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If you’re tired of replacing your HVAC air filters often, then an electrostatic air filter might be the solution you seek, because they can last for 10 years and beyond.
They are also cost-effective and easier to maintain, needing only an occasional vacuuming or water wash. In return, these air filters offer high filtration levels against dirt, pollen, debris, pet dander, and other allergens.
This electrostatic air filters review gives you the following list of the market’s top offers, including a buying guide, to help you make the right purchase decision.
In this post:
- 7 Best Electrostatic Air Filters – Review
- 1. Best Overall Electrostatic Air Filter: Trophy Air
- 2. Best Budget Electrostatic Air Filter: Aerostar MERV 11
- 3. Best Premium Electrostatic Air Filter: Carter Goods
- 4. Best Electrostatic Air Filter For the Money: Buyfiltersonline
- 5. Most Efficient Electrostatic Air Filter: Aircare AC-ES9400
- 6. Lab-certified MERV 9 Electrostatic Air Filter: CAS MaxMERV9
- 7. Washable MERV-11 Electrostatic Air Filter: Aircare AC202001
- How to Buy the Best Electrostatic Air Filters
- How to Maintain Electrostatic Air Filters
- Conclusion
7 Best Electrostatic Air Filters – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Trophy Air (Best Overall) |
| |
 | 2. Aerostar MERV 11 (Best Budget) |
| |
 | 3. Carter Goods (Best Premium) |
| |
 | 4. Buyfiltersonline (Best For the Money) |
| |
 | 5. Aircare AC-ES9400 (Most Efficient) |
| |
 | 6. CAS MaxMERV9 (Lab-certified MERV-9 Filter) |
| |
 | 7. Aircare AC202001 (Washable MERV-11 Filter) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Trophy Air (Best Overall)
|
2. Aerostar MERV 11 (Best Budget)
|
3. Carter Goods (Best Premium)
|
4. Buyfiltersonline (Best For the Money)
|
5. Aircare AC-ES9400 (Most Efficient)
|
6. CAS MaxMERV9 (Lab-certified MERV-9 Filter)
|
7. Aircare AC202001 (Washable MERV-11 Filter)
|
1. Best Overall Electrostatic Air Filter: Trophy Air
Photo: Trophy Air
- Size: 16 x 25 x 1 inches
- Materials: Aluminum, polyurethane
- MERV Rating: 8
- Weight: 1.95 pounds
Featuring premium craftsmanship and top-quality materials, this Trophy Air electrostatic air filter offers you cleaner and healthier air anytime. It also comes with a lifetime warranty and you can get it in any of over 20 sizes, making it our overall best washable electrostatic air filter.
The frame is from aluminum, while the filtration media combines a 20-PPI polyurethane foam between two pieces of aluminum padding to create a durable and highly effective filter with a MERV 8 filtration rating, which means good airflow.
While this offer is for the 16 x 25 x 1-inch version, Trophy Air makes it available in over 20 sizes, so you can easily choose the perfectly fitting unit for your HVAC. The aluminum frame is sturdy, installs with ease, and includes a hole for easier handling and removal.
This is a great electrostatic filter without issues except for its price, which places it in the pricier, mid-cost group. Its quality construction, premium craftsmanship, and lifetime warranty, however, still make it worth it.
Pros:
- Premium craftsmanship and quality
- MERV 8 filter available in over 20 sizes
- Quick and easy installation in seconds
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- It’s one of the costlier air filter offers
2. Best Budget Electrostatic Air Filter: Aerostar MERV 11
Photo: Aerostar
- Size: 16 x 25 x 1 inches
- Materials: Synthetic
- MERV Rating: 11
- Weight: 3 pounds
If you would like to save some money, then consider this Aerostar 4-pack air filter offer. Being four in the pack brings each filter’s price to just below $10, making it an inexpensive replacement option for your HVAC and our best budget offer here.
It features an electrostatically charged filter media with a MERV 11 rating, and this makes it effective against a wide range of particles and allergens, including lint, pet dander, dust mites, pollen, and mold spores.
Aerostar also offers this filter in over 20 sizes, so you can choose the best-fitting for your HVAC. Plus it’s also available as a 6-pack filter package if you like more units.
Its downsides include being disposable and not being washable, a lack of metallic construction, and only coming with a 90-day warranty. On the plus size though, you get a lot of filters for a good price.
Pros:
- Low-cost electrostatic air filters
- One set includes four filters
- Rated MERV 11
- Available in over 20 sizes
Cons:
- They are not washable
- Their warranty is only 90 days
3. Best Premium Electrostatic Air Filter: Carter Goods
Photo: Carter Goods
- Size: 20 x 20 x 1 inches
- Materials: Stainless steel
- MERV Rating: 8
- Weight: 2.94 pounds
When you want the best electrostatic air filter, you need to check out offers like this unit from Carter goods. The beauty of this electrostatic air filter lies in its use of stainless steel for the mesh and gold-anodized aluminum for the frame, producing both premium qualities and looks.
