Air, or rather oxygen, is the most important component in the air-fuel mixture, which burns and sets in motion. As a result, the generated energy is transferred to the wheels, and the car moves.

And the more efficiently clean air is supplied, the better the engine functions and the vehicle behaves. And in order to achieve the required degree of cleaning, an element such as an air filter is installed before entering the engine intake manifold.

As part of every maintenance, and sometimes even more often, the filter must be replaced. And here a natural question arises for the car owner regarding the correct choice of a new consumable for his car.

To simplify the purchasing task, many car enthusiasts can use the current rating, consisting of the best air filters for cars.

Criterias of choice

The best doesn't always mean the most expensive. And vice versa, the most expensive filters are not always preferable in terms of quality, efficiency and service life.

To determine the most preferred manufacturers included in the final rating, their air filters produced for various cars must meet certain criteria. Namely:

• Value for money. The consumer must understand that the money invested in consumables is worth it. Some manufacturers have unreasonably high prices, while cheaper products from other companies are of excellent quality.
• Availability. The car owner needs to be confident in the ability to easily buy consumables at the right time. Therefore, filters that are rarely found on the market, even with their excellent quality, cannot claim to be the best.
• Range. Leading companies produce products for different brands and different models. At the same time, it is important that the wide selection does not negatively affect the final quality. For leading brands this is not a problem.
• Offers for non-manufactured vehicles. Since cars that are more than 10 years old are actively used in Russia and have been discontinued, the opportunity to purchase new air filters for such cars remains relevant.
• Compliance of the declared characteristics with real capabilities. An important criterion, but somewhat conditional, since the service life and filtering capabilities of the filter largely depend on operating conditions.
• Life time. Even the best quality cleaners do not last long. But they are required to work out their guaranteed period.
• Manufacturer's reputation. One of the key criteria for ordinary motorists, since drivers are accustomed to trusting companies with a good reputation. And the latter are not interested in losing positions. There are many competitors.

Only the best manufacturers are able to provide the production of the highest quality air filters, suitable for cars of different brands and models.

Rating representatives

It is impossible to make a top list of the best air filters for cars based on specific products. Here you can only focus on the manufacturers.

As of 2019, the following manufacturers were the priority among consumers and experts:

• Bosch.
• Mann Filters.
• Knecht Mahle.
• Filtron.
• Delphi.
• Big Filter.

It is their products that are recognized as the highest quality, corresponding to their cost, and also meeting the requirements for efficiency, service life and durability. When a consumer wants to find the best air filters for a car at the moment, it is worth turning to the brands presented in the top.

It is important to understand that each manufacturer offers a wide range of products designed for different models and brands of vehicles. By choosing products from one of the recognized leaders, the engine will receive reliable protection from pollution. Just don’t forget to change consumables in a timely manner, and also select an air filter that matches the design features of your particular car.

Now you should get to know each of the presented manufacturers separately.

A well-deserved place among the best car filters. Largely due to the low cost and fairly high quality of workmanship. Air filters for cars from Nipparts are manufactured in Indonesia and supplied in large quantities to Russia and the CIS countries. They are the best in terms of assembly accuracy. Consumers also highly appreciated the quality of packaging, which is important due to the region where the products are delivered.

Many products of this brand have additional rigidity bars, a durable frame, and easy-to-read markings. Filters from Nipparts belong to the budget category, but this does not prevent them from being included in the current rating. The price/quality ratio is excellent. On average, their filters cost about 250-300 rubles.

Consumers note that Nipparts consumables are almost as good as the originals, but are several times cheaper. This is one of the best options to save on an air filter, but without compromising the quality and efficiency of the engine.

If a car owner is interested in which air filters are best for him to use for German cars so that they are not inferior to expensive originals, then he should pay close attention to consumables from Blue Print. Although they are relevant not only for German cars.

According to tests and reviews from the owners of Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes and Audi brands, the installation of such non-original cleaners fully replaces the original cleaner, but saves the budget somewhat. It is only important to determine which consumables are needed for your specific car.

In addition to German cars, Blue Print offers analogues of original air filters for:

• Chrysler.
• Acura.
• Honda.
• Chevrolet.
• Cadillac.
• Alfa Romeo, etc.

They are not inferior in price to the original filters, but they are still cheaper.

Delphi

An American brand that has existed for about 20 years, which is quite short compared to some mastadons, which you will learn about a little later.

But despite their modest age, these car air filters are in many ways better than products from longer-established companies. In the Delphi assortment you can find any kind of consumables suitable for almost all currently produced machines. And also for those models that have been discontinued.

Delphi is quite widely represented on the Russian market, and is in fair demand here. But the company has one problem due to its good reputation, reliability and efficiency. Because of this, fakes often come across under the guise of Delphi filters. Therefore, you should carefully choose the places where you buy air vents of this brand.

UFI

An Italian manufacturer of auto parts that has gained immense popularity in Europe and received the status of one of the best filter suppliers.

The company was founded back in 1972. In terms of production scale, UFI ranks 4th in Europe.

As a manufacturer of independent consumables under its own brand in Russia, UFI is not among the most popular and widespread. This can largely be explained by the high price, but which is fully justified during operation.

The UFI product range includes special developments designed for vehicles operated in harsh and extreme conditions.

UFI produces air filters of increased reliability and excellent quality. This is proven by the fact that UFI supplies its products to the assembly lines of giants among automakers. Ferrari is one of them.

WIX

Another American manufacturer of spare parts. The company specializes in the manufacture of cleaning devices, including cabin and air car filters.

The brand turned 60 this year. At the same time, you can’t call it outdated. The company integrates innovative technologies and uses high-quality materials.

