Welcome to Our 2018’s Refrigerator Water Filter Reviews
If your refrigerator has a built-in water dispenser and/or ice maker, it’s almost guaranteed to have a filter to ensure that the water is clean and tastes fresh at all times. Of course, this filer needs to be changed every now and then.
The question is: Would it be better to replace it with an expensive OEM filter or with a more affordable off-brand model? What’s the difference anyway, except for the price? Our guide will help you find the best refrigerator water filter!
Considerations – What Water Filter Do You Need for Your Fridge?
OEM vs. off-brand, compatibility, NSF certifications – finding the best refrigerator water filter replacement can be challenging, as there are a great number of manufacturers and products on the market.
But don’t worry! Here is all you need to know:
OEM vs. Off-Brand
Let’s say you own an LG refrigerator. The easiest way to go about things would be to buy a genuine replacement filter from LG. But you don’t have to. You could also opt for a replacement solution provided by an off-brand manufacturer.
On the upside, buying a filter imitation will save you quite a lot of money. Prices vary, of course, but off-brand filters are oftentimes 2, 3 or and even up to 4 times more affordable than branded ones.
On the downside, the level of water quality that you get leaves much to be desired. All that most of the cheap filters will do is remove chlorine and other impurities to improve water aesthetics (taste and odor), but they won’t help to eliminate any of the harmful stuff, such as lead.
Bottom line: While trying to save money is a good habit, you should exercise caution when it comes to buying a replacement water filter for your refrigerator.
Compatibility
Another important criteria for choosing a refrigerator water filter is compatibility. If a filter is not compatible with your fridge, it won’t fit at all or at least not properly. The latter is a common cause for leaks.
Therefore, as your first step, you have to find your refrigerator’s model number. The number can be found in the owner’s manual and should also be printed on a label affixed to the refrigerator itself. Depending on the type, the label can appear
on the upper right or left side wall inside the refrigerator or freezer,
on the face frame,
behind crisper drawers,
or behind kick-plates.
This is what an example model number looks like: LFX28991ST
You could also contact the customer support team of the brand/manufacturer or visit their website.
Once you have obtained the model number, you can match it to the list of refrigerators that a certain filter supports.
You can use Amazon’s Partfinder to ensure compatibility. Just enter your refrigerator model number into the search bar on top of a filter’s product description page.
Another approach would be to try to identify the old filter. A part number should be printed on a sticker affixed to its side, e.g. DA29-00020B for a Samsung model. Then you go looking for an identical replacement or a compatible substitute.
Contaminants & Certifications
Depending on where you live, different kinds of contaminants can be found in the water that you receive in your home. This is why, generally speaking, not every water filter is suitable for every household.
The safest way to make sure that the water you and your family consumes is healthy, is by sending a direct sample to a professional lab for analysis. Only by knowing what potentially harmful contaminants you face, can you seek the best filtration solution. As an alternative, you can also consult the latest Consumer Confidence Report of your local water utility.
What’s more, anyone could simply go online, import a random water filter from China and sell it in the U.S. claiming that it will remove lead, fluoride, pesticides, herbicides, asbestos etc. But only certifications from independent labs provide proof.
For refrigerator water filters, what you need to look for are NSF Standard 42 and even more importantly Standard 53 certifications.
NSF Standard 42 is all about water taste and smell. It certifies a filter’s capability to eliminate chlorine, sediment and other common impurities. Every filter on this page has earned an NSF Standard 42 certification.
NSF Standard 53 is for contaminants with health effects. This may include cysts, heavy metals, volatile organic chemicals, disinfection byproducts… – you name it. Only the OEM filters we reviewed down below were able to get NSF Standard 53 certified.
Filtration Capacity
All water filters are rated in gallons. This rating specifies how many gallons of purified water a filter can provide before it requires replacement. For refrigerator filters, the standard filtration capacity is 300 gallons. Some may provide no more than 200 gallons, while others last for up to 400 gallons.
What we noticed is that filters that remove a wide range of contaminants oftentimes come with a lower gallon rating. We assume that, due to the thorough filtration process, the cartridges are more prone to clogging.
In other words: A lower filtration capacity is not necessarily a bad thing. Sure, you will have to change filters more frequently which adds to the costs, but you also get better water quality.
