7 Types of Air Filters and How to Choose the Right One

Not all air filters are created equal. In fact, there are many types of air filters out there, each designed to serve different needs, environments, and contaminants.

Whether you’re managing a hospital operating room, running a large commercial facility, or even just replacing a filter in your house, knowing the differences between filter types can make all the difference in efficiency, compliance, and health outcomes.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the seven most common types of air filters used in different settings:

• Pleated Filters
• Rigid Filters
• Bag Filters
• Washable Filters
• Carbon Filters
• HEPA and ULPA Filters
• UV Air Filters

We’ll break down what they do, where they’re typically used, and what makes each one unique, so you can make smarter decisions when it comes to the air your building breathes.

Pleated Filters: Everyday Versatility

There's a good reason pleated filters are among the most commonly used air filtration options today. They're relatively affordable, easy to install, and effective enough for a broad range of general-purpose applications. Think offices, schools, retail spaces, and even light industrial environments.

Pleated filters are made from media that’s folded into accordion-like pleats to expand their surface area, allowing for greater dust and particulate capture without significantly restricting airflow.

These filters come in a range of materials, each suited to specific filtration needs:

• Synthetic Blends: Durable and moisture-resistant, synthetic media offers consistent performance and works well in high-humidity environments.
• Fiberglass: Typically the most economical option, fiberglass filters are good for capturing larger particles like lint and dust in basic commercial HVAC systems.
• Electrostatic: These filters use static electricity to attract and hold particles, offering enhanced efficiency for allergens and finer dust without increasing airflow resistance.
• Carbon-Infused: By adding a layer of activated carbon, these pleated filters combine particulate filtration with odor and gas absorption, ideal for spaces with mild VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) or smells.

Thanks to their material variety, pleated filters can be tailored to strike a balance between efficiency, airflow, and cost. That flexibility has made them a go-to choice in a wide range of environments, from offices and schools to healthcare and manufacturing.

That said, pleated filters are not without limitations.

They are not built for extreme conditions, and in high-demand applications such as heavy industrial settings or critical cleanrooms, they may fall short in terms of durability and longevity compared to more specialized alternatives.

Still, for many standard HVAC systems, pleated filters offer a dependable middle ground. With reliable performance and reasonable cost, they continue to be a smart, practical solution for a wide range of uses.

Rigid Filters: Heavy-Duty Performance

When durability and performance matter more than convenience or cost, rigid filters come into play. These are the workhorses of environments that demand consistent airflow and high structural integrity.

While they may come at a higher upfront cost, they’re designed to deliver long-term value in performance-heavy settings like hospitals, airports, and pharmaceutical facilities.

These filters feature sturdy plastic or metal frames and are typically configured in box or V-bank styles. Unlike pleated filters, which can collapse under pressure, rigid filters hold their shape even in systems with variable airflow or elevated static pressure.

What really sets rigid filters apart is their depth and dust-holding capacity.

With more space for particles to accumulate, they can trap fine contaminants efficiently while maintaining lower resistance over time. That makes them ideal for applications where equipment uptime is essential and frequent filter changes are impractical.

Rigid filters aren’t the go-to choice for every system. Their higher cost and heavier construction may be excessive for lighter-use environments.

But in demanding commercial and industrial settings, their durability and consistent performance make them a trusted solution where failure is not an option.

Bag Filters: High Dust-Holding Capacity

If you’re managing a large commercial building or a facility with high air volume and heavy dust loads then bag filters, also known as pocket filters, are likely part of your strategy.

Bag filters get their name from their deep, multi-pocket design, which increases surface area and allows air to flow through with minimal resistance.

The pockets, typically made from synthetic or fiberglass media, are arranged vertically or horizontally within a rigid frame. This design is especially well-suited for large HVAC systems in spaces like shopping malls, hospitals, and industrial plants.

Their design not only supports efficient filtration but also enables extended service life, reducing how often filters need to be replaced. That makes them a practical option for systems where uptime matters and maintenance windows are limited.

However, their size can be a limiting factor. Smaller systems or tight mechanical spaces may not have the room to accommodate their deeper form factor, and their initial cost is generally higher than more compact alternatives.

Even so, for large-scale operations that need dependable filtration over long intervals, bag filters remain a solid investment. They combine capacity, performance, and longevity in a way that few other filter types can match.

Washable Filters: Reusable and Eco-Friendly

As sustainability becomes more of a priority across industries, washable filters are gaining traction in settings where reusability offers real value. These filters are designed to be cleaned and reused multiple times, helping reduce waste and cut down on long-term replacement costs.

Most are constructed from metal mesh or synthetic media in sturdy plastic or aluminum frames, making them durable enough to withstand repeated rinsing or vacuuming.

Unlike high-efficiency filters that target microscopic particles, washable filters are built for more general-purpose use. They excel in environments where larger debris like dust, lint, or hair is the main concern and where consistent airflow matters more than ultra-fine particle capture.

They're often used in high-traffic or high-airflow areas where contaminants tend to be coarse and visible. Common examples include:

• Commercial Kitchens: Captures grease, food particles, and cooking debris.
• Gyms and Fitness Centers: Captures dust, lint, and skin flakes.
• Industrial Workshops: Captures sawdust, fibers, and larger debris.

