Foam vs Paper Air Filter Lawn Mower: Which One Should You Buy?
Foam and pleated-paper air filters compared on fitment, size and pack count, with two foam examples and one genuine paper cartridge, and a verdict on which side suits your mower.
On this page
Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Femory 698369 Foam Air Filter for Briggs and Stratton Mowers9.7/10View on Amazon - 2
Briggs & Stratton 795066 Pleated-Paper Air Filter9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
BlueStars 6 Pack 799579 Foam Air Filter9.6/10View on Amazon - 4
Washable Foam Filter Material for Uni Filter BF-1 BF1View on Amazon - 5
10 Pack Lawn Mower 1/4 Inch Inline Gas Fuel Filter for 298090View on Amazon - 6
394358 AM38708 298090 Lawn Mower 1/4" Inline Gas Fuel FilterView on Amazon
Verdict: Choose foam if your mower takes a foam element for its air cleaner and the listings here match your engine series. Choose pleated paper if your engine takes an oval pleated-paper cartridge for select Intek and Professional engines. The two sides here serve different engines, so fitment decides before material does.
A mower working through dust, dry grass and clippings asks a lot of a small air filter, and a clogged element starves the engine of air. When the filter comes out grey and packed with debris, the owner faces the foam vs paper air filter lawn mower question. This comparison covers what separates the two sides, then three examples from the listings reviewed.
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| # | Product | Acre Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Briggs & Stratton 795066 Pleated-Paper Air Filter | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |  MOWFILL 799579 Foam Air Filter | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |  ZLKSKER 799579 Foam Air Filter 2-Pack | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
Briggs & Stratton 795066 Pleated-Paper Air Filter
Genuine oval pleated-paper cartridge for select Intek and Professional engines, sized approximately 5.5 inches long and 2.75 inches wide.
Read the full review
The Briggs cartridge is the only paper example here and the only genuine OEM part, sized approximately 5.5 inches long and 2.75 inches wide in an oval shape. The listing names select Intek and Professional engines and select Craftsman, Husqvarna and Cub Cadet walk-behind applications, and it gives replacement numbers 4240 and 4246. A pre-cleaner, part number 796254, applies where applicable, and the stated weight is 1.28 ounces.
Pros
- Genuine Briggs and Stratton part, per the listing
- Pleated-paper media helps capture dust, grass clippings and airborne debris
- Oval shape helps maintain a secure seal and reduce unfiltered air bypass
- Detailed engine fitment list published on the listing
Cons
- Fits select engines only, so verify engine model and part number before ordering
- Only one cartridge in the box
- Oval shape fits specified housings only
- No concrete warranty term is stated on the listing
MOWFILL 799579 Foam Air Filter
Foam air filter for Briggs 799579, 4248 and 5434 applications, sized 4.25 inches long, 3.31 inches wide and 0.84 inches high.
Read the full review
The MOWFILL element is a square foam filter sized 4.25 inches long, 3.31 inches wide and 0.84 inches high, replacing part numbers 799579, 4248 and 5434 for most 550E-550Ex series engines. The maker claims 5 times service life and states that the filter meets OEM standards. One inconsistency deserves a note: the bullets promise one set while the spec table counts 5, so the pack count stays unclear.
Pros
- Foam construction stated to meet OEM standards
- Fits most 550E-550Ex series engines, per the listing
- Maker claims 5 times service life
- Separately packaged and easy to store, per the listing
Cons
- Pack count is unclear: bullets promise one set while the spec table counts 5
- No weight is stated on the listing
- No warranty term is stated on the listing
- Service life claim has no stated baseline
ZLKSKER 799579 Foam Air Filter 2-Pack
Foam air filter 2-pack for Briggs 799579 applications, sized 4.3 inches long, 3.3 inches wide and 0.9 inches high.
Read the full review
The ZLKSKER element is a rectangular foam filter sized 4.3 inches long, 3.3 inches wide and 0.9 inches high, sold as a pack of 2 for most 550E-550Ex series engines and Troy Bilt models. The listing states foam that meets the OEM standard, with good sturdiness and breathability. One inconsistency deserves a note: the spec table lists Quantity 5 while the bullets say 2, so trust the bullets and count on a pack of 2.
