The Best Furnace Filters
The furnace filters are essential for keeping the air fresh and free of dust and dirt.
The frequency of changing the furnace filters depends on the density and quality of filters.
Some filters can remove allergens from the air and remove mold spores.
Running an HVAC system without a filter for a short time cannot damage the system, but for longer times we recommend regular use of filters to prevent microbes from getting inside.
Here is the list of top ten furnace filters to keep your HVAC system operating and your air healthy.
Highest Rated Furnace Filters (by Customer Reviews)
- 1Lennox Box Replacement Filter
- 2MERV Filter Media
- 3Allergen Defense Deep Pleat Filter
- 4Filtrete Micro Deep Pleat Filter
- 5Trion Air Bear Replacement Filter
- 6Flow Air Filter
- 7Nordic Pure Pleated AC Furnace Air Filter
- 8Nordic Pure Furnace Air Filters
- 9Honeywell Ultra Efficiency Air Cleaning Filter
- 10Filtrete Clean Living Basic Dust Filter
1
Lennox Box Replacement Filter
The furnace filters for Lennox can replace Honeywell filters and are suitable for Merv 11 filter.
The product comes in one-filter packaging or you can buy two filters at a discounted price.
The filters offer 98% filtration of particles small as 0.3 microns before they can damage your coils.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Compatible with many brands
- No combs
Cons
- Pricier
Jake's TakeThese filters might not be cheap, but they are very effective.
You should change them every four or six months.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
2
MERV Filter Media
This high-efficiency media filter features MERV 16 filtration system with an odor removing.
It has a coconut activated and carbon-coated fiber matrix.
The filter provides the whole-house with clean air and keeps the coils intact.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Can be replaced every year
- Solid filters that don’t tear up
Cons
- The size may vary
Jake's TakeUnlike cheaper filters, the high-quality filters won’t tear up so quickly.
After you put them, the breathing becomes easier and you will feel the difference instantly.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
3
Allergen Defense Deep Pleat Filter
These filters from Filtrete are multi-purpose products and designed to turn your heating or A/C system into the whole-house air purifier.
The Filtrete product reduces allergens from the air using electrostatic technology.
Dust, lint, pollen and pet dander are removed from air effortlessly.
The filter may last from six to twelve months.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Removes allergens
- Many sizes available
Cons
- Not anti-bacterial
Jake's TakePeople prone to allergies and those who have pets can get benefits of the Filtrete products.
The changing frequency depends on the air quality, but for the first six months, you don’t have to worry about changing filters.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
4
Filtrete Micro Deep Pleat Filter
These furnace filters from Filtrete come in a packaging of two and four filters.
The filters feature 3in1 trap filtering technology and ensure clean airflow.
It helps to capture allergens and larger particles of lint and household dust.
You should change the filters each year or more frequently if you lit candles, have a fireplace, smoke, have pets or run fan non-stop.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Yearly replacement filters
- Come in two size packaging
Cons
- High-end filters
Jake's TakeThe Filtrete filters are suitable for year-round use and can help you to have cleaner air indoor.
However, if you want antibacterial filters, you should look for another version of these filters.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
5
Trion Air Bear Replacement Filter
These filters are designed to use in several furnace systems.
The frequency of changing depends on the velocity of the system, so if you have a higher velocity system you should replace filters more often.
They are very easy to install and an excellent alternative to some more expensive filters.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Easy to install
- Universal fit for lots of HVAC systems
Cons
- The actual size may vary
Jake's TakeBefore you buy furnace filters, make sure to know the exact measures of the place where filters go.
These are very effective, but pay attention to the measurements expressed in inches.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
6
Flow Air Filter
These airflow filters from Trion have dimensions 19.75” x 24.25” x 4.94”.
The airflow they provide is up to 2000 cm.
These feature higher dirt capturing capacity because of the extended surface pleats.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Electrostatic synthetic material
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Cannot last for a year
Jake's TakeThese filters are very effective and they come at a reasonable price.
You get good value for the money, and you can simply install it by yourself.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
7
Nordic Pure Pleated AC Furnace Air Filter
These filters from Nordic Pure come in the actual size as 15.5” x 24.5” x 0.75”.
They are hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, suitable for residential use.
They are also effective in removing pet dander.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Affordable price
- Suitable for people with pets
Cons
- Cannot remove odors and bacteria
Jake's TakeIf you are looking for something to help you keep the air clean of pet dander, make sure to check these filters.
They are inexpensive and very efficacious.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
8
Nordic Pure Furnace Air Filters
The Nordic Pure filters are the electrostatic pleated type of filters.
They have the MERV ratings of 12, which makes them highly powerful filters.
The filters are capable of removing tiny particles from the air such as smog, smoke or pet dander.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Suitable for commercial and residential use
- Removes smoke, bacteria and viruses
Cons
- Can restrict airflow
Jake's TakeIf you or someone in your family smoke, these filters could be a proper solution.
It is a budget-friendly option and you can even get a discount when buying a larger packaging.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
9
Honeywell Ultra Efficiency Air Cleaning Filter
These Honeywell filters are made from imported polypropylene.
These are specifically designed to capture tiny particles of air pollutants.
The filters are suitable for all Honeywell and several Aprilaire, Space-Gard and Trion Air Bear models.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Capture even the tiniest particles
- High compatibility with HVAC systems
Cons
- Only one filter in the pack
Jake's TakeYou can use these filters if you have any of the Aprilaire, Honeywell or Trion Air Bear system.
They are highly effective in capturing harmful airborne particles and providing clean air without disrupting the airflow.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
10
Filtrete Clean Living Basic Dust Filter
These Filterete furnace filters have the size 16” x 25” x 1” and come in a packaging of six filters.
