Kenmore Refrigerator Water Filter: Which One Fits (2026)

We may earn commission from links on this page. Lead-form submissions are forwarded to local inspector partners. How we research and review.

There is no single Kenmore refrigerator water filter. Sears sold Kenmore fridges built by several different manufacturers, so the filter inside depends on who made your particular model. A Kenmore 9081 crosses to a Whirlpool-style cartridge, a 9690 to an LG-style one, and a 9999 to Frigidaire’s ULTRAWF. Buying the right one means identifying your filter number first, then choosing between a Kenmore-branded part, the original maker’s part and a certified compatible. This guide shows how to do that using the cross-references current listings print, then compares six picks.

Part of our Plumbing & Water guide — start there for the full picture →

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

How we compared: we compared 11 current Amazon listings that fit Kenmore refrigerators on what each listing states: Kenmore filter numbers, cross-referenced part numbers, certifications named, rated gallons and replacement interval. Four carry the Kenmore brand, one is a genuine everydrop by Whirlpool filter, and six are third-party compatibles. We did not lab-test any filter or install them hands-on. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before buying.

Quick picks: Kenmore refrigerator water filters by filter number

Product	Best for	Key features	Price	Buy
Kenmore 9085	Kenmore 9085 side-by-sides	Genuine Kenmore part Names NSF 42, 53 and 401 Lists earlier part numbers	$34.00as of Oct 21, 2026 7:20 am GMT+0000	Buy now →Check current price
everydrop Filter 1 (EDR1RXD1)	Kenmore 9081 fridges	Genuine Whirlpool-made filter NSF 42, 53 and 401 named 6 months or 200 gallons	$50.99as of Oct 20, 2026 5:40 pm GMT+0000	Buy now →Check current price
Kenmore 9890	Kenmore 9890 side-by-sides	Genuine Kenmore part Names NSF 42 Equivalent ADQ72910902	$36.74as of Oct 21, 2026 7:20 am GMT+0000	Buy now →Check current price
Waterdrop WD-F08	Kenmore 9083 fridges	Replaces 9083, 9030 and Filter 3 NSF 42 and 372 named 6 months or 300 gallons	$27.99as of Oct 21, 2026 7:20 am GMT+0000	Buy now →Check current price
PUREPLUS RWF1200A	Kenmore 9690 fridges	Replaces 9690 and LG LT700P NSF 42 and 372 by IAPMO Bundled with air filters	$22.99as of Oct 21, 2026 7:20 am GMT+0000	Buy now →Check current price
Stahomily ST1	Budget 9081 compatible	Replaces 9081 and 46-9930 NSF 42 certificate cited 6 months or 200 gallons	$19.48as of Oct 21, 2026 7:20 am GMT+0000	Buy now →Check current price

Prices are Amazon’s listed prices as of the time shown and change often; check Amazon for today’s price. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Which filter fits your fridge

The table below collects only the cross-references printed on these 11 listings. Each Kenmore number is paired with the maker-branded filters that listings say it matches.

Frigidaire-built Kenmore fridges use yet another family: compatible ULTRAWF listings cross-reference Kenmore 9999, 46-9999 and 9919 to Frigidaire’s PureSource Ultra. If that is your number, our Frigidaire refrigerator water filter guide covers it.

How to look up the right Kenmore filter

Step 1: read the old filter. The fastest answer is printed on the cartridge already in the fridge. A Kenmore number such as 9081, 9083, 9085, 9690 or 9890, or a maker number such as EDR1RXD1 or LT700P, tells you the family directly. Match that number to the table above.

Step 2: read the fridge model number. Kenmore model numbers are written as a three-digit prefix, a period, then the rest, for example 795.51012010. The prefix identifies which manufacturer built that fridge for Sears, and the full number is what parts lookups and the use and care guide use. The model label is usually inside the fresh-food compartment on a side wall or near the top. Notice that the Kenmore 9890 listing on this shelf is tied to model 79551012010 and gives an LG-style ADQ part number as its equivalent; that is the pattern to expect when the prefix points to LG.

