How To Pick A Refrigerator Water Filter
Fit on Your Fridge
Above everything else, the one thing you need to get right is whether or not the refrigerator water filter you’re considering buying is going to work with your refrigerator.
The good news here is that the manufacturers make it very easy for you to determine if a specific filter will fit on the type of refrigerator you have. Retail sites such as Amazon offer a feature that allows you to type in the model number of your refrigerator to see if there’s a match.
Filter fact sheets also often list which models a certain item is compatible with.
Refer to those to make sure that you won’t be wasting your money.
Contaminants Removed
As much as possible, you want the water filter installed on your refrigerator to remove every known contaminant. Not all water filtration system are designed that way though.
Still, you should make it a point to seek out filters that can at least remove lead and mercury as those are among the most dangerous contaminants that could end up in the water supply.
Lifespan and Cost
Generally speaking, water filters designed to work with refrigerators are expected to last for about 6 months. That’s not always the case.
Since some refrigerator filters have a capacity of 200 gallons while others top out at 300 gallons. Those that have a capacity of 200 gallons are items that can stop being effective much earlier.
As for cost, original filters range in price from $40 to $50. The compatible refrigerator water filter can be as low as $20 and top out at around $40.
Online Reviews
If you’re still on the fence about purchasing a particular filter, try to look up reviews of it online. You should get a better idea of how effective it is based on owners are saying.
Warranties
Even if a refrigerator water filter is just designed to last for about 6 months, you should still look for items that come with warranties. The last thing you want is to put money down for something that breaks down in a few days with no means of getting compensation. Warranties protect against that.
Best Refrigerator Water Filters Review
- Frigidaire ULTRAWF Filter – Fits Frigidaire Refrigerator
- Whirlpool Everydrop – Fits Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid and JennAir
- GE RPWFE – Fits GE French Door
- Samsung DA29-00020b – Fits Samsung Refrigerator
- GE MWF – Fits GE Refrigerator
- Waterdrop Plus MWF – Fits GE and Kenmore Refrigerator
- IcePure UKF8001 – Fits Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid, Kenmore and JennAir
- PureLine MWF – Fits GE MWF Refrigerator
- IcePure Pro Premium – Fits Kenmore, KitchenAid, and Whirlpool Refrigerator
- FilterLogic UKF8001 – Fits Amana, Kenmore, KitchenAid, and Maytag Refrigerator
Frigidaire ULTRAWF Filter – Fits Frigidaire Refrigerator
Key Features: The ULTRAWF Filter from Frigidaire is among the more versatile options available today. It can work on a wide variety of refrigerator models and its pressure range (30 – 100 psi) and operating temperature range (33 to 100 °F) enable it to function in a variety of ways.
This water filtration for refrigerator also has a solid flow rate of 0.5 gpm and can filter up to 200 gallons of dirty water.
Count on this Frigidaire product to take out 23 notable types of contaminants, which includes Asbestos, Chlorine, Lead, Mercury and etc.
It is certified against NSF 42, 53 and 401.
Compatibility: It works on all side by side and French door Frigidaire refrigerators.
Maintenance: You should be able to find this refrigerator water filter on sale for somewhere around $42 to $49. That means you will probably have to pay upwards of at least $84 to keep it inside your refrigerator for about a year because each model is designed to work for 6 months.
Customer Review: 4.1 | Our Review: 4.2
+ Certified against NSF 42, 53, 401.
+ Filter up to 200 gallons of water.
– Slightly expensive filter.
Whirlpool Everydrop – Fits Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid and JennAir
Key Features: The harmful effects of lead on the human body are well-documented, and if you’re looking for a fridge water filter that can capably take out that contaminant, the EveryDrop creation by Whirlpool is well worth a look. It is designed to eliminate 99 percent of lead to give you potable water each and every time. The Whirlpool refrigerator water filter also works to significantly improve the flavor of the water you’re drinking.
Manufacturers note that this refrigerator water filter can handle up to 66 different contaminants. Specific examples are lead, pesticides, waterborne parasites
It is certified against NSF 42, 53 and 401.
