GE vs. Whirlpool Water Softeners

GE and Whirlpool are top names in the world of water softeners. These brands are highly efficient and have a minimal difference in terms of performance.
Whirlpool water softeners are among the best of its kind for its high-flow mechanism and salt-saving technology. That’s also true for GE products, but they are relatively more expensive compared to Whirlpool products.
In this article, we have hand-picked GE GXMH31H, GE GXSF30V, Whirlpool WHES30, and Whirlpool WHES40E, as these water softeners are the top models that are leading the market today. In this review, we will compare the filtering capacity, tank regeneration, salt storage capacity, and the overall features of all of these products.
Along with the detailed review, we’ve also included a comparison table and our verdict on the best water softener to help you choose between GE and Whirlpool products.
Let’s jump right in!
Whirlpool WHES30 Water Softener

GE and Whirlpool both are leading water softener brands that have been dominating the market for decades. While there are very few differences in terms of quality and performance, we’ve chosen Whirlpool WHES30 Water Softener as the superior product among all others. This model features a ‘Sixth-Sense’ technology and is designed to remove up to 95 grains of water hardness per gallon. Not only that, this high-quality water softener is capable of removing up to 8 parts per million of iron deposits from your water.
Quick Summary of GE Vs. Whirlpool Water Softeners
Product Image | Product Name | |
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Water Softener with Compact and Sturdy Design
GE GXMH31H Water Softener
GE GXMH31H Water Softener is powered by advanced technology and additional filter feature. This water softening system holds a capacity of 31,100 grains per cycle and delivers eight gallons of soft water every minute. |
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Water Softener with Automatic Flush Technology
GE GXSF30V Water Softener
GE GXSF30V is a top name in the world of water softeners. With a decent flow rate and effective delivery, this system is ideal for a small household. |
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Best Water Softener for Ease of Use
Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener
Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener is hands down the most compact product you can find in the market. The single-tank design neither occupies much space nor requires much maintenance. |
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Top Pick for High Hardness and Iron Removal
Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener
When it comes to high water hardness and iron removal, Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener is simply a beast. This model also removes sticky minerals stains and consumes less detergent in the wash for cleaner and softer fabrics.This system is ideal for a large family with more than six members. |
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GE Vs. Whirlpool Water Softeners - Reviewed
GE GXMH31H Water Softener
Features Highlights
- Tested according to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for the reduction of chlorine taste and odor
- Protects your home’s plumbing with its self-cleaning sediment filter
- Massive 31,100-grain capacity
- Equipped with GE Exclusive SmartSoft technology
- Highly effective with 120 GPG hardness removal and 3 PPM iron removal
- Features Exclusive Custom Select blending valve
- It has easy-to-use electronic controls with a status light indicator
Product Specification
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Dimensions:
14.4 x 47.6 x 22.4 inches
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Weight:
109 pounds
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Flow Rate:
8 gallons per minute
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Grain Size:
31,100 grains
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Suitable for:
Maximum of 4 people
GE GXMH31H Water Softener is an excellent system for a small household with up to four members. This appliance is designed to remove grains, iron, and other agents from water. The ‘Exclusive Custom Select’ blending valve lets you choose the level of softness in your water. Moreover, with the built-in water filtration system, this softener also reduces odor and chlorine to produce natural-tasting water.
NSF Certified
GE GXMH31H Water Softener is certified by NSF/ANSI Standard 42. This top-notch system exceeds the standards of NSF International for the reduction of chlorine taste and odor.
High Flow Rate
GE GXMH31H has the capacity to produce eight gallons of soft water per minute, which is more than enough for a small household. With this system, you will not notice pressure drop even when multiple outlets are turned on. Additionally, this system is cost-effective as it consumes exceptionally less electricity.
High Performance
GE GXMH31H is a high-performing water softening model that delivers soft water for a medium-sized household. This system removes up to 3 ppm of iron per gallon of water and has a capacity of 31,100 grains per regeneration cycle.
The advanced SmartSoft technology tracks the pattern of daily water usage of your household and auto-adjusts its settings to provide a continuous supply of soft water. The GE ‘Exclusive Custom Select’ blending valve allows you to customize the system settings to get the exact level of water softness as you desire.
Warranty
GE GXMH31H is backed by a limited 1-year warranty on the entire appliance. Furthermore, the manufacturer also provides a limited 3-years warranty for the electronic monitor and a 10-years warranty on brine and resin tank.