Step 3: confirm with the manual. The use and care guide for your exact model names the filter. Do not assume two Kenmore fridges that look alike take the same cartridge: the cross-references above span at least three different manufacturers’ filter designs.

Genuine vs compatible

For Kenmore owners, “genuine” can mean two things: a Kenmore-branded filter, or the original maker’s filter that the Kenmore number crosses to, such as everydrop for 9081 or LG for 9690. Either way, judge it by the certification it names. Four NSF/ANSI standards matter:

• NSF/ANSI 42: aesthetic effects such as chlorine taste and odor.
• NSF/ANSI 53: health-related contaminants, including lead and cysts.
• NSF/ANSI 401: emerging contaminants such as certain pharmaceuticals and pesticides.
• NSF/ANSI 372: lead content of the filter’s own materials. It is not a lead-reduction claim.

Only two of the 11 listings name all three of 42, 53 and 401: the Kenmore 9085 and the everydrop Filter 1. The two Waterdrop listings and the PUREPLUS name 42 and 372, and the Stahomily names 42 alone. The PUREPLUS listing mentions 53 and 401 testing, but for a separate deluxe version sold under a different listing, not the filter in this bundle. The CDC notes that fridge filters usually use carbon and mainly improve taste and smell, and recommends checking a product in the NSF database to see what it is certified to remove. For lead, the EPA’s consumer tool points to filters certified against NSF/ANSI 53 and 42 for lead reduction to 5 ppb or less.

“Tested and certified by NSF, WQA and IAPMO,” the wording on the Kenmore-branded 9690 listing, names certifying bodies but no standard numbers, so it does not tell you which contaminants are covered. And no listing here describes a chip or sensor that rejects third-party filters. The everydrop listing does warn that non-genuine filters may cause damage to your refrigerator, which is a manufacturer’s caution rather than a technical lockout.

The six picks, compared listing by listing

1. Kenmore 9085 — Best Genuine Kenmore Filter for Certification

Best genuine Kenmore filter

Why we like it

• Genuine Kenmore part
• Names NSF 42, 53 and 401
• Lists lead, VOCs and pharmaceuticals among reductions
• Prints seven earlier part numbers it replaces

Kenmore 9085 — genuine, NSF 42/53/401, lead and VOC reduction listed, select side-by-sides

The Only Kenmore-Branded Listing That Names 53 and 401

Four listings on this shelf carry the Kenmore name. The 9085 is the only one that names NSF 53 and 401 in addition to 42, and it ties those standards to specific reductions: lead and other metals, VOCs, and some pesticides and pharmaceuticals. The 9890 names 42 only, the 9690 names certifying bodies without standards, and the fourth, a 9081-labeled listing, describes a faucet filter in its bullets (more on that below).

It also prints the longest list of earlier part numbers, seven in all. If your old cartridge carries 9902, 9908 or one of the 22-series or 4392922-type numbers, this is the listing that confirms the match.

It fits only select Kenmore side-by-sides, and it does not state a month or gallon interval. Confirm 9085 or one of its earlier numbers before buying.

Check Kenmore 9085 price on Amazon

2. everydrop Filter 1 (EDR1RXD1) — Best for Kenmore 9081 Fridges

Best for Kenmore 9081

Why we like it

• Original-maker filter for the 9081 family
• Names NSF 42, 53 and 401
• Lists microplastics, metals and VOCs
• Clear 6-month or 200-gallon rule

everydrop EDR1RXD1 — Filter 1, NSF 42/53/401, 70 contaminants, 6 mo / 200 gal, push-in

The Only Original-Maker Filter on the Shelf

The everydrop listing itself never mentions Kenmore. The link comes from three compatible listings on this shelf (Stahomily, Alefar and AXPQHL), each of which pairs Kenmore 9081 and 46-9081 with EDR1RXD1 and W10295370A. That makes Filter 1 the original Whirlpool cartridge for Kenmore fridges that use 9081.

