Samsung does not make this hard once you know the number. Each fridge takes one cartridge, and the same few part numbers cover most of the line: HAF-QIN for square filters, HAF-CIN and HAFCU1. What makes it hard is the wall of compatible filters, each printing Samsung numbers in its title.
This guide is about which filter fits your Samsung, whether to go genuine, and what each one really says about certification. It is for the water and ice you actually use: a glass with dinner, the ice in a pitcher of agua fresca. We make no claims about your own tap water.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which Samsung filter to buy
The best water filter for Samsung refrigerator owners is the genuine one for your part number: the Samsung HAF-QIN for square filters, the Samsung HAF-CIN or the HAFCU1 for those numbers. If you prefer a compatible filter, look for one that claims NSF 53 as well as 42, like the Amazon Basics Premium or Instapure, and treat those claims as the seller’s.
Five Samsung filters at a glance
Three genuine and two compatible, across Samsung’s main numbers. Certifications are listed exactly as each source states them. All eight filters are reviewed in full below.
| Samsung water filter | Fits | Certifications (as stated) | Filter life | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Samsung HAF-QIN Genuine Filter 3 PackBest for square filters
|
HAF-QIN, square | NSF 42, 53 (Samsung spec page) | 6 months | View on Amazon |
Samsung HAF-CIN Genuine FilterBest for HAF-CIN
|
HAF-CIN, DA29-00020B | Not on listing; 42, 53, 401 per third-party checker | Up to 6 months | View on Amazon |
Samsung HAFCU1 Genuine FilterBest for HAFCU1
|
HAFCU1, DA29-00003G | Not stated on the listing | 6 months | View on Amazon |
Amazon Basics Premium HAF-QIN ReplacementBest house-brand option
|
HAF-QIN (compatible) | NSF 53, 42, 372 (listing) | 6 months or 316 gal | View on Amazon |
Instapure HAF-QIN Compatible FilterBest compatible for HAF-QIN
|
HAF-QIN (compatible) | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372, 401, P473 (listing) | 6 months or 300 gal | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Confirm the number on your old cartridge or in your manual before you buy.
Find your Samsung filter number
Pull out the old cartridge and read the label. It will say HAF-QIN, HAF-CIN, HAFCU1 or a DA number. Your manual will say the same, and the model sticker inside the fridge will bring up the right part on Samsung’s site.
Do not go by the fridge style alone. Samsung’s Amazon listings say “French Door, Side by Side, or Bespoke” on more than one filter, which does not separate them. Compatible listings are more direct: Waterspecialist says its HAF-QIN replacement is square, not round, and both it and Waterdrop warn that it does not fit HAF-CIN slots. Match the number and you can ignore the rest.
What the certifications tell you, and what they do not
Filter listings throw around a lot of numbers, so it helps to read them as the listings themselves explain them. Amazon Basics describes NSF/ANSI 42 as covering chlorine, taste and odor, and 372 as covering lead-free materials. Waterdrop describes 53 as covering reductions such as lead and mercury, and 401 as covering substances such as bisphenol A and some pharmaceuticals. A filter with only 42 and 372 is a taste filter with lead-free parts. It is not making the claims a 53 filter makes.
Also look at who is certifying. Some listings name NSF International or IAPMO R&T, some name neither, and some say only “certified”. Samsung’s Amazon listings name no standard at all, while its New Zealand product page names NSF 42 and 53. We report each claim as it is stated and have not confirmed compatible brands’ certificates in a directory ourselves. If a claim matters to you, look the model up in the certifier’s own listing before you buy. None of this tells you what is in your own water; your water utility’s annual report is the place to start.
Our picks for the best water filter for Samsung refrigerator owners
Samsung’s three main genuine filters come first. After them come the compatibles, starting with those claiming the most.
