XWFE vs MWF
Both are GE refrigerator cartridges, and they are the pair most often mixed up.
Short answer
Different housings — not interchangeable.
MWF is the older round cartridge, usually in the base grille. XWFE is the ceiling-mounted slim cartridge with a chip.
| Specification | XWFE | MWF |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | GE | GE |
| Housing | GE XWFE RFID housing | GE MWF round housing |
| Rated life | 300 gal · 6 mo | 300 gal · 6 mo |
| Filtration | 0.5 µm nominal | 0.5 µm nominal |
| Certification | NSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401 | NSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53 |
| Installation | Twist-in, quarter turn, no tools | Twist-in, quarter turn |
| Refrigerator models listed | 30 | 0 |
| Also sold as | WR01F04493, WR01F04788 | MWFP, MWFA, MWFAP, GWF |
What they share
Both are certified to NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF/ANSI 53. That covers the same basic contaminant set, so filtration performance is not the deciding factor between them.
Where they differ
- Certification. Only the XWFE carries NSF/ANSI 401. That is the pharmaceutical-reduction claim — the one most third-party cartridges do not have.
- Fit. XWF and XWFE look identical in photos. If your refrigerator was built after 2019, only XWFE will clear the filter indicator.
Which one do you need
This is not a choice — it is a lookup. The refrigerator decides. Check the number printed on the cartridge in the housing, or look up your refrigerator model. If both numbers appear on your old cartridge, the housing accepts the newer of the two.