A low-cost, NSF certified demand softener for a small household on city water, with excellent salt efficiency.
Blain's Farm & Fleet $469.99The Whirlpool WHES30 is the better water softener overall, rated 3.6 to 3.2. The Whirlpool WHES30 leads on certification. The Aquasure Harmony 32K wins on warranty. The Whirlpool WHES30 costs $53.30 less ($469.99 vs $523.29).
A low cost metered softener for a small household on city or well water that wants the basics done cheaply. Buyers who want verified salt efficiency should look at a certified model.
Amazon $523.29Prices 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 WHES30 for certification (certified to NSF/ANSI 44 vs not certified to NSF/ANSI 44).
- Choose the Aquasure Harmony 32K for warranty (5 years on the valve, 10 years on the tanks vs 3 years on the valve, 10 years on the tanks).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every up to 32,000 grains water softener; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Whirlpool WHES30 | Aquasure Harmony 32K |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.6/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value 30% | 75 $15.67 per 1,000 grains ($469.99, 30,000 grains) | 71 $16.35 per 1,000 grains ($523.29, 32,000 grains) |
| Salt efficiency 20% | 100 5,094 grains per lb of salt | 50 salt efficiency not published (neutral score used) |
| Flow 15% | 22 7.3 gpm service flow | 50 service flow not published (neutral score used) |
| Warranty 25% | 22 3 years on the valve, 10 years on the tanks | 44 5 years on the valve, 10 years on the tanks |
| Certification 10% | 100 certified to NSF/ANSI 44 | 0 not certified to NSF/ANSI 44 |
Specifications
| Whirlpool WHES30 | Aquasure Harmony 32K | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | ||
| Rated capacity | 30,000 grains | 32,000 grains |
| Resin | 0.8 cu ft | 1 cu ft |
| Service flow | 7.3 gpm | - |
| Salt efficiency | 5,094 grains per lb | - |
| Highest hardness | 95 gpg | - |
| Highest iron | 8 ppm | - |
| Control | ||
| Valve | Whirlpool demand valve | Aquatrol digital metered |
| Regenerates on demand | Yes | Yes |
| App or remote monitoring | No | No |
| Bypass valve included | Yes | Yes |
| Resin tank | - | 8 x 44 in |
| Certification and warranty | ||
| NSF/ANSI 44 | Yes | No |
| Valve warranty | 3 years | 5 years |
| Tank warranty | 10 years | 10 years |
