The water and ice from a refrigerator door end up in everything: the glass next to your plate of enchiladas, the pitcher of agua de jamaica, the ice that chills a batch of horchata. The small cartridge inside the fridge is what stands between the house line and that glass, and it only works if it is the right cartridge and it gets changed on time.
Unlike most kitchen gear, you do not get to choose the shape. Your refrigerator takes one part number, and the real question is whether to buy the maker’s genuine filter or a compatible one, and which certifications each one actually carries. This guide is organized by fridge brand and part number, and it reports each filter’s certifications only as the maker or the listing states them.
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Quick verdict: which refrigerator water filter to buy
The best refrigerator water filter is the one your fridge was built for, bought genuine. For most GE French door owners that is the GE RPWFE, whose listing names NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372 and 401. Whirlpool-family owners with a Filter 1 fridge want the everydrop Filter 1, Samsung owners with a square filter the Samsung HAF-QIN, and LG owners the LG LT1000P. If you want a compatible to save money, pick one that names its standards, like the Waterdrop WDP-F07, and know that those claims are the seller’s.
Five fridge filters at a glance
The five genuine filters below cover the most common part numbers from GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG and Frigidaire. Certifications are listed exactly as the maker or listing states them. All nine filters are reviewed in full below.
| Refrigerator water filter | Fits | Certifications (as stated) | Filter life | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
GE RPWFE Refrigerator Water FilterBest for GE French door
|
Select GE French door | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372, 401 (listing) | 6 months | View on Amazon |
everydrop by Whirlpool Filter 1Best for Whirlpool
|
Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, JennAir (Filter 1) | NSF 42, 53, 401 (listing) | 6 months / 200 gal | View on Amazon |
Samsung HAF-QIN Genuine FilterBest for Samsung
|
Samsung fridges with a square filter | NSF 42, 53 (Samsung spec page) | 6 months | View on Amazon |
LG LT1000P Genuine FilterBest for LG
|
LG fridges that take the LT1000P | NSF International: 42, 53, 401 (listing) | 6 months / 200 gal | View on Amazon |
Frigidaire PureSource Ultra II FilterBest for Frigidaire
|
Frigidaire fridges that take the EPTWFU01 | IAPMO R&T: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 (Frigidaire) | 6 months | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Certifications are as stated by each maker or listing; confirm your fridge’s part number in its manual or on the old cartridge before you buy.
Find your part number first
Every pick below fits only certain refrigerators, so start here. There are three reliable places to find the number:
- The old cartridge. Pull it out and read the label. GE prints codes like RPWFE, XWFE or MWF; Whirlpool’s everydrop line uses a filter number and a color (Filter 1 is EDR1RXD1); LG uses LT1000P, LT700P and similar; Samsung uses HAF-QIN or HAF-CIN; Frigidaire’s PureSource Ultra II is EPTWFU01.
- The owner’s manual. The filter section names the replacement part. If you have lost the manual, the model number on the sticker inside the fresh food compartment will bring it up on the maker’s site.
- The shape. Samsung tells you plainly in its listing that the HAF-QIN fits fridges that take a square filter, and that if your current filter is round, it will not fit. Shape alone is not enough to order, but it is a quick way to rule things out.
Then match the number, not the photo. Many compatible listings print a long string of “replacement for” numbers in the title; those are fit claims made by the seller, not by your refrigerator’s maker.
Our picks for the best refrigerator water filter
The first five are genuine filters for the most common part numbers from five brands. The next three cover other common GE, Samsung and LG numbers, and the last is a compatible filter that names its certifications, for Whirlpool-family fridges that take Filter 4.
1. GE RPWFE Refrigerator Water Filter – Genuine Fit for GE French Doors
The GE RPWFE is the filter for select GE Appliances French door refrigerators, and GE’s listing says it is designed to fit GE, GE Profile, Café and Monogram models. If your old cartridge says RPWFE or RPWF, this is the genuine replacement.