1. Samsung HAF-QIN Genuine Filter 3 Pack – For Square-Filter Samsung Fridges
If your Samsung takes a square cartridge, this is the genuine part. It is HAF-QIN, cartridge number DA97-17376B, here in a 3 pack. Our refrigerator water filter guide covers the single pack; we list the 3 pack here because it is the same filter and it covers a year and a half at Samsung’s six-month interval.
The Amazon listing names no standard, only a carbon block that it says reduces 99 percent of potentially harmful contaminants. Samsung’s own New Zealand product page is more specific: it lists NSF 42 and NSF 53, 300 gallons, and a 90-degree rotate-and-lock install. A Samsung customer care reply on the same page adds NSF 401, so we give the specification line as the firmer of the two.
A magnet and tag let you check that a filter is genuine: green stripes should appear, according to the listing. That is worth using here, because the seller when we checked was a third-party parts dealer.
Why we like it
- Genuine Samsung cartridge
- NSF 42 and 53 on Samsung’s spec page
- Authentication tag check (listing)
- Listing states a one-year manufacturer warranty
Key specifications
| Part number | HAF-QIN (DA97-17376B) |
|---|---|
| Fits (as stated) | Samsung fridges that take HAF-QIN |
| Install style | 90° rotate and lock (Samsung) |
| Certifications (as stated) | NSF 42, 53 (Samsung spec page) |
| Filter life | 6 months; 300 gal (Samsung) |
| Genuine or compatible | Genuine Samsung |
| Pack size | 3 |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone whose current filter says HAF-QIN and who wants the maker’s part for the next 18 months.
Skip it if your cartridge is a different number. Compatible listings warn that HAF-QIN and HAF-CIN do not interchange.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Maker’s own part
- Way to check authenticity
- Three changes in one box
Cons
- Listing itself names no standard
- Third-party seller when checked
- Bigger upfront purchase than one filter
2. Samsung HAF-CIN Genuine Filter – For HAF-CIN Samsung Fridges
HAF-CIN, part DA29-00020B, is the other common Samsung number. This single-pack listing says it reduces contaminants ranging from chlorine to asbestos for up to six months, using a carbon block, and it prints a long list of fridge models such as the RF260 and RF263 series. It installs with no tools.
The listing itself does not name a standard. A third-party checker, Tap Water Data, says NSF lists this filter under DA29-00020B for NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401, and points to NSF’s own search. Use that listing to confirm before relying on any one claim.
This is the same filter as the Samsung in our main guide, through a different listing, which we use here because this page has to cover Samsung’s two main numbers. The seller was a third-party parts dealer when we checked, so use the authentication tag if yours has one.
Why we like it
- Genuine Samsung part per the listing
- Fridge models printed on the listing
- No tools to install
- Third-party checker reports NSF 42, 53, 401
Key specifications
| Part number | HAF-CIN (DA29-00020B) |
|---|---|
| Fits (as stated) | Samsung RF260, RF263, RF4287 and others (listed) |
| Install style | No tools |
| Certifications (as stated) | Not on listing; NSF 42, 53, 401 per third-party checker |
| Filter life | Up to 6 months |
| Genuine or compatible | Genuine Samsung |
| Pack size | 1 |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits owners with an HAF-CIN or DA29-00020B cartridge who want the genuine part in a single pack.
Skip it if your filter is square. That is the HAF-QIN above.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fridge list to match against
- Tool-free
- Single pack to try first
Cons
- Listing names no standard
- Third-party seller when checked
- Warranty not stated here
3. Samsung HAFCU1 Genuine Filter – For DA29-00003G Fridges
HAFCU1, part DA29-00003G, is the third Samsung number here, and resellers also call this cartridge family Aqua-Pure Plus. This is the genuine filter, and it has the most straightforward purchase on this page, because Amazon itself was the seller when we checked.
The listing gives the same carbon block wording as Samsung’s other filters, including 99 percent of potentially harmful contaminants, and the same six-month change. It has the same authentication tag, and it warns that only Samsung filters are guaranteed to perform correctly with your refrigerator.
