Samsung refrigerator water filters come in exactly two shapes, and almost every Samsung filter mistake comes from mixing them up. The newer cartridge is square: the HAF-QIN, part number DA97-17376B. The older one is round: the HAF-CIN, part number DA29-00020B (also written HAF-CIN/EXP).
They are not interchangeable, they do not fit the same housing, and no adapter fixes that. This guide explains both families, how to identify the one in your fridge, what each is certified to do, and — stated plainly — what the two cartridges sold on this site actually are.
The Two Samsung Filter Families
| Shape | Part number | Filter name | Fridge types | Typical years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square | DA97-17376B | HAF-QIN | French door, Bespoke, 4-Door Flex, and newer side-by-side (RS series) | 2017 and newer designs |
| Round | DA29-00020B | HAF-CIN / HAF-CIN/EXP | Older French door and side-by-side models | Pre-2017 designs and long-running model lines |
The HAF-QIN (DA97-17376B) is the cartridge behind the current Samsung range: French door models, the Bespoke line, 4-Door Flex models, and a long list of RS-series side-by-side refrigerators — its product page names models from the RF23 and RF28 French door families through the RF29 and RF32 Bespoke models, plus RS22, RS23, RS25, RS27 and RS28 side-by-side models.
The HAF-CIN (DA29-00020B) is the round cartridge from the previous generation. It served a huge number of older Samsung French door and side-by-side refrigerators, and because those fridges stay in service for years, it is still one of the most-ordered Samsung cartridges.
How to Identify the Filter You Have
Pull the cartridge and look at it. Shape answers the question instantly: square is HAF-QIN, round is HAF-CIN. Then read the label to confirm the part number — DA97-17376B or DA29-00020B.
Check where it lives. The HAF-QIN slides into a square internal slot, usually at the top of the fresh food compartment. The HAF-CIN sits in a round internal housing inside the fridge — its product page’s install steps start with finding that housing and twisting the old cartridge a quarter turn counterclockwise to release it.
Use the fridge’s age as a hint, not a verdict. A Samsung built from 2017 onward most likely takes the HAF-QIN; an older model most likely takes the HAF-CIN. But Samsung kept some model lines running for years, so the label on your current cartridge always outranks the calendar.
What Each Cartridge Is Certified to Do
Both cartridges sold here are activated carbon block filters rated for 6 months or 300 gallons at a 0.5 GPM flow rate. Their certifications, exactly as their product pages state them:
- DA97-17376B (HAF-QIN) — certified to NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53. Its product page describes premium coconut shell activated carbon that removes harmful substances from tap water, including lead, chlorine, mercury, cysts and bad odor, and notes that the filter does not strip out beneficial minerals.
- DA29-00020B (HAF-CIN) — its product page states it is tested and approved by NSF International against NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53 and 401, that it removes 40+ contaminants, and lists a 0.5-micron rating.
Genuine Samsung vs Certified Compatible: The Honest Version
This is where we will be as plain as the product pages are.
The DA29-00020B (HAF-CIN) sold here is the genuine Samsung cartridge. Its product page describes it as a genuine Samsung filter that comes with an official authentication tag — the tag Samsung uses to prove a cartridge is real. If your round-filter fridge is under warranty, or you simply want the factory part, this is it.
The DA97-17376B (HAF-QIN) sold here is a premium compatible replacement — not the OEM Samsung product. Its own product page says so in its FAQ, word for word: it is a premium compatible replacement filter, NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certified and built to the same specifications. You get independently certified filtration and the correct square fit at a lower price; what you do not get is Samsung’s authentication tag, because only genuine Samsung cartridges carry one.
The rule that protects you either way: buy on certification, not on photos. A cartridge with genuine NSF/ANSI certification to Standards 42 and 53 has been independently tested. A marketplace cartridge with no certification, no tag and a too-good price usually has little real carbon inside it, whatever the listing photos show.
If you want the deep dive on the square filter alone, our dedicated Samsung HAF-QIN guide covers its model list and authentication checks in full.
How to Install Each Shape
HAF-QIN (square): Open the filter cover, slide the old cartridge out, push the new one into the slot and twist it 90 degrees clockwise until it locks. The product page puts the whole job at under a minute, with no tools.
HAF-CIN (round): The product page’s steps: turn off the main water supply line to the refrigerator, find the filter housing inside the fridge, twist the old filter a quarter turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out. A tiny drop of vegetable oil on the new filter’s O-rings helps it seal smoothly. Push the new cartridge straight into the housing and turn it a quarter turn clockwise until it locks, then turn the water back on.
Both shapes: flush a few gallons through the dispenser and discard them, plus the first batch of ice. That clears trapped air and loose carbon. Skipping the flush is the most common reason a brand-new filter “doesn’t work.”
Resetting the Filter Light
A new cartridge does not reset the indicator by itself. On most Samsung models you hold the filter reset control for about 3 seconds until the light changes back. Many French door models use a two-button combination — Ice Type + Child Lock held together for 3 seconds; side-by-side models generally use the Water Filter button held for 3 seconds. Your manual’s wording wins if it differs.
And if you are deciding how strict to be about the 6-month interval in the first place, our explainer on how often to change a fridge water filter walks through the signs that matter more than the calendar.
Prices, Shipping and Returns
- HAF-QIN (DA97-17376B): $33.99–$120.99 depending on pack size — premium compatible, NSF/ANSI 42 & 53 certified.
- HAF-CIN (DA29-00020B): $36.97–$110.46 depending on pack size — genuine Samsung cartridge with authentication tag.
Both ship free anywhere in the US, on any order size. Orders are processed within 1–2 business days and delivered in 3–5 business days via USPS. Unopened filters can be returned within 30 days of delivery, free, with a prepaid label.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Samsung fridge takes HAF-QIN or HAF-CIN?
Pull the current cartridge out. Square means HAF-QIN (DA97-17376B); round means HAF-CIN (DA29-00020B). Confirm with the part number printed on the label.
Can I use a HAF-CIN in a HAF-QIN fridge, or the other way around?
No. One is square, the other round, and the housings are different. A cartridge that does not match its housing will not seat or seal.
Is the DA97-17376B sold here a genuine Samsung filter?
No — and its product page says so openly. It is a premium compatible replacement, certified to NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 and built to the same specifications. The DA29-00020B sold here is the genuine Samsung cartridge, with Samsung’s authentication tag.
How long does a Samsung fridge filter last?
Both cartridges on this page are rated for 6 months or 300 gallons, whichever arrives first. Heavy ice and dispenser use can shorten real-world life.
How do I check a genuine Samsung filter is real?
Genuine Samsung cartridges carry an authentication tag on the packaging. If a “genuine” cartridge arrives with no tag, treat that as a red flag and do not install it.
What if I order the wrong shape?
Do not try to force it. Unopened filters can be returned within 30 days of delivery, free, with a prepaid label — and checking your old cartridge’s shape and part number first takes ten seconds.