Safe and clean drinking water should be a compulsion and not a privilege because unfiltered water comes with a lot of contaminants which might bring harm to you. There are various kinds of water filters which are available to the users all over the world. What makes it easier for a person to get the access to safe and clean drinking water is that water filters come with a different price range, depending on the type, brand and model. With this, you will definitely find a water filter which falls right into your budget. One such type includes the refrigerator water filters and to help you find the best refrigerator water filter for your household.
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With a water filter, you not only get clean drinking water but also you end up saving money that you spend on bottled water. Moreover, a refrigerator water filter is always going to be fruitful to you because it does not cost you a fortune. Most of the users do not know the in-depths of a refrigerator water filter which usually leads them to making a wrong buy. To help you make the perfect decision and make the most out of the money you spend, we will discuss some of the top refrigerator water filters which are available.
Editor’s Picks: Top 3 Best Refrigerator Water Filters In 2023
5 Best Refrigerator Water Filters In 2023 Reviewed
1. EveryDrop by Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter
For crystal clear water, the EveryDrop by Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter is a top choice to consider. This one is a compatible model which is also approved by top manufacturers of refrigeration including Whirlpool, Amana, Maytag, JennAir, and KitchenAid.
There is a three-step filtration which is involved in filtering your water which is why it reduces lead by 99%, thus giving you clean water. The three filtration steps which are involved include; particle-filtration, micro-filtration, and adsorption-filtration. With these steps, you get rid of 28 contaminants which include lead, pesticides, waterborne parasites, pharmaceuticals, etc.
One of the best things about the EveryDrop by Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter is that you do not need to change it before 6 months which is an excellent time frame considering how cheap the refrigerator water filters are. On an estimated average, this one filter can do the job of 1500 water bottles, which says a lot about the money you save.
- Make sure this fits by entering your refrigerator model number
- everydrop Filter 5 is the only filter approved by: Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid and JennAir brands
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2. GE RPWFE2PK RPWFE 2 Pack Refrigerator Water Filter
GE RPWFE2PK RPWFE 2 Pack Refrigerator Water Filter is one of those water filters which proves to be nothing but a budget saver for the people. There are a lot of contaminants which are removed from your water source with which you can drink pure and clean drinking water without any hassle.
Some contaminants which this water filter gets rid of for you from your drinking water include lead, pesticides, asbestos, mercury, chemicals, and cysts. Furthermore, the bad tastes and bad odour are also eliminated from your water.
One of the features which gives this model an edge over its competitors is the RFID chip which communicates with your refrigerator to show when you need to replace the filter. Usually, the filter lasts for about 6 months and if your water in-take is more than usual, then you must remember that the capacity of this water filter is 300 gallons.
- GE guaranteed fit - Compatible with select GE french-door refrigerators
- Premium filtration - Certified to reduce chlorine-resistant cysts, lead, select pharmaceuticals and 50 other impurities (Impurities not necessarily found in all users’ water)
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3. Culligan IC 1 EZ-Change Refrigerator Filtration System
If you want a refrigerator water filter that removes the chlorine taste and odour from your water, then the Culligan IC 1 EZ-Change Refrigerator Filtration System is an ideal option for you to consider. It is the most unique refrigerator water filter we have in the market because it is an inline water filtration system.
This means that with this water filter, your water is filtered before it even gets to your refrigerator. This also helps in elongating the life of your appliance.
Another thing which makes Culligan IC 1 EZ-Change Refrigerator Filtration System an effective buy for the users is that the life-span of this water filter is 12 months with a water filtration capacity of 3000 gallons. Furthermore, there is a 2-year warranty which comes with this model, making it an excellent buy overall.