Pros
- It features self-cleaning sediment filters
- Easy to install and use
- Metered-based water regeneration to minimize wastage
- Equipped with tons of additional features
- NSF Certified
- Low maintenance cost
Cons
- The iron removal capacity is slightly less
- Not suitable for larger households
Our Verdict
This water softener is an excellent choice for a small family. Not only is this system designed to get rid of grains and iron from water, but with its ‘Exclusive Custom Select’ blending valve, this system can soften your water as per your preference.
GE GXSF30V Water Softener
Features Highlights
- It is a demand-driven softening system that only uses the necessary amount of salt and water for a full resin recharge
- It saves you a lot of money and reduces your maintenance costs
- It features the SmartSoft technology which reads your water usage patterns
- This system is tested and certified with NSF Standard 44 for hardness reduction
- It is tested and certified with CSA Standard B483.1 for the inactivation of harmful substances
- The entire system is backed by a one-year warranty along with additional warranties — three years on the control head and 10 years on the brine/resin tank
Product Specification
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Dimensions:
22.5 x 14.4 x 43.2 inches
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Weight:
81 pounds
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Flow Rate:
7.5 Gallons per minute
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Grain Size:
30, 400 grains
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Suitable for:
Maximum of 3 people
GE GXSF30V is a high-performing water softener that not only comes at a decent price but can also handle water hardness like any premium quality water softener in the market. However, this water softener is suitable only for a small household with up to three members because of its limited flow rate.
Automatic Flush
GE GXSF30V is a demand-driven softening system. This water softener keeps track of the daily water usage, then feeds the water and salt into the tank according to the reading. The system also automatically flushes it as per the requirement.
Intelligent Regeneration
This water softener features the SmartSoft technology that monitors the pattern of water consumption on a regular basis and activates the regeneration cycle accordingly. Within a month, the system automatically changes the settings according to the readings to meet the user demand.
Digital Display
It is equipped with a digital display that allows you to check the status of the system. It comes handy to keep track of the water consumption, flow rate, and the regeneration time. This technology also warns you with the beeps when the machine runs low on salt.
Effective Performance
Well, this model is designed to supply soft water to a small household, and it surely does it with excellence. This system eliminates up to 95 grains of hard minerals in every gallon of water and delivers with a flow rate of 7.5 gallons per minute. It effectively removes 7ppm of iron from every gallon of water and has 30,400 grains capacity.
Effortless Installation
This model is extremely easy to install. All you need to do is follow the step-by-step instructions on the user manual that comes with the product. If you have a little plumbing experience, you can install the entire system by yourself.
Pros
- Meter-based regeneration
- Easy installation
- Low maintenance cost
- NSF & CSA certified
- Removes 7 ppm of iron particles from the water
Cons
- Not suitable for large households
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a water softener that serves well for your small family, the GE GXSF30V model is your best bet. Additionally, this system delivers optimum performance and is a highly effective system for the price.
Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener
Features Highlights
- It features the ‘Sixth-Sense’ technology
- System monitoring
- It features demand-initiated regeneration
- Excellent fitting
- Comes with a bypass valve
- Installation kit and user’s manual for ease of use
Product Specification
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Dimensions:
19 X 18 X 43.5 inches
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Weight:
102 pounds
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Flow Rate:
7 Gallons per minute
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Grain Size:
30,000 grains
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Suitable for:
Maximum of 4 people
Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain is one of the most sought-after water softeners in the market. With a compact design and a sturdy built, this model can fit in a very little space and requires minimal maintenance. The single tank design of this water softener can even be used in small offices or shops for economic softening.
Sixth-Sense Technology
Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener is equipped with the ‘Sixth-Sense’ technology that allows the system to calculate the amount of salt required for the regeneration cycle. As this technology allows the system to use the right amount of salt, it saves both water and salt consumption.
Demand-Initiated Regeneration
This is another feature that does not allow the system to waste your salt and water. Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener automatically halts the regeneration process when you are away from home or on a vacation. The demand-initiated regeneration feature also monitors the hardness level of the water and softens it as per the requirement.
High Performance
When it comes to performance, Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener is an absolute beast. This model is engineered to remove up to 95 grains of hardness in every gallon of water. Additionally, it is capable of removing up to 8 parts per million of iron deposits from your water.
Ease of Use
This water softener is effortlessly straightforward to use and maintain. The system comes with fittings of approximately one inch. All you have to do is tie the fitting into your existing plumbing lines. Furthermore, this water softener requires very little maintenance, which means it is highly durable and cost-effective.
Durable
The control head of this water softener is backed by a three-year warranty. Besides, the tank is sturdily built and can easily last up to 10 years.
