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FilterScored

Furnace filters, scored

These are the furnace filters we rate highest, best score first. What you actually want to compare is how fine a filter traps particles - its true MERV (the one industry standard, ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2). The big sticker numbers, 3M's MPR and Home Depot's FPR, are scales those sellers made up, and they don't map cleanly to MERV - so we show you the real MERV. The "$/yr" figure is what you'll spend on this filter in a year, from its price and how often the maker says to swap it.

ScoreFilter$/yr
6.0Aprilaire 213 (4-inch media, MERV 13)$65
6.0Aprilaire 413 (4-inch media, MERV 13)$65
6.0Honeywell FC100A1037 (4-inch media, MERV 11)$39
6.0Lennox Healthy Climate X6673 (5-inch media, MERV 11)$36
5.9Nordic Pure MERV 12 (1-inch)$39
5.9Aerostar MERV 13 (1-inch)$35
5.9Amazon Basics MERV 11 (1-inch)$34
4.63M Filtrete MPR 1500 (Allergen)$74
3.93M Filtrete MPR 1900 (Premium Allergen)$92
3.3Honeywell Home Elite Allergen FPR 10 (1-inch)$108
3.0Flanders EZ-Flow II Fiberglass (throwaway)$92

If you're wondering why a familiar name scores lower than you expected: when a brand buries its true MERV behind an MPR or FPR number, we cap its honesty score, and a high-MERV filter crammed into a thin 1-inch panel gets flagged because it can choke your airflow. The full reasoning is in the methodology.

FAQ

How are these furnace filters ranked?
Best score first. Every score is our opinion under the published furnace-filter rubric, computed from the filter's true MERV (ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2), how plainly that rating is disclosed, airflow fit, and its real annual cost. The full score-event breakdown is on each scorecard.
What is the difference between MERV, MPR, and FPR?
MERV (ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2) is the one industry standard for how finely a filter traps particles. MPR is 3M's own scale and FPR is Home Depot's, and neither maps cleanly to MERV - so we always show the true MERV alongside any proprietary number.
What does the $/yr column mean?
It is what you will spend on this filter in a year, computed from its real price and how often the maker says to replace it. Prices are sourced and dated, never guessed.
Why do some familiar furnace filters score lower than expected?
When a filter is sold under an MPR or FPR number without its true MERV up front, we cap its rating-honesty score. And a high-MERV filter in a thin 1-inch panel gets flagged because it can restrict airflow. The full reasoning is on our methodology page.