A Smart Way to Improve Your Air This filter is outfitted with a sensor that connects to your smart phone's Bluetooth®, which monitors air flow and usage of your heating & cooling system – not just time.

Filter media is a mix of fiber and air, and it's often pleated. In fact, Filtrete™ Filter media is less than 15 percent fiber; the rest is air. This very low density allows air to easily flow through the media.

Filtrete filters were created to both help protect your furnace equipment AND clean the air passing through your filter. Our filters improve your indoor air quality by attracting and capturing allergy-aggravating microparticles. Your air is cleaned each time it re-circulates through the filter.

1900 MPR has a rating of MERV 13. The higher the MPR, the more microparticles--such as pollen, pet dander, smoke, bacteria and viruses--your filter will capture from the air passing through it.

Filtrete Healthy Living Ultimate Allergen Reduction Filter, MPR 1900 filters are better quality filters that offer a good balance between filtering small particles and not restricting airflow. On my system, MPR 1900 seems to be the filtration limit before I notice my system having to work harder.

Filtrete Air Filters imply that they are as good as air purifiers but are not in the same category or performance arena. Filtrete air filters are built to work with homes equipped with forced-air heating and cooling systems. Simply put, Filtrete is not the best choice for your home and the air quality inside of it.

CR's take: The Filtrete 1900 Maximum Allergen Reduction filter is impressive at removing dust, pollen, and smoke from the air when the HVAC system is running on its highest fan speed, earning an Excellent rating in that test. But at the lowest speed, the filter is only average at removing those same airborne particles.

Filtrete Air Filters imply that they are as good as air purifiers but are not in the same category or performance arena. Filtrete air filters are built to work with homes equipped with forced-air heating and cooling systems. Simply put, Filtrete is not the best choice for your home and the air quality inside of it.

CR's take: The Filtrete Ultra Allergen Reduction 1500 MPR filter earns a Very Good rating for removing smoke, dust, and pollen from the air with the system running on a high fan speed, but it's only average when running on its lowest speed.

CR's take: The Filtrete 1900 Maximum Allergen Reduction filter is impressive at removing dust, pollen, and smoke from the air when the HVAC system is running on its highest fan speed, earning an Excellent rating in that test. But at the lowest speed, the filter is only average at removing those same airborne particles.

Filtrete Air Filters imply that they are as good as air purifiers but are not in the same category or performance arena. Filtrete air filters are built to work with homes equipped with forced-air heating and cooling systems. Simply put, Filtrete is not the best choice for your home and the air quality inside of it.

Disadvantages of a High Flow Air Filter: It can also increase the amount of dirt/dust in your engine oil that can increase the wear of the engine's moving parts. Another problem with the High Flow Air Filters is that water splashed from the road can be soaked by this kind of filters.

CR's take: The Filtrete Ultra Allergen Reduction 1500 MPR filter earns a Very Good rating for removing smoke, dust, and pollen from the air with the system running on a high fan speed, but it's only average when running on its lowest speed. In both cases, airflow through the filter is strong.

In general, top-quality expensive filters are more effective. However, what's best for your home depends on several factors. If nobody in your home has allergies and you don't have pets or significant air quality concerns, for instance, an inexpensive filter can still be effective.

So, which one is best for you? If you're looking for an air filter that will provide the best possible protection for your HVAC system and improve your indoor air quality, then an expensive air filter is the way to go. However, if you're on a budget, a cheap air filter can still provide some benefits.

Portable air cleaners and HVAC filters can reduce indoor air pollution; however, they cannot remove all pollutants from the air.