The listing title names four standards: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372 and 401. GE says the filter is certified to reduce more than 70 impurities, naming lead, chlorine, PFOA/PFOS, microplastics and select pharmaceuticals, and adds the fair note that these are not necessarily found in every home’s water. The listing does not name the certifying body, so we report the standards as GE’s own claim.
Replacement takes no tools and no water shutoff, according to the listing, and GE recommends a new filter every six months. Several compatible RPWFE listings advertise a “built-in chip”, which tells you these fridges look for one; buying genuine avoids that question.
Why we like it
- Listing names NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372 and 401
- GE lists lead and PFOA/PFOS among its certified reductions
- No tools or water shutoff to change it (listing)
- Covers GE, GE Profile, Café and Monogram French door models
Key specifications
| Part number | RPWFE |
|---|---|
| Fits | Select GE Appliances French door refrigerators |
| Install style | No tools or water shutoff (listing) |
| Certifications (as stated) | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372, 401 (listing; certifier not named) |
| Filter life | 6 months |
| Genuine or compatible | Genuine GE |
| Pack size | 1 |
| Warranty | Limited one year (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone whose GE French door fridge takes the RPWFE and who wants the filter the maker certifies for that fridge.
Skip it if your cartridge is a different GE number, such as XWFE or MWF; they do not interchange.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Four standards named on the listing
- Guaranteed fit for the listed GE brands
- Tool-free change
Cons
- Certifying body not named on the listing
- Fits only RPWFE fridges
- Six-month life means two a year
2. everydrop by Whirlpool Filter 1 – Three Standards, Five Brands
everydrop is Whirlpool’s own filter line, and the listing calls it the official filter for Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana and JennAir refrigerators. Filter 1 (model EDR1RXD1) is the push-in cartridge for the fridges built around it; everydrop asks you to match the number and the color on your old filter to the package.
The listing says everydrop filters are independently certified to three NSF standards, 42, 53 and 401, and certified to reduce 70 contaminants, including microplastics, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds. It does not name the certifier in the text we read. A third-party certification checker notes that NSF lists these filters under Whirlpool Corporation rather than the everydrop name, which is useful if you want to look the listing up yourself.
The cartridge uses a coconut shell-based carbon core and pushes into place. everydrop says to replace it every six months or 200 gallons, whichever comes first.
Why we like it
- Listing names NSF 42, 53 and 401
- Covers five Whirlpool-family brands
- Number-and-color system makes reordering simple
- Clear 6-month or 200-gallon change interval
Key specifications
| Part number | EDR1RXD1 (Filter 1) |
|---|---|
| Fits | Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, JennAir fridges that take Filter 1 |
| Install style | Push-in |
| Certifications (as stated) | NSF 42, 53, 401 (listing; certifier not named) |
| Filter life | 6 months or 200 gallons |
| Genuine or compatible | Genuine (Whirlpool) |
| Pack size | 1 |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits owners of a Whirlpool-family fridge that takes Filter 1 who want the maker’s own cartridge with three named standards.
Skip it if your fridge takes a different everydrop number; Filter 3 and Filter 4 are separate cartridges.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three NSF standards named
- Simple push-in install
- Fits five brands’ Filter 1 fridges
Cons
- Certifier not named on the listing
- Single pack
- No PFOA/PFOS claim on this number, per a third-party checker
3. Samsung HAF-QIN Genuine Filter – Square Filter, Authentication Tag
The HAF-QIN/EXP is Samsung’s genuine filter for its refrigerators that take a square cartridge, which includes many recent French door and Bespoke models. The listing is direct about fit: if your current filter is round, this one will not fit, and you want the HAF-CIN below instead.
The Amazon listing talks about reducing 99 percent of potentially harmful contaminants with a carbon block, but it does not name a standard. Samsung’s own product pages for the HAF-QIN/EXP list NSF 42 and NSF 53 and a 300-gallon capacity, and that is what we report. Some resellers add NSF 401; we did not find that on Samsung’s page, so we leave it out.
