The filter cartridge slides straight out from the bottom of the water reservoir

Open the top of your Keurig and lift out the water reservoir — the plastic tank that holds the water. Flip it upside down and look at the bottom. You will see a cylindrical filter cartridge held in a small basket. Pinch the sides of the basket or pull the tab (depending on your model) and slide the old filter out. The whole job takes about five minutes and requires no tools.

The filter itself is a small plastic cartridge filled with activated charcoal and a mesh screen. It removes chlorine taste, odor, and some sediment from tap water. Keurig sells replacement filters under the name Keurig Water Filter Cartridge, and they cost between $7 and $12 for a two-pack. You can find them at most retailers that sell Keurig machines — Target, Walmart, Amazon, and the Keurig website itself.

Replace the filter every two months if you use your machine daily, or every three months if you use it a few times a week. If your water is very hard or heavily chlorinated, you may want to change it more often. The machine will not stop working if you skip this step, but the water will taste worse and mineral buildup inside the brewer will happen faster.

Key Takeaways

  • The filter cartridge sits in a basket at the bottom of the water reservoir and slides out by pinching the sides or pulling a tab.
  • Replacement filters cost $7 to $12 for a two-pack and are sold at Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Keurig's website.
  • Change the filter every two to three months depending on how often you brew and how hard your water is.
  • The old filter can go in the trash — it is not recyclable through most curbside programs, though some water filter retailers accept them.

Step-by-step replacement process

Start by unplugging the machine or letting it cool for a few minutes if you just brewed. This is not strictly necessary, but it keeps you from burning your hands on hot water still in the reservoir. Open the top lid and grab the water reservoir with both hands — it will be heavy if it is full.

Lift the reservoir straight up and out of the machine. Set it on a counter or sink. Flip it upside down so you are looking at the bottom. You will see a small cylindrical cartridge sitting in a plastic basket or holder. On some models, the basket has a small tab you pull toward you. On others, you pinch the sides of the basket to release it. Pull or pinch, then slide the old filter out of the basket.

Rinse the basket under running water to remove any loose charcoal dust or sediment. Take your new filter cartridge out of its packaging. Soak it in cold water for about five minutes — this primes the charcoal and helps it work better. Slide the wet filter into the basket, making sure it sits all the way in. Push the basket back into place until you hear or feel it click.

Flip the reservoir right-side up and set it back into the machine. Fill it with fresh tap water and run one full brew cycle without a K-Cup in the holder. This flushes the new filter and removes any loose particles. Empty the cup and you are done.

Which Keurig models use replaceable filters

Most Keurig machines made in the last ten years have a replaceable water filter in the reservoir. The main exceptions are the Keurig Mini and some older compact models, which have a fixed filter you cannot remove. Check your user manual or the Keurig website if you are unsure whether your machine has one.

The filter basket design varies slightly between models. Some have a pull-tab, others require you to pinch. A few newer models have a magnetic basket that clicks in and out. The cartridge itself is the same across all models — a standard Keurig Water Filter Cartridge works in any machine that accepts replaceable filters. If you own multiple Keurig brewers, one two-pack of filters will work in all of them.

Where to buy replacement filters and what they cost

Keurig Water Filter Cartridges are sold in two-packs for $7 to $12, depending on where you shop and whether there is a sale running. Amazon, Target, and Walmart usually have them in stock and offer free shipping or same-day pickup. The Keurig official website sells them directly and sometimes bundles them with other products.

Grocery stores and drugstores like CVS and Walgreens carry them, but the price is often higher — sometimes $10 to $15 per two-pack. If you brew daily, buying a year's worth at once (six two-packs) can save money, especially if you catch a sale. Some retailers offer subscribe-and-save programs that deliver filters on a schedule and give you a small discount.

Generic third-party filters exist and cost less, but they are not made by Keurig and may not fit as snugly or perform as well. Stick with the official Keurig cartridge unless you have a specific reason to try an alternative.

Signs your filter needs replacing sooner

If your water starts to taste like chlorine again or smells off, the filter is saturated and needs to come out. This can happen before the two-month mark if your tap water is heavily treated or if you brew more than once a day. Hard water — water with high mineral content — also clogs filters faster because the charcoal fills up with sediment.

Another sign is if you see white or brown buildup inside the water reservoir or in the brew basket. This mineral scale means the filter is no longer catching sediment effectively. Replacing it will slow down future buildup, but you may also want to run a cleaning cycle with a commercial descaler like Keurig Descaling Solution to clear out what is already there.

What to do with the old filter

The old filter cartridge goes in the regular trash. It is not accepted by most curbside recycling programs because the plastic housing and charcoal mix cannot be separated easily. Some water filter retailers and specialty recycling centers accept used filters, but you would need to check with your local options.

If you want to reduce waste, look for a local water filter drop-off program through your city's waste management website or call your local solid waste authority. A few Whole Foods locations and independent water stores take back used filters, though policies vary by location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use tap water without replacing the filter?

Yes, the machine will work fine. The filter only removes chlorine taste and some sediment — it is not required for the brewer to function. However, mineral buildup inside the machine will happen faster without it, and the water will taste worse over time.

Do I have to soak the new filter before using it?

Soaking for five minutes helps prime the charcoal and removes loose particles, but it is not required. If you skip it, run two brew cycles without a K-Cup to flush the filter before making your first cup of coffee.

What if the filter basket is stuck and will not come out?

Try running hot water over the bottom of the reservoir for a minute to soften any mineral deposits around the basket. If it is still stuck, wiggle it gently side to side while pulling. Do not force it — if it will not budge, soak the whole reservoir in warm water for 15 minutes and try again.

Are all Keurig filters the same size?

Yes. The standard Keurig Water Filter Cartridge fits all Keurig machines with replaceable filters, regardless of model or size. The only exception is the Keurig Mini, which does not have a replaceable filter.

How do I know if my Keurig has a replaceable filter?

Open the top and lift out the water reservoir. Flip it upside down and look at the bottom. If you see a small cylindrical cartridge in a basket, you have a replaceable filter. If the bottom is smooth with no removable parts, your model has a fixed filter or no filter at all.