The Best Refrigerator Water Filter (Review) in 2020

Why Is a Refrigerator Filter Important?

While tap water in the US is generally perceived as being relatively healthy, it’s no secret that – in order to save money – the water companies and the government will generally try to keep their filtration process as minimal as possible. This often leads to tap water playing host to all kinds of chemicals and bacteria, which can cause serious harm over time.

As well as this, companies will use chemicals to clean water, before it’s placed back into the system used by the average household. While these chemicals do a great job of killing off some of the harmful bacteria, a build-up of these within your body can lead to serious health problems. Using a water filter is a great way to reduce your exposure to these chemicals and pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics. By drinking water that has been through your refrigerator filter or standalone filters, you remain healthy when it comes to needing to take antibiotics for a bacterial infection, as well as reducing the likelihood of your body developing cysts or hosting a build-up of harmful chemicals.

Things to Consider When Buying a Refrigerator Water Filter

• Brand/Model

The most important thing to consider when buying a refrigerator filter is whether the filter itself is compatible with your refrigerator brand and model number. For example, Whirlpool refrigerator water filters will not fit in a Kenmore fridge, which would require a Kenmore refrigerator filter in order to work properly.

This is because the adaptors used to ensure leaks do not occur are different for each brand and model number. To obtain the best fit and get the most out of your filter, be sure to purchase a filter that works with your specific fridge. You can check this on the description, use Amazon’s ‘Confirmed Fit’ service or ask the seller, if you are unsure.

• Quality and Quantity

Naturally, the number available can have a big impact on whether or not your filter offers good value for money. Packs of 2 or 3 can help to reduce the number of filters you need to buy, while leaving you free of contaminants for longer – with one caveat. The filter should still be of a high quality. Without this, the risk of contact with contaminants remains high and therefore the filter you buy won’t have a major effect on your overall health and wellbeing.

A great way to check the quality of your filter is to ensure your new purchase meets the criteria require for certification by the National Sanitation Foundation. This criteria ensures your refrigerator filter works to remove contaminants from your water and keep you safe from ingesting harmful chemicals, viruses and bacteria.

• Service Life

Naturally, a refrigerator filter that is able to work for longer, while maintaining the same high standards, will offer much better value for money than a refrigerator filter that has a short life span. The easiest way to check the service life of these, is to look at the description, which should state the number of months it is likely to last, or provide you with the capacity it is able to fulfill (usually stated in gallons). Be mindful that those which offer an extremely long service life (up to a year or more) are less likely to be of high quality and may even damage your refrigerator.

• Reviews

Always check the reviews of any purchase to ensure that the customer service is up to scratch. Some companies will not offer any additional services, such as a moneyback guarantee on your refrigerator filter or ensure there is no damage the refrigerator itself through human error. In these cases, if you’re shipped an incorrect refrigerator filter, there is every chance that you will not be protected. As well as this, positive customer service can help if you’re stuck when trying to replace your purchase, or simply when you need a little help to find a model, for example.

Types of Fridge Filters

While large corporations are able to utilize major filters, such as ultraviolet (UV) light filters, which kill bacteria, using a filter at home is (thankfully) much simpler and easier. The two main options you can use for your refrigerator filter are carbon-based or ceramic-based.

• Carbon Refrigerator Filter

Carbon filters have different qualities, with high-quality options able to filter out more impurities, while lower-end models filter out fewer contaminants. Activated carbon filters use fine granules, which offer a greater range of filtration, leaving you with cleaner, fresher water. Whether it’s a carbon block or activated carbon, however, both do a great job of getting rid of the chlorine taste and leaving you with cleaner water.

• Ceramic Refrigerator Filter

Ceramic filters are generally much cheaper to buy and have a very long shelf life, meaning you’ll need to change your filter less frequently. They can filter out bacteria, in the same way as block-type carbon filters. However, they cannot filter viruses and they offer a much slower water flow, which can be frustrating for some users.

How to Install a Refrigerator Water Filter

How to install your refrigerator water filter depends on which type you have. For some, you will need to push the filter, which will cause the old water filter to pop out and freely remove it from the holster. To change these, you’ll simply need to reverse the process in order to install your new water filter.

For other filters, you might need to twist and lock the filter in place, being careful to stay on the thread of the holding area to avoid leaks. These can be a little tricky, so it’s important to read the guidelines given by the manufacturer of the water filters.

Finally, a few options require you to remove the filter from a drawer or cupboard, that has been built-in to the refrigerator. Again, to replace these, you’ll need to follow the guidelines closely. Test all three methods, to check for any leaks, before closing your fridge and using the filter as normal. If there are any leaks, try to refit the filter and – if there are further issues – contact the seller for more information and ensure there isn’t a manufacturing fault.

It’s important that you change your filter in line with the guidance given by the water filter manufacturer. All filters should stipulate the average usage available – such as 200 or 300 gallons, for example – and the filter will need to be replaced when you hit this usage. If you haven’t used this much water, it is still recommended that you change your refrigerator filters every 6 months, to maintain optimal hygiene.

Best Refrigerator Water Filter FAQ:

Q: What does the NSF certification mean?

A: This certification comes from the National Sanitation Foundation, and works as a mark of high-quality filters. To earn this certification, the manufacturer must meet strict guidelines, put in place to maintain a high standard of sanitation. Filters that do not have this mark may not meet the guidelines put in place by the Foundation, and therefore are likely to have lower-quality materials or may even be a risk to those who use these filters in their refrigerator.

Q: How do I know if my refrigerator filter is bad?

A: Most modern refrigerators are equipped with a light system or notification that will allow you to see when your filter is due to change. However, in older systems or those who don’t utilize these notifications, there are a few ways to check whether your filter has passed its usability.

• The filter is no longer working to the same standard, and you can taste the difference in your drinking water
• It has been 6 months since you last changed your water filter
• You are reaching the maximum filtration capacity

Q: How often do I need to change the refrigerator water filter?

A: Remember, just because water may taste fresh, it does not mean that it is. Many contaminants are active in the water but do not have a taste, leaving you with no guide as to whether the filter is ready to be changed. That’s why there should always be a guideline for the capacity that your refrigerator filters can handle – usually around 200 or 300 gallons per filter. If you aren’t sure whether you have reached this, change your filters every 6 months.

Q: Can I recycle my old fridge water filters?

A: Absolutely. Many companies are now offering a recycling program for old refrigerator filters, which allows you to reduce your carbon footprint. Simply check with your manufacturer to see if they offer this filter recycling service. If not, you can remove the carbon in some filters and then recycle the plastic separately. The carbon can then be thrown away, as normal.

Our Top Pick

The General Electric MWF is easily the best refrigerator water filter on the market, for those with a GE appliance, thanks to a compact and easy to use design. Simply twist and lock to start filtering and keeping your drinking water free of trace pharmaceuticals and contaminants, as well as lead and chlorine. NSF certified to meet strict criteria for the cleanest drinking water, this option works for up to 6 months or a whopping 300 gallons of water, to boot.