Each filter carries an authentication tag: place it on the supplied magnet and green stripes appear if it is genuine. Samsung recommends replacing the filter every six months.
Why we like it
- Samsung’s spec page lists NSF 42 and 53
- Authentication tag to check it is genuine
- Listing states fit plainly by filter shape
- 1-year manufacturer warranty (listing)
Key specifications
| Part number | HAF-QIN/EXP (DA97-17376B) |
|---|---|
| Fits | Samsung fridges that take a square filter |
| Install style | Not stated in listing |
| Certifications (as stated) | NSF 42, 53 (Samsung spec page) |
| Filter life | 6 months (300 gallons per Samsung) |
| Genuine or compatible | Genuine Samsung |
| Pack size | 1 |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits owners of a square-filter Samsung fridge who want the genuine part and an easy way to tell it from a counterfeit.
Skip it if you need NSF 401 claims; Samsung’s own page lists only 42 and 53 for this filter.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Genuine part with authentication tag
- Two standards on Samsung’s own page
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Amazon listing names no standard
- Fits square-filter models only
4. LG LT1000P Genuine Filter – NSF International Named
The LT1000P is LG’s genuine filter for the many LG refrigerators that take it, and the listing includes the alternate LG part numbers it replaces (ADQ74793501, ADQ75795105, AGF80300704 and AGF80300705), which helps if your manual uses one of those codes instead.
This is one of the clearer listings in the guide. It says genuine LG water filters are certified by NSF International to NSF 42, 53 and 401, naming both the certifier and the standards. It lists cysts, asbestos, mercury, lead and benzene among what the filter reduces, plus some herbicides, pesticides and pharmaceuticals.
LG rates the filter at up to 200 gallons and recommends changing it every three to six months. The listing notes LG is changing its packaging, so the box may be black or white with the same filter inside.
Why we like it
- Listing names NSF International as the certifier
- Three standards: NSF 42, 53 and 401
- Alternate LG part numbers listed for easy matching
- 1-year manufacturer warranty (listing)
Key specifications
| Part number | LT1000P (AGF80300705; also ADQ74793501, ADQ75795105, AGF80300704) |
|---|---|
| Fits | LG fridges that take the LT1000P |
| Install style | Not stated in listing |
| Certifications (as stated) | NSF International: NSF 42, 53, 401 (listing) |
| Filter life | Up to 200 gallons; change every 3–6 months |
| Genuine or compatible | Genuine LG |
| Pack size | 1 |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits LG owners whose fridge takes the LT1000P and who want a filter with the certifier named on the box.
Skip it if your LG takes the older LT700P; see pick 8.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Certifier and standards both named
- Alternate part numbers listed
- Warranty stated
Cons
- LG suggests changing it as often as every 3 months
- Packaging varies during the changeover
5. Frigidaire PureSource Ultra II Filter – Push and Twist
The EPTWFU01, sold as PureSource Ultra II, is Frigidaire’s genuine filter for the refrigerators that take it. It installs with a push and a quarter turn: the listing says to slide it in with the grip horizontal, push firmly and turn it 90 degrees to the right until it clicks.
The Amazon listing mentions reducing lead, nitrates and mercury and the taste of chlorine, but the only certification it names is a WQA sustainability standard. Frigidaire’s own support page for the EPTWFU01 goes further: it says the filter was tested and certified by IAPMO R&T against NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401. We report that as Frigidaire’s statement.
One practical detail from the listing: the reminder light does not reset itself. On most models you hold the Water Filter button on the dispenser for three seconds until the display turns from red to green. Frigidaire recommends replacing the filter every six months.
