Product review (5 stars): Only OEM - generics way too inconsistent
If you are lucky enough to find a generic filter that meets the original filtering standards that's one thing. The fit and quality is a whole other issue. I used to use a Brita before I moved and the new fridge has a water/ice dispenser. Especially now with a new child, we wouldn't mess with the quality of our water. After researching around, the other generic brands were way too hit/miss when it comes to leaks and operation. The other issue is that some did not filter out chemicals or other harmful elements as this filter would - just make the water taste better and give only half the quality. GE's NSF-certified MWF replacement refrigerator water filter--part of the company's SmartWater filtration series--is the improved version of the GWF model. It claims to reduce contaminants like mercury, toxaphene, p-dichlorobenzene, carbofuran, alachlor, benzene, lead, cryptosporidium, and giardia.

The question is, since the filter gets changed a few or couple times a year depending on the usage, is it really worth cheaping out just to save about $15 - $20 bucks if that per cartridge? I refuse to have leaks from improper fit, inconsistent flow rate and not to mention cheaper quality build so who know what cheaper materials they may have used inside! Somethings you don't cheap on and this is one of them. I find that stretching the life of these filters is fine. What I do is after my GE profile fridge warns me to replace it, I unscrew it and look down the inlet - if there is no residue or film, I give it a splash with diluted vinegar (not dump it in but essentially a "cleansing rinse") down the inlet. Keep in mind the filter design doesn't just dump the water out so after some shakes over the sink, you can empty out about a 1/4 of the water inside enough to get the diluted vinegar in there. Rinse it out thoroughly then reinstall it. Let it run for another minute or something like 5 cups and that's all. If it does look like a film is building then I replace it.

Be your own judge if you want. Look at the size of the inlet hole, the seams along the side where the top mends to the body of the housing, the seal/o-ring by the inlet, the thread size/shape. Also when you do install it, look for any particles that float out in the water. Make sure you also fill the cartridge with water to minimize air bubbles when it first operates. It should feel heavy and the GE filter actually retains much of the water even turned upside down meaning it probably uses the pressure to push the water through the filtering layers. Some generics just poured right out. Generics: I have had some carbon particles, the GE I have not noticed any. These are the variations I have noticed.