Best Refrigerator Water Filter

If you like drinking directly from your fridge into the glass water, you might benefit from the best refrigerator water filter. A high-quality water filter will prevalent city water contaminants to give you pure, ready-to-drink water. Odor-free water may also improve your drinking patterns for better skin and eye health. Other contaminants removed by ANSI certified water filters include organic toxins such as herbicides and pesticides, heavy metals such as lead, chloramines, and buildup sediments. 

Moreover, it is relatively affordable to buy and maintain a refrigerator water filter than an under-sink, especially if you predominantly drink from the fridge. 

We reviewed five products that fit the description and specifications of the best refrigerator water filter. We spent over 30 hours on each product, gathering consumer feedback and experiences. We then tried installing and replacing some of the water filters before including them in our review list. 

We also leverage expert reviews and direct recommendations to shortlist our products. We found EveryDrop by Whirlpool Water Filter to be the best product in our buying guide, followed by Waterdrop Refrigerator Water Filter as the best runner-up. Other products that feature in our review list include the best quality, best durable, and the best budget. 

You can go for the best budget water filter if you want to remove contaminants from your drinking water without breaking the bank. The best durable will serve you well in terms of longevity and the best quality for 99.99% contaminants removal.

Here is the guide you need for the best refrigerator water filter option.

Best Refrigerator Water Filter Products

1. EveryDrop by Whirlpool 10383251 Water Filter– Best Overall
2. Waterdrop DA-29-00020B Refrigerator Water Filter– Best Runner-Up & Samsung Refrigerators
3. Frigidaire ULTRAWF Pure Source Ultra Water Filter– Best Quality
4. Culligan IC 1 EZ Basic Inline Refrigerator Filtration System– Best Durable
5. GE RPWFE Refrigerator Water Filter– Best Budget

Best Refrigerator Water Filter Reviews 

1. EveryDrop by Whirlpool 10383251 Water Filter

EveryDrop by Whirlpool makes one of the most popular water filter products on the market. It leverages three filtration stages to remove up to 99% of 27 contaminants found in city water, including pesticides and herbicides.

The filtration stages include particle filtration for sediments, micro-filtration for lead, and adsorbent filtration to remove waterborne parasites.

This product sounds like a great option if you want to improve the taste of your water as it removes excess chlorine, fluoride, chloramines, and odor. We found this water filter compatible with nearly all big refrigerator brands.

Some manufacturers who recommend it for typical home applications include KitchenAid, Maytag, Whirlpool, JennAir, and Amana.

The filtration media in this product are relatively durable, and you’ll need to replace them after every six months to continue enjoying ready-to-drink water. Moreover, medium filters up to 1500 bottles of water, saving you money in the long haul. This product comes at a relatively affordable price for its unique specifications.

Specs:

• Warranty – Limited warranty
• Filtration Type – Reverse osmosis (RO)
• Filter Life (Till replacement) – Six months
• Filter Stages – 3
• Capacity – 200 gallons
• Certifications – NSF/ANSI 42, 53, and 401
• Micron Rating – 1.0

2. Waterdrop DA-29-00020B Refrigerator Water Filter

Waterdrop brand is quite forthcoming with quality consistency, and its DA-29-00020B Water Filter model isn’t an exception. You’re looking at a durable water filter compatible with nearly all Samsung refrigerator models.

The NSF 372 certification in this product guarantees up to chlorine, cyst, and corrosion sediments removal to improve taste and eliminate odors. 

When testing refrigerator water filters, the main problem we encounter includes poor fit and leaking, even when properly installed. The manufacturer solves that by leveraging precision measurement technology to achieve perfect fits.

Moreover, we realized that the ideal fit saves a lot of time during installation. The replacement is also tools and hassle-free.

Another feature we love about this product is its filtration technology that leverages three stages to improve the taste of your drinking water. The 100% natural coconut shell carbon block adsorbs more impurities than standard carbon filters. You’ll need to replace the filtration media after every six months, or 300 gallons, whichever comes first.

