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Best Refrigerator Water Filters

Updated November 2023
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Samsung Refrigerator Water Filter
Samsung
Refrigerator Water Filter
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

A name brand that you trust offers an excellent filtration device.

Pros

Certified by NSF International and trusted for healthy drinking water that's good for you and the environment. 300 gallon capacity. Gets rid of water impurities.

Cons

Some complaints about leaking and slow water flow. A few concerns that the product differs from expected.

Best Bang for the Buck
Best GE MWF Refrigerator Water Filter
Best
GE MWF Refrigerator Water Filter
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High-end Choice
Bottom Line

This high-end water filtration device blends affordability and durability.

Pros

Simple to install. Delivers superb water filtration, resulting in great-tasting water. Will only need to replace your strainer every 6 months.

Cons

May slow down flow of water from a fridge's water spout.

GOLDEN ICEPURE Refrigerator Water Filter
GOLDEN ICEPURE
Refrigerator Water Filter
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A premium model that eliminates over 99% of harmful contaminants from water.

Pros

Eliminates contaminants up to 300 gallons. Fast replacement every 6 months. NSF/WQA certified for chlorine, bad taste, and odor. Works great with array of fridge brands.

Cons

May need to be replaced more frequently than others.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Water Filter
Frigidaire
Refrigerator Water Filter
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Feature-packed
Bottom Line

This deluxe device is rigorously tested to ensure long-lasting performance.

Pros

Reduces odor and chlorine in water. Limits risk of lead, organic chemicals and asbestos. Intended for use with French door and side-by-side fridges. Works with a variety of models.

Cons

May produce cloudy water at times. Water sometimes emits foul odor after it runs through device.

EveryDrop by Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter
EveryDrop by Whirlpool
Refrigerator Water Filter
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Best for Everyday Use
Bottom Line

A world-class water filtration device that can be used with Maytag, KitchenAid, and other trusted fridge brands.

Pros

Reduces 27 water contaminants including waterborne parasites and pesticides. For side-by-side and top/bottom models. Easy to replace. Removes nearly all lead from water.

Cons

Tends to clog easily. Pricey in contrast to comparable options.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

36
Models
Considered
103
Consumers
Consulted
24
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best refrigerator water filters

If you own a refrigerator that dispenses water and/or ice, chances are it has a water filter that goes with it. Even if you trust your tap water, changing your refrigerator water filter regularly is an excellent idea. Refrigerator water filters help strip both contaminants and particulates from your water and ice cubes. Some can effectively remove dozens of different water contaminants, while all can leave you with water that tastes and smells better.

Given the cost of plastic water bottles — in terms of your wallet and the environment — a refrigerator water filter is an eco-friendly way to stay hydrated. But with such a variety of filters to choose from, where do you start? You'll want to know how these filters are constructed, what they remove, and how often you should change them.

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Even if you have a whole-house water filtration system, you should still use a refrigerator water filter, as the filter can screen out contaminants that the whole-house system may miss.

Considerations for buying a refrigerator water filter

Does it fit your refrigerator?

This is a primary consideration when shopping for a filter: will it fit your refrigerator? Refrigerator water filters come in many shapes and sizes, so you’ll need to shop carefully. Some filters fit a wide range of refrigerators; others are designed for just one brand, or even a limited number of models within one brand. Also be sure to verify that a given filter would fit your type of refrigerator: side-by-side, top/bottom freezer, French door, and so on. Check your owner’s manual if you have questions.

What is the filter made of?

Many refrigerator water filters are made of durable plastic and use a carbon-filtration system. The filter should have a strong, leak-proof gasket. It should resist clogging and not slow the flow of water.

How does it connect to your refrigerator?

There are a couple of standard ways that filters connect to refrigerators. Some filters are simple twist cartridges. To remove this type of cartridge, you twist a quarter-turn counterclockwise and pull. Other filters push into a socket and lock in place. To remove them, you push a release button that releases the cartridge.

The bottom line: your refrigerator water filter should be easy to remove and replace.

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Caution
Refrigerator water filters that are left in place too long can also become part of the problem by turning into a breeding ground for bacteria.
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What contaminants does it remove?

The particulates and other contaminants that a filter is designed to remove will vary from filter to filter. Some of the most thorough water filters claim to remove over 60 types of contaminants. These contaminants include everything from lead, asbestos, mercury, and chlorine to pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and even parasites.

Before you buy a refrigerator water filter, check the specs to see what it will remove. This is particularly important if you’ve had trouble in the past with certain contaminants in your water.

How much water will it filter?

While many companies recommend that you change your refrigerator water filter every six months, a better indicator of when to change the filter is the number of gallons of water a filter can handle. Filters are generally rated between 200 and 400 gallons of water. The higher the number, the longer the filter should last.

