Shop by
Sneezing, watery eyes, and stuffy noses don't have to be part of your daily routine at home. The right allergen furnace filter can dramatically reduce airborne triggers and help you breathe easier. Here's your straightforward guide to choosing the best hypoallergenic air filters for allergies and finding the perfect MERV rating for your needs.
A hypoallergenic filter reduces common indoor allergens like pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores. Unlike basic fiberglass filters that mainly catch large particles, hypoallergenic filters use pleated media to capture smaller allergens that trigger symptoms.
The secret lies in the pleated design. These accordion-style filters pack more filtration surface into the same space, creating more opportunities to trap particles as air flows through. This increased surface area makes them significantly more effective at capturing the microscopic particles that cause allergy problems.
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It's a rating system that measures how well a filter captures particles of different sizes. The scale runs from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating better filtration.
For residential allergens, medium-efficiency MERV 7–13 filters work exceptionally well. They strike the right balance between capturing particles and maintaining proper airflow through your HVAC system.
MERV 11–13 filters are your sweet spot for allergy relief. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) often recommends MERV 11–12 for allergy households. However, many homes can handle MERV 13 filters, which provide even better protection.
Before upgrading to MERV 13, check your HVAC manual or consult a professional to ensure your system can handle the slightly reduced airflow.
MERV 8 filters handle dust and pollen well, making them a solid budget-friendly choice. They're perfect if you have mild seasonal allergies or want better filtration than basic fiberglass without the higher cost.
MERV 11 filters excel at capturing pet dander and mold spores—two major allergy triggers that MERV 8 might miss. Most allergy sufferers find significant relief with MERV 11 filters, and they work well in standard residential HVAC systems.
MERV 13 filters offer the highest level of allergen capture available for most home systems. They're excellent for severe allergies and asthma, blocking particles as small as 0.3 microns. Just ensure your HVAC system can handle the increased resistance.
Your central HVAC filter provides whole-home baseline protection, while room HEPA purifiers deliver targeted relief where you need it most.
Room HEPA purifiers work best in bedrooms, nurseries, or other spaces where you spend significant time. The ACAAI supports using room HEPA purifiers alongside central filtration, especially when they're properly sized for your room (check the CADR rating).
Popular options include Levoit air purifiers and other tested models. Independent testing consistently shows that true HEPA units can significantly reduce airborne allergens in individual rooms.
Choosing the right air filter for your home can feel overwhelming with so many options available, but selecting the right one ensures cleaner air and a healthier living environment. Your decision should be guided by your household's specific needs and any particular sensitivities or concerns.
Choose MERV 11–13. Pet dander particles are particularly stubborn, so you need the enhanced capture capability of higher-MERV pleated filters.
Use MERV 11–13 during peak pollen months. You might switch to MERV 8 during off-seasons to reduce costs while maintaining good filtration.
Go with MERV 13 plus room HEPA in sleeping areas. This combination provides maximum protection where it matters most. Always consult your doctor about environmental controls as part of your asthma management plan.
Proper sizing, timely replacement, and regular maintenance of air filters are essential for ensuring optimal performance and indoor air quality. This section will guide you through the key considerations to help you maintain an efficient filtration system.
Check the frame label on your current filter first. If it's missing or illegible, measure your filter slot's length, width, and depth. Remember that nominal sizes (like 16x25x1) are slightly larger than actual dimensions (15.5x24.5x0.75).
Watch for a dirty/gray filter, reduced airflow from vents, or increased allergy symptoms despite using a good filter.
Filterbuy specializes in the MERV 8–13 range that works best for most homes. They offer:
Their guidance is straightforward: most homes perform best with MERV 8–13 filters, with allergy households leaning toward the higher end of that range.
The formula is simple: start with a quality MERV 11–13 pleated filter from Filterbuy as your whole-home foundation, then add a room HEPA purifier where you spend the most time for extra relief. The ACAAI and independent testing both support this approach for reducing allergen exposure.
With Filterbuy's high-quality filters combined with targeted room purification, you can create a home environment where allergies don’t control your comfort.
Pleated MERV 11–13 filters in your central HVAC system provide excellent whole-home protection. Add a room HEPA purifier where you sleep for extra relief. The ACAAI notes that filtration can significantly reduce airborne allergens.
MERV 11 or 13 pleated filters work best. Choose MERV 13 if your system supports it; otherwise, MERV 11 provides excellent allergen capture for most homes.
MERV 13 when your system is compatible, plus a true HEPA purifier in key rooms to reduce triggers. The ACAAI emphasizes that proper filtration helps reduce exposure to asthma triggers.
MERV 11–13 generally provides the best balance of allergen capture and airflow in residential systems. Start with MERV 11 and upgrade to 13 if your HVAC can handle it.
Yes—for room air purifiers in bedrooms, nurseries, and living spaces. True HEPA filters can reduce exposure to allergens when properly sized for your room. They're not typically used in standard home HVAC systems.
Allergy specialists from the ACAAI say filtration can reduce airborne allergens. Room HEPA purifiers with appropriate CADR ratings can help when sized correctly for your space.
It's an informal term for filters that capture common allergens like pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold. In practice, that means a pleated filter with a higher MERV rating.
Pleated filters rated MERV 8–13 work well for most homes. Allergy households should lean toward MERV 11–13 for better particle capture.
MERV describes how well a filter captures particles—higher numbers mean finer particle capture. Medium efficiencies (MERV 7–13) are highly effective for residential allergens while maintaining good airflow.