Why we like it
- Frigidaire names IAPMO R&T and NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401
- Push-and-twist install described step by step
- Listing explains how to reset the reminder light
Key specifications
| Part number | EPTWFU01 (PureSource Ultra II) |
|---|---|
| Fits | Frigidaire fridges that take the EPTWFU01 |
| Install style | Push and twist 90° |
| Certifications (as stated) | IAPMO R&T: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 (Frigidaire support page) |
| Filter life | 6 months |
| Genuine or compatible | Genuine Frigidaire |
| Pack size | 1 |
| Warranty | Limited (listing; terms not stated) |
Why we recommend it
It suits Frigidaire owners with a PureSource Ultra II fridge who want the genuine part and its stated certifications.
Skip it if your Frigidaire uses the older PureSource or PurePour filters; those are different part numbers.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Certifier named by the maker
- Clear install and reset steps
- Genuine fit
Cons
- Amazon listing itself names only a sustainability standard
- Warranty terms not stated
6. GE XWFE Refrigerator Water Filter – Side-by-Side and Built-In Too
The XWFE is GE’s other common current filter. Where the RPWFE fits French door models, GE’s listing says the XWFE fits select French door, side-by-side and built-in refrigerators from GE, GE Profile, Café and Monogram. Check the cartridge: the two numbers look alike but do not interchange.
The listing makes the same claims as the RPWFE: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372 and 401 in the title, and more than 70 impurities reduced, including lead, chlorine, PFOA/PFOS, microplastics and select pharmaceuticals. As with the RPWFE, the certifying body is not named in the listing text.
No tools or water shutoff are needed, and GE recommends replacing the filter every six months. A two-pack (listed separately) halves the reorders.
Why we like it
- Listing names NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372 and 401
- Fits French door, side-by-side and built-in GE models
- Tool-free change (listing)
Key specifications
| Part number | XWFE |
|---|---|
| Fits | Select GE French door, side-by-side and built-in refrigerators |
| Install style | No tools or water shutoff (listing) |
| Certifications (as stated) | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372, 401 (listing; certifier not named) |
| Filter life | 6 months |
| Genuine or compatible | Genuine GE |
| Pack size | 1 |
| Warranty | Available from GE customer service (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits GE owners whose cartridge reads XWFE or XWF and who want the maker’s filter.
Skip it if your fridge takes the RPWFE or MWF.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Four standards named
- Covers several GE body styles
- No tools needed
Cons
- Certifier not named on the listing
- Easy to confuse with the RPWFE
7. Samsung HAF-CIN Genuine Filter – For Round-Filter Samsungs
If your Samsung takes a round cartridge, the HAF-CIN/EXP is the genuine one. Samsung’s listing says it is compatible with its French door, side-by-side and Bespoke refrigerators that use it, and like the HAF-QIN it comes with an authentication tag that shows green stripes on the supplied magnet if it is genuine.
The listing describes an ultra-high-grade carbon block that reduces 99 percent of potentially harmful contaminants, but it does not name a certification standard, so we write “not stated” rather than borrow numbers from elsewhere. Samsung recommends a new filter every six months, and the listing gives a one-year manufacturer warranty.
Why we like it
- Genuine Samsung part for round-filter models
- Authentication tag included
- 1-year manufacturer warranty (listing)
Key specifications
| Part number | HAF-CIN/EXP |
|---|---|
| Fits | Samsung French door, side-by-side and Bespoke fridges that take it |
| Install style | Not stated in listing |
| Certifications (as stated) | Not stated in listing |
| Filter life | 6 months |
| Genuine or compatible | Genuine Samsung |
| Pack size | 1 |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits owners of a round-filter Samsung who want the genuine cartridge and a way to confirm it.
Skip it if certifications on the listing matter most to you; this one names none.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Genuine fit
- Authentication tag
- Warranty stated
Cons
- No standard named on the listing
- Does not fit square-filter Samsungs
8. LG LT700P Genuine Filter, 3-Pack – A Year and a Half of Filters
Many older LG refrigerators take the LT700P rather than the LT1000P. This listing is a three-pack of the genuine part (LG part ADQ36006101), which at LG’s six-month interval covers about a year and a half.
