We love our pets dearly. Are you looking for the best air purifier for pets? Unfortunately, it’s not easy to share a roof with your furry soulmate if you or a family member are allergic to pet hair, saliva or dander. As much as you want your pet to continue giving you company and protection, well, they might also be jeopardizing your health.
So what’s the best way to ensure you don’t fall into an allergy-symptom siege each time you curl up next to your pet? Three words: pet air purifiers.
These gadgets are designed to remove even the tiniest dust particle and pollutant. This way, the air inside your home remains clean; hence reducing your chances of suffering pet allergy. In our post, we’ve compiled a list of the best air purifiers for pets.
Get Our Top Pick: Alen BreatheSmart
Table of Contents
Key Features to Look For when Buying an Air Purifier for Pets
There are tons of air purifiers on the market. Unfortunately, a majority of manufacturers don’t offer much explanation on how these devices work. How then can you determine whether a particular purifier is ideal for a home with pets? Well, we’ve compiled a list of features you should take into consideration:
Size of your Home
The first factor you should focus on is the amount of coverage you want your air purifier to provide. A compact air purifier designed for a desktop won’t be effective in a big living space. On the other hand, bigger, heavy-duty air purifiers might be a little too much for a small kid’s bedroom.
The easiest way to go about this is to calculate the area of your home, then look for a purifier rated for that room size. We recommend choosing a model certified to clean a slightly larger space than you’re planning to use it in. This way, the purifier will operate at a faster rate.
Another technique you can use to determine whether a purifier is the right fit for your home is to look at the air changes per hour. This metric will be specified in the package label of most air purifiers. As an example, a small air purifier can change up the air in a 300-square foot space at least eight times but only manage four air changes in a larger 600-square foot space.
Type of Pollutant
Some indoor purifiers are more efficient at filtering specific types of pollutants than others. In this case, your primary concern entails the dozens of pollutants that result from keeping a pet..
Usually, air purifiers are evaluated based on how well they can filter pollutants of varying sizes. Thus, you’ll want to look for one that can filter even microscopic pollutants such as pet dander.
The best way to go about this is to check the purifier’s clean air delivery rate (CADR). CADR is a measurement invented by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). It helps you know how good a gadget is, at filtering different pollutants in a given room size.
Let’s say a particular air purifier has a CADR rating of 150 for pet hair. This means the device can reduce this pollutant’s concentration at the rate of 150 cubic feet of fresh air per minute.
The general rule of thumb is that the higher the CADR value, the more particles the purifier can get rid of, and the larger the space it can clean.
Important to note is that some air purifiers have one CADR rating while others have different CADR values for dust, pet dander, hair, pollen and more. So when you’re shopping, check the purifier’s rating for the pollutants you’re most interested in eliminating.
Type of Filter
Most air purifiers have two or more filters: a prefilter and a main filter. The prefilter is designed to trap large-sized particles such as pet hair whereas the main filter traps smaller particles.
The pre-filters are fairly similar among different brands. You may come across models that are washable while others are disposable. Disposable filters will cost you more in the long run, so you might want to invest in the washable variety.
But what you should be really interested in is the main filter. For an indoor purifier for pets, it’s better to invest in a true high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter as it can trap pollutants that are just 0.3 microns in size.
To put this into perspective, humans can only see particles that are about 70 microns in size using the naked eye. This shows just how effective a HEPA filter is at capturing small-sized particles like pet dander.
Plus, these filters are recommended by both the EPA and the American Lung Association and can trap up to 99.97% of particles in the atmosphere.
Other than the pre-filter and HEPA filter, you should look for an air purifier with additional filtration mechanisms. More specifically, it should have an activated carbon filter so that it’s able to trap pet odor compounds.
Noise Level
It’s not unusual for a pet to get frightened by loud noises like thunderstorms or fireworks. But some breeds suffer from long-term anxiety, and get spooked by the slightest noise.
This could be because of an underlying medical condition. It could also be caused by a traumatic experience that they went through in the past.
Regardless of the cause, you should eliminate triggers that exacerbate their anxiety. Unfortunately, some air purifiers are quite loud, and this can cause your pup or kitty to get scared. If you don’t want to trigger your pet’s phobia, look for an indoor purifier that produces minimal to zero noise.
The noise level of an air purifier is measured in decibels (dB), so this is the metric you should look for in the gadget’s specs. The quietest models will have a 20-40 dB rating. Any purifiers that produce 60 dB and above will be too much for a baby’s room or pet’s playroom.
The Levoit Core P350 is a good case in point as it’s equipped with QuietKEAP technology to minimize noise levels. This is particularly important when the device is operating at a higher speed. Such air purifiers aren’t only good for anxious pets but also for households with toddlers.
Portability
Some air purifiers are designed with mobility in mind. They’re light and compact; hence easy to carry around.
If you want a purifier that you can use in your living room during the day and your bedroom overnight, a small air purifier will do. However, if you want a larger purifier that you can still move from one location to another, invest in one with some caster wheels.
Why Do You Need an Air Purifier for Pets?
Living with your pet indoors means having to put up with a couple of things including pet odors, urine stains and skin dander. In case you’re wondering, dander is made up of very tiny flecks of skin shed by pets. If you’re allergic to these bits of skin, the presence of dander in your home can cause respiratory distress.
Regardless of how often you clean or vacuum your home, it’s just not enough to get rid of these pollutants, especially pet dander. This is why it’s important to purchase an air purifier that can eliminate all these pollutants. Besides, having a pollutant-free home means your pet gets to breathe fresh and clean air as well.
Reviews of the Best Air Purifier for Pets
1. Alen BreatheSmart FIT50 Air Purifier
Compact, stylish and equipped with HEPA filters, the Alen BreatheSmart FIT50 has everything you need in an air purifier for pets.
