Best Air Filter for Push Mower (2026): 5 Compared
Five push mower air filters compared by part number, pack size and pre-filter, from a 6-pack foam filter to a 5-pack paper cartridge.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Best OverallBlueStars 6-Pack Foam Filter9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
Best with Pre-FilterHOODELL 3-Pack with Pre-Filter9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Best 5-PackHEYZLASS 5-Pack 491588S9.6/10View on Amazon - 4
Best 2-PackHaigelisi 2-Pack 491588S9.6/10View on Amazon - 5
Best SingleHOODELL 1-Pack with Pre-Filter9.5/10View on Amazon - 6
698369 Foam Air Filter For Briggs & Stratton Lawn MowerView on Amazon - 7
HOODELL 2 Pack 11013-7047 Air Filter with Pre FilterView on Amazon - 8
Podoy 697153 698083 Air Filter with 697015 Pre Filter forView on Amazon - 9
Podoy 496894 496894S 493909 Air Filter with 272403 272403SView on Amazon - 10
793569 793685 Air Filter for B&S John Deere E110 LA125View on Amazon
The mower starts, then dies. Or it runs rough, blows dark smoke and has no power in thick grass. A clogged air filter is the usual suspect, and the best air filter for push mower owners is the one that matches the engine’s part number and fits the air cleaner box exactly. We compared five replacement filters by part-number fit, pack size, pre-filter, stated dimensions and warranty, so you can match the filter to your engine.
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Quick picks
- Best Overall BlueStars 6-Pack Foam Filter: 6-pack foam filter with stated lifetime protection Check price on Amazon
- Best with Pre-Filter HOODELL 3-Pack with Pre-Filter: 3 filters plus 3 washable pre-filters Check price on Amazon
- Best 5-Pack HEYZLASS 5-Pack 491588S: 5 flat cartridges with metal mesh Check price on Amazon
- Best 2-Pack Haigelisi 2-Pack 491588S: 2 filters for 3.5-6.75 hp engines Check price on Amazon
- Best Single HOODELL 1-Pack with Pre-Filter: 1 filter plus 1 foam pre-filter Check price on Amazon
Our acreage picks
BlueStars 6 Pack 799579 Foam Air Filter
A 6-pack of foam filters for 799579-series engines with stated lifetime protection; the only foam pick and the only stated warranty here.
Who it's for: the owner of a 799579-series engine who wants the biggest pack and a stated warranty.
Who should skip it: anyone whose engine takes the 491588S flat cartridge.
Read the full review
The listing describes a 6-pack of 799579 foam air cleaner filters made of polyurethane foam, compatible with 550e to 550ex series engines from Briggs and Stratton, MTD and Troy-Bilt. The maker claims lifetime protection covering defects, and says the foam protects the engine from dirt and dust for smooth running.
Pros
- 6 filters is the largest pack here
- Lifetime protection is stated
- Foam design suits dusty conditions
- Fits 550e-550ex series engines
Cons
- Foam only, no paper option
- Fits 799579 engines only, not the 491588S crowd
- No pre-filter is stated
- No stated dimensions
HOODELL 3 Pack 491588S Air Filter with Pre Filter
Three 491588S filters plus three washable pre-filters for 3.5-6.75 hp engines; the best-protected pick for dusty mowing.
Who it's for: the owner mowing dusty ground who wants pre-filter protection across several changes.
Who should skip it: anyone who only needs a single filter.
Read the full review
The listing describes three 491588S paper filters with three washable foam pre-filters, fitting 3.5 to 6.75 hp engines including Toro 20332 and Craftsman 3364 models. The maker claims 4% higher air intake than the original and a better seal from a soft gasket.
Pros
- Washable pre-filter extends filter life
- 3 filters plus 3 pre-filters
- Fits 3.5-6.75 hp engines
- 4% higher air intake claimed vs original
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Paper filter needs replacing, not washing
- 3-pack may be more than one mower needs
- No stated filter weight
HEYZLASS 5 Pack 491588S Air Filter
Five 491588S flat cartridges with metal mesh for 3.5-6.5 hp engines; the biggest paper-filter pack here.
Who it's for: the owner who wants a multi-season supply of the common 491588S cartridge.
Who should skip it: anyone mowing heavy dust who wants a pre-filter.