- Provide your family with visibly clean, great-tasting water for drinking, cooking and more
- FEATURES: Reduces bad taste and odor, chlorine taste and odor, and particulate class III; EZ change replacement filter cartridge; Quick connect fittings; Twist-on/twist-off; Double water shutoff; Includes filter head with mounting hardware
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4. Samsung Da29-00020b-1P Refrigerator Water Filter
There are a few models which are not compatible with a few brands which means you need to check whether the filter you buy is compatible with the filter or not. The Samsung Da29-00020b-1P Refrigerator Water Filter is designed specifically for some Samsung refrigerators. If you have a Samsung side by side refrigerator or the French door refrigerator which comes with a water dispenser and an ice machine, then you need to worry because this model is compatible with those water filters.
What makes Samsung Da29-00020b-1P Refrigerator Water Filter an excellent buy is a simple fact that it can eliminate up to 90% of chlorine from your water source. It also eliminates lead, microbial cysts, etc from your water source. Thus, this water filter ensures the clarity in water you drink.
The life of this refrigerator water filter is about 6-months or 300 gallons of water. Another thing which makes it the best refrigerator water filter is the indicator on the digital panel which helps you keep a check on the amount of water filtered. Thus, you can figure out the time to replace your filter.
- [Compatible with multiple models] DA29-00020B, HAF-CIN, HAF-CIN/EXP, RF28HMEDBSR, RS25J500DSR, RF263BEAESR, HDX FMS-2, DA29-00020B-1, DA97-08006A-1, RF4287HARS, RF263BEAESG, RF263TEAESG, RF28HFEDBSR, RF28HDEDBSR, RFG297HDRS, RS25H5111SR, RS25J500DSG, RF23J9011SR, RF263BEAESR/AA, RS265TDRS, RH22H9010SR, RF25HMEDBSR, RS25J500DSR/AA, RF28K9380SR, RF23J9011SR/AA, RF26J7500SR/AA, RF28HMEDBSR/AA, RF4287HABP, RFG298HDRS
- [Replacement for multiple models] WS627, CF7, AQF-FF27, WD-F27, WDP-F27, MB-F27, FL-RF27, RWF0700A, GF-20B, PL-200, CWMF021, FIN-7, R-9101, APF-0300, WF294
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5. Waterdrop NSF 53&42 Certified DA29-00020B Refrigerator Water Filter
Waterdrop NSF 53&42 Certified DA29-00020B Refrigerator Water Filter is a top tier water filter which gets rid of 99.6% of lead as well as 99.99% of cysts off of your water source. It is one of the best refrigerator water filters which you could possibly have and these sort of water filters also increase the life of your refrigerator.
This particular model is compatible with a few models including the Samsung models and Kenmore models. One of the features which separates this model to the others is that it uses a coconut carbon filter block.
The life-span of the Waterdrop NSF 53&42 Certified DA29-00020B Refrigerator Water Filter is 6 months or 300 gallons of water. There is no indicator which this model comes with, so you need to keep the expiration date in mind.
- This Waterdrop refrigerator water filter replacement for GE, despite its affordable price, offers the best - a mix of prior filtration performance and important certifications from the well-known regulatory body in the industry – NSF 42 and NSF 372 certificates. GE is a registered trademark of General Electric Company. GE is used for reference purposes only.
- [360° comprehensive protection] Be aware of the claimed certification. Our filters are comprehensively certified by the NSF 42&372 test from each components to the filter cartridge as a whole, providing you all-round protection from harmful impurities.
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Buying Guide For The Best Refrigerator Water Filters
For a layman, it becomes difficult to get right into the technicalities of the product they are buying because of which they usually end up buying the wrong product. For you to get your money’s worth, it is vital that you choose the best refrigerator water filter and it is not always easy for an amateur. There are a few things you must know before you make a decision for your refrigerator water filter. From the wide range of products, this guide will help you narrow down your choice which you are not going to regret in a month or two. Some things which you must consider before buying a refrigerator water filter are;
- Find a Compatible Filter
When buying a refrigerator water filter, every other thing is secondary and finding the compatible filter to go with your refrigerator is primary. You must know the filters which could fit in with your refrigerator. If you do not know the model number of your refrigerator, you can check the user manual which you received when you bought your refrigerator. If you have lost that manual, you can also find the model of your refrigerator on the appliance itself, most likely on the edge of the door. Once you have figured the model number of your appliance, you can easily find the filters compatible with it.
