Replacement Filters Compatible With Whirlpool Air Purifiers | Filterbuy
November 7, 2026
At Filterbuy, we compared Whirlpool's filter part numbers across retailer and parts-distributor listings so you can order the right filter the first time. Most Whirlpool air purifiers use two filters: a True HEPA filter that traps fine particles and an activated carbon pre-filter that catches larger debris and odors before they reach it. If you own a Whispure AP45030K or AP51030K, you need HEPA 1183054K with pre-filter 8171434K. The smaller Whispure 150 and AP250 take 1183051K with 8171433K.
TL;DR
Start with your Whirlpool model number, because Whirlpool's small, large, and extra-large filter sets are not interchangeable. Most owners replace the HEPA filter once a year and the carbon pre-filter every three months, which comes to about $87 to $108 a year for a genuine kit. Filterbuy does not sell Whirlpool filters today, but we will soon expand our air purifier filter line.
Key Takeaways
The Whispure AP450 and AP510 share the same filter set: True HEPA filter 1183054K and carbon pre-filter 8171434K.
If your manual lists HEPA part 1187022, order 1183054K. Whirlpool replaced the older number with it.
By Filterbuy's math, a full year of filtration for a Whispure AP-series purifier takes one HEPA filter and four pre-filters, or about $108 for a genuine kit.
Whirlpool filter timers reset only after the Replace light comes on.
Which Replacement Filter Does My Whirlpool Air Purifier Use?
Your replacement filter depends on your purifier's model number, which you'll find on the rating label on the housing. Whirlpool groups its Whispure filters into small, large, and extra-large sets, and each set pairs one True HEPA filter with a matching activated carbon pre-filter. If you want to know what each layer does, our guide to pre-filter, HEPA, and carbon filter types walks through them.
Whirlpool Air Purifier Filter Finder
APT towers include APT30010M, APT40010R, APT42010M, APT50010M, and APMT2001M. Checked against retailer listings, November 2026. Confirm against your owner's manual before ordering.
What Filterbuy's research found: Listings disagree on the WP1000 pre-filter. Two parts distributors tie it to 8171510K, the same pre-filter the WPPRO2000 pairs with its extra-large 1183050K HEPA filter, so that is the part our table shows.
Before you order:
Find the model number on your purifier's rating label.
Look it up in the table and write down both part numbers.
Order the HEPA filter and four pre-filters together, since one yearly kit covers both schedules.
How Often Should You Replace Whirlpool Air Purifier Filters?
Plan on a new True HEPA filter about every 12 months and a fresh carbon pre-filter about every 3 months. Homes with wildfire smoke or heavy pet hair should change both sooner, because a loaded pre-filter passes more debris to the HEPA layer and shortens its life.
Whirlpool Filter Replacement Schedule
Filterbuy's math: 24/7 use equals about 8,760 run hours a year.
Don't rely on the indicator alone. Weak airflow and a gray pre-filter are common signs it's time to replace an air purifier filter, and they can show up before the light does. Filterbuy's guide on how often to replace pre-filter, HEPA, and carbon filters covers each layer in detail.
How To Change A Whirlpool Air Purifier Filter And Reset The Light
Swapping a Whirlpool air purifier filter takes a few minutes and no tools. Unplug the unit, replace the HEPA filter and carbon pre-filter, then hold the matching reset button for 5 seconds once the Replace light is on.
Unplug the purifier and open the front grille or filter door.
Pull out the carbon pre-filter, lift out the HEPA filter behind it, and bag both for the trash.
Seat the new HEPA filter with its airflow arrow pointing toward the fan. Our air purifier filter direction guide shows how to read the arrow.
Lay the new pre-filter over it, facing the intake grille, and close the grille.
Plug the purifier back in and hold PRE-FILTER RESET or HEPA RESET for 5 seconds.
If a light stays on after the swap, make sure the grille is fully closed, then try these stuck filter light fixes.
Can You Wash Or Vacuum A Whirlpool HEPA Filter?
No. Whirlpool HEPA filters and carbon pre-filters are built to be replaced, not cleaned. Water breaks down the fine fiber mat that gives True HEPA media its capture efficiency. Vacuuming a carbon pre-filter will lift surface lint, but it cannot revive carbon that is already full of odors.
The two layers wear out in different ways. HEPA media traps particles such as dust and pollen (our breakdown of what air purifier filters capture has the full list), while activated carbon adsorbs gases and odors until its surface fills up. That difference is why Filterbuy's carbon vs. HEPA comparison gives each layer its own schedule. For real-world lifespans, see how long HEPA air purifier filters last.
Are Compatible Filters A Good Choice For A Whirlpool Air Purifier?
Yes, as long as the filter matches your Whirlpool part number and uses True HEPA media. As a filter manufacturer, we judge compatible filters by the same standard we hold our own to. Every Filterbuy purifier filter is listed by the exact original part it replaces, and our carbon pre-filters ship pre-cut to fit. A Whirlpool-compatible filter deserves the same scrutiny, and our guide to choosing the right air purifier replacement filter explains how to match one to your model.