And by the way, don’t pay any attention to filter lifetime. Most manufacturers will say something like “200 gallons or 6 months whichever comes first“. If you do the math, 200 gallons in a 6-month period, that’s 1.1 gallons per day, which is barely enough for 2 people.
Refrigerator Water Filters Reviews
Best Water Filters for Samsung Refrigerators
Proud owners of a Samsung refrigerator, listen up!
We are going to introduce to you the best selling Samsung DA29-00020B refrigerator water filter and 2 compatible imitations, the Waterdrop WD-DA29-00020B and the PureLine PL-200.
In addition, you will also find a review of Samsung’s DA29-00003G filter and a popular off-brand version.
Samsung DA29-00020B (Also Replaces DA29-00020A)
For Samsung Side-By-Side + French Door Refrigerators
Price: $$
OEM:
Contaminants: 9
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 300 gal
The Samsung DA29-00020B is for all side-by-side and French Door refrigerators by Samsung that come with an ice/water dispenser.
The filter uses a carbon block and is rated at 300 gallon, which is pretty average. It’s NSF-certified against Standard 42 and 53 and has proven to remove 97.4% of chlorine for great-tasting drinking water without any unpleasant odors.
Above that, it’s capable of removing 99.0% of asbestos, 99.99% of cysts and many other harmful substances, most importantly lead (more than 99.0%). Even in trace amounts lead is highly toxic, which is why you have to make sure that your water is more or less lead-free, if you use it for drinking or cooking.
Unfortunately, the filter won’t reduce fluoride – no refrigerator water filter does – if that’s something you are concerned about.
Other than that, it provides a good water flow and is backed by more than 5,000 Amazon customer testimonials. If you like what you hear, visit this page and enter your refrigerator model number into the search bar below the main menu to make sure that the filter will fit.
And before we forget, installation won’t take more than 10 seconds. You just have to remember to flush the filter afterwards and before you use the water.
The only downside is that although you can buy in packs of 2 and 3 at a reduced price, this filter is not exactly cheap.
Bottom line: You can’t go wrong with the Samsung DA29-00020B. It’s the best fridge water filter by far and perfect for those concerned about water quality.
For Samsung Side-By-Side + French Door Refrigerators
Price: $
OEM:
Contaminants: 1
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 300 gal
Obviously, Samsung recommends you to purchase nothing but genuine Samsung refrigerator water filters for “authenticity and guaranteed performance“. However, we don’t mind opting for an imitation as long as it’s compatible and delivers the same or even better water quality.
One of these imitations is the Waterdrop WD-DA29-00020B. You can already tell by the name that it’s pretty similar.
The filter is capable of removing chlorine, bad tastes and odors. But it won’t help to get rid of heavy metals and all the other harmful contaminants that the original Samsung filter removes.
Filtration capacity is identical (300 gallons or 6 months) and the installation is straightforward. Although, some customers complained about leaks due to a missing O-ring. Others said that their water come out all cloudy and flushing the filter didn’t resolve the issue.
Really the only reason to opt for this replacement model is the lower price tag and you can save even more by buying in bulk.
Bottom line: If all you care about is removing chlorine from your water for improved aesthetics, this Waterdrop refrigerator filter makes an excellent choice. It’s much more affordable than the OEM filter by Samsung, however, we don’t recommend it for cases of severe water contamination.
For Samsung Side-By-Side + French Door Refrigerators
Price: $
OEM:
Contaminants: 1
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 400 gal
PureLine’s PL-200 is another popular alternative to the Samsung DA29-00020B and it is significantly cheaper, too.
But again, with this imitation we have the problem that it’s only certified to improve the taste and smell of water. Potential contaminants with negative health effects are left untouched.
Two advantages are the increased filtration capacity which helps to save money, plus the seller offers a full refund if you are not happy with your purchase. This might come in handy, as leaks seem to be a common issue with this filter.
Bottom line: Insufficient filtration and too many issues with leaks. If you want to save money, you better opt for the Waterdrop replacement filter (review above).
Samsung DA29-00003G
For Samsung Side-By-Side + French Door Refrigerators
Price: $$
OEM:
Contaminants: 9
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 300 gal
This Samsung water filter fits side-by-side and French Door refrigerators.