Of the 11 listings, it is one of only two naming 42, 53 and 401, and the only one that says it reduces microplastics. It is also the only listing that tells you to match the filter by its number, letter and color, which is a useful check at the store.

Its warning that non-genuine filters may damage your fridge is the manufacturer’s position, not a stated chip lockout. The everydrop line is covered in depth in our everydrop water filter guide and the Whirlpool refrigerator water filter guide.

Check everydrop Filter 1 (EDR1RXD1) price on Amazon

3. Kenmore 9890 — Best Genuine Filter for LG-Built 9890 Side-by-Sides

Best for Kenmore 9890

Why we like it

• Genuine Kenmore 9890 cartridge
• Names NSF 42
• Gives an equivalent ADQ part number
• Replace at 6 months or when flow slows

Kenmore 9890 — genuine, NSF 42, ADQ72910902 equivalent, 6 mo, select side-by-sides

The Only Listing That Ties a Kenmore Filter to a Specific Fridge Model

Most Kenmore-fit listings name filter numbers only. This 9890 listing is linked to a specific Kenmore model, 79551012010, and names an LG-style ADQ72910902 equivalent. That pairing is a practical example of the prefix-to-maker relationship described above.

The Waterdrop WD-F05 on the same shelf also cross-references 9890 and 46-9890 to LG LT500P and 5231JA2002A, but lists ADQ72910901 and ADQ72910911 rather than ADQ72910902. Close part numbers like these are why checking the printed code on your old cartridge matters.

The 9890’s certification is NSF 42 only, which covers chlorine taste and odor. It makes no lead claim, which is consistent. If lead matters in your house, this is a taste filter, not a lead filter.

Check Kenmore 9890 price on Amazon

4. Waterdrop WD-F08 — Best Compatible for Kenmore 9083

Best for Kenmore 9083

Why we like it

• Only listing here for the 9083 family
• Names NSF 42 and 372
• States 6 months or 300 gallons
• Includes month stickers to track changes

Waterdrop WD-F08 — Filter 3 / Kenmore 9083 compatible, NSF 42 + 372, 6 mo / 300 gal, 3-pack

The Only Listing on the Shelf for Kenmore 9083

Kenmore 9083 is the Filter 3 sibling of the 9081, and on this shelf the WD-F08 is the only listing that covers it. It cross-references the Kenmore numbers and the Whirlpool Filter 3 numbers, which gives two ways to confirm fit.

Its 300-gallon rating ties the Waterdrop WD-F05 for the highest stated capacity here. The certification pairing of 42 and 372 means taste and odor plus lead-free materials. Neither is a lead-reduction claim.

The genuine everydrop Filter 3 was not on this shelf, so this page cannot compare it directly. If you want the original-maker version for a 9083 fridge, the everydrop guide covers it.

Check Waterdrop WD-F08 price on Amazon

5. PUREPLUS RWF1200A Combo — Best Compatible for Kenmore 9690

Best for Kenmore 9690

Why we like it

• Cross-references Kenmore Elite 9690 and LG LT700P
• Names the certifying body, IAPMO
• Bundles LT120F-style air filters
• Names LG fridge models

PUREPLUS RWF1200A — Kenmore 9690 / LT700P compatible, NSF 42 + 372 (IAPMO), with air filters

The 9690 Option That Names Both Standard and Certifier

Two listings on this shelf cover Kenmore 9690: this PUREPLUS and a Kenmore-branded 2-pack. The Kenmore-branded listing says it was tested and certified by NSF, WQA and IAPMO but names no standards, and its title reads “compatible for Kenmore 9690,” which is unusual wording for a genuine part. The PUREPLUS names both the standards (42 and 372) and the body that certified them (IAPMO), which is the more checkable claim.

It also names LG fridge models, a reminder that 9690 Kenmores share their filter with LG’s LT700P family; our LG refrigerator water filter guide goes further. Do not be misled by the listing’s mention of NSF 53 and 401: that testing applies to a separate deluxe product, not this bundle.

