Last Updated: Oct 19, 2021 @ 11:20 am.

What's the best replacement for a Whirlpool refrigerator water filter? To find out, we surveyed the Whirlpool refrigerator owners among our parent readers. What worked best? Are third-party filters just as effective? What should you look for in a water filter? Here are the filters we'd recommend.

FYI: We've been reviewing and rating products for the home and families since 1994. To keep things independent, we don't take money or freebies from brands we review! Our work is 100% reader-supported!


Should you buy a Whirlpool refrigerator water filter? Or a third-party filter?

When it comes to replacing the water filter in your Whirlpool refrigerator, you are faced with two basic choices:

Buy the manufacturer’s own filter, which works great . . . but is very pricey.

Or save a few bucks and try a third-party filter.

We asked readers who own Whirlpool refrigerators for their own experiences—which filters worked best? Did they notice a change in water taste?

As for third-party filters, did they fit well and not leak? We researched overall quality and performance to find the best third-party option.

When it comes to water filters, there are a series of quality standards that apply—these are set by the NSF International, which is part of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). 

Here is what you’d see on the filter:

NS42: These filters remove chlorine, taste and odors. This standard also requires the filter itself not to leach contaminants into your water.

NS53: This filters out a series of other contaminants like asbestos.

NSF372: This standard focuses on lead.

You’ll see these standards listed on the filters recommended in this article.

As always, check carefully whether the filter works with your model refrigerator before ordering.

So let’s answer the question we posed at the start of this article: should buy the name brand filter? Or save and go for the third-party filters? We say either is fine, based on our reader feedback and independent research into filter standards. And since manufacturer filters can be so pricey, it is perfectly acceptable in our opinion to try out a third-party option.

Here are the filters that we think are best for Whirlpool refrigerators:

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!

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Best Tried & True Brand

Pricey but effective
We liked this easy to install filter, which reduces 28 contaminants including 99% of lead. Water tastes great, with no chlorine flavor. Made in Taiwan.
$49.99

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Best Budget-Friendly

Super easy to install
Much easier on the wallet, this filter three-pack reduces chlorine and odor by 97%. Gets the job done without emptying your bank account.

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Best Easy To Install

Made in the USA.
Very effective, this filter targets 23 contaminants including lead and even pesticides. Caveat: when filter needs to be replaced, water flow can drop.
$49.99

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