The three-pack listing calls the filters NSF-certified without naming the standards; LG’s single-pack LT700P listing names NSF 42 and NSF 53 and a 6-month or 200-gallon capacity, and we report those as LG’s claims. LG lists cysts, asbestos, mercury, lead and benzene among what the filter reduces, plus some herbicides, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Note that, unlike the LT1000P, no NSF 401 claim appears for this number.
Why we like it
- Three genuine filters in one order
- LG lists NSF 42 and 53 for the LT700P
- One-year warranty (listing)
Key specifications
| Part number | LT700P (ADQ36006101) |
|---|---|
| Fits | LG fridges that take the LT700P |
| Install style | Not stated in listing |
| Certifications (as stated) | NSF 42, 53 (LG single-pack listing) |
| Filter life | 6 months or 200 gallons each |
| Genuine or compatible | Genuine LG |
| Pack size | 3 |
| Warranty | One year (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits owners of an older LG that takes the LT700P who would rather buy filters once a year and a half.
Skip it if your LG takes the LT1000P; they are not interchangeable.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three genuine filters
- Two standards named by LG
- Warranty stated
Cons
- This listing names no specific standard
- No NSF 401 claim for this part
9. Waterdrop WDP-F07 for Filter 4, 3-Pack – A Compatible That Names Its Standards
This is the one compatible filter in the guide, and it is here because its listing names its standards instead of a vague “certified”. Waterdrop says the WDP-F07 replaces Whirlpool and Maytag UKF8001, everydrop Filter 4 (EDR4RXD1) and a long list of other numbers, and it is clear that Waterdrop is an independent brand, not Whirlpool.
The listing says the filter is certified by NSF against NSF/ANSI 401, 53, 42 and 372, naming 401 reductions for phenytoin, naproxen, estrone and bisphenol A. Other claims on the same listing, including the PFOA and PFOS figure, are attributed to third-party testing rather than certification, so we do not repeat them as certified. We could not confirm this model in a certifier’s directory ourselves, so treat the certification as Waterdrop’s statement.
Waterdrop recommends replacing each filter after 300 gallons or six months, and says to run about 2.5 gallons through the dispenser after install. A three-pack covers about 18 months.
Why we like it
- Listing names NSF/ANSI 401, 53, 42 and 372
- Separates certified claims from test claims
- Three filters per order
- Waterdrop states plainly it is an independent brand
Key specifications
| Part number | WDP-F07 (replaces UKF8001 / EDR4RXD1) |
|---|---|
| Fits | Whirlpool-family fridges that take Filter 4 / UKF8001 (seller’s claim) |
| Install style | Not stated in listing |
| Certifications (as stated) | NSF/ANSI 401, 53, 42, 372 (listing; not confirmed by us in a directory) |
| Filter life | 300 gallons or 6 months |
| Genuine or compatible | Compatible (Waterdrop) |
| Pack size | 3 |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty, 6-month return on defects (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits owners of a Filter 4 fridge who want to try a compatible and prefer one that names its standards.
Skip it if you would rather not take a seller’s word on fit and certification; the genuine everydrop Filter 4 is the safe choice.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Standards named, test claims labelled
- Three-pack
- Longer stated gallon rating than most genuine filters here
Cons
- Not a genuine Whirlpool part
- Fit and certification are the seller’s claims
- We could not confirm a directory listing
Genuine or compatible: what the certifications really tell you
Refrigerator filters are certified against standards published by NSF International and ANSI. In plain terms, NSF/ANSI 42 covers aesthetic effects such as chlorine taste and odor, NSF/ANSI 53 covers health-related contaminants such as lead and cysts, NSF/ANSI 401 covers a set of emerging contaminants such as some pharmaceuticals, and NSF/ANSI 372 covers lead content of the materials the filter is made from. A filter can carry one, several or none.
