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What Water Filter Do I Need? Find the Right Filter for Your Fridge Fast
What water filter do I need? Open your fridge and check the label on your current installed filter. If it says Filter 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, order that exact number. If it shows a part number like EDR2RXD1 search for that. If you cannot find the label, use your fridge model number to look it up. The whole process takes under 2 minutes.
You open the fridge one morning, fill a glass of water, and notice it tastes a little off. Or the filter light has been red for two months and you kept ignoring it. Either way you are finally ready to replace it. But then comes the question every fridge owner eventually faces: what water filter do I need?
The frustrating part is that there is no universal answer. Order the wrong filter and it will not fit. Buy the cheapest option without checking certifications and you might as well be drinking unfiltered tap water. This guide cuts through all of that and gets you to the right filter in under two minutes.
What Water Filter Do I Need? 3 Ways to Find Out in Under 2 Minutes
There are three ways to figure this out and the first one takes about 30 seconds.
The fastest method: check your filter label. Open your fridge and find the filter. It is either in the upper interior area or at the bottom front in the base grille. Pull it out. The label will say Filter 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 or show a part number like EDR2RXD1 or W10295370A. Either one tells you exactly what to order. Done.
If the label is unreadable: use your fridge model number. It is on a sticker inside the door frame.Usually on the left wall or top edge. Take that number, search it on UnifiedFilter.com, and you will see the compatible filter instantly.
If you have neither: use your brand and fridge type. This is the least precise method but works as a starting point. French door fridges almost always use Filter 2. Side by side models usually use Filter 1 or Filter 3. The brand quick guide in Section 4 breaks this down further.
What Water Filter Do I Need for My Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or Maytag Fridge?
Here is something most people do not know.Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, and Kenmore all use the exact same filter system called EveryDrop, made by Whirlpool Corporation. So if you own any of these brands, you are shopping for the same pool of five filters. The only question is which one of the five fits your specific fridge.
Use this table to go from your label to your filter in one step:
| Your Situation | Filter You Need | Where to Find It |
| Whirlpool / KitchenAid / Maytag fridge | EveryDrop Filter 1-5 | Check filter label inside fridge |
| Filter label says Filter 1 or EDR1RXD1 | EDR1RXD1 | UnifiedFilter.com → Filter 1 |
| Filter label says Filter 2 or EDR2RXD1 | EDR2RXD1 | UnifiedFilter.com → Filter 2 |
| Filter label says Filter 3 or EDR3RXD1 | EDR3RXD1 | UnifiedFilter.com → Filter 3 |
| Filter label says Filter 4 or EDR4RXD1 | EDR4RXD1 | UnifiedFilter.com → Filter 4 |
| Filter label says Filter 5 or EDR5RXD1 | EDR5RXD1 | UnifiedFilter.com → Filter 5 |
| GE / Samsung / LG fridge | Brand-specific filter | Check manufacturer website |
How Do I Find Out Where the Filter Is on My Fridge?
This is the part that trips people up the most. You know you need a filter but you cannot actually find where it lives in the fridge. Here is the short answer: look in two places.
First inside the fridge, upper area. Open the fresh food compartment and look in the upper-right corner or along the top. If there is a small panel, door, or button. That is your filter housing. Most French door and bottom freezer fridges have it here.
Second, the base grille at the bottom front. If you found nothing inside, crouch down and look at the bottom front of the fridge. The base grille runs along the floor. On the left side there is usually a circular slot. That is where Filter 3 and Filter 5 live on most side by side models.
| Fridge Type | Filter Number | Location | How to Access |
| French door | Filter 2 | Upper interior | Push-button or twist panel |
| Side by side | Filter 1 or 3 | Upper interior or base grille | Push or twist |
| Bottom freezer | Filter 2 | Upper interior | Push-button |
| Top freezer | Filter 3 or 5 | Base grille | Twist or push |
Still cannot find it? Some older models hide the filter behind a panel inside the freezer or tucked behind a drawer. Check your owner’s manual; the filter location diagram is usually on pages 3-5.
