I’ve waited my entire adult homeowner life for this.

Dude, I can't imagine the terror that the marketing staff must feel when they find out that you analyzed their products! I trust you more than the quality certificates on the labels!

As an HVAC guy, thank you for this! This is what I tell my customers every day. Yes, the higher rates filters will filter out more, but they're typically too restrictive. If you want more and better filtration, you need a wider filter. Sometimes you even need duct adjustments to accommodate higher filtration.

Im about 45 seconds into rhis video and i had to stop it.....to go make some popcorn. This is gonna awesome. Nobody does reviews like this dude!

Do I have any reason to watch a furnace filter test? No. Am I going to watch a furnace filter test? Absolutely I am.

“I built this test stand “. Well of course you did ... you are the expert we rely on ... well done, again.

I have been using the 3M 1900 filters for several years. They are somewhat pricey especially when replacing them monthly. I was glad to see your tests show they do a good job filtering without too much flow restriction. As an software engineer, I greatly appreciate your rigorous test design.

This guy needs to get an award for these vids. Always so sad when I'm in the market for something and he hadn't tested the options first.

Everyone in the comments: oh shit I'm supposed to change that

I am a HVACR technician and I couldn't agree more with this. The more surface area the better. I wish my customers would watch this video. I love your videos. Thank you. 😊

As a research person myself, l am amazed at the technology, time and effort you put into your testing! Since companies "exaggerate" & "embellish" the advertisement of their products, YOU bring it home to the truth....."it is what it is", and your test results, "tell it like it is"! Thank you so much for your time and diligence!!

Man you must get swamped with companies wanting to buy you out. Love how you keep putting these unbiased reviews out.

Always concise, well-thought out and on-to-the point. No loud music, no endless roundabout filler storytelling, no obnoxious "creative camera angles", no clickbait title or jpeg - PF is the complete opposite from 98% of YT today. And it is very much appreciated :)

I would have liked seeing an actual recommendation or ranking of the various filters.

When I look for better solutions from watching KZfaq videos; respectively, I look for you bro. I trust your opinion and your testing procedures and results. I know they aren't 100% accurate, but are very practical and as scientific as one could possibly be. I really appreciate that about all of your videos.

Honestly this channel is incredible.

Can we all just take a moment to realize he built an entire test rig just to test those air filters?!? Awesome engineering abilities there!

Thanks again for an awesome test. I always wondered how my 4” filters were ok. Great in-depth and meaningful review. You can truly learn how things are designed and how they are supposed to work with the tests you do.

Wow, I love all your other videos. As a hvac professional I was dreading this. But after watching you absolutely nailed it. The right measurement tools. The right tests. Great job.

I wish my furnace had a static pressure sensor that would notify when it’s above a threshold. Seems like a practical thing to add that would objectively tell you when you need a new filter.

I am a manufacture rep for the Best Air brand, that was a great test. and extremely fair.

Project Farm is one of the few youtube accounts that I trust.

Hey buddy, great video! I work in producing filter testing equipment, and I really loved the dedication and effort you put into this video. I think your analysis in general was really informative. Something worth considering if you tackle filtration in the future is the relationship between contaminate accrual in the media and the buildup of resistance to flow through the media. The differential pressure curve to contaminate captured is a huge factor in filter performance that you could maybe tackle by aerosolizing the particulate into the air stream and then timing each filter to reach a predetermined change in deltaP. Still, rad video, love your channel, I'll keep coming back.

One thing that you won’t have to test is how good Gorilla Glue is as a hair spray, it’s already been tested.

Project Farm, PLEASE add a grid chart with all of the data at the end of the video so we can study your great work done. Thanks.

I love being able to see your videos as some of my search results for things like this. I go straight for them. Thanks man. Your vid’s help a ton.

Great Video !!!! Some years ago we tried different filters in the house. My two daughters had asthma. After trying different filters, we found that the 1900 seemed to work the best. It was nice to see your tests were similar to what a novice like me doing the testing. They are expensive, but worth it for me. Keep up the great work !!

3M: Creates ultra expensive filter testing methodologies to demonstrate product effectiveness. My trust level: 2/10 Project Farm: Here's an acrylic box with a leaf blower My trust level: 10/10

I don't even have a forced air system and I still watched and thought this was an awesome video.

This channel is my favorite on KZfaq. So much quality information and testing it's simply the best. These videos help me through the day, I watch these videos daily (even ones I've watched before) and I help with my PTSD (USMC Infantryman) and the constant barrage of random questions that pop into my head that before now had no answers. Thank you for making this content, and thank you for taking the time out of your day to indulge us in the quest for the best of the best when it comes to anything and everything.

