Buying Guides
Samsung Refrigerator Water Filter Guide: DA29-00020B & RF28 Models
Samsung uses two filter families across its huge refrigerator lineup, and figuring out which one you need takes about 30 seconds once you know what to look for. Most RF28, RF22, and RF23 owners need the same cartridge.
The most common Samsung refrigerator water filter is the DA29-00020B, also sold as HAF-CIN — it fits the vast majority of Samsung French-door and side-by-side fridges including the RF28, RF22, RF23, RF263, and RF323 series. Newer four-door Flex models use the HAF-QIN (DA97-17376B) instead. Both carry NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certifications and should be replaced every six months.
Identifying your Samsung water filter
Samsung filters are named on three layers, and the part numbers can look intimidating. The simplest path: open the fridge, find the cartridge, and read what’s printed on it. The first cluster of letters and numbers will tell you which family you’re in.
The two filter families
- HAF-CIN / DA29-00020B — round, white-and-blue cartridge, twists into a housing in the upper-right corner of the fresh food compartment. Fits the majority of Samsung fridges sold from roughly 2011 onward.
- HAF-QIN / DA97-17376B — squarer, larger profile, used in newer four-door Flex and Family Hub models from approximately 2017 onward.
You may also see older legacy filters — HAF-CU1 (DA29-00003G), HAF-EX/EXP — but those are largely retired except for fridges over a decade old.
Where to find the filter
Most Samsung side-by-side and French-door fridges mount the filter in the upper-right corner of the fresh food compartment, inside a small housing with a twist-out cartridge. Four-door Flex models often hide it behind a panel at the upper-right or top center. Check the user manual if you can’t see one — a small percentage of Samsung models have no internal filter at all and rely on whole-house filtration upstream.
DA29-00020B / HAF-CIN — the workhorse Samsung filter
If you own a Samsung fridge built in the last 15 years and it has a filter, there’s roughly a four-in-five chance it’s the DA29-00020B. It’s the highest-volume refrigerator filter Samsung sells.
Models that use HAF-CIN / DA29-00020B
| Model series | Type | Approximate years |
|---|---|---|
| RF28 | French door | 2011 onward |
| RF22 | French door (counter-depth) | 2012 onward |
| RF23 | French door (counter-depth) | 2013 onward |
| RF263 | French door | 2011 onward |
| RF323 | French door | 2011 onward |
| RS25, RS27 | Side-by-side | 2012 onward |
| RH22, RH25, RH29 | Side-by-side | 2012 onward |
| RFG29 | French door (older) | 2010 onward |
The DA29-00020B replaced the older DA29-00020A around 2013. The two are physically interchangeable, and most retailers now ship the B version regardless of which letter is printed in your manual.
What it removes
HAF-CIN carries NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certifications, covering:
- Chlorine taste and odor (97%+ reduction)
- Particulates Class I
- Lead
- Mercury
- Cysts (cryptosporidium, giardia)
- Select VOCs and pesticides
It is not certified for NSF/ANSI 401 emerging contaminants. If pharmaceutical residuals or PFOA/PFOS reduction is a priority, you’ll want either an upstream under-sink water filter with 401 certification or a reverse osmosis system handling the dispenser feed separately.
HAF-QIN / DA97-17376B — newer four-door Flex models
Samsung introduced the HAF-QIN around 2017 for its higher-capacity four-door Flex and Family Hub refrigerators. The cartridge is physically different from HAF-CIN — squarer profile, larger footprint, different housing — and the two are not interchangeable.
| Model series | Type | Approximate years |
|---|---|---|
| RF22M, RF22N | Counter-depth four-door Flex | 2017 onward |
| RF23M, RF23R | Counter-depth four-door Flex | 2017 onward |
| RF28M, RF28N, RF28R, RF28T | Four-door Flex / Family Hub | 2017 onward |
| RF29A | Four-door Flex with FlexZone | 2020 onward |
HAF-QIN also carries NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certifications. Capacity is rated at approximately 300 gallons or six months.
OEM vs certified compatible: the Samsung version
Samsung OEM filters typically run $40 to $55. NSF-certified aftermarket cartridges built to fit the same housing usually retail for $18 to $28. The chemistry is identical when the certifications match.
The Samsung-specific quirk worth knowing: HAF-CIN housings can be slightly less forgiving on aftermarket fit than Whirlpool’s housings. If you’ve had drip issues before with an off-brand cartridge, look for a compatible that specifies an O-ring upgrade or “leak-tested fit” — those tend to seat reliably.
