It’s Probably Time to Change Your Furnace Filter—Here Are Our Favorites for Fresh, Clean Air

The Filterbuy Dust Defense Filter offers solid protection against common household pollutants like dust mites, pollen, and mold spores, making it an excellent choice for maintaining cleaner indoor air. 

True to its name, it traps up to 90% of dust particles without restricting airflow, significantly improving air quality and helping to reduce allergy triggers. We love that it’s available in dozens of sizes, offering flexibility for many different HVAC systems. 

This filter features dual aluminum wire backings and sturdy board frames, which resist bending and withstand exposure to moisture and extreme temperatures. These thoughtful design features allow for easier installation and help the filter maintain its shape and performance. 

While MERV 8 filters are not capable of capturing very fine particles like smoke, sneeze droplets, or airborne viruses, they still offer effective everyday filtration

_{Dimensions: 16 x 25 x 1 inches | MERV Rating: 8 | Filter Material: Electrostatic pleated}

The Filtrete Basic Dust Air Filter is a budget-friendly option for reliable performance and basic filtration. It uses electrostatically charged fibers to capture common airborne particles like household dust, lint, and dust mites, making it a practical choice for most residential HVAC systems. 

Although it falls on the low end compared to some of our other picks, its MERV 5 rating is a decent starting point, especially if you don’t have allergies or specific air quality concerns.

This filter puts less strain on your HVAC system than many higher-rated filters. For that reason, it’s a good choice for older systems and helps keep energy costs in check. While it can’t catch small airborne particles, it’s still a solid bet if you’re seeking an affordable, low-maintenance option for everyday use. 

However, its filtration capabilities are limited—it isn’t designed to trap smaller particles like pet dander, pollen, or mold spores. If you’re an allergy sufferer, you may want to opt for something with a higher rating, such as our best for allergens pick. 

_{Dimensions: 16 x 20 x 1 inches | MERV Rating: 5 | Filter Material: Electrostatically charged filter media}

With its MERV 13 rating—the highest on this list—the BNX filter can trap up to 98% of airborne particles, especially cigarette and fireplace smoke. With this high-performance filter, you’ll notice a major difference in air quality. This filter goes above and beyond standard filters, utilizing advanced electrostatic filtration to capture a wider range of particles. 

Made in the USA with recyclable cardboard, BNX filters actually employ a single-frame design that helps reduce environmental waste. We love how reliably it performs without bending or sagging. Each filter can last up to three months, depending on various conditions such as air quality, the presence of pets, and smoke. 

The common trade-off with high-efficiency options like MERV 13 is that they can restrict airflow more than lower-rated filters. To ensure optimal performance, you should check that your HVAC system is compatible before purchasing this filter. 

_{Dimensions: 20 x 25 x 1 inches | MERV Rating: 13 | Filter Material: Electrostatic pleated}

Replacing a furnace filter is a fairly simple task, but remembering when to do it could be a challenge. The Filtrete Smart Air Filter is a real game-changer—not only does it capture pollen, pet dander, smoke, bacteria, and even viruses, it also has a built-in, Bluetooth-enabled sensor that monitors airflow and filter performance. 

You’ll get real-time updates on your filter’s status to stay on top of maintenance and never miss a replacement. You also set up automatic reorders through Alexa, so you always have a new filter at the ready when the old one expires. 

Filtrete’s Smart App also provides outdoor air quality information based on your location, which can be especially helpful for allergy sufferers. But honestly, the best feature by far is being able to check your filter’s life right from your smartphone—way easier than having to open up your HVAC unit just to take a peek. 

One downside is that the smart sensor uses non-rechargeable batteries, so if they run out, you won’t receive notifications until they’re replaced. Still, for convenience and peace of mind, this smart filter is hard to beat.

_{Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 1 inches | MERV Rating: 12 | Filter Material: ‎Electrostatically charged filter media}

If you’re looking to eliminate unpleasant smells in your home, we recommend the Filtrete Odor Reduction Air Filter. Activated charcoal is the secret powerhouse, which naturally traps and neutralizes odors instead of just masking them. 

Whether you’re dealing with pet odors, cigarette smoke, or cooking and cleaning fumes, this filter helps keep your air clean and smelling fresh. With a MERV 11 rating, it also does a great job capturing airborne particles like smoke, pet dander, and other environmental pollutants, many of which can cause or worsen unpleasant odors. 

