Furnace · Best-of

Best Furnace Filter for Allergies

For allergies you want MERV 11 to 13, which captures pollen, fine dust, and pet dander. The catch is the same as always: the box markets MPR or FPR, not MERV, and high MERV in a thin 1-inch panel restricts airflow. We rank true MERV 11-plus filters and surface both the honest MERV and the airflow tradeoff.

How we score: We require a true MERV 11 or higher rating, then rank by composite, which rewards honest MERV labeling and flags high-MERV 1-inch filters for airflow restriction.

1. 16.6

   Aprilaire 213 (4-inch media, MERV 13)

   The Aprilaire 213 (4-inch media, MERV 13) is a 4-inch deep-media furnace filter rated MERV 13 on the standardized ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2 scale, which captures fine particles including smoke and many bacteria-size particles. It labels its true MERV with no proprietary scale. Its deep media keeps airflow restriction low even at this MERV. Replaced about 1 time a year, it runs roughly $69 per year.

   • True MERV (ASHRAE 52.2): MERV 13
   • Depth: 4 inch (deep media, low airflow restriction)
   • Annual filter cost: $69/yr
2. 26.6

   Aprilaire 413 (4-inch media, MERV 13)

   The Aprilaire 413 (4-inch media, MERV 13) is a 4-inch deep-media furnace filter rated MERV 13 on the standardized ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2 scale, which captures fine particles including smoke and many bacteria-size particles. It labels its true MERV with no proprietary scale. Its deep media keeps airflow restriction low even at this MERV. Replaced about 1 time a year, it runs roughly $69 per year.

   • True MERV (ASHRAE 52.2): MERV 13
   • Depth: 4 inch (deep media, low airflow restriction)
   • Annual filter cost: $69/yr
3. 36.0

   Honeywell FC100A1037 (4-inch media, MERV 11)

   The Honeywell FC100A1037 (4-inch media, MERV 11) is a 4-inch deep-media furnace filter rated MERV 11 on the standardized ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2 scale, which captures fine dust, pollen, and pet dander. It labels its true MERV with no proprietary scale. Its deep media keeps airflow restriction low even at this MERV. Replaced about 1 time a year, it runs roughly $65 per year.

   • True MERV (ASHRAE 52.2): MERV 11
   • Depth: 4 inch (deep media, low airflow restriction)
   • Annual filter cost: $65/yr
4. 45.9

   Aerostar MERV 13 (1-inch)

   The Aerostar MERV 13 (1-inch) is a 1-inch panel furnace filter rated MERV 13 on the standardized ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2 scale, which captures fine particles including smoke and many bacteria-size particles. It labels its true MERV with no proprietary scale. Because it is high MERV in a thin 1-inch panel, it also restricts airflow more than the same MERV in deep media - worth checking against your system's static-pressure tolerance. Replaced about 4 times a year, it runs roughly $18 per year.

   • True MERV (ASHRAE 52.2): MERV 13
   • Depth: 1 inch (panel)
   • Annual filter cost: $18/yr
5. 55.4

   Lennox Healthy Climate X6673 (5-inch media, MERV 11)

   The Lennox Healthy Climate X6673 (5-inch media, MERV 11) is a 5-inch deep-media furnace filter rated MERV 11 on the standardized ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2 scale, which captures fine dust, pollen, and pet dander. It labels its true MERV with no proprietary scale. Its deep media keeps airflow restriction low even at this MERV. Replaced about 1 time a year, it runs roughly $72 per year.

   • True MERV (ASHRAE 52.2): MERV 11
   • Depth: 5 inch (deep media, low airflow restriction)
   • Annual filter cost: $72/yr
6. 65.2

   Nordic Pure MERV 12 (1-inch)

   The Nordic Pure MERV 12 (1-inch) is a 1-inch panel furnace filter rated MERV 12 on the standardized ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2 scale, which captures fine dust, pollen, and pet dander. It labels its true MERV with no proprietary scale. Replaced about 4 times a year, it runs roughly $36 per year.

   • True MERV (ASHRAE 52.2): MERV 12
   • Depth: 1 inch (panel)
   • Annual filter cost: $36/yr
7. 75.2

   Amazon Basics MERV 11 (1-inch)

   The Amazon Basics MERV 11 (1-inch) is a 1-inch panel furnace filter rated MERV 11 on the standardized ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2 scale, which captures fine dust, pollen, and pet dander. It labels its true MERV with no proprietary scale. Replaced about 4 times a year, it runs roughly $34 per year.

   • True MERV (ASHRAE 52.2): MERV 11
   • Depth: 1 inch (panel)
   • Annual filter cost: $34/yr
8. 83.3

   3M Filtrete MPR 1900 (Premium Allergen)

   The 3M Filtrete MPR 1900 (Premium Allergen) is a 1-inch panel furnace filter rated MERV 13 on the standardized ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2 scale, which captures fine particles including smoke and many bacteria-size particles. It markets a proprietary MPR 1900 rating but also prints the true MERV. Because it is high MERV in a thin 1-inch panel, it also restricts airflow more than the same MERV in deep media - worth checking against your system's static-pressure tolerance. Replaced about 4 times a year, it runs roughly $80 per year.

   • True MERV (ASHRAE 52.2): MERV 13
   • Depth: 1 inch (panel)
   • Annual filter cost: $80/yr
9. 93.3

   3M Filtrete MPR 1500 (Allergen)

   The 3M Filtrete MPR 1500 (Allergen) is a 1-inch panel furnace filter rated MERV 12 on the standardized ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2 scale, which captures fine dust, pollen, and pet dander. It markets a proprietary MPR 1500 rating but also prints the true MERV. Replaced about 4 times a year, it runs roughly $72 per year.

   • True MERV (ASHRAE 52.2): MERV 12
   • Depth: 1 inch (panel)
   • Annual filter cost: $72/yr
10. 102.3

    Honeywell Home Elite Allergen FPR 10 (1-inch)

    The Honeywell Home Elite Allergen FPR 10 (1-inch) is a 1-inch panel furnace filter rated MERV 13 on the standardized ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2 scale, which captures fine particles including smoke and many bacteria-size particles. It markets a proprietary FPR 10 rating without plainly disclosing the true MERV. Because it is high MERV in a thin 1-inch panel, it also restricts airflow more than the same MERV in deep media - worth checking against your system's static-pressure tolerance. Replaced about 4 times a year, it runs roughly $108 per year.

    • True MERV (ASHRAE 52.2): MERV 13
    • Depth: 1 inch (panel)
    • Annual filter cost: $108/yr