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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
Your dehumidifier pulls gallons of water out of the air, but a clogged filter makes it work harder for less. The short answer: buy by exact size and model match first, then pick a MERV rating (a filter’s particle-catching grade) that suits your home. Get those two right and almost any pick here does the job.
I’m Min — the founder and writer behind Gadgets Feed. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
A filter that fits loosely lets dusty air slip past instead of through, so sizing beats brand loyalty every time. That is the thinking behind this shortlist of the air filter for dehumidifier.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Air Filter For Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier moves a lot of air across cold coils to wring out moisture, and the filter is the gatekeeper that keeps dust off those coils. That is why the filter has to match your machine exactly — a loose one leaks dirty air around the edges.
Match the exact dimensions and model number
Filters are sold as three-number packs like 14 x 17.5 x 1.75, meaning length by width by thickness in inches. Measure your old filter with a ruler and confirm your dehumidifier’s model number before ordering. Whole-house units like the Santa Fe Advance series take very different sizes from small 1000ML portable machines.
Understand the MERV rating
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, a scale that grades how fine a particle a filter traps. A MERV 8 catches common dust and lint, while a MERV 13 catches much finer material including smoke and pet dander. Higher is not automatically better for every machine — stick with what the maker specifies.
Choose washable versus disposable
A washable filter rinses clean with water and mild detergent, so you buy once and reuse. Disposable pleated filters arrive in multi-packs and get swapped out on a schedule. Washable suits a whole-house unit you service yourself, while multi-packs suit small portables you change often.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | MERV Rating | Size (L x W x Thick) | Pack Count | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 x 17.5 x 1.75 MERV 13 (2 Pack)★ Best Overall | Santa Fe and Honeywell whole-house units | MERV 13 | 17.5 x 14 x 1.75 in | 2 | Amazon |
| PUREBURG 3-Pack HEPABest Value Pack | Small 1000ML portables | MERV 16 | 6.25 x 6.1 x 1.2 in | 3 | Amazon |
| JORAIR DH02 (4 Pack)Highest Filtration Grade | Frequent filter changers | HEPA (99.97% at 0.3 microns) | 6 x 6 x 1 in | 4 | Amazon |
| XBWW DH02 (4 Pack) | Odor and smoke removal | MERV 13 | 6.06 x 6.06 x 1.06 in | 4 | Amazon |
| 9 x 11 x 1 MERV 13 (2 Pack) | Santa Fe Compact70 and Ultra70 | MERV 13 | 11 x 9 x 1 in | 2 | Amazon |
| AprilAire 5695 Washable | AprilAire 1820 and E070 owners | MERV 8 | 8 x 11.5 x 1 in | 1 | Amazon |
| AprilAire 5881 Washable | AprilAire E080 and E100 owners | MERV 8 | 12 x 13.5 x 1 in | 1 | Amazon |
| Any Kind of Filter MERV 8 (4 Pack) | Bulk buying for Santa Fe Compact70 | MERV 8 | 11 x 9 x 1 in | 4 | Amazon |
| Santa Fe Certified MERV 13 | Genuine Santa Fe replacement | MERV 13 | 17.5 x 14 x 1 in | 1 | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. 14 x 17.5 x 1.75 MERV 13 Replacement Dehumidifier Filter (2 Pack)
Our pick — 4.5+★ from 150+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The big-format filter that keeps a whole-house Santa Fe breathing easy all season.
If your dehumidifier is a whole-house Santa Fe or a Honeywell DR90 or DR120, this 17.5 x 14 x 1.75-inch two-pack is the one most owners land on. It drops straight into the Advance90, Advance100, Advance120, Ultra98, Ultra120, Advance2 and Force models without trimming or forcing.
The MERV 13 rating is the selling point: per the maker’s spec sheet, it traps at least 95% of airborne particles. That covers pets, pollen, smoke, fibers and pet dander, so the air coming off your dehumidifier is cleaner than the air going in. How it wears in practice is what owners keep talking about: the build quality and the value both come up again and again as the reasons people reorder.