It’s NSF Standard 42 and 53 tested and certified to remove chlorine taste and odor and, in addition to that, also reduce the amount of dissolved lead and other heavy metals and eliminate microbial cysts.
This will greatly improves the taste of your water. But not only that, it’ll also makes it safe(r) for consumption and protect your refrigerator from sediment build-up.
Problems with leaks? Not that we know of.
What we don’t like, however, is that there seems to be a design issue with the new and modified version of the filter. While the old filter used to install easily, installing the new filter either takes some force to push it into the housing, or you have to carefully remove the smallest (left-most) tooth on either side of the filter’s neck.
Bottom line: The Samsung DA29-00003G filter for side-by-side and French Door refrigerators does a good job at providing clean and refreshing drinking water. But it’s a joke that due to a redesign it might not fit into your refrigerator without serious force or making some modifications.
For Samsung Side-By-Side + French Door Refrigerators
Price: $
OEM:
Contaminants: 1
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 300 gal
This is the second refrigerator water filter by Waterdrop that serves as a substitute for a genuine Samsung model.
Again yet again, this filter will eliminate chlorine and other impurities causing your water to taste and smell unpleasant, but it won’t help to significantly reduce the amount of dissolved and potentially harmful contaminants.
Filtration capacity is 300 gallons – nothing special about that – and the installation is straightforward. As always, the most important advantage is the much lower price tag compared to the branded filter.
Bottom line: Simply put, this filter is only good to improve the taste of your water and save money doing so, and that’s about it.
Best Water Filters for GE Refrigerators
We reviewed GE’s RPWFE water filter for French Door refrigerators and the GE MWF for side-by-side & bottom-freezer refrigerators. Furthermore, we have 2 MWF compatible filters, the first one by TOP QUALITY FILTERS and the second by PureLine.
GE RPWFE
For GE French Door Refrigerators
Price: $$$
OEM:
Contaminants: 19
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 300 gal
As you can see from the headline, the GE RPWFE water filter fits selected GE French Door refrigerators, including those that use GE’s old RPWF filter.
It has a standard filtration capacity of 300 gallons, respectively up to 6 months of use. But some customers noticed a decline in water flow or a change in taste earlier than that, which is a clear sign that the filter has reached the end of its lifetime, needs replacement and adds to the costs.
Independent lab tests have shown that the filter which uses a carbon block is capable of reducing chlorine-resistant cysts, lead (>98%), five trace pharmaceuticals including ibuprofen, VOCs (97.7%) and of course chlorine and chloramines for improved water taste.
In addition, more than 10 other contaminants were eliminated in the tests and NSF standards 42 and 53 were met. All in all, filtration performance is outstanding!
We also like the fact that installation is extremely simple. No tools are required to replace the cartridge and there is no need to turn off the water supply.
Here is what we don’t like:
It’s not that the GE RPWFE filter leaks or something, but it is quite pricey. And if you own one of the new GE refrigerators, it doesn’t allow you to use off-brand filters, which are usually much cheaper.
Bottom line: Quality has its price. If you are willing to pay for it, you can’t go wrong GE’s original RPWFE refrigerator water filter. It gives you access to refreshing drinking water freed from many nasty contaminants.
GE MWF
For GE Side-By-Side + Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators
Price: $$
OEM:
Contaminants: 20
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 300 gal
Performance-wise, the GE MWF water filter for side-by-side and bottom-freezer refrigerators is pretty similar to GE’s RPWFE filter (see review above).
It’s also certified against NSF standards to remove a range of waterborne contaminants including chlorine (97.5%), lead (99.3%), cysts and the same 5 pharmaceuticals. The only difference we could make out is that the RPWFE filter has earned an additional certification for the removal of VOCs. In other words, you can expect almost identical water quality.
With each cartridge you get up to 300 gallons of filtered water and ice, which is pretty standard. Thanks to the clever design, the filter is easy to install, no tools needed.
Most customers have reported an excellent water flow, while for a couple of users, the flow seems to be very slow. We suspect that they received a fake filter.
