The 7 Best Refrigerator Water Filters of 2023
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Let your fridge dispense the cleanest ice and water with these filters
The Spruce / Alli Waataja
Fact checked by Shereen Jegtvig
The convenience of having a water dispenser and ice maker right on the front of your refrigerator door is hard to beat. But you also want to make sure the water and ice you're getting from your fridge is clean, fresh, and safe for your family's consumption. That's where effective, regularly replaced refrigerator water filters come in.
Short of tasting the filtered water yourself, an important gauge of a fridge filter's quality is the set of certifications listed on the product. "Depending on what the filter is certified to remove, homeowners can know that they’re consuming treated water," says Eric Yeggy, Technical Affairs Director of the Water Quality Association (WQA). Any worthwhile filter will have been officially tested by the NSF (originally the National Sanitation Foundation) certifying organization against specific standards for the contaminants it removes. "For example, consumers that are concerned about lead should look for refrigerator filters certified for the removal of lead under NSF/ANSI standard 53."
Your fridge model will also dictate exactly which filters will work for you, but with both premium, brand-specific units as well as less expensive alternatives on the market, the choices can be overwhelming. We researched and narrowed down the best options in terms of quality, compatibility, ease of installation, and value in the list below. We also included options for an inline refrigerator filter and a filtered water pitcher.
Best Overall: EveryDrop Ice and Water Refrigerator Filter
What We Like
Removes lead and many other contaminants
Wide fridge compatibility
Faster flow rate
What We Don't Like
Expensive
Instructions recommend flushing 4 gallons of water
Because EveryDrop refrigerator filters are Whirlpool products, they're compatible with numerous additional fridge brands under the appliance company's umbrella, including Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, and Jenn Air. With straightforward color coding and models numbered 1 to 6, it's easy to identify which EveryDrop filter works with your refrigerator. You can find less expensive alternatives, but the higher price is worthwhile if you hope to ensure a proper fit and reliable filter performance.
All models in the line use carbon filters made from naturally found coconut shells, which combine with three-part filtration technology to block chlorine, lead, mercury, and a variety of other chemicals. Based on NSF testing, the EveryDrop Filter 1 reduces 28 contaminants; the exact number varies for each model.
Once you've found the filter location on your particular fridge, changing the refrigerator filter is as simple as a push or a twist. The time-consuming part is following the instructions to flush 4 gallons of water through your system before use. Most EveryDrop models list a flow rate of 0.75 gallons per minute (gpm), which is higher than the 0.5 gpm commonly found on other filters, but various factors contribute to how quickly your fridge can dispense water.
Price at time of publish: $60
Replacement Frequency: 200 gallons/6 months | Filter Type: Carbon fridge filter | Flow Rate: 0.75 gpm | Certifications: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401
Best Budget: Waterdrop WD-F32 Refrigerator Water Filter
What We Like
Certified to reduce lead and other contaminants
Replacements available for top fridge brands
Comes in bundles for more savings
What We Don't Like
Not official products of the fridge brands
Not certified for NSF/ANSI 53
While original equipment manufacturer (OEM) filters are the surest bet for a precise fit and brand-backed quality, the costs of buying a new one twice a year can add up. Waterdrop produces replacement filters for common refrigerator brands—like LG, Samsung, GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Frigidaire, and more—at much lower costs. The WD-F32 model that replaces LG's LT700P and other equivalent filters, for example, is available as a 3-pack for almost half the price of an official LG filter—and even throws three free refrigerator air filters into the mix.
Importantly, the performance of Waterdrop products is supported by official NSF certifications, which vary based on the filter. Take the WD-F32, which is certified against the baseline NSF/ANSI 42 standard for aesthetic effects like taste and odor and chlorine presence. It lacks the NSF/ANSI 53 certification that broadly covers health-related contaminants, but it does include NSF/ANSI 372 specifically for lead content. The filter also lists a typical lifespan of 200 gallons, or roughly 6 months of use, before needing replacement.
