Manufacturers of refrigerators may want you to think that generic water filters are just as good as the original ones, but that's not necessarily true. Replacement filters that are compatible with your refrigerator can often cost less and provide higher quality filtration for your drinking water. Sure, unexpected repairs and their costs are never fun, but the only advantage of cheap refrigerator water filters is their lower initial cost. When it comes to quality, performance, and safety standards, original factory filters are worth the extra cost.
Generic or aftermarket refrigerator water filters may be cheaper than the OEM filter equivalent, but they are still NSF certified and can be bought in bulk to reduce the price even further. Refrigerator water filters are certified to filter out different contaminants, from chlorine and other impurities that affect taste to cysts, heavy metals, pesticides, and even pharmaceuticals. A single faulty refrigerator filter could potentially contaminate thousands of glasses of drinking water, according to Notini. To improve the taste of your drinking water, ICEPURE has carbon filters that can also remove many heavy metals.
One of Notini's areas of expertise is product testing in the water industry, including water filters for refrigerators. The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) provides national standards for measuring water filters. Most generic refrigerator water filters list the models they're designed to work with, so this is a good place to start when looking for the best filter. This filter also comes with a wall mount kit, but it must be mounted within 3 feet of the refrigerator for proper operation.
Many people mistakenly believe that they need to buy OEM filters - which stands for “original equipment manufacturer” - when replacing their filters. Another advantage of this product is that it can filter up to 300 gallons of water, while many comparable products recommend a filter change at 200 gallons. Counterfeiters can make a profit by placing fake labels, packaging and certifications on similar filters with little functionality and then selling them online at reduced prices directly to consumers or through intermediaries who are not always aware of the act. For years, Montreal resident Brent George bought replacement water filters for his refrigerator from a local appliance store.
Buying water filters in bulk is an excellent way to save money and keep your fridge's water fresh. However, counterfeiters can put consumers at risk by selling ineffective and unsafe filters. EveryDrop is one of the few refrigerator water filters that is compatible with numerous major refrigerator brands. An NSF certification ensures that a filter reduces at least chlorine, while some may also be certified in the reduction of lead and other chemicals. If you're wondering if you need to use OEM filters or if a generic refrigerator filter could save you money when it's time to change your refrigerator water filter, you should know that most last about six months or 200-300 gallons of water depending on how often it's used.