Compatibility: As for compatibility, the Whirlpool refrigerator water filter can work as a side by side, top, or bottom model. It can also be added to Amana, KitchenAid, JennAir, and Maytag branded refrigerators.
5 Different Models: There are 5 different EveryDrop fridge water filters that fit in the brand mentioned above. Please check which model number is suitable for your refrigerator.
Maintenance: Bank on spending nearly $100 per year if you want this water filter working on your fridge. It is expected to replace it every 6 months or 200 gallons.
Customer Review: 4.1 | Our Review: 4.2
+ Certified against NSF 42, 53 and 401.
+ Works with numerous refrigerator types and brands.
+ Comes with 6 different filters.
– Slightly expensive filter.
GE RPWFE – Fits GE French Door
Key Features: Capacity is an important consideration when it comes to a refrigerator water filter because you and your family will rely on it often. For that reason, the RPWFE Refrigerator Water Filter from GE stands out. GE’s offering can handle up to 300 gallons of water before it starts to become ineffective and that is a significant step up from its competitors.
The aforementioned product is also remarkably easy to install. You should be able to handle that job even if you don’t have a lot of experience working with this type of item.
The folks from GE note that this product filters out up to 18 different contaminants. Among those includes cysts, lead, select pharmaceuticals
This water filter is NSF certified against 42 and 53.
Compatibility: This water filter fits into selected GE French door refrigerators.
Maintenance: Do your best to look for this water filter while it’s on sale. Otherwise, it may cost you well over $100 to keep it inside your refrigerator for a year.
Customer Review: 4.1 | Our Review: 4.0
+ Easy installation.
– Slightly expensive filter.
Samsung DA29-00020b – Fits Samsung Refrigerator
Key Features: Similar to GE’s offering listed above, the DA29-00020b Refrigerator Water Filter from Samsing is an item that can provide exceptional longevity. It will also be able to process 300 gallons of water before it starts to lose its abilities.
For the warmest days of summer, this product should be able to provide an ample supply of great-tasting water and ice.
Samsung notes that this filter can work on eliminating nine different variants of contaminants, examples of which are chlorine, cysts, lead and etc.
It is certified against NSF 42 and 53.
Compatibility: You can use this filter on the side by side and French door Samsung refrigerators.
Maintenance: Compared to some of the other items mentioned in this article, you won’t have to spend as much on this Samsung creation. Set aside around $85 for it every year and you should be fine.
Customer Review: 4.3 | Our Review: 4.5
+ Affordable filter.
– Only remove 9 contaminants.
GE MWF – Fits GE Refrigerator
Key Features: Manufacturers of water filters for fridges have done a pretty good job of making these items easier to install and that holds true in GE’s MWF Refrigerator Water Filter. Thanks to the way it has been designed, you should be able to quickly install this filter inside your refrigerator.
Just like the other GE filter, this item will also capably process up to 300 gallons of water.
You can expect this GE refrigerator water filter to eliminate 18 different contaminants. Notable targets are cysts, lead, select pharmaceuticals and etc.
It has NSF Certifications on 42 and 53.
Compatibility: GE’s MWF filter works on side by side and bottom freezer GE refrigerators.
Maintenance: A budget of $100 should be just enough for this water filter, which is an improvement over some competitors.
Customer Review: 4.2 | Our Review: 4.3
+ Easily installed thanks to twist and lock design.
– Only remove 18 contaminants.
Waterdrop Plus MWF – Fits GE and Kenmore Refrigerator
Key Features: Can a compatible product be hailed as the best refrigerator water filter? The Waterdrop Plus MWF Refrigerator certainly makes a compelling case. This filter’s case is built on the fact that it features four different NSF certifications.
On top of that, installing this refrigerator water filter is easy because of the twist and lock mechanicsm. It can also handle up to 300 gallons of water.
This compatible refrigerator water filter eliminates 11 kinds of contaminants including chlorine, cysts, lead and etc.
It has 4 NSF certifications which includes 42, 53, 372 and 401
Compatibility: You can use this item on GE and Kenmore refrigerators.