There is a real jump in filtering grade here. Set against the AprilAire 5695 washable filter at MERV 8, this one sits at MERV 13 — a meaningfully finer grade. You get two filters in the box, and the maker suggests swapping every 6 months, which works out to roughly a year of covered service from one order. This one also has more ratings behind it (183 to 98) and scores higher.
exact size match
- Exact fit for Santa Fe Advance and Honeywell DR90/DR120 units
- MERV 13 grade removes at least 95% of airborne particles
- Two filters per order covers about a year at the 6-month swap
single filter only
- Only fits the large whole-house formats, not portable 1000ML machines
- Two-pack means a larger outlay than single washable options
reorder staple: whole-house dehumidifier owners who want a finer grade of filtration in one order.
bulk buyers wait: your machine is a compact portable — the 6-inch format filters below are your fit.
2. Replacement Filter Compatible with Afloia AQ8 Q8 & Honati Hysure Q7, Tenergy Sorbi (3-Pack HEPA)
A three-pack that slips into small portable units and keeps the spares on the shelf.
Small 1000ML dehumidifiers — the Afloia AQ8 or Q8, Honati and Hysure Q7, Tenergy Sorbi — take a compact 6.25 x 6.1 x 1.2-inch pleated filter. This three-pack covers exactly those machines, so you get replacements on hand rather than hunting for one when the old filter turns grey. Buyers report the fit is right, and the plastic framed pleated build tucks into place cleanly.
The MERV 16 rating puts it in the high-efficiency range, and the pleated construction gives dust plenty of surface to cling to. What owners flag honestly is that the effectiveness feels mixed against what they hoped for. That is common with compact dehumidifiers — the filter is small, so it traps what it traps and the machine’s airflow does the rest. It is a fair caveat, not a reason to skip it if your model is on the list.
fits Afloia Q8: check your model number against the compatibility list before you order — Afloia AQ8/Q8, Honati, Hysure Q7 and Tenergy Sorbi are the covered names here.
aftermarket part: small filters do smaller work, so set expectations by the machine, not by the MERV number alone.
drop-in swap: you own one of the listed compact portable models and want spares without a search each time.
brand purists: your unit is a whole-house format — this 6-inch size will not seat right.
3. JORAIR DH02 Replacement Filter for Tenergy Sorbi DH02 (4 Pack)
Four filters and a filtration grade that outranks everything else on this list.
Here is the headline: it is a HEPA filter. This DH02 filter is a 3-in-1 system the maker says captures 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns, including pet dander — a far finer capture spec than the AprilAire 5695 washable filter at MERV 8. The FSC-certified paper build is a nice touch for anyone who cares where the filter came from.
Four filters arrive in the box at 6 x 6 x 1 inches, matching the original exactly, so they slide into the Tenergy Sorbi DH02, Afloia AQ8/Q8, Honati and Hysure Q7 machines without a fuss. The maker suggests a swap every 3-6 months, and with four in hand you are covered for a good stretch. Owners praise the noticeable air-quality improvement first and reliable function second.
The pack count also stands out: four filters here versus the two in the 14 x 17.5 x 1.75 MERV 13 pack, so frequent changers get more spares per order. The only thing to know is the tight 6-inch format — it is built for the compact portables and nothing larger.
stock up now: the finest filtration grade on the list plus four spares in one box — ideal if you swap often.
other models: large whole-house dehumidifiers, which need the big-format sizes instead.
4. XBWW DH02 Replacement Filter Compatible with Tenergy Sorbi DH02 (4 Pack)
The one that also goes after smells, not just dust — two stages instead of one.
Most filters on this list trap particles. This one adds a second job: an activated carbon layer that absorbs odors, including smoke, cooking smells and VOCs (volatile organic compounds — the fumes given off by paints and cleaners). So a damp basement that smells musty gets particle capture from the main filter and smell removal from the carbon, working together. That is the quiet reason this pick suits a utility room or crawlspace where the air itself is the problem.
You get four filters at 6.06 x 6.06 x 1.06 inches, listed for the Tenergy Sorbi DH02 1000ml, Afloia AQ8/Q8, Honati and Hysure Q7. The maker suggests a swap every 6-12 months depending on how hard the machine runs, and the carbon layer needs that change to stay effective. Fit and quality are the two things owners bring up most, and the tally shows the seating and build are both well received.
budget four pack: the carbon stage is the differentiator — a real answer for a musty, smoky or freshly painted room.
clone build: the MERV 13 main filter is a step below the JORAIR DH02’s HEPA media, so if pure particle capture is your goal, that one is finer.
cheap refill: odor bothers you as much as dust and your machine is one of the listed compact models.
oem loyalists: you need maximum particle filtration only — the HEPA option above leads there.
