Best Reusable Air Filters? | Never Buy Another Filter Again (2020)
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- In this video, we will be testing the Trophy Air Aluminum Electrostatic washable filter and comparing it to a basic paper media disposable filter.
Having a great central air filter is very important to maximize the efficiency of your air conditioning system and minimize the wear and tear on your system. The more clean airflow your system gets the better your air conditioning system will work.
We will be performing 4 tests. We will test the airspeed on a clean basic filter, a dirty basic filter, and a clean and dirty electrostatic filter. I will also show you how to clean your electrostatic filter! The results may surprise you!
Products you will need:
▶ Trophy Air Filters: amzn.to/37gmZRR
Product Details:
• Enhanced HVAC Effectiveness - Crafted to help improve your home’s ventilation efficiency, proper airflow can help reduce airflow resistance for less HVAC stress.
• Cleaner, Healthier Air - These air conditioner filters help purify the air of dust, pollen, and allergens, which can help reduce allergy sufferers' itchy eyes and sneezing.
• Premium Craftsmanship - Each HVAC air filter is crafted with four layers of high-grade aluminum and two layers of electrostatic media for superior reliability.
• Quick & Easy Installation - Each electrostatic air purifier slides into your HVAC system effortlessly in seconds, making it simple to change out your old filters.
• American Made - Trophy Air electrostatic air conditioner filters are crafted right here in the United States, so you can trust their durability and long-lasting quality.
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*Will you upgrade your filters and help save the planet from waste?*
Would you say you bought this filter and no incentive were given to make this video?
Because I bought it with my own money and was not paid for this video at all. It’s a great product and I have used it in my rental properties and my home. Super easy to clean and filters extremely well.
@@SimplySmart123 thanks for the fast reply
You are welcome!!
Thank You for this! I am a renter who enjoys fresh clean air so, I will purchase & take with me before leaving to my own home! Replacing it with a disposable filter too, obviously! ❣️
Hubby shared this video with me so i just watched it and i'm impressed. I told him i think we will be switching from the disposables to this Trophy air. It's less waste for our planet while also providing better air for our home, more efficiently. Thanks for doing this video and without compensation.
@@seashellmac1968 I am still using the same ones today!
Nice video! You did a great job of coming up with great test for the 2 filters!
I love these things still use them today!
If you don't want to "wait for it to dry" buy a second reusable filter & have it ready to go. I vacuum, blow, rinse as shown in the video & let dry. You can speed up the drying with a fan. Also if you want a very tight seal run a gasket around the filter & on the top of the filter.
Awesome tips! I didn’t really want to buy an extra reusable filter because I would have to store the extra one and they are not the cheapest thing in the world. But I may actually add a seal around the top of the filter to get a better seal and performance.
I think a wet/dry Shop Vac would dry the electrostatic filter well enough to use immediately. No need to buy 2 or leave it out to dry. Any bit of moisture that can't be extracted by a Shop Vac will evaporate harmlessly in the air flow.
@@SimplySmart123 just buy a fiberglass filter to use until washable dries,it will last a long time
Great video Justin! Guess I need to have one disposable on hand to allow for the overnight drying. Loved seeing your dogs in the video. Too cute.
Thanks Steven! Yea you would want to have one basic filter on hand to allow for the drying over night. The dogs always like to be apart of any project!
You're the first one to not take it outside to wash.. I was looking for that as I was concerned about the need to go outside in the winter. 👀 lbs 😏
Ty
I also appreciate that you mention (in several comments) that your AC person says you have the cleanest/ one of the cleanest systems he has seen. (That says something!)
@@roxie3121 it’s better to use warm water anyways! Plus, there’s no way I’m going outside in the winter to clean my filters. That’s for sure.
You really should use a cleaning aide or detergent of sorts to aid in the removal of the dust and help with breaking the static bond the dirt makes with the filter elements. It can be hard to clean these filters without some sort of cleaning agent being used.
Great tip. Thank you for your comment!
Very cool. Thank you for the thoughtful video. Exactly what I was looking for.
Great!
Can you measure each filter weight before and after use? It could really shine the light on how much dust the filter actually captures and not letting through into the furnace
That is a good idea. Didn’t think about that.
