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Most American refrigerators are characterized by having an ice and water dispenser, a practical feature that all users love. The ease of having a glass of cold water and ice cubes to refresh your drinks without much effort is appreciated by users. Would you like to always have fresh, quality water? Then, it is necessary to know that this dispenser works with a water outlet that requires a specialized filter. This guarantees pure water, free of bacteria, and with a neutral taste by significantly reducing the tastes and odors of chlorine or the impurities of the vital liquid.
Would you need to replace your water filter soon? Some factors which influenced our selective process are the filter life, compatibility, operating pressure, operating temperature, certifications. We offer you 8 products that may be of interest to you if you need to change the filter of your American refrigerator. But, first, let’s see the best refrigerator water filter comparison.
This is a new generation of original whirlpool filter for Side by Side, Top Freezer, Bottom Freezer Refrigerators. The best water filter for Whirlpool refrigerator, it’s a product that removes chemicals, minerals, and metals. It improves the taste and odor of water. It’s now NSF Certified for chemical and contamination reduction.
The best quality refrigerator water filter, now all Whirlpool refrigerators use the new EveryDrop water filters. They are also compatible for use with leading refrigerator brands such as Whirlpool®, MAYTAG™, KitchenAid®, JENN-AIR®, and Amana®.
The Everdrop has a new and clear packaging design with a white exterior that makes it easy to select the correct filter. The updated color-coding system makes it easy for you to find your filter. The water filter reduces more pollutants than an average water filter or other imitating products. Types of pollutants that are reduced include drugs, insecticides, parasites from water, metals, minerals, industrial chemicals, taste, odor, among others. The refrigerator filter has a flow rate of .75 GPM – .80 GPM. Replace your filter every 6 months to maximize the reduction of unhealthy contaminants.
What are its best features? We like the compatibility of the EveryDrop product. All Whirlpool refrigerators are compatible with the new EveryDrop water filters. They are also compatible for use with leading refrigerator brands such as MAYTAG™, KitchenAid®, JENN-AIR®, and Amana®.
What could be improved? The product is too expensive for a water filter. But when you find out it’s the only option to get for your refrigerator, you’ll understand why.
To enjoy healthy, fresh, and clean water, use a filter custom-designed for your model of Frigidaire refrigerator. Frigidaire PureSource replacement ice, water, and air filters remove 99% impurities. By using this filter created with a high-quality filtration, you help remove unwanted materials in water and air!
Let the water flow through the dispenser for about four minutes when using it’s your first time using it. Also, it is strongly recommended that you change the filter after every 757 liters or approximately after using it for 6 months.
By using the PureSource Ultra ULTRAWF, you will eliminate countless matters present in your water. This includes herbicide, algae, insecticide, mercury, solvents, lead, etc.
What do we love it for? The water filter is NSF-certified. It filters out countless impurities and lets you have good-tasting water for as much as 6 months.
What could be better: There are a few issues of cloudy and chalky residue in the water in the first week. These are reported in some detective or knockoff products. It’s also a bit expensive.
Offering the best price on our list, this three-pack IcePure water filter set is certified safe against a wide range of different impurities and toxins. Meeting the taste requirements of fresh water, as well as being one of the safest filtration options, this choice is certified everywhere from Europe to Australia and of course America.
A 6-month manufacturer’s warranty is included with every purchase, and customer ratings are incredibly high. So you can be sure you’re buying this filter cheaply with peace of mind.
Because it is compatible with a wide variety of American refrigerators, it may be suitable for filtering the water used by your model. In addition, it can adequately reduce the taste of chlorine, dirt particles, and clarify the appearance of drinking water.
It offers high performance in filtering particles, reducing flavors, and improving water quality. So, it is considered an appropriate model for a wide variety of refrigerators. It is a replacement water filter for Kenmore Elite 9690, RFC 1200A, ADQ36006102, 46-9690 469690, LFXS30766S, WSL-3, FML-3, ADQ36006101-S, LG LT700P, and many more. It is the best water filter for Kenmore refrigerator.
