Rheem Preferred Plus RHS42
A well rounded certified softener for a family of up to six on hard city or well water.
Home Depot $549$549
3.8/5
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.
- 48,000 grainsCapacity
- 11.9 gpmService flow
- 5,090 gr/lbSalt efficiency
- YesNSF/ANSI 44
Check price at Blain's Farm & Fleet$679.99
Price checked November 1, 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Pros
- Near 12 gpm service flow keeps pressure up in a busy house
- Treats very hard water up to 160 gpg and 12 ppm iron
- Two years of full parts and labor coverage, longer than most store brands
Cons
- Tall 48 in cabinet needs headroom under stairs or shelves
- No app or remote alerts
The Whirlpool WHES family
Every Whirlpool WHES model we rank, smallest first. Ratings compare each against its own size.
| Model | Capacity | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whirlpool WHES30 | 30,000 grains | 3.6/5 | $469.99 |
| Whirlpool WHES40 | 40,000 grains | 3.4/5 | $579.99 |
| Whirlpool WHES48 PRO (this one) | 48,000 grains | 3.8/5 | $679.99 |
How it scores
The rating comes from 5 measured or published factors, each scored 0-100 against fixed reference points for its size. How we rank explains each one.
Specifications
| Model number | WHES48 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | |
| Rated capacity | 48,000 grains |
| Resin | 1.3 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 |
| Regenerates on demand | Yes |
| App or remote monitoring | No |
| Bypass valve included | Yes |
| Certification and warranty | |
| NSF/ANSI 44 | Yes |
| Valve warranty | 3 years |
| Tank warranty | 10 years |
Alternatives in this size
Aquasana SimplySoft 40K
A certified, salt efficient cabinet softener for a family of up to five on city water. Pick it over cheaper uncertified units if you want verified salt savings.
Amazon $749$749
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
Compare
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