It names no standard. Tap Water Data’s Samsung page, which we used for the other numbers, does not mention this one, so we say “not stated” rather than borrow a certification from a sibling. The listing also uses Samsung’s generic fit wording, so go by the number on your old filter.
Why we like it
- Sold by Amazon when we checked
- Authentication tag check (listing)
- Six-month change interval
- Genuine Samsung part
Key specifications
| Part number | HAFCU1 (DA29-00003G) |
|---|---|
| Fits (as stated) | Samsung fridges that take this number |
| Install style | Easy install (listing) |
| Certifications (as stated) | Not stated on the listing |
| Filter life | 6 months |
| Genuine or compatible | Genuine Samsung |
| Pack size | 1 |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits owners whose cartridge says HAFCU1 or DA29-00003G.
Skip it if you need a named standard on the page before you buy. This listing does not give one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple seller
- Authenticity check
- Maker’s own part
Cons
- No named standard
- Fit wording is generic
- Only for this number
4. Instapure HAF-QIN Compatible Filter – Made in USA, Many Standards Listed
Instapure sells a compatible filter for each main Samsung number, and it publishes the longest list of standards in this guide: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372, 401 and P473, plus CSA B483.1. The listing says it is made in the USA and manufactured by Instapure, which it says has been in water filtration since 1975.
It uses 0.5 micron carbon block media and is rated for up to six months or 300 gallons. The reductions it names include PFOA/PFOS, pharmaceuticals, lead, mercury, BPA and asbestos.
Two cautions. The listing does not name the certifying body, so we report these standards as Instapure’s claim. And this is a compatible filter: Samsung says only its own are guaranteed to perform correctly with your refrigerator.
Why we like it
- Longest standards list here (listing)
- Made in USA (listing)
- 0.5 micron carbon block
- Sold by the brand’s own store
Key specifications
| Part number | REF-IPS-4 |
|---|---|
| Fits (as stated) | In place of HAF-QIN / DA97-17376B |
| Install style | Not stated |
| Certifications (as stated) | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372, 401, P473; CSA B483.1 (listing; certifier not named) |
| Filter life | 6 months or 300 gal |
| Genuine or compatible | Compatible |
| Pack size | 1 |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits an HAF-QIN owner who wants a compatible filter that claims 53 and 401 and not just taste.
Skip it if you want a filter your fridge’s maker stands behind. Buy the genuine Samsung.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Claims go well beyond taste
- US-made per the listing
- Life stated in months and gallons
Cons
- Certifier not named
- Not backed by Samsung
- Newer listing
5. Instapure HAF-CIN Compatible Filter – Same Claims for the Other Number
This is the same family for the HAF-CIN slot, listed to fit in place of DA29-00020B and said to fit 214 refrigerator models from Kenmore and Samsung. The certification list is identical to the filter above, and so is the 0.5 micron media and the rated life of six months or 300 gallons.
It adds two useful details: a one-year warranty against material and workmanship defects, and a clear install description. The listing says the swap takes about a minute, twist the old one out and the new one in, then flush a few gallons before drinking.
As with the other Instapure, the certifier is not named, so treat the standards as the seller’s claim until you have looked them up yourself.
Why we like it
- One-year warranty stated
- Plain install and flush steps (listing)
- Same standards list as the HAF-QIN version
- 214 models claimed
Key specifications
| Part number | REF-IPS-2 |
|---|---|
| Fits (as stated) | In place of HAF-CIN / DA29-00020B |
| Install style | Twist in, flush a few gallons |
| Certifications (as stated) | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372, 401, P473; CSA B483.1 (listing; certifier not named) |
| Filter life | 6 months or 300 gal |
| Genuine or compatible | Compatible |
| Pack size | 1 |
| Warranty | 1 year (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits an HAF-CIN owner who wants a compatible filter with a stated warranty.