By the way, General Electric recommends the use of this OEM filter to get the most out of your refrigerator water flow rate. And in case you wonder, here is a list of filters that the MWF can replace:
GWF
GWFA
GWF01
GWF06
MWFA
Bottom line: We consider this original GE refrigerator water filter to be worth the price tag. It’s saves you from a lot of trouble with possible leaks and poor water flow that come with many of the low-quality compatible cartridges. On top of that, thousands of happy customers vouch for this product on Amazon.
GE MWF Compatible Filter by TOP QUALITY FILTERS
For GE Side-By-Side + Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators
Price: $
OEM:
Contaminants: 1
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 300 gal
Let’s make this quick: This MWF compatible filter by TOP QUALITY FILTERS is our runner up. It’s great if all you want is your water to taste better.
BUT this filter is not NSF Standard 53 certified. This means that it will improve aesthetic properties of water – think taste, odor and color – but unlike the original GE MWF, it won’t filter out harmful cysts, lead, etc.
Bottom line: In terms of taste, you probably won’t be able to tell the difference between water that was processed by the original General Electric filter and this imitation, which comes at a fraction of the price.
Still, we would rather pay $20 or $30 more per filter replacement to ensure that it also removes contaminants that may pose a serious health threat.
GE MWF Compatible Filter: PureLine PL-100
For GE Side-By-Side + Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators
Price: $
OEM:
Contaminants: 1
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 400 gal
Easy installation, no leaks and a money back guarantee. The PureLine PL-100 seems like a real bargain, and it is, but as with most off-brand replacement refrigerator water filters, what we miss is a thorough filtration process and certifications issued by independent labs.
Yes, this filter provides water that tastes clean and fresh, but if you are looking for ways to tackle lead or bacteria, this is not it.
Also, we read about complains about extremely low water flow and incidents where the filtered water started to taste awful after a couple of weeks of using the filter.
Bottom line: Probably fine if you want better-tasting water and your biggest concern is to spend the least amount of money, but definitely not suited for every household to get access to healthy drinking water.
Frigidaire Refrigerator Water Filters
Frigidaire ULTRAWF
For Frigidaire French Door + Some Side-By-Side Refrigerators
Price: $$$
OEM:
Contaminants: ?
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 200 gal
Frigidaire is another brand that recommends us to only use genuine water filters with their refrigerators to guarantee quality water filtration.
Critics might say that the real reason behind that statement is that the company wants to sell as many replacement filters as possible, which come at a higher price than the off-brand models.
To be honest, this is something we don’t really mind as long as there really is a difference in provided water quality. But is there?
First of all, the Frigidaire ULTRAWF is for use on all French Door refrigerators and some side-by-side models. It’s user friendly, it’s easy to install and it’s NSF Standard 42, 53 and even 401 certified. This guarantees that it can handle chlorine taste and odor, many health related pollutants and also so called “emerging contaminants” including prescription drugs and pesticides.
Unfortunately, we could not find specific reduction rates, however, the 3 certifications are a good indicator that this refrigerator water filter is indeed reliable and will provide safe drinking water for you and your family.
On the downside, the filter is rated at no more than 200 gallons, which is less than what we are used to. As a result, it requires more frequent changes which adds to the costs.
And last but not least, we read about knockoff filters being sent to customers, which resulted in poor performance and bad water taste. This is why it’s important that you buy from authorized sellers only.
Bottom line: The first in our refrigerator water filter reviews to earn 3 different NSF certifications. Filtration performance is truly excellent and customers are more than happy. 4.5 out of 5 stars!
Frigidaire PureSource 3 (WF3CB)
For Frigidaire Side-By-Side Refrigerators After 2009
Price: $$
OEM:
Contaminants: ?
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 200 gal
The PureSource 3 replacement filter is used in Frigidaire side-by-side refrigerators after 2009 with the filtration system located in the back, right top.
We have certifications for NSF Standard 42 and 53 reducing a total of 15 contaminants, which means that using this filter your water will taste much better and you will also be protected from some of the bad stuff – think lead, cysts and mercury.
That being said, the Frigidaire PureSource 3 is pretty similar to Frigidaire’s ULTRAWF. Both are high in quality, provide 200 gallons of chlorine-free water, are easy to install, and need to be properly flushed before you should start using them.
Bottom line: You can’t go wrong with this filter. But don’t expect it to last up to 6 months as the manufacturer suggests. It most probably won’t.