At the same time, WIX is also included in the premium segment, which is why it has not gained wide popularity in Russia, where more budget products are preferred. But in terms of quality, reliability and efficiency, this is rightfully one of the best filters in the world.

A German manufacturer of auto parts, whose product range includes more than 5 thousand options of air filters for different brands and models of cars.

The company has existed since 1958. Supplies products to the primary and aftermarket automotive markets. This allows you to find filters for machines that have been out of production for quite some time among the offers from Hengst.

The manufacturer is highly valued in the market for its environmental ideology, as well as its desire and successful attempts to introduce innovative technologies into product development.

Knecht Mahle

According to many experts and ordinary motorists, this company deserves to lead the ranking among the best air filter manufacturers in terms of quality. Yes, the products are quite expensive, but the price is explained by the approach to production, the materials used and the high cleaning efficiency.

The main office is located, but production facilities are located throughout Europe and beyond. The brand has existed since 1972.

Air filters from Knecht Mahle are often recommended as replacements for original consumables. Moreover, it is not so rare that analogues turn out to be even higher in level of performance than the originals. But this is rather a subjective judgment. For the objectivity of such statements, specific tests are needed.

Products undergo a strict quality control system, which eliminates the possibility of defects. Everything is thought out to the smallest detail.

Mann Filters

Another German manufacturer of air filters, which is among the world leaders.

The company was founded back in 1941, and quickly gained a leading position, not losing it to this day.

The company has its own research centers and design organizations involved in improving products, finding new solutions and introducing innovative technologies.

The highest level of quality is reflected largely in the price. Some analogues can cost about the same as the original filters.

Bosch

When it comes to purchasing high-quality non-original spare parts, almost every more or less experienced car enthusiast first thinks about the Bosch company.

It is a recognized leader in the world, which manufactures a wide range of products, including air filters. The company has many facilities around the world. But this distribution of effort does not at all harm quality.

Filters from Bosch are fully consistent with their price and are of excellent quality. The company offers a huge selection of consumables for various machines that are still in production and those that have long been discontinued.

Big Filter

A domestic response to numerous foreign companies that have literally flooded the Russian market. But among all this wide variety, filters from Big Filter occupy a special place.

The company was founded in St. Petersburg. Already from the name it is obvious that the company specializes in the production of various types of automobile filters, including air filters.

The products are of high quality at a fairly low price. Many products cost the buyer less than 300-400 rubles. With a similar level of performance, you will have to pay at least 500-600 rubles for filters from famous foreign brands.

The company also acts as the main supplier of consumables for assembly lines of imported car models, which are assembled at factories in the Russian Federation. This indicates a high status and an appropriate level of quality.

A competent approach to production and the use of high-quality materials, at fairly low prices, have led to the enormous popularity of filters from Big Filter among domestic motorists.

Filtron

This company appeared through the efforts of Polish and American representatives. As a result, we managed to create an excellent enterprise for the production of automotive components.

In 2016, the company became part of the Mann Hummer group, which allowed it to receive an additional bonus in the form of the latest developments and the introduction of innovative technologies.

Filtron demonstrates a high level of efficiency, high-quality cleaning and a long service life.

Only the car owner himself decides which consumables to use. All presented air filters are perfect for cars. They are objectively better than many competitors, even sometimes surpassing them in cost.

Each of the presented manufacturers truly deserves a place in the ranking. But it would be wrong to assign specific positions to firms, given their relationship to different price segments.

Many years of experience, tests and analytical data clearly show that the difference between the leading manufacturers of air filters and those who supply cheap, low-quality products is huge. Therefore, you should absolutely not trust nameless filters.

Focus on those that enjoy well-deserved popularity and respect among ordinary motorists.

Now that almost every new car has them, manufacturers of consumables no longer need to talk about their benefits. All that remains is to prove that their product is the highest quality, reliable and will last a long time. It must be said that the task is not easy, but sales on the market of air-purifying systems for the interior are quite profitable.

To understand which brand of cabin filter is best to choose, let’s first figure out what they are like, what are the differences between the different types, and what functions they perform.

Types of cabin filters

• Conventional barriers (most often paper).
• Coal.
• Charcoal, neutralizing allergens.
• Electret.
• Carbon with an electret layer.

It is important to know that the best air filtration elements should be made only from synthetic materials. They should not allow odors and dust to pass through or absorb moisture. Otherwise, if moisture accumulates in the ventilation system, the windows will fog up and freeze in winter.

Important! In coal models, the coal particles should be as small as possible, since only in this case will they effectively capture harmful substances. This fact is an integral criterion for the quality of the cabin filter.

About analogues and originals

Which company is better to choose? Buying an original or not an original is everyone’s personal choice. Moreover, the originals are much more expensive, and among analogues there are also high-quality options.

Below is a comparison table of the most common cabin filters, from which you can determine the rating. All cabin filters for cars have certain values ​​as a threshold for each parameter:

• The maximum permitted dust transmission coefficient should be no higher than 10%.
• The aerodynamic resistance of a clean filter should not exceed 50 mm of water. Art. For a clogged filter, this figure cannot be higher than 150 mm. water Art.

Bosch is highly popular among car owners, as the company constantly strives to improve its products and focuses on the modern market. Coal models of this brand are of high quality and are relatively inexpensive.

Bosch is a good, relatively budget option for a high-quality cabin filter. Their products are not the best on the market, there is still room for improvement, but they do their job of purifying the air well.

Another popular manufacturer is Corteco. Their products are in demand, have average prices and high quality. But as mentioned above, only a carbon filter can provide proper air filtration; this fact also applies to them. Paper filters from this brand are decently expensive, but like others, they only retain dust, allowing foreign odors and bacteria to pass through.