Price at time of publish: $27 for 3
Replacement Frequency: 200 gallons/6 months | Filter Type: Carbon fridge filter | Flow Rate: 0.50 gpm | Certifications: NSF/ANSI 42, 372
Best for Samsung: Samsung HAF-CIN Ice & Water Refrigerator Filter
What We Like
Removes lead and many other contaminants
Easy to install and replace
Official product with authenticator tag
What We Don't Like
Somewhat pricey
Instructions recommend flushing 3 gallons of water
Samsung's official refrigerator filters are pricey, but they aren't the most expensive OEM filters, making them a smart choice if your family has one of the company's fridges. Using the Samsung filter ensures that it installs securely without any risk of your refrigerator leaking or flooding and that you get the full level of intended filtration. Counterfeit filters are still a risk even with a product labeled "genuine," so each filter includes a magnetically activated authentication strip to provide extra peace of mind.
Based on the specs of the HAF-CIN model, the filter has a capacity of 300 gallons. It's a higher figure than the 200 gallons of some other filters, but remains in the range of a 6-month replacement cycle. The carbon block filter is certified for the NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 standards, in addition to NSF/ANSI 401, which indicates the removal of certain pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, and various other chemicals.
Price at time of publish: $50
Replacement Frequency: 300 gallons/6 months | Filter Type: Carbon fridge filter | Flow Rate: 0.50 gpm | Certifications: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401
Best for GE: GE RPWFE Refrigerator Water Filter
What We Like
Removes lead and many other contaminants
Easy to install and replace
Official product with RFID chip
What We Don't Like
Expensive
May have issues if chip is missing or damaged
The GE RPWFE filter, as the official filter for various GE French-door fridge models, offers strong filtration performance to hold up with the brand name. It's been tested and certified to remove over 50 potential impurities from chlorine, lead to ibuprofen, progesterone, and more.
Installing a new filter into the holder is simple, but note the instructions on whether or not your GE fridge calls for you to twist the cartridge into place. Another thing to check for during installation is a presence of a small chip on the filter that allows the fridge to recognize it as a genuine GE filter. If the chip happens to be faulty or not included with the filter for some reason, it may affect the regular operation of your refrigerator. The chip also makes it more difficult to use third-party filter options and locks you in more to the fairly costly GE-brand products.
Price at time of publish: $50
Replacement Frequency: 300 gallons/6 months | Filter Type: Carbon fridge filter | Flow Rate: 0.50 gpm | Certifications: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401
Best for Frigidaire: Frigidaire PureSource Ultra II Water & Ice Refrigerator Filter
What We Like
Removes lead and many other contaminants
Easy to install and replace
Official Frigidaire product
What We Don't Like
Slightly lower listed lifespan
The naming system and labeling for Frigidaire's OEM water filters can be a little more confusing than others, with their PurePour and PureSource lines and numbered PWF and Ultra models. Make sure you identify exactly which filter model you need for your fridge, and you'll be on your way to certified fresh water. In addition to its NSF certifications, the PureSource Ultra II, for instance, also features certification from the WQA as a "sustainable drinking water treatment system" according to the WQA/ASPE/ANSI S-803 standard.
The PureSource Ultra II has the typical water flow rate of 0.50 gallons per minute, with a filtration capacity on the lower side at 200 gallons, rather than 300 gallons. This should generally shake out to the standard twice-a-year replacement timeline. With the specs listing a 3- to 6-month change frequency, you should still be on the lookout for potentially shorter lifespans for each filter.
Price at time of publish: $53
Replacement Frequency: 200 gallons/3-6 months | Filter Type: Carbon fridge filter | Flow Rate: 0.50 gpm | Certifications: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401; WQA
Best Inline Refrigerator Filter: Culligan IC-EZ-1 Easy-Change Filtration System
What We Like
Works for most refrigerators
Three options of NSF-certified filtration
Decent capacity/lifespan
What We Don't Like
Moderate initial installation required
Some other inline filters have much longer lifespans
If your fridge doesn't have a built-in filter for your water dispenser, you can still benefit from an exterior inline filter like the Culligan Easy-Change Filtration System. The unit installs directly onto your refrigerator water supply line and mounts permanently onto a wall. That means it can work with most refrigerators of any brand, provided you have enough space to install the system behind or near your fridge. While it's a more involved initial setup than swapping out a built-in filter, it's still a relatively simple DIY project.