Frigidaire WF2CB PureSource 2
For Refrigerators After 2004 With Filtration System In Front, Right Top
Price: $$
OEM:
Contaminants: 11
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 400 gal
This is the last Frigidaire refrigerator water filter that we are going to review. It’s designed for use on refrigerators after 2004 with the filtration system located in the front, right top and replaces the following filter models:
FC-100
FC100
WF2CB
SWF2CB
NGFC 2000
NGFC2000
NGFC-2000
The filter meets NSF Standards 42 and 53 reducing cysts by 99.99%, lead by 99.30%, mercury by 91% and a bunch of other stuff with names too difficult to pronounce, including pesticides and herbicides.
Of course, the filter also eliminates chlorine, which greatly improves the taste and smell of your water before it goes into the dispenser and ice maker.
Thanks to the slide-in-and-out technology, installation is convenient as long as the filter does not keep kicking out and spray water everywhere. Numerous customers complained about this. Others complained about their water being cloudy.
Bottom line: There is no point in denying that this refrigerator water filter has it flaws. But it features a sophisticated filtration process, so we consider it the best choice for Frigidaire, Sears and Kenmore refrigerators.
Whirlpool EveryDrop Water Filter Reviews – Filters 1 to 4
For Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir and Amana Fridges
For Side-By-Side, Top-Freezer & Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators
Price: $$
OEM:
Contaminants: 24
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 200 gal
For Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators (Filter System In Top Right)
Price: $$
OEM:
Contaminants: 24
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 200 gal
For Side-By-Side Refrigerators (Filter System In Bottom Left)
Price: $$$
OEM:
Contaminants: 66
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 200 gal
For Side-By-Side + Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators
Price: $$
OEM:
Contaminants: 23
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 200 gal
EveryDrop, a brand owned by the Whirlpool Corporation, provides the only genuine and certified water filters for Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir and Amana refrigerators. These 5 brands also belong to the Whirlpool Corporation.
The EveryDrop Water Filters 1, 2, 3 and 4 are best sellers on Amazon and fit different refrigerator types. They use NSF-certified Triple Filtration Technology to reduce a wide range of contaminants, from pharmaceuticals and lead to waterborne parasites, to provide great-tasting drinking water and ice safe for consumption.
All four filters are rated at 200 gallons, so a family of 4 would have to replace a filter about every 3 months. Taking into account the high price tag, costs will start to add up quickly.
Apart from that, the filters do exactly what they are supposed to do. Water flow is better than what you get with many of the off-brand replacements.
Model
Replaces
Issues
Filter 1
W10295370A
filter pops out of mount, clogging, hammering noises
Filter 2
w10413645a
clogging and slowing water flow, needs to be properly flushed before use (up to 10 gal)
Filter 3
4396841 & 4396710
water flow blocked
Filter 4
UKF8001 & 4396395
slow water flow due to design flaw
Please note that right after a replacement, you have to flush your filter properly with a couple gallons of water. The water might come out all cloudy at first, but eventually it will clear up.
Bottom line: As with all other genuine refrigerator water filters on this page, if you want the ease of mind of having access to safe drinking water, you have to spend more money, as cheap substitutes won’t suffice.
Both EcoBlueLife and Mist have listed a compatible replacement filter for Whirlpool’s EveryDrop Filter 4 on Amazon. As you might have guessed, they are much cheaper than the OEM model, but they have their drawbacks.
As a reminder: Filter 4 is used in bottom freezer and side-by-side refrigerators branded under Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir and Amana. This also includes the Maytag UKF8001!
The EcoBlueLife is rated at 300 gallons, so 100 gallons more than the original EveryDrop filter.
However, it lacks the filtration effectives that we are looking for, thus the increased water flow. The NSF Standard 42 certification guarantees effective chlorine reduction for better water aesthetics.
Install is quick and easy, but expect possible leaks.
It’s the same story with the Mist. It’s much more affordable than the original filter, but not certified to do anything except reducing unpleasant tastes and odors.
Lead, mercury, cysts and about a dozen other substances might be listed on the filter packaging, but the question remains: How much will be removed? Well, we don’t know!
A less thorough filtration results in higher water flow and filtration capacity (300 gallons). Lastly, the seller offers a 100% money back guarantee.
