When it comes to controlling dust in your home, the best furnace filter is one that is specially formulated to capture allergens and other contaminants. The 3M Filtrete brand for allergens+2x Dust is my top overall selection for this purpose. These air conditioning filters have a MERV rating of 11, which means they can filter out more than 90 percent of particles between 1 and 3 microns in size. For basic household dust, even air filters with the lowest MERV ratings of 1 to 4 will do an effective job.
However, if you want to filter out other allergens and contaminants, air filters with a MERV rating of 5 to 8 are ideal for most homes and apartments. The Filtrete Basic dust and lint air filter is an affordable, disposable option that can help keep dust from circulating. But if you're looking for a more powerful filter, the Aerostar oven filter is electrostatically charged to remove small and large particles from the air. This filter also has a MERV 8 rating, which makes it great for trapping pet dander and other allergens.
For additional filtration of smoke, chemicals, odors and gases, consider combining HEPA filters with activated carbon filters. The most common size for furnace filters is 1 inch thick, but there are also options for thicker 4 and 5 inch filters. When choosing the best furnace filter for your home, always refer to the oven user's manual or the filter's instruction manual for specific instructions. And if you have pets or other air quality issues, you might consider improving your air quality by combining your furnace filter with an additional filter or using one designed to minimize pet allergies.
