Consumer Reports' Best Rated Water Softeners: The Shocking Truth Revealed

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

SoftPro Water Systems Overview

Looking for a solid fix to that hard water headache? SoftPro Water Systems might just be your new best friend. This overview spills the beans on how Quality Water Treatment (QWT) and the Phillips family kicked things off, and gives you a sneak peek at what SoftPro's got cooking in their water-softening lineup.

QWT & The Phillips Family

Back in 1990, Craig “The Water Guy” Phillips rolled up his sleeves and gave the world Quality Water Treatment. With a blend of honesty and fresh ideas, QWT sets out to deliver great water treatment without the sky-high price tags often found in the biz. Craig’s all about "making water way better for everyone," and this mantra keeps the company on its toes.

Meet the Phillips Family

• Craig Phillips (Founder & CEO): Craig, a.k.a "The Water Guy," gets right in there with the nuts and bolts of SoftPro Water Systems, ensuring they're slick, smart, and simple to use.

• Jeremy Phillips (Sales Manager): Craig's son, Jeremy, is all about matching folks with the right SoftPro gear after taking a close look at their water situation—no pushy sales pitch needed.

• Heather Phillips (Operations Manager): Craig's daughter, Heather, makes sure the wheels keep turning daily, overseeing shipping, tech support, and marketing. That friendly chatter in your inbox? It’s usually Heather!

Company Pillars

• Family’s at the Heart: The Phillips crew makes sure everyone gets a bit of that personal touch.

• Putting Customer’s First: Being open, giving clear info, and keeping support within reach are in QWT's playbook.

• Big Reach, Small Feel: While they serve folks from coast to coast, QWT keeps it cozy and family-focused.

SoftPro Product Lineup

Craig kicked off SoftPro under the QWT name to close a market gap: reliable, feature-packed systems without the marketing fluff.

SoftPro Water Softeners

Model	What's Special	Design & Efficiency	Where It Fits	Great For
SoftPro ECO	Budget-friendly softening	Simple, cost-effective	City and well water	New buyers, those on a budget
SoftPro Elite	Super efficient, saves salt	Sturdy resin, smart regeneration	City and well water, mid-high hardness	Reliable and long-lasting
SoftPro Smart Home+	Controlled with DROP tech	Live data, spot leaks	City and well	Gadget lovers, automatic alerts

• SoftPro ECO Water Softener: This is SoftPro’s wallet-friendly warrior, offering solid performance without a big price tag. Ideal for beginners or penny-pinchers who need something reliable. It's up for the job no matter if your tap's city or well.

• SoftPro Elite Water Softener: This gem is a high-efficiency champ, using way less salt and water. With its sturdy resin and smart settings, it's a perfect fit for managing various hardness levels in city and well water. Perfect for those hunting for top-tier dependability.

• SoftPro Smart Home+ Water Softener: This tech-savvy model shouts synergy with DROP’s smart home gadgets, making remote monitoring a breeze. It offers real-time tracking and identifies leaks or issues fast, perfect for tech fans in both city and well settings.

Need a closer look at these? Hop over to best rated water softeners consumer reports to dig deeper into the SoftPro Elite and its salt-saving skills.

SoftPro Filtration Systems

SoftPro's got a handful of filtration picks too:

• SoftPro AIO Iron Master: Targets those pesky iron, sulfur, and manganese spots on well water with Air Injection Oxidation genius.

• SoftPro Whole House Fluoride & Carbon Filter: A hit with city water folks, zapping fluoride, chlorine, and other baddies.

• SoftPro Whole House Catalytic Carbon Filter: Beats the chemical clock against chlorine and VOCs, ideal for city and well water.

Check out all the benefits of these beasts at best whole home water filter system.

SoftPro Water Systems cut through the hard water hassle with smart, sturdy, and savvy solutions, making them a go-to for households craving fresher water life.

Top Water Softeners

Look, nobody likes scrubbing off stubborn limescale or having dull, spotty glasses. That's where top-notch water softeners come in, making life a whole lot easier and saving some elbow grease. When you're hunting down the best gadget for your hard water woes, here's a couple to keep an eye on: the SpringWell SS1 and the SoftPro Elite. Both are biggies in the world of water softeners, each bringing their A-game to knock those hard water issues flat.

SpringWell SS1 Overview

Picture the SpringWell SS1, the tech-savvy whiz kid in the water softener lineup. It shines as a salt-based champ, designed to take on even the crankiest water situations, whether from the city or a well. For households battling heavy mineral messes, this one’s a lifesaver.

Key Features:

• Bluetooth Connectivity: With Bluetooth, you're literally in control at your fingertips. Tweak settings and keep tabs using your phone. Easy peasy.
• Top Performance: Its mission: swiftly transforming even the toughest water into a silky smooth dream, no matter where it's coming from.
• User-Friendly Interface: Say goodbye to confusing setups! The control panel is a breeze to work with, even if you’re new to the water softener game.

