Product review (5 stars): Yes, Virginia -- this filter is just fine.
I searched and searched for the original OEM filter after seeing everyone complain about this one so badly.  Last time I around I actually found the original OEM filter somewhere and way overpaid to get two of them.  Eventually those ran out and I couldn't find any more, so I bit the bullet and ordered this "junk" as so many people are saying.  Well, one man's junk is another's treasure.  This filter is just fine -- and I feel a little better that it's a factory filter (which ultimately may or may not mean squat).  After all, a corporation like Whirlpool will have certain product development, quality standards and testing processes in place to ensure a product will do (strike that -- should do) what it's intended to.  I will buy these from now on, unless of course I'm come across a source for the older OEM filter again.