Compatible Filter Checklist
Worried about your warranty? Federal law says a manufacturer cannot require specific parts to keep coverage, unless it provides those parts free or gets a waiver from the FTC. Damage caused by a poorly fitting part can still be excluded, though. The FTC's consumer guide explains how product warranties work.
Filterbuy is not affiliated with Whirlpool Corporation, and Whirlpool and Whispure are trademarks of their owner.
How A Whirlpool Purifier Works Alongside Your HVAC Filter
A Whirlpool air purifier cleans the air in one room, while your HVAC filter cleans the air your heating and cooling system moves through the whole house. Run both and you cover the room you use most along with the rest of the home. Our explainer on how air filters and air purifiers differ breaks down each one's job, and Filterbuy's guide shows how to size a purifier to its room using its smoke CADR.
During wildfire smoke events, the EPA recommends a MERV 13 filter for central HVAC systems.
Filterbuy recommends going a step further. When the AQI is over 100, switch to an EPA-recommended MERV 13 filter if you have an HVAC system, and run HEPA air purifiers in each room. Check your system's manual first to confirm it can take a MERV 13 filter, and if it can't, see which MERV rating fits high-AQI days. Our guides to what an AQI above 100 means and running an air purifier when AQI is high fill in the rest.
Filterbuy makes MERV 8, 11, and 13 HVAC filters, but even our MERV 13 filter is not equivalent to True HEPA, so keep the room purifier running. For sealing gaps and setting up a clean room, see our guide to protecting your home from wildfire smoke.
“An effective air purifier starts with a quality replacement filter.”
Supporting Statistics
99.97% Capture At 0.3 Microns
Stat: A HEPA filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of 0.3-micron particles, per the EPA.
Takeaway: Only True HEPA replacements meet that bar. Skip "HEPA-type" listings.
Source: What Is a HEPA Filter?
78.8% Less PM2.5 In The Purifier's Room
Study: 29 homes, randomized and single-blinded.
Same room: PM2.5 fell 78.8%.
Second room: PM2.5 fell 57.9%.
Takeaway: Run a purifier with a fresh filter in each room you use most.
Source: Real-World Effectiveness of Portable Air Cleaners in Reducing Home Particulate Matter Concentrations
CADR Of At Least Two-Thirds Of Room Area
AHAM's sizing rule takes three steps:
Measure the room's area in square feet.
Multiply that number by two-thirds.
Choose a purifier with a smoke CADR at or above the result.
Example: A 450-square-foot room needs a smoke CADR of at least 300 CFM.
Source: Air Filtration Standards
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Whirlpool Air Purifier Filters Cost Per Year?
At retailer Sylvane in November 2026, a genuine yearly kit sold for $87 for the Whispure 150 and AP250 and $108 for the AP450, AP510, and WP500. By Filterbuy's math, the larger kit works out to about $9 a month, or just over a penny an hour at 24/7 use.
Is Whirlpool Part 1187022 The Same As 1183054K?
Yes, in practice. Part 1183054K is the current replacement for the older Whirlpool HEPA part 1187022, so if your manual lists 1187022, order 1183054K or a compatible filter that names it.
How Do I Reset The Filter Light On A Whirlpool Air Purifier?
Install the new filter, then hold PRE-FILTER RESET or HEPA RESET for 5 seconds. The timer only resets after the Replace light has come on, so pressing the button early won't restart it.
Does Filterbuy Sell Whirlpool-Compatible Air Purifier Filters?
Not today. Filterbuy will soon expand its air purifier filter line, and until then you can buy genuine Whirlpool filters from authorized retailers and parts distributors.
Filterbuy's Growing Air Purifier Filter Line
Filterbuy already makes compatible filters for GermGuardian and Honeywell purifiers, and we will soon expand our air purifier filter line with the same affordable, factory-direct pricing. In the meantime, browse our current air purifier replacement filters. Auto Delivery saves 5% and ships replacements on schedule, with fast and free 2-day delivery to most US states.
Glossary
A filter standard for media that removes at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns in size.
A thin carbon-impregnated sheet that sits in front of a purifier's HEPA filter, catching larger debris and adsorbing odors.
A measure of how much filtered air a room air purifier delivers, in cubic feet per minute, tested separately for smoke, dust, and pollen.
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, the trade group that runs the Verifide certification program for room air cleaners.
A 1 to 16 rating for HVAC filters under ASHRAE Standard 52.2, where higher numbers capture smaller particles.
The EPA's 0 to 500 scale for reporting daily outdoor air quality, where readings above 100 are unhealthy for sensitive groups. See AQI basics from AirNow .
Fine particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter, a major component of wildfire smoke.
Whirlpool's line of HEPA room air purifiers, including the AP450, AP510, WPPRO2000, and tower models.
A family-owned air filter manufacturer that sells HVAC filters and air purifier replacement filters direct to homeowners.