Is technical support available?

While there isn’t much that can go wrong with these filters, it’s still nice to have someone to reach out to with the occasional question or concern. Go with a seller that offers a free technical support number if this is something that is important to you.

Refrigerator water filter prices

Over the life of your refrigerator, you could easily double its cost with expensive filters. You may not have several options based on your refrigerator model or filter type, but if you do, it pays to shop around.

Refrigerator water filters start around $10 to $15 per filter and can run up to $50 or higher. Note the number in a package when ordering, as buying several at once will cost you more upfront but may save you some money in the long run.

As quality insurance, also note any money-back guarantees or warranties that are included with the filter.

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Expert Tip
Check to see whether your refrigerator is equipped to use an air filter. This type of filter can help remove foul odors and keep your refrigerator smelling nice.
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Tips

  • If you have an older refrigerator with no built-in filtration system, you can still take advantage of filtering by using an inline filter system, which connects directly to the water line. While they can be a bit of a hassle to change, inline filters can be used with any refrigerator water/ice system.
  • If your filter develops a leak, check that the gasket that goes between it and the refrigerator is properly seated in its groove. If this doesn’t help, try adding a little vegetable oil to the gasket to achieve a seal.
  • After replacing a refrigerator water filter, add a note to your calendar or phone reminding yourself to replace it in six months.
  • Unfortunately, there are numerous “fake” refrigerator filters flooding the market. If you buy your filters online, be sure you buy from a reputable seller.
  • After replacing a filter, run several gallons of water through the system to flush out any stray carbon that might be in the filter. Also be sure to toss out the first two or three batches of ice after a filter change.
  • If your refrigerator has a warning light that goes off when it is time to replace a filter, you may need to reset it once the new filter is in place. This usually involves pressing a reset button or holding in one of the lock and light/water buttons. Consult your manual for the exact steps.
  • If you have a large family, plan on changing your water filter more frequently than every six months.
  • While most refrigerators have an automatic shut-off valve that keeps water from flowing when the filter is removed, this is not the case with all of them. If you are unsure whether your refrigerator has one or not, consult your manual before removing a filter. Otherwise, you could end up dealing with a mess.
"Most refrigerator water filters are easy to replace, requiring neither tools nor the help of a plumber."
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Other products we considered

A few other options that caught our eye while investigating this topic. The Crystala Filters Frigidaire Water Filter features a triple filtration system and is effective for up to six months or 300 gallons. It is designed for use with Sears and Kenmore refrigerators. The FilterLogic Refrigerator Water Filter is an eco-friendly and economical filter that can be used as a replacement for a wide range of refrigerators. And if you have a Samsung side-by-side or French door refrigerator, consider trying the Samsung Refrigerator Water Filter, which is effective at removing over 99% of both contaminants and parasites.

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Water filters for your refrigerator generally do not have a shelf life. If you keep the unused product dry, it should last indefinitely.

FAQ

Q. Where is the filter located on my refrigerator?
A.
This varies by refrigerator. Some are located behind or near the grill on the outside bottom of the refrigerator. To blend in, some filters have covers over them and may be difficult to find.

If you have no luck finding it on the outside of the refrigerator, try the inside. You may find it hanging in the back of the refrigerator. Note that some interior filters blend in within the inside of the refrigerator, hidden by a drop-down compartment or a slide-out tray.

Check your owner’s manual if you are still having problems finding the filter.

Q. What will happen if I don’t replace my filter?
A.
An outdated filter can be ineffective or even harmful. Your refrigerator may still produce water and ice, but that water and ice will not be clear of contaminants. The general rule here is to change your filter every six months, but there are exceptions. Individual filters are often labeled with the number of gallons they are rated for; this number is usually around 300.

Here are some reasons you may wish to swap out your water filter — even if you haven’t reached the six-month mark yet:

  • The water or ice has begun to taste funny, or you notice sediment in either.
  • The filter warning light has turned on (if your refrigerator is equipped with one).
  • Your ice cube production has dropped.
  • You have hard water. Hard water can wear out a filter more quickly.
     

Q. What is filter certification?
A.
Some organizations set standards for water quality and issue certifications for filters and related items that meet those standards. One of the largest of these is NSF International, which issues three certifications concerned with water filters:

  • NSF-42: This certification applies to more aesthetic, non-health related issues such as chlorine, taste, and odor.
  • NSF-53: This certification covers specific health-related contaminants such as lead and volatile organic chemicals.
  • NSF-401: This certification pertains to emerging contaminants that include DEET, Ibuprofen, BPA, and others.

Certifications from other organizations, such as the Water Quality Association (WQA), are also valuable.

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