If your refrigerator does not come with an in-built water filter which needs only a cartridge, then you must go for the inline water filters which ensure clean drinking water to the users.
- Determine What Level of Filtration You Need
While determining the refrigerator water filter, you must also know the level of filtration you need. Different water filters perform different functions and eliminate different contaminants and chemicals from your water source. You must know the elements you want to filter out and then buy a water filter accordingly.
If you live in an area where the water quality is decent, then all you need to buy is a filter to remove the chlorine present in your water source along with the bad taste and odour of the water. For those who live in an area where the water quality is not good at all, then you need to get yourself a water filter that will remove the heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and some other contaminants which might be present in your water source.
- Set a Price Range
Everyone has a different budget range which he spends on a certain product. Even when it comes to buying a refrigerator water filter, your budget clearly influences your decision. Thus, what helps in such a situation is to set a price range keeping everything in mind and then choose the models which fit within your budget. Some filters have a lifespan of six months whereas some filters have a lifespan of a year. Thus, you need to calculate how much are you willing to spend on a filter because you will have to bring in a replacement at least once a year.
- Installation and Maintenance
Another thing you need to keep a check on is the installation process and maintenance cost of the water filter that you would choose. Some of the cartridges are easier to install whereas some are more difficult than the others. Moreover, the filters are placed at different places in different refrigerators and the placement is more convenient in some refrigerators. Thus, before buying the product, you must know where the filter is located and how hassle free it is to change the filter. There are a few refrigerator water filters that come in multipacks to make the maintenance easier.
Importance of Clean Drinking Water
Water is the most important substance you need to survive and there is a certain amount of water that your body needs. Drinking clean water is imperative so that you do not face any health related issues in the future, caused by unclean water. Furthermore, when you drink a glass of water on an empty stomach, it boosts your blood circulation and helps in the stimulation of peristaltic muscles. More reasons why you must only drink clean water are:
- Clean water is essential in flushing the toxins out of the human body. It does so through urination and sweating.
- It helps in improving your digestive system
- It improves your health as well as the skin as it flushes the toxins out.
- It also reduces the risk of bladder cancer by 50%, colon cancer by 45% and breast cancer by 75%.
What Is The Importance Of A Refrigerator Filter?
A refrigerator water filter is an essential piece of equipment which a user needs to have if he wants pure and clean drinking water and buyout of the bottled water. When you have a refrigerator water filter, your water not only tastes better but also it is healthier for you to consume it. When you drink unfiltered water, you will end up ingesting contaminants and the bacteria, parasites, viruses, etc multiply in the refrigerator itself, thus giving you unclean water.
This is not the only disadvantage of drinking unclean water. Another problem which lies is that the bacterial contamination in your water is low, if your water comes from the municipality water line. Mostly, the towns and cities use chlorine to fight off the bacteria. Although chlorine gets rid of harmful bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and parasites in the water, it comes with its own disadvantages which makes one bend towards not going for chlorine water at all. Recent studies concluded that the people who drink chlorinated water are more likely to suffer from a form of cancer by 93%, as compared to the people who do not drink chlorinated water.
Chlorine helps in stopping the waterborne diseases to spread, but again, it is harmful to the consumers. On an average, people consume chlorine 300-600 times more than it is suggested. Moreover, this is not the only problem you go through. Another thing is when the chlorine mixes up with small organic compounds floating in your water. A dangerous element named trihalomethanes is produced when chlorine mixes with these elements. It results in the production of free radicals in the human body, resulting in cell damage. Even a small amount could be harmful for you.
When you use the refrigerator water filter, you get rid of a lot of contaminants and harmful chemicals from the water. The filtration process removes the bacteria, parasites, and protozoa from the water. Along with that, your water also removes heavy metals, chlorine, and some pharmaceuticals from the water source, thus making your water better and healthier to drink.
How Does A Refrigerator Water Filter Work?
