The Ford Raptor lives for boost, and its twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost is genuinely hungry for air. The factory airbox does a respectable job of staying quiet and clean, but it chokes the turbos under hard throttle and buries that addictive turbo spool behind a wall of plastic. A proper cold air intake opens the door to faster spool, a deeper induction note, and a serviceable filter you keep instead of toss. For a truck that spends its life in dust, sand, and snow, the intake you choose actually matters.
We dug into the intakes Raptor owners actually run, both the oiled-cotton crowd and the dry-filter camp, across the second-gen EcoBoost trucks and the newer Raptor R V8. Below are the seven we trust most, ranked best first. Every pick here is a real, fitment-specific kit you can buy for a Raptor, not a generic universal cone bolted to a hose. We call out the genuine weaknesses too, because no intake is perfect for every owner.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
S&B Cold Air Intake for Ford Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost Best Overall Fully enclosed sealed airbox, dry or oiled filter option, fits 2017-2020 Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
K&N 63 Series AirCharger Cold Air Intake for Ford F-150 Raptor 3.5L Best Filter Life Oiled cotton-gauze filter, heat shield, million-mile limited warranty, 2017-2020 Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
aFe Power Momentum GT Cold Air Intake for Ford Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost Best Sealed Airbox Sealed roto-molded box, Pro DRY S or Pro 5R filter, clear lid, 2017-2020 Raptor 3.5L |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Roush Cold Air Intake Kit for Ford F-150 Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost Best OE-Style Fit Closed airbox, high-flow filter, tuned for factory-like calibration, 2017-2020 Raptor 3.5L |
8.9 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Airaid MXP Series Cold Air Intake for Ford F-150 Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost Best Sound Sealed intake tube, SynthaMax dry or oiled filter, 2017-2020 Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost |
8.7 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Volant Cold Air Intake with PowerCore Filter for Ford Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost Best for Dust Fully enclosed box, Donaldson PowerCore dry filter, 2017-2020 Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost |
8.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Banks Power Ram-Air Cold Air Intake for Ford Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost Best Engineered Sealed Ram-Air box, dry or oiled filter, flow-bench validated, 2017-2020 Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost |
8.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. S&B Cold Air Intake for Ford Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost: Best Overall
S&B has become the default answer for Raptor owners who want gains without gambling on filtration, and it earns the top spot here. The kit ships as a fully enclosed roto-molded box that seals against the hood, so the turbos breathe cooler air instead of the heat soak that open cones pull off the radiator. The standout feature is choice: you pick a dry filter at checkout if you never want to oil or risk over-oiling a MAF sensor, or the traditional cotton-gauze element if you prize airflow and sound. S&B publishes real airflow and efficiency numbers for the kit, which is more transparency than most of this category offers.
The honest weakness is sound. Because the box is fully sealed and the dry filter is conservative, this intake is quieter than the open setups, and buyers chasing a loud turbo whoosh sometimes feel let down. The filter also lives under a lid, so checking it after a dusty run means popping the box rather than glancing at an exposed cone. For a Raptor that actually sees sand and gravel, those are the right trade-offs, and that is why it tops the list.
- Fully enclosed roto-molded airbox seals out hot engine bay air
- Choice of reusable dry or cotton-gauze oiled filter at purchase
- Evaluated airflow data published per kit with documented filtration efficiency
Pros: Sealed box keeps intake temps low and keeps dust out in the desert; Dry-filter option means no oiling and zero MAF contamination worry; Excellent fit and finish with clear documented airflow gains
Cons: Dry filter softens the induction roar some owners want; Filter service requires removing the lid rather than a quick peek
2. K&N 63 Series AirCharger Cold Air Intake for Ford F-150 Raptor 3.5L: Best Filter Life
K&N invented this category, and its 63 Series AirCharger for the Raptor remains the safe, proven pick for owners who want a filter that lasts as long as the truck. The cotton-gauze element is washable and re-oilable, so you clean it instead of buying a new one, and K&N backs the whole kit with its long limited warranty. On the EcoBoost it delivers exactly what most Raptor buyers come for: quicker throttle response and a noticeably deeper induction growl when the turbos load up. Fitment is clean and the instructions are about as foolproof as intakes get.
The catch is the oiled filter itself. K&N filters are forgiving until you re-oil one too generously after a wash, and excess oil can migrate onto the MAF sensor and throw codes or rich trims. It is avoidable with a light hand and a recovery kit, but it is a real maintenance gotcha that the dry-filter kits sidestep entirely. The heat shield also leaves the top of the airbox more open than a fully sealed box, so intake temps are slightly higher on a hot crawl. For pavement and daily duty, none of that matters much.