What we liked: Despite being available for a much cheaper price, we like the superior quality of this refrigerator water filter. It reduces more than 20 contaminants, offers 99% chlorine reduction, and good pressure resistance.
What could be better: The taste of the water doesn’t seem as fresh as the factory filter. But still, it offers quality filtration.
A great product from General Electric, this filter works with RPWF and RPWFE refrigerators and French door refrigerator models. Offering premium filtration, this water filter eliminates or deduce the risk of exposure to lead, mercury, and 50 other contaminants, for supreme safety.
This is the best water filter for GE refrigerators. Easy to install and replace as needed, the model works with 300 gallons of water or up to 6 months per filter. It is certified to improve the taste and smell of water.
Because it is not the most affordable filter and needs to be replaced approximately every six months, it is a considerable cost to incur. However, being efficient, it is worth buying as the price and side effects of drinking unsafe, contaminated water can be really high.
What we liked: In the quality aspect, there’s no downside with the filter, as has also been backed up by users. It removes lead, chlorine/chloramine, cysts, herbicides, pesticides, and water sediments. It’s also compatible with many French Door refrigerators.
What cons did we find? The water filter works great but it is overpriced. Also, the product doesn’t last more than 3 months, contrary to the 6-month filter life General Electric claims it has.
With fresh, filtered water, you can save money by reducing your bottled water consumption, with benefits for your wallet and also for the environment. Not only is this the best water filter for Samsung refrigerator, but it also offers the best warranty package in this review. It’s a Samsung DA29-00020B Refrigerator Ice & Water Filter. It offers a set of 3 filters for fridges and freezers of the homonymous brand. However, it is also compatible with LG, Whirpool, Kitchen Aid, Maytag, and more.
The PureLine filters are tested and certified, to offer quality and safety. The certification comes from NSF International, an internationally-recognized non-governmental organization. This organization deals with public health, safety, and environmental protection. It is also certified by the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).
Thanks to the warning light, you will always know when it’s time for a replacement. If you have a Samsung refrigerator, the original filters guarantee you high performance. Using only high-quality carbon blocks, the filters remove more than 99% of potentially harmful substances, making your water healthy and good for drinking.
These filters have a capacity of approximately 1,137 liters or 300 gallons. It filters all residues and contaminants measuring 0.5 microns and above.
What makes it special? The product comes with a lifetime warranty and is certified by top standard and trade organizations, including NSF, WQA, and IAPMO. It removes up to 26 contaminants
What cons did we find? It doesn’t work with all the models of the refrigerators the manufacturer advertises, especially Samsung RF28HFEDBSRa and RF28HDEDBSR. There are reports of leakages in some models too, but the warranty should cover cases such as these.
The EcoPure EPINL30 is a universal filter that can be mounted in 1/4″ connections. It can be a practical solution to provide quality water to your refrigerator model. It is compatible with refrigerator models from Samsung, Whirlpool, Kenmore, LG, Frigidaire, and GE.
As it can last for 5 years (1500 gal per year), it has the best filter life in this review. It has a good water flow with around 30 to 125 pound-force per square inch (PSI). It meets the certification of NSF 42. Asides its high filter life and universal fit, it can be used in ice makers, in a recreational van, boat, or sink.
It is necessary to read the instruction manual for correct assembly, as it includes some parts that must be removed before coupling. But it is not a major complication. You may need to purchase additional fittings.
It is a filter that can improve the water quality efficiently for your refrigerator and it comes at an affordable cost.
What we liked: We like the universal compatibility of this product. With 5 years of filter life, it faces no competition in this aspect. You can also use it in RVs, in ice makers, and more. It’s the best inline refrigerator water filter.
What could be better: The brand doesn’t guarantee the removal of microbial cysts, lead, and some chemicals. Also, being a universal-fit product, installing it may not come easy, depending on your refrigerator model. Installation isn’t easy, neither is it hard.
