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Air Purifier Filter Replacement Guide (2026)

A full filter lets less air through, so your purifier cleans less air. Here is each maker's own replacement schedule for six popular models, what the filters cost at the maker, and the things that make a filter fill up sooner. We do not test filters; every figure comes from the maker's page.

Last updated: October 2026 · By the CleanAirHomeLab team

Three Types of Filters, Three Different Schedules

Most air purifiers have more than one filter stage. Each stage can have its own schedule. Treating them all as "the filter" is an easy mistake.

Want the full picture on two popular models? Read the Coway Airmega review and the Levoit Core 300 review. Both list the filter and how often to change it.

Pre-filter

Catches large particles like dust, hair and pet fur. Many can be cleaned and reused.

Check your manual. Coway says water or a vacuum; AirDoctor says vacuum, do not wash.

HEPA filter

The main stage for fine particles. The EPA says a HEPA filter can in theory remove at least 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size.

Most models in our table: 6 to 12 months.

Carbon filter

Made for odors and gases. The EPA says activated carbon works when a large amount is used.

Coway and AirDoctor say every 6 months. Winix says 12.

Brand-by-Brand Filter Replacement Schedule

Each interval below is the maker's own. Filter prices are the maker's list prices on October 6, 2026, and they change. Adjust for the factors in the next section.

Brand/ModelPre-filterHEPA filterCarbon filterFilters per year (maker price)Replacement filter

Levoit

Core 300

Part of the one replacement filterEvery 6 to 8 monthsPart of the same filterAbout $45 to $60 (our math: $29.99 filter every 6 to 8 months)Find the filter

Coway

AP-1512HH

Washable (water or a vacuum)1 year6 months (deodorization filter)$59.79 to $64.99 (one filter set: 1 HEPA plus 2 deodorization filters)Find the filter

Winix

5500-2

Washable fine mesh12 months12 months (washable AOC carbon filter, changed with the HEPA)$84.99 list (one Filter H set)Check filter price

Coway

Airmega 400

Washable12 months (Max2 filter, HEPA plus carbon)Part of the Max2 filter$129.00 (one Max2 set of two filters)Find the filter

IQAir

HealthPro Plus

Not stated per filterNot stated per filter. IQAir says its filters last 12 to 24 months on average, up to 4 yearsNot stated per filterNot stated. Filters: PreMax $79.99, V5-Cell $99.99, HyperHEPA $199.99Find the filter

AirDoctor

AirDoctor 5500

Attached to the carbon filter. Vacuum monthly, do not wash12 months (UltraHEPA filter)6 months (Carbon/VOC filter)$354.99 (AirDoctor's 1-year filter combo pack)Find the filter

Yearly cost is what the maker's schedule says you need in a year, at the maker's list price. The Levoit figure is our own math from Levoit's price and schedule. IQAir gives no life for each filter, so we print no yearly cost for it. Amazon and other stores may charge more or less.

Factors That Shorten Filter Life

High impact

Smoke and outdoor pollution

Dirtier air loads a filter faster. For HVAC filters, the EPA says to keep extras on hand and replace them more often during heavy smoke.

High impact

Pets in the home

Fur and dander collect on the pre-filter, so check it more often. For HVAC filters, Filterbuy says to change monthly with pets instead of every 90 days.

Medium impact

Hours of use per day

More hours means more air through the filter. Coway says the Airmega judges filter life by how much air it has cleaned, not by the calendar.

Medium impact

Number of people in the home

More people and more activity stir up more dust and lint for the filter to catch.

High impact

Recent renovation or new furniture

New paint, flooring and furniture can give off odors and VOCs. If you count on a carbon filter for that, check it sooner than usual.

Signs Your Filter Is Overdue

  • Visible dark discoloration on the HEPA filter (gray or black)
  • Reduced airflow from the unit at the same fan speed setting
  • Stronger dust or musty odors when the purifier is running
  • Your air quality monitor shows higher PM2.5 readings than usual
  • The unit's filter indicator light has turned on
  • You have been running it for longer than the scheduled replacement interval

Where to Buy Replacement Filters

You can buy from the maker, from Amazon (links in the table above), or from a filter store. Both stores below sell HVAC filters and air purifier filters. Their links are Rakuten affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you buy.

