What living with it looks like
Salt is the chore. A softener on an inefficient setting can go through a 40 lb bag every few weeks; the Matrixx's StackFlow setting is rated by US Water Systems at 3 lb of salt per regeneration on this 35,000-grain model. The brine tank holds up to 220 lb, so you can fill it and forget it for a long while.
The resin tank is 9" x 48", a normal size for a closet or garage. The app shows how much water you used and how much salt is left, which beats lifting the lid every Sunday to check.
The catch
The crossed-out price. The page shows $2,444.92 struck through, next to the $1,466.95 actually charged. We use the price charged, and we would not count the "savings" as part of the deal. Also, the WQA Gold Seal covers the control valve, the NSF certification the resin, and NSF/ANSI 61 the components: good signs, but not a certification of the whole system.
How it scores
The Matrixx softener gets 9.1/10 (excellent) with our softener score weights. Each criterion below is scored out of 10 from US Water Systems's published figures and the price we checked; a criterion without a figure is left out and the other weights are rescaled. The scales are on the methodology page.
| Criterion | Weight | Score /10 | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flow rate | 15% | 7.5 | |
| Certification | 10% | 7.0 | |
| Hardness treatment | 25% | 10.0 | |
| Routine care | 15% | 7.0 | |
| Warranty | 10% | 9.0 | |
| Return window | 10% | 10.0 | |
| Price | 15% | 6.0 |
Full specifications
As published by US Water Systems on its US pages, read on November 9, 2026. Values the brand does not publish are left out rather than guessed.
| Type | Salt-based water softener |
|---|---|
| Model compared | 080-MXX-100-10 · MXX-100: 10 GPM, 35,000 grains |
| Flow rate | 10 GPM (service flow stated) |
| Grain capacity | 35,000 grains |
| Treatment | Ion exchange (softens) |
| Certification | WQA Gold Seal certified control valve; NSF certified resin; NSF/ANSI 61 compliant components |
| Drain and power | drain line + outlet needed |
| Connection | 1" |
| Size | Resin tank 9" x 48"; brine tank holds up to 220 lb of salt |
| Warranty | Lifetime on tank and resin, 10 years on valve and electronics |
| Return window | 1-year satisfaction guarantee |
| Checked price | $1,466.95 at US Water Systems on November 9, 2026 |
Buying advice
Size it with your numbers in the calculator before you buy: 35,000 grains covers 4 people at 75 gallons a day up to about 12 gpg on a weekly cycle with the reserve. US Water Systems gives lifetime on tank and resin and 10 years on the valve and electronics.
- StackFlow high-efficiency setting: 3 lb of salt and 33 gallons per regeneration on the 35,000-grain model, per US Water Systems
- Bluetooth valve with app reports on usage and salt level
- Made in the USA tank and valve, per US Water Systems
Alternatives to consider
SoftPro Elite8.9Very good · out of 10If you want a lifetime warranty on the control valve too.
Fleck 5600SXT8.8Very good · out of 10If you want the classic valve for $876.
SpringWell SS18.7Very good · out of 10If you want a 6-month money-back promise and a stated 11 GPM.
Head-to-heads
Questions about the Matrixx softener
How much salt does the Matrixx water softener use?
US Water Systems states 3 lb of salt and 33 gallons of water per regeneration on the StackFlow high-efficiency setting for the 35,000-grain model.
Is the Matrixx softener certified?
The control valve is WQA Gold Seal certified, the resin is NSF certified and the components comply with NSF/ANSI 61, per US Water Systems. The whole system is not listed as certified.
What is the Matrixx warranty?
Lifetime on the tank and resin and 10 years on the valve and electronics, plus a 1-year satisfaction guarantee, per US Water Systems.
Sources
Official pages read on November 9, 2026: uswatersystems.com/products/matrixx-smart-metered-water-softener. Product image: US Water Systems.