3M Filtrete Ultra Allergen Filter 1250

Experts say 3M Filtrete furnace filters may be an inexpensive, common-sense way of improving the air quality in your home, rather than buying an expensive air purifier that may or may not do much good anyway. ConsumerReports.org suggests that simply replacing your furnace filter four times per year and other easy lifestyle changes may be all you need to do. User reviews indicate the 3M Filtrete works as it is supposed to, with some owners expressing surprise about how much dust and pet dander it caught. But if you have smoke or odor issues, merely changing your furnace filter is unlikely to solve the problem, and furnace filters can reduce airflow in your system. Stand-alone HEPA-filter air purifiers such as the Honeywell Enviracaire 50250-N (*Est. $195) beat 3M Filtrete furnace filters (including the Ultra Allergen 1250 model) at removing smoke in one leading test.

There are fewer professional reviews for allergen-reduction furnace filters than for air purifiers themselves. ConsumerReports.org tests furnace filters against more expensive whole-house air purifiers. Amazon.com has collected plenty of user reviews for this particular Filtrete model, and Epinions.com adds a few more Filtrete user reviews.