3 Best Refrigerator Water Filters
Have you ever wondered why your water tastes good? Let me tell you, as you may or may not know each and every refrigerator that comes with a water/ice dispenser also comes with a water filter which helps provide water that is actually cleaner and tasteless (quite debatable, right?).
You don’t want to spend your money on the wrong filter. You want to hook your fridge up with a filter that’s going to remove all the nasty chlorine and contaminants out of your water and give you a pleasant drinking experience, right?
Alright, just so you have an idea of what makes a filter better than another, generally speaking, the more the filtration medium (stages) a filter has, the better it is because the water gets to pass through more than one filtration stage.
Best Refrigerator Water Filters
Let’s have a look at some of the user reviews and the top recommended water filters. This list has been freshly updated for 2021.
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Last update on 2024-12-20 at 08:50 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Woder 10K-JG-1/4 Ultra High Capacity Inline Water Filter
Last update on 2024-12-20 at 08:50 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The almighty Woder Ice Machine; this model is very efficient and will mostly fit into your “everyday fridge” category. This unit should remove chlorine, chromium, and the majority of heavy metals that contaminate water. It’s a very powerful unit and it’s recommended by most users who have given it a spin.
Pros:
- It’s very easy to install, the installation process is very obvious and should not take more than 15 minutes if you know absolutely nothing about your new fridge.
Cons:
- It’s going to lower your water pressure which in my opinion; is not that big of a deal, instead of waiting by the fridge to fill a cup of water for 5 seconds, it’s going to take 10.
2. Culligan IC-100A Basic Inline Refrigerator/Ice Maker Filter
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The Culligan refrigerator water filter is the most affordable option on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s no good. It’s easy to install and has a 12-month or 2,500 gallon capacity. On top of that, it gets great reviews.
Pros:
- Reduces bad taste and odor, and makes your water and ice clearer and cleaner
Cons:
- Not effective for removing heavy metals
- Some users report that it feels cheap and didn’t last more than 6 months
3. Waterdrop WD-DA29-00020B
Last update on 2024-12-20 at 08:50 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
So why this one? This filter is NSF certified and uses a carbon block which enhances the filtration process. It also removes most chlorine which contributes which helps the water taste a lot better.
Pros:
- The carbon block is a big reason why this filter weighs a lot less than other typical filters and it does just as much of a good job as other filters in the same price range.
Cons:
- It comes in two, sometimes three packages and it’s only compatible with Samsung refrigerators (side by side and French doors).
What’s your best choice?
All three units do the same thing and have the same purpose, which is (obviously) filtering water. However, if you’re looking for something that is very basic and easy to install I think you should consider the Woder Ice Machine. Why?
Simply because it’s easy to install, it’s an efficient unit and it filters quite well, overall great value. What if you’re a Samsung addict/fridge owner and you’re looking to get something that is Samsung-branded?
Consider option number two, then, because next up you’ll find a link which will take you to a video on how to replace/install a water filter on a Samsung fridge; this will save you a lot of time and you’ll be avoiding plenty of hassle because you probably don’t even know where your water filter is. Have a look at this.
The difference between all three mentioned models is the way water is filtered. The CuZn mainly relies on the fact that the water goes through four filtering stages.
The Water Drop is specifically manufactured for the Samsung fridges. However, if you own a French doors styled fridge that’s not a Samsung, there’s a good chance that it’ll be compatible with your fridge as well.
As for our third choice, if you don’t care so much about how many seconds you spend in front of your fridge pouring water into an empty cup, I don’t see a reason why you wouldn’t want to get it. It’s small, lightweight and user-friendly.
Let’s see some of the top brands that specialize in manufacturing and testing water filters.
Top Refrigerator Water Filter Brands
- Samsung
Samsung does not only manufacture filters, but they also manufacture water filters, refrigerators, TVs and a lot more electronics. So in my opinion, who would ever make a better water filter for a Samsung refrigerator than Samsung itself?
- 3M Water Filters
3M covers most of the states in the US when it comes to water filters, they’ve been doing well for the past century and they continue to impress US-based consumers when it comes to manufacturing durable, efficient filtration units.
- LG
LG is just like Samsung, they’ve been in this industry for quite a long time; they build their own fridges alongside their own branded filters. This is a brand that has been conquering the market consistently and they make good, high-quality water filters.
Fridge Water Filter FAQ
Let’s have a look at some of the frequently asked questions I’ve encountered through my own process of purchasing a water filter for my own family.
Q: What is better? An under sink water filter or a refrigerator water filter, and why?
A: It depends, do you live in a country where it’s hot most of the year? Is the sun always out? If the answer is yes, then a refrigerator water filter would be a lot more convenient for you because instead of taking up space and packing bottles of water inside your fridge, you’re going to have ice-cold, filtered water straight out of your fridge without having to worry about storage.
Q: How many times should I get my water filter replaced?
A: This also depends on what kind of filter are you using. Most filters take around three hundred gallons of water before they need to be replaced; however, if you’re not consuming all three hundred gallons, you should be replacing it every six months. (May vary depending on the type of filter you have installed).
Q: My refrigerator water filter is leaking, what should I do?
A: Check the O-rings and make sure they’re installed properly in place. If one of the O-rings is even slightly shredded, water may easily leak out of the filter.
Q: How do I install the water filter?
A: Here’s a little video that might assist you in replacing your filter. Click Here
Q: How do I clean my refrigerator water filter?
A: We actually put together an easy-to-follow guide on cleaning a fridge filter.
Why was the Woder my top pick?
In my opinion, if you’re worried about contaminants, chlorine, heavy metals, or any other element that affect the taste (health issues aside, of course) this filter is definitely going to get the job done. It’s not very expensive and it’s compatible with almost each and every fridge that comes along with a built-in water dispenser, which is a plus.
The only thing I dislike about this filter is the low water pressure. This isn’t a big deal though, as it will only add a few seconds of waiting time to fill a cup.
You’re still more than welcome to pick any other product that you might find more suitable and more convenient to your current conditions. Always make sure you purchase sealed filters and filters that have not been stored for too long. If your filter leaks water, make sure you check your O-rings before you decide to get rid of it and purchase a new one.
This was pretty much it, see you guys next time!