But according to the comparative table, the best of the above are the Mann Filter (Czech Republic) and Raf Filter (Russia-China) brand filters. Both options have high aerodynamic resistance and allowable transmission of dust and harmful substances. Raf Filter also offers options with antibacterial and antifungal effects, which have actually been confirmed in practice.

But there are other equally popular manufacturers that have been in high demand for quite a long time. They are installed on them at the factory.

As for the famous Eiken, it can most often be found on Japanese cars. This is, of course, one of the oldest manufacturers and they take good care of the quality of their products.

In the production of even budget filters, a special fabric is used, which does not lose its properties throughout its entire service life and reliably protects the car interior from harmful substances and unpleasant odors.

Valeo is also one of the most expensive and high-quality manufacturers of consumables for the air filtration system in a car. Their carbon filters and related products are expensive, but the company maintains its brand and you can rest assured that you will not waste your money. After installing their products, foreign odors from the street in the car interior disappear altogether.

Good and proven electret filters include VIC. Their filters purify the air in the cabin by 99% from the penetration of bacteria, viruses and odors from outside. They are made from a special non-woven fabric with high dirt holding capacity and electret coating. This coating is capable of capturing up to 98% of various particles ranging in size from 5 to 100 microns, this includes dust from cement and tires, dust, orbicules, bacteria, smoke, etc. VIC brands are really one of the best of their kind, but they also cost They're pretty decent.

AMD is not worth buying, don’t be fooled by its low cost. Its functional characteristics are also not up to par. It has a small filtering surface area, also a poor coefficient of dust transmission and aerodynamic resistance; this filter does not cope with its task. The only good thing about it is its attractively low price.

Also not very good filters are: Fram, Goodwill and Mahle. Their filtering surface is small, and, frankly speaking, their dust transmission rates are not very good. But the cost is average relative to good filters. Unfortunately, the expression “price-quality” does not apply to them.

The last filter from the Japanese Denso table, it copes with its task quite well, filters the air “excellently” and removes odors, but still it is far from Vic. Its negative quality is its overly inflated price, which does not correspond to the real characteristics of the product.

And finally, about the best Russian-made filter - this is the Nevsky Filter brand containing activated coconut carbon. The price of our option is reasonable, but the quality is high. Nevsky Filter products can easily compete with foreign manufacturers such as Bosch and Corteco. But it also has a significant disadvantage: it is practically not available in online stores, so it is unlikely that you will be able to order it with home delivery.

Offers on the market for cleaning systems for cars are constantly growing, new companies are appearing and you need to be careful when choosing an untested manufacturer. Do not forget that a high price is not always an indicator of a good filter; in some cases you are offered to overpay for the brand at the expense of quality.

The first production car equipped with a cabin filter was the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W140 series from 1991. Now almost all cars have them. But how effective are they - and is it worth overpaying for more expensive coal ones? We decided to test this using ten samples intended for the Volkswagen Polo sedan: two regular filters and eight with activated carbon.

P The problems began at the stage of purchasing from an online store. The fact is that cabin filters for Polo (they are also suitable for Skoda Fabia cars of the first two generations, Seat Ibiza and Audi A1) come in two sizes, differing in width by about 5 mm, depending on the modification of the air conditioning system. The sedan, produced in Kaluga since 2010, is equipped with a “wide” version. And a good half of the filters we bought, including the original ones (!), despite being selected according to the car’s year of manufacture and body type, turned out to be “narrow” - they simply dangled in the seat!

In cars with a well-thought-out climate control configuration (Volkswagen Polo/Skoda Fabia/Seat Ibiza/Audi A1 are just such), the cabin filter can be changed in a matter of seconds

We were unable to promptly buy an adapter frame (such a part is in the Volkswagen catalogue). We were unable to quickly purchase “wide” filters from the Champion and BIG Filter brands. Therefore, the top ten underwent changes: carbon filters from Bosch, Delphi, Filtron, Mahle, Mann+Hummel and Valeo were tested, and the honor of dust “non-originals” was defended by a domestic filter produced by LLC TD “TSN-Auto”. Plus, of course, a pair of original VW filters of both types - with duplicate micronAir markings (this brand belongs to the Freudenberg group). And what was exotic for us was an expensive antibacterial filter made in China (1,500 rubles, only the “original” is more expensive) from the Russian brand RAF.

Do both original filters fit the 2015 Polo? Don't trust online store catalogs! The one on top is narrower and will dangle in the nest. And you need a bottom filter with thicker sides; it is its number 6RO 819 653 that should be used when selecting a non-original replacement

Just like ten years ago when testing filters for the Ford Focus car (AR No. 8, 2006), we decided to test the efficiency of trapping harmful gases not in the laboratory, but in the Lefortovo Tunnel in Moscow. The half-hour race began with a one-minute pause after a ten-second spray of isopropyl alcohol-based washer fluid onto the windshield. At the point prescribed by GOST 51206-2004, behind the driver’s right ear, the peak concentration of toxic isopropyl, as well as other harmful substances, was measured with an accuracy of microgram per cubic meter by gas analyzers. But by the fifth race, even without their help, I could easily determine which “salon” catches washer fluid vapors and which does not. Anyone without a runny nose could smell the threefold difference between a simple dust filter and a good carbon one!

How to spot a fake? The absence of Rostest markings on the filter only means that cabin filters are not subject to mandatory certification in Russia. It’s better to pay attention to whether the corrugations are neatly glued, whether there is a clear designation of the model and arrows to orient the product during installation

However, even with the best carbon filters (they turned out to be Mann+Hummel, Bosch and Mahle), the isopropanol content in the cabin was 30-50 times higher than the maximum permissible concentration (MAC) of 10 mg/m³! Although isopropanol belongs only to the third hazard class (“moderately hazardous substances”), prolonged exposure to its vapors leads to headaches, sore eyes and irritation of the respiratory system. So try to spray the glass with anti-freeze only while moving - and turn on recirculation in advance.

