Best Water Softeners · head-to-head

Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) vs Morton M34 Elite 34,000 Grain Water Softener

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Morton M34 Elite 34,000 Grain Water Softener is cheaper at $462.79. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) or Morton M34 Elite 34,000 Grain Water Softener?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Morton M34 Elite 34,000 Grain Water Softener is the cheaper at $462.79.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) Morton M34 Elite 34,000 Grain Water Softener
US price $689 $462.79
BrandRheemMorton
Released
Grain capacity 42.4 34
System type ion-exchange ion-exchange
Flow rate gpm 9.9
Salt efficiency lbs per kgrains
Iron removal ppm 11 9
Nsf certifications NSF Certified
Smart app control Yes No
Tank warranty years 10 10
Msrp usd 689 462.79

Sources — Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42): rheemwatertreatment.com (verified 2026-06-26). Morton M34 Elite 34,000 Grain Water Softener: menards.com (verified 2026-06-26).

What's the difference between the Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) and Morton M34 Elite 34,000 Grain Water Softener?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Grain capacity: Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) 42.4 vs Morton M34 Elite 34,000 Grain Water Softener 34
  • Iron removal ppm: Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) 11 vs Morton M34 Elite 34,000 Grain Water Softener 9
  • Smart app control: Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) true vs Morton M34 Elite 34,000 Grain Water Softener false
  • Msrp usd: Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) 689 vs Morton M34 Elite 34,000 Grain Water Softener 462.79

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