized households. Unlike other softeners, Whirlpool calculates the concentration of sodium and water required to produce healthy water, resulting in significantly more efficient daily use.
Customers' Choice
Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener-Built in USA-Salt Saving Technology-NSF Certified, Off-White
- Whirlpool WHES40E water softener is ideal for households of 1-6+ people and removes up to 10 ppm of clear water (ferrous) iron
- NSF certified to reduce hard water symptoms such as embarrassing stains, build upon your Plumbing and Faucets, and spotting on dishes
- Whirlpool water softeners automatically Calculate how much salt and water is required to regenerate and only uses what is necessary, resulting in a significant reduction in salt and water usage
- Full 1-year parts and labor. The system can be extended to 2 years when you buy 3 bottles of Whirlpool WHEWSC water softener cleaner (sold separately)
- Dimensions: 19" D x 18" W x 47 7/8" H
- Designed, engineered and assembled in the USA. Questions? Call the Whirlpool helpline at (866) 986-3223
Best Value
Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series – Softener/Whole Home Filter Hybrid, Gray
- Save Money With A 2-in-1 System: Remove hard water minerals and harmful contaminants for families of 1-to-5 with one single-tank system instead of buying 2 separate systems.
- Superior Hardness Removal: This hybrid water softener/filter has a 31, 000-grain capacity, an above-average hardness removal rating of 120 grains per gallon, and an iron removal rating of 3 ppm which helps reduce reddish-brown stains on drains and water-using appliances.
- Water Contaminant Reduction: This whole-home filtration system reduces sediment, chlorine taste, and odor from the water used throughout your entire home.
- Efficiently Use Salt: The WHESFC is a smart water softener, meaning it uses demand-initiated regeneration technology to produce soft water as your home needs it, reducing salt costs over the life of the system.
- Designed, engineered, and assembled in the USA. Questions? Call the Whirlpool helpline at (866) 986-3223
- No Filter to Replace: The WHESFC Pro-Series Hybrid cleans its own filter as needed — you will never have to replace the filter.
- Uses up to 25% less salt and water than previous Whirlpool models by monitoring your water usage and only regenerating when necessary. Older timer-based models regenerate on a set cycle regardless of how much water you’ve used; which can result in unnecessary water and salt consumption.
Most Popular
GE Appliances 40,000 Grain, GXSH40V Water Softener, Gray
- GE exclusive custom select blending valve - Allows you to select how soft you want your water
- GE exclusive salt saver - Helps reduce salt consumption and uses up to 34% less salt (Based on internal analysis verses GE water softeners manufactured prior to 2009)
- GE exclusive days to empty - Makes sure you never have to guess when to refill the salt tank
- Water usage - Uses up to 35% less water (based on internal analysis verses GE water softeners manufactured prior to 2009)
- Sediment filtration - Self-cleaning sediment filter protects your home’s plumbing
Best Budget
Whirlpool WHES30E 30,000 Grain Softener | Salt & Water Saving Technology | NSF Certified | Automatic Whole House...
- Whirlpool WHES30E is ideal for households of 1-4+ people and removes up to 8ppm of clear water (ferrous) iron
- NSF certified to reduce hard water symptoms such as embarrassing stains, build-up on your plumbing and faucets as well as spotting on dishes
- Whirlpool water softeners automatically calculate how much salt and water is required to regenerate and only use what is necessary, resulting in significant salt and water savings
- Full 1-year parts and labor warranty. The system can be extended to 2 years of parts and labor when you buy 3 bottles of Whirlpool WHEWSC water softener cleaner (sold separately)
- Designed, engineered, and assembled in the USA
Most Discussed & Reviewed
Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Water Softener Digital SXT Metered Whole House System
- Fleck 5600sxt Digital on-demand Metered Water Softener with paddlewheel meter (BR5600SMS-SXTPW), Made in the USA.
- Black Structural 10x54" PG 2.5T (CH30579-03010203-30), 14"x34" black square brine tank with safety float, made in the USA
- Includes Fleck bypass valve (60049) and 1" male threaded yoke connection (18706-01)
- Will treat up to 12 GPM service flow rates (28 GPM peak) perfect for up to 6 people in the home, moderate to very hard water
- 48,000 grain or 1.5 cubic feet of high capacity 8% cross-linked resin (BR8)
Best Trusted
Best Cheap
Fleck 5600 SXT Whole House Water Softener 48,000 Grains Ships Loaded With Resin In Tank
- Fleck 5600 SXT On-Demand Digital Metered Water Softener
- 48,000 Grain 1.5 cubic ft of High Capacity Resin Pre Loaded in the tank
- Black USA Mineral tank shipped loaded with the resin in it already and a USA Brine Tank with safety float
- Includes free 1-inch noryl plastic bypass
- We love to help our customers with great toll-free support
Other Popular water softeners
Aquasure Harmony Series 48,000 Grains Water Softener with High-Efficiency Digital Metered Control Head (48,000...
- Reduces hardness in the water, and eliminates scale, spot build-up for the entire home.
- Rated to treat 48,000 Grains of Hardness by removing skin-damaging hard minerals like iron and magnesium that clog up the skin pore and cause irritation.
- Equipped with Aquatrol Advanced Digital On-Demand Meter Control Head, in and out bypass, 1" NPT Male Adapter, and pre-filled premium quality resin.
- Featured, time-delayed, metered, and manual double backwash for optimum regeneration, cleaning, and performance.
- Every Aquasure Water Softener is constructed of High strength corrosion-resistant fiberglass lined polyethylene tank, durable bypass valve, and prefilled premium-grade resin. It also comes with 5-year manufacturer warranty
AFWFilters AFW Filters IRON Pro 2 Combination water softener iron filter Fleck 5600SXT digital metered valve for...
- Pre Loaded Water softener, iron filter, all in one! high flow for whole-house use.
- Comes with AFW Filters install kit with sanitizer, lubricant, and instructions
- Fleck 5600SXT digital metered valve for efficiency and ease of use, 5 year. Removes hardness up to 70 gpg, iron up to 4-7 ppm range, manganese up to 6 ppm, sediment, sand, rust
- Comes with the standard brine tank and bypass valve -
Iron Pro 2 Combination water softener iron filter Fleck 5600SXT digital metered valve 64,000 grain, 64k for whole...
- Water softener, iron filter, all in one! high flow for whole-house use!
- 64,000-grain capacity, fine mesh resin designed for high iron removal & long life
- Fleck 5600SXT digital metered valve for efficiency and ease of use, 5-year warranty!
- Removes hardness up to 75 gpg, Iron up to 6-8 ppm range, Manganese up to 6 ppm, sediment, sand, rust
- *tank color may vary*, this comes complete with brine tank, DIY instructions, bypass valve