After the full system is in place, you'll only need to purchase replacement filter cartridges, which are less expensive and very easy to twist in and out. You also have three levels of filtration to choose from: basic filtration of chlorine and taste/odor, added removal of lead and health-related impurities, and full coverage of VOCs and other chemicals. (Conveniently, you can plug any of the three filters into the base installed system, so you could save by buying the basic IC-EZ-1 system and upgrading to premium RC-EZ-4 cartridges later.) The cartridges also have greater filtration capacity than most built-in filters—not as much as other very long-lasting inline filters, but the easy, low-cost replacement process makes up for it.
Price at time of publish: $25
Replacement Frequency: 3,000 gallons/12 months | Filter Type: Inline filter | Flow Rate: 0.50 gpm | Certifications: NSF/ANSI 42 (plus 53 and 401 on other models)
Best Water Filter Pitcher: Brita Ultramax Water Dispenser with Elite Filter
What We Like
Large 27-cup size
Improved, longer-lasting filter
Inexpensive replacement filters
What We Don't Like
Takes up fridge space
Requires extra cleaning steps
You don't need a fridge with an ice and water dispenser to enjoy easy access to filtered drinking water. Brita's Ultramax Water Dispenser is a family-sized pitcher that can hold 27 cups of water. It's designed to sit on a counter or fit in most refrigerators, but at almost 10 inches tall, 5 inches wide, and 14 inches deep, you'll need to make some room for it.
For maximum filtration performance, Brita's blue-colored Elite filter offers improvements over the Standard cartridge in almost every way. Its NSF-certified contaminant removal is on par with the better built-in fridge filters, eliminating chlorine, lead, asbestos, and a number of other emerging chemicals. Its 120-gallon filtration capacity lets you change it just twice a year like most filters on this list, and installation consists of just setting the filter in the pitcher (no pre-soaking needed).
Price at time of publish: $51
Replacement Frequency: 120 gallons/6 months | Filter Type: Carbon filter water dispenser | Flow Rate: Not listed | Certifications: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401
Final Verdict
The EveryDrop Ice and Water Refrigerator Filter is our best overall pick for its effective, NSF-certified filtration, good flow rate, and reliable fit with a variety of fridges from Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, and more. If you want to spend significantly less and are okay with a non-OEM filter, our best budget, the Waterdrop WD-F32 Refrigerator Water Filter is a comparably effective and certified filter for LG fridges, with models available for most common refrigerator brands.
What to Look for in a Refrigerator Water Filter
Certifications
The primary certification to look for comes from NSF (originally the National Sanitation Foundation), an independent organization that develops public health standards and tests products for their ability to meet those benchmarks. They work with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to create these certifications you'll most often see for point-of-use systems like refrigerator filters:
NSF/ANSI 42: The most common standard for water filters to meet, this indicates a reduction of aesthetic-related contaminants that may affect your water's taste and odor, such as chlorine, chloramine, iron, and zinc.
NSF/ANSI 53: Another common water filter standard, this covers a variety of contaminants that may have health-related effects, including lead, mercury, Cryptosporidium, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
NSF/ANSI 372: This deals specifically with lead content in the filter's components, that it contains less than 0.25 percent of its weight in lead.
NSF/ANSI 401: This covers a broad group of 15 contaminants labeled emerging compounds, which include pharmaceuticals like prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as herbicides and pesticides.
It's important to note that the certification itself doesn't tell you exactly which contaminants within the standard the filter reduces—the product usually lists those reduced chemicals on the packaging, or you can search for the product on the NSF site.
An additional certification you might see is a seal from the Water Quality Association. "If your refrigerator filter has been certified by WQA, you can use the WQA Certified Product Listings to determine what contaminants it is certified to remove," says Eric Yeggy, WQA Technical Affairs Director.
