Are Analogue Filters Better Than Original Ones? What to Choose for Your Ventilation Unit?
Is it worth paying for an “original” filter?
Original ventilation unit filters often cost €40–60, and they still need to be replaced several times per year. So it’s natural to ask: is it really worth paying more just because the box says “original”?
1. “Original” usually means a label, not the manufacturer
Most ventilation unit brands do not manufacture filters themselves. Instead, they buy them from specialized filter producers — like us.
This means an “original” filter is very often the same replacement filter — just with the brand’s logo and a higher price.
2. Real filtration performance matters more than the name
A filter may look good, be white, and have thick pleats — but that doesn’t automatically mean it filters as well as claimed.
The only reliable indicator is ISO 16890 testing. This standard shows:
- which class the filter belongs to (e.g., ePM1, ePM2.5),
- the real percentage of particles it captures.
If a filter is not tested to ISO 16890 (a common situation with cheaper third-party filters), you don’t really know what it does. Sometimes such filters let air leak “around the sides” through the frame, even if the media itself looks dense.
3. Media quality determines everything: air cleanliness and airflow
CleanFilter products are made using Sandler AG (Germany) filter media. Sandler is one of Europe’s strongest manufacturers, supplying materials for both residential and industrial applications.
Why does this matter?
-
PFAS-free and without harmful additives.
Sandler media is laboratory-tested to ensure it contains no PFAS (carcinogenic compounds) that may appear in cheaper materials. -
Good airflow and high dust holding capacity.
A filter must clean the air without “choking” your ventilation unit. Cheaper filters often use heavier, lower-quality media and pack pleats too tightly — increasing resistance, clogging faster, and sometimes deforming. -
Strong pleats that keep their shape throughout use.
This ensures air flows through the entire filter surface, not just part of it.
4. Hygiene matters just as much as dust filtration
Sandler media is tested to the VDI 6022 hygiene standard, which evaluates resistance to microbial growth and overall material cleanliness.
What does this mean for you?
- a lower risk of bacteria or mould growing inside the filter,
- cleaner, more hygienic air delivered into your home.
5. Sustainability: EU production is cleaner and more transparent
Some “original” filters (and especially cheap replacements) come from China. Often this isn’t clearly stated — the packaging may show a European brand logo, while the real origin is left undisclosed.
CleanFilter filters:
- are manufactured in the EU,
- have clear origin stated on the product page,
- use around 60 percent renewable energy in production,
- have a shorter transport route, meaning a lower CO2 footprint.
6. What to choose — and what to avoid
Choose a filter if it:
- clearly states its ISO 16890 class and efficiency,
- is made from verified European filter media,
- has an airtight construction with media glued across the full surface,
- has a clear, traceable origin.
Better avoid:
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Glass fiber filters.
They are fragile and hard to handle — the media tears easily, and some materials may contain PFAS. -
Very cheap third-party filters with no clear origin or test data.
Typical issues include:- no ISO 16890 testing,
- unclear media quality and composition,
- unpredictable airflow resistance,
- weak sealing and air leakage around the frame,
- sometimes sold under local brands at prices higher than EU-made filters.
-
Filters with clearly weak construction.
If the media is simply inserted without glue and the frame feels soft or unstable, the filter won’t last and may work unevenly.
Why are CleanFilter replacement filters a safe choice?
When choosing a replacement filter, real quality matters most. Here’s what you get with CleanFilter:
PFAS-free, high dust holding capacity, and excellent airflow.
keeps supply air cleaner and safer for your home.
high F7 performance — ePM1 70%.
media is glued across the full surface, preventing air leakage at the edges.
during production, lab control, and final packing.
fast delivery and easy-pull handles for quick replacement.