We carried out tests in the Lefortovo tunnel with fixed climate control settings: temperature 22°C, fan speed four out of seven, air intake from outside, flow distribution - “only in person”

It is significant that filters that capture isopropanol well also cope well with a much more harmful substance - nitrogen dioxide (second hazard class). High-quality activated carbon reduces NO concentration₂ 25-100 times: with Mann+Hummel, Bosch, Mahle and micronAir (“original”) filters, the air in the Polo cabin met even the strictest American standards - less than 0.01 mg per cubic meter!

The outside air sampled from the roof area turned out to be one and a half times cleaner than that entering the cabin through the air conditioning unit. Which once again confirmed a long-known fact: passengers of closed cars without carbon filters and air quality sensors breathe no less harmful air than darlings in convertibles

By the way, the more liberal European and Russian MPCs for nitrogen dioxide (0.04 mg/m³) with simple dust filters turned out to be exceeded only three times, and not four to five times, as ten years ago. And unburned CH hydrocarbons, which together with nitrogen dioxide form the basis of urban smog in the Lefortovo tunnel, are now six times smaller compared to the previous test. Most cabin filters with activated carbon cut their concentration in half: only products from the RAF and Filtron brands were punctured here.

We recorded the air flow speed at the fourth fan speed where it is most laminar: in the area of ​​the left deflector. But we did not find any significant differences (more than 5%) between the new filters, despite the twofold difference in the back pressure they create (from to Pa)
When testing filters to capture washer fluid vapors, we used a liquid based on isopropyl alcohol produced by Expohimtrade LLC (Korolev, Moscow Region)">

We recorded the air flow speed at the fourth fan speed where it is most laminar: in the area of ​​the left deflector. But we did not find any significant differences (more than 5%) between the new filters, despite the twofold difference in the back pressure they create (from 14 to 33 Pa)
When testing filters to capture washer fluid vapors, we used a liquid based on isopropyl alcohol produced by Expohimtrade LLC (Korolev, Moscow Region)

But this time we did not detect the most dangerous formaldehyde at all. This is confirmed by Mosekomonitoring data: the air in Moscow is indeed becoming cleaner - thanks, first of all, to the increase in the share of cars whose exhaust complies with Euro-4 and Euro-5 standards.

For those who think that the capabilities of the “salonnik” will be enough for only a few hours, we also specially tested a Mann+Hummel carbon filter that was in use for six months (mileage in Moscow and the region is 6000 km). It filtered nitrogen dioxide, although less efficiently than the new one, but no worse than products from Valeo and Delphi. In addition, many automakers have been rationing the service life of carbon filters for several years specifically based on this harmful substance: over the entire service life, the filter must absorb at least two grams of nitrogen dioxide. In practice, this means approximately a thousand hours in the gas chamber of the Lefortovo Tunnel!

We recorded the concentration of toxic components in the car interior using four gas analyzers, the main one of which was chemiluminescent R-310A, which recorded the content of nitrogen dioxide

The test for dust holding capacity, flow resistance and degree of filtration of particles up to 0.3 microns in size according to the international method ISO/TS 11155-1 was agreed to be done for us in the laboratory of BIG Filter LLC. Since the products of this company were not in our top ten, there was no reason to doubt the correctness of the tests. By the way, BIG Filter works with Volkswagen: they make an intake module for CFNA and EA 211 engines with a volume of 1.6 liters, assembled in Kaluga.

The first round, checking the flow resistance at an air flow of 300 m³ / h, was left to simple dust filters: TSN and micronAir (“original”) create a back pressure of only 14 and 18 Pa, respectively, while to “push through” Mahle or Mann+Hummel , 32-33 Pa is required. Although in practice this is not significant: measuring the flow rate from the deflectors on a car showed that with all ten filters it differs by no more than 5%.

The second round is to check the filtration efficiency at the same 300 m³/h air flow. The most leaky ones were the innovative antibacterial RAF (51% of particles fly into the cabin!), the cheap TSN, which lets 38% of dust through, and, alas, the thoroughbred Valeo (42%). The remaining seven filters left no more than 22% of particles with a size of 0.3 microns in the air.

Well, the third round is a resource. It is determined by the mass of dust in grams that settles on the filter until its flow resistance increases to 200 Pa. And here TSN (18.3 g), RAF (21.5 g) and Valeo (27.5 g), to put it in boxing language, lay down completely. Their resource is one and a half to three times lower than that of Mahle, Mann+Hummel and Bosch filters, which absorbed more than 42 g of dust! But even worse for fans of filters without activated carbon is that even the original conveyor product (micronAir) has a dust content of only 27 grams. In other words, it needs to be changed one and a half times more often than a good coal “salon”!

This is what an automatic line for the production of cabin filters looks like: the filter material from the roll is first corrugated and then glued to the sidewalls - an endlessly long tape is obtained, which the machine cuts into finished filters. Gluing end plates to increase rigidity is an additional operation. By their presence or absence, as well as by the weight of the filter (the heavier, the more activated carbon) you can understand which manufacturer is inclined to save money and which is not

The results are as follows. Activated carbon is not a marketing hoax, but a really working thing when it comes to high-quality filters from famous companies. Yes, it does not capture carbon monoxide and other harmful substances with small molecules. But to combat them, many modern cars have air quality sensors that control the recirculation damper automatically. Such multisensors (they react not only to exceeding the maximum permissible concentration of carbon monoxide) are now equipped not only with Mercedes and BMW, but also with some affordable golf-class models - for example, the Skoda Octavia (with dual-zone climate control).

