It’s a no-brainer that hard water is a serious problem, so I am here to offer sterling water softener reviews in this latest guide.
You may ask, why only Sterling?
The answer is simple: It’s the most effective model used by water softeners to remove harmful substances.
Let’s get straight into the reviews then!
Key Features of The Best Sterling Water Softeners: Top 5 Picks
| Image | Product | Check Discounted Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Whirlpool WHES30E 30,000 Grain Softener
| Check Discounted PriceRead Full Review |
 | Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series – Softener
| Check Discounted PriceRead Full Review |
 | Aquasure Harmony Series 48,000 Grains Water Softener
| Check Discounted PriceRead Full Review |
 | Fleck 5600sxt Metered On-demand 48,000 Grain Water Softener
| Check Discounted PriceRead Full Review |
 | GE Water Softener System | 30,400 Grain
| Check Discounted PriceRead Full Review |
Here's How We Test Products At Aquaprofessor
- Key Features of The Best Sterling Water Softeners: Top 5 Picks
- Best Of The Best – Sterling Water Softener Ratings: A Quick Cheat Sheet
- Sterling Water Softener: What It Is And Why Do You Need It?
- Why Should One Go For Sterling Water Softeners?
- Top 5 Sterling Water Softeners Reviewed In Detail
- Do Not Forget These Factors While Buying Water Softeners
- Bless Your Water Softener With a Long Life by Using These Tips
- Got More Questions on Sterling Water Softener Reviews
Best Of The Best – Sterling Water Softener Ratings: A Quick Cheat Sheet
I’m pretty sure that you want to know about the specifications of each of the five listed water softeners and their analysis and reviews. However, before you go any further, here is a quick comparison table.
| Product | Easy to install | Hard water treatment | Easy Maintenance | Customer Support |
| 1. Whirlpool WHES30E | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| 2. Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| 3. Aquasure Harmony Series | 4/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 5/5 |
| 4. Fleck 5600sxt Metered | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| 5. GE Water Softener System | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
As you can see, there is tough competition among these water softeners, but the one I find the best is the Whirlpool WHESFC Pro series water softeners. It performs excellently in all the essential aspects.
The second best pick would be Fleck 5600SXT as it is comparatively more affordable and operates well too!
Also Read: Water Softener Salt vs Rock Salt: Which Is Better To Melt Ice?
Sterling Water Softener: What It Is And Why Do You Need It?
Water softeners are used to remove the hardness of water by removing the minerals from the water that builds up inside pipes, fixtures, water heaters, purifiers, and other water appliances.
This mineral buildup creates clogging issues in these appliances and thus, reduces their efficiency. The mineral buildup is also responsible for leaving water stains on floors, clothes and hair. In worst-case scenarios, hard water may lead to skin problems.
Sterling water softeners fit right in the category of some of the best water softeners manufactured these days.
However, it is not just an average water softener. The resin beads have cross-links that help in the ion-exchange process, where the hard water minerals are replaced with sodium ions from the salt tank.
The filtration system of Sterling water softeners is highly advanced as well! It uses carbon filters to remove the particles and unnecessary chemicals in the water to soften it.
So, it basically filters the water too, which nullifies the need to buy a separate water filter.
Why Should One Go For Sterling Water Softeners?
Although the water softeners from this category look all great and gratifying, there are some essential points you need to know about these water softeners to finalize your buying decision.
Don’t worry about searching for that essential information anywhere else, though! We have it compiled and filtered in this article, so keep reading.
Also Read: How To Set Water Softener Hardness Level
Top 5 Sterling Water Softeners Reviewed In Detail
#1 Whirlpool WHES30E 30,000 Grain Softener
Pros
- Automatic regeneration to reproduce only the necessary amount of salt and water
- Ease of installation with a simple installation guide
- Single-tank design saves storage area
- Salt-saving technology supports the environmental health as well as yours
Cons
- Warranty provided for only 12 months
- Customers received damaged water softeners sometimes
- Not very durable
With minimal technicalities for installation and super easy instructions, you can definitely set it up in your house alone in the maximum time of four or five hours!
Initial setup and installation
With minimal technicalities for installation and super easy instructions, you can definitely set it up in your house alone in the maximum time of four or five hours!
