Harvey Water Softener Review: Which Model Is Best?
Harvey Water Softener Review
Looking For the Best Harvey Model?
Read Our Expert Review and Model Comparison Guide
Choosing the best Harvey water softener can feel overwhelming with so many different models available online and through local dealers. At NE Water Softeners, we have been selling, installing and supporting Harvey models for many years. In this guide we review and compare the current available Harvey models to help you choose the right one for your home.
What to Look For & What to Compare - Your Guide By Experts
As experts in the industry, we suggest when comparing Harvey water softeners, the easiest approach is to check the specification alongside the price. Within this comparison you should be looking at:
What are the Main Benefits of Buying a Harvey System?
Because Harvey is such a reputable brand, choosing a Harvey water softener means you can get a quality system with strong support and a specification designed for UK homes.
- A long warranty on selected models.
- Modern non-electric water softening technology.
- Efficient salt and water usage on newer models.
- Lower running costs compared with older or less efficient systems.
- A well-known brand with support and resources available.
- A system that can help reduce limescale and protect appliances in hard water homes.
What are the Different Harvey Models?
There are a range of different Harvey water softener models available, some being available offline and some online. When deciding what to buy - we recommend making sure you compare prices and specification and always buy from reputable retailers. Below you'll find all of the current Harvey Models available, along with their specifications and prices.
Harvey TwinTec S4
Flow Rate: 56L/min
Salt & Water Usage: 300g salt, 17L water
Warranty: 10 years
Price: £1,174.
Harvey MiniMax M3
Flow Rate: 51L/min
Salt & Water Usage: 300g salt, 17L water
Warranty: 10 years
Price: £1,445
Harvey TwinTec XL2
Flow Rate: 80L/min
Salt & Water Usage: 900g–1300g salt, 37L water
Warranty: 10 years
Price: £1,695
Harvey Big Blue
Flow Rate: 80L/min
Salt & Water Usage: 1300g–1600g salt, 50L water
Warranty: 10 years
Best for: Larger homes or small commercial use
Price: £1,595
Harvey Arc
Flow Rate: 56L/min
Salt & Water Usage: 300g salt, 17L water
Availability: Harvey direct quote route
Price: Harvey Direct Quotation
Harvey Crown
Flow Rate: Around 30–40L/min
Salt & Water Usage: 350g salt, 23L water
Warranty: Usually shorter than newer models
Price: £974
Harvey Water Softener Comparison
| Model | Suitable For | Flow Rate | Efficiency | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TwinTec S4 | Most family homes / 3–4 bathrooms | 56L/min | 300g salt / 17L water | Bets Value for Money. Our recommended balance of performance, efficiency and price. |
| Harvey Crown | Smaller households | 30–40L/min | 350g salt / 23L water | A good choice for budgets below £1000. Older compact model with lower flow rate and shorter warranty. |
| MiniMax | Standard family homes | 56L/min | 300g salt / 17L water | Similar performance to S4 but often at a higher cost. |
| Harvey Arc | 3–4 bathroom homes | 56L/min | 300g salt / 17L water | Contact Harvey direct for more information. Newer Harvey route with app features and quotation process. |
| TwinTec Cobalt | 3–4 bathroom homes | 56L/min | 300g salt / 17L water | Contact your local dealer for more information. Similar technical specification to S4 but dealer-channel availability only. |
| Big Blue | 5+ bathrooms Larger homes / light commercial use | 80L/min | Higher salt/water usage | Built for homes with 5+ bathrooms. High capacity, but usually too large for standard family homes. |
Harvey Water Softener Price Comparison
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| TwinTec S4 | £1,174 (sign up for a discount) |
| MiniMax M3 | £1,400–£1,600 |
| The Crown | £975 |
| Harvey Cobalt | Contact your local dealer |
| Harvey ARC | Contact Harvey directly |
| Harvey Big Blue | £1,695 (save £100 with code NEWS) |
Expert Verdict on the Best Harvey Water Softener Model
In our view, the Harvey TwinTec S4 comes out on top for most family homes because it offers a strong balance of specification, efficiency, size, warranty and price.
- Best value: Premium performance without the higher price tag of some newer models.
- Top efficiency: Uses around 300g of salt and 17L of water per regeneration.
- High flow rate: 56L/min, suitable for many family homes.
- Compact size: Designed to fit under the sink or in a utility cupboard.
- Reliable support: Backed by manufacturer warranty and long-term support.
Recommended Harvey model
Harvey TwinTec S4
Shop the Harvey TwinTec S4, one of the most popular non-electric twin tank water softeners for UK homes.
- Non-electric twin tank system.
- Compact under-sink friendly size.
- Uses Harvey block salt.
- Popular choice for homes with hard water.
A Professional Breakdown & Summary Review
Harvey Crown
This model was produced over 20 years ago and is one of the most budget friendly Harvey systems. It is a great entry-level product but less efficient than teh other Harvey models. We sell the Harvey Crown, but in our experience, for not much more, we prefer our customers to upgrade to the Harvey TwinTec S4 for the many more benefits - including a 10 year warranty.
Harvey Minimax
Minimax and TwinTec are different brands but both produced by Harvey and are essentially the same in terms specification and 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. Please contact Harvey for more info.
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 more affordable.
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 and the North East only.
The Harvey Big Blue
This system is designed for larger homes with 5+ bathrooms or small commercial setups like hair dressrs 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.
Harvey Water Softener Reviews
Below are a few customer review snippets from the Harvey TwinTec S4 product page.
Elliot Hepburn-John
★★★★★
Why did we not do this sooner!?
“Great bit of kit, easy to install yourself, instant change from hard water to silky smooth water.”
S.B.
★★★★★
Already over the moon
“Wish we had fitted the Twintec series 4 water softener years ago. Everything staying cleaner.”
Ewen Fletcher
★★★★★
The Harvey has worked well
“The Harvey has worked well and I have had no trouble since. I am very pleased.”
Common FAQs
What is the difference between TwinTec, MiniMax and Crown?
All of these barands are manufactured by Harvey Water Softeners. However, the TwinTec and Minimax ranges have more advanced specifications when compared to the Crown. The Crown is one of Harvey's older models.
Do I need a Big Blue model for my home?
It depends on how big your home is. If you have a standards family home - not usually, this type of system is designed for if you have a large home with significantly higher water demand. For standard family homes, the TwinTec S4 is usually more suitable.
Is the TwinTec Cobalt better than the S4?
No. The Cobalt is the next generation but the technical aspects of the softener are the same. Howver, the Cobalt has a different design and additional smart technology with app-focused features. Please note - the Cobalt is only available via your local dealer and is not an online product.
How long will a Harvey water softener last?
This depends on the model, installation, usage and servicing. Newer Harvey models are known for strong long-term performance when properly maintained. The TwinTec range for example has a warranty of 10 years - so the systems are designed to last 10 -20 years.
Need Help Choosing a Harvey Water Softener?
Contact us for advice, model comparisons and current offers.
