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It’s easy to underestimate what a good oil filter from one of the best oil filter brands can do.
Until you actually try one out.
An engine oil filter is a vital component that can affect the health and longevity of the car engine, and it needs replacement at regular intervals to work perfectly.
Placed closely to the engine, an oil filter removes specks of hard substances from the engine oil, which may otherwise cause serious damage over the long run to the machinery that helps your car run.
This is where the oil filter brand comes into play—when you choose one of the best filters from top oil filter brands, it’ll filter out a major chunk of all the impurities, leading to longer engine oil life and a healthier engine.
Mechanics recommend replacing the oil filter whenever you change the engine oil, or at least once every six months.
You already know it, but timely replacements are important.
This article aims to discuss the best oil filter companies on the market and all the frequently asked questions regarding the same.
If you are here to find more information about a specific oil filter brand, you can jump to any section in the table of contents to find what you are looking for.
The best oil filter brands you can choose from
Okay, so which oil filter brand is the best?
To be honest, there is no right answer. There are many brands that make great oil filters, so the only sensible option for us is to list down all of them.
And here it is.
Bosch oil filters
Bosch is one of the leading auto parts manufacturers, and its product line includes spark plugs, ignition components, fuel systems, batteries, steering systems, and, of course, oil filters.
Bosch oil filters, like most other auto parts they make, are some of the best oil filters on the market that meet the OEM requirements and effectively protect the engine from contaminants.
The highly durable oil filters from this brand are capable of holding up to 14 grams of dirt and contaminants (which doesn’t matter much if you change filters on time) and also come with a metal bypass ring and an anti-drain back silicone valve. And yes, these oil filters work for both natural oil and synthetic oil.
Most of their oil filters offer an efficiency of 99% and also have a pre-lubricated gasket design to aid better fit.
I wouldn’t worry too much about going for a Bosch filter.
WIX oil filters
Wix is a brand name often discussed with oil, fuel, and air filters. An efficiency of 99%, coupled with filter media of up to 55.5 inches, makes Wix oil filters popular among garagists. You’re less likely to find a mechanic who says Wix oil filters are bad.
The brand and its oil filters have been around for over 80 years. The oil filters are now supplied by Mann+Hummel, a trusted market leader in the filtration industry. The community of garagists, mechanics, and vehicle owners on Reddit also seem to trust Wix.
In fact, many active members of Reddit say that they always go for Wix. And, if you don’t know already, NAPA Gold filters are actually Wix filters with different branding.
Mobil 1 oil filters
You probably were already expecting me to mention Mobil 1, and here it is.
Mobil 1 is, without a doubt, one of the best oil filter brands in the world, and they also make some of the best and most long-lasting oil filters available on the market.
If Bosch is offering an efficiency of 99%, Mobil 1 oil filters are even better—with 99.6% efficiency. They can hold up to 28 grams of dirt and contaminants.
Most car mechanics recommend replacing the oil filter once every 5000 miles or at each oil change. As for Mobil 1 oil filters, they can last up to 15,000 miles, even for synthetic oil, thanks to the added efficiency and capacity. But I would always recommend replacing filters at the manufacturer’s recommended interval, even if the oil filter brand promises a longer life.
What makes oil filters by Mobil 1 appealing for car enthusiasts and mechanics is that some of them come with a metal bypass. It ensures an adequate oil supply even when the filter is clogged. Besides, Mobil 1 supplies oil filters with high operating pressure of up to 615 pascals per square inch.
Mobil 1 oil filters are manufactured by Champions Laboratories, a leading oil filter manufacturer that was founded in 1936.
Purolator oil filters
Purolator has got a history of 90 years, explaining why they are good at what they do. Their oil filters are manufactured by Mann+Hummel, the same company behind Wix.
Purolator oil filters can last up to 10,000 miles. And, chances are, even if no other oil filters fit your engine, you’ll find a Purolator oil filter that’s a perfect fit because they’ve got an oil filter line of over 2000 options!
Talking about features, there’s nothing mind-blowing; their oil filters are just good, well-crafted products made of quality materials. Some of them come with high-density media and silicone anti-drain valve and end caps. Purolator also produces some of the most affordable oil filters.
Motorcraft oil filters
Quality, design, and affordability are at the core of Motorcraft oil filters. And it is one of the best brand of oil filters—car brands like Mercury, Ford, and Lincoln have Motorcraft as their original oil filter manufacturers. It is one of the most trusted oil filter brands.
