The invention provides a filter element and an oil bath type air filter, and relates to the technical field of purification equipment. The filter element comprises a filter assembly used for filteringobjects to be filtered, wherein a mass block is fixedly arranged on the filter assembly, and the mass block is used for vibrating along with external power so as to drive the filter assembly to vibrate. According to the technical scheme, after a filter element is loaded on any type of mechanical equipment, impurities or foreign matters are filtered through the filter assembly, the filtered impurities or foreign matters exist in the filter assembly, depending on a vibration source on the mechanical equipment, the mass block arranged on the filter assembly has an amplitude for vibrating along with the vibration source, and then, the filter assembly fixedly connected with the mass block is driven to vibrate, so that the impurities or foreign matters originally adsorbed in the filter assemblyare separated from the filter assembly through the vibration of the filter assembly. The technical scheme has the advantages that the filter element is prevented from being blocked by the foreign matters or the impurities and then losing the filtering capacity, meanwhile, the cleaning or replacing frequency of the filter element is reduced, and the working period of the filter element is prolonged.