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Air inside a house can pick up both tiny particles and lingering smells. Filters help clean it, though each type is built for its own job. Pleated and HEPA models focus on the solid stuff—dust and other floating specks—while carbon versions soak up odors and chemical fumes. Both make breathing easier; they simply solve separate pieces of the same puzzle.
Charcoal filters work well at removing strong smells and fumes floating in your home. Their carbon material naturally catches and holds onto gases. This helps if your home has odors from pets, cooking, smoke, or things like paint and cleaning supplies. For example, a team of MIT scientists said using activated carbon filters is “still the way to go” for removing VOCs (stinky chemical vapors) from indoor air. The EPA also says to use a carbon filter if you need to remove gases and vapors.
Traditional air filters (like the filters in a furnace or a HEPA filter) focus on particles. They catch dust, pollen, pet hair, mold spores and other solid bits floating in the air. The EPA says a HEPA filter captures nearly every tiny speck of dust and pollen that drifts through it. A typical MERV 8 filter easily catches many larger particles drifting around indoors. Filters like these work nicely to reduce dust and allergens but aren't made to handle smells or fumes.
A carbon filter helps when unwanted smells fill the house. It cuts lingering indoor smoke and tames strong cooking odors in the kitchen. They also help clear the air if pets or musty areas create odors. The EPA says carbon filters work best for gases. If you're mostly worried about odors instead of dust, these filters are a smart choice.
A carbon filter by itself is mainly for gases and smells, not dust. However, many carbon filters are built like regular pleated filters and do trap dust as well. For example, Filterbuy’s carbon filters meet MERV 8, so they capture a lot of dust and pollen along with odors. The EPA explains that most filters handle either dust or fumes, not both. A carbon filter with a MERV 8 rating will catch some dust, but a HEPA or higher-MERV filter pulls even more tiny bits from the air.
Experts say: use the right filter for the right job. If dust and allergens are your worry, use a high-MERV (or HEPA) filter. If smells and gases are your worry, use a carbon filter. For example, the EPA suggests a filter rated MERV 13 or higher for dust removal and recommends carbon filters for gases. Filterbuy’s carbon filters meet MERV 8, which means they do both: they help control odors and capture dust in one filter.
Filterbuy products have extra perks:
With Filterbuy, you get fresh clean air and the convenience you need to keep your filters ready when you need them.
It targets smells and chemical vapors—such as smoke, cooking fumes, and VOCs—rather than dust.
Carbon pads built into a MERV-8 pleated frame capture some larger dust particles, but they are less efficient than high-MERV or HEPA options.
HEPA traps 99.97 % of tiny particles (0.3 µm), while carbon focuses on gases and odors.
Pick carbon if odors or chemical fumes bother you more than dust—especially in homes with smoke, pets, or fresh paint.
A properly sized, thick pleated carbon filter maintains airflow close to normal; the surface area—not the carbon itself—sets the resistance.
Check monthly and plan to swap every 60–90 days; heavy odors or high usage can shorten this interval.
Yes. Pairing filters allows one to handle particles while the other tackles odors, providing broader protection within the same system.
Filterbuy’s carbon line is MERV 8, a level that balances odor control with moderate particle capture without overloading most blowers.
Higher MERV filters trap finer dust but must be compatible with your blower; excessive resistance can reduce overall system performance.
They’re as safe as standard pleated filters when sized and sealed correctly; the CDC advises using the highest efficiency your system can handle.