Specs:

• Warranty – Product lifetime warranty
• Filtration Type – Coconut shell carbon block
• Filter Life (Till replacement) – Six months
• Filter Stages – 3
• Capacity – 300 gallons
• Certifications – NSF ANSI 42 and 372
• Micron Rating – 0.5

3. Frigidaire ULTRAWF Pure Source Ultra Water Filter

Drinking straight from city water pipes can affect your general water consumption patterns. Frigidaire ULTRWF Pure Source Ultra Water Filter removes excess chlorine from your drinking water to keep the whole family hydrated all year round.

You’ll enjoy relatively high flow rates that allow drinking right from the fridge, directly into your water glass. 

This water filter removes nearly all impurities found in piped water, including heavy metals such as mercury, lead, nitrates, and pesticides. The manufacturer designed the carbon-based filter media with ultrafiltration in mind.

We used this product for about a month, and the filtration results remained consistent. It sounds like a durable product that gives back your money value.

You don’t have to worry about keeping track of your filter’s lifespan. This product features LED reminder lights that don’t turn off automatically unless you preset them. The light will turn red after six months or 200 gallons, whichever comes first to signal replacement. The installation and replacement processes are relatively easy to save you time.

Specs:

• Warranty – Limited warranty
• Filtration Type – Carbon-based filter
• Filter Life (Till replacement) – Six months
• Filter Stages – 3
• Capacity – 200 gallons
• Certifications – WQA, NSF-listed
• Micron Rating – 0.5

4. Culligan IC 1 EZ Basic Inline Refrigerator Filtration System

Culligan brand has a reputation for durable water filters in the industry. This inline refrigerator system is the product for longevity.

You’ll need a replacement after 12 months or 3,000 gallons, whichever comes first. Even so, the manufacturer notes that some users may require a replacement after about nine months. Factors that may affect your filter’s longevity include frequency of use and the contaminants in your water. 

IAPMO certified this water filter to NSF/ANSI standard 42 to ensure your family enjoys pure, ready-to-drink water all year round. This certification guarantees an aesthetic reduction of contaminants that affect taste and order, such as chlorine and chloramines.

Moreover, it removes nominal particulate class III elements like corrosion and sediments from clogged pipes.

The installation process is relatively easy, depending on how quick you are with essential plumbing tools. This water filter comes with a mounting bracket and screw; you don’t have to purchase them separately. The twist-on and twist-off mechanism makes the replacement process also fast.

Specs:

• Warranty – Limited warranty
• Filtration Type – Carbon-based water filter
• Filter Life (Till replacement) – 12 months
• Filter Stages – 3
• Capacity – 3000 gallons
• Certifications – NSF/ ANSI standard 42
• Micron Rating – 1

5. GE RPWFE Refrigerator Water Filter

GE RPWFE Refrigerator Water Filter makes one of the best budget OEM products. Besides the relatively affordable price tag, the installation process is also pretty simple. We did it in about ten minutes.

The GE Guaranteed Fit ensures this product fits well in all your GE French Select refrigerators without leaking. This prevents water wastage and enhances the lifespan of the filter’s components. 

We love the premium filtration technology in this product. It removes 99% of more than 50 prevalent contaminants found in piped water.

The impurities include chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals such as lead. NSF certifies this water filter for select pharmaceuticals reduction such as ibuprofen and atenolol. However, these contaminants may not be present in all water sources.

This water filter has relatively high water pressure to give you a steady supply of ready-to-drink water even during on-demand applications. The minimum 25 psi pressure guarantees stable flow rates. For high-quality filtration results, the manufacturer notes that you’ll need to replace the filtration media after 300 gallons or every six months, whichever comes fast. The replacement process is simple; you don’t need professional plumbing skills.

Specs:

• Warranty – Limited warranty
• Filtration Type – Premium filtration
• Filter Life (Till replacement) – Six months
• Filter Stages – Three
• Capacity – 300 gallons
• Certifications – NSF listed
• Micron Rating – 1.0

What is a Refrigerator Water Filter?