Motorcraft oil filters are not very expensive, yet they do a pretty good job keeping your engine oil clean and healthy. Many of the Reddit threads discussing oil filter companies consider Motorcraft oil filters as the best ones. And the ones that suggest other brands over Motorcraft agree that Motorcraft offers the best value for money, and choosing an expensive brand doesn’t make a significant difference.
You can read more about Motorcraft oil filters on this Reddit thread.
AMSOIL oil filters
If you are not into changing your oil filter frequently, AMSOIL is probably the best brand of oil filters for you. With up to 98.7% filtration, AMSOIL oil filters can last for a year or 15,000 miles. But wait, the brand offers a premium range of oil filters that last up to 25,000 miles!
Most AMSOIL filters can filter out particles that are 20 microns or more in size, and this ensures a longer filter life and a healthier engine. However, higher efficiency also means higher cost; AMSOIL filters can cost you around $18.
K&N oil filters
I don’t know much about K&N filters cause I’ve never used one, but I’ve seen many Reddit people say that they’re good, if not the best.
K&N offers up to 99% efficiency and a high flow rate. If you’re looking for an oil filter with a high flow rate, you should consider going for K&N oil filters. They are particularly good at filtering conventional or blended oils.
The oil filters from this brand are pretty affordable; you can get one for as low as $6.
Fram oil filters
If you’ve ever been to an auto parts store to buy an oil filter, you probably remember the oil filter with an orange finish—the Fram oil filter.
The dirt trap efficiency of Fram oil filters is particularly high, thanks to the proprietary filter media. They last for around 5000 miles, and the brand offers different sets of oil filters for synthetic oil and different car models.
Fram oil filters are pretty affordable, making them a go-to option for many people who conduct frequent maintenance. You can buy a Fram oil filter for around $6.
However, it is to be noted that many people seem to have had a bad experience with Fram filters. I believe Fram Ultra filters are good when changed on time, but some of the cheap Fram filters are made of low-quality materials.
And, you may stay away from Fram filters if you go through this Reddit thread. But yeah, if you choose one of the top-of-the-line filters from Fram and change it at 3000 miles, you are likely to be just fine.
Best oil filter brands: FAQs
Do oil filter brands really matter?
To be honest, which brand you pick doesn’t matter as long as you go for one of the best oil filter brands. You can go for OEM oil filters, or you can choose a perfect-fitting oil filter from brands like Bosch, Wix, Mobil 1, Motorcraft, etc. If you’re going for an aftermarket oil filter that promises longer life, it is still recommended to get a replacement at the manufacturer-recommended interval.
Who makes the very best oil filter?
It is nearly impossible to pick the best brand for oil filters as there are a few brands that make great oil filters. Brands like Wix, Mobil, Denso, Bosch, and Purolator are trusted among the garagist community.
Which oil filter lasts the longest?
There are a few brands that offer long-life oil filters. You can go for Mobil 1’s Extended Performance Oil Filter or buy a premium Wix or AMSOIL oil filter.
Are more expensive oil filters better?
Some expensive oil filters are efficient up to 10 microns, so they filter out most of the particles that can harm your engine. OEM oil filters are good enough to keep the engine oil clean if replaced at manufacturer-recommended intervals. Getting the filter replaced at the recommended intervals is more important than going for the most efficient oil filter.
How long does an oil filter last?
The life of an oil filter depends on several factors. Some oil filters last up to 5,000 miles, some last for 10,000 miles, and some others can last up to 25,000 miles. Since the life of an oil filter depends on the engine oil replacement frequency and even the type of engine oil, it is recommended to change the oil filter at manufacturer-recommended intervals.
Does the K&N oil filter make a difference?
K&N oil filters are generally lighter than OEM oil filters. However, K&N oil filters are more efficient and can filter out particles of up to 20 microns in size, so K&N oil filters keep the engine cleaner. At the same time, many garagists in the MechanicAdvice community on Reddit prefer Bosch, Wix, and Mobil over K&N filters as OEM filters are good enough to keep the engine healthy.
Who makes WIX oil filters?
Wix oil filters have been on the market for around 80 years now. Currently, the Wix line of oil filters is supplied by Mann+Hummel, a market leader in the filtration industry.