OEM vs Aftermarket Faucet Cartridges: What Is the Difference?
An OEM cartridge is made by or for the faucet's brand. An aftermarket cartridge is made by another company to fit the same valve. When each makes sense, what has to match for either to work, and why a correct aftermarket part can look different.
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Short answer. An OEM cartridge is made by or for the faucet’s brand under the brand’s part number. An aftermarket cartridge is made by another company to fit the same valve. Use genuine OEM when the faucet is under warranty or the spec calls for it. Aftermarket makes sense out of warranty, for common parts, and for discontinued lines where it may be the only option. Either way, the part has to match the original on fit, seal, stem and rotation. Color does not matter.
The two kinds
OEM (original equipment manufacturer). Made by the faucet’s brand or its contract manufacturer, sold under the brand’s part number. Brands publish service parts lists for this purpose. Kohler’s faucet service parts catalog is one example.
Aftermarket. Made by a different company to fit the same valve body and do the same job. Good aftermarket makers build to the original’s sealing and stem dimensions. Aftermarket parts also keep older faucets running after the brand stops supporting them.
When to choose which
| Situation | Usually the better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Faucet under the manufacturer’s warranty | Genuine OEM, from the brand | Some warranties supply the part at no charge; an aftermarket part can affect coverage |
| A job spec or property standard calls for the brand’s parts | Genuine OEM | Consistency and compliance |
| Out of warranty, common cartridge | Either; a well-made aftermarket part is common practice | Same fit, wider availability |
| Discontinued faucet or a brand that no longer exists | Often aftermarket | It may be the only part still made |
| Unusual or older valve where fit is uncertain | Whichever has a confirmed match | Fit beats source |
Check the warranty before buying anything
Many faucet warranties are long, and some cover the exact part you need. Moen’s lifetime limited warranty, for example, says Moen will provide, free of charge, the parts needed to fix a leak or drip for the original homeowner, and for 5 years for commercial and business purchasers. If that applies, call the brand first. You will need the model number: see where is the model number on my faucet.
What has to match, either way
OEM or aftermarket, a replacement only works if it matches the original on:
- How it fits the valve body: thread, diameter, or how it is clipped in.
- The seal at the bottom: port pattern, seals and any locating pins.
- The stem tip: spline count and size, or its shape.
- Rotation: which way it turns off. Two-handle sets are often mirror images.
- Function: a temperature cartridge, a volume control and a diverter are not interchangeable, even when they look alike. See diverter or cartridge?
What does not have to match
- Color. Aftermarket bodies are often a different color or plastic from the original.
- Exact stem height above the nut. A slightly taller stem is normal; the handle slides over it. Push the handle onto the new part before installing to check it seats.
How CartridgeID labels parts
Our products list the original part numbers each one replaces, and our sourcing and authenticity policy explains how we source and label genuine and aftermarket parts. If you need genuine OEM for a warranty or a spec, say so when you send the photo.
Related guides
- Where to buy a replacement faucet cartridge
- Finding a cartridge for a discontinued faucet
- Replace the cartridge or the whole faucet?
Common questions
What is an OEM faucet cartridge?
The cartridge made by the faucet's own brand or its contract manufacturer, sold under the brand's part number. It is the part the faucet shipped with or the brand's current replacement for it.
What is an aftermarket faucet cartridge?
A replacement made by a different company, designed to fit the same valve body and do the same job. Aftermarket makers also produce parts for older lines and brands that the original maker no longer supports.
Will an aftermarket cartridge void my faucet warranty?
It can. If the faucet is still under the manufacturer's warranty, use a genuine part, and check whether the brand will supply it at no charge. Moen's lifetime limited warranty, for example, covers the parts needed to fix a leak or drip for the original homeowner.
Why does my aftermarket cartridge look different from the original?
Aftermarket parts are often a different color or plastic, and the stem can stand slightly taller. Fit depends on the shape, the seal at the bottom, the stem tip and the rotation, not the color.
Is aftermarket ever the only option?
Yes, for many discontinued faucets and for brands that no longer exist. For those, an aftermarket part matched to the original's specs is usually how the faucet stays in service.