Samsung HAF-QIN vs everydrop Filter A: Which Refrigerator Filter Is Better in 2026?
Quick Verdict: The everydrop Filter A ($25–$50) is the objectively better filter with triple NSF 42/53/401 certification covering lead, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides. The Samsung HAF-QIN ($25–$50) is more affordable but only certified for chlorine taste and odor (NSF 42). As always with fridge filters, your refrigerator brand dictates your choice.
Samsung HAF-QIN/EXP Refrigerator Water Filter (DA97-17376B)
everydrop by Whirlpool Refrigerator Filter A (EDRARXD1)
At a Glance
| Feature | Samsung HAF-QIN/EXP Refrigerator Water Filter (DA97-17376B) | Editor's Pick everydrop by Whirlpool Refrigerator Filter A (EDRARXD1) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $25–$50 | $25–$50 |
| Capacity | — | 200 gallons |
| Certifications | NSF 42 | NSF 42/53/401 |
| Filter Life | 6 months | 6 months or 200 gallons |
| Compatibility | Samsung French 4-door, side-by-side, 4-Door Flex models | Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid, JennAir (Filter A models) |
| Filtration | Carbon Block | Activated Carbon Block |
| Check Price | Check Price |
These two filters represent opposite ends of the OEM refrigerator filter spectrum: the Samsung HAF-QIN offers basic filtration at the lowest OEM price, while the everydrop Filter A provides premium triple-certified contaminant reduction. Your fridge brand determines which one you buy, but understanding the differences can inform whether you need supplemental filtration.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Contaminant Removal & Certifications
The everydrop Filter A carries NSF 42/53/401 — the premium triple certification covering chlorine taste, lead and cysts (health contaminants), and emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals and pesticides. The Samsung HAF-QIN has only NSF 42, which covers chlorine taste and odor and basic particulates. This is the most significant difference between these filters. If your water has known lead contamination, the Samsung filter will not adequately address it. Households in older neighborhoods or areas with aging municipal infrastructure should pay particular attention to this gap — the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule requires testing, but action levels are only enforced at the utility level, not at individual taps where contamination often originates.
Price
The Samsung HAF-QIN is the most affordable OEM fridge filter in our catalog, while the everydrop Filter A commands a modest premium. For Samsung fridge owners on a budget, the lower price is welcome. However, the price difference reflects the gap in filtration capability. The everydrop's higher cost funds the more advanced activated carbon block media and the additional NSF testing and certification. When you factor in that NSF 53 and 401 testing alone costs manufacturers tens of thousands of dollars in laboratory fees, the small premium on the everydrop is a modest markup for substantially broader protection.
Capacity & Filter Life
The everydrop Filter A specifies a 200-gallon capacity with a 6-month recommended replacement cycle. Samsung does not prominently specify the HAF-QIN's gallon capacity — a transparency issue that makes it harder to calculate long-term costs. Both recommend 6-month replacement intervals, but without a specified capacity, Samsung owners must trust the time-based recommendation rather than a usage-based metric. This lack of gallon-based specification means heavy-use households — particularly those with active ice makers — have no reliable way to gauge whether the Samsung filter is depleted before the 6-month mark arrives.
Installation
The Samsung HAF-QIN uses a simple quarter-turn installation that takes under 30 seconds. It is widely praised as one of the easiest fridge filter replacements available. The everydrop Filter A uses a rotating knob design that is also tool-free but slightly more involved than a simple quarter-turn. Both are easy enough for anyone, but Samsung's quarter-turn simplicity wins on pure speed and intuitiveness.
Brand Ecosystem & Compatibility
The Samsung HAF-QIN works across Samsung's French door, side-by-side, and 4-Door Flex lineups — broad compatibility within the Samsung brand. The everydrop Filter A is compatible with newer Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid, and JennAir models — covering five major brands under one filter. For sheer brand reach, the everydrop's compatibility across the Whirlpool family gives it an edge in the replacement market.
Who Should Get Which?
Get the Samsung HAF-QIN/EXP Refrigerator Water Filter (DA97-17376B) if...
- You own a Samsung French door, side-by-side, or 4-Door Flex refrigerator
- You want the most affordable OEM fridge filter replacement
- Your primary concern is chlorine taste and odor improvement
- Consider supplementing with an under-sink filter if lead/PFAS is a concern
Get the everydrop by Whirlpool Refrigerator Filter A (EDRARXD1) if...
- You own a newer Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid, or JennAir fridge
- You want premium lead, pharmaceutical, and pesticide reduction
- NSF 42/53/401 triple certification gives you confidence in filtration quality