Six filters below were checked on Amazon on October 10, 2026. The four dealer filters are sold on maker sites, so their details are the makers’ claims and prices were not re-checked. The Epic Smart Shield Amazon listing from older versions of this guide is now an under-sink filter, so it was removed. Always match the filter to the part number in your fridge manual.
A fridge filter cleans the water for the dispenser and the ice maker. It is also the most forgotten filter in the house. Here is what these filters do, how to buy the right one and which ones to look at.
Table of Contents
What a Fridge Filter Does
Most fridge filters are carbon blocks. They cut chlorine, bad taste and smell, and some sediment. Many are tested to NSF/ANSI 42 for taste and 53 for health contaminants such as lead and some chemicals. Some also meet NSF/ANSI 401 for items like certain drugs and pesticides. The standards are different, so read which ones your filter carries.
- Taste and smell: yes, with any carbon filter.
- Lead: only if the filter is certified to 53 for lead.
- Bacteria and viruses: no. A fridge filter is not a disinfectant.
- Hard water minerals: no. Hardness passes through.
Looking ahead, fridge filters are becoming a locked-in part of the appliance. Makers add RFID chips and filter-life sensors, and more models refuse to dispense unless a chip is read. At the same time, third-party filters keep getting cheaper and more tested. The catch is that a chip lock can turn a cheap swap into a pricey one.
How to Pick the Right Filter
- Find the part number. Check the manual, the sticker inside the fridge or the old filter.
- Match the style. Twist-in, push-in, inline and RFID-enabled filters are all different.
- Choose genuine or compatible. Genuine is safest for the warranty and fit. Compatibles cost less, and some are tested.
- Check the certificate. Look for NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 on the box and the maker site.
- Check the seller. Buy from the maker, a store or a seller of record.
6 Filters on Amazon
Prices and ratings were checked on Amazon on October 10, 2026. Ratings counts are from the listing.
Price on Amazon: $49.98 | 4.6 stars from 59,236 ratings (checked October 10, 2026)
The genuine GE RPWFE has a huge rating count. It fits specific GE models with the RFID reader, so confirm yours.
Price on Amazon: $47.45 | 4.6 stars from 24,236 ratings (checked October 10, 2026)
The genuine GE MWF fits GE fridges that use the MWF, which is a common older style.
Price on Amazon: $39.00 | 4.6 stars from 47,608 ratings (checked October 10, 2026)
The genuine Samsung DA29-00020B fits many Samsung French-door models. Check your model number.
Price on Amazon: $28.39 | 4.7 stars from 4,253 ratings (checked October 10, 2026)
The EcoAqua EFF-6027A is a compatible filter made to fit the Samsung DA29-00020B slot. It costs less than the genuine one. The listing is third-party, so check the certificate.
Price on Amazon: $49.97 | 4.7 stars from 46,787 ratings (checked October 10, 2026)
The genuine Frigidaire ULTRAWF fits Frigidaire and Electrolux models that use the PureSource Ultra filter.
Price on Amazon: $29.99 | 4.6 stars from 706 ratings (checked October 10, 2026)
The Culligan IC-1 is an inline filter that sits on the water line. It is an option if your fridge has no built-in filter slot.
The risk to watch is the fake or wrong filter. Look-alike cartridges sold on open marketplaces can skip the real media, leak or fail to seal. A leaking filter housing can damage a floor, and a dead filter gives you water that tastes fine and filters nothing. Expect more counterfeits as prices rise. Buy from the maker or a trusted seller and check the part number twice.
4 More Filters From Makers and Dealers
The details below come from maker pages. Confirm the fit and the certificate before you buy.
1. Waterdrop DA29-00020B Compatible Filter
A compatible filter for the Samsung DA29-00020B slot. The product page names NSF/ANSI 53 certification. Check the certificate on the maker page for the contaminants it covers.
- Fits Samsung DA29-00020B slot
- NSF 53 certification named by the maker
- Check the certificate
2. Whirlpool EveryDrop EDR3RXD1 Filter
The Whirlpool EveryDrop Filter 3, sold here as a 3-pack. It fits many Whirlpool-family fridges. Match the filter number to your fridge before you buy.
- Whirlpool EveryDrop
- 3-pack
- Match the filter number
3. Epic Smart Shield Universal Fridge Filter
A universal-style filter from Epic, a brand that shares lab data. The product comes in several styles, so confirm that the version you buy fits your fridge line.
- Universal style
- Maker-shared test data
- Confirm the fit
4. Clearly Filtered Universal Fridge Filter
A fridge filter from Clearly Filtered, a brand that publishes lab data. Check the product page for the contaminants it was tested on and the fit.
- Universal style
- Maker-published tests
- Check the fit
How and When to Replace
- Replace about every 6 months or at the gallon rating, whichever comes first.
- Turn off the dispenser or water supply if the manual says to.
- Twist or push the old filter out, then the new one in. Keep the o-rings clean.
- Flush through 2 to 3 gallons, or as the manual says.
- Reset the filter light.
Do Fridge Filters Need Replacing?
Yes. A full filter slows the flow, stops catching taste and chemicals, and traps material that can slip back out. If the ice smells or the dispenser slows, it is time.
FAQ
Can you run a fridge without a filter?
Often yes, using a bypass cap that the maker sells. The water is then not filtered.
Are compatible filters as good?
Some are, if tested and certified. Others are not. Check the certificate, and know that an off-brand filter may void the warranty.
Does the ice maker use the same filter?
Yes, in most fridges with a built-in filter. If your fridge has no filter, an inline water filter on the line is the next best thing.
Final Word
Match the part number, check the certificate and change the filter on time. For wider choices, see our water filters guide and under sink water filters.
What happens next: shoppers will weigh original parts against certified compatibles and will start to ask for NSF numbers for both. The best habit is to put the filter date on a phone reminder, buy two at a time and keep the receipt.
Related Guides
Keep going with inline water filters, water filters, lead water filters and under sink water filters.
