Aren't All Fridge Filters The Same?

What is a fridge filter?

A refrigerator water filter, also known as a fridge filter, is the filter that cleans the drinking water you get from your refrigerator. They come in all shapes and sizes to match all different brands of refrigerators and offer all different levels of filtration. Thus, making sure you get what you need can sometimes be more confusing than you’d think.

Why you should get one.

If you own a refrigerator that makes ice and water, you already have one! Although you may not use it as your primary source of drinking water, you definitely should.

1

Quality filters can reduce harmful chemicals like lead in addition to improving taste.

2

Do you know what’s in your tap water? If you don’t, why are you drinking it?

3

Plastic water bottles are horrible for the environment.

4

Store-bought bottled water is not nearly as filtered as you think.

What is OEM?

Finding the filter that fits your fridge may be more of a pain than it seems. There are two options for getting the right filter. You can get an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) filter, which means your filter is manufactured by the company that manufactured your refrigerator. You can also purchase a replacement filter, which is a filter compatible with your refrigerator that is manufactured by someone other than the company your refrigerator is from.

While the OEM may sound like the better option, that’s not always the case. Compatible filters made by a different manufacturer can sometimes be the best option for you, as these can be higher quality filters at a cheaper price. You just need to be sure it will fit. Check out Second Nature’s Right-Fit Guarantee™.

What is an NSF rating?

Now that you’ve decided on OEM vs. replacement, your next decision is what level of performance you’d like from your fridge filter. Just like the air filter in your HVAC system, not all refrigerator water filters are created equal. The National Sanitation Foundation has different certifications for different qualities of refrigerator water filters. Check the certifications below to understand the different levels of water filtration available, and then select a fridge filter that boasts those certifications.

What does my water filter catch?

Your refrigerator water filter will improve the quality of your drinking water by removing contaminants that affect the appearance and taste of your water, and in some cases contaminants that can have negative health effects. The former contains pollutants like chlorine, which contributes heavily to taste and odor issues in drinking water. The latter contains pollutants like lead, which can enter drinking water as it travels through lead pipes in homes. 

The list does not end there. It includes a whole host of contaminants that may be in your drinking water, including asbestos, VOCs, general turbidity, mercury, and more. Which contaminants a filter can remove will decide which NSF rating it can be certified to meet. For example, It Matters™ by Second Nature will capture lead at an efficiency of more than 99%. It is certified to meet NSF 53. What does NSF 53 mean? Glad you asked.