Filtrete - 20" x 20" x 1" Allergen, Bacteria and Virus Smart Air Filter - White

This filter is worth the money for sure. I love the app and it’s really helpful knowing how much life it has left and the air quality ! Easy to setup.

The 3M Filtrete 1500 Smart Air Filter is a Bluetooth enabled home ventilation filter. It pairs with the Filtrete Smart App (iOS and Android), which is used to enable the filter’s Bluetooth module and track its useful life. The 1500 Smart Filter uses a standard Filtrete 1500 filter for its base. Mine is the 16x20x1 size, but this applies to all dimensions of the filter. This is the same filter you can pick up at most stores, and it’s a high performing filter. The 1500 is a MERV 12 rated filter – looking at the MERV chart that means its rated for 1.0-3.0 µm particles. Therefore it should have no issue with dust particles/pollen/dander (3.0-10µm+), will offer pretty good filtration for smoke/smog (1.0-3.0µm), and some protection against airborne virus/bacteria (0.3-1.0µm). The 3 smart enabled filters – 1500, 1900, and 2200 all carry the same MERV 12 rating from what I can tell. However, 3M claims its additional MPR (Microparticulate Performance Rating) differentiates between the range. The MPR number is what classifies each filter – the 1500 is an MPR 1500 filter for example. I don’t fully grasp the MPR number other than maybe it’s a little marketing speak, but they claim better performance with microparticles (0.3-1.0µm) as you go up the range – even if the MERV rating is unchanged. The only difference here is the Bluetooth module. You might wonder why does the filter need this, or that it is adding drastically to the cost. I definitely did. Having bought the 1500 filters in the past, I know that the BT module only adds about $5 to the cost, so its not drastically more expensive. As for the why – the app reminds you what the useful life is on the filter, when you installed it, the size of the filter you have, etc. This is actually really good information to track, and I know I have fallen victim to not knowing my filter size when going to buy a new one. These filters are recommended to be replaced every 3 months – for average use. If your house has poorer air quality the filter life will degrade more rapidly. You get some peace of mind if your filter reaches that lifecycle end prematurely. I’m fairly good at remembering to change my filter every few months, but I know that I forget time to time. Sometimes I swap it too soon as well, which costs me money. I know I could just write the install date on the filter every time, but that isn’t even 100% effective. The function of the Bluetooth sensor is to measure the airflow through the filter. When filters get clogged up they start to become a barrier to airflow as the clogs increase the static pressure on the filter. The Bluetooth sensor relays the airflow data to the app to determine filter life. I have to figure that your day 1 airflow numbers are you set point, and your filter life is determined by how much airflow drop the filter sees over the course of time. Installation orientation is important to the sensor. The sensor must live on the “clean” side of the filter so that the air passes through the back side of the sensor body. This is spelled out in the instructions located on the back of the packaging. To monitor the filter life you just open the app, and it’s a pretty basic % of life number represented. I did have connectivity issues with the app not picking up the module, but that was cleared up in some location settings I had turned off. Not a big deal, for me anyways, to allow the app to use this info. If you are more privacy conscious and don’t want to share your location data, you could pair the filter with a tablet that lives at home. Either way if you have these concerns you might be more likely to by the sensor free version of the filter. Overall the filter and app work well. I have kids in the home with allergies so switching out to higher performing filters has helped there. The Bluetooth app has worked seamlessly with the module, and it helps me keep track of my filter life. So far I’m trending on the average line for filter life, so the added cost of the Bluetooth module is only an extra $20/yr for me over a standard filter. That’s a cost I could certainly live with. I will have to see what sort of alerts/reminders I get when I get closer to the EOL for the filter.

I usually like to get a good filter as we are prone to allergies. I never really knew too much until now about SMART filters. But now its going to be very hard not to continue using them. First off its a filter, it is rated very high and I am using it for my condominium. I love the fact that it has so many things it protects against, plus we have two cats that like to shed so having a good one is important. My favorite thing about this filter is the simple app, you pull a blue tab that is on the filter and then your app will find the filter. It gives you %, installation date, MPR, size and also the ability to buy the replacement from the app or at least to know who sells it., It also gives you the outside air quality (you initially add the city you live in), temperature and humidity outside. It is a lifesaver again for someone with allergies that wants to take a quick glance at what is going on outside... Give it a try, I didn't think I would like it but I love it.

I'll start by stating most people just look at the size, height x width x thickness of a filter when making their filter purchase. That's a good start. But when comparing the choices they need to think about what the filter does. So, what is a MERV and what is a MPR? MPR, or micro-particle performance rating, is a rating system developed by 3M. It rates the manufacturer’s filters and their ability to capture airborne particles smaller than 1 micron. MERV is what I am use to looking for and try to at least get an 11 or better yet a 13 MERV filter. Especially during flue and pollen seasons. The higher the MERV or the MPR the better the filter does at capturing those small irritants from the air. The Filtrete filter comes with a unique Bluetooth device built in the filter. It was easy to pair with my iPad. Set up the app on the iPad, created an account (FREE!) and began the pairing process. All before installing the filter in the furnace. I pulled the plastic tab on the smart device to power up and connect the battery , followed the simple steps on the app screen and was ready to install my new filter in my furnace. The app shows the pollution and pollen level outside via our areas weather station. The Filtrete app also show the length of time the filter has been in the furnace as well as it's usable life in percentages. So its easy to plan when to order the new filter. You pay a little more for the filter and here is my take on it. People spend a lot of time especially now at home, The air quality should be healthy and having a filter that does a superb job at keeping viruses, bacteria, pollen and dust downs is highly desirable, to me. Isn't it great to be able to see the fitter is doing its job without having to actually pull it out of the furnace, be it in the basement or the attic or wherever? Side note: hospitals use MERV13 to protect their staff and patients. That's comparable to a MPR 1500-1900 fitter rating. Hope this is of some help. Stay healthy.

So I received my Filtrete 16x20x1 Allergen Bacteria and Virus Smart Filter a week ago and having been testing it out in my new house that I just purchased. Who would have thought that Bluetooth technology would come to an air filter; not me. Anyways, installing the filter was very simple, simply download the Filtrete app from the App Store on iOS or the Google Play Store for Android and create an account (which was super easy), pull the paper tab from Bluetooth module on the front of the filter and connect it via the Bluetooth settings on your mobile device. Place your filter in the vent slot (not sure of the correct name) and let it do its job. Setting up and using the app was very easy. Just basic info, and location info and that's about it. I can't say that I've noticed a difference or anything in regards to air quality just yet, however, it is nice knowing that it is working to ensure that the air quality in my new home is a pure and clean as possible. The app does allow you to track the air inside and outside your home on a daily basis.