Kenmore 9890, 46-9890 Refrigerator Water Filter Replacement
Notice your Kenmore's filter sits down in the base grille instead of tucked inside the compartment? That's your first clue you're dealing with the 9890, a filter that works differently from most of the rest of Kenmore's lineup and happens to outlast them too.
Confirm You Need the 9890
| Part Number | Also Known As | Install Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9890, 46-9890 | LT500P, LT500PC, 4931299, ADQ72910911 | Base grille, bottom front | Kenmore side-by-side and select LG models |
| 9081, 46-9081 | — | Inside compartment | Standard Kenmore side-by-side, bottom, and top freezer models |
| 9082, 46-9082 | — | Inside compartment | Select Kenmore side-by-side models |
If your current filter is mounted at the bottom front of the fridge rather than inside the compartment, you're almost certainly looking at the 9890, not one of Kenmore's standard interior filters.
Compatible Refrigerator Models
The 9890 is cross-compatible across two brands, which is unusual for a Kenmore filter:
- Kenmore side-by-side refrigerators using the base grille filter format
- Select LG side-by-side refrigerators using the LT500P filter, including LFX25778SB, LFX25973ST, LFX25974ST, LMX25964ST, and LRSC21934SB
Always confirm your model number before ordering. This list is representative, not exhaustive, across the full compatible range.
How This Filter Actually Helps
The 9890 is NSF 42 certified, meaning independent testing has verified its ability to reduce chlorine taste and odor along with turbidity down to 0.5 microns, catching fine sediment and particles most filters let straight through. What actually sets it apart within Kenmore's own lineup is capacity: at 500 gallons, it's rated for more use than any other Kenmore filter, which for most households translates to close to a full year of service rather than the six months typical of the rest of the range. That's a meaningful difference if you're trying to minimize how often you think about replacements at all.
Kenmore 9890 vs 9081: Base Grille vs Interior Mount
| Kenmore 9890 | Kenmore 9081 | |
|---|---|---|
| Install Location | Base grille, bottom front | Inside fresh food compartment |
| Installation Type | Slide-and-twist | Eject-and-slide |
| Certification | NSF 42 | NSF 42 and 53 |
| Filter Capacity | 500 gallons | 300 gallons |
| Cross-Compatible with LG | Yes, LT500P | No |
| Best For | Households wanting fewer replacements per year | Standard interior Kenmore filter housing |
How Do I Check My Part Number?
Look at where your filter actually sits first. If it's down in the base grille rather than inside the fridge compartment, pull it and check for 9890 or 46-9890 on the label. Since this filter also cross-references with LG's LT500P and LT500PC, along with a handful of LG-branded codes like ADQ72910911 and 5231JA2002A, don't assume you've got the wrong product if one of those numbers shows up instead.
What Happens If I Order the Wrong One?
Because the 9890 uses a completely different mounting location and slide-and-twist mechanism than most other Kenmore filters, ordering a standard interior filter by mistake means it simply won't fit the housing at all, there's no ambiguity or partial fit to worry about here. The mismatch tends to be obvious immediately rather than something that causes a slow leak down the line.
How Often Should You Replace This Filter?
Replace the 9890 every 6 months or 500 gallons, whichever comes first. Given the higher gallon rating, most households will actually hit the six month mark before running through the full capacity, unlike some of Kenmore's other filters where heavy usage households hit the gallon limit first. Still, a dispenser that's slowed down or water that's started tasting a bit flat are both signs worth acting on regardless of the calendar.
What Customers Say
"Didn't realize my Kenmore filter was actually the same as my old LG's LT500P until I checked the part number. Saved me from ordering the wrong thing twice."
"Only having to replace this once a year instead of twice is honestly the best part."
"Grille mount felt weird at first since my last fridge had the interior filter, but it's actually simpler once you know where to look."
Buy With Confidence
Free shipping across the USA 30 days to return it if it isn't the right one NSF 42 certified, independently verified Fast processing so you're not stuck with slow dispenser flow
Installing Your Kenmore 9890 Filter
- Locate the filter housing in the base grille at the bottom front of the refrigerator
- Turn the old filter about a quarter turn to the left until it releases
- Pull the filter straight down and discard it
- Line up the new 9890 cartridge in the filter head
- Turn to the right until it stops and locks into place
- Flush water through the filter for about 5 minutes to clear air pockets and loose particles
- Press and hold the reset button for 3 seconds if your fridge has a filter indicator light
Ready to Order?
Get a filter that covers close to a full year of use, priced below what you'd typically pay elsewhere.
Shop the Kenmore 9890 Water Filter Now from hive appliances
FAQs
Is the 9890 really compatible with LG refrigerators, or is that a coincidence?
It's genuine cross-compatibility. The 9890 and LG's LT500P are functionally the same filter, which is why several LG models can use this exact part.
Why does this filter last longer than other Kenmore filters?
It's rated for 500 gallons compared to the 300 gallon rating common across most of Kenmore's other codes, which generally works out to closer to a full year of typical household use rather than six months.
Do I need to flush this filter longer than other Kenmore filters after installing it?
Slightly, yes. A 5 minute flush is recommended for the 9890 specifically to clear air pockets and loose particles from the grille-mount housing before regular use.
What if my old filter shows an LG part number instead of 9890?
That's expected if you're replacing a filter on a compatible LG unit. Codes like LT500P, ADQ72910911, and 5231JA2002A all point to this same filter.
Can I buy this in a multi-pack?
This specific listing covers a single pack. Given the longer 500 gallon rating, many households find a single filter covers close to a year before needing to reorder.
What payment methods do you accept?
Hive Appliances accepts all major cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Shop Pay at checkout.