SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener Review: 6 Month Test Results

Hi, I'm Cortez K.. I live in Los Angeles. Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips asked me to share my experience as a homeowner on Iron Filter with the SoftPro® Elite HE Water Softener for City Water (Industry's Best Softener & Filter Combo) I purchased.
This is how my adventures played out. I hope this helps you in your decision.

Did you know that hard water affects over 85% of American homes, causing everything from dry skin to appliance damage?
Six months ago, I was dealing with crusty white buildup on every faucet, soap that wouldn't lather properly, and a coffee maker that seemed to clog every few weeks. My family complained about dry, itchy skin after showers, and I was spending a fortune on bottled water because our tap water had an odd metallic taste.

After months of frustration and research, I decided to invest in the SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener. Now, half a year later, I'm ready to share exactly what this system has done for my household – the good, the challenging, and everything in between.

The Hard Water Nightmare That Started It All

Living with hard water was like fighting a losing battle every single day. Our municipal water supply tested at 18 grains per gallon – well into the "very hard" category according to the Water Quality Association standards. The calcium and magnesium minerals were wreaking havoc throughout our home.

Every morning, I'd wake up to water spots covering our glass shower doors that seemed impossible to remove. Our stainless steel appliances looked perpetually dirty with white, chalky residue. The dishwasher left our supposedly "clean" dishes with a film that made them look worse than before we washed them.

But the real frustration came from the hidden damage. Our tankless water heater was only three years old, yet the technician warned us about mineral buildup during our annual service. Our washing machine was using twice the recommended detergent amount, and clothes still came out feeling stiff and dingy. Even our expensive shampoo seemed to stop working – my hair felt like straw no matter what products I tried.

The breaking point came when our coffee maker died for the second time in eighteen months. That's when I realized hard water wasn't just an inconvenience – it was costing us serious money in appliance repairs and replacements.

Research Phase: Understanding Water Softening Technology

I spent weeks diving deep into water treatment options, and honestly, the learning curve was steeper than I expected. Initially, I thought all water softeners were basically the same – just boxes that somehow made water "soft." I couldn't have been more wrong.

The ion exchange process became my first real education. Hard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium ions that cause all those problems I was experiencing. A traditional salt-based softener uses specialized resin beads that attract these hardness minerals like magnets, swapping them for sodium ions instead. It's actually pretty elegant when you understand the chemistry.

I also researched salt-free "conditioners," but learned they don't actually remove hardness minerals – they just change their structure to reduce scaling. For our severe hardness level, I needed actual mineral removal, not just conditioning.

The SoftPro Elite HE caught my attention because it combines high-efficiency operation with impressive capacity. The system uses a fine mesh resin that provides more surface area for ion exchange, meaning better performance with less salt usage. Plus, it's NSF certified for performance standards – something I learned to look for during my research.

What sealed the deal was the regeneration efficiency. Traditional softeners waste a lot of water during their cleaning cycles, but the Elite HE uses a smart valve system that only regenerates based on actual water usage, not just time intervals.

Unboxing and First Impressions

The delivery truck arrived on a Tuesday morning, and I immediately understood why the driver used a dolly – this system has serious weight to it. The main tank stands about four feet tall and feels incredibly solid. You can tell immediately that this isn't some lightweight, plastic consumer-grade unit.

Everything was packed professionally with plenty of protective material. The fiberglass-reinforced tank has a premium feel with a smooth, durable finish that looks like it belongs in a commercial setting. The control valve on top appears well-engineered with clear digital displays and intuitive button layout.

The documentation package impressed me right away. Instead of the typical fold-out pamphlet, SoftPro included a comprehensive installation manual with actual photographs and detailed diagrams. They also provided specification sheets, warranty information, and a maintenance schedule that made long-term ownership planning much easier.

One small surprise was the bypass valve system – it's much more robust than I expected, with heavy-duty ball valves that feel like they'll last decades. The whole package conveyed quality and attention to detail that justified the investment.

Installation Experience and Setup

I'll be honest – I seriously considered professional installation, but the manual made the process seem manageable for someone with basic plumbing skills. The entire installation took me about four hours on a Saturday morning, though a professional would probably finish in half that time.

The most challenging part was positioning the unit itself. You need adequate space for the salt storage tank, main softener tank, and enough room to access the control valve comfortably. I installed mine in our utility room next to the water heater, which required moving some storage shelves but provided ideal access to the main water line.

Connecting to our existing plumbing meant cutting into the main line and installing the bypass valve system. The instructions were clear about maintaining proper flow direction and ensuring adequate drainage for the regeneration cycles. I used SharkBite fittings for most connections, which made the job much cleaner and faster than traditional soldering.

The initial startup procedure involves filling the brine tank with salt, programming the control valve with your specific water hardness level, and running a manual regeneration cycle. The system walks you through each step on the digital display, making it nearly foolproof.

Water flow resumed immediately after installation, and I could hear the system cycling through its initial operations. The whole process felt professional and well-engineered – no leaks, no confusion, no frustration.

Six-Month Performance Deep Dive

Now comes the important part – how has this system actually performed over half a year of real-world use? The transformation has been honestly remarkable, but let me break down the specific areas where I've noticed changes.

Water quality improvement was immediate and dramatic. I tested our incoming water hardness at 18 grains per gallon, and post-softener levels consistently measure less than 1 grain. The system is removing over 95% of hardness minerals, which exceeds the manufacturer's claims. Our total dissolved solids dropped from 340 ppm to around 280 ppm – a significant improvement.

The most noticeable daily difference is in our showers. Soap and shampoo now lather like they're supposed to, using probably half the amount we used before. My wife's hair feels softer and more manageable, and our skin doesn't have that tight, dry feeling after bathing. Even our kids noticed the difference and actually prefer showering at home now instead of complaining about it.

Appliance protection has been outstanding. Our dishwasher produces spotless results with standard detergent amounts. The washing machine uses significantly less soap, and our clothes feel noticeably softer without fabric softener. Most importantly, our coffee maker and other small appliances show zero mineral buildup after six months of use.

The regeneration efficiency lives up to the marketing claims. With our family of four using approximately 250 gallons per day, the system regenerates every 4-5 days, consuming about 6 pounds of salt per cycle. Water usage during regeneration is around 25 gallons – much less than our previous system used.

Real-World Cost Analysis After Six Months

Let's talk numbers, because the ongoing costs matter just as much as the initial investment. I've tracked every expense related to this system since installation, and the results are better than I projected.

Salt consumption averages about 35-40 pounds per month for our household. At current prices of roughly $6 per 40-pound bag, that's about $6-7 monthly for salt. The high-efficiency operation really shows here – our previous softener used nearly twice as much salt for similar results.

Electricity usage is minimal since the control valve only draws power during regeneration cycles and for the digital display. I estimate less than $3 per month in additional electrical costs, though it's honestly difficult to measure precisely given other household usage.

Water consumption during regeneration adds approximately 100-125 gallons monthly to our usage. At our local rates of $0.008 per gallon, that's roughly $1 in additional water costs. The smart regeneration scheduling means we're not wasting water on unnecessary cycles.

The maintenance savings are where things get interesting. We've eliminated the monthly cost of bottled water for drinking and cooking – about $40 per month. Reduced soap, shampoo, and detergent usage saves another $15-20 monthly. Plus, we're protecting thousands of dollars worth of appliances from premature mineral damage.

Overall, the system pays for itself through savings and appliance protection, while dramatically improving our daily water experience.

Maintenance Reality and Long-Term Ownership

Six months in, the maintenance requirements have been refreshingly simple. The most frequent task is refilling the salt storage tank every 3-4 weeks, which takes about five minutes and requires no tools or special procedures.

I perform a basic system check monthly, examining the salt level, noting any error codes on the display, and ensuring proper water flow through the bypass valve. The control valve provides helpful diagnostic information, including days since last regeneration and current salt tank status.

The resin bed should last 8-10 years under normal conditions, and the system includes a resin cleaning feature that automatically maintains performance. I run this cleaning cycle quarterly using standard resin cleaner, which costs about $8 per treatment and takes thirty minutes.

Water testing every few months confirms continued performance. I use simple hardness test strips that cost about $15 for a year's supply. Consistent results below 1 grain per gallon prove the system continues operating effectively.

The manufacturer recommends annual professional service, but the system seems designed for minimal intervention. All critical components appear robust and well-engineered for long-term reliability. The digital controls provide early warning of any potential issues before they become problems.

Final Verdict: Worth the Investment?

After six months of daily use, I can confidently say the SoftPro Elite HE has exceeded my expectations in almost every area. The water quality improvement is dramatic and consistent, the operational efficiency is impressive, and the daily lifestyle benefits are genuinely life-changing.

This system works perfectly for households dealing with moderate to severe hard water problems who want professional-grade performance with residential convenience. The combination of high capacity, efficient operation, and reliable performance justifies the premium price point.

However, this probably isn't the right choice if you have minimal hardness issues, extremely limited space, or need the absolute lowest-cost solution available. The Elite HE is built for performance and longevity, which comes with corresponding investment requirements.

For our situation – severe hardness, family of four, multiple high-end appliances to protect – this system has been worth every penny. The daily convenience, appliance protection, and long-term cost savings make it one of the better home improvement investments I've made.

Would I buy it again?
Absolutely. In fact, I've already recommended it to three neighbors dealing with similar water issues. The performance, reliability, and customer satisfaction after six months give me confidence this will serve our household well for many years to come.