The best 3-pack water filter, the Waterspecialist product is yet another good product compatible with Samsung and Kenmore refrigerators. The filters are NSF approved and are of the highest quality. This water filter cartridge reduces chlorine, lead, asbestos, cysts, turbidity, and particles. It improves the smell and taste of water as well as ice.
This Samsung and Kenmore filter set is used in French Door refrigerators. Just unscrew your old filter, then remove and replace it with a new one. No tools are required!
Each filter has a filter life of 6 months/300 gallons. It removes particles of 0.5 microns and more. The operating pressure is between 20-100 psi and the operating temperature is between 33-100 ° Fahrenheit.
What we liked: While the Waterspecialist DA29-00020B helps remove contaminants, it retains minerals that are beneficial. Coming at a much lower price than a brand filter, it saves money and is very effective.
What could be better: The water pressure seems a bit too low.
The LG water filter is particularly suitable for LG American refrigerators with an external filter that will be placed behind the refrigerator. This filter has been tested and certified by NSF International Standards NSF/ANSI 42, 53 & 401.
With this refrigerator and ice maker water filter, you get clean filtered drinking water that is not only purer but also tastes better. Proper water purification prevents scale deposits, as well as the build-up of bacteria and other odor and taste-disturbing substances.
It is designed to filter around 800 liters or 200 gallons of water efficiently. Removing impurities, unpleasant flavors such as chlorine, and removing turbidity, it may be the right model for your LG refrigerator. Also, it preserves the minerals in the water that are considered beneficial for health. The model offers compatibility only with LG models, so other refrigerators may not enjoy its benefits.
What do we love it for? It is a replacement filter with convenient design to be compatible with a wide variety of LG refrigerators. Also, its filtering system is efficient. It’s the best water filter for LG refrigerator.
What could be better: The filter life could be better. It can only filter up to 200 gallons of water. That doesn’t get anywhere near 6 months of the filter life as advertised. Also, it’s only compatible with LG refrigerators.
Things to Consider
Today, drinking safe and healthier water is possible and less expensive thanks to the numerous water filtering systems. On the market, we find a great choice of replacement filter cartridges for the fridge. In this section, we’ll guide you on how to make the best purchase and have a great user experience with these products.
Refrigerator water filters – how do they function?
The water filters for American refrigerators can be internal or external. The former can be located in different places inside the fridge, the most common are: behind one of the shelves in the door, the compartment in the upper area or in view at the top. Its operation is identical in both cases.
On the other hand, the external ones are located, normally, at the back of the refrigerator. They are between the water intake and the equipment. All these filters work on the principle of activated carbon, which can be granular or block.
Most refrigerator water filters are made of activated carbon. The American fridge anti-lime filter is able to retain a large number of chemical components. Here is the main list of captured components:
pesticides
herbicides
volatile organic compounds
chlorine
benzene
radon
solvents
heavy metals
Those consisting of activated carbon have limited service life. Beyond 6 months, the charcoal will lose its effectiveness, regardless of the amount of water filtered over the period.
Health benefits
Using your water filter is a way to prevent exposure to chemicals, antibiotics, leads, and other contaminants that come from water companies. By only drinking water which come from your stand-alone or refrigerator filters, you can stay healthy. You also deduce the chance of developing cysts or accumulating harmful chemicals in the body.
Let’s see other advantages that are obtained using these filters:
The taste and smell of chlorine are reduced or eliminated.
Heavy metals and chemicals are reduced or eliminated.
Microbiotic cysts are reduced or eliminated.
Eco-friendly, it means less plastic consumption.
Convenient to use, it ends the need to take heavy water packs home.
Gives you more access to water for consumption, better for your health.
It is economic. The expense of the replacement is lower than that of the packaged bottles.
It is for multi-purpose use. It allows you to also produce quality ice.
