Rheem Preferred RHS32
A certified demand softener for one to four people that also reduces barium and radium, a plus on some well water.
Home Depot $489$489
The Rheem Preferred RHS32 is the better water softener overall, rated 3.7 to 3.2. The Rheem Preferred RHS32 leads on value. The SoftPro Elite 32,000 Grain wins on warranty. The Rheem Preferred RHS32 costs $670 less ($489 vs $1,159).
SoftPro Elite 32,000 Grain
A premium small softener for buyers who want long warranty cover and lower salt use and will pay well above budget brands for it.
Amazon $1,159$1,159
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 Rheem Preferred RHS32 for value ($15.28 per 1,000 grains ($489, 32,000 grains) vs $36.22 per 1,000 grains ($1,159, 32,000 grains)).
- Choose the SoftPro Elite 32,000 Grain for warranty (10 years on the valve, 99 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 | Rheem Preferred RHS32 | SoftPro Elite 32,000 Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.7/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value 30% | 77 $15.28 per 1,000 grains ($489, 32,000 grains) | 0 $36.22 per 1,000 grains ($1,159, 32,000 grains) |
| Salt efficiency 20% | 97 4,940 grains per lb of salt | 50 salt efficiency not published (neutral score used) |
| Flow 15% | 32 7.9 gpm service flow | 50 service flow not published (neutral score used) |
| Warranty 25% | 22 3 years on the valve, 10 years on the tanks | 100 10 years on the valve, 99 years on the tanks |
| Certification 10% | 100 certified to NSF/ANSI 44 | 50 certification not stated (neutral score used) |
Independent measurements
Rheem Preferred RHS32
No independent test published yet.
SoftPro Elite 32,000 Grain
| Tested by | Hardness out | Salt used | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Filter Guru | 0 gpg | - | Lab test of a 32,000 grain SoftPro Elite on a private well in Milner, Colorado, after two sediment filters and a UV unit: total hardness 120 ppm (7.0 gpg) in, 0.052 ppm out (0.003 gpg). Salt use not measured. |
Specifications
| Rheem Preferred RHS32 | SoftPro Elite 32,000 Grain | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | ||
| Rated capacity | 32,000 grains | 32,000 grains |
| Resin | 0.9 cu ft | - |
| Service flow | 7.9 gpm | - |
| Salt efficiency | 4,940 grains per lb | - |
| Highest hardness | 105 gpg | - |
| Highest iron | 8 ppm | - |
| Control | ||
| Valve | Rheem demand valve | - |
| Regenerates on demand | Yes | Yes |
| App or remote monitoring | No | No |
| Bypass valve included | Yes | Yes |
| Certification and warranty | ||
| NSF/ANSI 44 | Yes | - |
| Valve warranty | 3 years | 10 years |
| Tank warranty | 10 years | Lifetime |