Thanks but your test did not show the most important question to me.. what size particles got through it as compared to the disposal one.
Not sure how you would test that. I did try to put tape on th back but it didn't collect anything.
The merv rating will tell you that
I was looking up info on reusable air filter bc I got a plastic-ish one with 10 yr warranty for furnace. Now I'm going to check the metal ones out. Thx for the review.
You are very welcome! We still use these today and really like the durability and reusability. They also filter very well.
2024 - how are the filters holding up, did you test the machine washable ones?
I like the idea of these , but wondering of your opinion changed with the other washable filters?
The ones in the video are still being used today. No issues so far! That reminds me I need to clean them!
But how much passes through???? I had one of these in my old house and the house would get dusty layers. I am using Merv 11 paper disposable now and the house stays much clear, but I hate buying these expensive rascals.
not much can get through because it’s using static electricity to trap everything. You can see when I look at the back of the filter. There is no dirt on the back because it’s trapped within the first layer. my AC guy said that my coils on my air conditioner are like brand new. So that would mean no dirt is really passing through the coils either.
Nice video! Still super informative after 3 years. How is the washable filter holding up? Does dust get stuck inside and affect its performance over time? Most comments I read on reddit are saying these can't get cleaned 100% every time and degrades over time.
with some effort, you can get it pretty much 100% clean but as long as it’s mostly clean, it will still work fine
Which way does the filter have to face mine didn’t come with any arrows
Either way is fine. Just continue it to use in that same way going forward.
i have the exact "lifetime" filter shown in this video. having owned it for 15 years, yes, i can say it does last and u can clean it w/ water pressure. the trouble is lint/fine hair/etc gets caught up in the fabric of the filter (yet behind its outer mesh) that after a while, it starts to impact the ability for the air to move thru it. i've spent a lot of time trying to slowly claw it out but it's a struggle. i wish instead of riveting the outer frame back on itself, they would've used a screw so the outer mesh could be removed w/ each cleaning, allowing a much more thorough and quick process. if any of u have modified the filter so this can be done or found another workaround, plz share.
My filters don’t really get that dirty. I typically use the vacuum cleaner first and then shower to clean mine but I have not had them for 15 years either. I do see the need for them to come apart and be reassembled for full deep cleaning.
@@SimplySmart123 good suggestion - i'll try that next time, vacuuming it before i unleash the power-washer its way.
I actually have some of them but I have not done the testing yet. Definitely a lot easier to clean.
There is a man after my own heart right there! And I don't mean that in a homosexual way! If you were to agree with the following statement, then, BINGO! You will never get a casing that can be taken apart because somebody will figure out how to make these things the last of the rest of their lives and we all know they're not only trying to screw us, but they are also trying to screw the earth and blame us for being wasteful pigs! All while they get rich, and force some more policies keeping us poor. But they will never make us poor because they don't know what makes a person poor, and what makes a person a rich... stay rich my friend! If I do a mod, I will tag you! If we stick together and communicate, we will figure out how to hack their matrix!
Way better than buying filters.
I would be interesting to put a clean paper filter behind the aluminum to see how much passes through.
I actually put a piece of tape behind the filter to see if anything would come through and nothing was on the tape. But obviously with the tape there it wouldn’t suck very hard at that point.
@@SimplySmart123 Pl
PI?
just bought my trophy air filter but didn't see metal tabs u used to hold your filter in place but my system is on the floor so don't need it rubber seal sounds good but don't want to void warranty tks have a good day
Enjoy them.
sorry to bother u but the tabs u mentioned to help hold filter tight must b on something other than what I have?
Every house is different so it hard to say. It's not a feature of the filters.
@@SimplySmart123 thanku
Very nice Chanel my man…verity informative you earned a follower!
Thank you for your support!
I have a furnace that has the plug in feature to enable the hydrostatic feature...how can i use your reusable hydrostatic filter?
you just replace your normal filters with these and they work.
Help please! The size of my AC unit is 21×21×1 can not get one anywhere.
you may be able to contact them and have a custom-made size made for you.
