Yes—better CPLs can be worth it. A polarizer sits directly in the optical path, so poor glass or weak coatings can reduce image quality, contrast, and light transmission more than necessary. Community experience here says higher-quality filters from reputable brands can perform noticeably better than cheap ones, and some premium CPLs also transmit more light, which helps with shutter speed and ISO.

That said, brand alone isn’t enough: many brands sell multiple quality tiers, so the specific filter line matters. Also be careful with very low-priced marketplace listings, since counterfeit “name-brand” filters do exist.

A practical rule is to match the filter quality to the rest of your setup. Don’t put a poor filter in front of a good lens if image quality matters. Even on a modest lens, a decent midrange or better CPL is usually a safer buy than the cheapest option. The same logic applies to ND filters.

So if you’ve already noticed quality loss from your current cheap CPL, upgrading to a reputable, higher-quality filter is likely worthwhile.