Whirlpool WHES40
A good value 40,000 grain softener for a family of three to five, with certified salt efficiency and strong iron handling.
Blain's Farm & Fleet $579.99$579.99
The Whirlpool WHES40 is the better water softener overall, rated 3.4 to 2.8. The Whirlpool WHES40 leads on value. The Whirlpool WHES40 costs $242.78 less ($579.99 vs $822.77).
Kenmore 420
A certified 40,000 grain demand softener for well or city water, but the price is hard to justify against similar models.
Amazon $822.77$822.77
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 WHES40 for value ($14.50 per 1,000 grains ($579.99, 40,000 grains) vs $20.57 per 1,000 grains ($822.77, 40,000 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 WHES40 | Kenmore 420 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.4/5 | 2.8/5 |
| Value 30% | 66 $14.50 per 1,000 grains ($579.99, 40,000 grains) | 34 $20.57 per 1,000 grains ($822.77, 40,000 grains) |
| Salt efficiency 20% | 100 5,094 grains per lb of salt | 50 salt efficiency not published (neutral score used) |
| Flow 15% | 0 7.6 gpm service flow | 0 7.7 gpm service flow |
| Warranty 25% | 22 3 years on the valve, 10 years on the tanks | 22 3 years on the valve, 10 years on the tanks |
| Certification 10% | 100 certified to NSF/ANSI 44 | 100 certified to NSF/ANSI 44 |
Specifications
| Whirlpool WHES40 | Kenmore 420 | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | ||
| Rated capacity | 40,000 grains | 40,000 grains |
| Resin | 1.1 cu ft | - |
| Service flow | 7.6 gpm | 7.7 gpm |
| Salt efficiency | 5,094 grains per lb | - |
| Highest hardness | 125 gpg | - |
| Highest iron | 10 ppm | - |
| Control | ||
| Valve | Whirlpool demand valve | Kenmore demand valve |
| Regenerates on demand | Yes | Yes |
| App or remote monitoring | No | No |
| Certification and warranty | ||
| NSF/ANSI 44 | Yes | Yes |
| Valve warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
| Tank warranty | 10 years | 10 years |