Always check the size before you buy a system that has weird and hard to purchase
I seen some but I noticed the frame is reusable but the filter replacement is disposable (ones with 9 packs)
It’s all washable.
Went with a K&N MERV11. Apparently these Trophy Air ones are MERV4-5 and let a lot of fine particulate matter into your system. Do your own research though.
Cool. Thanks for sharing.
Been using the trophy for 15 yrs,your merv11 restricts the air flow on your air handler,makes the blower motor work harder than it's intended,called air restriction. If you slow the air too much,it will cause your indoor coils to freeze,because your not moving air over coils fast enough. JM2C you do you
What do you get for 4 inch filters?
I guess better filtration?
The electrostatic charge on then;Nel evetaully degrades; you can’t just keep on washing it and assume it retains its original merv rating.
@@johnwhite2576 so far so good.
I suspect your HVAC person would mention when it's time to switch out....
@SimplySmart123 Do you have an HVAC 'check up' schedule or do you only have someone come by when something is wrong?
@roxie3121 they say they are great and upon inspection the entire system is very clean.
They may have better airflow but what’s the filtration level? I suspect it’s not as good as a good rated disposable filter
They are electrostatic so they are using static electricity to lock in everything. No visible dirt made it to the back side and a lot was trapped on the front. Of course a filter that blocks more air would filter more since the air can’t even get through. I have been using these filters for over a year and I am not going back to basic filters. I was so impressed I had to make a video.
@@SimplySmart123 What Merv rating was your disposable?
It didn’t really say but I would guess a 3. The cheaper filters were recommended by the builder and HVAC people when I built my 🏡
@@SimplySmart123 Yes, I have been told to use the lowest Merv by several HVAC techs.
I think this filter provides the best of both worlds with the maximum airflow, good filtration along with the reusability factor. It also filters better one dirty and is very quiet once it is installed.
I'm sorry, I'm a little confused. It's electrostatic filters, correct? Not hydrostatic?
@@viking142 correct! I misspoke in the video.
ON the chart hydrostatic word was used is that the same as electrostatic?
Correct.
Thank u 4 fast response great video keep up the great work
Thank you! I have some machine washable ones I still need to test.
CAN THIS FILTER PAINT FUMES?
Unlikely but as the fumes are moved around they will eventually disappear as they will get broken down. You will need a LED UV light installed in your system to destroy smells.
Yes your video is very helpful, thank you very much!!
Glad it was helpful!
Just bought a house with these filters, we're can I order new ones? These were not clean at all and have too much cat hairs inside.
Cats...I have a link to Amazon in the video description.
I would try and take it apart and clean it instead of bying new.
How often do you have to change / clean these?
Whenever they look dirty. Probably once every six months.
If you have the time to test walmart sales a few more brands I'm looking at even an k&n like the car one
I actually am trying another one now that is machine washable.
but how well does the e filter actually filter? I read reviews on amazon and people say it does not filter anything. Is that good for system?
On mine I cannot get any dirt off of the backside and my AC people say my system is cleaner they have ever seen after four years of use.
I saw you said you were testing a machine washable filter. How has that gone? Any better than these static ones?
I have used it but I haven’t tested air speed or anything. It’s actually super dirty in a garbage bag under my bed waiting to be tested. Just haven’t had time. It’s only two layers and definitely not as quiet but definitely will be easier to clean and well made.
I will need two of those.
Great! Once you get them you will never go back to disposable.
Great video. Thank you
Glad you liked it!
Great job!!!
Thank you!
Hydrostatic or electrostatic? I thought hydrostatic was a transmission used in lawnmowers.
I misspoke it is electrostatic as in static electricity
I assume that's cubic feet per minute? Your video is timely because disposable filter prices are much higher than they used to be.BTW, you keep saying "hydrostatic"; do you mean "electrostatic"?
Yes. Electrostatic. The airspeed is just the air speed going through the filter. I don't have any special equipment to do a real scientific test. I have used these in all of our properties without issues for years now. Buy once and never again.