Hard water treatment
Firstly, you should know that this water softener is suitable for a household of 4 people. It is a single-tank water softener that filters the water as well as removes as much hardness from it as it can.
The carbon filter removes all unnecessary chemicals, dissolved solids and minerals that could clog in the appliances while also accumulating all the dirt and dust from the water. This water is then filtered out with more than 90 percent of the minerals extracted!
The filtering capacity at maximum is 95 grains per gallon, with the flow rate being 7 gallons per minute. For your basic knowledge, grain capacity directly determines the filtration capacity.
Whirlpool WHES30E has automatic water regeneration cycles, so the work becomes much easier as the water softener would already have processed your water consumption pattern!
Easy maintenance
This is where Whirlpool WHES30E will win your heart! It is super easy to maintain, with an LED light to notify users about the filter status. The light would turn on when there is low salt in the brine tank, telling you about the salt level.
Advantage:
All you need to do is keep a check on the salt level and get the filter cleaned and salt added if the salt level is low. This water softener also comes with a one-year warranty which would further help you maintain the product.
Customer Support
Customer support is nothing very special for this product since it is not commonly required. Since it has easy maintenance, plumbing is not usually required.
The installation process is pretty simple too, but that is probably one of the only times you might require the help of a plumber.
The warranty covers one year of labour and system, three years for electronics, and ten years for the single tank. Apart from that, there is nothing important to note regarding customer support.
This is one of the most used and commonly brought water softeners currently. You won’t regret buying this one for sure. Just keep in mind the number of people in your house, as it can only serve four people.
Check Out: Best Tankless Reverse Osmosis Systems [2023 Updated]
#2 Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series – Softener
Pros
- Lesser storage space required
- NSF certified
- Two-in-one water softener and filter
- Carbon filter to remove impurities
Cons
- A 10-year warranty is only applicable if Whirlpool’s water softener cleaner is used regularly
- The display screen malfunctions in some cases
- It does not remove arsenic from the water
This water softener works as a filter as well as a water softener. It removes sediments from the water, chlorine, odor, and other substances that could deteriorate the taste and value of the water using carbon filtering technology.
Initial setup and installation
While a DIY installation kit is included in the package, some people might find it a little complex to install this water softener. It is pretty simple, but according to some users, the initial setup was not as easy as it seemed in the manual.
However, with the nicely detailed manual and simple instructions, and the spare and necessary parts included, it becomes easy to understand the parts and the procedure.
Hard water treatment
This water softener works as a filter as well as a water softener. It removes sediments from the water, chlorine, odour, and other substances that could deteriorate the taste and value of the water using carbon filtering technology.
This softener’s average water hardness removal rate is 120 grains per gallon, and the average iron removal is 3ppm.
This would effectively remove a wide variety of unwanted substances, color and odor from the water, turning it into safe drinking water directly from the tap or some other appliances.
Easy maintenance
Plus Points
The filter used in this water softener would literally remain the same as the day you first got it for about a decade!
It uses self-cleaning technology, which means that you do not have to roam around cleaning the filter every once in a while.
This model uses 25 percent less salt and water than most of the other water softener models available on the market. So, keeping a regular track of the salt level is also not necessary.
Moreover, this model also uses the automatic salt regeneration system, which reduces your efforts to maintain the water softener.
Customer Support
This is where the product might disappoint you a bit. As far as the warranty is concerned, you can claim the full warranty for ten years only if you regularly use the Whirlpool water softener cleaner.
You can contact the brand’s customer care via emails or calls for other issues. The customer support services offered by Whirlpool are decent, and they provide plumbers to fix issues or help the users with installation and other setups whenever required.
If you have read this far, you will undoubtedly want to buy this one! Depending on your budget and requirements, you can go for the water softeners in this series or something similar offered by Whirlpool.
#3 Aquasure Harmony Series 48,000 Grains Water Softener
Pros
- Regeneration meter control
- Full 10 years of warranty
- Easy to install
- Touchpad control
Cons
- Too heavy body
- Cannot fit in small houses
- Additional costs for salt pellets
The body of this water softener is made of corrosion-resistant material and the performance in terms of softening water is durable. The filter would need cleaning from time to time as per the usage and hardness of the water filtered.
Initial setup and installation
Technical support for installation is provided, including the manual and spare parts. The installation procedure is not complicated at all and can be done by one single person.
