The Dangers of Purchasing a Counterfeit Water Filter

How to Avoid Buying a Counterfeit Water Filter and Why Where You Buy Matters

Have you ever come across a price for a replacement water filter that is just too good to be true? While these filters may look like your original brand-name filter, you might be buying a counterfeit. It can put you and your family at risk.

Currently, there are no federal regulations for the design or effectiveness of refrigerator water filters in the United States. Unless you buy the filter directly from the home appliance manufacturer, you risk buying a fake water filter.

Trust matters for your drinking water. That is why Filters Fast aims to be a trusted source for your water filtration needs.

We took it upon ourselves to get to the bottom of these too-good-to-be-true prices from sites like eBay.

Check out this video to see what we found:

What is a counterfeit water filter?

A counterfeit filter is a filter produced without permission and bearing the unauthorized use of the brand name. Counterfeit water filters will often look like the real thing, but are not. Compatible filters will not claim to be the same brand as the original manufacturer and will often have a different brand name.

Comparing Water Filters

We ordered EveryDrop Ice and Water Refrigerator 2 & 3 Filters from a seller on eBay. We grabbed the same two genuine water filters from our Distribution Center.

At first glance, we immediately noticed these packaging differences:

• The filters we sell had a foil sticker indicating authenticity, whereas the eBay ones did not.
• The eBay filters were wrapped in plastic, while the ones from our warehouse were not.
• Our warehouse filters had a magnetic security strip inside, and the eBay sellers did not.

As we removed the filters from the packaging, we noticed a few obvious differences right off the bat:

• They were slightly different in color
• The filter from the Filters Fast warehouse was heavier than one from the seller on eBay

After observing the things we could see immediately, we began examining the differences between the filters. Whirlpool uses the same mold for each filter, so there should be no discrepancies if it is an authentic filter.

Why Does This Matter?

While they may look similar, fake filters may use the manufacturer’s logo without permission. They may also claim certifications they have not earned.

We did not perform any water quality tests during this process. The Water Quality Research Foundation conducted a study testing the water quality of counterfeit refrigerator water filters. Their research found that counterfeit filters were unable to remove contaminants as claimed and, in some cases, added harmful contaminants to the water.

Here’s a breakdown of the differences that we found in each filter mold:

Everydrop Filter 2 (orange cap):

• The notches along the bottom of each filter were different in both size and length
• There were numerous small notches close together on the eBay-purchased filter
• Our warehouse filter had thicker notches, and they were more spaced out
• Numbers at the top of the filter were a different font and had a difference in raise on both filters
• Indicator dots at the top of the filter that were slightly different, too

Everydrop Filter 3 (blue cap):

• The eBay filter was a brighter white than the warehouse filter
• There was a small size difference in the notches along the sides of the filter
• The slider piece was raised more on the eBay filter than on the authentic Whirlpool filter from the FiltersFast.com warehouse
• There are markings at the top of the eBay filter that were more spaced out and had a deeper indent than the authentic Whirlpool filter
• The authentic Whirlpool filter had a number 33 on the top of the filter, and the eBay filter did not

We were so startled at the differences between the two filters on the outside that we didn’t stop there! We decided to cut the filters open and see what differences we could find inside! Here is what we found once we cut into the water filters:

• The carbon in the eBay filter was extremely loose and darker, while the authentic filter from the Filters Fast warehouse was more tightly packed and lighter in color.
• When the carbon was removed from the filter casing, the eBay-purchased filter’s carbon crumbled; the authentic filter from Filters Fast did not.
• The carbon filter from Filters Fast was a pain to remove because it was so tightly packed and had a few parts attached that restricted its movement. However, the eBay-purchased filters were extremely easy to dislodge.
• The material that the carbon was wrapped in was extremely different. You could tell that the eBay filter had a very low-quality wrap, while the one from FiltersFast.com had an extremely high-quality wrap.

While these filters seemed virtually the same on the outside, the inside told a different story. The sellers’ filters on eBay were cheaper, but it was clear the makers cut corners wherever they could.

Real vs. Fake Filters: How to Tell

Trying to identify if the filter you bought is a fake can be tricky. Here’s what to look for:

• Certification: Look for an NSF/ANSI or WQA seal.
• Weight: Since counterfeits may not have the same quality filtering material, they’re usually lighter.
• Price: Counterfeits are usually sold at much lower prices than genuine items, so make sure you do your research before making a purchase.
• Online Information: Counterfeits may contain misinformation, such as incorrect product information, performance data, or outdated packaging details.
  Always double-check those certification labels and make sure they’re legitimate. Your health and your peace of mind depend on it.

Are Counterfeit Filters Okay to Use?

While a counterfeit filter may fit and function similarly to the real thing, you need to look beyond that. There have been studies investigating whether counterfeit water filters actually meet certified performance standards, especially for contaminant removal. When tested under NSF/ANSI criteria, many knockoff filters failed to reduce contaminants, including lead, mercury, and other harmful substances. Some added harmful contaminants back into the water.

This is something you should ignore if you care about what’s coming out of your tap. If you are purchasing a product from a marketplace at a price that is too good to be true, you could potentially be putting yourself and your family at risk. But that’s not all, you could also be setting your appliance up for failure, which can become very costly down the road.

Are Off-Brand Filters Counterfeit?

Not all off-brand water filters are counterfeit. If they claim to be a name brand, that’s where counterfeit comes into play. There are many high-quality off-brand water filters that are compatible with top refrigerator brands. Most compatible filters will function pretty much the same as the brand-name filter.

We explore the differences among filter types in our blog, Does the Refrigerator Water Filter Brand Matter?

The main thing you’ll want to pay attention to when considering a compatible filter is the certification. The most common certifications for water filters are NSF/ANSI and WQA. NSF Certifications are the most common and indicate which contaminants a filter has been tested and certified to reduce or remove. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• NSF 42: Contaminants that can affect the taste of the water, such as chlorine taste and odor, and particulates.
• NSF 53: Dangerous contaminants that are harmful to human health, such as lead, asbestos, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and cysts.
• NSF 410: Emerging contaminants that are not widely regulated, such as pharmaceuticals, insecticides, and herbicides.
• WQA Seals are awarded to filters that have been submitted for testing by the Water Quality Association and meet or exceed contaminant reduction claims.

Compared to most Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) filters, a compatible filter may have fewer certifications. For example, your LG brand refrigerator water filter may have NSF 42 and NSF 53 certifications, while a non-name-brand refrigerator water filter may have only NSF 42 certification. Look for the NSF logo or WQA seal on the box or filter itself.

You’ll want to make sure you choose the water filter that best meets your water filtration needs. We recommend performing a water test to identify the specific contaminants in your tap water and determine which filter you need.

For example, if chlorine taste and odor are your main concerns, an NSF 42-certified filter will suffice and probably save you some money. However, ensuring that the NSF certification aligns with your water filtration needs is essential.

Where to Buy Refrigerator Water Filters

Where you order filters is up to you, but we suggest that you do your research first. Review product descriptions and look at customer reviews before making your decision. This will help you buy the exact filters you need. At Filters Fast, we’ve made it our mission to provide you with high-quality, genuine filters and compatible water filters at the best possible price.

Need help finding the right solution for you? We’re here to help! Contact us at 866-438-3458 or [email protected], and one of our product experts will assist you.