Whirlpool WHES48 PRO
A strong all-round pick for larger families on hard city or well water: high flow, certified efficiency and a longer parts warranty for the price.
Blain's Farm & Fleet $679.99$679.99
The Whirlpool WHES48 PRO is the better water softener overall, rated 3.8 to 3.1. The Whirlpool WHES48 PRO leads on certification and value. The Whirlpool WHES48 PRO costs $125 less ($679.99 vs $804.99).
AFWFilters Fleck 5600SXT 48K
A straightforward Fleck 5600SXT softener for a family of three to five, for buyers who value a widely serviced valve over certification.
Amazon $804.99$804.99
Prices were last checked November 1, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Whirlpool WHES48 PRO for certification (certified to NSF/ANSI 44 vs not certified to NSF/ANSI 44) and value ($14.17 per 1,000 grains ($679.99, 48,000 grains) vs $16.77 per 1,000 grains ($804.99, 48,000 grains)).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every 32,001 to 48,000 grains water softener; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Whirlpool WHES48 PRO | AFWFilters Fleck 5600SXT 48K |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.8/5 | 3.1/5 |
| Value 30% | 68 $14.17 per 1,000 grains ($679.99, 48,000 grains) | 53 $16.77 per 1,000 grains ($804.99, 48,000 grains) |
| Salt efficiency 20% | 100 5,090 grains per lb of salt | 50 salt efficiency not published (neutral score used) |
| Flow 15% | 65 11.9 gpm service flow | 50 service flow not published (neutral score used) |
| Warranty 25% | 22 3 years on the valve, 10 years on the tanks | 50 warranty not published (neutral score used) |
| Certification 10% | 100 certified to NSF/ANSI 44 | 0 not certified to NSF/ANSI 44 |
Specifications
| Whirlpool WHES48 PRO | AFWFilters Fleck 5600SXT 48K | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | ||
| Rated capacity | 48,000 grains | 48,000 grains |
| Resin | 1.3 cu ft | 1.5 cu ft |
| Service flow | 11.9 gpm | - |
| Salt efficiency | 5,090 grains per lb | - |
| Highest hardness | 160 gpg | - |
| Highest iron | 12 ppm | - |
| Control | ||
| Valve | Whirlpool demand valve | Fleck 5600SXT |
| Regenerates on demand | Yes | Yes |
| App or remote monitoring | No | No |
| Bypass valve included | Yes | Yes |
| Resin tank | - | 10 x 54 in |
| Certification and warranty | ||
| NSF/ANSI 44 | Yes | No |
| Valve warranty | 3 years | - |
| Tank warranty | 10 years | - |