What Water Filter Do I Need by Brand
Use your fridge brand and model number prefix to narrow down your filter. This table gives you the most common filter for each brand. Always confirm with your filter label before ordering.
Brand-by-brand quick reference:
| Brand | Common Filter | Quick Tip |
| Whirlpool | Filter 1, 3, or 5 | Side by side → Filter 3. French door → Filter 1 or 2. Check label. |
| KitchenAid | Filter 2 or 3 | French door (KRM/KRF) → Filter 2. Side by side (KSR) → Filter 3. |
| Maytag | Filter 2 or 3 | French door (MFI/MFT) → Filter 2. Side by side (MSS/MSF) → Filter 3. |
| Amana | Filter 1 or 3 | Check label — Amana uses Filter 1 or Filter 3 depending on model. |
| Jenn-Air | Filter 1, 2, or 4 | French door → Filter 2 or 4. Check label to confirm. |
| Kenmore | Filter 1, 2, or 3 | Kenmore uses EveryDrop system — check label for exact filter number. |
These are the most common filters per brand, not guaranteed for every model. Always confirm by checking the filter label inside your fridge or using your model number.
What Is the Difference Between Filter 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5?
People assume the higher the number, the better the filter. That is not how it works.
Filters 1 through 5 are five different housing types each designed to fit a specific slot in a specific group of fridges. They all filter water to the same NSF-certified standard, reducing 24 contaminants including lead, chlorine, cysts, pharmaceuticals, and BPA. The number is purely about physical fit not performance.
• Filter 1 (EDR1RXD1) — upper interior housing, side by side and some French door models
• Filter 2 (EDR2RXD1) — interior upper housing, French door and bottom freezer models
• Filter 3 (EDR3RXD1) — base grille housing, side by side and top freezer models
• Filter 4 (EDR4RXD1) — interior upper housing, select French door models
• Filter 5 (EDR5RXD1) — interior push-button housing, side by side and French door
They are not interchangeable. A Filter 2 will not fit in a Filter 3 slot no matter how hard you push it. Always use the number on your label.
Do I Need an OEM Filter or Will a Generic Work?
It depends on what you are trying to protect.
Generic filters have gotten a lot better. A reputable brand like Waterdrop NSF 42 and 53 certified will handle chlorine, taste, odor, and lead reasonably well. If your fridge is out of warranty and your household is healthy adults, a good generic at $15-$30 is a perfectly reasonable choice.
But if your fridge is still under manufacturer warranty do not risk it with a generic. Most manufacturers explicitly state that damage caused by third-party filters is not covered. One leaking filter can void years of warranty coverage on an expensive appliance.
And if you have young children, elderly family members, or anyone with a compromised immune system at home the genuine EveryDrop OEM is the only option certified to NSF 401, which covers pharmaceuticals, BPA, and emerging contaminants that most generics do not touch.
If you are going OEM, buy a 3-pack. It brings the per-filter cost from $50 down to around $35 cheaper per filter than many generics and you are stocked for 18 months without reordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What water filter do I need for my fridge?
Check the label on your current installed filter. It shows the filter number or part number you need to replace it.
How do I know which EveryDrop filter I need?
Your filter label will say Filter 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. Order that exact number from UnifiedFilter.com.
Are Filters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 interchangeable?
No, Each fits a different fridge housing. Always use the filter number shown on your current installed filter.
What if I cannot find my filter label?
Use your fridge model number. It is on a sticker inside the door frame
Do Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Maytag use the same filter?
Yes,All three brands use the same EveryDrop filter system since they are all owned by Whirlpool Corporation.
How often do I need to replace my fridge water filter?
Every 6 months or 200 gallons, whichever comes first.
Is an OEM filter better than a generic?
OEM covers 24 NSF-certified contaminants and protects your warranty.Generic covers fewer contaminants and may void warranty.