Skip it if you have a square filter. This one is for the HAF-CIN slot only.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Warranty stated
- Install steps are clear
- Claims beyond taste
Cons
- Certifier not named
- Not backed by Samsung
- Fit is the seller’s claim
6. Amazon Basics Premium HAF-QIN Replacement – NSF 53 at a House-Brand Level
Amazon Basics sells this replacement for HAF-QIN in Standard and Premium versions, so read the one you are buying. The Premium, linked here, is listed as certified to NSF 53, 42 and 372, and the listing names chlorine, taste, odor and mercury among its reductions, plus lead-free materials.
It uses a coconut shell carbon block with a 0.5 micron pore size, and Amazon Basics says to change it every 316 gallons or six months, whichever comes first.
For HAF-CIN fridges, Amazon Basics also sells a 3 pack whose listing names NSF International, but only for standards 42 and 372. That is a taste filter with lead-free parts, so read the label on whichever you choose.
Why we like it
- NSF 53, 42 and 372 stated
- Sold by Amazon
- 0.5 micron carbon block
- Clear change interval
Key specifications
| Part number | AMZN-17376B-P |
|---|---|
| Fits (as stated) | In place of DA97-17376B, DA97-08006C, HAF-QIN |
| Install style | Not stated |
| Certifications (as stated) | NSF 53, 42, 372 (listing; certifier not named) |
| Filter life | 6 months or 316 gal |
| Genuine or compatible | Compatible |
| Pack size | 1 |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits an HAF-QIN owner who wants a compatible with a health-effects standard and an easy return path.
Skip it if you assume all Amazon Basics filters match. The HAF-CIN version claims less, as noted above.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Seller is simple
- Names 53, not only 42
- Stated capacity
Cons
- Certifier not named here
- Not backed by Samsung
- Versions differ, so check before ordering
7. Waterdrop Plus HAF-CIN Replacement – NSF 401 Claim on a Compatible
Waterdrop is a filter specialist with a large catalog, and the Plus line is its higher tier. This one replaces HAF-CIN and DA29-00020B. The listing says the filter is certified by NSF and IAPMO, and that certification covers NSF/ANSI 401 reductions such as bisphenol A and some pharmaceuticals, and NSF/ANSI 53 reductions such as lead, benzene and mercury.
It uses coconut shell carbon, and it comes with install stickers so that you can see when it is due for a change. The warranty field on the listing mentions a lifetime warranty along with a six-month return policy for defects, so read those terms before relying on them.
Waterdrop is an independent brand, not Samsung, and all of this is its own statement. We have not confirmed its certificates in a directory.
Why we like it
- Names NSF and IAPMO (listing)
- Claims NSF/ANSI 401 and 53
- Install stickers included (listing)
- Sold by the brand’s own store
Key specifications
| Part number | WDP-F27 |
|---|---|
| Fits (as stated) | In place of HAF-CIN, DA29-00020B, HDX FMS-2 |
| Install style | Not stated |
| Certifications (as stated) | NSF and IAPMO; NSF/ANSI 401, 53 named (listing) |
| Filter life | 6 months or 300 gal |
| Genuine or compatible | Compatible |
| Pack size | 1 |
| Warranty | Lifetime and 6-month return wording (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits an HAF-CIN owner who wants a compatible that names its certifiers.
Skip it if your fridge takes HAF-QIN. Waterdrop sells a different filter for that slot, the WD-F45, with NSF 42 and 372.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Names its certifiers
- Reductions beyond taste
- Reminder stickers
Cons
- Claims are the seller’s
- Not backed by Samsung
- Busy listing with marketing language
8. ICEPURE HAF-CIN Replacement 3 Pack – A Basic Taste Filter
ICEPURE is an honest example of the basic compatible tier. This 3 pack for HAF-CIN claims NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372, among other marks, which means taste and lead-free materials rather than 53 reductions. The listing also makes broader claims about what the filter reduces; we rely on the named standards.