Maintenance: Unsurprisingly, this filter is less expensive compared to the original products. You can purchase two filters for around $40 for a year worth of supply.
Customer Review: 4.4 | Our Review: 4.3
+ 4 NSF Certification.
+ Works on GE and Kenmore refrigerators.
+ Half of the price from the original filter.
– Only remove 11 contaminants.
IcePure UKF8001 – Fits Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid, Kenmore and JennAir
Key Features: You’re getting tremendous value if you decide to purchase the UKF8001 Replacement Refrigerator Water Filter from IcePure. Because this pack already contains two filters, a single filter should last for about 6 months. The filter’s ability to work on 300 gallons of filtered water also helps with that.
The folks from IcePure have designed this refrigerator water filter in such a way that it should be able to easily take out 20 types of contaminants. Specific types of contaminants eliminated are chlorine, trihalomethanes and etc.
It is certified against NSF 42 and 372.
Compatibility: It is compatible for side by side and bottom freezer fridges like Amana, JennAir, Kenmore, KitchenAid, Maytag, and Whirlpool models.
Maintenance: Because it is a two-pack item, saving just a little over $20 a year to get this item should be enough to make sure that you are able to enjoy clean filtered water on demand.
Customer Review: 4.5 | Our Review: 4.6
+ Fits on 6 branded refrigerators.
+ Affordable price.
PureLine MWF – Fits GE MWF Refrigerator
Key Features: Also hoping to stake its claim to being the best refrigerator water filter is a particular offering from PureLine. Much like the item listed previously, the MWF Water Filter offers incredible value because three refrigerator filters are included in a single pack.
This filter also separates itself from the pack by boasting certifications from the IAPMO and the WQA along with the NSF. Also, each refrigerator water filter can handle 300 gallons of filtered water.
Once installed, this refrigerator water filter will work on eliminating 13 contaminants that can be found in the water. The notable examples are chlorine, lead, mercury and etc.
It has obtained NSF 42 and 372 certifications.
Compatibility: This water filter can be easily installed on a wide variety of GE MWF refrigerators.
Maintenance: By paying around $36, you should have enough filters to last for a year and a half.
Customer Review: 4.5 | Our Review: 4.6
+ Features IAPMO, WQA and NSF certifications.
+ Affordable price.
– Difference taste from the original filter.
IcePure Pro Premium – Fits Kenmore, KitchenAid, and Whirlpool Refrigerator
Key Features: Are you still on the market for a great value purchase? It is then well worth your time to look into purchasing one of the best refrigerator water filters from IcePure Pro. Once again, this single purchase providing two filters is a great deal, but that’s not the end of it.
You’re also receiving filters that are NSF and WQA certified. If your family members go through a lot of water, this water filter has you covered because it can process 300 gallons.
20 contaminants are addressed by this IcePure Pro creation. Among the potentially harmful contaminants removed are chlorine, lead, mercury and etc.
This refrigerator water filter is NSF certified against 42, 53 and 372.
Compatibility: This water filter will work properly on Kenmore, KitchenAid, and Whirlpool refrigerators.
Maintenance: Probably the best part of owning these IcePure Pro filters is that you can have clean water throughout the year for just $20.
Customer Review: 4.5 | Our Review: 4.6
+ Certified by WQA and NSF.
+ Affordable price.
FilterLogic UKF8001 – Fits Amana, Kenmore, KitchenAid, and Maytag Refrigerator
Key Features: The last item that will be featured in this article is the UKF8001 Refrigerator Water Filter from FilterLogic. You should already know that compatible refrigerator water filter can be a lower prices, but this three-pack really outdoes its competitors.
If that type of value isn’t good enough, these refrigerator filters also have NSF and WQA certifications to go with a capacity of 300 gallons. These filters may be available at a more affordable price point, but they are by no means low quality items.
FilterLogic’s products can work to eliminate five major contaminants, including chlorine, lead, mercury and etc.
It is certified with NSF 42, 53 and 372 Certifications:
Compatibility: These FilterLogic offerings are designed to work on Amana, Kenmore, KitchenAid, and Maytag refrigerators.
