Sub-Zero 4204490 Water Filter: The Complete Owner's Guide

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If you own a Sub-Zero refrigerator, there's a good chance the 4204490 is the exact water filter you're looking for. It's the genuine cartridge behind the clean, crisp water and ice your Sub-Zero is known for — and it fits more Sub-Zero refrigerators than any other filter. Here's everything worth knowing before you order, all in one place.

Sub-Zero 4204490 refrigerator water filter cartridge next to its retail box

The quick answer

The Sub-Zero 4204490 is the current genuine OEM water filter for the vast majority of Sub-Zero built-in and column refrigerators made in roughly the last decade. It's a twist-in cartridge that reduces chlorine, sediment, and impurities, and it's certified to NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53. If your fridge is a built-in or column Sub-Zero and you're not sure which filter you need, this is almost certainly it.

👉 Ready to reorder? Here's the genuine Sub-Zero 4204490 water filter.

What is the 4204490, exactly?

The 4204490 is a genuine Sub-Zero replacement water filter cartridge — a real OEM part, not a look-alike. It installs with a simple quarter-turn twist (no tools required) and filters the water that feeds both your dispenser and your ice maker. Because it's built to Sub-Zero's own specifications, it seals correctly and performs the way the engineers intended, which matters a lot on an appliance in this class.

You'll sometimes see the number written as 420-4490 or 420 4490 — those are all the same filter. Just look for 4204490.

Which Sub-Zero models use the 4204490?

The 4204490 covers most current Sub-Zero refrigeration, including:

Classic Series (BI models)
Designer Series (IT, IC, DET, DEC models)
PRO Series, including the PRO 48

A few Sub-Zero product lines don't use a water filter at all — the 200/300, 500, 600, and 700 Series, along with Undercounter and Designer Drawer units and certain ice makers. If you have one of those, you won't be shopping for a 4204490.

👉 Not 100% sure? The fastest way to confirm is to twist out your current filter and read the part number printed on it. If it says 4204490, you're set.

What does the 4204490 actually remove?

Genuine Sub-Zero 4204490 water filter certified to NSF ANSI 42 and 53

The 4204490 is certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 (aesthetic effects — think chlorine taste and odor) and NSF/ANSI Standard 53 (health-related contaminants). In plain terms, it works to reduce the chlorine taste and smell that dulls your water, traps sediment and particulates, and cuts down certain impurities — so what comes out of your dispenser tastes clean and your ice stays clear. That NSF certification is independent, third-party proof of what the filter removes, which is exactly what you want touching your family's drinking water.

How often should you replace it?

Your Sub-Zero has a built-in filter indicator that's your simplest cue — on most models it lights up about once a year to signal the cartridge is spent. That said, if you're on hard or heavily chlorinated water, or your household goes through a lot of water and ice, many owners replace the 4204490 every six months to keep the taste at its freshest.

A good rule of thumb: if you can't remember the last time you changed it, it's time.

Signs your 4204490 is due for a change

The filter indicator light is on
Water tastes or smells different (often a return of that chlorine note)
Slower flow from the dispenser
Cloudy ice or ice that tastes off
It's simply been 6–12 months

Genuine vs. aftermarket: is the real 4204490 worth it?

You'll find cheaper aftermarket cartridges advertised as 4204490 replacements, and it's fair to ask whether the genuine part is worth a little more. On a refrigerator like a Sub-Zero, the answer is yes. Genuine cartridges are engineered to the exact tolerances of your unit, so they seat and seal without leaks, hit the NSF-certified performance they claim, and last as long as they should. Aftermarket look-alikes can fit loosely, filter less than advertised, or wear out early — a small upfront saving that isn't worth risking on your water or your appliance.

Where to buy the genuine 4204490

We stock the genuine Sub-Zero 4204490 and ship most orders within 24 hours, with free shipping and returns:

👉 Single 4204490 water filter — grab one when it's time.
👉 4204490 two-pack — keep the next one on the shelf and never scramble.
👉 Water + air filter combo pack — the smart choice, since your air purification cartridge (7042798) is usually due around the same time.

Sub-Zero water and air filter combo pack with the 4204490 water filter and 7042798 air cartridge

Still not sure the 4204490 is your filter?

If your model number doesn't obviously line up, don't guess — read the number printed on your current cartridge, or reach out with your Sub-Zero model number and we'll confirm the exact filter that fits. For a side-by-side of every Sub-Zero filter, see our guide on which Sub-Zero water filter you need.

Frequently asked questions

Is 420-4490 the same as 4204490?

Yes. 4204490, 420-4490, and 420 4490 all refer to the same genuine Sub-Zero water filter. The spacing and dashes are just different ways people type it.

Does the 4204490 fit my Sub-Zero?

It fits most Sub-Zero built-in and column refrigerators, including Classic (BI), Designer (IT/IC/DET/DEC), and PRO series units. The surest check is to read the part number on the filter you're removing.

Is the 4204490 the same as the older 7023812?

No. The 4204490 is the current cartridge and replaced the older 7023812 on many units, but they aren't interchangeable. If your existing filter reads 7023812, order that number specifically.

Does the 4204490 filter the ice too?

Yes. On refrigerators that use it, the 4204490 filters the water feeding both the dispenser and the built-in ice maker. (Note: Sub-Zero undercounter ice makers like the UC-15I use a different filter, the 7042803.)

How long does a 4204490 last?

Plan on replacing it when the indicator light comes on — typically about once a year — or every six months if you have hard or heavily chlorinated water.

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