Filtrete vs Honeywell vs Nordic Pure: Which Furnace Filter Brand?
Filtrete vs Honeywell vs Nordic Pure furnace filters: how each labels ratings, MERV 13 options, actual sizes, 4-inch media lines and which suits which home.
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For a standard 1-inch slot, choose between Filtrete and Nordic Pure; for a 4-inch Honeywell media cabinet, buy Honeywell's matching filter. The Filtrete MPR 1900 is labeled MERV 13 and comes with 3M's most detailed performance claims (62% capture of 0.3 to 1 micron particles); the Nordic Pure MERV 13 six-pack is rated by MERV directly and made in the USA, per its listing. Honeywell's 1-inch filters were not reliably in stock on Amazon US when we checked, but its FC100A1037 media filter for F100 and F200 cabinets is.
Whichever brand you pick, EPA's advice is the same: at least MERV 13 or as high as your system accommodates, a snug fit, and replacement on the maker's schedule.
The three brands at a glance
| Filtrete (3M) | Honeywell | Nordic Pure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating scale | MPR, with MERV printed alongside | MERV on current listings; FPR at The Home Depot | MERV |
| MERV 13 option | MPR 1900 | 1-inch Allergen Control line (not in stock when we checked); FC200E1029 4-inch | MERV 13 |
| 16x25x1 actual size | 15.62 x 24.62 x 0.78 in | Not compared | 15.5 x 24.5 x 0.75 in |
| Stated fine-particle capture | 62% (MPR 1900), 54% (MPR 1500) | Not stated on the listings we read | Not stated |
| Extras | App reminders; smart Bluetooth version | 4-inch media filters for Honeywell cabinets | Made in USA; six-packs |
| Change guidance | At least every 90 days | Follow the cabinet or filter instructions | Follow your system; EPA says typically 60 to 90 days |
Filtrete
3M rates Filtrete with its own MPR scale but now prints MERV next to it: MPR 1000 is MERV 11, MPR 1500 is MERV 12, and MPR 1900 is MERV 13 on its listings. It is the only one of the three to state a capture percentage for the smallest particles (54% at MPR 1500, 62% at MPR 1900), and its listing claims the MPR 1900 has the best airflow of any brand's residential 1-inch retail MERV 13 based on California Energy Commission data, which we have not verified. Filtrete's app sets 30, 60 or 90-day reminders, and a smart version adds a Bluetooth airflow sensor. Packs are small, which raises the cost per filter.
Nordic Pure
Nordic Pure rates by MERV, sells in six-packs, and lists its filters as made in the USA. Its 16x25x1 actual size is 15.5 by 24.5 by 0.75 inches, a little smaller than Filtrete's, so measure your slot: EPA says filters should fit snugly so air does not leak around them. Nordic Pure says its MERV 13 equals MPR 2200 to 2400, which does not match Filtrete's own pairing of MPR 1900 with MERV 13; compare by MERV.
Honeywell
Honeywell's 1-inch filters are sold mainly through The Home Depot, where they carry its FPR rating; the Honeywell 16x25x1 MERV 11 and MERV 13 listings we found on Amazon were out of stock or on long lead times. Honeywell's strength is its media air cleaners: the FC100A1037 is a MERV 11 filter for 20x25 F100 and F200 cabinets, with a listed pressure drop of 0.23 inches of water column at 500 feet per minute, and the FC200E1029 is a MERV 13 filter for 16x25 cabinets. EPA's technical summary notes that thicker, extensively pleated filters reach high MERV with low airflow resistance.
How to choose
- Match the slot. 1-inch slot: Filtrete or Nordic Pure. Honeywell or AprilAire cabinet: that cabinet's own filter.
- Pick the MERV. EPA suggests at least MERV 13 if your system handles it; step down to MERV 11 or 12 if airflow suffers. See MERV 8 vs 11 vs 13.
- Check the actual size against your slot to avoid bypass. See custom HVAC filter sizes.
- Compare cost per filter over a year of changes every 60 to 90 days.
Who should buy which
- Filtrete if you want stated fine-particle performance, reminders or a smart sensor.
- Nordic Pure if you change filters often and want MERV-rated multipacks.
- Honeywell if you have a Honeywell media cabinet, or shop at The Home Depot (check the MERV on the box).
See the best HVAC filters and MERV vs MPR vs FPR.
Frequently asked questions
Is Filtrete better than Nordic Pure?
At the same MERV they meet the same minimum standard. Filtrete publishes more detail, such as a 62% fine-particle capture for its MERV 13; Nordic Pure sells MERV-rated six-packs. Choose by fit and price.
Which is better, Filtrete or Honeywell?
For 1-inch slots, Filtrete was the easier buy on Amazon US when we checked. For Honeywell media cabinets, use Honeywell's matching filter, such as the FC100A1037.
What Filtrete MPR equals MERV 13?
Filtrete labels its MPR 1900 as MERV 13 on its own listings.
Are Nordic Pure filters made in the USA?
Nordic Pure's Amazon listing says its pleated filters are made in the USA.
Why are filter sizes slightly smaller than stated?
Sizes are nominal. Filtrete's 16x25x1 is 15.62 by 24.62 by 0.78 inches and Nordic Pure's is 15.5 by 24.5 by 0.75. Measure your slot and choose a filter that fits snugly.
Do Honeywell filters use MERV or FPR?
At The Home Depot, Honeywell Home filters carry FPR, The Home Depot's scale. Honeywell's Amazon listings, including its media filters, give MERV ratings.
Sources
- What is a MERV rating?, US Environmental Protection Agency
- Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home, US Environmental Protection Agency
- Residential Air Cleaners: A Technical Summary (3rd edition), US Environmental Protection Agency
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