Water is always ready for use.
Features to consider when buying a refrigerator water filter
Below, we present you the features to consider in refrigerator water filters:
Type
Internal filters: Being internal, they are not visible, but closed in a compartment.
Grid filters: These are placed inside the fridge but are visible.
Sliding filters: These are almost rectangular in shape. They are located inside the appliance.
In-line filters: They are external models for refrigerators. You need to find a good way to apply them so that they remain stable.
Canister filters: Simple to use, but a little bulky, they don’t have a compartment. So, being large, they could take up part of the inside of your fridge. They usually contain activated carbon.
Bypass filters: They are the filters that are used by applying them to the pipes. If you already have a filter of this type, you can keep an exhausted filter cartridge in the fridge and still use the dispenser with external water that arrives already filtered.
Filter life
Each filter lasts about 6 months and has a certain amount of filtered liters. What does it mean? Does it mean you have to change the filter every six months or after filtering up to some liters or gallons? The answer is simple: you have to change it every time one of the situations occurs. If you have used a few liters, but 6 months have passed, you must replace it anyway. The same applies if in just 2 months you have already reached the indicated filter quantity.
Obviously, everything depends on the water consumption of your home. The filter for a couple will last longer than the one used in a house of 5 people.
Also the filtering quality may change the timing. The cartridges that remove more contaminants usually have a shorter duration, but they offer a higher quality.
However, your fridge could make their operation easier by giving you practical lights that warn you when the cartridge is low. These remind you to replace the filter as soon as possible.
The easiest method of checking the lifespan of these is to check the description. This should indicate how many months they can last. Alternatively or inclusively, it will also provide you with the capacity they can fulfill (usually indicated in gallons).
Quality and quantity
Of course, the number of filters available can have a big influence on the price-performance ratio of your filter. 2 or 3-pack filters like the PureLine Samsung DA29-00020B Water Filter or the Waterspecialist DA29-00020B can help decrease the quantity of filters you have to buy. They’ll leave you free of water impurities for longer. Your filter should always be of a very high quality. Otherwise, this, therefore, means the filter will not have a major resistant effect to impurities. Indeed, having no filter at all is better than a poor quality or imitation filter.
Compatibility
Not all filters can be used in all refrigerators. So, always ensure to buy one (original filter or compatible water filter) that is suitable for your appliance. A cartridge compatible with refrigerators of your brand, may not cover all models. Look in the instruction booklet or inside the fridge itself for the filter model code and use a suitable cartridge. Whirlpool water filters like the EveryDrop by Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter cannot be installed in a Kenmore refrigerator. The latter would need a Kenmore refrigerator filter like the ICEPURE ADQ36006101 to function properly. This is because the adapters used to ensure that there are no leaks are different for each brand and model number. Otherwise, there may be leaks. Always check; even a universal compatible may require certain specifications (e.g. pipe size).
Operating pressure and temperature
Pressure and temperature are very important data when it comes to refrigerator water filters. They indicate the respective optimal ranges within which the operation of the device is guaranteed.
The temperature is obviously indicated in degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, the pressure is usually in psi and kPa, the unit of measurement.
Filtration technology, number, and types of contaminants reducible
The types and number of contaminants that can be eliminated or reduced is also important. We recommend using, beforehand, a kit to test the water in your home. This lets you to be able to know in advance what contaminants are present. Thus, this also helps you choose a product tested for the reduction of what you are most interested in eliminating. Some impurities and contaminants are chlorine, particulates, lead, BPA, dissolved solids, heavy metals, dust, and pesticides. You will find in the product description all the contaminants that can be eliminated and/or reduced.
Based on the results of the tests you can opt for an antibacterial filter or one more suitable for the treatment of the contaminant in your water. For example, if you test your water and discover there are the presence of lead and microbial cysts, you don’t need the EcoPure EPINL30. This is because this product doesn’t guarantee the removal of the said contaminants. What you need is the GE RPWFE Refrigerator Water Filter, although it all depends on the type of model and brand of your refrigerator.