Pros
- Sixth-Sense and demand-initiated regeneration technology
- Ideal for family with up to 4 members
- Low-salt light
- Compact design
- Affordable
Cons
- Not a good choice for a large family
- The bypass valve may leak sometime
Our Verdict
Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener comes with all the right features in a fairly reasonable price. Along with the ‘Sixth-Sense’ technology, this system also features the low-salt light and the smart salt-using technology that reduces the salt consumption. If you’re looking for a high-quality water softener for a family of four, this system will work its magic for you.
Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener
Features Highlights
- It is equipped with demand-initiated regeneration
- It features salt-saving technology
- It is capable of high-hardness and iron removal
- It features low-salt light
- Ultra-high flow valve
- Easy installation kit
Product Specification
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Dimensions:
19 X 18 X 48 inches
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Weight:
112 pounds
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Flow Rate:
8.5 Gallons per minute
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Grain Size:
40,000 grains
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Suitable for:
Maximum of 6 people
Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener is an excellent product for high hardness and iron removal. It is capable of serving a family of more than six people. It removes sticky minerals stains and consumes less detergent in the wash for cleaner and softer fabrics.
Demand-Initiated Regeneration
Similar to Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener, the primary feature of this model is that it includes the demand-initiated regeneration. This feature helps to halt the regeneration cycle when the water supply is not required in your household. This technology helps to save both water and salt when you’re away from home.
High Hardness and Iron Removal
This water softener is excellent for removing high hardness and iron from the water. It can remove up to 125 grains of water hardness in every gallon. Besides, this model also includes an additional backwash cycle to whip out the excessive non-ferrous iron. It can get rid of up to 10 parts per million of iron from the water.
Tank Light and Low Salt Indicator Light
This system is equipped with a tank light that allows you to see the salt levels on the inside. Additionally, it also features a steady light that indicates the efficiency and performance of the softener. When the salt level starts to decrease in the system, the indicator warns you by constantly blinking.
Easy Installation
The installation process is ridiculously easy with the Do-It-Yourself kit. The kit includes a bypass valve and comes with detailed instructions for your convenience. You do not require a plumber to install this system.
Pros
- Saves energy and time
- Super-high flow valve
- Refilling less often
- Low salt indicator
- Easy to install and maintain
Cons
- Not suitable for a small family
Our Verdict
Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener is a top-notch water softener on the list. With its demand-initiated regeneration, this system serves as one of the best products of its kind in the market. Additionally, this system is backed by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty, three-year limited electronics warranty, and a 10-year limited warranty.
Model | Dimensions (Inches) | Weight (Pounds) | Flow Rate (GPM) | Grain Capacity | Warranty |
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GE GXMH31H Water Softener | 14.4 x 47.6 x 22.4 | 109 | 8 | 31,100 | Limited 1-year on entire appliance Limited 10-year on resin tank Limited 3-Year on Electronic Monitor |
GE GXSF30V Water Softener | 22.5 x 14.4 x 43.2 | 81 | 7.5 | 30,400 | Limited 1-year on entire appliance Limited 10-year on resin tank Limited 3-Year on Electronic Monitor |
Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener | 19 X 18 X 43.5 | 102 | 7 | 30,000 | 3-Years Warranty |
Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener | 19 X 18 X 48 | 112 | 8.5 | 40,000 | 1-Year Manufacturers Warranty 3-Years Limited Electronics Warranty 10-Years Limited Warranty on Tank |
Our Pick — Which One Should You Choose?
It is safe to say that both GE and Whirlpool Water Softeners are designed to get rid of hardness and iron compounds from the water. Both of these brands perform exceptionally well and fits a wide range of users.
Whirlpool water softeners are best known for their top-quality valves that deliver high flow rate and their tanks that feature the best salt-saving technology.
While it is also true for GE water softeners, they are slightly more expensive than Whirlpool products.
In terms of performance, the differences are pretty minimal in all the reviewed products. However, Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener is our pick in terms of overall performance and affordability of the product.
Out of all the products in the article, we choose Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener as the best deal. Here’s why:
- High flow rate
- Best value for the grain capacity
- Includes demand-initiated regeneration technology
- Backed up by full coverage warranty
- Compact design with a single tank
- Sixth-sense technology and salt saving mechanism
- Longer lifespan Requires less maintenance
Conclusion
Well, that’s it! Our detailed review of GE Vs. Whirlpool Water Softeners has come to an end. To wrap things up, all four of these water softeners are engineered to remove the hardness-causing calcium, magnesium, and other heavy metals from water. Although these products may differ from one another in their functionality and features, these water softening systems are guaranteed to perform well regardless of whichever product you choose.