While their biggest benefit is clearly their reusability, washable filters come with real trade-offs.

They’re not designed to capture fine particles and won’t perform at the level of even a basic pleated filter. That makes them a poor fit for spaces where air quality is a top priority or where filtration standards are more demanding.

But in the right context, where large, visible debris is the primary concern, they do their job well. For facilities looking to reduce waste and keep maintenance costs low, washable filters offer a simple, durable solution for basic particulate control.

Carbon Filters: Odor and Gas Removal

When the issue isn’t dust but odor or chemical fumes, carbon filters take the lead. These specialized filters do what standard particulate filters can’t.

At the heart of each carbon filter is activated carbon, an extremely porous material that excels at capturing gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Unlike filters designed to trap particles, carbon filters target the invisible pollutants that often cause strong smells or irritate sensitive environments.

The secret lies in a process called adsorption. Rather than absorbing contaminants like a sponge, activated carbon holds them on its surface. This allows it to effectively trap a wide range of gaseous pollutants, at least until it reaches capacity.

Once saturated, the carbon loses its ability to filter effectively and must be replaced. That’s an important consideration, especially in environments with consistently high levels of odors or chemicals.

You’ll often find carbon filters paired with other types of air filters in systems that need to manage both particles and gases. Hospitals, laboratories, airports, restaurants, and cannabis production facilities all rely on them to neutralize contaminants that standard filters simply let pass through.

In spaces where air quality is defined by more than just what you can see, they’re an essential tool for maintaining a cleaner, healthier environment.

HEPA and ULPA Filters: Microscopic Particle Capture

If you're aiming for the highest level of air filtration, HEPA and ULPA filters are in a class of their own. These filters are specifically engineered to remove extremely fine particles from the air,  the kinds that most filters can’t even touch.

Both HEPA and ULPA filters are designed for ultra-fine particle removal, with ULPA filters providing the highest level of filtration available:

• HEPA Filters: Capture at least 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
• ULPA Filters: Capture at least 99.999% of particles as small as 0.12 microns.

These are not your everyday filters. They’re used in environments where air purity is non-negotiable, such as cleanrooms, pharmaceutical manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication, and certain areas of hospitals like operating rooms and isolation wards.

Because they’re so dense, HEPA and ULPA filters can create significant resistance in an HVAC system, which means they require more powerful fans and more frequent monitoring.

But when you need near-sterile air, nothing else will do. The payoff is clean, contaminant-free air that meets the strictest standards in the industry.

UV Air Filters: Biological Control

Let’s shift gears a bit. So far, we’ve focused on filters that physically trap or absorb particles. But what about microorganisms that slip through the cracks, or worse, grow inside your HVAC system? That’s where UV air filter systems come in.

These systems don’t “filter” air in the traditional sense. Instead, they use ultraviolet (UV-C) light to destroy or inactivate bacteria, viruses, and mold spores.

The lights are usually installed inside air handlers or near coils where microbial growth tends to occur. As air passes over the UV light, pathogens are exposed to radiation that disrupts their DNA, rendering them harmless.

UV germicidal systems are often used alongside traditional filters to provide an extra layer of protection in healthcare settings, food production facilities, and other places where biological contamination is a concern.

They don’t remove particulates, but they help sterilize the air and prevent microbial buildup in HVAC components, extending system life and improving indoor air quality.

Of course, like any technology, UV systems have their limitations. The light must be strong enough and exposure long enough to be effective, and the bulbs need regular replacement. But when integrated properly, they’re a powerful tool in the fight against airborne pathogens.

Choosing the Right Type of Air Filter

Selecting the right type of air filter goes beyond simply choosing the most expensive or advanced option. It’s about understanding your environment and the specific contaminants you need to control.

Whether it’s a busy retail space that benefits from pleated or bag filters, a surgical suite that requires the precision of HEPA or ULPA filtration, or a commercial kitchen that depends on washable filters and carbon to handle grease and odors, the perfect filter fits the purpose.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each type of filter brings unique strengths, and often the smartest approach combines multiple filters and technologies to deliver the cleanest, healthiest air possible.

Before making your choice, consider these key factors when evaluating the various types of air filters:

• Contaminant Type: Are you targeting dust, odors, microbes, or chemical fumes?
• Environment: What is the space used for, and what air quality standards must be met?
• Maintenance: How often can filters be serviced or replaced without disrupting operations?
• System Compatibility: Will your HVAC system support the filter’s airflow and pressure requirements?
• Budget and Sustainability: What balance between cost, durability, and environmental impact makes sense for you?

Understanding what each filter can do and where it falls short is the foundation for building a filtration system that works efficiently, reliably, and responsibly.

With indoor air quality more important than ever for health, comfort, and compliance, choosing the right filter is not just a decision; it’s an investment in the well-being of everyone who shares your space. Make it count.

You do not have to navigate this complex decision alone. Our team of experts is ready to guide you through every step by assessing your unique needs, recommending the best solutions, and ensuring your filtration system delivers reliable and long-lasting performance.

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