Original vs. Alternative Filter Elements – How to Choose the Right Solution

When a filter element in a compressed air system needs to be replaced, many companies face a common choice: Should you buy an original filter element, or is an alternative filter element a better solution?

The short answer is that both solutions can be relevant. What matters is not only the filter manufacturer, but whether the filter element is correctly matched to the filter housing, has the right filtration grade, and can provide the required filtration performance and operational reliability.

In this guide, we look at the difference between original and alternative filter elements, what you should consider when choosing between them, and why an alternative filter element can often be an attractive solution.

What Is an Original Filter Element?

An original filter element is a filter element supplied by the manufacturer of the original filtration system or filter housing.

If your compressed air system uses a specific filter housing, for example, you can choose a filter element from the same manufacturer. The advantage is that you typically get a familiar solution that has been specified for the particular filtration system.

Original filter elements can be an obvious choice when:

• the manufacturer’s specifications must be followed closely
• the system is used in critical production
• specific documentation or certification requirements apply
• you want to continue using the same product and supplier
• the filter’s original specifications are essential to the process

However, this does not necessarily mean that an original filter element is always the most economical solution.

What Is an Alternative Filter Element?

An alternative filter element is designed for use in an existing filter housing from another manufacturer.

A correctly selected alternative filter element must therefore not only have the right dimensions. It must also match the relevant specifications, such as:

• filter housing
• dimensions
• connection
• filtration grade
• filtration capacity
• airflow
• pressure drop
• application area
• air quality requirements

Alternative filter elements are available for many different filter manufacturers and filter series. It is therefore often possible to replace an existing filter element with a compatible alternative without replacing the filter housing itself.

Original or Alternative – What Should You Choose?

The best choice primarily depends on your system and your specific requirements.

A higher purchase price does not necessarily mean better overall economics. A filter element is a consumable component that needs to be replaced regularly. Therefore, even a moderate price difference can become significant if a company uses many filter elements or operates several compressor systems.

Choose an Original Filter Element If:

1. You have specific manufacturer requirements

If the manufacturer of your system has specific requirements for the filter element, these requirements should always take priority.

2. Documentation is essential

In industries with strict quality, hygiene, or certification requirements, documentation of the filter’s properties may be more important than the purchase price itself.

3. The system has a critical function

If a production stoppage could result in significant financial consequences, it may be relevant to choose the solution that your company already has good experience with.

Choose an Alternative Filter Element If:

1. You want to reduce your filter costs

Alternative filter elements can often be less expensive than the manufacturer’s original elements. This can provide noticeable savings on overall maintenance costs.

2. You want greater flexibility

An alternative filter element can give you the opportunity to choose between several suppliers and compare price, quality, and delivery times.

3. You want to replace filter elements more frequently

Regular replacement is important for maintaining stable filtration performance. A lower price per filter element can make it easier to follow a consistent maintenance schedule.

4. You want to optimise total cost of ownership

The relevant question is not only: “How much does the filter cost?”

Instead, ask:

What does filtration cost overall throughout the entire service life of the filter element?

This should include the purchase price, service life, pressure drop, energy consumption, maintenance, and the risk of downtime.

Why Can Alternative Filter Elements Be an Advantage?

There are several good reasons to consider alternative filter elements.

1. Lower Purchase Price

The most obvious advantage is often the price.

When a filter element needs to be replaced several times a year, even a small saving per element can add up to a significant amount over the course of a year.

For example, if a company uses 50 filter elements per year, a saving of €300 per element would amount to €15,000 per year.

The more filter elements a company uses, the greater the potential savings.

2. Possibility of the Same Filter Type and Filtration Grade

A good alternative filter element should not be a compromise when it comes to filtration performance.

Alternative filter elements are typically available in different filtration grades and sizes, allowing the element to be matched to the existing filter housing and the required air quality.

It is therefore important to compare the specific filtration grade rather than simply choosing a filter because it physically fits the housing.

3. Better Price-to-Performance Ratio

The cheapest filter is not necessarily the best filter.

A quality filter must be able to provide the required filtration performance while keeping the pressure drop at an appropriate level. An unnecessarily high pressure drop can increase the load on the compressed air system and thereby affect operating costs.

Therefore, you should consider price in relation to performance – not just the purchase price.

4. Possibility of More Frequent Replacement

A filter element gradually becomes loaded with particles, oil, water, and other contaminants from the compressed air system. Regular maintenance and replacement are therefore important for maintaining stable air quality and effective filtration.

If an alternative filter element has a lower purchase price, it may in some cases be economically attractive to stay closer to the recommended replacement interval rather than trying to extend the service life unnecessarily.

How to Choose the Right Alternative Filter Element

The most important thing when purchasing an alternative filter element is to make sure that you compare the correct specifications.

