Whirlpool
Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener
$629.99Cheaper
Best Water Softeners · head-to-head
Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener vs Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener is cheaper at $629.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Which is better: the Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener or Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42)?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener is the cheaper at $629.99.
See Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener on Amazon See Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) on Amazon
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener |  Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $629.99 | $689 |
| Brand | Whirlpool | Rheem |
| Released | — | — |
| Grain capacity | 40 | 42.4 |
| System type | ion-exchange | ion-exchange |
| Flow rate gpm | — | 9.9 |
| Salt efficiency lbs per kgrains | — | — |
| Iron removal ppm | 10 | 11 |
| Nsf certifications | NSF/ANSI 44 | — |
| Smart app control | No | Yes |
| Tank warranty years | — | 10 |
| Msrp usd | 629.99 | 689 |
Sources — Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener: fleetfarm.com (verified 2026-06-26). Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42): rheemwatertreatment.com (verified 2026-06-26).
What's the difference between the Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener and Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- Grain capacity: Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener 40 vs Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) 42.4
- Iron removal ppm: Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener 10 vs Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) 11
- Smart app control: Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener false vs Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) true
- Msrp usd: Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener 629.99 vs Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Smart Water Softener (RHW42) 689