Feature	Description
Capacity	High
Connectivity	Bluetooth
Water Source Compatibility	City, Well
Ease of Use	High

Get more scoop on picking the right system by checking out our handy guide on the best water softener system.

SoftPro Elite Features

Then there's the SoftPro Elite, the penny-pincher’s dream, shining in the efficiency department. With killer tech like upflow regeneration and precision brining, this model's all about keeping those operational costs low while boosting performance. Reports have it, this beauty can cut yearly costs by 68%.

Key Features:

• Salt Efficiency: These bad boys will seriously cut down on salt used for regeneration, saving you loads in the long run.
• Upflow Regeneration: Water gets pushed through the resin bed in a smarter way, promising consistent softening.
• Precision Brining: It’s all about using just the right amount of salt, nixing waste and upping the system's efficiency.

Feature	Description
Capacity	High
Salt Efficiency	Up to 68% savings annually
Regeneration Type	Upflow
Ease of Use	Medium

Need some advice on keeping your SoftPro Elite in tip-top shape? Head over to our page on the best household water softener.

When you've got consumer reviews singing their praises, both these systems prove themselves over and over for dealing with pesky hard water problems. Figure out which features jive best with your setup by comparing the SpringWell SS1 and SoftPro Elite. Want more choices? See what else is out there in our section on top rated home water softeners.

Budget-Friendly Options

If you're looking to snag one of the top-rated water softeners without needing to sell a kidney, you're in luck! We've got some solid choices that won't leave your wallet weeping. Two crowd-faves to consider are the Fleck 5600 STX and the Whirlpool WHES40E.

Fleck 5600 STX Highlights

The Fleck 5600 STX is a darling among budget-savvy folks (Quality Water Lab). It's easy on the purse strings upfront and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to maintain. While it doesn't come with a spaceship's dashboard of options, it's won many fans nationwide for its simplicity and dependability.

Feature	Details
Price	Easy on your bank account
Maintenance	Won’t eat into your weekends or wallet
User Interface	Basic, less fuss
Durability	Built to last with a loyal fanbase

In short, the Fleck 5600 STX is like your favorite jeans—reliable, no-nonsense, and just what you need without any extra frills. It's the best buddy for those hunting down an affordable good water softener system.

Whirlpool WHES40E Benefits

For our friends dealing with well water woes, the Whirlpool WHES40E is here to save the day (Quality Water Lab). It's perfect for families from cozy pairs to bustling squads, cleaning house with even the iron-iest of water. Smart enough to regenerate only when it needs to, it uses water and salt efficiently—super handy for bigger clans.

According to Better Homes & Gardens, the Whirlpool WHES40E snagged the top spot for best water softener after being put through its paces. Users rave about its knack for turning water into silk, making soap bubbly, and leaving clothes soft without the fabric softener.

Feature	Details
Capacity	Fits families of all sizes
Iron Removal	Best buds with well water
Regeneration	Saves resources smartly
User Feedback	Two thumbs up from satisfied users

The Whirlpool WHES40E is a jack-of-all-trades, particularly if you're gunning for the best water softener for well water without compromising on performance.

Picking a water softener isn't just about watching your pennies—it's also about matching it to your unique needs, like how hard your water is and how big your household is. Swing by our guides on the best softener water and the top water softener to find even more great picks.

Water Softener Maintenance

Keeping your water softener in tip-top shape can make a world of difference in how long it lasts and how well it works. Let's chat about why the cleanliness of water softener pellets matters and what to keep an eye out for when picking out a new water softener based on consumer feedback.

Purity of Water Softener Pellets

Those little water softener pellets punch above their weight. The cleaner they are, the better your system runs. With high-quality pellets, you're looking at fewer hassles and a longer lifespan. Here's the lowdown from Carter's My Plumber:

• Stay Away from Gunk: Impurities in pellets can turn your brine tank into a nightmare, causing blockages that scream to be cleaned.
• Smooth Sailing: Pellets that fully dissolve keep things flowing and your softener humming nicely.
• More Bang for Your Buck: Clean pellets mean your system runs like a charm and sticks around for the long haul.

Here’s a quick comparison to wrap your head around it:

Pellet Type	Purity Level (%)	Maintenance Needs
Regular Pellets	94	More
Premium Pellets	99	Less
Ultra-Pure Pellets	100	Least

Certification and Key Features

When choosing a water softener, certifications are like a stamp of approval. They tell you the system is up to snuff and will perform the way you need it to. David A. Davies, president of Aqua General, Inc., vouches for credentials from heavy-hitters like NSF, WQA, or IAPMO (Better Homes & Gardens).

Key Features to Look for:

• NSF Certified: Guarantees your softener meets health and safety benchmarks.
• WQA Certified: Ensures the system is tough and can walk the talk.
• IAPMO Certified: Confirms the system's got the thumbs-up for plumbing rules and regs.

Curious to see what our lineup offers? Dive into our guides on the best water softener system, the best water conditioner, the best rated water softener, and the best water softener for well water.

By paying attention to pellet purity and those must-have certifications, you'll keep your water softener running smoothly and getting the job done right.