I use the 3M 1900 filters and their performance in these tests was quite surprising to me, better than i anticipated. That surface area really helps, and keeps my allergies at bay. I think the largest detriment is that people do not change the filters often enough in their home environment

As a pro HVAC guy, I really appreciate this video. I hope more homeowners see this!

You really put a lot of time and money into testing these things. And doing a good job of it. Keep up the good work.👍

I've lost count of how many times I've watched this video. Its a great reference. Thanks for making it.

I just want to say how much I appreciate you for doing independent, objective testing to the best of your ability with the resources you have available to you.

"You may now breathe freely." I was disappointed you didn't say "we are going to test that!" XD

Thanks for the great video, as always. I installed and repaired HVAC systems for over a decade and quickly became convinced that the cheap, fiberglass 1" filters do only a minimal job of protecting coils and furnaces. They stop large debris, but a wet A/C coil will still eventually clog up with fine dust even if the owner routinely changes the cheap filter (and many do not). An inexpensive pleated filter will offer far better protection to your equipment, but will probably need to be changed more often as it will catch far more stuff than a basic fiber filter. If you're buying a new HVAC system or building a new home, you should definitely talk with your contractor about filtration options, especially those that add little additional expense such as having the ability to use 2" filters. This gives people more options. We don't want to force people to spend a fortune on filters, but improved air filtration can have multiple benefits, including: 1. Longer service life and less maintenance for furnace, air handler, and refrigerant coil. 2. Fewer indoor allergens, which reduces suffering for those that already have allergies, but may not stop babies and toddlers from developing allergies (early allergen exposure might be beneficial). As an allergy sufferer myself, I definitely benefit from filtration. 3. No need to routinely clean duct system, which is an expensive and potentially damaging job often done by contractors who may not be licensed and who sometimes use exaggerated claims to frighten people into having their ducts cleaned. 4. Less overall household dust, but vacuuming should still be done regularly as it keeps a lot of dust out of your potentially expensive furnace filter(s). 5. Reduced or eliminated need to purchase and operate standalone HEPA filter units. Filter upgrades don't necessarily have to cost a fortune. If you choose somewhat better filters that have a lot of pleated surface area, you may be able to increase your filter change interval. While a single "good" filter is usually more expensive than a 4-pack of basic filters, the reduced need to go into the attic or crawl space plus some of the benefits listed above may make this a reasonable investment. No matter what kind of filter you have, if a filter "looks" dirty, then it's probably past time to change it. If your filter has an opaque layer of dust on it that can rub onto a finger, then you should probably *halve* your current change interval (double the frequency). Such a layer *greatly* increases the workload to your blower and reduces airflow, which can then cause A/C freeze-up and potential compressor damage. Dirty filters can turn out to be *very* expensive. MERV8 is often a fair compromise, as upgrading to MERV11 or higher filtration levels will usually require the consultation of a licensed expert. I do not recommend over-spending on air filtration except in cases of real medical need and I like to keep in mind that modern societies in rich nations seem easily attracted to over-cleaning and over-sterilizing their environments. Those with airborne allergies may substantially increase their quality of life with better air filtration, however.

Wish u had tested the k&n home filter as well I’m currently using it and seems to be working great. Thanks again for all ur test u do a great job

Thank you so much for all the testing that you do. The data and testing make it so easy to pick out exactly what you need

HVAC Tech who knows a thing or two about a thing or two. Can confirm everything that has been said here. Glad someone finally made this video.

I've been filtering my flour wrong my whole life. Another great video!

Thanks for the clip. I’ve had my doubts about getting a high Merv rating because of it cause excessive air restriction and you helped clear the air (no pun intended). I watch quite a bit of your video comparisons and feel you do a great job with your testing. Thanks again.

Thank you for your testing. I've used the Flanders easy Flow filters exclusively in the house I just moved from. I purchased that home new it was approximately 1450 square feet single story with cathedral ceilings. The unit was a 3-ton tempstar and the air handler was in the garage. I did not have any problems during the 16 years of ownership. I currently have a smaller home I had built and I'm still using the same Flanders easy Flow filters exclusively. I hope these filters don't cause any problems for this home. The new home is considerably smaller and uses a new 2-ton straight cool Central air system and there isn't room for a thicker filter. I thank you again for your time and effort you put into your videos.

This man is like the dad we all wanted that tested everything to make sure your getting your moneys worth

I never make comments, but I had to say thank you. I appreciate your methodology in testing, it's about as thorough as anyone DIYer could ask for.

