There is a lot of concern about the quality of drinking water flowing into our homes. Therefore, people are installing water filters to improve the safety and taste of their drinking water. And a good number of homeowners own refrigerators with built-in water dispensing features. However, a major problem these homeowners face is the constant need to change water filters for refrigerators every six months.

Selecting the right water filter for your fridge isn’t easy. There are a lot of counterfeit refrigerator water filters on the market. And unfortunately, these water filters can carry your refrigerator’s brand name, which results in many purchases from unwitting people. 

Therefore, to help you choose the best fridge water filter, we’ve compiled a list of what you should look for in a filter.

Certification From Accredited Organizations 

A good fridge water filter complies with certain quality, performance, and safety standards. The standard certification you should look out for is the NSF International certificate. NSF International has developed three standards that the best water filters for refrigerators should meet. These standards include:

• NSF 42: This standard covers the reduction of odors, bad taste, and chlorine. It also ensures that the materials used to manufacture the water filter don’t leak contaminants into your drinking water. 
• NSF 53: The certification provides for the reduction of health-related contaminants like lead, asbestos, chromium, and other volatile organic compounds. 
• NSF 402: This certification covers reducing trace chemical elements, and pharmaceuticals often found in your drinking water. It helps eliminate contaminants like pesticides, prescription drugs, herbicides, etc.

Aside from NSF International, other recognized bodies that certify fridge water filters include the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and the Water Quality Association (WQA).

However, you shouldn’t purchase a refrigerator water filter because it’s been labeled with certification badges. Most counterfeiters are skilled in labeling their products with fake certification badges. Therefore, your only option is to check for the certification records of the water filter you want to buy from the certifying organization’s certification database.

Filter Price

Fridge water filters are usually pricey. And if you stick to the requirement that you should replace your water filter every six months, the costs will add up over time. Therefore, you should keep an eye on the price of the water filter you’re purchasing. 

Replacement water filters from fridge manufacturers are more expensive than aftermarket water filters. So, whether you purchase your replacement water filters from fridge manufacturers or third-party manufacturers will depend on how much you’re willing to spend.

Compatible Fridge Water Filters

The design and fitment of fridge water filters differ based on your fridge’s brand and model. Therefore, when searching for a replacement refrigerator water filter, it’s easier to purchase one from the original refrigerator manufacturer. On the other hand, you can purchase an aftermarket replacement water filter from a popular generic brand. And if you choose this option, ensure that your filter will fit in your fridge and has all the relevant certifications from NSF.

Ability To Filter

Different fridge water filters perform at different levels. Therefore, before buying a replacement water filter, find out which contaminants are removed and what degree. You should always select a filter that will fulfill your filtration needs. 

An excellent way of determining the filtering capability of a filter is to check its micron rating. A filter with a low micron rating has a high ability to eliminate tiny contaminants from your drinking water. 

You can also check the filtering media the water filter is using. There are two commonly used filtering media: ceramic and carbon filter media. The majority of the fridge water filters use carbon filters. However, a combination of the two filtering media is more effective in eliminating contaminants from your drinking water.

Lifespan Of The Fridge Water Filter 

A good fridge water filter should serve you for six months. Most water filters in the market have a lifespan of six months. However, other replacement filters can last for a more extended period, which will require you to replace your water filter less regularly. You should also check the attached filter specs to determine how long it should last.

At first, selecting the best fridge water filter for your family seems like an uphill task. However, the process isn’t as challenging as you might think. All you need to do is understand what you need your water filter to do. And from there, selecting a water filter that you can trust with your drinking water will be easy. If you’d like to learn more about the different water filters we provide, check out our website.