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The best rated air purifier filter picks here are rated by standards, not star counts: HEPA efficiency claims, MERV 13 ratings and tested filter life.
We compared 6 filters by their listed ratings and test claims.
Quick Answer: The Best Rated Air Purifier Filter
- Best MERV 13 Rated: AprilAire 213 Replacement Filter for AprilAire Whole-House Air Purifiers, MERV 13, 20x25x4, 2-Pack
- Best HEPA Rated: Genuine Winix 116130 Replacement Filter H for 5500-2 Air Purifier
- Best H13 Rated: Medify MA-25 Genuine Replacement Filter Set
- Best MERV 13 + MPR: Filtrete 20x20x1 Air Filter, MERV 13, MPR 1900, 2 HVAC Filters
- Best MERV 13 + Carbon: Nordic Pure 20x20x1 Pleated MERV 13 Plus Carbon Air Filters 6 Pack
- Best HEPA-Grade Room: Levoit Vital 200S-P Air Purifier Replacement Filter, Genuine
The AprilAire 213 MERV 13 Whole-House Filter tops our best rated air purifier filter list for MERV 13 media. The Genuine Winix 116130 Filter H is rated 99.97% at 0.3 microns, and the Medify MA-25 Genuine Filter Set is H13.
Best Rated Air Purifier Filter Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AprilAire 213 Replacement Filter for AprilAire Whole-House Air Purifiers, MERV 13, 20x25x4, 2-Pack | Best MERV 13 Rated | 4-inch MERV 13 media filter | 20x25x4, about 12-month life | Check Price |
| Genuine Winix 116130 Replacement Filter H for 5500-2 Air Purifier | Best HEPA Rated | True HEPA + carbon set | True HEPA (99.97% at 0.3 micron) + AOC carbon | Check Price |
| Medify MA-25 Genuine Replacement Filter Set | Best H13 Rated | H13 HEPA + carbon | Pre-filter, H13 HEPA, activated carbon | Check Price |
| Filtrete 20x20x1 Air Filter, MERV 13, MPR 1900, 2 HVAC Filters | Best MERV 13 + MPR | 1-inch MERV 13 HVAC filter | MERV 13, about 3-month life | Check Price |
| Nordic Pure 20x20x1 Pleated MERV 13 Plus Carbon Air Filters 6 Pack | Best MERV 13 + Carbon | 1-inch MERV 13 + carbon | MERV 13 pleats + carbon panel | Check Price |
| Levoit Vital 200S-P Air Purifier Replacement Filter, Genuine | Best HEPA-Grade Room | HEPA-grade + carbon | 99.97% at 0.3 μm main filter + carbon | Check Price |
The 6 Best Rated Air Purifier Filters
Each pick below was compared on filter type, room fit, carbon content, change interval and value.
AprilAire 213 Replacement Filter for AprilAire Whole-House Air Purifiers, MERV 13, 20x25x4, 2-Pack
1The AprilAire 213 is a 20x25x4 MERV 13 media filter for AprilAire whole-house air purifier cabinets.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- MERV 13 rating
- Deep 4-inch media
- About 12-month life (maker claim)
Cons
- Needs an AprilAire cabinet
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: 4-inch MERV 13 media filter
- Includes: 2 filters
- Key feature: 20x25x4, about 12-month life
AprilAire rates it for about 12 months and says it adds little strain on the HVAC system.
It is our whole-home pick.
Check AprilAire 213 MERV 13 Whole-House Filter Price on Amazon
Genuine Winix 116130 Replacement Filter H for 5500-2 Air Purifier
2Filter H is the genuine set for the Winix 5500-2, pairing a True HEPA layer rated 99.97% at 0.3 microns with Winix’s AOC carbon filter.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Genuine Winix fit for the 5500-2
- AOC carbon layer for odors and VOCs
- Winix rates it for about one year
Cons
- Fits the 5500-2 family only
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: True HEPA + carbon set
- Includes: Filter set
- Key feature: True HEPA (99.97% at 0.3 micron) + AOC carbon
Winix says the filters last about one year; change them when the check-filter indicator turns on.
It is our pick for a HEPA plus carbon set.
Medify MA-25 Genuine Replacement Filter Set
3Medify’s MA-25 set stacks a pre-filter, an H13 HEPA layer and activated carbon.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- H13 HEPA rating
- Three-stage set
- Up to 2,500 hours (maker claim)
Cons
- Shorter life than some
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: H13 HEPA + carbon
- Includes: Filter set
- Key feature: Pre-filter, H13 HEPA, activated carbon
Medify rates the set for up to 2,500 hours, or about 3 to 4 months of continuous use.