5. 9 x 11 x 1 MERV 13 Replacement Dehumidifier Filter (2 Pack)
The smaller Santa Fe format, and the best-loved filter on this whole list.
Owners of the Santa Fe Compact70, Ultra70, Element, Compact2 or UA 65H need this 11 x 9 x 1-inch size, and they clearly rate it. It holds the top score in this roundup, and the two things owners praise most are how well it works and the solid build. The MERV 13 grade traps at least 95% of airborne particles, catching dust, smoke, fibers and pet dander instead of recirculating them.
Here is a useful head-to-head: against the 14 x 17.5 x 1.75 MERV 13 pack, this one is the smaller sibling at 11 inches long by 9 wide versus 17.5 by 14. The point is fit. If your machine takes the 9 x 11 slot, the big format simply will not go in, and this one will. Two filters per order and a maker-recommended 6-month swap keep you covered for about a year.
The catch is thin: it is a two-pack, so if you would rather buy a larger stock in one go, the four-packs elsewhere spread the cost of frequent changes. Otherwise this is a quiet, do-it-right choice for the Compact-series crowd.
spare pair: for Santa Fe Compact70/Ultra70-class owners who want the highest-scoring filter here.
measure first: your dehumidifier needs a bigger or different format — size always comes first.
6. AprilAire 5695 Washable MERV 8 Dehumidifier Filter (8 x 11.5 x 1)
Rinse it, shake it, reuse it — a genuine AprilAire part for the 1820 and E070.
If you own an AprilAire 1820 or E070 whole-home dehumidifier, this is the genuine replacement, sized at 8 x 11.5 x 1 inches. The build is aluminum mesh wrapped around a foam core inside an aluminum frame, and the whole thing is made to be washed rather than tossed. Water and mild detergent, a rinse, a shake, and it goes back in.
The reversible design is a small but real convenience — it seats either way as long as you line up length and width, so there is no wrong-way frustration. AprilAire recommends checking and cleaning or replacing it every 6 months to keep the unit at peak performance and fend off service calls. Owners mostly treat it as a dependable spare to keep on hand, and reliable function dominates the feedback.
One honest grade note: at MERV 8 this is a coarser filter than the MERV 13 packs here, so it catches the everyday dust and lint rather than the finest smoke and dander. For a whole-house unit that is the intended spec, so match it to your machine rather than chasing a higher number.
washable and reusable: buy once, wash and reuse — no ongoing replacement packs to reorder for your 1820 or E070.
MERV 8 only: MERV 8 is a mid-grade catch, not the finest on this list; it is the spec your AprilAire was built for.
rinse and reuse: AprilAire 1820 or E070 owners who value a reusable genuine part over disposable packs.
fine dust homes: your machine is a Santa Fe or other brand — this fits AprilAire only.
7. AprilAire 5881 Washable MERV 8 Dehumidifier Filter (12 x 13.5 x 1)
The bigger AprilAire washable — same reusable idea, sized for the E080 and E100.
This is the larger sibling of the AprilAire 5695 above. Where that one fits the 1820 and E070 at 8 x 11.5 x 1 inches, this 12 x 13.5 x 1-inch filter is built for the E080 and E100 whole-house dehumidifiers and the 8192A dehumidifying ventilator. Same genuine AprilAire part, same aluminum mesh over a foam core in an aluminum frame.
It washes and reuses just like its sibling, and it is reversible so it seats either way once length and width line up. AprilAire’s guidance is a check-and-clean or replace every 6 months to keep the unit running at peak and avoid service technician calls. Owners tend to highlight how cleanly it fits and how well it performs, with the build quality rounding out the picture.
The MERV 8 grade is the same mid-level catch as its sibling — plenty for household dust and lint, not the finest particle grade on this list. That is the correct spec for these AprilAire models, so there is no reason to second-guess it if this is your machine.
long term value: your dehumidifier or ventilator is an AprilAire E080, E100 or 8192A and you want a reusable genuine filter.
high filtration need: you own a Santa Fe or a compact portable — the sizing is AprilAire-specific.
8. 4 Pack MERV 8 Pleated Air Filter 9 x 11 x 1
Four filters for the Compact70 crowd who would rather stock up than reorder.