The air in Moscow is becoming cleaner, but in the tunnels the concentration of harmful substances is always higher

Tests have proven that with cabin filters the rule is “Don’t think and take the original!” does not work: the “court” micronAir turned out to be worse in some respects than products from other famous companies. In our case, the best were coal Mahle, Mann+Hummel and Bosch.

A regular dust filter saves on your own health. Activated carbon can soften the blow to your health from inhaling nitrogen dioxide and unburned hydrocarbons. Don't neglect this.

The editors did not verify the authenticity of purchased samples.

Some test results for cabin filters according to ISO/TS 11155-1
Filter	Flow velocity from deflectors, m/s	Flow resistance, Pa	Filtration efficiency, %	Dust capacity, g
TSN	4,09	14	61,7	18,3
Bosch	4,13	26	79,7	42,6
Delphi	3,96	28	78,9	37,3
Filtron	4,12	27	78,9	27
Mahle	4,05	32	79,9	47,2
Mann	4,15	33	79,9	46,8
RAF	3,97	18	48,7	21,5
Valeo	4	25	58,3	27,5
Volkswagen (coal)	3,99	27	79,3	40,7
Volkswagen (dust)	4,09	18	79,3	27

Some test results of cabin filters in the Lefortovo tunnel
Filter	Filter weight, g	Hydrocarbons (methane-hexane), mg/m³	nitrogen dioxide, mg/m³	Alcohols (isopropanol), mg/m³
TSN	98,2	2,95	0,111	1350
Bosch	308,7	1,42	0,001	424
Delphi	226,6	1,45	0,036	952
Filtron	146,7	3,03	0,059	800
Mahle	290,6	1,57	0,004	340
Mann	306,2	1,61	0,004	532
RAF	164,4	3,19	0,087	1143
Valeo	157,7	1,43	0,035	630
Volkswagen (coal)	263,7	1,41	0,008	763
Volkswagen (dust)	81,9	3,04	0,1	1300
Used filter (Mann)	328,4	3,13	0,019	704
Without a filter	0	3,21	0,134	1378

Micropores of activated carbon adsorb large molecules of toxic gases from the air: nitrogen dioxide, light hydrocarbons (methane, propane, butane, pentane), aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene) and alcohol vapor (both methyl and isopropyl).

Of these, NO is the most toxic₂ , nitrogen dioxide, is a substance of the second hazard class (the first, most dangerous class includes, for example, mercury and potassium cyanide). Nitrogen dioxide is highly irritating to mucous membranes. Even when a small amount is inhaled, the resistance of the respiratory tract increases - even healthy people find it more difficult to breathe. What can we say about the sick? Moreover, nitrogen dioxide makes a person more susceptible to pathogens: the risk of contracting, for example, bronchitis increases.

Everyone knows about the dangers of “blood poisons”, carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide NO: they bind hemoglobin in the blood and make oxygen transfer impossible. But cabin filters do not retain CO and NO: their small molecules slip through them freely. For deeper air purification, rather complex and bulky catalytic systems must be used, the installation of which in a passenger car is very difficult (for example, the cabins of mining dump trucks are equipped with such air purification systems).

Simple air conditioning systems do not reduce the content of pollutants inside the cabin, but only create a false illusion of safety: only the temperature and humidity of the air are comfortable, and the concentration of harmful substances inside is higher than outside! To combat toxic gases, along with cabin filters with activated carbon, it is desirable to use special sensors that respond to exceeding the maximum permissible concentrations for CO and NO and automatically turn on the recirculation mode.

How to choose the right cabin filter

1. Find out the catalog number of the original part and select the cabin filter only according to it.

2. Make sure that the selected filter fits tightly into the seat without gaps.

3. The less the filter is deformed in your hands, the better: the lower the likelihood of incorrect installation. The presence of an additional frame or corners glued to the ends increases the rigidity of the structure.

4. The filter material must have a laminated coating on the side facing the fan so that fluff from the filter does not enter the ventilation system.

5. The filter must be marked with the direction of the air flow. “Top” or “Bottom” designations are also highly desirable, as they make it easier to orient the product during installation.

6. The carbon filter does not have to be sealed in polyethylene: activated carbon “works” only with air circulation, which is virtually excluded inside the box lying in a warehouse or store.

7. When the size of the box is much larger than the filter itself, this is not evidence of a fake. Many manufacturers prefer to save on packaging in this way: due to a smaller number of standard box sizes.

8. The carbon filter must be selected by weight: the heavier one should be preferred - it contains more activated carbon.

When to change?

The service life of the cabin filter is determined not by mileage, but by the time spent in motion or with the fan on, as well as the degree of dust and gas contamination in the places where you drive. The replacement frequency prescribed by most automakers at least once a year in Moscow is more than justified. By the way, the life of the heater fan motor can be extended if you remove and vacuum the filter twice a year: in the fall after the leaves fall and in the summer after the poplar fluff and pollen season - this will slightly reduce the filter resistance.

Against bacteria?

We did not test the declared antibacterial properties of the RAF filter. Firstly, it did a very poor job with conventional filtration. And secondly, many doctors and engineers involved in ventilation systems are skeptical about the possibility of fighting bacteria with the help of special impregnation of cabin filters. After all, favorable conditions for the proliferation of microorganisms arise near the air conditioner evaporator, and the “salon” is far from it.

And most importantly (but few people know about this) - not a single cabin filter is now made of paper. The ban is spelled out in many technical requirements for this type of product! Because cellulose provides the most favorable conditions for the growth of bacteria. And automakers also want the material to be flame retardant. And therefore, a modern cabin filter is made only from non-woven synthetic filter material. In fact, any of them can be considered antibacterial!

