Customer Reviews

3M Filtrete 1900 MPR, 6-Pack, Ultimate Allergen Reduction Filter

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My house uses forced air for heating. The disadvantage of such a system is that it distributes the dust in the air everywhere in the house. However, it is supposed to be possible to filter out the dust. Over the years, I have steadily increased the quality of the filter that I use for my forced air heating system. However, until now I have not noticed any obvious difference in my allergic reactions that seem to start with the heating season.

There are cats in my house. I have read that cat dander, tiny flakes of cat skin shed by the cats, is five times smaller than household dust particles. It stays in the air much longer than ordinary dust before it settles. Because of its small size it requires a more efficient filter to get it out of the air.

Until three years ago, I used of variety of filters with mixed results. However, then I started using the 3M Advanced Allergen Filters, the ones in the blue wrapper. These have a 3M Microparticle Performance Rating of 1500, and a MERV rating of 12.

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value produced from a test designed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). A higher MERV rating indicates better filter performance.

3M uses particle data between 0.3 and 1.0 micron size to calculate a Microparticle Performance Rating or MPR. The higher the MPR, the better the filter. However, higher rated filters cost more.

Here are some of the Filtrete filters offered by 3M:

Dust & Pollen Filter, Microparticle Performance Rating 600,
MERV rating of 8
Micro Allergen Filter, Microparticle Performance Rating 1000,
MERV rating of 11
Ultra Allergen Filter, Microparticle Performance Rating 1250,
MERV rating of 11
Advanced Allergen Filter, Microparticle Performance Rating 1500,
MERV rating of 12
Ultimate Allergen Filter, Microparticle Performance Rating 1900,
MERV rating of 13.

The difference made by the Advanced filter was immediately obvious. My running nose stopped running. I assume that the new Advanced filters must be taking out more of the dust in the air including the cat dander. I have not noticed a change in the speed of the circulated air.

More recently, I have started using the newer Ultimate filter. It works better than the Advanced filter. The additional cost of the filter is worth it if you have allergies or pets. However, if you are happy with a lower-rated and lower-cost filter, then continue using that one.

I suggest that you check Amazon and vendors on the web to get the best price.

I was a huge fan of 3M Filtrete 1500 MPR, 6-Pack, Ultra Allergen Reduction Filter, 14 x 24 x 1, because it is excellent at controlling dust, mold spores, and pet dander. Then, I discovered Filtrete Ultimate Allergen. Ultimate Allergen has the highest MPR I could find (3M Filtrete 2200 MPR, 6-Pack, Elite Allergen Reduction Filter, 20 x 25 x 1 is the highest, but I could not find a size to fit my furnace). At 1900 MPR, it not only filters all of the above, it also claims to capture the finest particles -- those that cause odors.

I have two air conditioners in my home which have an uptake near each other in the same hallway. I used Ultra in one furnace and the Ultimate Allergen in the other. The difference between the rooms fed by Ultra versus Ultimate Allergen convinced me to switch to Ultimate Allergen. Where once my house smelled of pets and cooking odors, it now has a fresh, clean scent. What a difference! I not only have a dust free house, I have an odor free house. Ultimate Allergen is the ultimate in furnace filters.

I live in a new neighborhood with active construction, which means lots and lots of dust, dirt, and other particles in the air all the time. My wife and I were concerned about the air quality for our 2-year old son, so I purchased these for our forced-air furnace. They work great. Before we got them, there was a constant film of dirt/dust on all our furniture. After, no film on the furniture, and hopefully no film in my family's lungs. BTW, several websites recommend 1900 as the happy medium between catching the most particulate matter and spending too much money.

Love this filter. I usually get a lot of allergies in the spring or fall. Ever since I've used this type of filter, I don't get allergies as bad as I use too. Highly recommended.

We live in an area that has quite a lot of dust and quite a lot of wind. We have a large number of plants that "shed", as does our puppy. After switching to these filters about 4 months ago the amount of noticeable dust and other particles in the air and around the house has diminished, my wife's allergies have not been acting up and the house smells fresh. The amount of air being pushed through seems just as high as with the reusable filter the A/C originally came with. The only thing I don't like about these filters is that I didn't start using them about 5 years ago.

Hard to find filter size in my area for some reason -- 24x30x1.
Cut down tremendously on amount of dust we have been seeing in the house - new construction and two cats, lots of stuff flying around. These work great. I had been using just regular pleated or woven filters (whatever the box stores would have in stock at time of buying) - the cheap filters just were not getting the job done. Decided to try these and they are worth the extra money.

Added bonus -- these filters make a HUGE difference in amount of noise I hear coming from air return. Very quiet, I figure it's a result of the wire mesh support - solid.

After 1 month of use, love 'em

I have been using various sizes of this product in all the A/C filter locations in my house. The motivation to switch from cheaper filters was to reduce or eliminate nasal secretions due to allergic reaction to airborne particles. The results have been excellent. This product is well worth its cost.

These filter work great. They are a bit expensive compared to the "blue" ones you can buy at a hardware store or supercenters, but they capture a lot more.

I constantly battle allergies, but these filters help out a lot. You can tell the quality of the air is better. I love them. If you have a great vacuum and a HEPA filter for your room, you are set for quality breathing. :) They are expensive, but you pay for what you get. Quality costs money. You'll like them. Plus, they come in many many sizes that it is impossible NOT to find one for your air-conditioning system.

Have used this type/brand for three years now. They really help with the pollen and dust. They are pricey but buying them in the six pack is equivalent to getting one free.