If you have an appropriately sized filter holder, I would just install a MERV 13 or 16 filter. They’re very cost effective, widely available, and they will remove non-living crud, too.
The main problem is that many central air systems use crappy thin filter holders. A good low-resistance filter needs a lot of area, and a 4” or 5” thick format works well, 2” is marginal, and 1” sucks. A good filter holder costs under $200, takes very little effort to install in a new system, and is an incredible pain to retrofit into an existing system. And good filters are essentially unsupported in ductless systems.
The main problem is that many central air systems use crappy thin filter holders. A good low-resistance filter needs a lot of area, and a 4” or 5” thick format works well, 2” is marginal, and 1” sucks. A good filter holder costs under $200, takes very little effort to install in a new system, and is an incredible pain to retrofit into an existing system. And good filters are essentially unsupported in ductless systems.