A refrigerator water filter is a primary carbon filtration media that removes excess chlorine and other prevalent city water contaminants to improve the taste and purity of your drinking water. Most standard refrigerator water filters come with NSF standard 42 certifications, meaning they only improve taste and smell. You may need to purchase a UV water filter if you’re dealing with heavy pathogenic pollution such as bacteria and viruses.

Refrigerator water filters have a compact size and design, making them a go-to option if you have a small space.

How Does a Refrigerator Water Filter Work?

A high-quality water filter will remove dangerous pollutants from your drinking water in three filtration stages.

Some systems will come with different micron-rated filtration media in each stage. The primary filter medium is carbon block or premium coconut carbon. 

The first stage includes particulate filtration to remove larger contaminants such as sand, silt, and sediment buildup. The second micro-filtration stage blocks medium-sized contaminants such as sugar. A water filter with a low micron rating will also remove traces of cyst. The last step includes adsorption filtration to remove microscopic contaminants such as pesticides, chloramines, fluoride, and pharmaceutical molecules.

Why Do You Need a Refrigerator Water Filter?

Unless you’re drinking commercially bottled water, there is a high likelihood that you’ll consume harmful chemicals and particles every time you drink from your fridge without an inline filter. You’ll also end up with the same fate if you drink from an expired water filter. It helps if you have a refrigerator water filter to guarantee the health of your loved ones through safe, ready-to-drink water.

Advantages of a Refrigerator Water Filter

Advantages of a refrigerator water filter include:

• Relatively affordable initial price tag and maintenance costs
• Easy installation and replacement processes
• They occupy less space compared to under-sink water filters
• Savings in terms of water consumption
• Highly convenient for general family use
• Enhance children physical development

Disadvantages of a Refrigerator Water Filter

Some kickbacks to refrigerator water filters include:

• Limited filtration targets
• Limited clean water supply for big households

Buying Guide for a Refrigerator Water Filter

Have the following considerations in mind to ensure that you buy a refrigerator water filter that matches your filtration needs and expectations: 

Type of Water

Nearly all water filters work differently in well and tap water sources. If you’re drinking from an underground source, you might need a water filter certified for aesthetic reductions such as herbicides and pesticides. However, heavily polluted underground water may require extensive filtration by big systems for safety. 

Most of the products in our list qualify for typical city water that may experience excess chlorine and fluoride concentrations.

Under-sink or Refrigerator Water Filter?

How many people will use the water filter? After answering this question, do you think refrigerator water filters make the best option in the long haul? Relatively big households of about six to eight people may affect the filter’s lifespan, causing frequent replacements. 

Remember, most of them hardly surpass 500 gallons capacity. In that case, going for an under-sink water filter sounds better in terms of efficiency and reliability.

Filtration Technique

The most prevalent filtration technology certified by NSF/ANSI is reverse osmosis (RO). Most products with RO technology will have carbon block or premium coconut carbon as the filtration media.

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Refrigerator Water Filter

A water filter guarantees the safety of your drinking water that you end up trusting it more than the municipal’s chemical treatments. However, there is no difference between drinking straight from the tap and drinking from a low-quality refrigerator water filter. 

Thus, you need to consider several factors before opting for the best choice. Moreover, you would want to see your money’s value in quality and efficiency. Consider these factors before purchasing any filter, whether from online or physical stores:

Fit

A product with guaranteed fit during installation or replacement ensures zero leakings to protect the lifespan of the water filter’s components. Moreover, leaking can lead to wastage. You’re already spending on filter replacements, don’t spend more on unreasonably high water bills. That means you should watch out for manufacturers who offer an array of standard sizes for quick and effective fitting.

OEM or Generic

Both OEM and generic water filters may serve you well, depending on how keen you are in the selection process. Most homeowners prefer OEM manufacturer products because they are consistent in quality, and most of their certifications are verifiable. However, OEM water filters come at relatively high costs, making you opt for generic models that come in relatively affordable price tags.

