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A clean furnace filter keeps your HVAC system running smoothly, which can lead to lower electricity bills and better air quality. A high-quality furnace filter can help remove dust and other impurities in your home and help your furnace from top brands have a longer life span.
To help you choose the best furnace filter for your needs, our team put together this guide of the best furnace filters for a variety of homes, budgets, and allergens. Here are our top picks.
Top 5 Furnace Filters
- Best For Large Systems: Filtrete 20x25x1 AC Furnace Air Filter
- Best Value: Filtrete 10x20x1 AC Furnace Air Filter
- Best For Small Particles: Aerostar 12x12x1 MERV 13 Pleated Air Filter
- Best For Allergies: Nordic Pure 16x25x1 MERV 12 Pleated AC Furnace Air Filter
- Best For Warm Homes: FilterBuy 16x25x1 Pleated HVAC AC Furnace Air Filter
Compare Top Furnace Filters
| Product | Furnace Size | Pack Size | MERV Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filtrete 20x25x1 AC Furnace Air Filter | 20 x 25 x 1 inches | 2 | 12 |
| Filtrete 10x20x1 AC Furnace Air Filter | 10 x 20 x 1 inches | 6 | 5 |
| Aerostar 12x12x1 MERV 13 Pleated Air Filter | 12 x 12 x 1 inches | 6 | 13 |
| Nordic Pure 16x25x1 MERV 12 Pleated AC Furnace Air Filter | 16 x 25 x 1 inches | 6 | 12 |
| FilterBuy 16x25x1 Pleated HVAC AC Furnace Air Filter | 16 x 25 x 1 inches | 4 | 8 |
| Product | Furnace Size | Pack Size | MERV Rating |
Best For Large Systems
Filtrete 20x25x1 AC Furnace Air Filter
- $37.49
- $50.1
- 25% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
This furnace air filter promises to last up to three months and outperform filters that are made with fiberglass. The product can capture up to 64% of airborne particles from pet dander to pollen. In addition, the product comes with easy-to-follow installation instructions for large HVAC systems that require filters that are 20 by 25 by 1 inches in size.
Pros and Cons
✔ Captures dust, lint, dander, pollen, bacteria, and viruses
✔ Can be purchased with a smart device that tracks your air quality and tells you when you need to change the filter
✔ Certified as asthma- and allergen-friendly
✘ Comes in a two-pack, while the rest of the filters in this review come in a four- or six-pack
✘ Has the highest per-filter price
Key Features
- 20 by 25 by 1 inches
- Two-pack
- MERV rating of 12
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said that this furnace filter was easy to install and sturdy. They also noted that it was a great value. Those who weren’t satisfied with the product stated that they experienced difficulties with Filtrete’s app.
Best Value
Filtrete 10x20x1 AC Furnace Air Filter
- $36.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
The Filtrete 10x20x1 AC Furnace Air Filter can capture most large particles in the air. It is compatible with most HVAC systems and comes in an affordable six-pack for whole-home protection. This filter does not include metal in its frame, making it recyclable when you’re done using it.
Pros and Cons
✔ Traps unwanted particles while letting clean air through
✔ Includes a signup for Filtrete’s reminder program that tells you when you need to change your filter
✔ Doesn’t have any metal in its frame, which means it can be recycled
✘ Has the lowest MERV rating in this review of 5, so it can’t trap small particles
✘ Only designed for residential use
Key Features
- 10 by 20 by 1 inches
- Six-pack
- MERV rating of 5
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked this product’s ease of installation. Some customers also said it was a high-quality filter that saved them money in the long run because it lasted a long time and was affordable. Dissatisfied customers noted that the frame was lightweight and sometimes sustained damage.