It’s also a MERV 8 filter with a high dust-arrestance value of 94%, meaning more clean air for you. Then there’s a 300-FPM airflow, meaning less stress for your HVAC system, plus you can also get it in over 30 sizes, including in a custom size.
Carter sandwiches two layers of polypropylene between the stainless steel mesh, and additionally sandwiches another layer of self-charging polyester filter media between the two polyester layers, making 5 layers for optimal filtration.
As most premium products go, this Carter air filter is also one of the costliest on this list. But, as one of the best electrostatic furnace filters made from the best materials and backed by a lifetime warranty, it’s definitely worth its price.
Pros:
- Premium-quality construction with stainless steel
- Features a gold anodized aluminum frame
- Delivers a high 300-FPM airflow
- Comes with a MERV 8 efficiency rating
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- It’s one of the costliest offers here
4. Best Electrostatic Air Filter For the Money: Buyfiltersonline
Photo: Buyfiltersonline
- Size: 20 x 25 x 1 inches
- Materials: Aluminum
While it’s not the cheapest offer on this list, this Buyfiltersonline air filter offers you the best value for your money, because it’s washable and durable. So the low price you pay for it is for a lifetime.
Buyfiltersonline offers you a 6-stage air filter here, it features 4 layers of lifetime expanded aluminum and 2 layers of electrostatic media. This maximizes its filtration capacity and guarantees fresh, allergen-free air.
Another feature that makes this offer one of the best electrostatic air filters is its availability in over 50 sizes from as small as 10 x 10 x 1 inches to as large as 25 x 25 x 1 inches. There’s also 2-inch filters up to 24 x 30 x 2 inches, and this makes it your best bet for HVAC or furnace systems with less popular configurations.
The frame also features aluminum construction, making it an entirely aluminum air filter, resistant to the corrosive effects of water and air. It’s entirely washable using either only water or in combination with a light soap or detergent.
Its only downside, however, is that it lacks a polished or high-quality look. This is just for looks anyway and doesn’t refer to the material quality. So, if it fits your system, then go ahead.
Pros:
- Attractively low price
- Uses six filtration levels
- Includes 2 layers of electrostatic filter media
- Features a non-rusting aluminum frame
Cons:
- It lacks a polished finish
5. Most Efficient Electrostatic Air Filter: Aircare AC-ES9400
Photo: Aircare
- Size: 14 x 24 x 1 inches
- Materials: Aluminum, electrostatic medium
- MERV Rating: 8
When it comes down to efficiency, this Aircare AC-ES9400 is one of the best electrostatic air filters you can get, as it offers a 95% arrestance rate of allergens and other airborne particles, guaranteeing a cleaner air delivery.
Another of its nice features is the shiny aluminum frame, which gives it a classy and higher-quality look. Plus a lifetime warranty coverage to set your mind at ease.
You can either order any of the over 40 size configurations of this filter or send in your custom order. Keep in mind, however, that there are no returns for custom orders.
Another small issue is the price, as this is one of the costlier models, although the difference isn’t much. But if you like its slim and shiny aluminum frame, then it might be worth its price for you.
Pros:
- 95% dust-arrestance efficiency
- Features a shiny aluminum frame
- Offered in over 40 sizes
- Also allows special orders
Cons:
- It’s one of the costlier models
6. Lab-certified MERV 9 Electrostatic Air Filter: CAS MaxMERV9
Photo: CAS
- Size: 16 x 20 x 1 inches
- Materials: Aluminum, polypropylene
- MERV Rating: 9
This CAS MaxMERV9 offers you a lab-certified MERV-9 filter that’s also washable. This was initially a rarity, as only MERV 8 and below filters were washable, and this makes it one of the market’s best permanent electrostatic filters.
The MERV 9 rating is higher than the more popular MERV 8 rating and this means better-quality air, as it traps dust, spores, pollen, and so on down to 1-micron sizes.
This unit also features quality construction, which includes an aluminum frame with corrugated outer screens for strength and durability. Plus CAS backs it with a lifetime warranty to complete its features.
You’ll first have to check if your HVAC is compatible with a MERV 9 filter because filters with higher MERV ratings restrict more air than those with lower ratings, but this is only an issue if your system can deliver the needed pressure for good airflow.
Pros:
- Lab-certified MERV-9 electrostatic air filter
- Easily washable and durable
- Traps particles down to 1.0 microns
- Aluminum frame with a corrugated outer screen
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Not compatible with weak HVAC systems
7. Washable MERV-11 Electrostatic Air Filter: Aircare AC202001
Photo: Aircare
- Size: 19.3 x 19.3 x 1 inches
- Materials: Aluminum, polypropylene
- MERV Rating: 11
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
For a washable electrostatic air filter with the highest filtration levels, this Aircare AC202001 might be what you need. It features washable high-quality aluminum construction with a polypropylene filtration medium that is rated MERV 11.