1. Identify the Manufacturer of Your Existing Filter

Start by identifying the filter housing and its manufacturer.

For example, it may be a filter from a well-known manufacturer within the compressed air industry. The manufacturer’s name makes it easier to identify the correct compatible filter series.

2. Find the Existing Part Number

The existing part number is often the easiest way to find the right alternative filter element.

Find the number on:

• the old filter element
• the filter housing
• the packaging
• previous invoices
• the product documentation

A correct part number can make it much easier to match the existing filter element with a compatible alternative.

Are you unsure which filter element you need? Contact us and we will help you find the right filter element.

3. Check the Filtration Grade

The filtration grade is one of the most important specifications.

You should not automatically choose the finest filtration grade. The correct filtration grade depends on the compressed air quality required by your system and production process.

Different filtration grades are used, for example, for particles, oil aerosols, moisture, and oil vapours.

4. Check the Size

An alternative filter element must fit correctly into the filter housing.

Check, among other things:

• length
• diameter
• connection
• end caps
• seals
• construction

A filter element that can physically be installed is not necessarily the right filter element for the application.

5. Compare Airflow and Pressure Drop

The filter element’s capacity must match your compressed air system.

A filter element with insufficient capacity can result in an unnecessarily high pressure drop. Therefore, airflow and pressure drop should be included in the comparison, especially in larger industrial systems.

6. Check Documentation and Quality

If the filter is used in a production environment with specific compressed air quality requirements, you should investigate what documentation accompanies the filter element.

Depending on the application, standards such as ISO 8573-1 and test methods such as ISO 12500 may be relevant.

Original Filter Element vs. Alternative Filter Element

Factor	Original Filter Element	Alternative Filter Element
Compatibility	Developed for the original system	Must be selected based on correct compatibility
Price	Often higher	Often lower
Selection	Depends on the manufacturer	Can provide more options
Documentation	Typically readily available	Should be checked with the supplier
Quality	Depends on the specific product	Depends on the manufacturer and specifications
Maintenance Economics	Can be higher	Can be lower
Flexibility	Often lower	Often greater
Total Cost of Ownership	Should be calculated	Can offer an attractive price-to-performance ratio

The most important thing is therefore not whether the filter element is original or alternative. What matters most is whether the specific filter element meets the requirements of your compressed air system.

When Should You Not Choose the Cheapest Alternative?

An alternative filter element should not be selected based on price alone.

Pay particular attention if the filter is used in:

• food production
• the pharmaceutical industry
• electronics manufacturing
• painting and coating processes
• production with very high air quality requirements
• critical production processes

Here, the correct documentation, filtration efficiency, and operational reliability may be more important than the lowest purchase price.

A cheap filter element that provides poorer filtration, a shorter service life, or a higher pressure drop can ultimately become more expensive.

Calculate the Total Savings

When comparing an original and an alternative filter element, you should consider the total annual cost.

A simple calculation could look like this:

Annual filter cost = number of filter elements × price per element

However, you can make the calculation more precise by also taking into account:

• number of annual replacements
• expected service life of the filter
• energy consumption
• pressure drop
• labour time required for filter replacement
• freight and delivery costs
• risk of downtime

This gives you a better picture of the actual total cost of compressed air filtration.

5 Questions You Should Ask Before Buying

Before choosing an alternative filter element, you should be able to answer yes to the following:

1. Does the Filter Element Fit My Filter Housing?

This should be documented – not simply based on the fact that the dimensions appear to be correct.

2. Does the Filter Have the Correct Filtration Grade?

The filtration grade must match the required air quality and application.

3. Is the Airflow Sufficient?

The filter element must be able to handle the system’s actual air consumption.

4. Is the Pressure Drop Acceptable?

An effective filter element should not unnecessarily restrict the airflow.

5. Can the Supplier Document the Quality?

The more critical your production is, the more important documentation, test results, and relevant standards become.

Conclusion: Should You Choose an Original or Alternative Filter Element?

There is no single right answer for all companies.

Original filter elements can be the natural choice if you want the manufacturer’s own solution, have specific documentation requirements, or work with a critical application.

Alternative filter elements, on the other hand, can be an attractive choice if you want to reduce costs without necessarily changing your existing filter housing. Correctly selected alternatives can match existing filter housings, sizes, and filtration grades and can therefore provide greater flexibility and a better price-to-performance ratio.

The most important thing is therefore to choose based on compatibility, filtration grade, airflow, pressure drop, quality, documentation, and total cost of ownership – and not simply based on the brand of the filter element.

In Short:

Original does not automatically mean best – and alternative does not automatically mean cheaper in the long run.

The right filter element is the one that meets the requirements of your compressed air system while providing the best combination of quality, operational reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

Are you unsure which filter element is right for your system? Contact us for help finding the right solution.