3M Filtrete MPR 1900 vs Honeywell Elite Allergen FPR 10
Bottom line
In our scoring the 3M Filtrete MPR 1900 edges ahead at 3.9/10 against the Honeywell's 3.3/10, a narrow 0.6-point gap that mostly reflects the Filtrete's lower annual filter cost. Both land in our Limited band, both pack MERV 13 into a 1-inch frame (which, in our view, restricts airflow more than a deeper media would), and both honestly disclose the true MERV behind their proprietary number. The Honeywell's one edge is honest dual-labeling - Home Depot prints "MERV 13 - FPR 10" - but a $16-a-year lower running cost is why we rank the Filtrete higher. Neither is a strong pick in our view; the choice between them comes down to which costs you less to keep fed.
Both of these are 1-inch pleated furnace filters that hide a true MERV 13 behind a proprietary scale - the Filtrete leads with "MPR 1900" and the Honeywell with "FPR 10," and on the ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2 scale both are genuinely MERV 13. The biggest real difference is running cost: replaced four times a year, the 3M Filtrete MPR 1900 runs about $92 a year versus about $108 for the Honeywell Elite Allergen. Both earn 7.0/10 on verified filtration and neither carries an AHRI certification. We found no accredited performance certification for either filter beyond the MERV rating itself.
| MERV 13 (sold as FPR 10) | True MERV (ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2) | MERV 13 (sold as MPR 1900) |
| 7.0 | Verified Filtration30% | 7.0 |
| 0.0 | Total Cost of Ownership25% | 2.5 |
| 5.0 | Rating Honesty20% | 5.0 |
| 0.0 | Airflow Fit15% | 0.0 |
| 2.0 | Practical Fit10% | 2.0 |
FAQ
- Is the Honeywell Home Elite Allergen FPR 10 (1-inch) better than the 3M Filtrete MPR 1900 (Premium Allergen)?
- In our scoring the 3M Filtrete MPR 1900 (Premium Allergen) rates 3.9/10 and the Honeywell Home Elite Allergen FPR 10 (1-inch) 3.3/10. In our scoring the 3M Filtrete MPR 1900 edges ahead at 3.9/10 against the Honeywell's 3.3/10, a narrow 0.6-point gap that mostly reflects the Filtrete's lower annual filter cost. Both land in our Limited band, both pack MERV 13 into a 1-inch frame (which, in our view, restricts airflow more than a deeper media would), and both honestly disclose the true MERV behind their proprietary number. The Honeywell's one edge is honest dual-labeling - Home Depot prints "MERV 13 - FPR 10" - but a $16-a-year lower running cost is why we rank the Filtrete higher. Neither is a strong pick in our view; the choice between them comes down to which costs you less to keep fed.
- Which one is the better value?
- In our scoring the 3M Filtrete MPR 1900 is the better value, mostly on running cost: at four replacements a year it works out to about $92 versus about $108 for the Honeywell Elite Allergen. The Honeywell's up-front price ($27) is close to the Filtrete's ($22.99), so the gap is in the ongoing filter cost rather than the first purchase.
- Are MPR 1900 and FPR 10 the same as MERV 13?
- On these specific 1-inch filters, yes - both confirm out to true MERV 13 on the ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2 scale, the only standardized filtration rating. MPR is a 3M-only scale and FPR is a Home Depot scale, and we treat neither as a reliable MERV stand-in: the same FPR 10 is only MERV 12 in Honeywell's 4-inch media, so always check the actual MERV by depth.
- Will MERV 13 in a 1-inch filter hurt my airflow?
- In our view a 1-inch panel at MERV 13 packs a lot of filtration into a thin frame, which can restrict airflow - that is why airflow fit is the Filtrete's weakest scored area (0.0/10) and a concern on the Honeywell too. If your system tolerates it, a deeper 4-inch media at the same MERV usually breathes easier. Neither filter is AHRI certified, so we have no third-party airflow data to cite for either.