Each filter lasts up to 90 days, and though the price is slightly higher than some other options, we think it’s a smart investment if your top priority is deodorizing your indoor air. As an added convenience, you can download the Filtrete app and set replacement reminders. 

Despite its dual functionality and broad effectiveness, this filter does have its limitations—it doesn’t capture viruses or bacteria. 

_{Dimensions: 16 x 25 x 1 inches | MERV Rating: 11 | Filter Material: Electrostatic pleated}

If you have a hard time remembering to replace your furnace filter or simply want a more convenient option, a long-lasting filter is the way to go. The Honeywell Home 4-Inch Pleated Air Filter lasts up to 12 months, compared to standard filters that need to be replaced every 90 days or more. 

With a MERV 8 rating, this filter effectively captures common household particles, though it’s not effective in filtering odors or smog (go with our best for odors pick if that’s what you need). 

At over four inches thick, this filter is significantly deeper than standard one-inch options. That extra depth is packed with electrostatic, pleated media that maximizes surface area, allowing it to trap more contaminants, making it 20 times more effective than typical fiberglass filters. 

While the long lifespan and improved performance are definite perks, it’s important to note that the thicker profile may not fit all HVAC systems or furnace filter boots. Be sure to take proper measurements of your system before purchasing to ensure a proper fit. 

_{Dimensions: 20 x 25 x 4 inches | MERV Rating: 8 | Filter Material: Polypropylene}

This filter is certified asthma and allergy-friendly, making it a great choice for those looking to reduce dust and other airborne allergens, while also improving your home’s airflow. Its performance is comparable to MERV 12, which is well above the MERV 9 level often recommended for capturing allergens.

This filter impressively captures about 54% of small particles that pass through it, significantly improving the quality of your household air. Thanks to Filtrete’s exclusive 3-in-1 technology, it pulls in and traps unwanted particles while maintaining optimal airflow. 

It’s available in a wide range of sizes to fit most systems, though some users have reported that sizing can be inconsistent. Depending on the severity of your allergies or indoor air quality, you may need to replace the filter more frequently than the recommended 90 days. 

Additionally, it lacks smart features such as performance tracking and filter change reminders—conveniences that our best smart pick, the Filtrete Smart Air Filter, provides while offering a comparable level of filtration. 

_{Dimensions: 16 x 25 x 1 inches | MERV Rating: 12 | Filter Material: Electrostatic pleated}

If you have pets at home, we recommend the Aerostar MERV 11 Air Filter, a disposable, pleated filter for capturing airborne particles such as pet fur and dander, making your indoor air cleaner and helping reduce common allergens. 

This filter stands out for its highly efficient, electrostatic design. Made from a synthetic material that’s electrostatically charged, it actively attracts and traps particles as small as 0.3 to 1.0 microns. That means it does a great job of filtering out everything from dust mites, lint, and mold spores to pollen, smoke, and fine dust.

You can find this filter in a variety of sizes and thicknesses (from 1 to 4 inches), so it’s likely to fit most furnaces and return-air vents. One thing to keep in mind, though, it needs to be replaced more frequently than some other options. 

For best results, Aerostar recommends swapping it out every month during peak seasons like summer and winter, and every 2 to 3 months during milder seasons like spring and fall. You also should change it monthly if you have pets, which means cleaner air, but also higher ongoing costs. 

_{Dimensions: 16 x 25 x 1 inches | MERV Rating: 11 | Filter Material: Electrostatic pleated}

If you’re tired of swapping out disposable filters every few months, a permanent option might be a better choice. These washable filters by Air-Care save you the hassle (and the money) of having to constantly buy replacements and remembering when to change them. 

These are both long-lasting and low-maintenance, designed to catch larger particles between 3 and 10 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander. The sturdy, galvanized steel frame won’t rust and is built to last for years. This filter is backed by a lifetime warranty, and all it needs is a rinse every one to three months to keep it performing at its best. 

This filter uses an electrostatic charge to attract and trap airborne particles until the filter is cleaned. Plus, it has an EPA-registered antimicrobial coating to help guard against mold and mildew. 

It’s worth noting that this filter has a MERV 8 rating, which is on the lower side compared to other options on this list. That means it doesn’t capture ultra-fine particles like smoke, viruses, or bacteria. While it’s a convenient, eco-friendly choice for improving general air quality, it may fall short for households needing higher levels of protection. 

_{Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 1 inches | MERV Rating: 8 | Filter Material: Polypropylene, polyester}