SoftPro (QWT)
SoftPro Carbon Whole House Filter Review (2026)
Budget whole-house filter
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Type
Whole-house carbon filter
Flow rate
varies
Warranty
Verify
Maintenance
Periodic
Price tier
$ (budget)
Best for
Budget whole-house filter
Key specifications
Catalytic carbon for chlorine, chloramine and other contaminants.
Our take
The SoftPro Carbon Whole House Filter is a strong fit for budget whole-house filter. As with any whole-house treatment decision, the right choice depends on your incoming water (hardness, chlorine vs. chloramine, any flagged contaminants) and the size of your home. If you haven't already, check your local water-quality data before committing.
What problem does it solve?
Catalytic carbon whole-house filter that targets chloramine, tougher to remove than free chlorine, along with chlorine, taste, odor and VOCs. Backwashing keeps the media bed clean for the life of the tank.
Who is this for?
Households on municipal systems that use chloramine (now common in larger U.S. cities) where a standard GAC carbon filter is not enough. Pair with the SoftPro Elite if water is also hard.
Pros
- Catalytic carbon for chlorine and chloramine
- Self-cleaning backwash; no cartridges to swap
- Lifetime warranty
- Long media life
- Strong value vs cartridge systems
Cons
- Needs a drain and 110V outlet
- Backwash uses some water
- Does not soften water
- Larger upfront cost than cartridge filters
Can I install this myself?
Moderate DIY (2-4 hours)
Single tank with a backwashing control head, so you need a 110V outlet and a drain line for the periodic backwash cycle. Otherwise the install is similar to other whole-house carbon filters. Plan 2 to 4 hours.
What are the running costs I should foresee?
No cartridges to swap. Backwash uses about 30 gallons every few days. The catalytic carbon media is rated for 5 to 10 years depending on water and household size.
Frequently asked questions
+Who is the SoftPro Carbon for?
City-water households that want long-life whole-house carbon filtration without per-cartridge maintenance, and have a drain plus an outlet near the main water line.
+What does it remove?
Chlorine, chloramine, taste, odor, VOCs, herbicides and pesticides via a catalytic coconut-shell carbon bed. Comparable performance to other tank-based whole-house carbon filters.
+Can I install this myself?
Yes with a 110V outlet and a drain line nearby. Plan 2 to 4 hours. A plumber will typically charge $400 to $700.
+What are the running costs?
No cartridges. The main cost is the backwash water (about 30 gallons every few days). Media bed life is 5 to 10 years.
+How does it compare to the SpringWell CF1?
Similar chemistry. The CF1 is upflow with no backwash and no drain needed; SoftPro Carbon is downflow with backwash, which can be self-cleaning but uses some water and electricity. Pick based on whether a drain is conveniently available.
Ready to look at current pricing?
We don't display prices on this site because the manufacturer changes them frequently.