GE XWFE vs XWF: Which Fridge Water Filter Do You Need?
Quick answer
Buy the XWFE. GE says it replaces the XWF and fits every fridge that used one, but an old XWF will not work in a newer fridge built for the XWFE. [S1] [S3]
- Same size, shape and installation as the XWF; the XWFE adds an RFID chip for leak detection and filter-life readout. [S1] [S2]
- On fridges designed for the XWFE, a missing, wrong or non-GE filter shows ERR and shuts off water and ice. [S1]
- XWFE: 170 gallons or 6 months, whichever comes first. GE claims NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401. [S2] [S3]
XWFE vs XWF at a glance
| XWFE (current) | XWF (discontinued) | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Replaced the XWF in 2020 [S2] | Replaced by XWFE [S2] |
| Fits fridges that took an XWF? | Yes, GE says it fits all of them [S1] [S3] | Yes (original part) |
| Fits fridges built for the XWFE? | Yes | No. GE says the XWF is not forward compatible [S1] |
| Size and installation | Unchanged from XWF [S1] [S2] | Same housing |
| Leak detection (RFID) | Yes. Fridge shuts the water valve if the filter gets wet [S1] | No [S1] |
| Filter life shown on control panel | Yes, as % remaining [S1] | No |
| Rated capacity | 170 gallons [S2] [S3] | Not stated on the GE pages we checked |
| Replacement interval | 6 months [S3] [S4] | Not stated on the GE pages we checked |
| Certifications GE claims | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 [S3]; GE also says "tested to meet" P473 [S4] | Not stated on the GE pages we checked |
| Bypass plug | WR17X33825 (has RFID, no leak detection) [S1] | Older non-RFID plug won't run an XWFE fridge [S1] |
XWFE specs from GE
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Max filtered water flow | 0.5 gpm [S3] |
| Operating water pressure | 25–120 psi [S3] |
| Dimensions | 6 in tall × 2.25 in wide × 2 in deep [S3] |
| Filter media | Carbon block [S3] |
| Lead reduction (GE's figure) | 99.2% at pH 6.5, 98.5% at pH 8.5 [S3] |
| Brands it's designed for | GE, GE Profile, Café, Monogram (select french-door and side-by-side models) [S3] |
Certified alternatives
None verified yet. We haven't confirmed any third-party XWFE replacement in NSF's database. There is also a fit problem: GE says fridges built for the XWFE show ERR and stop dispensing with a non-GE filter. [S1] So even a certified generic may not run your fridge. If your fridge originally took an XWF (no RFID), a generic XWF-style filter may physically fit, but check its NSF listing yourself before trusting a "certified" label.
What actually changed
GE didn't change the filter's shape when it moved from the XWF to the XWFE. The size, shape, assembly and installation are the same. [S1] [S2] The XWFE adds an RFID sensor, which you can see through the wrapper. It tells the fridge whether the filter is dry, wet (leaking), expired, missing, or not a GE part. [S1]
That chip is why the swap only works one way. An XWFE fridge keeps its water valve closed unless it detects a working GE filter or the RFID bypass plug. An older XWF has no chip, so GE says it won't work in those fridges. [S1]
How to tell which one your fridge needs
- Read the old filter. If it says XWFE, buy an XWFE. If it says XWF, an XWFE will also fit. [S1] [S3]
- Check where it sits. GE says the filter is inside the left door or in the upper right corner, depending on the model. [S4]
- Watch the control panel. On XWFE fridges, pressing Filter Status shows the filter's remaining life as a percentage. That readout came with the XWFE. [S1] [S2]
If you're out of filters
You can't just leave the filter out on an XWFE fridge. GE says no filter means ERR and no water or ice. You need the RFID bypass plug WR17X33825. That plug doesn't detect leaks. [S1]
Where to buy
We don't list prices because they change daily. Check the current price at the seller.
- GE Appliances Parts: XWFE Official — Manufacturer store. Check current price.
FAQ
Can I use an XWFE in a fridge that takes an XWF?
Yes. GE says the XWFE is backward compatible and fits every refrigerator that used an XWF. [S1] [S3]
Can I use an old XWF in a newer XWFE refrigerator?
No. GE says the XWF is not forward compatible with newer XWFE fridges because those fridges need the filter to talk to the control panel. [S1]
Why does my GE fridge show ERR after I put in a new filter?
On XWFE fridges, GE says ERR shows when the filter is missing, damaged, wrong, or non-GE. The water valve then shuts off. A new XWFE or the RFID bypass plug WR17X33825 turns it back on. [S1]
Why is the new XWFE harder to push in?
GE says the XWFE design changed slightly in 2022 (slots on top). It still fits the same port but may need a little more force, and the arrows may not line up exactly. [S1]
What we could not verify
- NSF database confirmation of the XWFE's NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401 certifications (info.nsf.org returned errors on 2026-10-24).
- The XWF's original rated capacity and certifications. The GE pages we checked don't state them, so we left them out.
- Any third-party XWFE replacement that works with RFID fridges.
- A model-by-model list of GE fridges that take the XWFE. GE doesn't publish one on these pages; we'll add models one at a time as we confirm them in owner's manuals.
Sources
- [S1] Refrigerator Water Filter - XWFE — GE Appliances support. Accessed 2026-10-24. Used for: Backward/forward compatibility, RFID behavior, ERR, bypass plug, 2022 design change.
- [S2] Refrigerator - SmartWater, SmartWater Plus, and Water by Culligan Water Filters — GE Appliances support. Accessed 2026-10-24. Used for: XWF replaced by XWFE in 2020; unchanged size; capacity changed to 170 gallons.
- [S3] GE XWFE Refrigerator Water Filter: specs — GE Appliances Parts. Accessed 2026-10-24. Used for: Specs, capacity, flow, pressure, dimensions, NSF claims, compatible brands.
- [S4] Learn More About XWFE Water Filters — GE Appliances Parts. Accessed 2026-10-24. Used for: XWFE replaces XWF; 6-month interval; filter location; P473 claim.
Last checked 2026-10-24. Spot an error? Tell us and we'll recheck it against the source.