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16x20x3 MERV 13: pack prices & where to buy

Printed size 16x20x3, MERV 13 only. Lowest per filter on 5 Nov: FiltersDelivered Zephyr VGF 2-pack at $39.48 each. These are 3-inch return-grille “top-hat” filters (Zephyr VGF, M1331620): the gasket fills a 16×20 grille and about 3 inches of media hangs into the duct.

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Match & price

Size overview and measure tips: 16x20x3 size page. A 16x20x4 or 16x20x5 media cabinet is a different part: 16x20x4 MERV 13 · 16x20x5 MERV 13. Thinner slot? See 16x20x2 MERV 13 or 16x20x1 MERV 13. Sister 3-inch return-grille pages: 20x20x3 MERV 13 · 20x25x3 MERV 13 · 16x25x3 MERV 13 (Air Bear Cub media, not a grille top-hat).

Full answer

A 16x20x3 is a three-inch-class filter. The common home version sold tonight is a return-grille “top-hat” (Zephyr VGF): a foam gasket seats in a 1-inch 16×20 return grille and about 3 inches of pleated media hangs into the duct. On 5 Nov 2026 the cheapest MERV 13 per filter was the FiltersDelivered Zephyr VGF 2-pack at $39.48 each. Next: 1-Pack $41.99 ($41.99 each); Case of 3 $125.97 ($41.99 each). Match the depth and face of the filter you pull out.

Which slot do I have?
  • 16×20 return grille that takes a 3-inch top-hat filter: this is the size. The Zephyr VGF cards above are sold for that use.
  • Plain 16×20 grille with a 1-inch filter: a 16x20x1 fits; a top-hat may work only if the duct behind the grille has room for the extra depth. If unsure, stay with 16x20x1 MERV 13.
  • Old filter about 4–4⅜ inches thick in a furnace cabinet: that is a 16x20x4 or 16x20x5 media cartridge, not this one.
  • 16x25x3 Air Bear Cub / Lennox: a different 3-inch cabinet part — see 16x25x3 MERV 13.

Measure the old filter before you order: how to measure.

Price check notes

FiltersDelivered (Zephyr 16x20x3 VGF MERV 13, model M1331620, product pages, in stock, schema.org/InStock, read 5 Nov 2026 ~8:55–8:56pm ET): 1-pack $41.99 (sale; list $51.99), 2-pack $78.95 (sale; list $98.95), Case of 3 $125.97 (sale; list $149.99). Coupons, multi-pack discounts and Subscribe & Save prices are not counted. Amazon Zephyr listings (ASINs B0F6NSCLCR 1-pack, B0FNYGSXLL 2-pack, B0F6DFLZHQ 3-pack) appeared in search; a single WebFetch of B0F6NSCLCR showed $49.95 one-time (sold by FiltersDelivered), but the amazon-checker profile was locked by the parallel executor and we did not get two matching buy-box reads, so there is no Amazon card. Nordic Pure had no reachable 16x20x3 product page tonight (curl/WebFetch failed), so it is not listed. HVACFilters search did not surface a dedicated 16x20x3 product URL on the first page. DiscountFilters lists Zephyr 16x20x3 packs but has no affiliate path on this site, so no card.

Why MERV 13?

Per the EPA MERV table, MERV 13 captures at least 50% of 0.30–1.0 µm particles, 85% of 1.0–3.0 µm and 90% of 3.0–10.0 µm, versus MERV 8’s ≥20% of 1.0–3.0 µm. EPA suggests at least MERV 13 or as high as your system fan and filter slot can accommodate, and to ask an HVAC technician if unsure. A 3-inch MERV 13 is not HEPA. Check it when the season changes and replace it when it looks gray.

Actual size by brand
  • Zephyr VGF M1331620 MERV 13: nominal 16x20x3; gasket seats in a 1-inch return-grille slot with ~3 inches of media into the duct (Zephyr / FiltersDelivered product copy). We did not find a published face actual (e.g. 14⅜ × 18⅜) for M1331620 tonight; the sister 20x20x3 M1332020 is published as 18.375 × 18.375 × 3 behind its gasket (Jackson Systems / J Adams). Measure the grille pocket.
Where to buy (all stores)
  • FiltersDelivered Zephyr VGF — MERV 13 1-, 2- and 3-pack cards above, read 5 Nov 2026.
  • Amazon: Zephyr-branded ASINs seen in search (B0F6NSCLCR / B0FNYGSXLL / B0F6DFLZHQ); no dual buy-box verification tonight, so no card.
  • Nordic Pure: no 16x20x3 product page reachable tonight.
FAQ

Is a 16x20x3 the same as a 16x20x2? No. A 16x20x2 furnace-slot pack is about 1.75 inches deep and will not fill a 3-inch return-grille depth.

Which pack is cheapest per filter? On 5 Nov, the FiltersDelivered Zephyr VGF 2-pack ($39.48 per filter).

Can I use a 16x20x4 instead? No. A 4-inch-class cartridge is about 3.6–4.4 inches deep and is built for a furnace media cabinet, not a return grille. Match the depth of your old filter.

How often do I change it? Zephyr sells the VGF as a 6-month filter; check it every season and replace it sooner if it looks gray, with pets, smoke or renovation dust. See how often to change.

Sources