Boy do you want to open a can of worms. As a mechanic with a couple of years under my belt, I always recommend and use an OEM filter. You are going to hear from many that will say they are all the same, so go with the cheaper ones. It will boil down to your choice, not what we say.
It is nice to hear some one asking ,,,,
What is the best rather than what is the cheapest.
The best is without doubt the OEM one that was destigned to be used with that engine
#4
jekjr
What would be interesting to know is who makes the OEM ones? I would be willing to bet that they are made by one of the filter manufacturers that makes the other brands as well. Therefore it would be interesting to see which is the best value price wise with that being equal except for the paint.......
The OP asked about the best.
Obviously he values his mower and wants to take the best care he can of it.
I stock Stens oil filters and original B & S, Kohler & Honda filters for no reason other than that is what some customers ask me to fit.
However I know where most of the after market filters that I use are made & I am happy with the quality of them.
I also have sold replacement engines to cheapskates who thought they could replace a $ 15 mower filter with a $ 6.00 car filter because the can was the same size and the holes were the same threads.
I have also replaced the engine on a mower that the owner bought a dozen filters for $20 off evilbay.
The paper turned to mush and blocked off the oil passageways.
He even tried to stick me with the replacement cost because I had fitted the filter he supplied when I serviced his mower.
The same idiot put standard auto fan belts on his deck because he knows it is all a scam, and that ended up costing a new PTO clutch.