However, if you're not using municipal water or getting water from a well, your water will need further testing. Certifications may overlook other contaminants and higher mineral content often found in non-municipal water sources.
Installation
Installing a replacement filter is generally a straightforward process in most cases. Check the documentation for your refrigerator model for the location of the water filter and how to remove it, in conjunction with the instructions on the new filter itself. For most models, a slight push or a quarter turn will release the old filter as well as lock the new one into place. Some directions may recommend shutting off the water supply during the process to avoid any leaking water, but this usually isn't necessary.
A more complex installation, however, comes into play if you're adding an inline filter to your fridge's water line. This involves shutting off the water supply, tapping into the water supply tube, and mounting the filter system to a nearby wall. But if you opt for a product like our best inline refrigerator filter pick, the Culligan IC-EZ-1 Easy-Change Filtration System, future filter cartridge replacements will be about as simple as changing a built-in fridge filter.
Lifespan
Refrigerator filters only work for a certain amount of time before needing to be replaced—most products state a lifespan of 6 months. Some may end up working for longer or shorter periods of time, but it's really based on how much water your filter has the capacity for.
"Certified filters will be rated to treat a specific number of gallons," Yeggy says. "Consumers should not try to extend the life of the filter beyond its stated capacity. Once capacity is reached, the filter will no longer be able to provide adequate protection from contaminants."
The capacity for many filters is 200 or 300 gallons, with the latter number often found with official brand-name products like our best for Samsung fridges, the Samsung HAF-CIN Ice & Water Refrigerator Filter. Some inline refrigerators filters can have much greater capacity designed to last multiple years, but the trade-off is a more difficult installation and replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do refrigerator water filters really work?
If you're looking for an objective indicator of how well a fridge filter works, the NSF certifications listed above will be your best bet. Barring counterfeit products, filters with the NSF mark have been scientifically tested to reduce specific contaminants to a certain degree.
You can also see for yourself if you notice a difference with a filter, because they're ideally meant to help your water taste fresher and cleaner. If you don't currently use a filter for your drinking water and you're not fully happy with the taste or odor, you may want to give one a try and see if you notice an improvement.
Does water filter brand matter?
Refrigerator manufacturers will understandably recommend that you use their own original equipment manufacturer (OEM) filters, and it's the most dependable way to get a product that fits and functions as it should. You can, however, save a decent amount of money by using non-OEM counterparts. There are plenty of third-party filter brands on the market that users have had positive experiences with; you just have to understand the risk involved.
"Off-brand filters may not seal properly inside your refrigerator, allowing untreated water to bypass the filter," Yeggy says. "Consumers who purchase online should also be wary of counterfeit filters."
How do I find the water filter model for my refrigerator?
You'll first want to know the model number of your refrigerator, which may be printed on the back or side of the fridge, or possibly an inside wall. You can then do a general search for water filters that are compatible with your fridge. If you know where your filter is located, you can also check the model number on the filter itself. Many filter retailers have a tool on their website where you can search by the model of either your refrigerator or water filter, and compatible options should appear.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Anton Galang is a freelance writer who has covered the areas of technology and education since 2007, when he worked on content for PC Magazine and PCMag.com. For The Spruce, he specializes in home tech topics such as smart lighting, appliances, and electronics. He uses a lot of the same types of products in his own home, including a Samsung smart fridge with our best for Samsung water filter pick. Galang said the filter “was quick and easy [to install], though our smart fridge didn't recognize the new filter for a while. It did eventually, and until then, we used the included stickers to track the replacement date the old fashioned way."
Galang’s research for this article covered refrigerator filter options from over 18 manufacturers, aiming for a selection that would include compatibility with a variety of common refrigerator brands. He narrowed the list by checking over certification details, listed features, user reviews, and pricing options to suit a range of budgets. Anton also connected with Eric Yeggy, Technical Affairs Director of the Water Quality Association, for insight on the technical concerns involved with fridge water filters.
Read Next: The 9 Best Refrigerators of 2023