The components listed on the package are also explained in detail in the manual. The unit needs to be attached to the main water supply in order to derive clean water from the household pipelines.
Conclusion
Hence, the installation part is not a big deal or anything to worry about. You can figure it out on your own too!
Hard water treatment
While the more expensive water softeners use 10 percent cation resin, Aquasure Harmony Series include the more affordable ones with 8 percent cation resin. This water softener is sufficient to serve a household of five people.
It focuses more on softening the water than cleansing it and hence, removes only the minerals and other chemicals to reduce water hardness level. Unlike the other salt-based softeners I have mentioned above, this one does not seem very effective to me.
Easy maintenance
The body of this water softener is made of corrosion-resistant material and the performance in terms of softening water is durable. The filter would need cleaning from time to time as per your average water usage and hardness grains of the water filtered.
It does not have any notable features for maintenance as the product is much more durable in comparison to other water softeners in a similar price range.
Customer Support
Now, this is the aspect where Aquasure Harmony series water softeners will win you over! These water softeners come with a five-year warranty and reliable and durable equipment.
What’s more,
Is that you can contact their customer care via email and call from Monday to Friday and they will get your issues fixed pretty soon!
You can also find support videos, FAQs, and how-to blogs and videos on the company’s website in case you find any trouble with the product or procedures.
This is a pretty decent product and would work for people who want a pocket-friendly water softener.
Also Read: How To Remove Rust From Well Water
#4 Fleck 5600sxt Metered On-demand 48,000 Grain Water Softener
Pros
- Regeneration meter control
- Full 10 years of warranty
- Easy to install
- Touchpad control
- Integrated Bypass Valve
Cons
- Too heavy body
- Cannot fit in small houses
- Additional costs for salt pellets
It can work well for households having four or five people. This is another water softener that is useful as a water filter and a water softener as it removes extra minerals, microorganisms, and chemicals from the water being filtered through the mineral tank.
Initial setup and installation
Do not get intimidated by the size and weight of this water softener! Even though it seems like bulkier appliances take more effort for installation, it is not valid in this case. The package comes with a detailed user manual which includes the installation guide.
Moreover, the necessary tools and parts present in the package make the entire procedure a little clearer. You can carry out the initial setup alone within a couple of hours.
Hard water treatment
These water softeners use salt pellets and fine mesh resin beads to remove the unwanted chemicals that add up to the hardness of the water. It can consume up to 103 gallons of water. The flow rate is 12 gallons per minute.
It can work well for households having four or five people. This is another water softener that is useful as a water filter and a water softener as it removes extra minerals, microorganisms, and chemicals from the water being filtered through the mineral tank.
Easy maintenance
Features:
Fleck 5600SXT water softeners serve as a user-friendly product, thanks to their easy installation. The main system body is corrosion-free, which further reduces the need to get the system parts replaced or checked regularly.
Apart from that, the metered regeneration that one can control digitally almost wholly nullifies the need for a water filter and regular plumbing. Hence, the user’s time, money, and efforts are saved.
Customer Support
The control head falls within a warranty period of five years, whereas the tank has a full 10-year warranty. As per the company’s claims, the control head can last for more than two decades!
Aplus Water LLC manages the selling and post-selling operations of this water softener. Their customer support services are available on chat, mail, and call. In case of some genuine issues, they take care of the shipment and installation of the water softener.
It is ideal for clients who frequently have questions about the installation process and ways to mount their filters. This fantastic filter’s compact and uncomplicated design has alleviated all the consumers’ concerns.
#5 GE Water Softener System | 30,400 Grain
Pros
- Affordable price ranges
- Minimal maintenance
- SmartSoft technology equipped
- Can work at both 15 grains per gallon and 20 grains per gallon
Cons
- Inaccurate regeneration
- Leaks and system failures in some cases
- Warranty provided for only 12 months
There aren’t many complaints about this product’s effectiveness as it can filter the impurities of the water and give out soft water efficiently. It also acts as an Iron filter as it removes eight parts per million ferrous iron!
Initial setup and installation
If the installation were a game, the level would be beginner’s level in this case. You probably won’t face any difficulties setting up the entire system and placing it in the house.