Even so, that doesn’t mean that you should sacrifice quality for cheap. How do you trust a generic refrigerator water filter? Most of these filters are product rebrands. Thus, it will help if you do in-depth research on the supplier to get to the parent manufacturer’s website. 

Check the company’s reviews and industry reputation to see if it matches your expectations. You can also search the product model number in NSF/ANSI database to authenticate its certification.

Design Quality

The general design of the water filter’s hardware determines its durability and longevity. The thumb rule of telling whether a product is of high quality even if you’re not an expert in construction materials includes checking the warranty terms. A product with a lifetime warranty is definitely of high quality. 

The manufacturer gives that duration because you’ll hardly experience any quality defects. Also, kindly note that a high-quality design will also be evident in the price; it can be relatively costly compared to other models with the exact specifications.

Compatibility

Never make the mistake of purchasing a water filter before checking out whether it’s compatible with your refrigerator. Most popular models are compatible with specific refrigerator brands. You might also find models compatible with one brand only, such as Samsung or GE appliances.

Targeted Contaminants

What are the prevalent contaminants in your region? If you come from the West areas such as Chicago, you’re probably dealing with sediment buildups in city water lines. If you come from industrialized locations, your water probably has organic and inorganic pollutants such as pesticides and heavy metals (mercury and lead). 

Even though most refrigerator water filters target primary contaminants that affect taste and odor, it will help if you choose an option with a lower micron rating to block microparticles. However, standard water filters will not remove bacteria and viruses unless they use UV filtration technology.

Frequency of Replacement

The frequency of replacing your filtration media determines the overall cost of maintaining the refrigerator water filter. A filter that doesn’t last for at least six months will drain your pockets in the long haul. 

Moreover, a higher replacement frequency may also signal that you’re using low-quality water filters that may also put your health at risk. While most water filters have six months’ longevity, you can still find select options that outlast 12 months depending on usage and contaminants filtered.

Filter Capacity

A filter’s capacity also represents its longevity. The higher the capacity, the longer the filtration media will last without a replacement. Moreover, a high-capacity water filter will serve a big family reasonably long before a replacement. A high-capacity water filter will also give you steady water pressures and flow rates.

Customer Satisfaction

100% customer satisfaction ensures that you have a better experience with a refrigerator water filter. For instance, you would appreciate a dependable customer care team if you’re experiencing difficulties during installation or replacement. You will also like to buy from a manufacturer with discounts to help you save more. Other factors that may improve your experience with a supplier or manufacturer include free shipping and delivery costs.

Watch out for warranty information if your water filter comes with quality defects emanating from the supply or manufacturing lines. A good vendor should include all the extras given by the manufacturer, such as an instruction manual, a mounting bracket, and screws if needed.

Price

Lastly, you would want to consider the price of a product. In most cases, the price only matters if it’s not within your budget. There is quite an overwhelming variety of refrigerator water filters, and you’ll seldom miss a product that falls within your price range. Even so, don’t go for cheap because you want to save and end up buying up to three water filters within a year. 

Watch out for prices that reflect a product’s value and specifications. Remember, a high-quality but relatively expensive water filter signals hassle-free maintenance, which translates to affordability in the long haul.

Other factors that may determine the price of a product include the brand. Water filters from prestigious and well-known brands will cost more than newbie brands.

Wrapping It Up

Buy a refrigerator water filter today to improve your water consumption patterns. Imagine access to pure water without boiling or buying bottled water from the stores. You just turn on the faucet, and you’re good to go. 

All the products in our review list are of high quality, and the filtration media will serve you for up to six or 12 months. Even so, the manufacturers design and build these products differently. Thus, each water filter fits unique aesthetic preferences and expectations. 

They are different in micron rating, prices, filter capacity, and the targeted secondary pollutants. You can buy any of these products by clicking the link to Amazon or the official manufacturer websites.