Replacement Filters Compatible With Vornado Air Purifiers | Filterbuy
November 6, 2026
TL;DR
Nine Vornado whole-room air purifiers share one True HEPA filter, the MD1-0022: the AC300, AC350, AC500, AC550, PCO200, PCO300, PCO375DC, PCO500, and PCO575DC. AC-series units take the MD1-0023 carbon pre-filter, while PCO-series units take the MD1-0027 Advanced Carbon filter. Plan on a new HEPA filter about once a year. At list prices, a full year of genuine Vornado filters costs roughly $50 to $131.
Key Takeaways
One HEPA filter, the MD1-0022, fits nine Vornado AC-series and PCO-series purifiers.
AC models use the MD1-0023 carbon pre-filter, replaced every 4 to 6 months.
PCO models use the MD1-0027 Advanced Carbon filter, which lasts around a year.
The AC500, AC550, PCO300, PCO500, and PCO575DC hold two of each filter.
Filterbuy has built pleated air filters in U.S. plants since 2013, so we read a purifier manual the way a filter maker does: fit first, media second. Filterbuy doesn't make a Vornado-compatible filter yet, so our team worked through every Vornado owner's guide and part page to map the genuine filters each model needs and what a year of them costs.
Which Replacement Filters Fit My Vornado Air Purifier?
The HEPA filter is the easy part: the MD1-0022 fits every AC-series and PCO-series Vornado whole-room purifier. The carbon filter is where the two lines split: AC models add the MD1-0023 pre-filter, and PCO models add the MD1-0027 Advanced Carbon filter. We checked each fit and filter count against Vornado's MD1-0022 product page, the AC350 and AC550 owner's guides, the PCO375DC and PCO575DC product pages, and National Allergy's Vornado filter guide.
Sources: Vornado product pages and owner's guides, checked November 6, 2026. Vornado is a trademark of Vornado Air, LLC. Filterbuy is not affiliated with Vornado; part numbers are listed for reference.
How Do I Find My Vornado Model Number?
You'll find the model number on the rating label on the back or bottom of the purifier. The first letters, AC or PCO, tell you which carbon filter to buy.
Turn off and unplug the purifier.
Tip the unit gently or turn it around to find the rating label.
Read the model line, such as "AC350" or "PCO375DC," and match it to the table above.
Filterbuy insight: Also check the filter count. The AC500, AC550, PCO300, PCO500, and PCO575DC each take two of each, and ordering just one is the easiest mistake to make.
How Often Should I Replace Vornado Air Purifier Filters?
Vornado recommends a new MD1-0022 HEPA filter about once a year with continuous use and a new MD1-0023 carbon pre-filter every 4 to 6 months. Intervals come from Vornado's MD1-0023, MD1-0027, and MD1-0039 product pages.
Source: Vornado MD1-0022, MD1-0023, MD1-0027 and MD1-0039 product pages; run-hour figures from the AC350 and AC550 owner's guides. Pets, smoke, or construction dust shorten filter life.
How Long Until the Filter Light Comes On?
Filterbuy insight: On the AC350 and AC550, the filter lights track run time rather than how dirty the filter is. The carbon light comes on after 4,000 hours and the HEPA light after 9,000, so part-time use can push the light months or years past Vornado's calendar.
Filterbuy calculation from the run-hour figures in Vornado's AC350 and AC550 owner's guides. Vornado still recommends a new HEPA filter yearly and new carbon every 4ā6 months.
Filterbuy's advice: Write the install date on the filter frame and replace by the calendar instead of waiting for the light.
Pets and smoke wear filters out faster, so swap them early if you notice any of these signs it's time to replace your air purifier filter:
Airflow from the top vent feels weaker.
The HEPA media looks gray or dark.
Odors hang around even on high speed.
See how often to replace pre-filter, HEPA, and carbon filters for more on each layer.
What Do Vornado Replacement Filters Cost per Year?
At Vornado's list prices, a year of genuine filters ranges from roughly $50 for a compact unit to about $131 for a twin-filter AC model running around the clock.
Filterbuy calculation using Vornado.com list prices on November 6, 2026 (MD1-0022 $39.99, MD1-0023 2-pack $16.99, MD1-0027 $14.99, MD1-0039 $24.99) and Vornado's replacement intervals, at 24/7 use, before tax.
What Filterbuy's math shows: On AC models, the inexpensive part drives the cost. Carbon pre-filters make up about 30ā46% of an AC300's yearly spend. See carbon vs. HEPA air purifier filters for why the two wear out differently.
How Do I Replace the Filters in a Vornado Air Purifier?
Swapping filters in a Vornado AC-series purifier takes around five minutes and no tools. These steps follow Vornado's AC350 and AC550 owner's guides.
Unplug the purifier.
Lift off the front panel; magnets hold it, so pull firmly.
Pull out the plastic support frame by its center tabs.
Remove the carbon filter first, then pull the HEPA filter out by its tab. On twin-filter models, repeat for the second set.
Set the new HEPA filter in first and the carbon filter in front of it, pressing around the edges so each one seals.
Refit the frame, bottom tabs first, then the front panel. The unit won't run until the panel is seated.
Reset the lights by holding the matching button for 3 seconds: REPLACE CARBON or REPLACE HEPA on the AC350, or SLEEP (carbon) and AUTO (HEPA) on the AC550.
Easy to miss: If you own an AC550, open the dust sensor door on the right side and wipe the sensor with a cotton swab whenever you change the carbon filters.
PCO models also have a washable permanent pre-filter, so check your owner's guide for those steps.
Are Compatible Filters as Good as Genuine Vornado Filters?