The DIY manual and toolkit come with the water softener system and are easy to set up using the easy-to-read manual. With the way the instructions are written and explained, it won’t be hard for you to comprehend the meaning and further steps.
Hard water treatment
The Best Part:
Here comes the best part of this water softener. Since it can soften water at 95 grains per gallon, it can handle any type and any intensity of water hardness. The regeneration system reduces salt and water usage, thus ensuring water savings.
There aren’t many complaints about this product’s effectiveness as it can filter the harmful contaminants of the water and give out soft water efficiently. It can also remove eight parts per million ferrous iron!
Easy maintenance
Once you are done with the installation part, you don’t have much work left to do for a GE water softener. Set up the necessary functions and start using the water softener that works as a filter and softener!
All you need to do is check the display for the salt levels, which are supported by reminder alarms and a light. Just clean the filter and fill up the salt as and when required. That’s all that’s required for this product’s maintenance.
Customer Support
The customer care services of this brand are not something very extraordinary. It’s the usual call and chat support. But a need to contact them won’t arise very quickly as the installation is explained well in the manual and various videos on the website.
Other than that, the durability and performance of the product are so good that you would hardly require any plumbing after installation.
So this is another water softener that is pocket-friendly and operates well too. I would suggest only those who suffer from severe hard water at home use this softener if they are looking for something cheap and good.
Do Not Forget These Factors While Buying Water Softeners
1. Why Do You Need the Water Softener?
Consider your requirements and then choose the type of water softener. A water softener will satisfy you if it solves most of your water problems.
So, the first step is finding out the issues in the water you receive and then looking for a water softener that solves those issues.
A professional can analyze the water conditions in the matter and then look for the best softener for water treatment to solve the problems.
Once you know the problems and its solution, your purchase should be completely worth it as you will know just how the machine would work and how you can benefit from it.
2. Check the Costs and Plan Your Budget
A metered style valve and top-notch components go a long way. High-quality components for your water softener ensure that the machine lasts longer and facilitates the efficient functioning of the system.
Your initial spending might seem hefty with such components, but it will surely be lesser than the operating costs and replacement costs for a water softener with standard components.
Poor components will also waste water and salt in their usual functioning other than needing replacements often.
A metered style valve is a device that will enable you to adjust the water treatment and hardness according to your needs.
This also allows the system to automatically adjust cleaning times, making your system as cost-effective and efficient as possible.
3. How Easy Is It to Install?
Water softeners come in various sizes depending on the hardness level of water and the flow rate of your home.
The price ranges are also vast. Components in a small system will have a shorter life span and often need replacing. A larger system may seem costly at first but will be cheaper in the long run.
So, the installation costs would depend on the type of softener you’re installing. Ensure that the softener is just what you need and review the installation costs of the company you’re buying from beforehand.
4. How Hard Is the Water?
You must check the hardness of the water before buying any appliances related to water. You can check it by finding out the grain number in the water. If the water has seven or more grains, it is considered to be hard.
5. What Type of Water Softener Will Serve Your Needs?
There are 3 types of water softeners that are most commonly seen: Salt-based water softeners, Resin softeners, and Salt-water conditioners.
You must be clear with all the above questions and answers to decide on your ideal water softener.
Bless Your Water Softener With a Long Life by Using These Tips
Got More Questions on Sterling Water Softener Reviews
1. Where are Sterling water softeners made?
Sterling water softeners are prepared in Indiana, US.
2. How do you regenerate a Sterling water softener?
Press the Regen button to regenerate your water softener. Read the manual for detailed instructions.
3. How does a Sterling water softener work?
Sterling water softeners use resins for softening the water. The ion exchange process occurs when the anionic resin bed attract hard water minerals present in the form of Calcium, Iron and Magnesium ions. Thereby, soft water is given out.
4. How long do Sterling water softeners last?
Depending on the model, these water softeners work well for over a decade, somewhere between 10 to 15 years.
5. How do you identify if your water softener is bad?
You can identify changes like a different taste, water spots, stains, extra salt, etc., to know it’s time to replace your water softener.
Adarsh is a Health & Nutrition Sciences graduate with expertise in environmental health. He is associated with ventures like Glacier Fresh Filter and Simpure Filter Systems. Through Aqua Professor, he intends to provide helpful information to every home to help them make smarter decisions.