You've done a hell of a service. Thanks.

Thank you again for being an amazing consumer watchdog! Air filtration in HVAC systems is a very crucial aspect and people don’t understand that most duck systems are improperly sized. if your duct is sized correctly even the most restrictive filter will be just fine because the surface area is large enough to compensate for the static pressure. But like I said they’re usually too small. So is an HVAC repair man I would recommend the 3M 1900. Excellent video as always A true professional. And a service to homeowners everywhere this is always my favorite channel. let me add that up until this video I generally recommended the least restrictive air filter possible I’ve even use the green one so I mean you’re influencing homeowners and professionals with your content. Granted it benefits me to for people to have dirty ac cause I get more service calls 😂 but I’d rather recommend quality products to my customers

I’ve been doing research on this lately for cost versus actually effectiveness. Thanks for spending all the money to do the testing to give me an answer i feel like I can trust.

The fastest click in the west

It would be helpful to compare the 1" honeywell filters to really compare the brands as opposed to comparing thickness.

I am impressed by your precision & thoroughness. Thanx.

Your parents raised a dang genius my friend.....it is very clear that you love what you do. Keep up your amazing contributions to this world

I've been an hvac technician for 4 years, this video was a fun watch. I can tell you from experience that most systems (at least systems that I've worked on) can't handle a 1 inch filter with an 8 merv rating. In general an hvac system is designed to run at .5 overall static. Thats the filter, A/C coil, overall duct work friction, and even the furnace itself. When the system is initially designed it can be designed to handle a high merv rated filter. In reality systems aren't designed to handle a high merv filter. As of 2020 a new motor technology called constant torque comes standard with every furnace. The name speaks for itself but I will briefly explain why its a game changer. Before 2020 PSC motors were the industry standard motor for nearly all furnaces. PSC motors are great but their output CFM is determined by static pressure and the output can range wildly as static pressure changes. Filter get dirty, you get less air. Filter is brand new, you get more air. Constant torque is quite the opposite. A constant torque motor can maintain the same CFM all the way up to .8 static. The way this is done is too complex to explain for a KZfaq comment but the result of the technology is a system that is able to deliver a constant CFM even as static (resistance) changes. Additionally, in high altitude areas where the air is thinner, constant torque actually puts out more overall CFM to maintain a constant mass air flow. That means the system won't be at a deficit simply because of thinner air. Once again, great video, very informative. Hope I was able to teach someone something with this lengthy comment.

i really thank you for all the time and effort you put into all of these tests that you do, thanks again

I came back to this video a year later to figure out what filter I wanted in my return ducting to help out my dynamic filter system and I decided on the 3M 1900. Thanks again!

As someone who works in the HVAC industry, I found this video technically accurate and really educational.

A suggestion: always have the winners at the end of the video. Sometimes I circle back to remind myself what was the best one when it’s time to purchase. Thank you for what you do!

Thank you! Your reviews are so thorough and are exactly what I love!

I just subscribed. I like this--very thorough and factual. Thank you for your work!

Just bought my first house and am still learning a lot about being a first time home owner. This video couldn't have came out at a more perfect time. Thank you.

Do you know those commercials that tease you about turning into your dad?? That hit home lol I’m watching a video about home air filters and I made EVERYONE in the house pay attention and listen 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Thanks for the test. I got an electric furnace / AC combined installed about 2 years ago (replacing an oil furnace). Initially the tech installed an ElectroDust washable filter and told us that this was the only filter we should use. I noticed after a few washings (every month) that the air quality dropped throughout the house. A person living in this house has extreme chronic breathing problems and I have seasonal allergies. A few months ago, I switched to 3M MPR 600 just out of curiosity and I was astounded at the amount of debris that they would collect compared to the electrostatic filter. Within 2 days of installation I could easily notice a difference in air quality throughout the house (no fumes, no headaches, no nose congestion or sneezing). An HVAC tech was here about a month ago and he removed the 3M and put back the ElectroDust claiming the 3M was causing too much restriction and making the blower whistle. Of course he doesn't care about air quality. What should I do ? I'm through with electrostatic filters. I'm tempted to try out a 3M MPR 1900 even if the tech would not approve. Have you tested the K&N washable filters ? The Castle MERV6 and MERV 8 filters ?

Thank you for setting all this up and helping people out. You are a damn angel

Great video!! I work in the air filtration industry, but even we don’t see real life testing like this with such a variety of filters.. good job!

