As you may know, oil filters play a vital role in ensuring your vehicle’s engine has a long lifespan continues to run efficiently.
These filters work by removing contaminants from the engine oil, which helps to extend the life of the engine and prevent wear and tear.
If you’re noticing dirty exhaust fumes coming out of your vehicle, or if an overheating engine is preventing you from driving, then it might be time for an oil filter change.
Let us help you find the best oil filters on the market right now.
Best Oil Filters for the Money
Factors to Consider While Choosing an Oil Filter for Your Car
Ensure that you consider some important factors before you before buying an oil filter for your car and select the one that is most suitable for your vehicle.
Type of Car Engine
You must know the type of engine of your car before you decide on the oil filter that is most suitable for your car.
There are different types of oil filters and the way each of them work and their performance varies for different kinds of cars.
Oil Filter Size
Another important factor to consider while buying an oil filter for your car is the size of the filter. The filter must be compatible and fit your vehicle. If the filter is too big or too small and does not fit the car properly, then it is useless to spend money on it.
Ensure that you check the size of the oil filter before buying one. You must ensure that you get the correct size of the oil filter, as the wrong size can cause the engine to seize due to lack of oil and you would have to spend a significant amount of money to buy a new engine.
Oil Filter Quality
The oil filter quality depends on different aspects such as the design of the oil filter, its cleaning efficiency and durability.
Filtration Efficiency
You must select the filter depending on its efficiency rating which is the standard of manufacturing for the internal components of the oil filter and the maximum size of particle that can pass through the filter.
The standard capture rate is usually more than 99% of the particles down to around 25 microns and some oil filters have greater capture levels of down to 20 microns.
You should opt for a filter that captures a greater percentage and smaller sizes of particles.
Filter Components
Filter Media
This is essentially the material that comprises the filtration component of the oil filter. This impacts the filtration efficiency, lifespan and durability of the oil filter.
Today, most of the latest models of oil filters make use of media that is made of synthetic glass blend which offers the best filtration and a long life of the oil filter.
Lifespan
This is basically the recommended time for usage of the filter media before it wears out and this is typically measured in kilometers or miles that the car has run and, in some cases, if the car is not driven for a long time, there is also a time duration for the filter.
Filters usually have lifespans of around 10 to 15,000 miles; however, to get a good performance, it is better to change the filter more frequently. For most cars, 3-6 months and between 5-8,000 miles is a good time to change the filter.
Conventional vs Synthetic Oil
The oil filter that you use depends on the oil being used in the car. Most of the common filters work well with conventional, synthetic or synthetic-blend oils.
However, in the case of high-end filters, they can be used only with high-end synthetic oils. If you use conventional oil with a filter that is meant for synthetic oil, it is not really a technical issue; however, it’s a risk that you may want to avoid.
Anti-Drain Back Valve
Most of the modern filters have an inbuilt anti-drain back valve which prevents the oil from flowing back into the filter when the engine of the car is not running and the oil pump is not working.
This essentially helps the engine to remain lubricated when it starts up as the oil pump does not have to start over completely and can start from the point when the engine stopped.
There are several options for oil filters available in the market and it can become rather confusing to decide on the one that is best for your vehicle. Here, we have reviewed some of the best oil filters in the market to help you in making your choice.
Types of Oil Filters
If you are new to changing your own oil and buying oil filters, then you might not be familiar with the different types of oil filters.
We’ll give you a quick introduction to them before you shop.
Mechanical Oil Filters
Mechanical oil filters use a physical barrier to remove contaminants from the engine oil.
The filter element is typically made of paper or mesh and is designed to trap particles as oil flows through it.
Mechanical oil filters work by using centrifugal force to spin the oil and separate out contaminants, which are then captured by the filter element.
These filters are typically the most common type of oil filter used in vehicles cause they are known for their reliability and affordability.
Spin-On Oil Filters
For the DIY oil changer, spin-on filters are the most popular type because they are practically foolproof thanks to their simple installation process and minimal need for tools.
Spin-On vs Cartridge Oil Filters
Most home mechanics prefer to use spin-on filters simply because they are so freaking easy to install.
While cartridge filters can be more challenging to install, they do have their benefits.
The cartridge filter’s ability to be changed and examined without draining the oil is one of its most appealing features when positioned upright.
In addition, several original equipment manufacturers and filter producers are moving away from spin-on filters and toward metal-free cartridge filters so that they may be recycled or disposed of more easily.