Read the full review
The listing describes five 491588S flat cartridges, 5-1/4 by 4-1/2 by 13/16 in, with a metal mesh protecting the filter paper, fitting 3.5 to 6.5 hp engines from Toro, Troy-Bilt, Craftsman and Honda walk-behinds. Each filter is separately packaged.
Pros
- 5 filters is the largest paper pack here
- Metal mesh protects the filter paper
- Fits 3.5-6.5 hp engines
- Separately packaged for storage
Cons
- No pre-filter is included
- No warranty term is stated
- Paper only, no foam option
- No stated air intake figure
Haigelisi 2 Pack 491588S Air Filter
Two 491588S filters for 3.5-6.75 hp engines with soft gaskets; a simple two-pack for one mower.
Who it's for: the owner who needs one change now and one spare.
Who should skip it: anyone who wants a pre-filter or a stated warranty.
Read the full review
The listing describes two 491588S paper filters, 5.2 by 4.5 by 0.8 in, with soft gaskets and less rubber flash for a better seal, fitting 3.5 to 6.75 hp engines including Toro 20332 and Craftsman 3364. The warranty description reads NO.
Pros
- Fits 3.5-6.75 hp engines
- Soft gaskets for a better seal
- Separately packaged
- 5.2 x 4.5 x 0.8 in stated size
Cons
- The listing states no warranty
- No pre-filter is included
- 2-pack is the smallest 491588S pack here
- No stated air intake figure
HOODELL 491588S Air Filter with Pre Filter
One 491588S filter plus one foam pre-filter for 3.5-6.5 hp engines; the single-purchase pick.
Who it's for: the owner who needs exactly one filter change with pre-filter protection.
Who should skip it: anyone stocking up for multiple seasons.
Read the full review
The listing describes one 491588S paper filter with one washable foam pre-filter, 5.2 by 4.5 by 0.8 in, fitting 3.5 to 6.5 hp engines from Toro, Craftsman, Honda and Troy-Bilt walk-behinds. The maker claims 4% higher air intake than the original with a soft gasket seal.
Pros
- Washable foam pre-filter included
- Single pack for one replacement
- 4% higher air intake claimed vs original
- Fits 3.5-6.5 hp engines
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- One filter only
- Paper filter needs replacing, not washing
- No stated filter weight
Other machines to compare
698369 Foam Air Filter For Briggs & Stratton Lawn MowerCheck price on Amazon
HOODELL 2 Pack 11013-7047 Air Filter with Pre FilterCheck price on Amazon
Podoy 697153 698083 Air Filter with 697015 Pre Filter forCheck price on Amazon
Podoy 496894 496894S 493909 Air Filter with 272403 272403SCheck price on Amazon
793569 793685 Air Filter for B&S John Deere E110 LA125Check price on Amazon
Side-by-side specs
| Filter | AcreMower Score | Type | Pack | Fits | Size | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlueStars 6-Pack Foam Filter | 9.6/10 | Foam | 6 | 799579 series | Not stated | Lifetime protection |
| HOODELL 3-Pack with Pre-Filter | 9.6/10 | Paper + pre-filter | 3 + 3 | 491588S series | 5-1/4 x 4-1/2 x 13/16 in | Not stated |
| HEYZLASS 5-Pack 491588S | 9.6/10 | Paper | 5 | 491588S series | 5-1/4 x 4-1/2 x 13/16 in | Not stated |
| Haigelisi 2-Pack 491588S | 9.6/10 | Paper | 2 | 491588S series | 5.2 x 4.5 x 0.8 in | Not stated |
| HOODELL 1-Pack with Pre-Filter | 9.5/10 | Paper + pre-filter | 1 + 1 | 491588S series | 5.2 x 4.5 x 0.8 in | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 21 October 2026.
Fit by yard
BlueStars 6-Pack Foam Filter
HOODELL 3-Pack with Pre-Filter
HEYZLASS 5-Pack 491588S
Haigelisi 2-Pack 491588S
HOODELL 1-Pack with Pre-Filter
Buying guide: best air filter for push mower
Match the part number first
Four of the five picks replace the 491588S flat cartridge, and the fifth replaces the 799579 foam filter: they are not interchangeable. Check the number on your old filter or the engine manual before ordering, and confirm the engine series too. The 491588S picks list fitment for 3.5 to 6.75 hp engines across Toro, Craftsman, Honda and Troy-Bilt walk-behinds, while the BlueStars foam filter fits 799579-series and 550e to 550ex engines. A filter that does not match the part number will not seat in the air cleaner box. For riders, see best air filter for riding mower.
