Record WT-0036 ยท Last verified September 2026
AFWFilters Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Water Softener Digital SXT Metered Whole House System, Pentair tank
Water softener by AFWFilters. No system-level certification found at NSF, IAPMO, WQA or CSA.
We may earn a commission. It never changes a grade.
Scorecard
| Measure | Grade | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Certification evidence | D | Maker claims only, no certification or published lab data |
| 10-year cost | A | $1,265 over 10 years |
| Flow rate | A | 12 gpm rated flow |
| Warranty | B | 10 years on main parts |
| Returns | D | 120 days, 30% restocking fee |
What it treats
"Certified" means an independent body (NSF, IAPMO, WQA or CSA) lists this system for that contaminant. "Lab tested" means the maker published a third-party lab report. "Maker claim" means neither.
| Contaminant | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | Maker claim | Other systems for Hardness |
No claim made for: Chlorine, Chloramine, PFAS, Lead, Iron, Manganese, Hydrogen sulfide, Bacteria, Sediment, VOCs, Arsenic, Nitrate, Fluoride, Copper, Uranium.
PFAS evidence: No PFAS claim.
Certifications
No certification of any kind found for this system.
Specifications
| Type | Water softener |
|---|---|
| Technology | Ion exchange softening |
| Water source | City water, Private well |
| Price | $765 to $775 |
| Rated flow | 12 gallons per minute |
| Capacity | 48,000 grain (1.5 cu ft resin); maker says up to 6 people, moderate to very hard water |
| Media | 1.5 cu ft high capacity 8% crosslink cation softening resin (BR8) |
| Stages | 1 |
| Port size | 1 inch |
| Needs a drain | Yes |
| Needs power | Yes |
| DIY install | Yes, with basic plumbing skills |
| Dimensions | mineral tank 10 x 54 in (Pentair); brine tank 14 x 34 in square; overall footprint not stated |
| Warranty | Product page: 5 years on the Fleck 5600SXT control head, 10 years on the Pentair mineral tank. FAQ: Fleck/Pentair controls and parts 5 years, Structural USA brine and mineral tanks 10 years; coverage varies by part. Warranty is the same when bought on Amazon, eBay or Walmart. |
| Returns | 120-day 'No Questions Asked' money-back guarantee from delivery (direct store purchases only): new-sealed items refunded less shipping cost; used systems and control heads carry a 15% restocking fee if the RMA is issued within 0-59 days and 30% within 60-120 days; customer pays return shipping; opened resin, media, filters and parts are non-refundable; Amazon, eBay and Walmart purchases follow the marketplace policy. |
10-year cost
| Item | Each | Times in 10 years | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| System purchase | $765 | 1 | $765 |
| Installation (assumed, professional) | $500 | 1 | $500 |
| Total | $1,265 |
Install assumption: $500 for whole-house systems, $150 for under-sink units. Installing it yourself brings the total to $765. Try your own numbers in the 10-year cost calculator.
Owner reports
No consistent complaint pattern found in public owner reviews.
Sold by Abundant Flow Water Systems (Pfeifer, KS). Price is the store 'sale price' $765 against a $901 'standard price'. Flow rating conflict: this listing says 12 gpm service / 28 gpm peak (the valve rating), while AFW's same-price twin listing '1.5 cubic Foot (48k) On Demand Whole Home Water Softener with High Capacity Resin' (SKU 48k-56SXT, $765, 21 on-site reviews, choice of 3/4 or 1 inch plastic or stainless connections, bigger brine tanks, Purolite upgrade) and the 10% crosslink version both state 6.5 gpm service / 9.8 gpm peak with 2.7 gpm backwash. Includes Fleck 5600SXT (BR5600SMS-SXTPW, made in USA), 10 x 54 in Pentair tank, 14 x 34 in brine tank with safety float, Fleck bypass (60049) and 1 inch male threaded yoke (18706-01). Other 5600SXT sizes are separate listings: 32k $739, 64k $859 (high capacity resin). Page mentions 'WQA certified Water Quality specialists' (staff), and the FAQ says AFW is a WQA member; no product certification is claimed and none is listed at NSF or WQA for AFW/Abundant Flow (checked 2026-09-27). No Trustpilot profile (afwfilters.com 404). BBB: A+, accredited, 0 complaints in 3 years, 0 reviews. On-site reviews on the 48k listings are all 4-5 stars, so no recurring complaint found; one reviewer notes the stainless bypass upgrade needs extra nipples. No affiliate program found; also sold on Amazon, eBay and Walmart. Water source: maker places no city/well restriction (FAQ addresses both well and municipal buyers).
Alternatives in the same category
| System | Grade | Price | 10-yr cost | Certified to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rheem Preferred RHS32 | B | $489 | $1,365 | NSF/ANSI 44, NSF/ANSI 372, CSA B483.1 |
| SpringWell SS1 | C | $1,607 | $2,107 | None |
| SoftPro Elite HE (city water, upflow) | C | $1,367 | $1,867 | None |
| AFWFilters Iron Pro 2 fine mesh softener (Fleck 5600SXT) | C | $755 | $1,255 | None |
| Aquasure Harmony Series (AS-HS32D / AS-HS48D / AS-HS64D) | D | $540 | $1,914 | None |
Sources
- store.afwfilters.com/water-softeners/48-000-grain/fleck-5600sxt-48-000-grain-water-softene
- store.afwfilters.com/water-softeners/48-000-grain/fleck-5600sxt-48-000-grain-water-softene
- store.afwfilters.com/water-softeners/48000-grain/48k-water-softener-with-10-resin-and-flec
- store.afwfilters.com/5600sxt-digital-fleck-control-head-1/
- store.afwfilters.com/5600sxt-digital-fleck-control-head-2/
- store.afwfilters.com/faq
- help.afwfilters.com/portal/en/kb/articles/no-questions-asked-120-day-money-back-guarantee
- store.afwfilters.com/media-resin/softening-resin/
- store.afwfilters.com/replacement-parts-resin-media/media-resin/softening-resin/high-capaci
- info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/Listings.asp?CompanyName=abundant
- info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/Listings.asp?TradeName=afw
- find.wqa.org/find-products
- trustpilot.com/review/afwfilters.com
- bbb.org/us/ks/pfeifer/profile/water-softener-supplies/abundant-flow-water-systems-inc-0714