- Washable cotton-gauze filter rated to be cleaned and reused for the life of the truck
- Roto-molded heat shield isolates the filter from engine bay heat
- Backed by K&N's well-known limited lifetime warranty
Pros: Filter is genuinely reusable and easy to clean and re-oil; Strong, throaty induction note under throttle; Massive brand support and easy parts availability
Cons: Oiled filter can foul the MAF sensor if over-oiled after cleaning; Heat shield is not as fully sealed as a closed box design
3. aFe Power Momentum GT Cold Air Intake for Ford Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost: Best Sealed Airbox
aFe’s Momentum GT splits the difference between a fully sealed box and an exposed cone, and it does it with the slickest packaging in the group. The one-piece roto-molded housing seals to draw cooler air, but the lid has a clear viewing window so you can eyeball the filter condition after a trail run without pulling anything apart. Like S&B, aFe lets you choose your filter media: the Pro DRY S synthetic for no-oil maintenance, or the Pro 5R oiled cotton if you want maximum airflow and a bolder sound. On the Raptor it looks and feels like a genuine upgrade the moment you open the hood.
The weaknesses are minor but real. The Pro 5R version inherits the same over-oiling caution as any cotton filter, so the DRY S is the smarter pick for a dusty Raptor. And while the clear lid is a clever touch, polycarbonate exposed to constant engine heat can haze or pick up scuffs over the years, dulling that showroom look. Performance and fit are not in question, this is a top-tier kit, it just sits a notch behind the S&B and K&N on long-term reassurance.
- One-piece sealed roto-molded housing with a viewing window in the lid
- Choice of Pro DRY S synthetic or Pro 5R oiled cotton filter
- Large conical filter for high surface area and airflow
Pros: Sealed box plus clear lid lets you check the filter without tools; Dry synthetic option keeps maintenance simple; Aggressive, premium look under the hood
Cons: Pro 5R oiled version carries the usual over-oiling risk; Clear lid can haze or scuff over years of heat cycling
4. Roush Cold Air Intake Kit for Ford F-150 Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost: Best OE-Style Fit
Roush builds and sells its own supercharged Fords, so its intake for the Raptor comes from a shop that genuinely understands the EcoBoost platform rather than a generic catalog vendor. The kit uses a closed airbox and a high-flow filter, and the whole thing bolts in with the kind of fit that looks like it left the factory that way. For owners who want a real airflow improvement without a loud, attention-grabbing induction note or a wild aftermarket look, Roush hits a tasteful middle ground that also plays nicely with resale.
That restraint is also the limitation. Because Roush prioritizes a refined, OE-style result, the sound is more polite than the open-element crowd, and enthusiasts chasing drama under throttle may find it underwhelming. You also get fewer choices than the modular kits: there is no menu of dry versus oiled media, you run what Roush ships. None of that hurts performance, but it makes this a kit for the owner who values engineering and finish over noise and customization.
- Closed airbox design engineered alongside Roush's own Raptor program
- High-flow filter with a factory-quality fit and finish
- Direct bolt-on that retains a clean, OE-looking engine bay
Pros: Engineered by a name with deep Ford performance pedigree; Closed box keeps temps and dust under control; Looks factory-clean, which appeals to resale-minded owners
Cons: More subdued sound than open-element kits; Fewer filter media choices than S&B or aFe
5. Airaid MXP Series Cold Air Intake for Ford F-150 Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost: Best Sound
If the reason you bought a Raptor is the drama, Airaid’s MXP intake leans hard into it. The kit pairs a sealed intake tube with a big filter, and on the twin-turbo EcoBoost it produces among the most rewarding induction notes in this roundup, a real swell of turbo whoosh and intake snarl every time you get into boost. Airaid offers its SynthaMax dry synthetic media for owners who hate oiling, or a red oiled element for those chasing the absolute most airflow and the loudest result. Throttle response sharpens up in a way you genuinely feel from the seat.
The flip side of all that character is livability. The same note that thrills on an onramp can wear on you during a long, droning highway stretch, and noise-sensitive passengers will notice. The MXP also is not as fully buttoned-up as a closed box, so on a slow, hot crawl the intake air temps creep up a touch compared with the S&B or Roush. It is a fantastic choice for the owner who wants to hear the turbos, just go in knowing you are trading some quiet for that grin.
- Large synthetic SynthaMax dry or red oiled filter options
- Sealed intake tube routes cooler air to the turbos
- Bold induction sound that gets louder under boost
Pros: A very satisfying turbo and induction notes in the group; Dry SynthaMax filter needs no oil and is washable; Strong throttle response that owners feel immediately
Cons: Loud note can become tiring on long highway drives; Less enclosed than a fully sealed box, so temps run slightly warmer
6. Volant Cold Air Intake with PowerCore Filter for Ford Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost: Best for Dust
Volant’s pitch to Raptor owners is simple: protect the engine first. The kit uses a fully enclosed airbox with a Donaldson PowerCore dry filter, the kind of media that comes out of serious industrial and heavy-equipment filtration. For a Raptor that actually gets used the way Ford intended, in deep dust, blowing sand, and washboard trails, that filtration pedigree is a real selling point, and the dry media means you never touch an oil bottle or risk gumming up the MAF. The sealed box also keeps the turbos breathing cooler air than any open cone could.
What you give up is character and convenience. The PowerCore setup is tuned for protection over theater, so it is one of the quieter intakes here and will disappoint anyone shopping for sound. The specialized filter element is also less of a grab-it-anywhere part than a common cotton-gauze cone, so plan replacements ahead rather than counting on a local shelf. For pure desert-runner duty, though, few intakes guard the engine this well, and that focus earns it a spot.