A compatible filter can match the original only if it meets the same efficiency standard and seals without gaps. For HEPA, the U.S. EPA explains that a true HEPA filter removes at least 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size, so look for that spec on any listing.
Fit matters as much as the media. At Filterbuy, we cut every HVAC filter to within 1/8 inch of spec because air always takes the easiest path, and even a small gap lets it slip around the filter. Vornado's guides agree, and they state that its purifiers reach 99.97% capture only with genuine Vornado filters. On warranty, the FTC notes federal law generally bars requiring specific parts unless they're provided free.
Does the Vornado QUBE50 Use the Same Filter?
No. The compact QUBE50, CYLO50, and CYLO51 use the MD1-0039 3-in-1 cartridge, which combines a pre-filter, HEPA media, and carbon in one piece. Vornado recommends replacing it about every 6 months.
How Does a Vornado Purifier Work Alongside Your HVAC Filter?
A Vornado purifier cleans the room it sits in, while your HVAC filter cleans the air moving through the whole house. The EPA's Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home recommends pairing portable air cleaners with a furnace or HVAC filter rated at least MERV 13, or the highest rating the system can handle.
At Filterbuy, quality means more than just a high MERV rating. Every filter we make is designed with durable materials, precision fit, and dependable filtration in mind. Our goal is to deliver filters that capture airborne particles effectively while supporting proper airflow, so homeowners can count on cleaner air and consistent HVAC performance.
Filterbuy's rule for bad-air days: When the AQI tops 100, take two steps. If you have an HVAC system, switch to an EPA-recommended MERV 13 filter. Then run HEPA air purifiers in each room, your Vornado included, with each one sized for its room. No ductwork? Skip step one and rely on room purifiers.
To know when to act, check the live AQI map, learn what the Air Quality Index means, and follow what to do when the AQI tops 100. Filterbuy's guides to running an air purifier during wildfire season and getting rid of pet dander help too. You'll find more in Filterbuy's health and wellness resource library.
Filterbuy's Growing Air Purifier Filter Line
Filterbuy's guide to the purifier filters we make lists every model we currently fit. For whole-home protection, we build MERV 13 air filters in 600+ sizes and ship them free on every order in the continental U.S., usually within 3ā4 business days. Set up air filter auto-delivery and you'll save 5% on every shipment.
Supporting Statistics
1. HEPA Purifiers Cut Fine Particles by 78.8% in Real Homes
A randomized, single-blinded study tested purifiers in 29 homes.
PM2.5 fell 78.8% in the purifier's room and 57.9% in a second room.
Takeaway: Those results depend on a working HEPA filter.
Source: CDC Stacks, Real-World Effectiveness of Portable Air Cleaners (2024)
2. Many VOCs Run up to 10 Times Higher Indoors
During jobs like paint stripping, levels can reach 1,000 times outdoor levels.
HEPA media can't capture these gases.
Takeaway: Carbon handles gases until it saturates.
Source: U.S. EPA, Volatile Organic Compounds and Indoor Air Quality
3. 44% of Americans Live With Failing Air
152.3 million people live in counties with failing air grades.
61.5 million of them face F grades for short-term particle spikes.
Takeaway: Above AQI 100, use a MERV 13 HVAC filter and HEPA purifiers in each room.
Source: American Lung Association, State of the Air 2026
Vornado Air Purifier Filter FAQs
Does Filterbuy Make Vornado Replacement Filters?
Not yet. Filterbuy makes complete air purifier replacement filters for GermGuardian units and Cut Carbon pre-filters for Honeywell HPA-series purifiers. For a Vornado, use the genuine parts above and pair it with a Filterbuy MERV 13 HVAC filter.
Where Can I Buy Genuine Vornado Filters?
Vornado sells every current purifier filter on its air purifier accessories page, including parts for older models not covered here. Orders of $79 or more ship free, and Vornado's filter subscriptions ship free too. Major retailers stock them too.
How Do I Reset the Filter Light on a Vornado Purifier?
Hold the matching reset button for 3 seconds until the light goes off. On the AC350, use REPLACE CARBON or REPLACE HEPA. On the AC550, use SLEEP for carbon and AUTO for HEPA. For other models, check the owner's guide.
Glossary
Filterbuy: A family-owned American air filter manufacturer headquartered in Talladega, Alabama, selling factory-direct since 2013.
Vornado: A home-comfort brand based in Andover, Kansas.
True HEPA filter: A high-efficiency particulate air filter that captures at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns in size.
MD1-0022: Vornado's part number for the True HEPA filter used in its AC-series and PCO-series purifiers.
MD1-0023: Vornado's part number for the activated carbon pre-filter used in the AC300, AC350, AC500, and AC550.
PCO (photocatalytic oxidation): UV light plus a catalyst-coated screen that breaks down some gases. The EPA says it is unproven in home purifiers.
Disclaimer: Filterbuy is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by Vornado. Vornado is a trademark of Vornado Air, LLC.
Sources
Vornado: MD1-0022 True HEPA Filter
Vornado: MD1-0027 Advanced Carbon Filter
Vornado: AC350 Owner's Guide (PDF)
Vornado: AC550 Owner's Guide (PDF)
Vornado: PCO375DC product page
Vornado: PCO575DC product page
National Allergy: Vornado MD1-0022 filter guide
U.S. EPA: What is a HEPA filter?
U.S. EPA: Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home
U.S. FTC: Warranties
CDC Stacks: Real-World Effectiveness of Portable Air Cleaners in Reducing Home Particulate Matter Concentrations
American Lung Association: State of the Air 2026 Key Findings
Vornado: Air Purifier Accessories