It uses coconut shell carbon with a 0.5 micron outer layer, according to the listing, and states a flow rate of 0.50 gallons per minute. That last figure is worth having, since flow is a common complaint about replacement filters.
If taste is the job and you are comfortable with a compatible, this does that. If lead reduction is why you have a filter, choose one of the picks above that claims NSF 53.
Why we like it
- NSF/ANSI 42 and 372 named
- Flow rate stated (listing)
- 3 pack
- Coconut shell carbon
Key specifications
| Part number | RWF0700A |
|---|---|
| Fits (as stated) | In place of HAF-CIN, DA29-00020B and others |
| Install style | Not stated |
| Certifications (as stated) | NSF/ANSI 42; NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 (listing) |
| Filter life | 6 months or 300 gal |
| Genuine or compatible | Compatible |
| Pack size | 3 |
| Warranty | Lifetime wording and 6-month return for defects (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits an owner who mainly wants better-tasting water and ice from an HAF-CIN fridge.
Skip it if you want NSF 53 reductions. This listing does not claim them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stated flow rate
- Three filters
- Plain standard claims
Cons
- Taste standard only
- Certifier not named
- Not backed by Samsung
How to choose a Samsung refrigerator filter
1. Start with the part number
Everything else follows from it. A filter with a better certification that does not fit your slot is no use.
2. Decide genuine or compatible
Samsung says only its filters are guaranteed to perform correctly with your refrigerator and warns about water damage from others. A compatible costs less and may claim more on paper, but the fit and the claims are the seller’s. That trade is yours to make.
3. Read which standards it claims
NSF 42 alone is about taste. If you specifically want lead reduction, look for NSF 53 and a named certifier. Ignore vague lines like “99 percent of contaminants” until you know the standard behind them.
4. Check the seller
Genuine Samsung filters use a tag and magnet check, according to the listings. Two genuine picks here came from third-party dealers when we checked, so use the check when the filter arrives.
5. Change and flush on time
Samsung suggests six months. Instapure says to flush a few gallons after a change. A dispenser that has run a little water through a new filter is less likely to spit air or cloudy water at you.
How we picked these eight Samsung filters
We counted only filters with a stated fit and a plain in-stock new offer, kept online-first brands to two, and required a named certification on compatibles. Some compatibles were left out because they state only NSF 372 or nothing at all. We did not test these filters. Two genuine picks are the same models as our main guide, through different listings, because this page has to cover those part numbers. We read Samsung’s own product page and a third-party NSF checker. We also checked the CPSC recall database by brand and found no recall for these water filters.
Samsung water filter questions, answered
What is the difference between HAF-QIN and HAF-CIN?
They are different cartridges for different fridges, and they do not interchange. Compatible listings describe HAF-QIN as square. Your old filter or manual tells you which you have.
Do Samsung fridges need a Samsung filter?
Samsung says only its own filters are guaranteed to perform correctly. Compatible filters exist and some claim strong standards, but Samsung does not stand behind them.
How often should a Samsung HAF filter be changed?
Samsung’s listings recommend every six months, and its spec page rates the HAF-QIN at 300 gallons.
Is a Samsung filter NSF certified?
Samsung’s product page for the HAF-QIN lists NSF 42 and 53 and says its filters are tested and certified by NSF International. Tap Water Data reports NSF listings for the HAF-QIN and HAF-CIN under 42, 53 and 401. The Amazon listings here do not name a standard.
How can I tell if a Samsung filter is genuine?
The listings describe an authentication tag: place it over the provided magnet and green stripes should appear.
Our last word on Samsung filters
Read your cartridge, buy that number and buy it genuine if you can. For other fridge brands, see our refrigerator water filter guide, and if your fridge has no filter at all, our inline filter guide covers that case. Filtered water goes into every horchata you make at home, and if you would rather let us pour it, see our menu and call to order.