While a furnace filter may not be the most thrilling of purchases, if you own a furnace without a doubt buying an air filter is inevitable. Furnace filters protect your unit and keep the air you breathe cleaner by helping to eliminate airborne contaminants. Plus, using a dirty filter will not only be a hazard to your health but also raise your energy bill, and may even cause your furnace to breakdown if dirt and debris make their way in. Do you know what size fits your unit, or which brand is best? Also, is it really necessary to pay more for a well-known name-brand 16x25x1 air furnace filter?



On average, your air filter should be changed at least every 60 to 90 days. Change more often if you suffer from allergies or have any furry friends living at home with you. For furnace filters, 16x25x1 is one of the more common sizes. If that’s not the size you need, simply pull out your current furnace filter and check if the dimensions are marked, if there are no markings, grab a tape measure and measure up. You want to be sure you are using the right size filter. Using one that is too big or small may mean poor filtration performance, and puts your furnace at risk for malfunctioning.

With plenty of options on the market, figuring out who sells the best quality filters, what is a fair price to pay, and what kind of filter you need can be a daunting task. Don’t worry, that’s why we’re here. We scoured the web to find out if you really need to pay more for your 16x25x1 air filter, or do the generic brands work just as well?

Depending on your needs, the price range for air filters usually will run you between $10 to $50. If you suffer from seasonal allergies or have a dust allergy, try looking for a filter specifically designed to reduce pollen, dust mites, and pet dandruff. While shopping for your furnace filters, be sure to check out the MERV rating. The higher-rated furnace filters offer more protection, but if you don’t suffer from allergies or live in an area heavily contaminated with pollen, you may be able to get away with a lower MERV rating. The cost will vary, and the higher the rating, the higher the price. Check out the quick guide below to find out which MERV-rated filter is best for you.

A Quick Guide to MERV Ratings

MERV 8 - Best for non-smoking homeowners without allergies or pets. This is a contractor or basic air filter.

MERV 11 - Best for people with mild allergies or pets in the home. This filter is better at reducing dust, pet dandruff, and pollen from your home.

MERV 13 - Anyone who has severe allergies or more than one pet at home. This filter helps to capture even the smallest particles of dust, dirt, pet dandruff, and pollen.

So, the ultimate question is, do you really have to pay more for your 16x25x1 air filter? Well, no, it’s not necessary at all to buy big name brands like Filtrete 16x25x1. Generic brands perform just as well for less money. Also, all air filters are rated using the MERV system, and most of the time, the materials being used to make the filters are the same for generic and brand names. For example, a Filtrete 16x25x1 filter will cost you upwards of $30. With a quick online search, we were able to find plenty of 16x25x1 air filters with a high MERV rating, for much less. What’s the purpose of an air filter? To filter your air, right? There is no reason why a generic brand, made from similar or the same materials as a name brand will not filter your air just as well. After all, the little sticker that says the brand name is not what is cleaning your air, it’s the filter itself.

So, the real message is, you don’t need to pay extra for big name brands when it comes to furnace filters. When you purchase a Filtrete 16x25x1 filter, remember, you’re not only paying for the filter itself, but you are also paying for the name. These companies use top branding and marketing strategies to sell more products, and while their products work excellent, the generic brands perform as well. Can’t you think of about a million better things to do with your hard-earned dough than spending it on a furnace filter? Next time your furnace requires a new furnace filter, don’t be sucked into branding, try going for one of the generic brands, and use the cash you save for something way more fun!

While a furnace filter may not be the most thrilling of purchases, if you own a furnace without a doubt buying an air filter is inevitable. Furnace filters protect your unit and keep the air you breathe cleaner by helping to eliminate airborne contaminants. Plus, using a dirty filter will not only be a hazard to your health but also raise your energy bill, and may even cause your furnace to breakdown if dirt and debris make their way in. Do you know what size fits your unit, or which brand is best? Also, is it really necessary to pay more for a well-known name-brand 16x25x1 air furnace filter?



On average, your air filter should be changed at least every 60 to 90 days. Change more often if you suffer from allergies or have any furry friends living at home with you. For furnace filters, 16x25x1 is one of the more common sizes. If that’s not the size you need, simply pull out your current furnace filter and check if the dimensions are marked, if there are no markings, grab a tape measure and measure up. You want to be sure you are using the right size filter. Using one that is too big or small may mean poor filtration performance, and puts your furnace at risk for malfunctioning.

With plenty of options on the market, figuring out who sells the best quality filters, what is a fair price to pay, and what kind of filter you need can be a daunting task. Don’t worry, that’s why we’re here. We scoured the web to find out if you really need to pay more for your 16x25x1 air filter, or do the generic brands work just as well?

Depending on your needs, the price range for air filters usually will run you between $10 to $50. If you suffer from seasonal allergies or have a dust allergy, try looking for a filter specifically designed to reduce pollen, dust mites, and pet dandruff. While shopping for your furnace filters, be sure to check out the MERV rating. The higher-rated furnace filters offer more protection, but if you don’t suffer from allergies or live in an area heavily contaminated with pollen, you may be able to get away with a lower MERV rating. The cost will vary, and the higher the rating, the higher the price. Check out the quick guide below to find out which MERV-rated filter is best for you.

A Quick Guide to MERV Ratings

MERV 8 - Best for non-smoking homeowners without allergies or pets. This is a contractor or basic air filter.

MERV 11 - Best for people with mild allergies or pets in the home. This filter is better at reducing dust, pet dandruff, and pollen from your home.

MERV 13 - Anyone who has severe allergies or more than one pet at home. This filter helps to capture even the smallest particles of dust, dirt, pet dandruff, and pollen.

So, the ultimate question is, do you really have to pay more for your 16x25x1 air filter? Well, no, it’s not necessary at all to buy big name brands like Filtrete 16x25x1. Generic brands perform just as well for less money. Also, all air filters are rated using the MERV system, and most of the time, the materials being used to make the filters are the same for generic and brand names. For example, a Filtrete 16x25x1 filter will cost you upwards of $30. With a quick online search, we were able to find plenty of 16x25x1 air filters with a high MERV rating, for much less. What’s the purpose of an air filter? To filter your air, right? There is no reason why a generic brand, made from similar or the same materials as a name brand will not filter your air just as well. After all, the little sticker that says the brand name is not what is cleaning your air, it’s the filter itself.

So, the real message is, you don’t need to pay extra for big name brands when it comes to furnace filters. When you purchase a Filtrete 16x25x1 filter, remember, you’re not only paying for the filter itself, but you are also paying for the name. These companies use top branding and marketing strategies to sell more products, and while their products work excellent, the generic brands perform as well. Can’t you think of about a million better things to do with your hard-earned dough than spending it on a furnace filter? Next time your furnace requires a new furnace filter, don’t be sucked into branding, try going for one of the generic brands, and use the cash you save for something way more fun!