Reference / September 10, 2026
Water filter replacement costs: dated cartridge reference
Two systems, three price bases. Not a market-wide survey or a filtration-performance ranking.
| System / price basis | Part | Price (USD) | Budget interval | 5-year reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquasana AQ-MF-1 Published MSRP; not a checkout quote | AQ-MF-1-R | $91.99 | 6 months | $919.90 |
| Aquasana AQ-MF-1 — WFL Published Water for Life price; program conditions apply | AQ-MF-1-R | $78.19 | 6 months | $781.90 |
| Waterdrop WD-10UA Listed one-time RF10 purchase price; verify selected variant | WD-RF10 | $30.99 | 12 months | $154.95 |
What these figures mean
Five-year replacement reserve = cartridge price × whole replacement intervals in 60 months. We include a purchase due at month 60. The first cartridge is assumed included with the system. These figures exclude equipment, installation, tax, delivery, unexpected service and price changes. They are not complete ownership totals.
Aquasana specifies six months or 784 gallons for AQ-MF-1. Waterdrop lists RF10 at 12 months / 11,000 gallons. The table uses time intervals only. Capacity, water conditions and current manufacturer instructions may require earlier replacement. These products have different treatment claims; lower cartridge spending does not establish equivalent treatment.
Aquasana prices come from its April 2026 replacement schedule, including a separate conditional Water for Life price. Waterdrop’s listed one-time RF10 price was checked September 10, 2026. Verify the selected variant, current price and any program terms at checkout.
Sources and reuse
- Aquasana published replacement-price schedule ↗
- Aquasana AQ-MF-1 replacement guidance ↗
- Waterdrop RF10 listing and replacement guidance ↗
To reference this analysis, cite “Tap & Terrain, Water filter replacement costs, checked September 10, 2026” and link to this page. Include the price basis and exclusions when quoting a figure; do not describe the five-year reserve as a verified future cost.
First edition: September 10, 2026. Next price check: October 2026, or sooner if notified of a change. Corrections information.