This heavy and high-quality filter, made of expensive three-layer filter material, is exactly like a Mahle brand product. Only the markings do not match: the filter was made in Germany, not in the Czech Republic.

This is not surprising: cross-pollination, badge engineering and repackaging of other people's products are par for the course in the filtration industry. For us, buyers, this is not even bad, as long as a repackaged filter under the Bosch brand is sold one and a half times cheaper than under the original Mahle brand.

Excellent absorption characteristics of nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons and washer fluid vapors, excellent service life and low dust transmission coefficient. And all this is combined with an affordable price - our choice!

The designers and technologists of the St. Petersburg company BIG Filter consider Mann+Hummel filters to be the standard. And with good reason! In almost all types of tests, Mann+Hummel invariably found itself in the top three, and the slight loss to the “original” in terms of capturing light hydrocarbons, in fact, fits into the error of the experiment. There is a lot of activated carbon in the filter material, the product is quite rigid (thanks to the end plates and reinforcement corners) and fits hermetically into the climate control module. And the price is only slightly higher than Bosch. We recommend!

A solid and rigid filter with end plates fits tightly into the seat - the installation is 100% tight. The performance in all types of tests is also good. And in collecting washer vapors, as well as in terms of dust capacity (resource), Mahle is the undisputed leader. It’s a pity that this filter is much more expensive than its counterpart under the Bosch brand, despite the fact that all the characteristics, judging by the results of our tests, are similar.

The original filter, labeled by the Freudenberg group as both Volkswagen and micronAir, looks “thinner” than products from Mahle, Bosch and Mann+Hummel. Firstly, it does not have end plates, which reduces the rigidity of the filter, and does not sit so tightly in place. Secondly, there is not so much activated carbon in it, as evidenced by both its 30-40 g smaller mass compared to the leaders and the readings of gas analyzers.

Nevertheless, the original filter copes well with both nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons, perfectly captures dust and is only slightly inferior to the first three in dust capacity. But at the dealer this one costs four times more than Bosch and Mann+Hummel!

The average Delphi buyer will be wary of the size of the packaging: a pair of filters could easily fit into such a huge box. Isn't it a fake? Absolutely not. Because the Delphi product will be admired most of all by the technologists of filter factories. The corrugations are glued to the edge end-to-end, without a margin of a millimeter and a half, like others - a special technological chic! But, like the original Volkswagen filter, this one also lacks end plates, which is why it does not fit into the socket very tightly due to its low rigidity. There is even less activated carbon here than in the original filter, and the dust capacity is also more modest. In short, Delphi products will have to be replaced more often than Bosch or Mahle.

The carbon filter with the most affordable price is not distinguished by high quality workmanship: the corrugations are glued unevenly, the technological distance from the edge is the largest. In addition, it fits into the seat easier than anyone else and does not stay there: it falls out under its own weight. Therefore, reasonable doubts arise about the tightness of the joints.

Moreover, Filtron copes with nitrogen dioxide one and a half times worse than the average Delphi, filters washer vapors poorly, and most importantly, the service life is modest: almost half that of the leaders. Therefore, the savings will be imaginary: by changing Filtron twice, you will pay more than for Bosch, and the quality of air purification from toxic gases will be incomparably worse.

If other filters can be complained about the lack of rigidity, then Valeo simply does not have it: the corrugations bend arbitrarily, like the ribs of a snake. And reliable sealing is ensured only by excessive tension: Valeo is two millimeters wider than the others!

Alas, Valeo cannot boast of anything other than a big name and good absorption of nitrogen dioxide. The service life of the filter, the lightest of the carbon ones, is short, and the efficiency of filtering soot and pollen is one of the lowest among ten samples. At the same time, the price is quite high.

In appearance, the Volkswagen/micronAir dust filter is made of less quality than its carbon counterpart. The filter material does not look as presentable, it bends more in your hands, and falls out of the socket under its own weight. Although it is the lightest: only 82 grams, fluff.

But Volkswagen/micronAir copes with its direct responsibilities, collecting dust, excellently - no worse than other thoroughbred products. The only bad thing is that its resource is as short as that of Valeo and Filtron filters: Mahle or Mann will last almost twice as long. And if you remember that a simple dust filter does not combat toxic gases in any way, but at the same time costs more than all non-original carbon products... One of the most irrational purchases.

Expensive - one and a half times more expensive than Mahle! - “innovative” filter made in China. Its authenticity, by the way, can be verified using a unique code. But even if you believe that the innovative antibacterial coating works and its effectiveness has been proven by the Institute of Immunology of the FMBA of Russia, as indicated on the packaging, we would not recommend purchasing this “Premium filter”.

The RAF “salonnik” simply cannot cope with its direct responsibilities. More than half of the particles measuring 0.3 microns fly through it without stopping. The resource is modest, and there is so little carbon in the filter material that toxic gases penetrate into the cabin almost unhindered.

And this is the only filter whose filter material was not laminated on the side facing the fan. The fibers from it themselves pollute the air!

The unprepossessing appearance with soft, curved corrugations and a crookedly glued sealing strip of foam fully corresponds to the expression “Well, what do you want for this money?”

TSN is so cheap that you can change it almost every month. Moreover, this must be done: the dust capacity is the lowest! There are also problems with filtration: almost 40% of fine dust flies through the TSN unhindered. Naturally, the dust filter does not capture toxic gases. Cheap - but, alas, not cheerful.

With filters - more than with any other component - the consumer is unable to judge their quality by eye or touch. Therefore, in many ways, the concept of quality is replaced by appearance and brand recognition. We decided to take air filters from eight well-known manufacturers for a laboratory resource test and find out who copes with their responsibilities and how.

