Fresh Up Whirlpool Replacement Water Filter 4396841, 4396710, & EDR3RXD1

Do yourself a favor and do NOT buy this filter. Let me start out by saying that I received this product for FREE in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. Shipping was fast, arrived in tact and that’s about where the good part of the story ends.

I installed this filter and replaced the PUR one that I usually purchase. Typically when you flush out the filter it makes a “pop” and “sputter” noise as the cartridge fills up with water and starts to purify. This one did not. Typically after a few gallons, you’d expect the cartridge to weigh more than a new one as water is now inside the cartridge fibers. This one did not. Weighed the same as the new one. When I hit the release mechanism to get the filter out, it wouldn’t eject properly. I had to get a screwdriver and gently pry it out… this cartridge wasn’t quite panning out. I took the cartridge over to the sink and tipped it over. This is where you expect to see water dripping out from the fibers inside but nothing came out.

I immediately emailed the company and got a response back:

“Thanks for contacting us. Our filters have been tested and certified by the NSF standards. ”

NSF? Ok. So I went to the NSF website and “Fresh Up” appears nowhere. I put in the model # that is on the amazon website and no hits were found. Nothing at all. If they are NSF certified, it’s not in their database. By way of comparison, ALL the PUR filters are on the NSF website that I’ve ever used. http://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/ if you’re curious to check for yourself.

The seller sent a followup email stating:

“Just so you know my supplier says it’s gets heavier over time as it filters versus right away.  ”

and

“My vendor assured me this was normal and they produce and serve lots of other clients so as a company were not worried about the quality of our product. Thanks for letting us know.”

I plugged it back in and ran 10’s of gallons through it.  Pulled it out again and still the filter wasn’t filled with water.  I decided to hack it open. My results were shocking.

First, the PUR filters have a woven fiber material that encases the carbon fiber core.  (see the picture)  This one does not.  It’s 90% empty.    With the woven outside, water comes in from the outside and has no choice but to flow through the filter media before it exits the filter.  This Fresh Up Replacement Filter does not.  Water goes in and right back out.

I wanted to believe that this filter was a cheap inexpensive replacement for the 4396841, 4396710, & EDR3RXD1 filters.  Unfortunately, the old adage is true:

You get what you pay for.

I cannot recommend this product at all.  You can see it for yourself at Amazon.com