EveryDrop Filter 1 vs Filter 2 vs Filter 3 vs Filter 4: Find the Right Fit
You are standing in front of the open fridge with your phone in one hand and a damp, discolored cartridge in the other. The number stamped on the side is half worn off. A quick search for everydrop filter 1 vs filter 2 vs filter 3 vs filter 4 pulls up four boxes that look almost identical. None of the listings tell you plainly which one drops into your refrigerator.
That confusion costs people money. Shoppers grab the wrong number, wait for shipping, then find that the cartridge will not seat in the housing. Meanwhile, the filter light stays red, and the water tastes like the inside of a pipe. The good news is that the four EveryDrop numbers are not four quality levels. They are four different shapes. Once you know how to read your own part number, the choice takes about two minutes.
Keep reading to learn what separates everydrop Filter 1 (EDR1RXD1), Filter 2 (EDR2RXD1), Filter 3 (EDR3RXD1), and Filter 4 (EDR4RXD1). You will see which refrigerators each one fits, where the filter housing sits in your fridge, and what NSF 42 and NSF 53 certifications actually promise about your drinking water. You have better things to do than research appliance parts. This guide is built to get you back to your day fast.
The Four Filter Numbers at a Glance
The Everydrop water filter line uses simple numbers to separate four different cartridge shapes. Filters 1 through 4 are not ranked by performance. They are sorted by which filter housing they physically fit.
Each number carries a matching part code that appears on the box and on the cartridge itself. Those codes are EDR1RXD1, EDR2RXD1, EDR3RXD1, and EDR4RXD1. Older packaging and legacy part numbers still float around in appliance manuals. This is where most of the confusion starts.
everydrop Filter 1 vs Filter 2 vs Filter 3 vs Filter 4: Quick Comparison
Here is the fast version, anchored to the legacy numbers most homeowners already have written down somewhere:
- everydrop 1 (EDR1RXD1): replaces W10295370A and 46-9930. Short push-in cartridge, usually inside the fridge compartment on the upper right.
- everydrop 2 (EDR2RXD1): replaces W10413645A and 46-9006. Push-in cartridge mounted in the upper left interior of many French door models.
- everydrop 3 (EDR3RXD1): replaces 4396841, 4396710, and Filter 3 packaging. Twist-in cylinder found in the base grille or the interior rear of side-by-side refrigerators.
- everydrop 4 (EDR4RXD1): replaces UKF8001 and 4396395. Long twist-in cartridge common in Maytag refrigerators and bottom-freezer models.
Notice how the compatible refrigerator models cluster by cabinet style. French door units lean toward Filter 1 and Filter 2. Side-by-side and bottom-freezer designs lean toward Filter 3 and Filter 4.
Why the Filter Number Identifies Fit, Not a Quality Ranking
A Filter 4 is not twice as good as a Filter 2. The number is a fitment code, the same way a shoe size is not a rating of the shoe. Filtration performance depends on the certification listed on the box, not on the digit.
That distinction matters when a listing tries to upsell you to a higher number. If your housing takes EDR2RXD1, a Filter 4 will not thread in, no matter how appealing the price looks. So the first job is reading the number you already own. The second job is to confirm it against your refrigerator model.
Match the Part Number and Filter Location Before Ordering
Two pieces of information settle this for good: the code printed on your current cartridge and your refrigerator’s model number. Get both. Guessing stops.
Most homeowners can finish this in five minutes without tools. Pull the old filter, wipe the label, and take a photo before you throw the cartridge away.
Read the Number on Your Current Cartridge
The part number is molded or printed near the cap end of the cartridge. Look for a code that starts with EDR, a W10 number, or a four-digit legacy number like 4396841. Hard water scale can hide the print. A wet paper towel usually brings it back.
If the label is gone, check the inside of the fridge door or the top of the door frame. Whirlpool refrigerators and Maytag refrigerators often print the recommended filter number on a small sticker right beside the housing. That sticker is the fastest shortcut in the whole process.
Check Your Refrigerator Model Number and Filter Finder Results
The refrigerator model number lives on a plate inside the fresh food compartment, usually along the left wall or behind the crisper drawers. Write it down exactly, including letters. A single wrong character can point you to a completely different cartridge.
With that number in hand, run it through a refrigerator filter cross-reference tool to confirm the match. A good filter finder shows both the OEM part and the certified compatible equivalents. That is where the price gap between an original EveryDrop cartridge and a compatible one becomes obvious.
Tell a Push-In Grille Filter From a Twist-In Interior Filter
Physical style is the last check. Push-in filters slide straight into a slot and lock with a light click or a small door that snaps shut. Twist-in filters rotate about a quarter turn, either in the base grille below the doors or in the rear ceiling of a side-by-side refrigerator.
- Push-in interior: short cartridge, flip-down door or button release, common on EDR1RXD1 and EDR2RXD1 models.
- Twist-in grille: cylinder at floor level behind a removable grille panel, common on 4396841 style housings.