The filtration capacity is also important and is indicated as a percentage. It is in fact useless to buy a product that offers reduction of chlorine and contaminants if you do not know how much it actually works.
A very high percentage indicates a good product. Many guarantee the elimination of unwanted substances even up to 99.99%. But watch out for wrong or exaggerated qualities in wrong advertising by checking out what verified users are saying.
Certifications
To make sure you are buying a device that really does its job, you should choose one that has certifications. One of the organizations that test and certify filters is the National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF 42 certified products like the Waterspecialist DA29-00020B and the LG LT1000P have reached the required standards for chlorine reduction. While NSF 53 models like the Frigidaire ULTRAWF or the EveryDrop by Whirlpool 1 indicate certification for the treatment of heavy metals.
Warranty
Water filters are also subject to warranty: read carefully the clauses reported by the seller. If you want a product with the best warranty and you use a Samsung refrigerator, choose the Samsung DA29-00020B Filter. This product offers a lifetime warranty. If you can’t find a compatible model with such warranty coverage, you can choose products with at least 6 months of warranty.
Price
The price varies greatly depending on your refrigerator model. You will find cheaper and “universal” American refrigerator filter models starting at around $10-70. If you want an OEM filter or a product from the best refrigerator water filter brand, be ready to pay more.
On the market, you can often find offers for multiple purchases, such as a set of 2, 3, 4 or more cartridges. These offers allow you to save a lot. It is also advisable to keep an eye on the online sales sites and the offers of retailers in your area. Don’t purchase on Amazon.com if you live in the UK, when you could have a fairer price with Amazon.co.uk.
Finally, always remember that the best deal is not the lowest price. But the product with the best value for money.
Installation tips
It is important that you change your filter by following the advice given by the manufacturer of the water filter.
All filters should state the average available usage – like 200 or 300 gallons, for example. And the filter will need to be replaced when you reach that usage. If you haven’t used so much water, it is still recommended to change the refrigerator filters every 6 months. This helps to maintain optimal hygiene.
Since the filter has to be replaced every six months, it is advisable to do this yourself. This saves costs of employing a specialist. The water filter can easily be replaced by yourself. Common models have a screw connection. More and more models that are currently on the market are equipped with a plug connection.
You should specifically look for a water filter that suits your refrigerator.
Whatever the options might be, know that it shouldn’t include trying out the incompatible product. This can result in leakages or having chalky water. However, depending on the policy, you can check with the seller or manufacturer if you can return it and have a refund.
While most brands making water filters are sited in the United States, there are many products made in China. If you want to avoid poor-quality products and want those made from a specific country, make your finding, and ask from the seller.
A water filter installed in your appliance may mean you have more access to water. You don’t have to purchase and wait for the delivery of packed water. Definitely, you tend to consume more water, increasing your water bills. However, you’ll generate more savings from the fact you don’t have to buy packs of bottled water again. Overall, it’s always economic to use water filters as you only have to pay between $20-50 each 6 months for them.
Our Verdict
Taking filtered water at home is not only beneficial to health, it is more economical. It means protecting the planet from plastics.
Our overall best water filter product and the Editor’s Choose is the EveryDrop by Whirlpool Water Filter 1. For Whirlpool users, it is a product that removes chemicals, minerals and metals. It improves taste and odor of water.
The Frigidaire ULTRAWF PureSource Filter is the runner-up winner. Compatible with side-by-side refrigerators from Frigidaire, Kenmore, Amana, Maytag, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, and Whirlpool, it wins our Best Value nomination.
Finally, do you have an LG or Kenmore refrigerator but want one of the best refrigerator water filter for a low-budget price, choose our Budget Pick, the ICEPURE ADQ36006101. This three-pack IcePure water filter set is certified safe against a wide range of different impurities and toxins.