Bottom line: It’s always the same pattern. Off-brand replacement filters are less expensive but their filtration performance clearly lags behind.
We would only recommend the EcoBlueLife and Mist refrigerator filters to those of you who only care about water taste rather than quality.
Kenmore Elite 9081
For Side-By-Side, Bottom-Freezer & Top-Freezer Refrigerators
Price: $$
OEM:
Contaminants: 23
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 200 gal
The Kenmore Elite 9081 has earned 3 NSF certifications: 42, 53 and the additional 401 testing for emerging contaminants. NSF lab reports show an average lead reduction of 99%, the same goes for asbestos, and chlorine taste and odor reduction of 97%.
In conclusion, using this refrigerator filter, your water will not only taste much better, it’s also likely to be safe for consumption.
The filter is rated at 200 gallons, which from experience we can say is probably not going to last for 6 months as Kenmore states. Just stick to the rule of replacing the filter when you notice a considerable drop in water flow.
And don’t worry about the install. All you have to do is slide in the filter until it snaps.
Points of criticism? You might hear a jackhammer noise, which is caused by air pockets inside the filter or water line. To solve the issue, you will have to remove the filter and dispense some water to get all air out.
Bottom line: We like this filter from a water quality point of view. It’s OEM and not too expensive to turn us off. The only issue that we see are the random air pockets.
Best Water Filter for LG Refrigerators: LG LT700P
Best Water Filter for LG Refrigerator: LG LT700P
Price: $$
OEM:
Contaminants: 13
Lead Removal:
Filt. Capacity: 200 gal
LG’s genuine LT700P replacement filter is certified to deliver clean, delicious and healthy drinking water by reducing chlorine taste and odor, lead (>99.3%), mercury (>90.0%), asbestos (>99.0%) and a lot of the other nasty stuff that might be lurking in your water.
It needs to be replaced every 200 gallons, or 3 to 6 months, to maximize contamination reduction. Other indicators are a change in water/ice taste and a slowing flow rate.
Bottom line: This is the best water filter for LG refrigerators. Don’t bother with cheap imitations. They might save you money but won’t protect your health.
We are aware of the fact that compatible filters from other manufacturers sell for much less. However, they all lack a certification for NSF Standard 53, which is why we decided to not include them in this refrigerator water filter review series.
More on Refrigerator Water Filters
In section 1, we reviewed some the best refrigerator filters on the market. Next, we are going to tackle some of the most common questions our readers have about this special type of filter.
Refrigerator Water Filters – Do They Really Work?
The #1 question we get asked about refrigerator water filters is if they really work. The short answer is: Yes, refrigerator water filters do work. However, some are more effective at removing certain kinds of contaminants than others…
How Do Refrigerator Water Filters Work?
Usually, built-in refrigerator water filters use activated carbon (also called charcoal) as their primary filtering medium. Activated carbon adsorbs impurities from water and traps them in its surface. Thereby, 2 factors determine the effectiveness of the filtration:
1. How long the water is in contact with the filter medium
2. The volume of the filter medium
That’s why, generally speaking, larger filters perform better than smaller ones.
What Do Fridge Water Filters Remove?
Not all refrigerator water filters are the same. Some will only remove larger particles and chlorine to improve how your water taste, smells and looks. High-quality filters, however, are also capable of eliminating a whole range of harmful substances. In most cases, these are the OEM filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do refrigerator water filters remove chlorine?
Yes, they do. There is not a single refrigerator filter that we could find that would not remove chlorine. It’s one of the easiest impurities to get rid of.
Want to learn more about how to dechlorinate water? Check out the BOS guide on chlorine.
Do refrigerator filters remove fluoride?
Not that we know of. Refrigerator filters use activated carbon to remove pollutants, which does not have any effect on fluoride. If you wanted to remove fluoride, you’d have to use activated alumina, a semi-permeable membrane which you find in an RO system, or an ion exchange resin.
Check out our BOS Special on fluoride to learn how to remove it from tap water and find the best fluoride filter system reviews.
Do refrigerator water filters remove lead?
Yes, they do. Not all of them, but a considerable amount, such as this one and this one. In general, if you struggle with toxic lead in your drinking water, we recommend you to opt for one of the genuine branded filters. Their lead reduction rate is at least 90%.
