Shark Air Purifier Replacement Filters | Filterbuy
November 6, 2026
Shark makes a different filter for each air purifier series, so the model number on your unit decides which replacement you need. At Filterbuy, we've made pleated air filters in our own U.S. plants since 2013, and we read Shark's specs the way a filter maker does: fit first, then media. This guide matches every Shark series to its part number, then walks through the HE400 filter swap.
TL;DR
The Shark HE400 (Air Purifier 4) takes a 17.05 x 15.08 x 1.59-inch panel filter, the same one used in the HE401, HE402, and HE405. Shark sells it in three versions: HE4FKBAS (Anti-Allergen), HE4FKPET (Advanced Odor Lock), and HE4FKPRO (Odor Lock & Fumes Lock). Plan on a new filter every 6 to 12 months; it can't be washed.
Key Takeaways
The Shark HE400, HE401, HE402, and HE405 all share one filter, sold as HE4FKBAS, HE4FKPET, or HE4FKPRO.
Shark rates its replaceable filters for 6 to 12 months; NeverChange models run up to 5 years.
When the AQI tops 100, Filterbuy's rule is an EPA-recommended MERV 13 filter if you have an HVAC system, plus HEPA air purifiers in each room.
Which Replacement Filter Does My Shark Air Purifier Use?
Shark designs a separate filter for each air purifier series. Start with the model number on your unit's label, then find it in the table below.
Shark Air Purifier Filter Finder
Sources: SharkNinja filter pages and the Shark HE400 owner's guide, checked November 2026. The Air Purifier 6 size is a retailer measurement.
Filterbuy checked these specs against SharkNinja's HE2FKBAS and HE6FKPRO filter pages and the Shark HE400 owner's guide in November 2026.
Models ending in C, NP, or AMZ (such as the HE401C) generally take the base model's filter, but check your old filter's part number before you order.
What Filter Does The Shark HE400 Use?
The Shark HE400 uses the Air Purifier 4 panel filter (17.05 x 15.08 x 1.59 inches), which also fits the HE401, HE402, and HE405. All three versions install the same way, so the choice comes down to how much odor control you want.
Each version pairs NanoSeal HEPA media with a carbon layer. Shark's HE400 owner's guide rates the filter to remove 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns, the true HEPA benchmark. The letters at the end of the part number show what Shark added.
Shark HE400 Filter Decoder: BAS, PET, Or PRO?
All three versions fit the Shark HE400, HE401, HE402, and HE405.
Filterbuy's take: start with the HE4FKBAS unless odor is the real problem. Every tier shares the same HEPA layer, so the upgrades are all in the carbon. That's why a sour smell usually means the carbon is spent long before the HEPA. Learn more in why an air purifier filter smells bad and our carbon vs. HEPA comparison. If pollen is the main concern in your home, read how air filters help with seasonal allergies.
How Often Should You Replace A Shark Air Purifier Filter?
Shark recommends a new filter every 6 to 12 months across its replaceable-filter lines. With pets, smoke, or round-the-clock use, expect the shorter end. Carbon also tends to wear out before HEPA, as our pre-filter, HEPA, and carbon replacement schedule explains.
On the HE400, the Filter Life button shows the hours remaining and starts blinking at zero. Because that timer counts run hours rather than months, Filterbuy recommends writing the install date on the frame. By our math, a unit running 24/7 reaches Shark's 6-to-12-month window at roughly 4,400 to 8,800 hours. For other clues, see signs of a clogged air purifier filter and 10 signs it's time to replace your air purifier filter.
How To Change A Shark HE400 Filter And Reset The Timer
The HE400 filter sits behind a snap-on back cover, so you won't need any tools. These steps follow the Shark HE400 owner's guide:
Turn the purifier off and unplug it.
Press the tabs at the top of the back cover and pull it toward you.
Pull out the old filter by the tabs at its top and bottom, then seal it in a plastic bag.
Remove all plastic wrap from the new filter.
Slide the new filter in. Set the cover's bottom tabs in their slots, then press the top and sides until it clicks.
Plug in and power on; a short calibration runs.
Hold the Filter Life button for 3 seconds until it beeps to restart the timer.
While the cover is off, vacuum the housing. Shark suggests cleaning the interior about every two months.
How To Make A Shark HE400 Filter Last Longer
Filterbuy's read of Shark's HE400 owner's guide points to five habits that stretch filter life:
Leave it in Auto Mode. Shark says Auto gives the best filter life, and the fans drop to standby once the air reads 100% clean.
Match the fan speed to the job. Shark recommends speed 2 for odors, speed 3 for allergens, and speed 4 for maximum cleaning.
Close doors and windows so the purifier isn't trying to clean outdoor air.
Give it room. Keep it at least 3 inches from walls with the front panel facing out, and away from heaters and humid rooms.
Watch the ring. If it stays amber or red for hours with the windows shut, make sure the plastic wrap is off and the filter sits flush. If both look right, the carbon is likely spent.
Can You Wash Or Reuse A Shark HEPA Filter?
