Why It’s Critical to Use Authentic Elkay Water Filters
The Growing Problem With Off-Brand Elkay Filters
If you’ve searched for Elkay EZH2O water filters online - especially on Amazon - you’ve likely noticed the issue: the marketplace is now crowded with off-brand, knock-off filters claiming to be “compatible” with Elkay systems. There are so many imitation products that finding a genuine Elkay filter has become surprisingly difficult.
At Berl’s Commercial Supply, we eliminate that uncertainty. We carry only authentic Elkay water filters, never off-brand substitutes. But does it really matter which filter you choose? Are the cheaper replacements “just as good”?
The short answer is no. When it comes to Elkay drinking fountains, water coolers, and bottle-filling stations, using off-brand filters can compromise water quality, damage equipment, and create costly downtime.
- Water Filters Directly Affect Drinking Water Safety
Your Elkay filter is part of a food-grade system. It treats water that people drink every day. Off-brand filters often lack the rigorous testing, quality control, and safety standards that Elkay requires.
Choosing a low-quality filter introduces unnecessary risk. When the end product is drinking water, cutting corners can have real consequences.
- Only Authentic Elkay Filters Are Certified to Remove Contaminants - Including Lead and PFAS \
Elkay filters undergo independent testing and certification to remove contaminants at specific, guaranteed levels. This includes:
- Lead reduction
- Particulate removal
- Taste and odor improvement
- Compliance with NSF/ANSI standards
- PFAS reduction in Elkay’s newest filter models
Off-brand filters frequently claim to be “compatible,” but compatibility is not certification. They may remove far fewer contaminants - or none at all.
When safety and compliance matter, “compatible” simply isn’t good enough.
- Many Elkay Systems Require RFID-Enabled Filters to Function Properly
This is where most off-brand filters fail completely.
Several Elkay filters include a programmed RFID chip that communicates with the Elkay unit. These include:
- Elkay 51300C – Standard capacity, RFID-enabled
- Elkay 51600C – Higher-capacity, RFID-enabled
- Elkay PRO Series – Elkay’s newest filters designed to reduce PFAS
These chips ensure:
- The system recognizes a certified filter
- Accurate filter-life tracking
- Proper reset after replacement
- Safe, uninterrupted operation
Off-brand filters typically:
- Do not include an RFID chip
- Include a counterfeit chip that fails
- Cause the unit to display an error
- Prevent the system from resetting
- Leave the fountain or bottle filler unusable
If your Elkay model requires RFID authentication, an off-brand filter simply will not work.
Why Amazon Listings Are So Misleading
Many Amazon sellers use phrases like:
- “51300C Replacement”
- “Compatible with Elkay”
- “Fits Elkay EZH2O”
Look closely: these listings are not selling authentic Elkay filters. They are selling imitation products designed to appear legitimate. These filters will not include the required RFID chip and will not meet Elkay’s filtration standards.
This is why so many customers end up frustrated - or stuck with a non-functioning unit - after installing an off-brand filter.
Buy With Confidence at Berls.com
At Berl’s Commercial Supply, we make it easy to get the right filter every time. We sell only genuine Elkay water filters, sourced directly from Elkay. No counterfeits. No knock-offs. No compatibility issues.
To help you choose the correct filter, we've created two filter information pages:
- A Filter Performance Comparison Chart which shows what contaminents each filter reduces, and
- A Filter Compatability Chart which shows which filters can be used with which Elkay and Halsey Taylor water fountains.
A last word: If your unit requires RFID authentication, be sure to choose a filter that includes the chip. Currently, these include:
*These filters have a modified socket and are only compatible with Elkay Pro Filtration Series bottle fillers, including LZS8WSBPRO, LZSTL8WSBPRO, LZS8WSBPRO-FLP4, LZSTL8WSBPRO-FLP4, LZS8WSBPRO-UV, LZSTL8WSBPRO-UV, LZS8WSBPRO-FSR5, and the LZSTL8WSBPRO-FSR5.