No month or gallon interval is stated. Plan on the 6-month rhythm the Kenmore 9690 listing gives.

Check PUREPLUS RWF1200A price on Amazon

6. Stahomily ST1 — Best Budget Compatible for Kenmore 9081

Best budget 9081 compatible

Why we like it

• Cross-references Kenmore 9081, 46-9081 and 46-9930
• Cites an NSF 42 certificate number
• Names Whirlpool fridge models
• States 6 months or 200 gallons

Stahomily ST1 — Kenmore 9081 / Filter 1 compatible, NSF 42 certificate cited, 6 mo / 200 gal, 2-pack

The Only 9081 Compatible Here That Cites a Certificate Number

Three compatibles on the shelf cover the 9081 family: Stahomily, Alefar and AXPQHL. Only the Stahomily names a certification at all, and it gives a specific NSF 42 certificate number. The Alefar and AXPQHL listings describe filtering chlorine and sediment but name no standard.

Its interval matches the everydrop Filter 1 exactly, at 6 months or 200 gallons. The difference is scope: everydrop names 42, 53 and 401, while the Stahomily names 42 only. Its “same quality” claim reaches past what one taste-and-odor standard can show.

For a 9081 fridge on treated municipal water where taste is the complaint, it is a reasonable lower-cost choice. Where lead or emerging contaminants are a concern, the everydrop is the better-documented filter.

Check Stahomily ST1 price on Amazon

One Kenmore listing to skip

A Kenmore-branded 3-pack titled for 469081, 9081, 469930 and 9930 opens with one bullet about Filter 1 fridges and then describes a faucet-mount filter with dual outlets and a flow rate in liters per minute. A listing whose bullets describe a different product type gives you no reliable information about what will arrive. For 9081 fridges, the everydrop Filter 1 or a certified compatible is the clearer buy.

How often to change a Kenmore filter

Stated intervals on this shelf cluster at 6 months, with gallon limits from 200 (everydrop, Stahomily) to 300 (both Waterdrop listings). The Kenmore 9890 and 9690 listings add a useful rule: replace sooner if water flow slows noticeably. The genuine 9085 states no interval.

The filter light on a Kenmore fridge is generally a timer, not a sensor, so it will not notice a clogged cartridge early or a lightly used one late. Reset it after each change following your use and care guide. The CDC advises changing filters on the manufacturer’s schedule so they keep working and germs do not grow in them, and suggests gloves and hand-washing during the change.

What a fridge filter does, and when to look further

A carbon fridge filter treats only the dispenser and ice maker. The CDC notes that fridge filters mainly improve taste and smell and most are not designed to remove germs. Our refrigerator water filter guide covers the basics, and the best refrigerator water filter roundup ranks options across brands.

Before paying more for 53 or 401 certification, find out what is in your water. Municipal customers can read their utility’s annual Consumer Confidence Report, which the EPA makes searchable. Lead is usually a building-plumbing issue: the EPA notes lead pipes are more likely in homes built before 1986, and brass faucets and lead solder are the common sources in homes without lead service lines. Plenty of Front Range Kenmore fridges sit in homes from that era, and a 53-certified filter is the minimum if testing shows lead.

Install and leak checks

• Match the number on the old cartridge before opening the new box.
• Keep a towel under the housing and follow the push-in or twist direction your cartridge uses.
• Flush the amount your filter’s instructions state, then check for drips over the next day.
• Write the install date on the cartridge and reset the indicator light.

Older Kenmore fridges often still run on original plastic supply tubing and saddle valves, and those fail more often than filters do. Our plumbing and water hub explains what inspectors check. Buying a Front Range home with an older fridge and want the supply line and shutoff looked at? Get in touch here to connect with a vetted local inspector.

References

• About Choosing Home Water Filters — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Consumer Tool for Identifying Point-of-Use and Pitcher Filters Certified to Reduce Lead — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Consumer Confidence Reports — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency