Looking for the most experienced oil filter expert (or moderator) to answer one question.

Joined
Dec 10, 2013
Messages
43
Location
USA
I haven't been on the forum for years so excuse me for asking this one question (I did search, a lot):

Which oil filter is considered the "best" on the market (2025 USA)?

I've been using the Purolator BOSS PBL30001 (PH8A 3/4-19 equivalent size) and don't have any complaints. I did read about the large micron particles that got past this filter but also read that that may have been an error?? I've been using this BOSS filter (PBL30001) since it first came out and have done serial EOA's with good results (very low wear metals).

The problem I'm having is that this particular PBL30001 filter may have been discontinued ie: all I can find are filters that are a couple years old at a few Advance Auto stores. They weren't even on the main display shelf, the clerk had to go to the back storeroom shelves to find one or two that looked like they'd been around for years and all had the older design HEX shaped box. I called Purolator customer service and the lady on the phone didn't have much information. She said the PBL30001 was a good/active part number but didn't realize the PBL30001 filter was essentially absent from store shelves.

Filter type and usage: spin-on filter, synthetic oil, normally aspirated Gasoline/Petrol engine, normal driving, once per year (10,000-12,000 mile) oil/filter changes.

What I'm looking for (my definition of best):
Highest micron rating (lowest micron size particles removed at the highest percent) but still flow adequately
Filter media that can hold up for at least a year/15,000 miles without falling apart using full synthetic oil
A very good anti-drainback valve (my filter is mounted horizontally so it tends to drain out more easily than filters in other positions)
A filter that won't bypass more than absolutely necessary
Preferably Made in USA (Made in Japan or Germany, maybe).

I've read dozens of threads trying to get the answer myself but honestly they all seem to get so deep into the weeds with varying opinions my eyes start to bleed. So as not to start another long confusing thread with conflicting or personal opinions, is there someone (?moderator or known expert) that can list the top engine oil filter(s) (in the PH8A size) available today??

If an expert lists a particular filter, please include the supporting data (or links).

Thanks
 
Last edited:
I am not an expert but Toyota filters have served my Toyota well for hundreds of thousands of miles. If your car is a Toyota you can't really go wrong with Toyota oil filters.
Just a word of advice, do not trust any oil filter for 12,000 miles no matter what big claims they make.
 
Criteria: type = spin-on filter, synthetic oil, normally aspirated Gasoline/Petrol engine, normal driving, once per year (10,000-12,000 mile) oil/filter changes.
Lots of filters meet that criteria. What's important to you in an oil filter besides that?

Some people here don't even care if their filters leak dirty oil or tear media, lol.
 
"What's important to you in an oil filter besides that?"

I edited my original post for clarity.

Appreciate all the general comments but trying to keep this thread short so it doesn't end up like all the others ie: 37 different opinions
with no final answer.

Hoping someone will post up the "best" filter(s) based on the criteria list above (please read post #1) with supporting data why.
 
Last edited:
Premium Guard Extended Life.

Also called: Microgard Select, STP XL, Parts Plus EX, Carquest Premium and a few others.

Fantastic build quality, silicone ADBV and gasket, very good filtration.

Edit: checkout RockAuto under various manufacturer to see deals on these as well.
 
Last edited:
Appreciate all the general comments but trying to keep this thread short so it doesn't end up like all the others ie: 37 different opinions with no final answer.
Every time someone asks the same question "what's the best oil filter?", there's always going to be 37 or more opinions. Every person's final answer is just another opinion based on the opinion maker's view on oil filters, which varies all over the place. The filter buyer needs to decide for themselves, and it might take days of reading threads with all the opinions.

Since you updated your 1st post, and want a high efficiency filter, then forget the Boss and Wix XP.

I'll give a few suggestions. Get a Carquest Premium if doing up to 10K OCIs and forget about looking for a good oil filter. If you are actually going to do 15K OCIs, then get the new Mobil 1 (not USA made now) which is rated for up to 20K miles and is high efficiency per Highline Warran (now the Mobil 1 middleman instead of M+H) per a phone call to their tech line. If you're looking for a filter still made in the USA that meets your wants, the choices are narrow (Amsoil or Royal Purple and the FE, which could be phasing out from Walmart). Those are all Champ Labs made potential leaf spring leakers. Or go with the new Purolator 20K, but there is zero efficiency data for it given by Purolator.
 
Last edited:
I don’t consider myself an expert but I’m very experienced. I’ve cut open A LOT of oil filters over the years and started posting some here when I retired. I do call and email many oil filter companies for answers.

Based on your definition of best(efficiency) the Boss is out at 99%@46 microns. Unfortunately the US made filters that meet your criteria are having some QC problems.

I will echo the suggestions given by @ZeeOSix and @MurkyAsparagus. These filters have extremely good build quality and are very efficient at 99%@20 microns. The easiest to get are the Carquest Premium at Advance Auto, Microgard Select at OReillys, or the Mobil 1 at Walmart.

I suspect you’ll get a lot of opinions and even some hurt feelings.
 
Last edited:
"What's important to you in an oil filter besides that?"

I edited my original post for clarity.

Appreciate all the general comments but trying to keep this thread short so it doesn't end up like all the others ie: 37 different opinions
with no final answer.

Hoping someone will post up the "best" filter(s) based on the criteria list above (please read post #1) with supporting data why.
“Best” is a filter that is changed at a reasonable interval. Not 12k miles….for any oil or filter. That’s how you can absolutely ensure your engine has clean safe oil.
 
Fram ultra?/titanium?/endurance?
That would be the XG8A for ultra (double check that)
99%+@20microns
silicone antidrainback

There are quite a few good options.
 
Here are a few recent threads on this topic, although things change these are only the most current:

 
I can only share my personal assessment based on similar criteria.

1) Any PGI premium line filter (Microgard Select, Carquest Premium) etc is going to be excellent. The filters typically have a red gasket and the ends (only) are cellophane wrapped. The PNs of interest to me are made in Vietnam and very good quality.

2) Pentius UFXL (Pentius premium line). Generally made in Korea at a GM/Daewoo plant (IIRC) and superbly well-made. Available through Amazon and currently my favorite filter.

3) Fram Titanium. Decent media, doesn't seem to leak internally

I know we all want 99% or more at 20 micron, but many, many vehicles have lasted a LONG time with much lesser cellulose or blend media. I would certainly consider these "lesser" filters to be valid. Not because they have impressive specs, but because in spite of the specs they have proven to deliver engine durability.

This is why I'm not as anti-BOSS as many other people are. Yes the micron rating is quite unimpressive. But they do flow well. Maybe that's a winning combination in spite of the micron rating?
 
Which oil filters have a problem with flow?
I am not @Hohn, obviously, but, the ones shown to have torn pleats at the base end glue margin. And before anyone states that this is " an assembly quality and or materials issue", preponderance of evidence show uneven pleat spacing at the seam gathering is the rule rather than the exception, unfortunately.
 
I am not @Hohn, obviously, but, the ones shown to have torn pleats at the base end glue margin. And before anyone states that this is " an assembly quality and or materials issue", preponderance of evidence show uneven pleat spacing at the seam gathering is the rule rather than the exception, unfortunately.
Those should have the best flow of all 🙂
 
I can’t comment on the best oil filter as the experts have already responded, but the Boss is widely available and still made. I got one from Amazon and it had a fresh date code.
Boss is a filter I would use if it had an old date, like 5 years. Full synthetic media.
You want the best expert and the best oil filter all in one question?
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom