Whirlpool WHES30
A low-cost, NSF certified demand softener for a small household on city water, with excellent salt efficiency.
Blain's Farm & Fleet $469.99$469.99
The Whirlpool WHES30 rates 3.6 among up to 32,000 grains water softeners; the Whirlpool WHES40 rates 3.4 among 32,001 to 48,000 grains ones. The Whirlpool WHES30 costs $110 less ($469.99 vs $579.99).
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
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.
Scores side by side
These two sit in different size classes (up to 32,000 grains and 32,001 to 48,000 grains), and each is scored against the reference points for its own class, so a rating says how well each does among its own size peers. How we rank explains each factor.
| Factor weight | Whirlpool WHES30 | Whirlpool WHES40 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.6/5 | 3.4/5 |
| Value 30% | 75 $15.67 per 1,000 grains ($469.99, 30,000 grains) | 66 $14.50 per 1,000 grains ($579.99, 40,000 grains) |
| Salt efficiency 20% | 100 5,094 grains per lb of salt | 100 5,094 grains per lb of salt |
| Flow 15% | 22 7.3 gpm service flow | 0 7.6 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 WHES30 | Whirlpool WHES40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | ||
| Rated capacity | 30,000 grains | 40,000 grains |
| Resin | 0.8 cu ft | 1.1 cu ft |
| Service flow | 7.3 gpm | 7.6 gpm |
| Salt efficiency | 5,094 grains per lb | 5,094 grains per lb |
| Highest hardness | 95 gpg | 125 gpg |
| Highest iron | 8 ppm | 10 ppm |
| Control | ||
| Valve | Whirlpool demand valve | Whirlpool demand valve |
| Regenerates on demand | Yes | Yes |
| App or remote monitoring | No | No |
| Bypass valve included | Yes | - |
| Certification and warranty | ||
| NSF/ANSI 44 | Yes | Yes |
| Valve warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
| Tank warranty | 10 years | 10 years |