The Best Furnace Filter 16-x-20-x-1

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Murray
Published on
February 22nd, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Ben’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the ASD (Advanced Structural Drying), AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician),
WRT (Water restoration technician), CCT (Carpet Cleaning technician), and bio hazard cleanup, as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Ben has managed teams involved in cleaning projects around the United States. Ben’s passion for cleaning dates all the way back to keeping his rugby gear tidy while a young lad. Ben holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford, a Master’s degree from Oxford, and a mountain of hands on experience at the school of hard knocks.

The Cleaning Institute

Furnace filters are designed to trap harmful pollutants and particles that residents may inhale while spending time in the home. Each filter has a specific MERV rating, which determines how much dirt, grime, and smoke it can trap when the furnace is in use. If you want to increase the operation of your appliance and reduce your energy usage, it’s necessary to install a quality filter that creates a healthier interior setting without the risk of allergies, respiratory issues, or asthma. We reviewed many different furnace filters that measure 16-x-20-x-1 to determine which products were most effective and delivered the best results. Our top pick is the The Filtrete 16x20x1, AC Furnace Air Filter because it is electrostatically charged to attract microscopic airborne particles. It’s manufactured by 3M and can last an average of three months. We chose the FilterBuy AFB MERV 8 16x20x1 Pleated AC Furnace Air Filter for our honorable mention for its ability to trap 90 percent of airborne particles, which includes pet dander and debris. It’s ideal for residential and commercial use, and is manufactured in the U.S.

EXPERT INSIGHTS

From our team: Remember that high efficiency filters will capture more air impurities and help create cleaner air, but your system will have to run at higher power to filter air through, which will lead to higher energy costs. Determine your filter need first, and purchase according to what balances cost and filtration best.

Testing Categories

We have our years of experience testing different types of products and have learned the importance of creating different testing categories to rate each item that is reviewed for more accuracy. Our testing categories for rating furnace filters with a size of 16-x-20-x-1 include efficiency, durability, and application.

Efficiency: The efficiency of each furnace filter is a significant factor that determines if it’s worth purchasing based on how well it operates and the amount of particles it traps as the appliance operates throughout the season. We reviewed its MERV rating and how much dust it collected during our tests to determine how well it improved the air quality in the building.

Durability: The construction of each furnace filter is an important category to determine how long it lasts and if it holds up well with frequent use. We evaluated the quality of the parts that were used to determine if it was durable and could last longer than other products on the market.

Application: Installing the furnace filter is one of the main parts of purchasing a new product, which is why we made the application of each filter one of the main categories to use when rating various items. We evaluated the size of each filter and if it fit snug into the furnace or if any gaps were present, which can cause air to escape.

Top Pick

Filtrete 16x20x1,
AC Furnace Air Filter, MPR 1000,
Micro Allergen Defence

The Filtrete AC Furnace Air Filter, MPR 1000, Micro Allergen Defence improves the air quality by reducing allergens. It can attract and capture particles that include dust mites, lint, and dust.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The furnace filter is designed to collect everything from mold spores to pollen to reduce allergies and help the residents breathe easier in each room of the home. The product can last up to three months and is electrostatically charged to attract and capture microscopic airborne particles. With a MERV rating of 11, the filter traps more dirt compared to similar types of products and will increase the lifespan of the appliance by preventing the furnace from having excess strain placed on it as it operates. It can even trap pet hair from cats and dogs. The frame of the product is durable and sturdy to ensure that it is easy to install for the consumer without needing to call a professional. An arrow is also printed on the filter to inform the consumer which direction to place the filter. The pack includes two filters. The filters are also useful for absorbing odors in the home and can allow the air to smell fresher once they’re installed. The Filtrete filters are recommended by many technicians for their ability to remove more dirt without filtering too much grime, which can lead to the furnace overheating.

Biggest downsides: The filters are not individually wrapped, which means they’re exposed to dust and grime when they’re improperly stored prior to use. The quality of the product has recently changed, and it’s now less durable. The filter is thinner compared to similar products, which can cause some of the cross supports to become torn. The ridges are also not perpendicular to the bottom edge and are slightly slanted.

Honorable Mention

FilterBuy AFB MERV 8
16x20x1 Pleated AC
Furnace Air Filter

The FilterBuy AFB MERV 8 Pleated AC Furnace Air Filter is made in the U.S. and trap 90 percent of airborne particles that circulate. It can trap pollen, pet dander, lint, debris, and dust in the air.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The FilterBuy filters offer better indoor air quality with a product that is constructed out of beverage board, which is designed to remain durable and sturdy in high temperatures and humidity. It also includes synthetic media, which delivers higher particulate efficiency compared to standard cotton media that is commonly used in other types of filters on the market. Metal reinforcement contributes to the strength of each filter. The factory-direct filters can be used in both residential and commercial properties, and last an average of 90 days depending on the type of setting where it’s used. During our tests, we discovered the product has a high level of durability and overall quality with 12 pleats per foot for greater surface area to ensure that more airborne particles are trapped while withstanding exposure to moisture and dampness. They also significantly reduce the amount of dust that settles onto different surface areas, which makes cleaning a quicker process. The filters are also manufactured in the U.S. It’s easy for the filters to quickly become black after several weeks due to the efficiency of the product. It easily fits into most air filter slots in furnaces and has a snug fit without too much of a gap present to prevent air from escaping. The FilterBuy filters can be install in seconds by quickly popping them into the appliance.