It is a compact H13 option.
Filtrete 20x20x1 Air Filter, MERV 13, MPR 1900, 2 HVAC Filters
4Filtrete’s MPR 1900 filter is a 1-inch MERV 13 pleated filter in the common 20x20x1 size.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- MERV 13 rating
- Common 20x20x1 size
- About 3 months per filter
Cons
- Check your system can handle MERV 13
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: 1-inch MERV 13 HVAC filter
- Includes: 2 filters
- Key feature: MERV 13, about 3-month life
Filtrete rates it for about 3 months and markets it for allergens and fine particles.
It is our pick for upgrading a furnace filter.
Nordic Pure 20x20x1 Pleated MERV 13 Plus Carbon Air Filters 6 Pack
5Nordic Pure’s MERV 13 Plus Carbon filter adds an activated charcoal panel to pleated MERV 13 media.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- MERV 13 plus a carbon layer
- Six-pack
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Actual size is 19.5 x 19.5 x 0.75 in
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: 1-inch MERV 13 + carbon
- Includes: 6 filters
- Key feature: MERV 13 pleats + carbon panel
Its actual size is 19.5 x 19.5 x 0.75 inches, so measure your slot.
It is our HVAC odor pick.
Check Nordic Pure MERV 13 Plus Carbon, 6-Pack Price on Amazon
Levoit Vital 200S-P Air Purifier Replacement Filter, Genuine
6Levoit’s genuine Vital 200S-P filter removes 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 μm, according to Levoit, and adds an activated carbon layer.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Works with Levoit’s filter-life algorithm
- Washable pre-filter on the purifier
- Carbon layer for gases and odors
Cons
- Vital 200S family only
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: HEPA-grade + carbon
- Includes: Filter
- Key feature: 99.97% at 0.3 μm main filter + carbon
Levoit notes its filter-life indicator is built around genuine filters.
It is our mid-size room pick.
How We Chose the Best Rated Air Purifier Filter
To choose the best rated air purifier filter, we compared popular HEPA, carbon, pre-filter and MERV 13 HVAC filters on Amazon by filter type, rated life, fit and owner feedback.
EPA says to match CADR to room size, use activated carbon for gases and choose at least MERV 13 for HVAC filters where the system allows; see the EPA Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home.
Product details in this guide are based on manufacturer specifications and verified owner feedback. Read more on our How We Test page.
Buying Guide: What the Ratings Mean
Keep these points in mind before you buy.
HEPA, H13, MERV and MPR
HEPA claims usually cite 99.97% at 0.3 microns, H13 is a European grade, MERV rates HVAC filters, and MPR is Filtrete’s own scale.
MERV 13 for the HVAC
EPA suggests a furnace or HVAC filter rated at least MERV 13, or as high as your system can handle. HVAC filters only work while the system runs, often less than 25% of the time in heating and cooling seasons.
Carbon needs mass
EPA says activated carbon filters can be effective for gases if there is a large amount of carbon; there is no widely used rating for gas removal, and CADR covers particles only.
Rating Check Tips
Read ratings carefully:
- Look for the test standard.
- Compare MERV, not brand scales.
- Remember CADR is for particles.
- Check the rated life.
Quick answers about the best rated air purifier filter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best rated air purifier filter?
The best rated air purifier filter picks are AprilAire 213 for MERV 13, Winix Filter H for HEPA and Medify MA-25 for H13.
What does MERV 13 mean?
A rating for HVAC filter efficiency; EPA suggests at least 13.
Is MPR the same as MERV?
No, MPR is Filtrete’s scale.
Is there a rating for odors?
EPA says no widely used gas rating exists.
Are star ratings reliable?
We use standards and specs instead.
Final Verdict
Our final pick for the best rated air purifier filter is the AprilAire 213 MERV 13 Whole-House Filter. Choose the Genuine Winix 116130 Filter H if you want rated 99.97% at 0.3 microns, or the Medify MA-25 Genuine Filter Set as H13.
Related Guides
More air filter guides:
- Best Air Purifier Filter
- Best Rated Air Purifier Replacement Filter
- Best Budget Air Purifier Filter
- Best Quality Air Purifier Filter
- Best Air Purifier for Allergies
Product details are based on manufacturer specifications at the time of writing. Prices and availability change often, so check Amazon for the latest price.
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