Great video thank you for sharing. Maybe you're not trying to be a creator as much as just trying to perform a public service. Regardless, there's a hack for that. I can just speed the video up to maximum. But if you're trying to be a creator, you definitely should consider moving it along a bit quicker. I will say if I have to watch all of your videos sped up and they are all this good then you are definitely a creator worth the following.
I don’t plan any videos so I just wing it. That is why UA-cam has speed control.
@@SimplySmart123 well, a man working with integrity is worth a follow!
Thank you!
Can you compare the Static Filter to the Purple Filter…That would be a Better comparison.
I have done a Google search and I do not see purple filter. Where do you buy the purple filter?
It be dope if they made a merv 13
You could probably add a fabric layer over top of the mesh…
Any good ac tech,and the unit manufacturer will tell you don't use those hi merv filters,they restrict the air flow to much making the indoor motor struggle to move the air,your indoor coils will freeze up due to not enough air flow across coils JM2C you do you
Keep up the good work
Thank you!
This is the same debate as the one over high-performance air filters for cars. It's been proven over and over that high-performance air filters flow more air because they don't filter as well as more restrictive filters.
These trap all of the dirt and have high airflow to to the static electricity
I think you meant to say "Electro Static" and not Hydrostatic.
Yea 😂 it’s one of the statics.
@@SimplySmart123 they are two different animals. I wasted a while looking for a hydrostatic filter based on this video.
There is a link to the product right in the description.
Air speed is a very misleading and inaccurate way of quantifying performance. A modern Furnace/air handler will be equipped with a ECM blower motor. Which will ramp up its own power when overly restrictive filters are used. This causes inefficiency, and increased wear on the blower motor.
If you want to demonstrate a proper test, use a manometer or magnehelic and measure static pressure of each filter.
Also show us filter efficiency using a particle counter.
Not to scientific but they work great!
Really stronger than you look to be able to lift a filter with a ton of dirt in it.
I had to work out to change it
Hi, what MERV rating is this one you are testing?
I think it is five. But they don’t actually rate it. Since it is hydrostatic it traps a ton of dirt in the first layer.
You have a business right? So you probably know about static pressures in the furnace. Testing air speed at the vent is not the correct method to use. Some hvac units actually work off of load and vary voltage to maintain air volume. Static pressure test air speed/pressure before and after the filter. If you are too restrictive the static pressure will be too high and ruin your blower motor. So to save $10 on disposable filters, you risk a $1,000 furnace repair. If you want to save money, you can buy the metal filter frame and a roll of merv 8 filter media and make a new filter every month. Honestly, I buy merv 8 filter 3 pack (10x20) for $13 at Lowes every 3 months. You can actually get auto shipping so you wont have to remember.
@@drcoffee5588 I haven’t had any issues because the airflow is the same basically when it’s dirty or clean doesn’t matter because it catches all of the dirt but maintains airflow for maximum efficiency.
Without an official MERV rating attached to it (or by some other evidence that it was as good as a high MERV rated disposable, I would never buy a reusable filter.
Your measurements just easily just mean that the reusable filter is more porous and is catching less dust/smoke/pollen? So it's ending up on your AC Duct walls, Condenser coils, blown around through the house and being indefinitely suspended back into the ambient air. Without a MERV rating, one way to compare cleaning effectiveness might be to weigh both filters clean and dirty on a very sensitive scale to see which one actually collected more dust.
I have my AC regularly serviced and they said that they have never seemed such a system as clean as mine. These filters catch everything. But you can use whatever filters you want!
I need 20×24×1
Sounds like a pretty standard size.
It’s Electrostatic not hydrostatic
@@needtogopattaya1101 correct.
Good for allergies?
I see your 2 assistants wanted to help too lol
It's sucks up dust and allergens really well.
For serious allergies you'll want Hepa filters. You can supplement with a standing air filter system with HEPA filters. Otherwise electrostatic is a good, reusable filter.
Thanks for the info!
this is a no brainer... this will pay for itself in 1-1.5yrs for me....
For sure!
@simplysmart123, I know this is 4 years old, but this is a good video man. Thanks for your efforts, and I hope you are well.
Edit: Can you make a follow up video of how it help up if you can?
I am still using these filters today! They are working very well and my AC person says that my system is the cleanest he’s ever seen.