Pros
- Pack of 2, per the bullets and Number of Items
- Foam stated to meet OEM standard
- Listing states good sturdiness and breathability
- Listing states easy installation and a perfect fit
Cons
- Spec table Quantity 5 conflicts with the stated pack of 2
- No weight is stated on the listing
- No warranty term is stated on the listing
- Rectangular shape must match the housing
Other machines to compare
Washable Foam Filter Material for Uni Filter BF-1 BF1Check price on Amazon
10 Pack Lawn Mower 1/4 Inch Inline Gas Fuel Filter for 298090Check price on Amazon
394358 AM38708 298090 Lawn Mower 1/4" Inline Gas Fuel FilterCheck price on Amazon
Foam vs paper air filter lawn mower side by side
| Factor | Foam: MOWFILL 799579 | Foam: ZLKSKER 799579 | Paper: Briggs 795066 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media | Foam | Foam | Pleated paper |
| Part number | 799579 | 799579 | 795066 |
| Size | 4.25 x 3.31 x 0.84 inches | 4.3 x 3.3 x 0.9 inches | Approximately 5.5 inches long, 2.75 inches wide |
| Shape | Square | Rectangular | Oval |
| Pack | One set in bullets, 5 Count in spec table | Pack of 2 | 1 Count |
| Fitment | Most 550E-550Ex series engines | Most 550E-550Ex series engines | Select Intek and Professional engines |
| Weight | Not stated | Not stated | 1.28 ounces |
| Warranty | Not stated | Not stated | 1, no unit stated |
Figures are manufacturer stated for the examples, collected 28 October 2026.
Foam: what the listings show
Both foam examples replace the same Briggs part number, 799579, and both state foam construction that meets OEM standards. The MOWFILL example is a square element sized 4.25 inches long, 3.31 inches wide and 0.84 inches high, while the ZLKSKER example is a rectangular element sized 4.3 inches long, 3.3 inches wide and 0.9 inches high. Both name most 550E-550Ex series engines and Troy Bilt mowers. The MOWFILL maker claims 5 times service life, stated without a baseline, and the ZLKSKER listing states good sturdiness and breathability. Neither foam listing states a weight or a warranty term.
Paper: what the listing shows
The paper example is a genuine Briggs and Stratton oval pleated-paper cartridge, part number 795066, for select Intek and Professional engines. It measures approximately 5.5 inches long and 2.75 inches wide, and the listing names select Craftsman, Husqvarna and Cub Cadet walk-behind mower applications. The pleated-paper media helps capture dust, grass clippings and airborne debris before they enter the engine, per the listing, and the oval shape helps maintain a secure seal. A pre-cleaner, part number 796254, applies where applicable, and the stated weight is 1.28 ounces.
Fitment comes first
Neither side wins on fitment in general, because the examples serve different engines. The foam examples fit most 550E-550Ex series engines, while the paper example fits select Intek and Professional engines. The paper listing states the rule plainly: match filter shape and dimensions before ordering, and verify engine model and part number. That rule applies to the foam side too, since the two foam elements differ in shape and size.
Upkeep differences
The listings here say little about cleaning or replacement timing, so no upkeep winner can be named from them. The MOWFILL maker claims 5 times service life without a stated baseline, and the ZLKSKER listing states easy installation without a service interval. The paper listing says nothing about washing or reuse, and it names a pre-cleaner where applicable. With no interval stated, check the element during routine maintenance and replace it when it looks packed with debris.
The examples
Acreage and terrain fit
Briggs & Stratton 795066
MOWFILL 799579
ZLKSKER 799579
Matching It to Your Property
- Match the filter to the engine series on the mower in the shed, not to the material alone.
- Foam examples here fit most 550E-550Ex series engines, while the paper example fits select Intek and Professional engines.
- Keep a spare element in the workshop so a clogged filter does not end a mowing day.
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 scores each filter on performance, build, value, safety and warranty. Performance follows the stated fitment detail and media claims, build follows the stated construction and shape. No listing here states a concrete warranty term or a safety certification, so every warranty and safety score is zero.
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Briggs & Stratton 795066 | 9.6 | 30 | 21 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
| MOWFILL 799579 | 9.6 | 29 | 20 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
| ZLKSKER 799579 | 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
Can I use a foam filter where a paper filter fits?
Only if the part number, shape and dimensions match. The examples here serve different engine series, so no swap between them is stated.
How do I know which air filter my mower takes?
Match the filter shape and dimensions, and verify the engine model and part number, as the paper listing states. The foam listings name the part numbers they replace, and the paper listing names its engine fitment list.
What does a pleated-paper cartridge do?
The pleated-paper media helps capture dust, grass clippings and airborne debris before they enter the engine, per the listing. The oval shape helps maintain a secure seal and reduce unfiltered air bypass.
How long does a foam air filter last?
No service interval is stated on either foam listing. The MOWFILL maker claims 5 times service life without a stated baseline, so treat that as a maker claim rather than a schedule.
Do foam and paper filters fit the same mower?
Not in these examples. The foam elements replace part number 799579 for most 550E-550Ex series engines, while the paper cartridge is part number 795066 for select Intek and Professional engines.