- Donaldson PowerCore dry filter media built for heavy dust environments
- Fully enclosed airbox seals out debris and hot air
- Long service intervals between filter cleanings
Pros: Outstanding filtration for sand, desert, and off-road duty; Dry media means no oiling and no MAF contamination; Sealed box keeps intake temps in check
Cons: PowerCore filter is a quieter, less aggressive sound; Replacement filter element is a more specialized part to source
7. Banks Power Ram-Air Cold Air Intake for Ford Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost: Best Engineered
Banks is an engineering-first company, and its Ram-Air intake for the Raptor reflects that mindset. Rather than chasing looks or noise, Banks designs the sealed enclosure and large intake tube around measured airflow, then validates the result on a flow bench and publishes the data. On the EcoBoost that translates to a kit that quietly does its job, feeding the turbos cooler, cleaner air with a focus on real, repeatable gains rather than marketing claims. You can spec it with a dry or oiled filter depending on how you weigh maintenance against airflow.
The reasons it lands lower on this list are about fit for the typical buyer, not quality. The styling is deliberately understated, so owners who want a head-turning engine bay will find it plain next to the aFe or Airaid. The install is also a bit more involved than a quick drop-in, with more pieces to seal and route correctly. For the data-driven Raptor owner who cares about how the intake actually performs over how it looks, Banks is a genuinely strong, well-engineered option.
- Sealed Ram-Air enclosure engineered and flow-bench validated by Banks
- Choice of dry or oiled high-flow filter element
- Large-diameter intake tube to feed the twin turbos
Pros: Backed by genuine engineering and published flow data; Sealed enclosure controls heat and keeps debris out; Solid build quality and thoughtful fitment
Cons: More understated styling than flashier show kits; Heavier, more involved install than a simple drop-in cone
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a cold air intake add real power to my Ford Raptor?
On the twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost, a quality cold air intake delivers modest but genuine gains, typically a small bump in horsepower and torque along with faster turbo spool and crisper throttle response. The bigger, more noticeable change is in feel and sound rather than dyno numbers. Where an intake really pays off is when it is paired with a tune, because the EcoBoost can use the extra airflow far more aggressively once the calibration is adjusted to take advantage of it. On a stock truck, expect a sharper, more responsive Raptor rather than a dramatically faster one.
Should I run a dry filter or an oiled filter on a Raptor?
It comes down to how and where you drive. Oiled cotton-gauze filters, like K&N’s, flow extremely well and produce a louder induction note, but they require occasional cleaning and re-oiling, and over-oiling can contaminate the MAF sensor. Dry synthetic filters, such as S&B’s dry option, aFe Pro DRY S, or Volant’s PowerCore, skip the oil entirely, so there is no MAF risk and maintenance is just a wash and dry. For a Raptor that sees a lot of dust, sand, and desert running, most owners lean toward a dry filter in a sealed box for the cleanest balance of protection and convenience.
Do I need a tune after installing a cold air intake on my Raptor?
You do not strictly need one. Every reputable bolt-on intake in this guide is designed to work safely on a stock Raptor without throwing codes, and the truck’s MAF-based system adapts to the added airflow on its own. That said, a tune is where an intake unlocks its full potential, because the calibration can be adjusted to use the extra air for more boost and timing. If you plan to add other bolt-ons later, budgeting for a tune turns a collection of small gains into a noticeably stronger truck. Without a tune, the intake still improves response and sound, just to a smaller degree.
Will a cold air intake void my Ford Raptor warranty?
Installing an intake does not automatically void your factory warranty. Under U.S. consumer protection law, a dealer generally cannot deny a warranty claim simply because you added an aftermarket part, the failure has to actually be caused by that part. In practice, if an intake-related issue damages your engine, that specific repair could be denied, but unrelated claims should remain covered. Keeping the factory airbox so you can reinstall it before service visits is a smart, simple precaution, and choosing a well-known brand with clean fitment reduces the odds of any dispute.
Can I install a cold air intake on my Raptor myself?
Yes, for most owners this is a very approachable do-it-yourself job. The vast majority of these kits are direct bolt-on designs that reuse factory mounting points and need only basic hand tools, with installs usually taking somewhere between thirty minutes and a bit over an hour. The drop-in and sealed-box kits from S&B, K&N, and aFe are especially straightforward and come with clear instructions. The Banks kit is slightly more involved with more pieces to seal and route, but it is still well within reach of a careful home mechanic who follows the steps and double-checks every clamp.
Our Verdict
For most Ford Raptor owners, the S&B Cold Air Intake is the pick we keep coming back to, because its fully sealed box, choice of dry or oiled filter, and published airflow data give you real gains with the dust protection a Raptor actually needs. The K&N 63 Series AirCharger is the runner up and the right call if you want a proven, lifetime-warrantied filter and a louder induction note, just mind the oiling. From there, the aFe Momentum GT, Roush, Airaid, Volant, and Banks each win specific use cases, sealed cleanliness, OE-style finish, sound, extreme dust, and pure engineering, so match the kit to how you actually drive your truck.
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