What makes a Samsung-compatible filter worth buying
- NSF/ANSI 42 certification listed with a named certifier (NSF, WQA, or IAPMO).
- NSF/ANSI 53 lead reduction certification — separate from 42, must be listed independently.
- Capacity of at least 300 gallons / 6 months to match OEM service life.
- Explicit compatibility list naming DA29-00020B / HAF-CIN (or DA97-17376B / HAF-QIN) — not just “fits most Samsung fridges.”
Installing a Samsung refrigerator water filter
Installation is straightforward for both filter families. The motion is twist-out, twist-in.
- Locate the filter housing — upper right interior of the fresh food compartment for HAF-CIN, behind a panel at the top for HAF-QIN.
- Turn the existing cartridge counterclockwise about a quarter turn. It will release from the housing.
- Pull the old cartridge straight down (HAF-CIN) or straight out (HAF-QIN). A small amount of water will drip — have a towel ready.
- Remove the protective caps from the new cartridge.
- Align the new cartridge with the housing slot, push it in, and rotate clockwise about a quarter turn until it locks.
- Dispense at least three gallons of water through the dispenser. The first gallon will sputter and may look cloudy — that’s trapped air and carbon dust, both harmless.
- Reset the filter indicator by holding the Filter or Ice/Water button (depending on your model) for three seconds until the light changes.
Common Samsung filter pitfalls
Sputtering or air bubbles after install
The most frequent complaint after a Samsung filter swap. The water line needs to fully purge — dispense three to four gallons in slow, steady pours, not quick bursts. If sputtering persists past five gallons, the cartridge may not be fully seated. Remove and reinstall, making sure the quarter-turn engages with a firm stop.
Replacing too soon or too late
Samsung indicator lights are time-based, not flow-based. They’ll turn red at six months whether you dispensed 50 gallons or 250. A light user can sometimes stretch a cartridge to seven or eight months, but past that the activated carbon’s bacteriostatic protection begins to fade. Six months is the right cadence.
Filter bypass for vacations
If you’ll be away for an extended period, Samsung sells a bypass plug (sometimes shipped with the fridge) that lets you remove the cartridge entirely. The dispenser will work with unfiltered water; the icemaker will operate normally. Reinstall the filter on return and flush three gallons before drinking.
Slow ice production after filter change
The icemaker fills more slowly when a fresh cartridge is installed because flow rate is initially lower as the carbon wets. Throw out the first two batches; production speed normalizes within 24 hours.
Bottom line
For nine out of ten Samsung refrigerator owners, the right replacement filter is the DA29-00020B (HAF-CIN). Owners of newer four-door Flex models from 2017 onward need the HAF-QIN (DA97-17376B) instead. Both carry NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certifications.
OEM and certified aftermarket cartridges produce identical filtered water. Pay the OEM premium only if fit reliability or warranty coverage matters to you specifically — otherwise a properly certified aftermarket is the better value.
Frequently asked questions
What filter does the Samsung RF28 use?
Most Samsung RF28 French-door refrigerators use the DA29-00020B (also sold as HAF-CIN). Four-door Flex variants in the RF28M, RF28N, RF28R, and RF28T series — introduced around 2017 — use the HAF-QIN (DA97-17376B) instead. Check the cartridge in your fridge to confirm before ordering.
Are DA29-00020A and DA29-00020B interchangeable?
Yes. The B is a minor revision that replaced the A around 2013. The two cartridges are physically identical and fit the same housings. Most retailers now ship the B version regardless of which letter your manual specifies.
Why is my Samsung dispenser still slow after a new filter?
Trapped air in the water line. Dispense three to four gallons in slow, deliberate pours to fully purge. If flow is still slow after five gallons, the cartridge isn’t fully seated — twist it firmly clockwise until it locks with a solid stop. A clogged saddle valve or kinked supply line behind the fridge is a less common but possible cause.
Can I use my Samsung fridge without a filter?
Yes, with a bypass plug installed in place of the cartridge. The dispenser and icemaker will work with unfiltered water. Without either a filter or a bypass plug, water flow is blocked. Samsung typically ships a bypass plug with new fridges; replacements are inexpensive and worth keeping on hand for vacations.
Does the Samsung HAF-CIN remove fluoride?
No. HAF-CIN is a carbon block filter certified to NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 — neither standard covers fluoride. Fluoride reduction requires reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) or a specialty filter using activated alumina. If fluoride is your concern, the right tool is an RO system at the kitchen sink.
Browse all Samsung-compatible options in our Samsung refrigerator water filters section, organized by model number so the right cartridge is one click away. Free US shipping on all orders.
