Do Water Filter Brands Really Matter?

When it comes to water filters, not all brands are created equal. Learn more about how to choose a quality filter with expert advice.

Do Water Filter Brands Really Matter?

When it comes to water filters, it's important to understand that not all brands are created equal. Second Nature's It Matters filter, for example, is certified to meet NSF 53 and 42 standards, and is able to leak more than 99% of lead from drinking water. While the initial cost of a cheap refrigerator water filter may be lower, the higher quality, performance and safety standards of original factory filters are worth the extra cost. When it comes to the quality of the filter paper, carbon media will take care of most of the filtering, and the role of the paper is to keep the carbon in the filter.

The channels at the bottom are more likely for column structure rather than flow. I work in a field related to this and can say that the difference between these filters is negligible and not worth the cost. The only thing that really matters when it comes to refrigerator water filters is removing chlorine odors and some unpleasant flavors in drinking water, which is probably most of what anyone in the United States needs from municipal water. When deciding which filter is best for your needs, you'll want to consider long-term replacement costs.

Easily installs in the back corner of the refrigerator interior and filters out most known contaminants such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, lead, chlorine and other harmful chemicals commonly found in water. This can be determined by taking into account the total cost per filter and dividing it by the number of gallons for which it is approved. The standard filter replacement procedure involves first disconnecting the refrigerator water supply and purging the remaining water from the dispenser. The placement of these internal fridge filters is usually done on the bottom of the fridge, near the ventilation grille, or inside the fridge, in the back right corner. At the end of the day, what type of refrigerator water filter you need really depends on the water entering your home.

The most basic certification a refrigerator water filter can obtain from NSF certifies that your water filter improves both the look and overall taste of your home water supply. However, there are several NSF certifications that your refrigerator water filter was tested for, and they all mean slightly different things. For example, a PureSource filter can earn a total of three NSF certifications if it's large enough to filter 200 gallons. With a lead-free food-grade material construction and a top-of-the-line coconut charcoal block and three-layer filtration system, you can count on this filter to provide clean, healthy drinking water for you and your family. In many cases, taking a risk with generic brand filters is worth it as they tend to be much cheaper than OEM products. However, it's important to remember that when it comes to water filters, you get what you pay for.

Higher quality filters may cost more initially but will save you money in unexpected repairs and their costs down the line.