Since they have more parts to the actual filter, spin-on oil filters cost more to manufacture than a cartridge filter.
Most commonly, a spin-on filter is installed on the engine’s underside or on one of its sides.
When the filter is removed, a torrent of dirty oil is released and must be cleaned up after the technician or do-it-yourselfer unscrews the filter.
On the other hand, many cartridge filter caps feature a drain hole that allows the technician or do-it-yourselfer to empty the filter of oil before removing the cover.
That gets rid of or significantly minimizes the mess.
Spin-on oil filters can be removed with a variety of standard oil filter wrenches, but cartridge-style caps typically call either a specialized socket or cap wrench.
And here’s quick summary of these differences:
Spin-On Filters
- Easy to install
- More affordable to manufacture
- Installed on the engine’s underside or on one of its sides
- Removal results in a torrent of dirty oil
- Can be removed with standard oil filter wrenches
Cartridge Filters
- More challenging to install
- More expensive to manufacture
- Ability to be changed and examined without draining the oil
- Caps feature a drain hole that minimizes the mess
- Require a specialized socket or cap wrench for removal
- Moving towards metal-free cartridge filters for easy recycling or disposal.
Reviews of the Best Oil Filters
ACDelco Professional Engine Oil Filter
- Helps keep abrasive particles away from bearings and other engine hydraulic components
- Some ACDelco GM Original Equipment parts may have formerly appeared as GM Genuine Parts (OE) or ACDelco Professional
- ACDelco GM Original Equipment parts are designed, engineered and tested to rigorous standards, and are backed by General Motors
- GM Engineers design and validate OE parts specifically for your Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac vehicle
- GM regularly updates production and service part designs to integrate new materials and technologies
Ideal for applications where performance matters, this oil filter has 10 times more open area in the core for improved flow.
Easy to install with quality performance at an affordable price.
Purolator L22500 Premium Engine Protection Spin On Oil Filter
- Up to 5,000 miles (or as specified by OE) of engine protection
- 96.5% dirt removal power
- Multi-fiber, high-density media
- Anti-drainback valve protects against dry starts and oil leaks
- Bypass valve and metal center tube allow for optimum oil flow
Made for routine driving conditions, Purolator’s rugged construction provides proven filtration performance and protects engines against damaging dirt and debris for up to 5,000 miles (or as specified by your vehicles owner’s manual).
Purolator’s multi-fiber media traps road grit, soot, other debris that can harm your engine.
This filter delivers the premium protection your vehicle demands to keep it running smoothly.
Mobil 1 M1-110A Extended Performance Oil Filter
- Product Type : Auto Accessory
- Package Dimensions : 8.6"L X 9.6"Wx7.5"H
- Package Quantity :1
- Country Of Origin: United States
Mobil 1™ Extended Performance Oil Filters are built with strong, durable components and are tested and proven to protect 2X as long as auto manufacturers’ recommended oil change intervals.
This filter is a high-efficiency synthetic blend media removes over 99% of harmful contaminants keeping oil cleaner, longer.
Enhanced nitrile gasket remains pliable to help prevent oil leaks while a durable anti-drain back valve protects against dry starts.
Durable, heavy-duty filter canister withstands 9X the normal vehicle oil system operating pressure.
Fram PH7317 Extra Guard 10K Mile Change Interval Spin-On Oil Filter
- Proven protection for up to 10,000 miles
- Engineered for use with conventional or synthetic motor oil. Silicone anti-drain back valve helps ensure safe engine start up
- A special blend of fibers and resin creates a proprietary filter media that captures 95% of dirt particles that can cause harmful engine wear
- Designed for everyday drivers who perform frequent maintenance on their vehicles
- 95% dirt-trapping efficiency
FRAM Extra Guard Oil Filters feature proven protection for up to 10,000 miles and are engineered for use with conventional oil.
With an ideal balance of dirt-trapping efficiency and dirt-holding capacity, FRAM Extra Guard oil filters use a special blend of fibers and resin to create a proprietary filter media that delivers excellent engine protection.
Extra Guard is the perfect filter for everyday drivers who perform frequent maintenance on their vehicles.
Who Makes The Best Oil Filters?
Whether you want the best oil filter brands for synthetic oil or natural oil, there are some brands known for making the best oil filters for your vehicle.
Based on our experience, these are the best oil filter brands:
- ACDelco
- Bosch
- K&N
- Purolator
- Mobil
- Fram
There are other brands of oil filters on the market that are good as well, these are just our favorites.