By Savannah Sher | Updated Jan 19, 2022 10:20 AM

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Your air filter is an essential part of your home’s HVAC system, but replacing air filters regularly can be a nuisance. Luckily, many home air filter subscription services are available that send replacement filters right to your home at regular intervals.

With so many air filter subscription services available, it can be difficult to narrow down the options. To help make the search easier, we selected the following recommendations for the best air filter subscriptions for their quality, versatility, and value. Keep reading to learn about some key features to consider when shopping and explore the picks for some of the best air filter subscriptions on today’s market.

While it’s easy to assume that air filter subscriptions offer similar levels of service, a number of factors affect their functionality and appropriateness for different households. Keep reading to learn about several of the most important features to consider when choosing the best air filter subscription.

MERV stands for “minimum efficiency reporting value.” An air filter’s MERV rating represents its efficiency. MERV ratings range from 1 to 20: A higher rating indicates a higher level of filtration, and filters with higher MERV ratings generally cost more per filter.

Every household requires a different number of filters for its HVAC system and furnace. To establish how many filters are necessary for a particular system, first locate the existing filters, which should be inside the home’s return vents. These vents are often next to the furnace or HVAC handler. Each vent generally has its own filter.

Be sure to check the dimensions of each filter in the system because they may differ. Most subscription services allow subscribers to order multiple filters at once, and many also include an option to order several filters of different sizes.

Since air filters come in a wide variety of sizes, first establish which size the system requires. Some of the most common sizes are 16 by 20 inches, 20 by 25 inches, and 16 by 25 inches. Filters also vary in thickness, and while a thicker filter is generally associated with higher performance, each furnace or HVAC system’s instructions stipulate the maximum thickness it can handle. The exact size should appear on the edge of the filter that came with the system.

Check the owner’s manual for each specific system to compare prices for a specific filter size before committing to a subscription service. It’s essential to use only filters recommended by the manufacturer to reduce the risk of voiding the system’s warranty.

Shipping frequency depends on how often an air filter must be changed, which depends on a variety of factors.

Fiberglass filters, for example, should be changed every 30 days, while most pleated filters last 60 to 90 days. While households with allergy sufferers or pets should change their filters more frequently, HVAC filters in vacation homes can be changed less often.

Many air filter subscription services offer flexibility in delivery intervals. The best air filter subscription services allow customers to choose delivery frequency based on their needs.

After learning about air filters and subscription services, it’s time to narrow down the available options. The following options represent some of the best air filter subscription services currently available.

Second Nature—formerly called Filter Easy—is widely considered to be the top option on the market because of its wide range of filter options and excellent customer service. Its sizing options are unbeatable, with 66,000 sizes available, including custom sizes. It offers three filtration levels: Essential (MERV 8), Essential+ (MERV 10), and Health Shield (MERV 13).

Second Nature’s one downside is that its prices are quite high, starting at $16 per filter for the most basic Essential subscription. On the bright side, however, Second Nature filters ship free with every order. Moreover, the company allows subscribers to create a custom delivery schedule that best suits their needs.

At Air Filters Delivered, options are available with MERV ratings of 8, 11, or 13, and shoppers can choose from a wide variety of sizing options or have their filters custom made. While it’s possible to order a single filter at a time, prices drop significantly when ordering in bulk.

While other filter subscription services offer only a single brand for each size, Air Filters Delivered requires shoppers to choose between brands, which adds an extra layer to the decision-making process. One advantage to this system, however, is that prices vary from brand to brand, giving subscribers the chance to snag the best deal.

Pet owners make good candidates for a filter subscription since their homes need a little extra help in air filtration. Pet hair and dander can act as an irritant for allergy sufferers, so it’s particularly important to change HVAC filters regularly if pets live in the home. Filterjoy helps keep furry household members happy since each delivery includes pet treats and other fun surprises.

Its user interface is easy to navigate, making the sign-up process a breeze. The company offers 70 size options, which may not seem like a lot compared to the thousands offered at some other companies, but those options should still be sufficient for most users.

While Tru Filtered Air offers only one style of filter, it’s high quality and crafted to offer some of the best residential performance on the market.

All of Tru Filtered Air’s products carry a MERV rating of 11 and come with an additional carbon filter that catches odors and gases as well as common allergens like dirt, dust, and animal hair. Subscribers can receive deliveries every 1, 2, or 3 months, and the service carries almost any filter size an HVAC system or furnace might require.

Those looking for an easy user experience should consider The Simple Filter Plan. The company offers three types of filters: Basic (MERV 8), Premium (MERV 11), and Advanced (MERV 13). All their filters are made in the United States by Flanders Corporation. Since many houses require several filters of different sizes, users can include multiple filters with different dimensions in each delivery.

One of the biggest perks when using The Simple Filter Plan is the ease of managing the subscriptions. Users can choose not only their own delivery schedules but can also cancel anytime without penalty.

After reviewing many options for air filter subscription services, we recommend Second Nature for its wide variety of filter sizes and three levels of filtration. Those on a budget may appreciate Air Filters Delivered, which offers excellent discounts on filters purchased in bulk.

Years of experience covering home products as well as extensive research went into creating this guide. We explored more than 15 air filter subscription plan options and weighed a number of practical considerations before making our recommendations.

While you now know more about choosing the best air filter subscription service, you may still need more information about ensuring optimal air quality in your home. Read on to find some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about home air quality and air filters.

Convenience is the primary advantage of an air filter subscription service. Rather than calculating when filters must be replaced throughout the year and heading to the hardware or home improvement store, subscribers can have their filters delivered directly to their door—and receive a gentle reminder when it’s time to change them.

The price of air filter subscriptions varies based on the type of filters chosen and the frequency with which they are delivered. Some services offer discount air filters with bulk purchases. When using a subscription service, the price per filter typically starts at about $15.

MERV stands for “minimum efficiency reporting value.” An air filter’s MERV rating represents its efficiency. MERV ratings range from 1 to 20: A higher rating indicates a higher level of filtration. Filters with higher MERV ratings generally cost more per filter.

While HEPA filters—which have a MERV rating between 16 and 20—are considered the gold standard in commercial and medical settings, disposable pleated filters with MERV ratings of 8 to 12 are sufficient for home use.

While fiberglass air filters should be changed monthly, pleated filters can be changed less frequently.

An air filter subscription plan also may be referred to as an “HVAC filter program.

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