The major benefit of MERV 11 is better filtration levels of animal dander, smoke, and smog, which means more comfort for you or family members with asthma or allergies. And by being washable, this filter also offers you cost savings in the long run, making it a 2-point win.
MERV 11 and 12 are the best filters you can get for residential use, as all higher filter ratings are for hospitals and surgery use. So, this is a fantastic filter.
The only issue is that you need to make sure your HVAC can handle a MERV 11 filter, as some are a little too weak. But, if it can, then this is one of the best electrostatic air filter qualities you can get.
Pros:
- Highly efficient & washable MERV 11 filter
- Aluminum & polypropylene construction
- Easy to wash and maintain
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Many HVACs can’t handle MERV 11 filters
How to Buy the Best Electrostatic Air Filters
Photo: Filtrete
1. Filter Size
Electrostatic air filters come in different sizes, designed for different HVAC and ventilation systems. You must choose a fitting air filter because getting the wrong size will mean letting unfiltered air get past your system.
To do this, you must check your current air filter to find out its dimensions. If it’s visible, fine. Else, measure its length, width, and depth to get the measurements you need. These lengths and widths can range anywhere from 10 to 20 inches and above, while the typical residential electrostatic air filter features a 1-inch depth.
2. Construction Materials
Both the frame construction and filter materials are important because they help to determine the efficiency and lifespan of your electrostatic air filter. Most offers feature a metallic frame which is often aluminum because of its lightweight and resistance to corrosion.
For the filtration material, a combination of polyurethane and polypropylene is often used, as they are quick to generate static-electric charges as air passes through them. This makes these materials magnetic to tiny particles in the air, so they stick to them like magnets and stay there until the filter is washed.
When considering the effectiveness of these filter media, you need to watch out for either of two ratings: the MERV and the MPR.
MERV Rating
Also known as the Minimum Efficient Rating Value, an electrostatic air filter’s MERV rating tells you how effective it is in removing airborne particles and micro-organisms. MERV was developed by the American National Standards Institute and it ranks from 1 to 16, with higher numbers meaning higher effectiveness or finer filtering.
MERV ratings of about 9 to 12 are high performing and usually recommended for residential use. They can filter out particles in the 1-3 microns range, which include dust, smoke, and pollen. A good example is the Aircare AC202001 air filter.
For the higher-rated MERV filters, those that range from 13 to 16 can filter particles from 1 micron down to 0.03 microns, but this doesn’t make them better for residential use. This is because they can create higher resistance to your HVAC system, which might cause it to break down. They are used in hospitals and specialty labs with specially designed ventilation systems.
MPR Rating
The Microparticle Performance Rating (MPR) was created by 3M, and similar to the MERV rating, it’s used in measuring a filter’s efficiency in removing smaller than 1-micron particles. MPR ranges in value from 300 to 2800, with higher numbers meaning higher efficiency.
A 1,000 to 1,900 MPR is equal to 9 to 12 MERV rating and recommended for residential use. Keep in mind here, that similar to MERV ratings, an MPR rating above 1,900 isn’t recommended for residential HVAC systems.
How to Maintain Electrostatic Air Filters
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Most electrostatic air filters will last for at least 10 years, so long as you periodically keep them clean. Important is that you take care when washing the filter, to prevent damages. You can also take better care of the filter with the following tips.
1. Always remove the filter from the ventilation system before attempting to clean it.
2. Cleaning it with a vacuum cleaner about once a month will reduce the need for more detailed washing with water.
3. For proper cleaning, you just spray it down with a garden hose, fitted with a spray nozzle. It’s important to spray from the inside out, reversing the direction that particles got trapped in for better cleaning.
4. You can wash the filter with a water and soap solution about twice a year. Spray the solution on it, wait a few minutes, and then rinse with clean water.
5. Lay the filter down with its drain holes facing downwards and let it dry for about a half-hour.
6. Always wait for the filter to dry completely before replacing it.
Conclusion
We’ve reached the end of this electrostatic air filters review and you’ve seen the market’s top offers, now’s your turn to choose.
For a good and dependable choice, we recommended our overall best offer, the Trophy Air electrostatic air filter, with aluminum and polyurethane construction, a MERV 8 rating, and a lifetime warranty.
For those who wish to spend as little as possible, we recommended the Aerostar MERV 11 disposable electrostatic air filters, as they are cheap, packed 4 in the package, and rated MERV 11.
And if you just love the very best of everything, then we recommended the Carter Goods air filter, with its stainless steel construction, gold anodized aluminum frame, and lifetime warranty coverage.