Paper cartridge or foam
Four picks are flat paper cartridges that drop into the air cleaner box; the HEYZLASS adds a metal mesh over the paper. The BlueStars pick is different: a polyurethane foam filter that the maker says resists wear and corrosion. Paper cartridges get replaced when dirty; foam can be cleaned and reused per general practice, though the listing does not state a cleaning method. Pick the type your engine’s air cleaner was designed for, not the one that looks tougher.
Pre-filters extend the change interval
Two HOODELL picks include a foam pre-filter that catches the big dust before it reaches the paper element. Both listings call the pre-filter washable and reusable, which matters in dusty, dry mowing. The 3-pack ships three filters with three pre-filters; the single ships one of each. If you mow dusty ground, the pre-filter picks earn their place.
Check the stated dimensions
The 491588S is a flat cartridge around five and a quarter inches long, and the listings state it two ways: 5-1/4 by 4-1/2 by 13/16 in on the HEYZLASS and HOODELL 3-pack, and 5.2 by 4.5 by 0.8 in on the Haigelisi and HOODELL single. Those are the same filter in different notation, but measure your old one if the air cleaner box is tight. The BlueStars foam filter states no dimensions, so match it by the 799579 part number alone.
Pack size
Air filters are a consumable, so the pack size sets how many seasons one purchase covers. The BlueStars ships 6, the HEYZLASS 5, the HOODELL 3-pack ships 3 filters plus 3 pre-filters, the Haigelisi 2 and the HOODELL single 1. A multi-pack only saves money if the filters fit your engine: confirm the part number first, then buy the biggest pack that matches.
Lawn size, deck width and speed in; minutes per mow out. Or work backward from the time you want to spend.
Read the manual, keep children and pets out of the yard while you work, wear eye and hearing protection and sturdy footwear, and never exceed the slope rating of your machine. Refuel only with the engine off and cool. See CPSC lawn mower safety. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
The Acre Score explained
The Acre Score weighs five factors: performance (filtration and engine fit), build quality, value (what the pack includes for its stated specs), safety and warranty. Only the BlueStars listing states a warranty, described as lifetime protection for defects, so it is the only filter that earns warranty points.
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlueStars 6-Pack Foam Filter | 9.6 | 27 | 19 | 21 | n/a | 4 |
| HOODELL 3-Pack with Pre-Filter | 9.6 | 32 | 21 | 22 | n/a | 0 |
| HEYZLASS 5-Pack 491588S | 9.6 | 29 | 21 | 22 | n/a | 0 |
| Haigelisi 2-Pack 491588S | 9.6 | 28 | 20 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
| HOODELL 1-Pack with Pre-Filter | 9.5 | 28 | 20 | 19 | n/a | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Safety counts only for powered gear or where the listing states safety features; where it does not apply, the score is taken over the remaining 90 points.
FAQ: mowing large lots
How do I know which air filter my push mower needs?
Read the part number off the old filter or the engine manual. The 491588S is a flat cartridge used across many 3.5 to 6.75 hp walk-behind engines; the 799579 is a foam filter for 550e to 550ex series engines. They do not interchange.
Paper or foam air filter?
Match what the engine came with. Paper cartridges, like four picks here, are replaced when dirty; the BlueStars foam filter is made of polyurethane foam. Do not swap types without checking the manual.
What does the pre-filter do?
It is a foam sleeve over the paper element that catches coarse dust first. Both HOODELL picks include one and call it washable and reusable, which stretches the paper filter’s life in dusty conditions.
How often should I replace the air filter?
The listings do not state a replacement interval, so follow the engine manual. Mowing in dust shortens the interval; a pre-filter stretches it. A quick look at the element before each mow tells you more than any calendar.
Do these fit Honda, Toro and Craftsman mowers?
The 491588S listings name Toro, Craftsman, Honda and Troy-Bilt walk-behind models among their fitment, including Toro 20332 and Craftsman 3364. Always confirm your engine’s part number before ordering.
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