Biggest downsides: The edges are prone to bending on the filter because the board is constructed from recycled materials. The size might be too small for some furnaces, which can prevent it from feeling secure in the appliance or working as effectively. Whistling noises may also be caused by the filter when the furnace is running.

Green Pick

Nordic Pure 16x20x1 Pure Baking Soda Odor Deodorizing AC Furnace Air Filters 16" x 20" x 1" 3

The Nordic Pure Furnace Air Filters are eco-friendly and contain baking soda to banish odors. It can trap mold spores, dust, allergens, pet dander, and pollen in the home with a MERV 8 rating.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The Nordic Pure Baking Soda AC Furnace Air Filters are natural and eco-friendly without added fragrances or chemicals, which is ideal for residents who may be sensitive to chemicals. The eco-friendly product also reduces the risk of allergies or respiratory issues that can develop with filters that contain harmful chemicals. Baking soda has been added to each filter to trap strong odors and smells that circulate in the building, which can allow the air quality to become fresh and clean. All of the filters are electrostatically charged for maximum performance. The product has a high level of durability and is made in the U.S. The product is also easy to install and fits well in different air conditioning units due to its accurate size, which prevents it from becoming loose or allowing unfiltered air to escape back into the building. The filter is available in a three-pack and should be changed every one to three months, which will increase the energy efficiency of the appliance and improve the air quality in the home. The actual size of the air filter is 15 1/2 x 19 1/2 x ¾ inches.

Biggest downsides: With a MERV 8 rating, the Nordic Pure air filter is unable of trapping viruses, germs, and cough or sneeze debris, which can cause illnesses to circulate in the building.

All Our Picks

Tips for Effective Furnace Filters

When looking to purchase a new filter, it’s important to find a product that has multiple pleats present, since more pleats means an increase in the lifespan of the item and can allow it to be used for a longer period. The pleated design also increases the surface area of the filter to ensure that more particles are collected each season. The more pleats that the product has increases the chance of it lasting an average of three months compared to every month, which is the typical lifespan of economical filters. The filter should also have a high MERV rating to ensure that more contaminants are trapped. Filters with higher MERV ratings not only trap pollen and dust mites but also collect bacteria, cough or sneeze debris, viruses, and smoke.

The filter should also have accurate sizing to ensure that it fits securely in the furnace and doesn’t have any gaps present around the frame.

A Note About Safety and Storage

It’s important to keep the filters in their original packaging when storing them in the garage or shed to protect the parts and materials from accumulating dirt or dust, which can make them less effective once they’re installed. If the filters are in a pack and aren’t individually wrapped, cover them with a tarp or sheet for protection. Store the filters off of the ground where dirt and grime can accumulate and keep them away from sunlight to avoid damage or wear to the materials. They should also be kept in a locked storage area to prevent pets or small children from accessing the filters.

The Best Furnace Filter 16-x-20-x-1

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Murray

The Cleaning Institute

EXPERT INSIGHTS

Testing Categories

Filtrete 16x20x1,
AC Furnace Air Filter, MPR 1000,
Micro Allergen Defence

FilterBuy AFB MERV 8
16x20x1 Pleated AC
Furnace Air Filter

Nordic Pure 16x20x1 Pure Baking Soda Odor Deodorizing AC Furnace Air Filters 16" x 20" x 1" 3

All Our Picks

Filtrete 16x20x1,
AC Furnace Air Filter, MPR 1000,
Micro Allergen Defence

FilterBuy AFB MERV 8
16x20x1 Pleated AC
Furnace Air Filter

Nordic Pure 16x20x1 Pure Baking Soda Odor Deodorizing AC Furnace Air Filters 16" x 20" x 1" 3

Tips for Effective Furnace Filters

A Note About Safety and Storage

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The Best Furnace Filter 16-x-20-x-1

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Murray

The Cleaning Institute

EXPERT INSIGHTS

Testing Categories

Filtrete 16x20x1, AC Furnace Air Filter, MPR 1000, Micro Allergen Defence

FilterBuy AFB MERV 8 16x20x1 Pleated ACFurnace Air Filter

Nordic Pure 16x20x1 Pure Baking Soda Odor Deodorizing AC Furnace Air Filters 16" x 20" x 1" 3

All Our Picks

Filtrete 16x20x1, AC Furnace Air Filter, MPR 1000, Micro Allergen Defence

FilterBuy AFB MERV 8 16x20x1 Pleated ACFurnace Air Filter

Nordic Pure 16x20x1 Pure Baking Soda Odor Deodorizing AC Furnace Air Filters 16" x 20" x 1" 3

Tips for Effective Furnace Filters

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Filtrete 16x20x1,
AC Furnace Air Filter, MPR 1000,
Micro Allergen Defence

FilterBuy AFB MERV 8
16x20x1 Pleated AC
Furnace Air Filter

Filtrete 16x20x1,
AC Furnace Air Filter, MPR 1000,
Micro Allergen Defence

FilterBuy AFB MERV 8
16x20x1 Pleated AC
Furnace Air Filter