I recently bought a new Hoover stand without a pet hair bag and it uses this filter. The previous Hoover I owned used a separate carbon filter and a two-piece motor/fan filter that was washable and reusable but difficult to remove and install. This filter is much better in design and quality. It replaces all three filters on an older vacuum cleaner and is very easy to remove, clean and replace. It protects the motor/fan very effectively and prevents dust from entering the exhaust air. I keep extra filters so I don't have to wait for the washed filter to dry when I vacuum the carpet.