Most useful channel on KZfaq. No BS and stuffed with information. Thanks project farm for the years of great content

Thank you! Buying an air filter today, so glad you did testing on these!

I appreciate the effort you put into making this, so much!

This is probably one of the most informative and impartial KZfaq channels In e ever subscribed to. Thanks for the fantastic content!

I didn't realize how many filters are made in the USA. Yes!!!!

Thank you for the comprehensive test of various air filters. When my furnace was replaced, they gave me a permanent filter but I didn't use it for long as it restricted air flow too much. I usually buy a MERV 8 with the electrostatic covers so good to know this is probably the best for my home. I will pay more attention to the pleating now as I am restricted to a 1" x 16" x 25" size.

Just bought a house and now needing to replace filter! I knew you would have a video!! Thank you!!!

This man made furnace filters interesting for 13 minutes. Outstanding

I built a house in 1990. The HVAC installer recommended I use one of the recently developed “lifetime” filters. It seemed to work well and I was cleaning it once a month per the instructions. About 2 years in I noticed it was not drawing as strongly as when new. When I began asking questions about the system I was told that even though you clean the filter, you can never get it as clean as new, which causes it to strain the fan trying to pull air thru the compromised filter. Have not tried them since. Good test, and thanks for including the exact filter I now use. 🫡

I'd love to see a rattle can clearcoat video, testing clarity, durability, cost, ease of operation etc

Thanks, as always your videos are very informative.

my god i love your work... the info you give is priceless and your format/editing/what ever is great. keep it up man.

wonder who's going to be watching this with their Valentine's day date lol

Man this channel is awesome. Every once in a while I have to stand back and appreciate how great these videos are. Not only are they a tremendous consumer resource (the best consumer resource anywhere, I won’t even say that’s an opinion, I consider it a fact,) but they are also just plain entertaining, at least to me. I could watch PF test products until there were no products left. There’s a ton of niche stuff that I hope he gets to someday but I can’t expect them, we already get so much from this man. Just think how much combined money he has saved people from these videos, it’s probably into the millions of dollars.

I know I’ve seen this one before, it’s always worth watching again, because I can’t always find the filters I want so need to pick the next best, thanks.

Great comparison I love the effort you put into your content keep up the great work

Thank you for doing this! A suggestion if it hasn’t already been asked would be garage heater test!

Oh how cool is this. I literally was just at Home Depot getting furnace filters the other days and wondered if these were as good as they say they were. Todd is going test that, we the people are going to know and honest result.

As always, well planned and executed assessment of the filters. I was hoping to see a summary guide concluding the findings of the previous graphs. So, what's the better 1" filter buy?

Excellent review. You reviewed all the concerns I have with furnace filters especially air flow and filtration that is best for furnace longevity.

How can anyone give PF a thumbs down? These videos are so informative, even if it doesn’t pertain to your needs, and he’s very creative with his methods! I’ve bought items based on this man’s reviews. Thanks Project Farm. 👍🏻

i love that you do research on WHAT each rating means and how it came to be to give all of us a deeper understanding. i really respect that!

Congrates amigo for many of your well laid out videos. Your specific setups show your amount of time involved and keeping to the accuracy of testing. To see up front your results compared to manufactures results. I once thought there was a little-known fact called "truth in advertising"? Well done.

Thank you for recording and posting this valuable educational video.

Static pressure results - 7:34 Large particle results - 10:42 Static pressure overlay with Large particle result in order - 11:05 Square inches of filter media - 12:11

You're the man Todd!

Having an asthmatic daughter. 3 year old! This is gold to me and i applaud you for doing all these tests helping everyone! Keep up the good work!!

Your videos are awesome! You bust your ass doing these reviews, very scientific! And of course I love the laughter and comedy.

I'm definitely using this information the next time I shop for a furnace filter.

As an ac tech this is an amazing design and demonstration. It will help me recommend filters for my clients. Thank you project farm.

This channel is incredible. I refer to it before purchasing many items.......

Excellent experiment, interesting outcome! High time somebody did this, thank you SO much! 😊

This is a fantastic video. I'm an occupational and environmental physician; I'd like to share this with my colleagues and trainees for educational purposes. There is much confusion, even in the professional world, about tradeoffs for filter ratings and designs. Please keep up this great work; I watch everything you put out!

This is awesome! Seems such a mundane thing to test, but I am one that will stand in the filter area of the store trying to figure out which one is the best bang for the buck. Man I love this channel!

I do appreciate you making this video. Thank you!

Loved it, good to know my 3M 1900 did pretty good. House is comfortable and it does a good job at filtering. Thanks for this!