We have in our hands some of the most famous and widespread air filters for the popular Volkswagen car model, including products BIG Filter, Champion, Mann-Filter, Bosch, Fram, Mahle, Filtron and Sakura.

The spread in prices is noticeable, so during the initial inspection we will place them by cost in ascending order. But first, let’s look at who approached the issue of packaging and production and how.

Manufacturers do not have a unified packaging concept - everyone decides for themselves what it will be. There are two main aspects: image and functional. The first one mainly affects recognition. There are limited color options, there are full-color design options, and there are OEM (factory supplied) type options - just cardboard or white packaging, without branded “coloring”.

The latter option, without the use of paint, is becoming increasingly popular thanks to the environmental trend. Plus, of course, savings: any color box is a printing product that requires additional costs. Therefore, modestly designed packaging is not a drawback of the product, it is only a conscious choice that is increasingly being made by market giants as well.

The functional parameter is the main thing that consumers, distributors, and retailers focus on. Applicability, filter number, analogues, barcode for working in a warehouse - all this must be mandatory. Moreover, the information can be either printed on the box itself or in the form of a sticker - the latter option is more common.

Two important requirements: cardboard density and fit. Very often, packaging that is modest in appearance is made of much higher quality cardboard, which better protects the contents, in particular, the air filter that is susceptible to external influences.

Fitting the packaging to the size of the filter provides additional rigidity to the entire structure. If there is a gap, especially if the cardboard is loose, problems may arise during transportation. True, with large-scale production, a certain average packaging size is forced to be made, which is used for several types of filters at once. This saving option has a right to exist, however, it is advisable to use high-quality thick cardboard.

Since air filters in warehouses most often stand like books, the standard place for applying information is located at the end. Any other choice of its location causes difficulties in identification

Test method

The air filter test bench is built according to the ISO 5011 standard used to test these components - and uses all testing methods.

The filter being tested is installed in its original housing (ideal for testing). Next, using a fan, the injection of rarefied air is simulated, as during normal movement. The air flow should be what the engine uses at rated power.

First parameter— initial resistance. (auxiliary, directly involved in determining dust capacity) It demonstrates what resistance the filter has to air flow, how “easy it is to breathe” for an engine equipped with such a filter. Its value directly determines the life of the filter element. The higher this value, the lower the resource. The initial resistance depends solely on the design of the engine air path, the size of the window covered by the filter element, the material used to make the curtain, and its parameters (the size of the corrugations and their number). Since the comparative tests used the same housing, adapters and feeder, the factors determining the initial resistance were the curtain material, the dimensions of the corrugations and the quality of workmanship.

Second parameter- dust capacity. This is, in fact, a resource as such. This parameter has no lower limit. In principle, there is no upper one either, but the higher this indicator, the better. The car manufacturer regulates it with the requirement “not less than...”. The key factor determining this parameter is the filtering surface area of ​​the curtain. As an integral indicator, it evaluates its shape, geometry and dimensions. The second most important factor is the properties of the curtain material (air permeability, average and maximum pore size). The division into “first” and “second” factors is very arbitrary in importance, since they largely influence one another. Geometry is determined earlier during design purely chronologically, which is why in this description this factor is declared first.

Third parameter— filtration efficiency. It shows how much dust supplied to the input was retained by the filter. The higher this parameter, the better. In terms of significance, it is more important than the previous two; when comparing filter elements, it is rated first, and only with equal efficiency values ​​can these elements be compared in other parameters.

BIG Filter— 297 rubles

The most affordable filter from the St. Petersburg manufacturer. The housing seal is made of polyurethane foam, although it is molded unevenly. The last parameter is officially allowed, since it does not affect the operation of the filter in any way. There are no complaints about the gluing; there are stiffening ribs on the plates. The paper is thick, phenolic impregnated. With the exception of not the most careful pruning, no savings are visible.

Filtron— 354 rubles

The filter is not made in the most accurate way, with flashes, although the side of the frame is closest to the original design. There are stiffening ribs. The sizing is high quality and complete. The paper is darker than other filters, which may indicate heat treatment.

Fram— 477 rubles

The design is standard, corrugated paper is not subject to sticking, the quality of sizing is ideal, the polyurethane seal and plate are made like the original. A small flash along the edges of the working surface does not affect the functionality of the filter. The plastic frame is a little simpler than on the original.

Champion— 510 rubles

High quality and carefully made filter. A complete copy of the original both in terms of seal and plate. The first thing that catches your eye is white paper (this is the original color of the raw material with acrylic impregnation; any color shade indicates the use of phenolic impregnation or heat setting).

Paper impregnation can be acrylic (white) or phenolic (yellow). Dark color means the filter has been heat set to hold its shape. True, the last parameter is more relevant for fuel and oil filters, where the working surface directly interacts with a dense liquid.

Bosch— 591 rubles

The production is generally of high quality. As with the Fram, there is some minor flash. Thin paper was used, resulting in an increased number of corrugations. Again, this is a company-specific technology choice and does not affect quality. However, from experience we can say that the use of thin paper reduces dust holding capacity. The gluing is continuous, but the corrugation is uneven, the pitch is uneven - the working surface can collapse when air flows.

Mahle— 648 rubles

The filter is made sloppily, with the largest amount of flash. There are no stiffening ribs on the frame - this affects acoustic comfort; in real conditions, such a filter can “hum.” Moreover, the plate itself is polyamide, not polypropylene, that is, made of more expensive plastic. There are no complaints about the curtain, everything is well glued.

