A furnace filter mainly functions as a protective layer for the blower fan. Many people believe that its primary purpose is to clean the air but that’s just an additional feature of this particle clearance. Its job is to actually filter out all the contaminants, like dust, dirt, pollen, and hair, that the return duct may bring in.
To keep your indoor air clean and safe for your family, using a furnace filter rated MERV 11 or higher is recommended. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value which measures the filter’s efficiency in capturing particles of certain sizes as your furnace operates. However, there’s more to MERV that you need to consider in choosing the best furnace filter for your property. The filter type, size, and thickness are also important things you have to consider before purchasing.
This is why we have listed our top five furnace filters below through the help of our in-house experts. After reading each detailed review for every filter, don’t forget to click the button and check out which deal suits your situation the best.
Best Furnace Filters Comparison & Rating
Furnace Filters | Features |
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1. AIRx Health 1-Inch MERV 13 Furnace Filters
MERV | 13 |
Materials | Electrostatic, Nanofiber Filter Material |
Dimensions | 19.5 x 24.5 x 0.75 inches |
Weight | 12.3 ounces |
For a furnace filter that meets the latest LEED Green Building and California Title 24 standards for MERV 13 high-efficiency and low-pressure-drop performance, this one is definitely worth buying. Manufactured in Greenwood, Indiana, you can rest assured that this health filter is made from high-quality nanofiber material. Although these filters are significantly lighter than traditional MERV 13 health filters, they have a higher particulate holding capacity and 42% more filter media that promotes excellent airflow. If you want the best value for your furnace filter investment and protect you and your family’s health, this product should be on top of your check-out list.
2. Nordic Pure 4-Inch Furnace Filters
MERV | 12 |
Materials | Electrostatic, Carbon Fiber |
Dimensions | 24.8 x 4.3 x 19.8 inches |
Weight | 5.94 pounds |
Manufactured in the USA with premium filter materials, this furnace filter traps almost every existing air pollutant within your property. If you are particularly sensitive and don’t want to suffer from allergy symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes, this filter is definitely a wise investment. Its electrostatically-charged synthetic material attracts airborne particles that may pollute your indoor air, performing better than fiberglass filters. With its high efficiency, MERV 12, even pet danders have no room in your house with this furnace filter. It effectively filters out all the shedding of skin cells from your furry or feathery pets. On top of all these, the filter media is free from suffering any future growth of bacteria or mold.
3. Filtrete Smart Furnace Air Filter
MERV | 12 |
Materials | Fiberglass |
Dimensions | 2.26 x 11.84 x 11.84 inches |
Weight | 10.4 ounces |
With a smart app that is available on both iOS and Android devices, this furnace filter is perfect for those who don’t want to replace their filters too soon or too late. It comes with an Amazon Dash Replacement program that will automatically order for filter replacement once the need for one is detected. You don’t need to worry, though, if you’re not ready to buy one since you can easily cancel the order within 24 hours. Aside from this easy replacement, this MERV 12-rated smart furnace filter will also provide you with additional information that will let you monitor the airflow and air quality within your system. If you want an efficient furnace filter that will not just clean the air but will also ease your overall experience with the product, this one is the best for you.
4. Filtrete AC Furnace Air Filter
MERV | 11 |
Materials | Fiberglass |
Dimensions | 24.69 x 0.81 x 15.69 inches |
Weight | 4.04 pounds |
With a MERV rating of 11, this filter is very good for people who have allergies. This will stop pet dander that is good for people who are sensitive to it. This also filters out smoke and smog which is good if you live in a very heavily populated environment. The Filtrete AC Furnace Air Filter is a great choice for a household that is in a dense urban area.
5. X6673 Lennox 4-Inch Furnace Filters
MERV | 11 |
Materials | Fiberglass |
Dimensions | 26 x 20 x 5 inches |
Weight | 0.16 ounces |
You get a filter with great airflow and durability when you choose Lennox. This furnace filter offers a MERV rating of 11 which will ensure that pollutants such as smoke and smog are filtered out of your system. Being MERV 11 rated also gets rid of pet dander which is great for people who have allergies. This filter is a good option if you are not satisfied with a MERV 8 rated filter and want more protection against pollutants.
Best Furnace Filters - Buyer's Guide
MERV is used domestically and internationally as the primary rating system of the industry. Established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, MERV rates the filter’s ability to capture and hold particles and pollutants. Higher MERV rated filters can trap and remove smaller particles.
Developed by 3M, the micro-particle performance rating or MPR, is a rating system that rates manufacturer’s filters and their ability to capture airborne particles that are smaller than 1 micron. Filters are only graded on their capacity to remove particles from 0.3 to 1 microns. A good example is this, a typical dust particle ranges from .2 and 8 microns, pollen starts at 7 microns but can be as big as 70 microns in size.
Filter performance rating or FPR, gives filters a label based on a scale from 4 to 10 plus a color-coding system. This system was designed by Home Depot. They use this system to label brands sold through their stores.
Pleated furnace filters will be more efficient and durable compared to fiberglass non-pleated filters. Pleated filters have more surface area that allows them to catch more pollutants/contaminants. They also have smaller pores that capture smaller particles without disrupting the airflow.
Filter’s have a thickness that ranges from 1″ to 5″. A thicker furnace filter will last longer be more efficient compared to thin filters. The thickness of your filter is determined by your system’s configuration.
Best Furnace Filters - FAQs
There are 4 types of furnace filters, the first and least expensive are fiberglass filters. These filters are disposable and not that durable compared to the other types. Fiberglass filters are not an ideal choice for households that have people with allergies. This is due to these filters usually having a low MERV rating of 4. They do however strain your HVAC system less than the others which gives you more airflow.
The second and most budget efficient are pleated filters. These air filters are made of cotton or polyester folds. They cost slightly more than fiberglass filters but are more effective at filtering dust and other tiny particles like mold spores, pollen, and pet dander. Filters with more pleats provide better filtering which helps prevent dust and other particulates from being recirculated. They usually have a MERV rating between 5 to 8.
HEPA filters are the third type which is the best option for people who have allergies or respiratory problems. These filters do cost more than fiberglass and pleated ones but offer the most effective filtering. HEPA filters screen 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, pet dander, viruses, bacteria, and other irritants out of the air. Filters with a MERV rating of 11 or higher is best. Keep in mind that the higher the MERV rating the harder it is for your HVAC system to pull air through. Check which MERV rating suits your system best.
The last type is UV filters, These filters use ultra-violet rays to kill viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms in the air as they pass through the filter. They are not great at screening other contaminants out of the air though.
The durability of a filter is determined by its thickness. A filter 3 to 4-inch filter can last from six to nine months. Thicker five to six-inch filters last from nine to twelve months.
Here is a general rule when changing air filters on your HVAC system. Change 1-2 inch filters every three months, 4-inch filters every six months, and 5-inch filters every 12 months.
Without an air filter, the HVAC system will spread pollutants around your home, which will result in poor indoor quality. Health experts have found that exposure to these pollutants can result in health issues such as asthma and other respiratory problems.
