Furnace Filters
Best Furnace Air Filter 16x25x1 for Basement (2026): 3 Picks Compared
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Specs below come from each product's Amazon listing; we do not test products in person.
For a basement furnace, the Amazon Basics MERV 5 leads: it fits standard furnaces, ACs and HVAC return grilles at 16x25x1, and its beverage board frame has wire mesh support. If a higher rating fits the system, the Filtrete MERV 14 offers 2500 MPR in the same nominal size.
Starting out? See the main guide: Best Furnace Air Filters
Top picks at a glance
-
Best OverallAmazon Basics MERV 5 AC Furnace Air9.8 View on Amazon -
9.3 View on Amazon -
Also GreatFiltrete 16x25x1 Air Filter9.2 View on Amazon
Compare the specs
Ranked on pack size from each listing, plus how many buyers have rated it. A dash (—) means we could not confirm that figure from the listing.
| Pick | MERV rating | Pack size | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Amazon Basics MERV 5 AC Furnace Air | MERV 5 | 6-pack | — | — |
| 2. Woosh 16x25x1 Refillable Air Filter MERV | MERV 8 | 4-pack | — | 1-year |
| 3. Filtrete 16x25x1 Air Filter | MERV 14 | — | — | — |
Amazon Basics MERV 5 AC Furnace Air
It fits standard furnaces, ACs and HVAC return grilles at 16x25x1, with a beverage board frame and wire mesh support.
- MERV rating: MERV 5
- Pack size: 6-pack
Good for
- Buyers who want a 6-pack of MERV 5 filters
- Owners of standard furnaces using 16x25x1 filters
Skip it if
- You need a MERV rating above 5
- You need a pack larger than 6
The actual size is 15.75 x 24.75 x 0.75 in, and the frame is beverage board with wire mesh support. Insert it with the airflow arrow pointing toward the furnace or blower, away from the return grille. Replace it every 60 to 90 days.
Woosh 16x25x1 Refillable Air Filter MERV
It pairs a reusable rigid frame with the magnetic Fit Tight System and MERV 8 media in a 4-pack.
- MERV rating: MERV 8
- Pack size: 4-pack
- 1-year warranty stated
Good for
- Buyers who want a reusable rigid frame with refills
- Owners of 1 in. furnaces, ACs and heat pumps
Skip it if
- You need a MERV rating above 8
- You need a pack larger than 4
The reusable high-strength polypropylene frame keeps its exact 15.50 x 24.50 x 0.75 in dimensions, and built-in magnets pull it flush. Included pull-tabs help remove it, and the fold-flat design traps dust for disposal. You keep the frame and change only the refill, and it carries a 1-year warranty.
Filtrete 16x25x1 Air Filter
It offers MERV 14 filtration at 2500 MPR with a 77% small particle capture rate in a 4-pack.
- MERV rating: MERV 14
Good for
- Buyers who want MERV 14 filtration at 2500 MPR
- Owners who want 30-, 60- or 90-day change reminders
Skip it if
- You need a pack larger than 4
- You need a change interval longer than 90 days
It is a 3-month pleated 1 in. filter with Filtrete 3-in-1 technology and a 77% small particle capture rate. Change it at least once every 90 days. The Filtrete Smart App sets 30-, 60- or 90-day reminders on iOS or Android.
How to choose
Match the nominal size first
Start from the nominal size 16x25x1, then check the actual size stated for the pick. The Amazon Basics filter measures 15.75 x 24.75 x 0.75 in, and the Woosh measures 15.50 x 24.50 x 0.75 in. Measure the current filter frame and compare it with the stated actual size before ordering, since nominal and actual sizes differ.
MERV ratings and airflow
A MERV rating describes how small a particle a filter captures. Higher MERV ratings capture smaller airborne particles, while lower MERV ratings allow for increased airflow. Here the ratings run from MERV 5 on the Amazon Basics filter through MERV 8 on the Woosh to MERV 14 on the Filtrete, so compare the rating with what the furnace system allows.
Replacement and upkeep
Follow the change interval stated for the pick. Replace the Amazon Basics filter every 60 to 90 days. Change the Filtrete filter at least once every 90 days; the Filtrete Smart App sets 30-, 60- or 90-day reminders. With the Woosh, keep the reusable frame and change only the refill at each change.
FAQ
What size filter fits a 16x25x1 furnace slot?
Use the nominal size 16x25x1 and check the actual size stated: 15.75 x 24.75 x 0.75 in for the Amazon Basics filter and 15.50 x 24.50 x 0.75 in for the Woosh.
What change intervals do the picks state?
Replace the Amazon Basics filter every 60 to 90 days and the Filtrete filter at least once every 90 days. The Filtrete Smart App sets 30-, 60- or 90-day reminders.
What is a refillable furnace filter?
The Woosh keeps a reusable rigid frame with magnets that pull it flush, and each change replaces only the filter refill instead of the whole filter.
