The Best Furnace Filters for Improved Air Quality at Home

Best Overall: Filtrete Allergen Defense

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A high-quality furnace filter can dramatically reduce dust, allergens, and other particles floating in the air, and the popular Filtrete Allergen Defense is a great choice. This furnace filter has a MERV 11 rating, which means it filters out more than 90 percent of particles between 1 and 3 microns in size. (According to ASHRAE standards, a MERV 11 filter would fall into the 'Superior Residential' category.) It's best suited for trapping dust, pollen, and pet dander and also filters smoke and smog.   

The filter is electrostatic—which means the fibers inside the filter cartridge have been "charged" to attract and hold onto dust and other particles—easy to install, and suitable for use in a central or wall unit. Like many 1-inch furnace filters, it should be replaced every 1-3 months, and you can keep track using Filtrete's Smart app. Just scan the barcode on the package, set a replacement interval, and receive a reminder when it's time to change the filter.

Best Pleated: Honeywell Elite Allergen Pleated FPR 10 Replacement Air Filter

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Pleated furnace filters provide more surface area for filtering out contaminants and are a popular alternative to conventional fiberglass furnace filters. This Honeywell Home Elite Allergen Pleated Air Filter has an FPR 10 and MERV 13 rating, indicating that it’s useful for filtering out large and small particles. It’s capable of catching virus carriers, bacteria, smoke, dust, dander, and other common contaminants. Compared to a typical 30-day lifespan for fiberglass or synthetic flat filters, this pleated filter lasts up to 90 days before needing replacement.

Best Disposable: Filtrete Clean Living Basic Dust Air Filter

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Furnace filters catch dirt and debris that might otherwise find its way into your HVAC system, leading to part failure, dirty ducts, and worsened air quality. You should always have a furnace filter installed in your home, even if it’s an affordable, disposable furnace filter like the Filtrete Basic Dust and Lint Air Filter.

Designed to be quickly installed and easily disposed of after the filter’s 90-day lifecycle, this furnace filter captures particles between 3 and 10 microns in size. As the name suggests, the Filtrete Basic Dust and Lint Air Filter is best suited for reducing household dust, lint, and dust mite debris. It has a rather low MPR 300 rating, which means it won’t capture as many microparticles as more advanced furnace filters. However, the MERV 5 rating qualifies this filter as a step-up from the most basic furnace filters available. 

Best for Allergies: Filtrete Healthy Living Ultimate Allergen Air Filter

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A high-quality furnace filter designed to filter small particles can remove many allergens from the air and provide a measure of relief to those with allergies. The Filtrete Healthy Living Ultimate Allergen filter has a MERV rating of 13, placing it in a class of filters designed to capture particles as small as 0.30 to 1 microns in size. 

Certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, this furnace filter captures common irritants like dust, pollen, and dander, along with smaller particles such as smoke, bacteria, and cough or sneeze particles. If you’re shopping for a furnace filter for allergies, you should also consider the MPR rating. The higher the number, the greater the amount of particle the filter can capture. The Filtrete Healthy Living Ultimate Allergen filter has an MPR rating of 1,900. 

Best Permanent: K&N HVAC Air Filter

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A permanent furnace filter solves one of the greatest struggles with HVAC maintenance—remembering to buy new filters. K&N has made a name for itself in automotive air filters and brings this expertise to home HVAC systems with this permanent furnace filter. It’s made with synthetic polymer filtration media that won’t break down or degrade, even after many months of use. 

With a MERV 11 rating, this filter is a good choice for most residential homes. It filters particles between 1 and 3 microns in size. The filter can (and should) be regularly cleaned for best performance and long life of service. K&N recommends using their air filter cleaner solution and then rinsing with a low-pressure hose.

Best for Odors: Arm & Hammer Enhanced Allergen and Odor Control Air Filter

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A furnace filter benefits your HVAC system, but your nose will thank you if you opt for an odor-reducing filter, like this option from Arm & Hammer. The Enhanced Allergen and Odor Control furnace filter has a MERV 8 rating and FPR rating of 6, meaning it filters out contaminants like dust, pollen, mold spores, and dander. 

It’s especially recommended for pet owners looking to reduce odors, but this filter is a good choice for any household since it captures odor-causing particles from cooking, smog, and more. Instead of cloaking odors with scents, this unscented furnace filter traps particles in pleated filtration media to improve air quality. Each disposable filter lasts for up to 90 days. 

Best Long Life: Honeywell Home Pleated Air Filter, 4-inch

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Also known as annual furnace filters, long-life furnace filters have more surface area to stretch the time between filter replacements. While many 1-inch filters need replacement every 90 days or so, a 4-inch furnace filter, like the Honeywell Home Pleated Air Filter, lasts for up to a year. 

This pleated furnace filter is made with polypropylene filtration media. It has a MERV 8 rating and is electrostatically charged to attract and capture large particles such as dust and pollen, as well as smaller particles like mold, smoke, and other odor-causing particles. 

Best Budget: Rheem Dust & Pollen High Performance Indoor Air Filter

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Regularly changing your filter furnace is important for maintaining air quality in your home and the efficient operation of your HVAC system. A budget furnace filter, like this option from Rheem, provides an affordable way to keep up with this important home maintenance task. 

The Rheem Basic Household Pleated Air Filter is made of proprietary filter media backed by wire. It carries a MERV 8 rating and is capable of capturing contaminants like dust mites, pet dander, dust, and pollen from the air. This filter isn’t the best choice for those with allergies or if you’re shopping for ultrafine filtration since it’s only equipped to capture larger particles. However, these budget furnace filters cost only a few dollars each and require replacement every 90 days. Your best bet is to buy a pack of multiples and keep a replacement filter ready.