Kenmore 350 Review
Verdict: A compact 32,000-grain cabinet softener with a learning (demand-based) regeneration control, best for smaller households on moderately hard water. It ranks #6 in our best water softener systems list and also appears in budget (#4).
Hands-on: used in our own household, recently installed, with long-term results to follow. Read our notes.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Grain capacity | 32,000 grains |
|---|---|
| Max flow rate | 7.2 gpm* |
| Pressure range | 20-125 psi* |
| Certification | NSF certified (standard not named by Kenmore) |
| Warranty | 1 yr full, 3 yr electronics, 10 yr tank* |
| Sized for | up to 6 people |
| Max hardness | 45 gpg |
* From the seller's Amazon listing; not yet confirmed by the manufacturer.
Unmarked values come from Kenmore's own pages or manuals; values marked * come from the Amazon listing (ASIN B016DXLMCM). Model 350.
Check price on Amazon ($600–$900)Hands-on notes: the Kenmore 350 in our own household
First-hand use by the site owner, recently installed, with long-term results to follow. A whole-house installation, replacing an Aquasure Harmony softener we had owned before. These are personal observations, not lab measurements.
Why we chose it
We bought the Kenmore 350 to replace an Aquasure Harmony softener that had disappointed us in two ways: it was noticeably loud, and the softening results weren't what we expected. The Kenmore's mixed reviews seemed to be mostly about shipping rather than performance, so we tried it.
Delivery and packaging
It arrived with two-day shipping, carried in carefully by two delivery staff. Packaging was better than expected: double cardboard and foam at the base, a plastic cover on top and foam around the unit. No visible damage when we unpacked it.
Installation
Installation was fairly straightforward. The manual is digital only: you scan a QR code or download the PDF. The online instructions were easy to follow, with useful diagrams, though we'd still have liked a printed copy.
Design and build
It's a compact, integrated cabinet with the brine and softener tanks together, which saves space, and it has a tank light that helps in a dim utility area. Our unit arrived without blemishes, cracks or defects, and the build looks solid.
Results we measured
After installation we ran the initial sanitizing regeneration, then tested with hardness strips: the softened water read 0 grains per gallon. We photographed the strips before and after.
Starting a manual regeneration is simple: press and hold the regeneration button for about two seconds. A full regeneration took about two hours, and it is very quiet, almost silent compared with the Aquasure Harmony it replaced. We left the factory regeneration time of 2:00 a.m., when the house uses little water.
Going by the figures we compared (not our own measurement), the Kenmore uses roughly 30 gallons of water per regeneration, against about 60–80 gallons for our previous Aquasure.
Verdict so far
A good first impression. It fixed both reasons we replaced our old softener: the water tested at 0 gpg after the first regeneration, and it runs far more quietly. Packaging was protective and installation manageable; the only minor complaint is the digital-only manual. We'd consider it again, but longer-term use will be the real test, and we'll update this with salt use and maintenance.
More on drinking water: see our softener and filtration picks; for setup, our installation guide covers programming hardness.
Who the Kenmore 350 is for
Small and mid-size households on moderately hard water, in condos or houses with limited space.
Who should skip it
Very hard water (above Kenmore's 45 gpg limit) or large families on hard water, who will regenerate too often.
Pros
- Compact cabinet for tight spaces
- Our strips read 0 gpg after the first regeneration
- Very quiet regeneration in our home
- 10-year tank warranty
Cons
- 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
Our take
The Amazon listing sizes it for 1–4 people, while Kenmore's own page says up to 6 and rates it for hardness up to 45 gpg. At 32,000 grains, the sizing table below is the better guide: on moderately hard water a family of four is fine; on very hard water, step up to a 40,000–48,000 grain unit. Its listed flow is lower than the full-size two-tank systems, and the cabinet saves space.
Kenmore describes it as NSF certified but doesn't name the standard, so we show the claim without a standard number.
How it compares on paper
- Against the Aquasana SimplySoft 40K: less capacity (32,000 vs 40,000 grains) and a lower rated flow (7.2* vs 11.02 gpm).
- Against the AFWFilters Fleck 5600SXT 48K: less capacity (32,000 vs 48,000* grains) and a lower rated flow (7.2* vs 14* gpm).
- Against the Aquasure Harmony 48K: less capacity (32,000 vs 48,000 grains) and a lower rated flow (7.2* vs 12* gpm).
* Seller-listed value, not yet confirmed by the maker; unmarked values are from the manufacturer.
Kenmore 350 sizing at a glance
Using the 32,000-grain capacity, here is roughly how many days it runs between regenerations. At 12 gpg, a family of four would regenerate the Kenmore 350 about every 7 days, and two people on 18 gpg water about every 9 days; aim for 5–8.
| Household | 8 gpg | 12 gpg | 18 gpg | 25 gpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 people | 21 | 14 | 9 | 6 |
| 4 people | 10 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| 6 people | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
Spec score: 4.7/10 (provisional)
| Capacity | 1.5 / 3 — 32,000 grains (64,000 = full marks) |
|---|---|
| Flow | 1.4 / 3 — 7.2 gpm (15 gpm = full marks) |
| Iron handling | 0 / 1.5 — no iron limit stated |
| Value | 1.8 / 2.5 — price band $600-$900 |
Alternatives to the Kenmore 350
- Aquasana SimplySoft 40K (#1): Only softener here certified to NSF/ANSI 44; highest rated flow among cabinet units.
- AFWFilters Fleck 5600SXT 48K (#2): Most serviceable valve; chlorine-tolerant 10% resin.
- Aquasure Harmony 48K (#3): Most capacity per dollar with a pre-filter included.
- Tier1 48K (#4): Lowest price band for a full-size 48K.
See all our picks in the best water softener rankings, the top three on our best home water softener systems page, or every spec side by side in the water softener comparison table, or more from Kenmore. Not sure about size? Use the calculator in our water softener buying guide.
Before you buy: how a water softener works, what water softener installation involves, the full cost of running a softener and the maintenance it needs. On a private well? See our water softener for well water picks.