# Home AC filter
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-ac-filter/235161
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 19, 2004, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-ac-filter/235161 "2004-03-19T05:29:34Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@paul\_smars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paul_smars)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2004, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-ac-filter/235161/1 "2004-03-19T05:29:34Z")
Should I just keep using those 99 cent replaceable, or should I buy an expensive washable one? Are they better for our health?
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### Author:  [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2004, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-ac-filter/235161/2 "2004-03-19T06:12:45Z")
From what I read, most filters are pretty useless at collecting dust. The only one I’ve seen come highly recommended by Consumer Reports is the 3M Filtrete Ultra Allergen. It actually has better airflow than their lower-end models and catches more dust. It also lasts 3 months at a time, though it’s fairly expensive (about $12-15 at Home Depot). I use it to keep my allergies down.