Harvey Water Softener Review - What is the Best Harvey Model?
Choosing the best Harvey water softener can feel overwhelming with so many models available online and via local dealers.
Here at NE Water Softeners we have been selling, installing and servicing Harvey models for over 15 years - in this Harvey Water Softener Review and Buyer’s Guide (2025) we will outline based on our expertise - what the best Harvey model is!
What to Look For & What to Compare - Your Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing between all the different Harvey models available, we suggest simply comparing the specification of each along side the price. This means you should look at:
- 1. Flow Rate
- 2. Water Usage
- 3. Salt Usage
- 4. Efficiency
- 5. Warranty
- 6.Price
What are the Main Benefits of Buying a Harvey System?
Because Harvey is such a reputable brand, the benefits of choosing Harvey is that you will get a quality system that can last anything from 10 - 20 years (depending on the model). Other Benefits include:
- ✅ A long warranty. The best Harvey Water Softeners have warranties of 10 years and a 2 year labour warranty. This guarantees your purchase is built to pay for itself over the years.
- ✅The most up to date technology.
- ✅The most efficient systems in terms of salt and water usage.
- ✅Lowest water softener running costs of any domestic system.
- ✅ A top brand with endless resources and customer services.
✅ A system that can pay for itself, saving you £400-£1000 off household bills each year. There are also 0% finance options available.
What are the Different Harvey Models?
Harvey Twintec S4 Review
- - Flow Rate: 56L/min
- - Salt & Water Usage: 300g, 17L
- - Warranty: 10 Years
- - Price: £1149.99
Harvey MiniMax M3
- - Flow Rate: 51L/min
- - Salt & Water Usage: 300g, 17L
- - Warranty: 10 Years
- - Price: £1445
Harvey Twintec XL Review
- - Flow Rate: 80L/min
- - Salt & Water Usage: 900g - 1300g, 37L
- - Warranty: 10 Years
- - Price: £1695
Harvey MiniMax Major Review
- - Flow Rate: 80L/min
- - Salt & Water Usage: 900g - 1300g, 37L
- - Warranty: 10 Years
- - Price: £1695
Harvey Big Blue Review
- - Flow Rate: 80L/min
- - Salt & Water Usage: 1300g-1600g, 50L
- - Warranty: 10 Years
- - Price: £1695
Harvey Arc Review
- - Flow Rate: 56L/min
- - Salt & Water Usage: 300g, 17L
- - Warranty: 10 Years
- - Price: Harvey Direct Quotes Only
Harvey Crown Review
- - Flow Rate: 30-40L/min
- - Salt & Water Usage: 350g, 23L
- - Warranty: 2-5 Years
Older Harvey Models
Other Harvey models such as the Harvey TwinTec Series 3, the MiniMax M2 & the Harvey HV3/HV4 are systems that are no longer manufactured & have been discontinued.
Harvey Water Softener Model Comparison
As a team of experts, here is our summary comparison of the different Harvey models.
| Model | Suitable For | Flow Rate | Efficiency | Negatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TwinTec S4 | Most suitable for 3-4 bathrooms - so most family homes and households. | 56L/min | 300g of salt & 17L of water used per regeneration. | Our number one seller, it has the best price online, top efficiency, high flow rate and 10-year warranty – in our opinion the best balance of performance and value. |
| Harvey Crown water softener | Smaller households with fewer people. | 40L/min | 350g of salt & 23L of water used per regeneration. | Lower flow rate, less efficient, older resin, and a shorter warranty (usually 5 years). |
| Harvey Minimax softener | 3-4 bathroom homes and standard family homes. | 56L/min | 300g of salt & 17L of water used per regeneration. | Same performance as S4 but it has a higher cost - why pay more for the same system. |
| Harvey Arc Water Softener | Similarly to the TwinTec & Minimax the Arc is suitable for 3-4 bathrooms and suitable for most family homes. | 56L/min | 300g of salt & 17L of water used per regeneration. | Warranty can vary, you must go through the sales and installation process. |
| TwinTec Cobalt | This system is essentially the same as the Harvey Arc - so is bes suited for 3-4 bathroom homes. | 56L/min. | 300g of salt & 17L of water used per regeneration. | Not available online - sold in dealer channel areas only, we sell this system in the North East & Yorkshire. |
| The Big Blue Water Softener | Suitable for large homes or commercial setups like hotels and b&bs (5+ bathrooms) | 80L/min. | 300g of salt & 17L of water used per regeneration. | Too big for standard family homes and required adequate space. |
How much are the Different Models?
A Price Comparison
Harvey models tend to have a similar specification - but what about price? Price can vary based on:
✅ What model you go for - some models such as the MiniMax & TwinTec S4, are the same with the same specifications - yet their prices can differ.
✅ The Warranty of the system - it is better to buy a system which has at least a 10 year warranty. This way, you can ensure your product is quality and is guaranteed to last.
