Having a car is extremely important to most people’s lives, whether it be for getting to and from work, picking up the kids from school, or taking you to your favorite destinations. Since having a car is important, isn’t it also equally important to keep your car running as well as possible? Using quality parts like great brake pads, the best oil filters, and top of the line fluids are essential to this.
When it comes down to the best oil filters, it’s hard to decipher which ones are not only the best bang-for-your-buck, but also which one is going to last the longest and keep your engine running as best as it can. There are so many factors that make a big difference when deciding which oil filter is right for you.
Since the filter should last you at least 3000 miles, you’re going to want to pick the most efficient one possible, so to lose the confusion we made you a guide to the best oil filters on the market today, and how to decide which one is right for your car!
Why is a Great Oil Filter So Important?
It doesn’t matter how great of quality your engine oil is if you don’t have a great oil filter for it. Why is this? Well, the essential function of the filter is in its name, filtering oil. If any abrasive particles end up in the oil that circulates through the engine, it can easily damage and pre-maturely ware parts of your car’s engine.
That means that having the best oil filters can mean the difference between having to replace engine parts at 60,000 miles or 120,000 miles. The less abrasive particles that end up circulating in your oil, the longer your engine will run smoothly as it is intended.
How Do I Know I Need to Replace My Filter?
Keeping track of differences in the performance of your car is super important to keep it running great. You should always stay aware of signs and symptoms that your car isn’t running the way it should be, like your steering wheel shaking when you break, or if your car pulls to one side or the other.
There are several warning signs that it may be time to get a new oil filter, those include:
- Your engine performance starts suffering
- Loud metallic sounds coming from your engine bay
- Noticeable sputtering and misfiring sounds
- Loss of oil pressure
- Black or ‘dirty’ exhaust
If you are experiencing any or all of these signs, it’s time to replace your filter, waiting can mean some serious damage to the engine. Now that you know that you need a new oil filter, how do you know which one to pick?
Top Five Best Oil Filters on the Market
The following filters are based on three main components: price, how long they last, and percentage of efficiency.
5. Fram PH7317 Extra Guard Passenger Car Spin-On Oil Filter
If you are looking for something that isn’t going to break the bank but is going to give you optimal performance, look no further than the Fram PH7317.
This is one of the best oil filters on the market right now because of its affordability paired with install ease, great ability to reduce dirt entering the engine, and it’s longevity.
The Fram PH7317 has a proven 95% efficiency and is going on the market for around $4.99.
4. ACDelco PF2232 Professional Engine Oil Filter
Aside from its awesome blue paint job, the ACDelco PF2232 has a whopping 98% efficiency in dirt-blocking. It’s known to have a great fit, proficient durability, and can last for up to 12,000 miles.
This is great for anyone looking for longevity as well as a great performance of the oil filter. It does cost a little bit more, but is definitely still quite affordable compared to other top brands, running around $6.99.
3. Royal Purple 10-2835 Extended Life Oil Filter
If you are looking for a great heavy-duty oil filter, this is one of the best oil filters on the market right now. It has a thick outer casing, as well as the ability to withstand heavy oil flow.
With a 99% efficiency and a longevity of 10,000 miles, this is one of the top-rated oil filters on the market today and is definitely going to exceed your expectations. It has great ratings as far as optimizing oil flow and reliability.
The only reason this filter didn’t land that second or first spot on this list is that of its price, running customers a whopping $14.99 for one filter. If you’re willing to sacrifice price for one of the best oil filters, however, this could definitely be considered one of the top out there today.
2. Bosch 3330 Premium FILTECH Oil Filter
This oil filter has pretty much everything to offer, a great price with a quality that is hard to beat, as well as longevity, durability, and availability. It has an unbelievable 99.9% efficiency rate, which is going to ensure the cleanest oil is running through your engine.
On top of that, it covers a larger surface area, which contributes to its high-efficiency rating. Going for about $5.60, it is certainly an amazing deal for such an affordable price. If you want something that is well trusted, highly recommended, efficient, and easy on the wallet, the Bosch 3330 is most definitely going to satisfy all of your needs.
1. Mobil 1 M1-110 Extended Performance Oil Filter
Most anyone that you ask will tell you that the Mobil 1 M1-110 is one of the best oil filters available, if not the best oil filter. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, considering that Mobil 1 is regarded as the best synthetic oil manufacturer around.
Also keeping a 99.9% efficiency, this oil filter is durable, long-lasting, and extremely strong. It has one of the highest capacities of filters on the market, 28 grams. It is a bit more expensive, costing buyers around $11.99, but the price is more than matched by efficiency, reliability, and quality of parts.
Longevity is great with this filter as well, leading the market at an estimated 15,000 miles before a recommended change. If you were searching for the industry leader, this is the oil filter for you.
How to Pick the Right One for YOU
All of the filters on this list are the best oil filters available today, so one isn’t necessarily the best for everyone. For some, it’s more important to find affordability in a filter, whereas others would consider longevity ahead of price. Almost all of the filters have an efficiency of 98% or higher, so you aren’t going to have to worry about finding great quality on any of these filters.
Consider what is most important to you, as well as which filters may be recommended over others depending on the make and model of your vehicle. All of these filters work for almost all cars, but there are filters out there that may work better than any of these if you have, say, a Ford, Mercury, or Lincoln.
Once you come to a conclusion about what you are looking for and what is going to work best for your specific vehicle, you have the tools available here to pick the best filter for you.
For more information about the best parts, and when it’s time to replace them on your vehicle, check out some of our reviews and blog, or contact us with questions about your vehicle.