Air Filters Delivered

Sells HVAC, furnace and air purifier filters, with a Subscribe & Save option for repeat delivery.

Shop Air Filters Delivered

Factory Direct Filters

Sells HVAC and furnace filters in bulk, plus air purifier filters, with a Subscribe & Save option.

Shop Factory Direct Filters

If your home has water quality concerns alongside air quality concerns, the PFAS Filter Guide at pfasfilterguide.com covers water filtration.

Notes on the Brands in Our Schedule

Levoit Core 300 and Core 300S

Levoit's Core 300 filter has three stages in one piece: a pre-filter, a main filter and an activated carbon filter. It fits the Core 300 and Core 300S. The filter is $29.99 at Levoit, and Levoit says to replace it every 6 to 8 months. By our math that is about $45 to $60 a year.

Coway AP-1512HH

The AP-1512HH has a washable pre-filter, a deodorization (carbon) filter and a HEPA filter. Coway says to replace the deodorization filter every 6 months and the HEPA filter every year. Its filter set has 1 HEPA and 2 deodorization filters, so one set covers a year. Coway lists it at $59.79 to $64.99, depending on the set type. Clean the pre-filter with water or a vacuum and let it dry fully before you put it back.

Winix 5500-2

The Winix 5500-2 has a washable pre-filter, a washable AOC carbon filter and a True HEPA filter. Winix sells both as Filter H (116130), which it calls a complete one-year set. Winix says to change both filters once every 12 months. Its list price is $84.99. Winix says the HEPA filter cannot be washed. Note: the 5500-2 is no longer on Winix's product list, but Winix still sells Filter H.

Coway Airmega 400

The Airmega 400 uses two Max2 filters, which combine HEPA and activated carbon, plus washable pre-filters. Coway says the Max2 lasts about 12 months and that the unit judges filter life by use. A set of two Max2 filters is $129.00 at Coway.

IQAir HealthPro Plus

The HealthPro Plus uses three filters: the PreMax pre-filter ($79.99), the V5-Cell gas and odor filter ($99.99) and the HyperHEPA filter ($199.99). IQAir does not list a life for each one. It says its filters last 12 to 24 months on average, depending on use and pollution, and up to 4 years. IQAir now sells the unit as the HealthPro Plus XE.

AirDoctor 5500

The AirDoctor 5500 uses an UltraHEPA filter and a Carbon/VOC filter, with the pre-filter attached to the carbon filter. AirDoctor says to replace the Carbon/VOC filter every 6 months and the UltraHEPA filter every 12 months. It says to vacuum the pre-filter monthly and not to wash it. AirDoctor's 1-year combo pack (2 UltraHEPA and 4 Carbon/VOC filters) is $354.99.

Common Questions

How often should I change my HEPA filter?+

Follow your maker's schedule. For the models in our table, Levoit says every 6 to 8 months for the Core 300 filter. Coway, Winix and AirDoctor say 12 months for their HEPA filters. Many purifiers also have a filter light. Check the pre-filter often, because it catches the big stuff first.

Does running an air purifier 24/7 wear out the filter faster?+

Yes. More hours means more air pushed through the filter. Coway says the Airmega judges filter life by use rather than time. If your purifier gives a time-based schedule and you run it all day, check the filter before the date comes up.

What happens if I don't change my air purifier filter?+

As the filter fills up, less air gets through it, so the purifier cleans less air. Many units have a filter light that tells you when it is time. Coway says its Airmega filter light is based on how much air the filters have processed.

Can I wash a HEPA filter instead of replacing it?+

Not unless the maker says so. Winix says the True HEPA filter in the 5500-2 cannot be washed. AirDoctor says not to wash its filters. Some pre-filters can be cleaned: Coway says to clean the AP-1512HH pre-filter with water or a vacuum, then let it dry fully.

This page is general information, not medical advice.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links and may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Air Filters Delivered and Factory Direct Filters links are Rakuten affiliate links and may also earn us a commission. Levoit, Coway, Winix, IQAir and AirDoctor do not pay us. Our filter schedules come from the makers' own pages, not commission rates. Full disclosure.

Sources and last review

Specifications on this page are taken from the documents below, on the dates shown. We do not physically test products; read our methodology. Page last reviewed .