✅ Who you buy your system from. Different retailers have different prices.
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| TwinTec S4 | £1,124.99 |
| Crown | £995.00 (bear in mind the older age of this model and the shorter warranty) |
| Minimax | £1,299.00 |
| Arc | Harvey Only Quotation. |
| TwinTec Cobalt | £1,595.00 |
| Big Blue | £1,599.00 |
What Are the Running Costs For a Harvey Water Softener?
The running costs for a Harvey Water Softener depends on the water usage and salt usage for your home.
Harvey Salt Usage & Options
On average, salt use is around 1 block per person per month. The cost of block salt is around £7- £8.50 pr pack of 2 blocks - the price can decrease, depending on if you buy in bulk. The type of Harvey Water Softener Salt you need depends on your system.
Harvey Water Softener Block Salt
The below models use standard Harvey block salt:
- - TwinTec S4
- - MiniMax M3
- - TwinTec Xl2
- - MiniMax Major
Harvey Water Softener Mini Curved Salt
The below models use mini curved block salt:
- - TwinTec Cobalt
- - Harvey Arc Water Softener
Tablet Salt
The below models use tablet salt:
- - Harvey Big Blue
- - Harvey TwinTec XL1
- - MiniMax Major
A Professional Breakdown & Summary Review
Harvey Crown
This model was produced over 20 years ago and is one of the lowest priced Harvey systems. It is an older, compact model for small to medium homes. Great entry-level unit but less efficient than newer models and the specification falls short when compared to other models (see comparison table below). We sell the Harvey Crown, but in our experience, for just £100 more, we prefer our customers to upgrade to the Harvey TwinTec S4 for the many more benefits.
Harvey Minimax
Minimax and TwinTec are rival brands but are essentially the same in terms of the products they offer. The MiniMax is a premium softener with similar technology to the TwinTec S4. It is a great model - but comes at a higher price which poses the question - why pay more than you have to?
Harvey Arc
The Arc is a Harvey retail product and a newer model - you can only purchase this model directly through Harvey retail and via the full sales and installation experience. The specification is the same as the minimax and the Twintec S4, but has the addition of connecting to a smart phone app.
Harvey TwinTec S4
Over the years we have sold many different systems but one system we have continued to sell is the TwinTec S4. Simply because it is one of the best and remains our best seller - with one of the best specifications, yet lowest price tags.
The TwinTec Cobalt or S5
We love the Cobalt, from its striking blue colour and design to its smart phone connection. But this system does still have the same technical spec as the TwinTec Series 4 and it is limited to local dealer channel distribution - meaning we distribute this product in the North East only.
The Harvey Big Blue
This system is designed for large homes or small commercial setups like offices or b&bs. It has a mega flow rate of 80L/min but we don't recommend this system unless you have 5+ bathrooms and adequate space - its called the "big" blue for a reason.
Expert Verdict on the Best Harvey Water Softener
Selling a range of different Harvey models, we believe as experts in the field that the TwinTc S4 comes out on top for a number of reasons:
Harvey Water Softener Reviews
Below are a few real reviews from our product page for the Harvey TwinTec Series 4 system.
Elliot Hepburn-John
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Why did we not do this sooner!?
"Great bit of kit, easy to install yourself, instant change from hard bore-hole water to silky smooth soft water. Taste is great, hair and skin are feeling a lot better, and limescale is gone. Why did we not do this sooner!?"
S.B.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Already over the moon after just a few weeks
"Why did we wait so long. Wish we had fitted the Twintec series 4 water softener years ago. Already over the moon after just a few weeks. Everything staying cleaner. Shower is just wonderful. Great product."
Ewen Fletcher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Harvey has worked well and I have had no trouble since
"I bought the Harvey Series 4 softener as a replacement for an elderly Kinteco that was not working well... The Harvey has worked well and I have had no trouble since. I am very pleased that I bought at a good price."
Common FAQs
What is the difference between the Harvey Arc and the TwinTec S4?
The Harvey Arc has the addition of a smart phone app, and it comes with a shorter 3-year warranty.
Do I need a Big Blue model for my home?
Not usually, unless you have a large home with 5 or more bathrooms. We love the Big Blue - especially for a semi commercial use such as air b&b or a hair dressers. But for standard family homes, the TwinTec will be most suitable.
Is the TwinTec Cobalt better than the S4?
This depends on how you define “better”. The Cobalt has a smart phone app and a nicer blue design, but it is only available via dealer only network and to be honest its technical spec is the same as the Twintec S4.
How long will a Harvey water softener last?
This depends on the model you go for. For example, the Crown softener has a warranty of 5 years - which give a little indication to how long it might last. Whereas the TwinTec comes with a 10 year warranty. With proper care and regular servicing, a newer Harvey model can last 10-20 years. We know the TwinTec Series 4 is particularly known for its long lifespan.
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