Maintenance: For $26, you will have enough filters to supply your family with clean water for up to a year and a half.
Customer Review: 4.5 | Our Review: 4.6
+ Certified by WQA and NSF.
+ Affordable price.
What Does A Refrigerator Water Filter Do?
As the name suggests, this class of filters finds its purpose in the refrigerator. Such filters are attached to refrigerators which have a tap that can be connected to the water supply line to get a constant supply of chilled water.
Obviously, if the municipality water’s taste and odor are not up to the mark, you would want to fix that before it enters the fridge.
This is what a refrigerator water filter precisely does. The activated carbon adsorbs impurities to impart zero taste and odor to the water.
Types Of Refrigerator Water Filters
The number of different kinds of refrigerator water filters is huge. Maybe more than 20!
But, don’t worry we won’t take you through all of them. It would suffice for you to know about the four broad categories of filters, classified based on their method of installation.
Drop Down Filters
One of the hardest to locate, the drop-down filter is invariably located in a compartment somewhere near the top of the fridge. It is always located on the inside of the roof of the fridge.
To access this refrigerator water filter, you have to snap the lid off or simply try to slide it out. It is easy to insert or remove such filters, and these are placed horizontally in their space.
The only drawback of this kind of filter is that they might be a bit hard to reach if the refrigerator is a bit too large or too deep.
Grille Filters
As is indicative of the name, this kind of refrigerator filter are located somewhere on the body of the refrigerator. A careful inspection of the edges of the fridge should tell you where it is exactly located on your refrigerator model number.
Once found, you will have to figure out if it is the kind that pops out at the push of a button, or do you need to turn it and pull it out.
These are no trouble in installing or replacing unless the filter in your refrigerator is located on the back of the machine, in which case you need to flex some muscles to make replacements.
Slide-out Filter
This kind is located on the inside of the appliance and resembles its grille counterpart. Press a button or the filter itself, and the refrigerator water filter slides out. Yet others need a quarter turn to get them out of the compartment.
In-line Filters
The inline filters do not have an in-built slot in your refrigerator and need to be installed separately, outside the machine body. They are installed in the supply line connecting the main water source to the fridge.
So, this kind will be easy to locate and replace.
Though they are a bit inconvenient to install, they offer the flexibility of choosing the brand of filter you want.
Canister Filters
You will find these short, fat, barrel-shaped filters hanging from the roof of the refrigerator, inside the food compartment.
All they need is a quarter turn and they are out, ready to be replaced by a new cartridge.
Bypass Filters
Also known as dummy filters, these filters are devoid of any medium, and only act to fill up the space of the filter in your refrigerator.
The question is why should you have such a filter?
Such dummies come in handy if you have a whole house water filter installed so that the water flowing into the fridge is already clean and filtered. In such a case, having another filter makes no sense, neither is it a good idea to leave that space empty as it will leak water.
So, the best option is to install a filer body – the bypass filter.
Why Are Refrigerator Water Filters Important?
A refrigerator water filter removes the small amounts of contaminants that not only make your water taste or smell nasty but also, are bad for health.
The list of such contaminants is endless but for the sake of this discussion, we will consider a few examples that will illustrate the importance of having the best refrigerator water filters to safeguard your family’s health.
Chlorine is commonly added to municipal water to prevent the growth of bacteria. While it successfully achieves its purpose, chlorine itself can cause multiple health hazards.
When it combines with organic matter present in water, it produces trihalomethane which is the precursor of free-radicals in the human body. Apart from their degenerative nature, they are also known to trigger cancer in the human body. Thus, the ingestion of chlorine is something we all would like to avoid.
Another chemical contaminant, lead, is also known to be highly unsafe for human consumption. Lead is deemed unsafe for human consumption at all levels. The hazard to human health can be judged by the fact that even the slightest exposure is deemed unfit for human health.
While it is perilous for all age groups, lead exposure is particularly inadvisable for children and pregnant women as it crosses the blood-brain barrier and the placental barrier to cause developmental issues in cognition. And the bad news is that these damages are irreversible.
