Best Kenmore Refrigerator Water Filters 2025: The Manufacturer Identification Guide
Best Kenmore Refrigerator Water Filters 2025: The Manufacturer Identification Guide
Kenmore is not a manufacturer — it is a brand name sold by Sears and Kmart on refrigerators built by Whirlpool, LG, and Frigidaire. This means two Kenmore refrigerators sitting side by side in the same kitchen can use completely different water filters — depending entirely on who built each one.
This guide solves the Kenmore filter puzzle by showing you how to identify your Kenmore’s actual manufacturer in 30 seconds, then matching you to the right filter.
Find your Kenmore refrigerator model number (on the sticker inside the door frame or behind the crisper drawers). Look at the first three digits. Those digits tell you exactly which manufacturer built your fridge — and which filter you need.
Kenmore Model Prefix = Manufacturer = Filter
“Kenmore water filter” is not a meaningful product specification. There are at least 8 different filters sold as “Kenmore” filters, depending on which manufacturer built the specific refrigerator. Always identify the manufacturer prefix first — then match to the correct filter.
Kenmore Filters by Manufacturer — Complete Reference
| Kenmore Model Prefix | Manufacturer | Common Filter Models | Kenmore Part Numbers | Compatible Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 106.xxxxx (Whirlpool) | Whirlpool | EDR1RXD1 (Filter 1) or EDR3RXD1 (Filter 3) | 46-9930, 46-9081 | $16.95 |
| 106.xxxxx (Whirlpool — UKF8001) | Whirlpool | EDR4RXD1 / UKF8001AXX | 46-9006 | $16.95 |
| 795.xxxxx (LG) | LG | LG LT1000P or LT700P | 46-9690, 9690 | $17.95–$19.95 |
| 253.xxxxx (Frigidaire) | Frigidaire | ULTRAWF or PAULTRA | 46-9999, 9999 | $18.95 |
Kenmore 9690 / 46-9690 (LG-Built Models)
The Kenmore 9690 (also listed as 46-9690) is the Kenmore part number for the LG LT1000P or LT700P filter used in Kenmore refrigerators with model numbers starting with 795.xxxxx — indicating LG manufacture.
- Kenmore 9690 / 46-9690 = LG LT1000P (for 795.xxxxx models made after 2018)
- Kenmore 9690 / 46-9690 = LG LT700P (for 795.xxxxx models 2014–2018)
The specific LG filter generation depends on your fridge’s production year. For the exact match: Kenmore 9690 Water Filter Complete Guide or use our Filter Compatibility Checker.
Kenmore 9081 / 46-9081 (Whirlpool-Built Models)
The Kenmore 9081 is the Kenmore part number for the Whirlpool EveryDrop Filter 3 (W10295370A / EDR3RXD1), used in Kenmore refrigerators with model numbers starting with 106.xxxxx. It is one of the most widely used filters in the Kenmore line and fits 80+ models. Compatible options are available from $16.95. For full installation guide: Whirlpool W10295370A / Kenmore 9081 Complete Guide.
Legacy and Rare Kenmore Model Prefixes — Older Appliances Still in Use
The 106/795/253 prefix system covers the vast majority of Kenmore refrigerators currently in service. However, there are additional older manufacturer codes that appear in homes with refrigerators over 15–20 years old. These are less common but generate significant search confusion because most filter sites only list the three primary prefixes:
| Kenmore Prefix | Manufacturer | Filter System | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 106.xxxxx | Whirlpool | EveryDrop Filter 1, 3, or 4 | Most common — see our full Whirlpool guide |
| 795.xxxxx | LG | LG LT1000P or LT700P | Second most common — Kenmore 9690 cross-ref |
| 253.xxxxx | Frigidaire | ULTRAWF or PAULTRA | Third most common — Kenmore 9999 cross-ref |
| 596.xxxxx | Amana / Whirlpool | Typically EveryDrop Filter 5 or Filter 2 | Older side-by-side — confirm from filter label; Amana and Whirlpool share this platform |
| 363.xxxxx | GE (older) | RPWF (no RFID) or older GE WFC filter | GE-built Kenmore — now rare; use GE filter lookup for exact cross-reference |
| 629.xxxxx / 665.xxxxx | Whirlpool (dishwasher era crossover) | Check installed filter label only | Edge case — manufactured during Whirlpool consolidation; filter identification from label is essential |
For any Kenmore model with a prefix outside the three primary codes — particularly 596.xxxxx or 363.xxxxx — always use the installed filter label as the primary identification method rather than the model prefix lookup. These older platforms sometimes have filter systems that predate the current EveryDrop and LG filter generations, and model-based lookups can return incorrect results. Photograph the installed filter label and use our Filter Compatibility Checker or contact our team directly — we maintain a legacy cross-reference database for older Kenmore models.
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