DuraWater Fleck 5600SXT
Score: 88/100
SoftPro Elite HE
Score: 88/100Rankings
The DuraWater Fleck 5600 SXT is a whole-house water softener featuring a 48,000-grain capacity resin tank and the industry-standard Fleck 5600 control valve. It utilizes meter-based regeneration to adjust cleaning cycles based on actual water usage, offering improved efficiency over traditional time-based systems. It is best suited for whole-house applications requiring comprehensive hard water treatment with a focus on reliability and efficiency.
The SoftPro Elite HE is a high-efficiency whole-house water softener engineered specifically for private well water applications, featuring a 64,000 grain capacity and on-demand regeneration technology. It utilizes ion exchange to remove hardness minerals while maintaining full water pressure through large 1-inch internal plumbing and a high-efficiency upflow design. Best suited for larger households with well water dealing with extreme hardness levels.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
48,000 grains | 64,000 grainsbest | |
13 GPM | 15 GPMbest | |
1.5 gallonsbest | — | |
4 persons | 5 personsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 62 inchesbest | 62 inchesbest |
| ↓ lower better | 28 inches | 15 inchesbest |
| ↓ lower better | 15 inchesbest | 27 inches |
10 yearsbest | 10 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Build & Durability(1) | ||
Tank Material | Fiberglass | N/A |
Power & Compliance(2) | ||
Power Source | Electric | Electricity |
Certifications | None Listed | N/A |
Performance & Capacity(5) | ||
Grain Capacity (grains) | 48000 grains | 64000 grains |
Service Flow Rate (GPM) | 13 GPM | 15 GPM |
Resin Volume (gallons) | 1.5 gallons | N/A gallons |
Recommended Household Size (persons) | 4 persons | 5 persons |
Operating Pressure (PSI) | Unknown PSI | 30-125 PSI |
System & Control(3) | ||
Regeneration Control Type | Digital Metered | On-Demand |
System Type | Single-Tank | Ion Exchange |
Salt Requirement | Standard Salt | Salt Required |
Physical & Installation(5) | ||
Height (inches) | 62 inches | 62.0 inches |
Width (inches) | 28 inches | 15.0 inches |
Depth (inches) | 15 inches | 27.0 inches |
Installation Type | DIY | Whole House |
Weight (lbs) | 53 lbs | N/A lbs |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers and industry guides widely recognize the Fleck 5600 SXT as a standard in the water softener industry. Experts highlight the valve's market dominance, attributed to its rigid Noryl construction, low power consumption, and efficient meter-based regeneration. The system's engineering simplicity, featuring only one internal moving part in the water stream, is cited as a key advantage for reliability. Documentation and service manuals are noted as comprehensive, supporting straightforward installation and maintenance.
Consumer feedback indicates strong satisfaction with the Fleck 5600 platform, driven by its reputation as the most popular control valve globally. Users commonly praise the system's ability to protect plumbing and appliances from hard water scale. The meter-based regeneration feature is frequently appreciated by cost-conscious consumers for its efficiency in reducing salt and water consumption compared to older time-clock systems.
Professional reviewers and editors describe the SoftPro Elite as an industry top-of-the-line product with unprecedented high-efficiency performance. Lab testing on well water sources demonstrated exceptional calcium and magnesium removal without any noticeable decrease in water pressure or flow rate. Reviewers highlighted the demand-initiated regeneration as the most efficient process, noting it regenerates based on actual water hardness and usage rather than a timer. The system is assessed as providing good value for money and is noted for being easy to install with official performance certifications.
Everyday users consistently praise the system for maintaining full water pressure, a significant advantage over traditional softeners. There is strong appreciation for the salt efficiency, with users noting up to 30% savings through on-demand regeneration. Users also value the reduced maintenance requirements due to automatic refresh cycles and smart technology. The system is highly regarded for its ability to handle difficult well water conditions, including extreme hardness and iron content, when paired with appropriate filtration.
