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Water Filter Cartridges

Water filter cartridges banner: Get the most from your water filter, with cartridges in several colors and sizes

A water filter cartridge is the replaceable part of a filter system that does the actual cleaning. Water flows through the media inside, such as pleated sediment, activated carbon, carbon block or a specialty media, and the media traps or reduces what you don't want before the water reaches your tap. When the media is used up, you swap the cartridge and keep the housing.

How to choose a replacement cartridge

Match the size. Measure the cartridge you have or check your housing. The standard sizes are 2-7/8" x 9-3/4" (often called 2.5 x 10), 2-7/8" x 20" (2.5 x 20), 4-5/8" x 9-3/4" (4.5 x 10) and 4-5/8" x 20" (4.5 x 20). Countertop and under sink systems usually take 2.5 x 10. Whole house systems usually take 2.5 x 20 or one of the 4.5 inch sizes.
Match the connection. Drop-in cartridges sit inside a filter housing. Inline cartridges are sealed units with their own fittings, JACO or quick connect, used in under sink and reverse osmosis systems.
Pick the media for your water. Sediment cartridges catch sand, silt, dirt and rust. Carbon cartridges (GAC and carbon block) reduce chlorine, bad taste and odor. Specialty cartridges target fluoride, arsenic, nitrate, iron, lead or scale. Reverse osmosis membranes and DI resin cartridges are for the highest purity.
Use the right shape for your unit. Pitcher, shower, faucet mount and water cooler cartridges are made for their specific unit, so match the model.

How often to change a water filter cartridge

Most under sink, countertop and whole house cartridges last about 12 to 24 months. Pitcher cartridges last about 6 to 12 months, and the sediment pre-filter on a whole house system about 6 to 12 months. Inline post-filters in an under sink reverse osmosis system are changed together with the membrane. Change any cartridge sooner if water pressure drops, the taste or odor comes back, or your water carries a lot of sediment, as many private wells do.

Not sure which cartridge you need? Our guide to water filter cartridge types explains each media, and how often to change a water filter covers replacement schedules in detail. Sediment cartridges are also grouped on their own page: sediment filter cartridges. For RO systems, see RO membranes.

Our drop-in cartridges are built on industry standard cartridge shells, so they fit standard housings of the same size whatever the brand, including Crystal Quest systems.

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