Kenmore Water Softeners

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Kenmore models we rank, best placed first

1. 1

   Kenmore 350

   Best for small homes · by Kenmore

   

   Why it's here: #6 in hub, #4 in budget. A compact 32,000-grain cabinet softener with a learning (demand-based) regeneration control, best for smaller households on moderately hard water.

   Grain capacity	32,000 grains
   Max flow rate	7.2 gpm*
   Max hardness	45 gpg
   Sized for	up to 6 people
   Warranty	1 yr full, 3 yr electronics, 10 yr tank*

   * From the seller's Amazon listing; not yet confirmed by the manufacturer.

   Good

   • Compact cabinet for tight spaces
   • Our strips read 0 gpg after the first regeneration
   • Very quiet regeneration in our home
   • 10-year tank warranty

   Not so good

   • 3/4 in valve and lower flow than the full-size systems
   • 1-year full warranty only
   • Manual is digital only (QR code or PDF), no printed copy

   Skip it if: Very hard water (above Kenmore's 45 gpg limit) or large families on hard water, who will regenerate too often.

   Check price on Amazon ($600–$900)Full Kenmore 350 reviewSpec score 4.7/10 (provisional)
2. 2

   Kenmore 420

   Best for well water · by Kenmore

   

   Why it's here: #1 in well. A 40,000-grain cabinet softener listed for very hard water and clear-water iron, with a sediment pre-filter for well water.

   Grain capacity	40,000 grains*
   Max flow rate	7.7 gpm*
   Clear-water iron	10 (clear-water)*
   Max hardness	120 gpg*
   Warranty	1 yr full, 3 yr electronics, 10 yr tank*

   * From the seller's Amazon listing; not yet confirmed by the manufacturer.

   Certification claims are shown only once the manufacturer's documentation confirms them.

   Good

   • Listed for very high hardness and clear-water iron
   • Sediment pre-filter built for wells
   • Silent in normal use with easy controls, in our install

   Not so good

   • Lower flow than the full-size two-tank systems
   • 1-year full warranty
   • Supplied drain hose was too short for our install; manual is QR-code only

   Skip it if: Wells with red (oxidised) iron, iron bacteria or sulfur smell: you need an iron filter first.

   Check price on Amazon ($600–$900)Full Kenmore 420 reviewSpec score 6.7/10 (provisional)
3. 3

   Kenmore Elite 520 Hybrid

   Best softener + filter combo · by Kenmore

   

   Why it's here: #1 in combo. A softener with built-in self-cleaning carbon media, so one cabinet softens and reduces chlorine taste.

   Grain capacity	31,000 grains
   Max flow rate	8 gpm*
   Filtration	built-in self-cleaning carbon*
   Warranty	1 yr full, 3 yr electronics, 10 yr tank*

   * From the seller's Amazon listing; not yet confirmed by the manufacturer.

   Certification claims are shown only once the manufacturer's documentation confirms them.

   Good

   • One cabinet, two jobs
   • Arrived well packed and fully assembled; we installed and programmed it in just over an hour
   • Carbon media is self-cleaning: no filter changes, per the listing
   • 1 in high-flow valve

   Not so good

   • Smaller capacity than the two-tank combos
   • Very low stock at research time
   • 1-year full warranty

   Skip it if: Wells with heavy sediment or iron.

   Check price on Amazon ($900–$1,300)Full Kenmore Elite 520 Hybrid reviewSpec score 4.2/10 (provisional)

Other places to start: the best water softener rankings, well water softeners and the comparison table.