No. According to Shark's HE400 owner's guide, the filter isn't washable and can't be cleaned or recycled. Water damages HEPA fibers and saturates the carbon. Only the Debris Defense pre-filter on NeverChange models is designed to be rinsed. Filterbuy's guide to how often to replace air purifier filters covers each layer's lifespan.
Are Compatible Filters A Good Choice For A Shark Air Purifier?
A compatible filter can work in a Shark purifier if it matches the original's dimensions and states a real capture rating. Note that the Shark owner's guide calls for Shark-branded filters only.
Under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a manufacturer generally can't void your warranty just because you used another brand's part, though it can deny a claim if that part caused damage, as the FTC's guidance on warranty tie-in warnings explains.
What We Found Reviewing Compatible HE400 Listings
When Filterbuy compared HE400-compatible listings against Shark's specs, three patterns came up:
Depth varies. Shark lists the panel at 1.59 inches deep. One compatible listing gave 1.96 inches, a 0.37-inch difference.
MERV labels show up where they don't belong. Some listings claimed MERV 13 or even MERV 17, but MERV rates HVAC filters, not purifier filters.
Replacement advice conflicts. Some listings said to replace every 3 to 6 months, while Shark says 6 to 12.
Run the listing through Filterbuy's five-check framework for compatible purifier filters, or at least confirm:
It names the right model and Shark part number.
It measures 17.05 x 15.08 x 1.59 inches, depth included.
It states a capture rate at a particle size, such as 99.97% at 0.3 microns.
Odor versions disclose the carbon layer, ideally by weight.
Over a decade of making quality pleated air filters has taught us that every detail matters. From precision fit to dependable filtration, we bring that same commitment to craftsmanship and cleaner air into every replacement air purifier filter we make.
How A Shark Purifier Works Alongside Your HVAC Filter
A Shark purifier cleans the room it sits in. Your HVAC filter cleans the whole house, but only while the system runs, as our comparison of air filters vs. air purifiers explains. The EPA's Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home advises avoiding air cleaners that intentionally produce ozone.
When the AQI climbs above 100 on Filterbuy's live USA AQI map, we recommend two steps:
If you have an HVAC system, switch to an EPA-recommended MERV 13 air filter.
Run HEPA air purifiers, like your Shark, in each room.
Homes without ductwork skip step 1 and rely on room purifiers.
Worried MERV 13 will strain your system? Go thicker, not lower. Filterbuy lab data puts a 20x25x1 MERV 13 at 0.22 inches of water gauge at 1,000 CFM, while the 4-inch version measures 0.11. Check your HVAC manual first; custom air filters cover odd sizes. For more, see air purifier vs. HVAC filter for outdoor pollution and how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.
Supporting Statistics
HEPA Purifiers Work In Real Homes
A randomized, single-blinded study tested portable HEPA cleaners in 29 homes.
PM2.5 fell 78.8% in the room with the purifier.
PM2.5 fell 57.9% in a second room.
Source: Lu et al., Real-World Effectiveness of Portable Air Cleaners, CDC Stacks
Allergies Are Common
25.7% of U.S. adults had a diagnosed seasonal allergy in 2021.
Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Data Brief No. 460
Your HVAC Filter Works Part-Time
HVAC systems usually run less than 25% of the time in heating and cooling seasons.
People spend about 90% of their time indoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will A Shark HE400 Filter Fit The HE601 Or HE602?
No. The Air Purifier 6 uses a panel nearly 8 inches longer, sold as the HE6FKBAS, HE6FKPET, or HE6FKPRO.
Does Filterbuy Make Shark Air Purifier Filters?
Not yet. Today Filterbuy makes GermGuardian replacement filters and cut carbon pre-filters.
Where Can I Buy Genuine Shark HE400 Filters?
SharkNinja sells all three versions on sharkninja.com, including the HE4FKPET filter, and major retailers carry them too.
Filterbuy's Growing Air Purifier Filter Line
Filterbuy only lists a purifier replacement when we can build it to fit, which is why there's no Shark-compatible filter yet. It's the same standard behind our GermGuardian combination filters and the carbon pre-filters we cut to exact Honeywell dimensions.
In the meantime, browse our air purifier replacement filters, our HEPA air purifier replacement filters guide, or our Alen air purifier replacement filters guide. Orders ship free in 2 days to most U.S. states, and Auto Delivery takes 5% off every recurring order.
Glossary
- Filterbuy
- A family-owned U.S. air filter manufacturer that sells factory-direct.
- SharkNinja
- The U.S. company behind Shark air purifiers.
- HEPA filter
- A high-efficiency particulate air filter that captures 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns.
- NanoSeal
- Shark's brand name for its HEPA filter technology.
- Activated carbon
- Porous carbon that traps odors and gases.
- VOCs
- Volatile organic compounds, gases released by paints and cleaners.
- AQI
- The EPA's air quality index, where readings above 100 are unhealthy for sensitive groups.
- MERV
- Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, the rating scale for HVAC filters.
- PM2.5
- Fine particles 2.5 microns or smaller, a main component of smoke.
Filterbuy is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by SharkNinja. Shark is a registered trademark of SharkNinja Operating LLC.