Mann-Filter— 653 rubles

The geometry of the filter layer is noticeably different from the original: a larger cross-section with semicircular edges is a signature feature of Mann-Filter. This indicates the manufacturing technology used by a particular company and does not affect the quality or functionality of the filter. Longitudinal stripes on paper indicate the inside/outside during manufacturing. The curtain is perfect, the sizing is complete, without any gaps.

Sakura— 710 rubles

The most expensive of the tested filters and the only one that was additionally wrapped in cellophane. Plastic frame without stiffeners, just like Mahle. As in the case of Bosch, thin paper was used, but everything was done carefully, with minimal fraying and complete sizing.

Test results

In terms of efficiency, the LX 2010 filter element (Mahle) showed the best results. This can be explained by the high filtering properties of the material used in its manufacture. And in combination with other parameters, this filter can be considered the best in the entire group of tested samples.

In second place, but only in terms of filtration efficiency, is Fram. Despite the difference of only 0.01%, this example is very far from the first. It showed the lowest dust capacity (107.6 grams). This can be explained by using a material that is too dense for a curtain of this size. With such a high initial resistance as this sample, the result could not have been different.

The Sakura filter showed good efficiency - at the level of 99.2%. But, as can be seen from the dust holding capacity (111 grams), this parameter was achieved due to a significant reduction in the efficiency of the resource. Perhaps, in this case, this result was obtained not due to the parameters of the curtain material, but due to the low filtration area. For this sample it is minimal.

Next in efficiency is BIG Filter with a value of 99.18%. It fell behind third place by 0.02%, but with a mass of accumulated dust of 181.5 grams. Overall, a decent result in terms of all parameters.

In fifth place is Bosch with an efficiency of 99.12% and a dust capacity of 135 grams. Such mediocre results can be explained by the poor design of the filter curtain. This sample has the maximum filtration area of ​​all presented. It was achieved due to a large number of corrugations, which during installation leads to a significant compaction of the “pockets” and, as a consequence, high initial resistance and reduced service life.

Filtron result is 99.11%. But its dust capacity is much higher - 144.3 grams. The low dust capacity compared to previous samples can be explained by the small filtration area of ​​the curtain and the material with average parameters.

In seventh place is Champion with an efficiency value of 98.61. This value is on the verge of the permissible value of the final efficiency of a car filter (99%). This result, taking into account the dust holding capacity of 191.1 grams, can be explained by the use of mediocre material for making the curtains - the pores in the paper are too large for this size and design.

The lowest efficiency, to our great surprise, was shown by Mann-Filter - 96.73%. It is difficult to say what caused such poor results from such a well-known brand. In all other respects, the sample looks quite decent. Its dust capacity is simply deafening - 234.6 grams! It is possible that there was a defect in the sample that was not detected during an external examination, so a detailed study is necessary to establish all the reasons. But it is preferable to test a new sample, or even better, three samples, and then draw a conclusion about this model.

What's the result?

As our tests have repeatedly shown, the cost of a component and the promotion of a brand are not the determining indicators of its quality and operational efficiency, but they can guarantee the necessary indicator of reliability.

Generally speaking, we consider the Mahle air filter to be the best in this test. In terms of two important parameters (dust holding capacity and efficiency), it took first and fourth places, which, at a price slightly above average, makes it optimal in all respects.

Second place is shared by a whole group of filters whose parameters are worthy of a good review, although each of them is not a leader in individual tests. These are products from BIG Filter, Mann-Filter and Champion. Note that BIG Filter has the lowest price with good results. And if it weren’t for Mann-Filter’s unfortunate loss in efficiency, perhaps the leader of this test would have been different.

Outsiders include Bosch, Filtron, Sakura and Fram filters. However, the lag of these brands can be called relatively conditional - 1-2 points from the second group. Only the Sakura filter stands out, which, with low parameters, turns out to be the most expensive in the test.

Engines hate dust with every part of their body. To prevent them from developing allergies (which, by the way, can cause death), designers equip them with filters: oil, air and fuel. Their need has always been obvious - unlike cabin filters, which were born much later.

What do the driver and passengers breathe? And whatever it takes. Especially if they open the window: in this case, only the nose works as a filter. But even with the windows closed, pollen, poplar fluff, and just dust of all kinds strives to creep into the interior through the fresh air ventilation grilles. Everything settles in our lungs. When this became clear to everyone, they stopped arguing about the need for cabin filters. Now, for almost any car, a dozen different products are sold, ready to bite the dust to the best of their ability. It is clear that their capabilities are different.

We decided to compare the talents of various cabin filters using the example of the popular Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio. The purchased products are shown in the photographs. The price range is almost tenfold: from 175 to 1100 rubles. It is all the more interesting to find out whether there is a relationship between price and quality.

The tests took place at US, at a certified TsLI stand. Quartz dust with a specific surface area of ​​5600 cm²/g was used as an artificial pollutant. Air flow - 20 m³/h, test duration for each sample - 20 minutes. The average dust transmission coefficient was measured: the lower the measured value, the better the filter retains contaminants. The aerodynamic resistance of the filters was determined in clean and dirty states: the lower the resistance, the easier the filter passes air through itself into the cabin. In addition, the filter surface area of ​​each product was assessed. All results obtained relate only to a specific sample of products and cannot be used to assess the quality of products as a whole.

Experts recommend the following values ​​as a conditional threshold for each parameter. The maximum permissible dust transmission rate should not exceed 10%. The aerodynamic resistance of a clean filter should not be higher than 50 mm of water. Art. For a dirty filter, the maximum allowable value is 150 mm of water. Art. The test results are summarized in a table. Our opinion about each product is given in the captions under the photos, which we have arranged in alphabetical order.

And the conclusion is this: the price does not always indicate the quality of the product: of the products we liked, only one is quite expensive. Have a nice trip and clean air!