Best For Small Particles
Aerostar 12x12x1 MERV 13 Pleated Air Filter
- $44.46
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Mold, pet dander, pollen, dust mites, and bacteria are only a few of the microscopic particles that this filter can capture. The high MERV rating of this product is close to that of an N95 mask, keeping the air in your home clean. It also includes arrows that make it easy to understand what direction to install it.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has arrows to indicate what direction to install it in
✔ Its disposable nature makes it more affordable than a washable filter
✔ From a company that manufacturers filters for residential, commercial, and industrial use
✘ Has to be changed as frequently as every 30 days in peak winter and summer months
✘ Not shipped in wrapping, exposing the filter to dust particles during travel
Key Features
- 12 by 12 by 1 inches
- Six-pack
- MERV rating of 13
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers liked this furnace filter because it was sturdy and effective. They also said the product was a good alternative to other popular brands. However, a handful of customers found the filter slightly smaller than advertised.
Best For Allergies
Nordic Pure 16x25x1 MERV 12 Pleated AC Furnace Air Filter
- $57.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
This product attracts most airborne pollutants. Made with pleated carbon material, the filter can also fight against heavy odors, such as those caused by cooking or owning pets. In addition to being efficient, the product has a frame made with recycled beverage board paper, making it eco-friendly.
Pros and Cons
✔ Available in packs of two, three, six, or 12
✔ Its electrostatically charged nature is good for homes with smokers
✔ Its frame is moisture-resistant
✘ The quality of the same model filter has decreased over the years
✘ Its frame is flimsy, preventing it from keeping the filter in place
Key Features
- 16 by 25 by 1 inches
- Six-pack
- MERV rating of 12
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said this filter worked well, providing clean, high-quality air. However, a common complaint among unsatisfied customers was that the product didn’t filter dust as well as they wanted it to.
Best For Warm Homes
FilterBuy 16x25x1 Pleated HVAC AC Furnace Air Filter
- $42.48
- $55.22
- 23% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
With a dual wire backing and an ability to withstand high temperatures, this product is one of the most durable filters in this review. Because of its durability, the FilterBuy 16 x 25 x 1 Pleated HVAC AC Furnace Air Filter can last three times longer than other filters. It’s also made with recycled materials.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has 12 pleats per foot to trap more particles
✔ Traps 90% of airborne particles
✔ Is made of durable materials
✘ Has a slightly smaller size than advertised
✘ Has arrived bent or damaged for some customers
Key Features
- 16 by 25 by 1 inches
- Four-pack
- MERV rating of 8
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said that the product was high-quality and high-performing. They also praised the product for being comparable to other prominent brands. However, some customers said that they received the wrong filter size.
Buying Guide to Furnace Filters
Before choosing a furnace air filter, consider its size, filtration level, and material.
Size
You’ll want a filter that’s the same size as the one that’s currently being used in your HVAC system. A filter’s size is expressed in inches as width by height by thickness. Most filters are one inch thick, but some are 2, 4, or 5 inches thick.
Filtration Level
Furnace filters are rated according to the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) scale. The higher the number, the finer the filter and the smaller the particles it can capture. The MERV rating given to a filter is usually based on its type.
- Disposable: Disposable filters are usually between MERV 6 and MERV 13. However, experts recommend using at least a MERV 8 filter, with MERV 11 and MERV 12 filters working better for odor elimination.
- Commercial: Commercial filters have higher MERV ratings between 17 and 20.
- Washable: While washable filters don’t use MERV ratings, some claim to trap a certain percentage of airborne particles.
Material
A furnace filter can be separated into two parts—a frame and a filter—that are made of different materials.
- Frame: The frame that holds the filter together is usually made of aluminum, steel, plastic, or paper.
- Filter: The filter inside the frame is typically made of fiberglass, polyester, cotton, or paper.
Frequently Asked Questions About Furnace Filters
What are electrostatic furnace filters?
Electrostatic furnace filters have an electrostatic charge. They work best in homes with allergy sufferers, smokers, or pets because they’re better at filtering out contaminants.
How much are furnace filters?
Disposable filters cost anywhere from $5 to $20 depending on how large they are, while washable filters cost around $30-$50.
How often should I replace my disposable filter?
Your furnace or HVAC manual will give you guidelines on how frequently you need to change your filter. In general, a one-inch filter should be changed every 90 days. If you have a pet, suffer from allergies, or are a smoker, you might want to change your filter every 30-60 days.
How We Selected the Best Furnace Filters
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of filters with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home improvement space, from ceiling fans and floor coating to doorbell cameras and garage door openers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
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