It is, thus, important that such contaminants, and their likes, are kept out of your refrigerator water supply, and that’s what the refrigerator water filters do.
How Does A Refrigerator Water Filter Work?
These days, many of the refrigerator filters you’ll be able to find on sale utilize both chemical and physical reactions to effectively clean up the water flowing into your home.
The physical filtration is necessary because this targets the larger sediments that may be in the water. Physical filtration is made possible by a barrier that essentially closes off entryways that larger particles can use.
For physical filtration, manufacturers are likely to use a carbon block wrapped up in polypropylene. According to Fresh Water Systems, the particles end up adhering to a sizable spot on the carbon block through a process known as adsorption.
A process known as reverse osmosis may also be used to get rid of certain contaminants. To be more specific, contaminants like lead and mercury are filtered out through reverse osmosis.
Chemical filtration happens through processes such as ion exchanges. The ion exchange process is also good for softening up hard water.
How Can I Install The Refrigerator Water Filter?
This is a DIY activity and you will rarely need any help from professionals. Here are the basic steps to guide you through the installation.
Get Started
Before you install the filter in your refrigerator, get all the paraphernalia in place.
You will need
- 2 sets of pliers – grip pliers will do just fine as you will need to hold some pipes in place
- A few towels, one to comfort your knee and the other to mop up any spills
- A bucket, to hold the water that flows from the first few washes of the filter.
Now, shut off the water supply but feel free to leave the fridge on. Move behind the fridge and get started with the next steps.
Getting into the Act
With the water supply cut off, use the pliers to cut the lines off. Chances are that this water line was. Connections installed especially for the fridge are soft and cutting them is an easy task.
Make sure that one of the towels is handy as water will spray out when you cut the lines.
Your new water lines
Make sure that all the water lines are non-copper or non-braided ones. These materials being inflexible can pose a problem when trying to install the water filter behind the refrigerator.
Instead, the lines in the kit are perfect as they are soft and easy to handle.
The only problem that you may face is with leaks caused due to the loss screwing of the pipe. If you see water leaking once you re-start the water supply, just tighten up the ends a bit to make sure a clean fitting.
Find the Right Spot
Any place behind the appliance should be fine.
You can use stickies and tie-ups to fasten the water filter on your fridge. If you place 4 stickies anywhere on the back of the fridge in a square pattern, you will be able to have 2 zip ties going through an upper and then a lower sticky.
This will install your filter horizontally.
Flush the filter
Now connect the other end of the water line to the cartridge. Once you secure the end with a Teflon tape to prevent leakage, turn the water supply back on.
Flush the filter well and collect the water in the bucket, make a final check for leaks.
The last step
Connect the line which enters the fridge. Once the water filter is connected from both ends, trap the filter between the back wall of the fridge and the zip ties.
Just check for leaks one last time and that’s it!
FAQ On Best Refrigerator Water Filters
What do refrigerator water filters remove?
Filters fitted in the refrigerator filter out a wide range of water contaminants. They filter chlorine taste and odor associated with it, and sediments. Some even keep out heavy metals, chlorine-resistant cysts, pharmaceutical, and agricultural residues.
How long do refrigerator water filters really last?
That depends on your usage. Every filter comes with a fixed lifespan and can filter a pre-decided volume of water. If you are a family of four, you will need to change your water filter every 6 months whereas, for a couple, this frequency could be a year.
Where is the refrigerator filter located?
You will find most of the fridge filters at one of two locations – in the grille, at the base of the fridge or, in the back upper-right corner of your refrigerator. You will be able to spot them with the help of a knob or a button that helps remove the filter.
Can the refrigerator water filter be recycled?
It is not yet clear if these filters are recyclable or not. No such claims have, yet, been made by manufacturers. So, it would be advisable to dispose of the used filters responsibly.
Wrap Up
Preserving your health and everyone in your family should always be your priority. For the purposes of providing improved protection, you should look for the best refrigerator water filter.
A refrigerator water filter may not seem capable of much, but the clean water it provides consistently over a long period of time should protect your family from all kinds of illnesses.