They are suitable for high velocity and cooling systems.
You can easily install them in only four steps.
They remove lint, household dust, and dust mite debris.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- 6-filters pack
- Provide good airflow
Cons
- Replacement every three months
Jake's TakeWith these packaging, you don’t have to worry about a year.
The filters capture larger particles in the air and don’t affect your HVAC airflow.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
Furnace Filters Buying Guide
A dirty filter in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) can harm your health, restrict airflow, and promote growth on harmful airborne contaminants.
With this buying guide, we want to help you choose the best furnace filters for your household that will be cost-efficient and effective in doing their job.
The Furnace Filters Types
First of all, you should know that several furnace filters types use different filtration processes to remove allergens and air pollutants.
Electrostatic
The electrostatic filters are permanent or semi-permanent HVAC filters.
These are filters you can wash and use for a very long time.
They are charged so the dust particles are captured as with the magnet.
The electrostatic filters are suitable for allergen removal.
If you want to learn more about these HVAC filters, the first thing to consider is the MERV ratings.
Pleated
The pleated filters are a mechanical way of capturing the harmful particles.
These increase the surface of the HVAC system and increase its effectiveness.
Carbon
Activated carbon is common in every filtration process because of the carbon can absorb chemicals from the air.
These filters are also suitable for removing odors from the air.
However, some filters feature both electrostatic and pleated technology for the best performance.
What is a MERV Rating and what is a Reliable Rate?
The acronym MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.
In general, MERV serves to show how where does the filter stands compared to other filters in terms of efficiency.
The ratings go from one to 20, and the higher the rating, the better the filter.
For example, rating 12 shows that very few particles can go through the filter.
These filters can restrain dust, mold spores, pollen, and smoke and are suitable for use by people with respiratory issues.
MERV Ratings: 1-4
If you come across a filter that has the MERV ratings somewhere between 1 and 4 or unrated filters, you should know that they can restrain only large particles.
Those are the most affordable filters on the market and they cost around 1$ per filter.
The MERV 4 filter can filtrate pet hair and not dander, carpet fibers and larger dust particle.
In general, they are suitable for particles larger than 10 microns.
These filters cannot be efficient in removing allergens, pollen or mold spores, etc.
However, they can help to keep your system working efficiently.
MERV Ratings: 5-7
The next group of the filter with the ratings between 5 and 7 is a bit more powerful when it comes to removing small particles.
These filters can remove the particles from 3 to 10 microns in size.
Pollen and mold spores are usually those sizes, so a MERV 7 filter is suitable for use when you want to prevent mold and lower the risk for allergies.
MERV Ratings 8-13
The filters from this category are the most effective for improving indoor air quality.
The filters have a specific design to remove tiniest particles with a size of 0.3 microns to 3.0 microns.
The capacity makes them suitable for smoke, pet dander, bacteria, viruses and any larger particles such as dust and carpet fibers.
The MERV filters with ratings 8-13 are the most popular, because of their performance and because you get a good value for the money.
MERV Ratings 14-20
The category of MERV filters with the highest ratings is only for institutional use and particular matching HVAC system.
They are common in hospitals and similar institutions where high indoor air quality is essential for functioning.
The Disadvantages of Using High-Efficient MERV Filters
MERV filters look like they are a very valid option.
However, those cost much more than regular fiberglass filters.
The costs increase because every few months you should install new filters.
Therefore, the expenses rise.
The MERV filters can decrease the power of the HVAC system, and make it less effective.
Some filters can even cause HVAC to malfunction because they push the system to operate at higher levels for a long time.
The good news is that rarely filters can so much harm your system because new technology prevents it.
MPR Ratings
MPR stands for Microparticle Performance Rating and it is part of MERV rating.
The MPR measures the effectiveness of filters in capturing the tiniest particles in the air, such as bacteria, smog, and smoke.
If you or someone in your family smokes or you live in a highly polluted area, you should pay attention to the MPR ratings as well.
However, MPR serves more to compare filters, and not to describe the actual performance.
So, you can learn which filter proved better in capturing smoke or smog particles.
Filter Replacement
When you buy a new filter, it always comes with the guidelines about how often you should replace the filter.
The average frequency for filters goes from three to six months.
However, during winter or summer, you should do it more often, because your HVAC will probably run continuously.
Also, if it is the pollen season and you keep the windows open, you should do it more often.
The same applies if you have pets in your house.
Filters and System Compatibility
The majority of the HVAC systems are compatible with the standard filters that are 1″ thick.
However, when it comes to size, the majority of the filters come in various sizes and shapes.
If you are not sure what size of a filter you need, just measure the filter you have now.
Most of the manufacturers produce furnace filters compatible with many HVAC systems.
However, when you are choosing the filter, make sure that the filter and system are compatible.
For example, Honeywell filters are compatible with some other HVAC systems, but not every Honeywell system supports other manufacturers’ filters.
Double-check the size and compatibility.
Price
The more powerful filters with higher MERV ratings are usually up there in price.
However, if you choose to buy a packing for more filters, it will cost you less and you will save some money.
If you already know that you are going to replace the filter in a couple of months, why not buy it just now and save some cash?
Conclusion
The furnace filters are essential for keeping indoor air healthy for your family.
They also serve to prevent your HVAC from malfunction.
When looking for furnace filters, you should pay attention to filter compatibility with your furnace system and make sure that the size is an exact match.
There are few points to look into the product specification that shows you how efficient the filter is.
Those are MERV and MPR ratings.
The higher ratings are, there are fewer particles that can go through the filter and damage your HVAC system.
However, when you choose your filters, make sure to replace them regularly to ensure the best performance.
What's your take on Furnace Filters? You think they're just a luxury or a must-have item? Don't hesitate to share your comment below with your opinion!