- Twist-in interior rear: cylinder in the upper back corner of the fresh food section, common on UKF8001 style housings.
So which number lines up with your refrigerator? The next section breaks it down cartridge by cartridge.
Where Each Replacement Filter Fits
Each everydrop number maps to a defined group of compatible refrigerator models and legacy part numbers. Match your old code to the list below. The decision is made.
Filter 1 EDR1RXD1 and W10295370A
Filter 1 replaces W10295370A, W10295370, and 46-9930. It is a short push-in cartridge used in many Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, and Kenmore French door refrigerators built from roughly 2010 forward.
The housing sits inside the fresh food compartment, typically upper right, behind a small hinged door. You push the cartridge in until it clicks, then close the cover. If your cabinet has a grille filter at the bottom, Filter 1 is not your part. Compatible options for the EDR1RXD1 refrigerator water filter carry the same fitment as the original cartridge.
Filter 2 EDR2RXD1 and W10413645A
Filter 2 replaces W10413645A, W10413645, and 46-9006. It looks similar to Filter 1, but the cap keying is different. The two do not swap.
You will find EDR2RXD1 in side-by-side and French door Whirlpool refrigerators where the housing is mounted in the upper left interior. Some models place it behind a pull-down flap near the light housing. If a Filter 1 slides in but will not lock, you almost certainly need a Filter 2.
Filter 3 EDR3RXD1 and 4396841
Filter 3 replaces 4396841, 4396710, T2RFWG2, and the older Filter 3 packaging. This is the classic twist-in cylinder that many side-by-side refrigerators use.
Depending on the cabinet, the housing is either in the base grille below the doors or in the top rear corner inside the fridge. Turn it a quarter turn counterclockwise to release. The W10295370A and Filter 1 comparison listing is a useful reminder that a twist-in and a push-in are never interchangeable. Even at the same price.
Filter 4 EDR4RXD1 and UKF8001
Filter 4 replaces UKF8001, UKF8001AXX, 4396395, and Puriclean II. It is the long twist-in cartridge used in a large number of Maytag refrigerators,s plus Amana, Jenn-Air, and bottom-freezer Whirlpool units.
Compatible versions such as the Icepure RFC0900A and Polar PF8001 fit the same UKF8001 housing and typically cost far less than the original. Because UKF8001 is one of the most widely produced housings in the United States, the compatible market for it is deep.
Fit is settled once you match the part number. What still needs checking is what the cartridge actually removes from your drinking water.
Compare Filtration Claims and Certified Compatible Options
A filter that fits perfectly but is not tested against a published standard is just a plastic cylinder with carbon in it. Certification is the part of the box worth reading.
What NSF 42, NSF 53, and NSF Certification Mean
NSF/ANSI 42 covers aesthetic effects, mainly chlorine taste and odor, plus particulates. NSF/ANSI 53 covers health-related contaminant reduction, including lead, cysts such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, mercury, and certain volatile organic compounds.
NSF certification means an independent lab tested the specific cartridge, not just the carbon block inside it. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that filters certified to reduce lead under NSF/ANSI Standard 53 only perform as promised when they are installed and maintained correctly.
Water Quality Association (WQA) approval is a second independent seal that follows the same NSF/ANSI standards. When both marks appear, the cartridge has been independently tested rather than self-declared.
How Activated Carbon Helps Improve Water Taste
Every everydrop cartridge from Filter 1 through Filter 4 uses activated carbon as its core media. Water passes through the carbon bed. Chlorine binds to the carbon surface instead of reaching your glass.
That is why filtered water from a fresh cartridge tastes cleaner within a day of installation. Carbon has a finite capacity. Once the surface fills up, the water’s taste drifts back toward untreated tap. Pull your local water quality report if you want to know what your utility already treats for and what it does not.
OEM and Compatible Filters: What to Verify Before You Buy
Before adding any cartridge to your cart, confirm three things:
- The exact part number matches your housing. For example: EDR3RXD1 rather than EDR4RXD1.
- The listing names a specific standard, such as NSF 42 for chlorine taste and odor or NSF 53 for lead and cyst reduction.
- The seller states WQA approval or NSF certification for that cartridge, not for the brand in general.
A certified compatible filter that passes NSF 42 and NSF 53 testing meets the same benchmarks as the OEM version at a lower price. That is how the Icepure RFC0600A comes in around 40% below the original GE MWF while holding the same certifications.
Certification tells you what a new cartridge can do. Time and gallons decide how long it keeps doing it.
Replace, Flush, and Keep Your Filter Schedule On Track
Certification only holds while the carbon still has capacity. That is why every drop cartridge, Filter 1 through Filter 4, carries a service life rating measured in both months and gallons.
Use the Filter Indicator as a Reminder, Not a Fitment Guide
The filter indicator light on your dispenser panel counts water volume or elapsed time. It does not know which cartridge is installed. It will happily turn green on the wrong filter.
Reset the indicator after each replacement by holding the filter reset button for about three seconds. If the light stays red, the cartridge may not be seated fully. A partially seated filter can also cause weak water flow at the dispenser.