Most of the people have no idea how a refrigerator water filter works. In the following guide, we will help you understand the gist of how the things work. There are a few filtration steps involved in the process which gives you clean drinking water as the end-result.
- Large Mechanical Filter
All the refrigerator water filters use a mechanical filter which removes all the dust, rust, debris, sediments, and the other contaminants floating in your water. This filter is usually made of fiber and in some cases, it is made of porous materials like sand. It depends on the model of your refrigerator water filter. The water passes through this filter and prevents the contaminants, which might be flowing through your water, to enter your drinking water. The medium will filter these chemicals out. Some of the water filters have higher filtering efficiency and end up removing a part of the bacteria as well.
- Fine Mechanical Filter
After the debris, sediment, and rust are eliminated by the mechanical filter, it is now time to get rid of the smaller elements which could possibly be present in your water. These filters are small enough to tangle the bacteria and other elements which otherwise pass through your water. Not only do they trap the harmful bacteria but also they trap the compounds which make your water’s taste bad.
- Activated Carbon Filter
Now, this one right here is easily the most important medium. The activated carbon filter can hold the smaller contaminants and prevent them from entering the water you drink. While the water is passing through the activated carbon filter, the remaining elements which are floating through the water, such as pesticides, volatile organic compounds, chlorine, some pharmaceuticals, and some herbicides. Thus giving you safe and clean drinking water free from all the harmful chemicals which could possibly cause you damage in the future.
Why Is It Necessary To Replace Your Fridge Filter?
Replacing the fridge filter is important because after the end of your filter’s lifespan, it does not filter the water out and you are basically drinking unfiltered water.
- Mechanical Filters Lifespan
Just like most other filters, the mechanical filters too come with a limited lifespan. The mechanical filters allow the water to flow through the pores which are specifically designed to ensure that the water passes undisturbed through it. Here, while the water is passing through the filter, the rust, sediment, bacteria, parasites, debris, etc, are stuck in these pores. As and when the elements get stuck in a particular hole, the hole stops functioning smoothly and after a while, it does not function at all.
There is not just one hole for the water to pass, there are multiple holes and are of the same size. Thus, when more contaminants get stuck in these holes, the hole will be blocked eventually which makes it difficult for the water to get through these holes. The water will gradually lose its pressure and you will also notice a change in the odour and taste of your water.
- Activated Carbon Filters Lifespan
Much like the mechanical filters, the activated carbon filters, too, come with a lifespan attached to them. Oxygen is used to treat the activated carbon filters which result in making the surface a tad bit uneven. Activated carbon filters have a surface fill of smaller and larger ditches.
Now, whenever the pesticides, chlorine, herbicides, and pharmaceuticals reach the medium of the activated carbon filter, they get attracted by the carbon’s molecules, resulting in them being trapped in the ditches on the surface of the carbon. As and when more water flows through the filter, more ditches are filled with elements, thus not retaining the new ones.
After reaching this stage, the carbon filters stop working and you will experience a high amount of chlorine in your water and you will also notice a change in taste and smell of your drinking water.
When Do I Need To Replace My Fridge Filter?
There is always a lifespan attached to your fridge filter and after a while, it stops working. In such a case, even though the filter is still attached, you do not get clean water because the filter has stopped functioning altogether. You will also notice it as the water will have a different taste. There are some tests which are done prior to your water filter’s launch in the market and these tests determine how long you can use these filters efficiently without worrying about the unfiltered water.
Now, these results vary from brand to brand and model to model. Some of the models have the capacity of 500 gallons of water while some can give you 3000 gallons of water efficiently. There are some models which last for 6 months while some might last for a year or even 2-3 years.
To figure out the lifespan of your refrigerator water filter, you need to check the instructions in the user manual, given to you by the manufacturer, when you buy the model. You can jot down the expiry date of your water filter anywhere you like.
How To Find The Right Filter For My Fridge?
It is fairly easy to find the refrigerator water filter compatible with your fridge. There are multiple ways to do so which include;
- Contact Customer Service
One of the ways with which you can get the perfect water filter according to your refrigerator is by simply contacting the company’s customer support and asking them which filters are compatible with your refrigerator. You will get your answer in no time.