Two points matter more than the logo. First, the claim should name the standard and, ideally, the certifier (NSF, WQA or IAPMO R&T are the usual ones). “Tested to” or “tested by a third-party” is not the same as certified. Second, certification covers specific contaminants, not everything; a filter certified for lead under Standard 53 may carry no PFAS claim at all.
Compatibles vary widely. Some, like the Waterdrop above, name the standards; many name only Standard 42, or say “certified” with no standard at all. We report compatibles’ certifications only as their listings state them, and makers such as GE, Samsung and LG all warn in their listings that non-genuine filters may not fit properly. If a compatible is your choice, match the part number exactly and look for the named standard.
How to choose a refrigerator filter
1. Start with the part number
Nothing else matters if it does not fit. Read the old cartridge or the manual, and buy that number.
2. Decide genuine or compatible
Genuine costs more but comes with the maker’s fit and certification. A compatible can save money, but its fit and its certifications are the seller’s claims.
3. Read the certifications by standard
If lead is your concern, look for it under NSF/ANSI 53. If you care about chlorine taste, Standard 42 covers it. Do not assume a contaminant is covered because the box mentions “70+”.
4. Keep to the change interval
Most filters here are rated for six months, or 200 to 300 gallons. Buying a multipack, like the LG LT700P three-pack, makes it easier to stay on schedule.
5. Flush after installing
Makers commonly ask you to run water through a new filter before drinking it; Waterdrop asks for about 2.5 gallons. Follow your fridge manual.
Filtered water in a Mexican kitchen
In a restaurant, filtered water is everywhere: the ice bin, the coffee urn and the big glass jars of agua fresca by the register. At home, the fridge dispenser often does the same job. Water you taste directly benefits most, so it is worth using fresh, filtered water for aguas frescas. If your fridge ice maker cannot keep up with a party, a countertop ice maker filled from a filter is a sensible backup.
How we picked these nine fridge filters
We did not test these filters. We started with the most common part numbers from five refrigerator brands and read each filter’s Amazon listing, and where we could, the maker’s own product or support page. We report certifications only as those sources state them, naming the certifier when they do and saying “not stated” when they do not. We checked that every filter was in stock on Amazon when we wrote this. We left out compatibles whose listings named no standard, and a Culligan compatible whose listing gave no certification. We also searched the CPSC recall site for these brands’ refrigerator filters and found no recall to report.
Refrigerator water filter questions, answered
What is the best water filter for a refrigerator?
The genuine filter for your fridge’s part number, unless you have a good reason to choose a compatible. Among those here, the GE RPWFE and XWFE listings name the most standards (NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372 and 401), and LG’s LT1000P listing names NSF International as its certifier.
Are off-brand fridge filters safe to use?
Some carry real certifications and some do not. Look for the named standard and certifier on the listing, match the part number exactly, and know that the refrigerator maker does not stand behind fit.
How often should I change my refrigerator water filter?
Most makers say every six months, or 200 to 300 gallons, whichever comes first. LG suggests three to six months for the LT1000P.
Do refrigerator filters remove lead?
Only those certified for it under NSF/ANSI 53. The GE, LG and everydrop listings here mention lead; check the specific filter’s claims.
Can I run my fridge without a filter?
Some refrigerators allow it with a bypass plug and some do not. Check your owner’s manual before removing the filter.
Our final word on fridge filters
Buy the number your fridge takes, genuine if you can: the GE RPWFE or XWFE, the everydrop Filter 1, the Samsung HAF-QIN or HAF-CIN, the LG LT1000P or LT700P, or the Frigidaire PureSource Ultra II. If you want filtered water beyond the fridge door, our under sink water filter and countertop water filter guides cover whole-tap systems, and our water filter pitcher picks need no plumbing at all.
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Filtered water goes into every agua fresca on our menu. If you would rather someone else made dinner tonight, call to order.