
Water Boss 22
Score: 70/100
DuraWater Fleck 5600SXT
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 Water Boss 74011 is a compact, residential water softener featuring integrated iron and sediment filtration to eliminate the need for separate pre-filters. It offers automatic operation with a digital display and manual regeneration capabilities, designed for households with limited space. It is best suited for residential users needing a space-saving solution with built-in filtration.
| Attribute | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
22,000 grains | 48,000 grainsbest | |
5 GPM | 13 GPMbest | |
— | 1.5 gallonsbest | |
— | 4 personsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 19 inchesbest | 62 inches |
| ↓ lower better | 26 inchesbest | 28 inches |
| ↓ lower better | 15 inchesbest | 15 inchesbest |
— | 10 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
Build & Durability(2) | ||
Tank Material | Plastic | Fiberglass |
Warranty Length (years) | N/A years | 10 years |
Power & Compliance(1) | ||
Certifications | N/A | None Listed |
Performance & Capacity(5) | ||
Grain Capacity (grains) | 22000 grains | 48000 grains |
Service Flow Rate (GPM) | 5 GPM | 13 GPM |
Resin Volume (gallons) | N/A gallons | 1.5 gallons |
Recommended Household Size (persons) | N/A persons | 4 persons |
Operating Pressure (PSI) | 20 PSI | Unknown PSI |
System & Control(3) | ||
Regeneration Control Type | Automatic | Digital Metered |
System Type | Point-of-Entry | Single-Tank |
Salt Requirement | Salt | Standard Salt |
Physical & Installation(5) | ||
Height (inches) | 19.0 inches | 62 inches |
Width (inches) | 26.0 inches | 28 inches |
Depth (inches) | 15.0 inches | 15 inches |
Installation Type | Permanent | DIY |
Weight (lbs) | 39.92 lbs | 53 lbs |


Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).

Professional reviewer commentary is limited in the available sources. While YouTube reviews suggest the product is worth considering, detailed expert analysis is not extensively documented. The product carries a moderate 3.9-star rating from Home Depot customers, indicating mixed but generally positive satisfaction.
User feedback is insufficient to comprehensively address recurring praise or complaints. The 3.9-star rating suggests moderate overall satisfaction, but specific recurring issues or advantages are not detailed in the provided sources.

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.
