The $40 air filter that made me ditch my fancy one
Honestly, I used to swear by those expensive HEPA filters for my workshop, dropped like $120 on one last year. Then last month it conked out during a dusty job in Hartford, and I grabbed a cheapo $40 one from the hardware store as a temp fix. Tbh, I figured it'd clog up in a week and I'd be back to ordering the pricey brand. But ngl, after running it nonstop for three weeks, the air quality readings are basically identical, and I'm kinda blown away. The fancy one always felt sturdier, but this basic unit does the same job without the fancy plastic housing. I even checked the filter media side by side and it's nearly the same thickness. Has anyone else had luck downgrading on stuff like this, or did I just get lucky with a decent knock-off?