You might have difficulties locating the water filter on your refrigerator. So, here are the most common types of filters and where to find them:
In-grille filters – The grille is located at the bottom front. The filter is likely to blend with the grille making it harder to see. The filter can be removed with a turn or push.
Canister filters – In most cases, canister filters are located in the top food compartment inside the refrigerator. They are shorter than in-grille filters but have a larger circumference. In order to remove a canister filter, simply give it a turn.
Drop-down filters – Drop-down filters are stored in a extra containers, usually located in the topmost food compartment. You need to open the container to remove the filter.
Slide-out filters – Slide-out filters are also located in a refrigerator’s inside. They eject if you give them a quarter turn or a press a button/push in the filter.
Do You Really Need to Change Your Refrigerator Filter?
Why do I need to replace my refrigerator filter? This is another question we get asked quite frequently. Here’s why:
We already mentioned above that refrigerator water filters rely on activated carbon for contaminant removal. These contaminants get trapped in the pores on the surface of the carbon. At some point, all pores will be filled and can’t take in any more impurities. That’s when you have to change your filter at the latest.
Of course, it would make much more sense to replace a cartridge some time before that to ensure that you do not see a drop in water quality.
How Often You Should Change the Filter
There’s no strict rule that says you have to replace a refrigerator water filter every 6 months or so. But what manufacturers do is they rate their filters in gallons. This gallon rating is a rough guideline for how long a filter is going to last before it needs to be changed. The standard gallon rating, or filtration capacity, is 300 gallons.
For some users, 300 gallons is going to last for as long as 6 months. For larger families, it will only be enough for 2 months of filtered water. In other words, it depends on your water usage.
But not only that, how often you will have to change filters also depends on the feed water quality. Water with high mineral content a.k.a. hard water might cause clogging. As a consequence, water flow can decrease dramatically to the point that it just takes too much time to wait for the water to be ready.
Tips: When to Replace a Fridge Water Filter
If you wait until you see a drop in water flow or notice a change in how your water looks, smells or tastes, your family might have already been exposed to a number of dangerous substances. There are better indicators that will tell you when it’s time to replace a fridge water filter.
Listen to the manufacturer. If a filter is rated at 200 gallons, don’t use it past that point. Sure, we know that companies want to sell as many replacement parts as possible and their filters’ “true capacity” might be twice as high as specified, but you cannot be 100% sure.
Write down the date of the last replacement. It helps you to estimate how much water you have used at any given point.
Don’t put your faith in specifications such as “lasts for 6 months“. No manufacturer or seller knows how much water you really use on a daily basis.
We don’t consider the indicator light of your refrigerator to be really useful.
Only rely on your senses, if there are no contaminants in your water that pose a serious health risk. It’s easy to make out the presence of chlorine in water and the absence of it. But lead, for example, is highly toxic in small dosages that are impossible to see, smell or taste.
How to Change/Install a Refrigerator Filter
How you can replace or install a refrigerator water filter depends on what type of filter your refrigerator uses. You can find a list of the most common filter types above.
We can say this much: Installing a fridge water filter is a piece of cake. In 95% of the cases you don’t need any tools, you don’t have to disconnect your fridge from the water supply, and you certainly don’t require any special training.
It’s a matter of removing the old filter by giving it a turn or pushing it in, and inserting the new filter in the same manner. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions, if you are stuck. And don’t forget to properly flush the filter with a couple of gallons, before you start using the water.
Still got questions? This installation video might help:
If you have any questions about refrigerator filters or any other type of water filter really, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
And don’t forget to come back to this page from time to time, as we are going to add new refrigerator water filter reviews occasionally.
Leave a Comment:
2 comments
James Holland says
last month
Beware! You can purchase filters online that claim to be NSF certified, use NSF labeling on their packaging, etc., yet have not had their products tested or certified. I found that out the hard way when I tried to save money and ordered SupDrop filters. Was suspicious when they were shipped direct from China, so I contacted NSF – who had never heard of them. I’ll go back to the “high dollar” products that I had been using.
Have all of the filters in this review been verified with NSF?
Hi James,
Thank you for your valuable comment.
No, like you we put our faith in product descriptions, labels and packaging. But I definitely see the point you are making and will keep this in mind for the future!
Gene