- Checking the specifications
If you want to check what filter fits fine with your refrigerator yourself, then you can check the specifications of your refrigerator and check the thickness of the waterline. As most of the water filters have a standard design, they can be easily compatible with your refrigerator if the filter matches the waterline.
How To Install The Refrigerator Filter?
One of the best things about refrigerator water filters is that installing it is nothing less than a walk in the park and you do not need any professional help to get it running. The refrigerator water filters come with a default installation kit for you to help install your water filter and you do not need any professional training to do it either.
There are a few steps involved in the installation process and the steps are as follows:
- The first step you need to take is the most basic one and it is to read the installation instructions given by the manufacturer.
- Once you have read and understood the instructions, you will have to stop the water supply for the line leading to the fridge.
- The next step is to disconnect your fridge from the waterline and attach the quick-connect lines of the filter and prime the filter before you reattach the waterline.
- You have to start the waterline’s supply to prime the filter and let it work for 10 minutes. A bucket can be used to prime the filter
- Next, you need to reattach the waterline to your fridge and once the filter is connected, you can easily use the fridge’s water tap.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Can a refrigerator water filter cartridge be replaced easily?
Yes, replacing the cartridge of the refrigerator water filter is quite easy and most of the cartridges come with the installation instructions printed on them.
Q. Is it necessary to replace a refrigerator water filter after every six months?
6 months is not a fixed time to replace your refrigerator water filter. Some of these filters have a lifespan of 6 months whereas some can last even for a year. It is, however, necessary for you to replace your refrigerator water filter after its lifespan ends because after a while, the impurities get blocked which results in the filter becoming saturated. It, therefore, reduces the rate at which the model filters your water and eventually starts giving you unfiltered water.
Q. How to know whether a fridge already has an in-built water filter?
It is fairly easy for you to figure this out because the models that come with an in-built water filter have the ice dispenser and in-built water side by side. Furthermore, it is also mentioned in the specs of your refrigerator as well.
Q. How can I reset the filter change indicator light?
If you have one of those refrigerator water filters that come with an indicator to change the filter, then you need to make sure that you reset it each time you get yourself a new filter. There is no rigid procedure to do so and it depends on model to model. You can find it on the user manual.
Q. What are the chemicals removed by refrigerator water filters?
Most of the refrigerator water filters remove impurities, chlorine, dissolved solids, particulates, and bad odor from your water source, thus ensuring safe and clean drinking water for you.
A Final Word
To get the best refrigerator water filter for yourself, there are a few things you need to consider before jumping to a decision. This guide will definitely help you think like an expert in the field and you are sure to make a decision which will be worth the money you spend.
On an ending note, we personally recommend you to buy:
- Provide your family with visibly clean, great-tasting water for drinking, cooking and more
- FEATURES: Reduces bad taste and odor, chlorine taste and odor, and particulate class III; EZ change replacement filter cartridge; Quick connect fittings; Twist-on/twist-off; Double water shutoff; Includes filter head with mounting hardware
If longevity is what you’re looking for, this is the refrigerator water filter you should be investing in. It lasts for over a year and also comes with a 2 year warranty. Its filtration quality is also quite commendable.
I like you use water every day in everything I do. I love to find better ways to filter water I drink, soften hard water and find amazing water bottles for when I’m on the go.
I want to share what I find with you and review the options you might be looking for.
Author Profile – Tony Cosentino
Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. WaterFilterly is user-supported. We might receive a commission on any purchase you make through clicking links on this page.
While I agree that safe and clean drinking water is essential for our well-being, I believe that making it a compulsion rather than a privilege may not be the most effective solution. Instead, we should focus on educating individuals about the importance of clean water and providing them with the necessary resources to access it.
Making clean water a compulsion could lead to unintended consequences. Forcing individuals or communities to comply with regulations may create resistance or non-compliance. It could also place a burden on already struggling communities