Same 11 x 9 x 1-inch size as the MERV 13 pack, but here you get four filters and a MERV 8 grade. That makes it the practical choice for Santa Fe Compact70, Ultra70, Element, Compact2 or UA 65H owners who change filters on a schedule and want the spares sitting ready. The pleated polyester construction gives dust room to gather between changes.
Where the MERV 13 version catches finer material, this MERV 8 grade handles everyday dust and lint, which is all many homes need. The appeal is the pack count: four filters against the two in the MERV 13 pack of the same size, so each change costs you less fuss. It carries the shorter name brand, so treat the sizing as the thing to verify — 9x11x1 actual size is stamped right on the listing.
four pleated filters: four filters in the size you need, at a mid-grade MERV 8 — a stock-the-shelf answer for a Compact-series unit.
light filtration: if you want finer capture, the MERV 13 pack of the same size is the better grade; this one trades filtration fineness for pack count.
bulk bargain: you run a Santa Fe Compact70-class unit and prefer a four-pack of mid-grade filters over reordering often.
allergy season: fine particle capture matters more to you than having four spares.
9. Santa Fe Certified MERV 13 Dehumidifier Filter (14 x 17.5 x 1.75)
The certified original for Santa Fe’s biggest whole-house units, one filter to a box.
Santa Fe builds its own replacement, and this MERV 13 filter is the certified part for the Advance2, Force, Advance90, Advance120, Advance100, Ultra98H and Ultra120H machines. Its pleated box-frame media captures particles as small as 0.3 microns, trapping fine dust, smoke and dander instead of recirculating them.
Sizing is the same 17.5 x 14 x 1-inch format as the MERV 13 two-pack up top, but here you get a single filter in the box. Santa Fe says the filter can last up to a year, with a check every 6 months for peak efficiency. Owners consistently report it installs easily and fits exactly as expected — no trimming, no gaps.
The one candid note is cost: value is the split point in the feedback, with some finding it a good buy and others feeling it runs on the dear side. If you want the certified original and a rock-solid fit, that is the trade you make; if you want more than one filter per order, the two-pack is the alternative.
tight seal fit: Santa Fe Advance and Force owners who want the certified original part and a guaranteed exact fit.
cheap swap: you would rather get two filters in one order — the matching two-pack delivers that.
Understanding the Specs
MERV Rating
MERV grades how fine a particle a filter traps, from coarse dust up to smoke and dander. A MERV 8 handles everyday household dust, while a MERV 13 catches much finer material. Higher is not always the goal — match the grade to what your dehumidifier maker specifies so airflow is not choked.
Exact Dimensions
Filters are sold as length by width by thickness in inches, and that trio is the number that decides fit. A whole-house unit and a compact 1000ML portable take very different sizes, so measure your old filter and confirm the model number. A loose filter lets dirty air slip past the edges.
Washable vs Disposable
A washable filter is rinsed with water and mild detergent, then reused, so you buy it once. Disposable pleated filters arrive in multi-packs and get swapped on a schedule. Washable suits a whole-house unit you service yourself; multi-packs suit portable machines you change often.
Replacement Cycle
Most makers advise checking the filter every 6 months, with full replacement commonly landing between 3 and 12 months depending on how hard the machine runs. A clogged filter forces the dehumidifier to work harder for the same drying, so a regular swap keeps it efficient.
FAQ
How do I find the right size filter for my dehumidifier?
Does a higher MERV rating mean better filtration for a dehumidifier?
Can I wash a disposable pleated dehumidifier filter?
How often should I change my dehumidifier filter?
Will a dehumidifier filter remove smells as well as dust?
What is the difference between a 2-pack and a 4-pack filter?
Is it safe to run my dehumidifier without a filter?
Will a Santa Fe filter fit a Honeywell dehumidifier?
Are genuine OEM filters better than compatible replacements?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most people with a large whole-house dehumidifier, the 14 x 17.5 x 1.75 MERV 13 two-pack is the safest call — a finer grade, two filters per order, and a fit that covers the Santa Fe Advance and Honeywell DR90/DR120 families. The crowd favorite for small units is the 9 x 11 x 1 MERV 13 two-pack, which tops the scoring here — 4.5+ stars across 100+ ratings — and won’t disappoint a Compact70 owner. Want odor control too? The XBWW DH02 four-pack adds a carbon layer for smoky or musty rooms. Match your size and model number first, and any pick here will keep your dehumidifier pulling moisture instead of dust.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of November 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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