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Summary
  • Change the cabin air filters when they clog up or fail.
  • The six top cabin air filter brands are Bosch, K&N, Hastings, Crown, Purolator, and Mahle.
  • While you can wash and reuse some cabin air filters, most filters only last around a year.
  • Some symptoms of a bad cabin air filter include stagnant and low-quality air, poor HVAC system performance, and unusual sounds from the fans.
  • Replacement cabin air filters can cost between $2 and $106.

Air quality and flow are vital factors that contribute to ride quality. The air filtration technology built into your vehicle constantly purifies the air as you drive, and one of the most important components that makes this happen is your cabin air filter.

Your car cabin air filter is made of multifiber material designed to sift out air particles that flow into your cabin. It catches pollen, dust, and other pollutants, allowing only clean air to enter your cabin. You should always check your cabin air filters to make sure they’re in good condition. Clogged up cabin air filters can cause further problems with your vehicle’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system, which may cost you more than a routine cabin air filter replacement. It’s wise to get your cabin air filters changed as soon as the old ones have become inadequate.

Aftermarket replacement parts are as durable as their OE counterparts but they are more affordable, which means you can get the same quality while saving money at the same time. Check out high-quality replacement parts at CarParts.com today.

6 Best Cabin Air Filter Brands

There are so many cabin air filter brands to choose from that it can get confusing, especially if you’re buying a filter for the first time. There are different brands that offer varying types, functions, and features. To help you narrow down your options, here are our top six cabin air filter brands:

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Bosch Cabin Air Filters

bosch cabin air filter
Bosch has both particulate and charcoal filter types, offering variation in terms of filtration capabilities.

Bosch has been a longtime manufacturer of high-quality and OE-standard automotive components, including excellent cabin air filters. It has both particulate and charcoal filter types, offering variation in terms of filtration capabilities. It also covers a wide variety of vehicle makes and models, assuring a precise fit for an easy installation.

Key Features:

  • Guaranteed durability and lasting component life
  • Covers a wide range of domestic and import vehicle models
  • Comes with a one-year limited warranty
  • Sold individually or in sets of two

K&N Cabin Air Filters

kn cabin air filter
K&N promises optimal filtration by sifting out dirt, dust, mold, and viruses from the air that flows into the cabin.

K&N has a wide selection of cabin air filters for both OE replacement and performance applications. It promises optimal filtration by sifting out dirt, dust, mold, and viruses from the air that flows into the cabin. These ready-to-install filters also come with an extensive warranty, which is beneficial for areas with low air quality.

Key Features:

  • Products come with either a 10-year/100,000 mile or 10-year/1 million-mile limited warranty
  • Made with OE specifications to replace your stock cabin air filter
  • Washable and reusable
  • Variations are available for OE replacement or performance applications

Hastings Cabin Air Filters

hastings cabin air filter
Hastings’ high-quality cabin air filters are made of premium materials, making them ideal as OE replacements.

Hastings’ high-quality cabin air filters are made of premium materials, making them ideal as OE replacements. Each direct-fit filter has a same day to one business day shipping time, so it’s a great option if you need it as soon as possible. Hastings also has an extensive selection for different vehicle years, makes, and models.

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Key Features:

  • Impressive ship out time
  • Guarantees excellent quality for OE replacement
  • Charcoal type filters are also available

Crown Cabin Air Filters

crown cabin air filter
Crown offers different types of cabin air filters, such as disposable, particulate, and charcoal.

Crown offers different types of cabin air filters, such as disposable, particulate, and charcoal. As Jeep’s preferred manufacturer of aftermarket parts since 1942, it guarantees durable OE replacement filters that function just as well as any stock part.

Key Features:

  • Promises enhanced durability and function
  • Comes with a 1 year or 12,000-mile limited warranty
  • May be bought individually or as an assembly

Purolator Cabin Air Filters

purolator cabin air filter
Purolator cabin air filters promise pure and fresh air, with multifiber filtering technology that catches any airborne contaminants.

Purolator has been manufacturing automotive filters since 1923. Its cabin air filters promise pure and fresh air, with multifiber filtering technology that catches any airborne contaminants. They’re known to help with the A/C system’s defrosting function to aid with maintaining air quality and overall ride comfort.

Key Features:

  • Has direct-fit filters for under the dashboard or the hood
  • Includes particulate, carbon, and triple-layered protection filter types
  • Comes as individual pieces or in sets of two
  • Each filter comes with a one-year limited warranty

Mahle Cabin Air Filters

mahle cabin air filter
Mahle has an activated carbon filter type that comes as a set, for premium air purification.

Mahle cabin air filters promise to work well as OE replacements. Mahle guarantees dependable function, clearing any dust, pollen, spores, and soot as well as neutralizing bad odors caused by pollutants. It also has an activated carbon filter type that comes as a set, for premium air purification.

Key Features:

  • Maximum filtration ability and odor control
  • Promises optimal air quality and circulation
  • Carries particulate and charcoal filter types

Other Things to Consider For a Cabin Air Filter Replacement

Some cabin air filters can be washed and reused, but most of them may only last around a year. This interval may also be reduced depending on your location, because some areas may have low air quality, which requires extra air filtration during your daily drives. It’s always best to get a mechanic’s recommendations regarding how often you should replace your air filters. You can also read your owner’s manual to get a better idea on how often your cabin air filters should be changed.

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mechanic holding cabin air filter
The total cabin air filter replacement cost may vary, depending on component price and labor. However, it doesn’t need to cost you a fortune.

However, there are multiple symptoms of a bad cabin air filter. It might be time for a replacement if you observe these signs while using your vehicle:

  • Stagnant and low-quality air
  • Poor HVAC system performance
  • Fans produce unusual sounds during air intake
  • Overworked engine

If you experience these with your vehicle, it may be caused by clogged and inadequate cabin air filters.

The total cabin air filter replacement cost may vary, depending on component price and labor. However, it doesn’t need to cost you a fortune. OE replacement cabin air filters can cost around $2-$106. The replacement part’s price may depend on vehicle year, make, and model. Cabin air filters can also come as individual pieces, in sets, or as assemblies.

The brands listed above offer OE-quality aftermarket cabin air filters at competitive prices that can work for any budget. You can shop with ease, knowing that there’s a wide range of options available to help you protect your passengers from any airborne contaminants.

About The Author
Written By Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.

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