When it comes to air filters, there are a lot of aftermarket options available. Some may even be superior to OEM parts. But research has shown that there is little or no improvement in performance from using aftermarket air filters. This is not an easy question to answer. In some cases, an aftermarket filter may have better filtering properties or methods than the OEM product.
If you're looking for superior performance, you can look for an aftermarket product. Or maybe you're trying to save a little and are looking for off-brand products to use instead of the branded item. Ultimately, there are aftermarket products that include filters that are better than their OEM counterparts, others that are lower quality, and some that stack at the same level. For example, in Auto mode, an aftermarket filter reduced particles by 0.3 microns at only 18.0% (ambient) and 26.4% (clean). In Silent mode, it performed even worse, reducing 0.3 micron particles by 6.5% (ambient) and 7.2% (clean).
And in Dark plus Auto mode, with its primary PECO purification system turned off and its fan at the equivalent of a medium setting, it reduced them by 21.3% (ambient) and 18.0% (clean).Interestingly, those numbers closely reflect our results in automatic configuration with the PECO system activated, suggesting the possibility that the Molekule Air depends mainly on its physical prefilter, not its patented PECO mechanism, to remove particles. If you don't have an air purifier, an HVAC filter attached to a box fan is better than nothing. But those are rare circumstances, and the decision to pay more for a better filter or not depends mainly on whether cleaner air is a priority for you. HEPA oven filters are usually a little cheaper than air purifying hepa filters, and will have a much larger capacity. We think manufacturers' concerns are a little cautious, partly because a recent innovation in air filters allows for high MERV ratings (11 to 1) with low pressure drop. This prevents air from bypassing the filter around the edges and ensures that virtually all of the air drawn through the machine leaks HEPA, a design that is likely to contribute to excellent performance. Another rating method is the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), a scale recognized by the Federal Trade Commission and Environmental Protection Agency that also measures air purifier efficiency.
Start by determining the specific needs of the occupants of your home, which should be directly correlated with the CADR or MERV ratings of your air filters. In conclusion, when it comes to off-brand air filters, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some may be better than their OEM counterparts while others may be lower quality or stack at the same level. Ultimately, it depends on your specific needs and whether cleaner air is a priority for you.
