If you have started looking into a water softener for your home, two names come up again and again: Harvey and Kinetico. Both are excellent, both are non-electric, and we supply and install both across Wiltshire, Bath and the wider West Country. So how do you choose between them? Here is a straightforward guide.
What Harvey and Kinetico have in common
It is worth saying up front that you will get lovely soft water from either brand. Both ranges share the features that matter most:
- Non-electric — they run on the pressure of your incoming water, so there is nothing to plug in and nothing electrical to fail.
- Twin-cylinder — two resin tanks work in turn, giving you a continuous supply of soft water, 24 hours a day.
- Block salt — easy to lift and load, with no heavy bags of granular salt to manage. You can browse our block salt range here.
- 10-year parts warranty, plus our own local service and support.
Because the fundamentals are so similar, the right choice usually comes down to the size of your home and a few personal preferences.
The Harvey range
Harvey water softeners are made in Britain and are a popular, well-proven choice. There are three models:
- Gemini V4 — ideal for homes with 1 to 2 bathrooms.
- Minimax Innova — suits 2 to 3 bathrooms, and is the greenest option: its cabinet is made from 65% recycled plastic. It also uses the smaller Curve block salt, which is easy to handle.
- Gemini XL — the larger model, for homes with 3 to 4 bathrooms.
The Kinetico range
Kinetico water softeners are renowned for their engineering and clever metering, regenerating only when needed to save water and salt. The range covers:
- Premier Compact — suits homes with up to 3 bathrooms. It comes in two versions: HE for gravity-fed hot water systems, and HF for pressurised or combi-boiler systems.
- Premier Maxi — a semi-commercial unit for larger homes with 3 to 6 bathrooms.
- Premier Plus — for larger homes that want extra capacity and precision.
How to choose
Start with the number of bathrooms. This is the single biggest factor, as it tells us how much soft water your household needs. As a rough guide:
- 1 to 2 bathrooms: Harvey Gemini V4, or Kinetico Premier Compact
- 2 to 3 bathrooms: Harvey Minimax Innova, or Kinetico Premier Compact
- 3 to 4 bathrooms: Harvey Gemini XL, or Kinetico Premier Plus
- Larger or semi-commercial: Kinetico Premier Maxi
Think about your hot water system. If you have a combi boiler or a pressurised system, that can influence the model and version we recommend. It is nothing to worry about — we check all of this during your free survey.
Consider what matters to you. If recycled materials are a priority, the Minimax Innova stands out. If you love precise, efficient engineering, the Kinetico range is hard to beat. Honestly, both will serve you well for many years.
Can you drink softened water?
In many areas you can, although some people prefer to keep a separate tap for drinking water. We cover this in detail in our guide on drinking softened water.
Not sure? Let us help
The easiest way to get the right softener is to let us take a look. We offer a free, no-obligation survey, and you are always welcome to visit our showroom in Holt to see the units in person. Get in touch and we will help you choose the perfect water softener for your home.