Replace at Six Months or 200 Gallons and Flush the New Filter
Every drop rates Filter 1 through Filter 4 at roughly 200 gallons of filter life. Most households hit six months before they hit 200 gallons. Use whichever comes first. Heavy ice makers and large families reach the gallon limit sooner.
After installing a new cartridge, run four to five gallons through the dispenser before drinking. That flush clears loose carbon fines and trapped air. Expect sputtering and gray-tinted water at first. Both are clear within a few minutes of running water.
Consider Other EveryDrop Variants Only When Your Model Requires Them
The line does not stop at four. EDR5RXD1 (everydrop Filter 5) replaces the 4396508 and 4396510 twist-in cartridges. EDR6D1 covers 4396701 and 4396702 housings. EDRARXD1 is the Filter A cartridge used in select newer builds.
Buy one of these only when your refrigerator model number calls for it. Numbers 5, 6, and A exist for housings that Filters 1 through 4 were never shaped to fit. If your model plate is unreadable, there is still a way to confirm the right part without guessing.
Get a Confident Match Without Paying More Than Necessary
If the label is gone and the model plate is faded, you do not have to buy three cartridges and return two. A person can match it for you from a photo or a partial model number.
Use Free Model-Matching Support When the Label Is Missing
Send the refrigerator model number or a photo of the empty filter housing, and a match usually comes back the same day. Photos of the housing keying work well because the notch pattern is unique to each cartridge family.
If you prefer to talk it through, calling +1 (615) 758-6915 gets you the same model-matching help at no charge. Property managers running several refrigerators often send a list of model numbers at once and get a single matched order back.
Choose a Certified Replacement With Free Shipping
Once the part number is confirmed, the price difference is the last variable. Certified compatible cartridges for EDR1RXD1, EDR2RXD1, EDR3RXD1, and EDR4RXD1 start under $30. OEM units frequently run $45 to $55 each at retail.
Multi-packs drop the per-unit cost further. Two-packs cover a full year on the six-month schedule. Browse the refrigerator water filter catalog or the top-rated refrigerator filters to see current pricing by model.
Still have a question about a specific EveryDrop number? The answers below cover what shoppers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between EveryDrop Filter 1 and Filter 4?
Filter 1 (EDR1RXD1) is a short push-in cartridge that replaces W10295370A and installs inside the fresh food compartment. Filter 4 (EDR4RXD1) is a long twist-in cartridge that replaces UKF8001 and is common in Maytag refrigerators. They are different shapes and do not interchange.
Which Refrigerators Use EveryDrop Filter 1, Filter 2, Filter 3, or Filter 4?
Filter 1 and Filter 2 appear most often in French door and side-by-side Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Kenmore models with interior push-in housings. Filter 3 fits 4396841 style twist-in housings in the base grille or rear interior. Filter 4 fits UKF8001 housings in Maytag, Amana, and Jenn-Air units.
Can I Replace an EveryDrop Filter 1 With Filter 2, 3, or 4?
No. The four cartridges use different cap keying and different housing shapes. A Filter 1 will not lock into an EDR2RXD1, EDR3RXD1, or EDR4RXD1 housing. Forcing a mismatched cartridge risks leaks and cracked housing tabs.
How Do I Find the Correct EveryDrop Replacement Filter for My Whirlpool, Maytag, or KitchenAid Refrigerator?
Locate the model number plate inside the fresh food compartment, usually on the left wall or behind a crisper drawer. Enter that model number into a filter finder tool. You can also check the sticker beside the filter housing, which often lists the recommended cartridge number directly.
Do EveryDrop Filters 1 Through 4 Have the Same NSF 42 and NSF 53 Contaminant-Reduction Ratings?
They share the same core certification categories: NSF/ANSI 42 for chlorine taste and odor and NSF/ANSI 53 for health contaminants such as lead and cysts. The exact contaminant list varies by cartridge. Always read the performance data sheet for the specific part number you are buying.
Why Do EveryDrop Filters 1, 2, 3, and 4 Have Different Prices and Replacement Part Numbers?
Prices differ because of cartridge size, carbon volume, and production numbers. It is not because one filter cleans better than another. Part numbers differ because each one was engineered for a separate housing design. That is why matching the number matters more than comparing price alone.
Order the Right Number the First Time and Stop Overpaying
The whole comparison comes down to one habit: read the part number before you shop. EDR1RXD1, EDR2RXD1, EDR3RXD1, and EDR4RXD1 are fitment codes. Once you know yours, every listing on the internet sorts itself out in seconds.
From there, the only real decision is price. A certified compatible cartridge carrying NSF 42 and NSF 53 testing plus WQA approval does the same job as the OEM unit for a fraction of what big-box shelves charge. On a six-month schedule, that gap adds up to real money every single year.
If your label is worn off or you are managing more than one refrigerator, email or call FilterForFridge.com with your model number and get a free match. No obligation. Certified replacements start under $3,0 and every order ships free.