Design-wise, the purifier comes in 8 different colors allowing you to choose one that matches your home decor. Measuring 10 x 16.8 x 22.2 inches, this device is designed to cover a space of up to 900 square feet.
But what truly sets the FIT50 apart is that it uses a true HEPA filter. This is a part of its three-stage filtration system that starts a washable pre-filter. The pre-filter gets rid of large particles while the HEPA filter removes tinier particles (up to 0.3 microns). The last stage is facilitated by an ozone-safe ionizer, which further helps with the filtration process.
According to one customer, this air purifier is also efficient at removing pet odors. The model we choose here is designed specifically to eliminate pet dander and unpleasant smells. However, you can also find one tailored for removing dust, mold and smoke/chemicals.
FIT50 sports an intuitive design, making it easy to operate. The navigation panel is located on the top for easy accessibility. This is where you’ll find light-up buttons, a center ring indicator and the brand’s logo. The power button illuminates in different shades to notify you when the purifier detects particles in the atmosphere.
When you’re not around or if you don’t want to keep configuring the settings, set the purifier to auto mode. This way, it will automatically adjust the fan’s speed to purify your home more efficiently.
Pros
- True HEPA filters to remove small-sized pollutants
- Can also remove pet odors
- Has a large coverage
- Has a lock feature to prevent tampering
- Auto mode adjusts fan speed automatically
- Available in multiple colors
- Filter can last for up to 9 months
Cons
- Pricey
2. Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier
Even though Winix is not the most popular brand of home purifying devices, they make a decent range of products that are worth looking into. The HR900 Ultimate Pet Purifier, for instance, is an affordable 5-stage filter that’s perfect for homes with furry pets.
Measuring 16.3 x 23.6 x 9.6 inches, this device sports an innovative design that draws air from the front and sides via a perforated grill. After purifying the air, it pushes it back tout through the top. Important to note is that this air purifier can clean air in spaces that are up to 300 square feet.
The purification system is achieved using five different filters. In the first stage, air is passed through Winix ultimate pet filter, which captures any large-sized particles. If any of these particles happen to slip by, they’re trapped in the second stage through the washable pre-filter.
In the third stage, an Advanced Odor Control (AOCTM) carbon filter gets rid of pet odors as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and smoke. Next, the True HEPA filter captures smaller size particles. Finally, Winix Plasma Wave ionizer comes into play to further reduce the amount of harmful pollutants.
Pros
- Employs a thorough 5-step cleaning technique
- Adjustable speed
- Washable pre-filter is easy to maintain
- Quiet operation
- Intuitive design for ease of use
- Has a child lock feature to prevent tampering
Cons
- Difficult to find a filter replacement
3. Hamilton Beach TrueAir 04386A Air Purifier
Looking for an air purifier that’s suitable for a small space? Well, look no further than the Hamilton Beach TrueAir model.
Sporting a minimalist design, this device provides coverage for an area that is at least 160 square feet. This makes it suitable for purifying air in home-based offices, kids rooms and pets’ play areas.
The purifier measures 8.5 x 6 x 13.5 inches and weighs just 5.74 pounds, meaning it’s light enough to move from one room to another. Better yet, the TrueAir has a stylish and angular design making it easy to set up either horizontally or vertically.
Like a majority of the purifiers in our review, this one also has a HEPA-grade filter. This makes it capable of trapping both large and small-sized pollutants including mold spores and pet dander.
Another point worth mentioning is that it has 3 speed settings, giving you maximum control over its operation. Want the purifier to circulate fresh air quickly? Choose the “quick setting”. Similarly, if you want it to circulate air at a slower rate, all you need to do is choose the “quiet mode”.
Pros
- It’s affordable
- Offers 3 different speed settings
- Reasonably-quiet operation
- Uses HEPA filter for the best filtration process
- Ideal for purifying air in small spaces
Cons
- Has one-stage filtration system
4. LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home and Pets
If you have a limited budget, the LEVOIT Air Purifier is one of the more affordable options. Despite its reasonable pricing, it doesn’t skimp on any vital functions.
This air purifier employs Levoit’s ARC Formula for the filtration process. This constitutes an activated carbon filter that’s designed to break down pollutants into tiny harmless molecules.
One of our favorite features about the ARC technology is that it starts by absorbing any unpleasant smells. So not only will your home be free of pet dander but also any foul smells your pup brings home.
The 360-degree air inlet technology is another aspect that sets the Levoit purifier from the pack. This allows the filter to take in air from every direction and then purify it up to 5 times before circulating it back into the atmosphere. According to the manufacturer, the purifier touts a clean air delivery rate of 240m³/h.
One customer was particularly impressed with the purifier’s QuietKEAP technology. As you might have guessed from the name, this helps to keep the gadget’s noise levels low when it’s in operation. This means that if you have an anxious pet that gets spooked easily, you can rest easy knowing the purifier’s working mechanism won’t frighten them.
Pros
- Pet lock button to prevent accidental tampering
- Uses a 3-in-1 HEPA filter
- Compliant with CARB standards of indoor cleaning devices
- QuietKEAP technology to reduce purifier’s noise level
- Highly-durable thanks to the abrasion-resistant build of internal parts
Cons
- Lacks settings to adjust from high to low; timer automatically switches off after time elapses
5. Germ Guardian Air Purifier
Looking to purchase an air purifier with an advanced filtration system? The Germ Guardian AC5350B is a fantastic choice.
Starting with design, the purifier has a really classy design that will look stunning regardless of where you place it. Measuring 9.06 x 6.69 x 27.56 inches, this device is longer than it is wide, and it comes in black or white colors.
However, its key highlight is its 4-in-1 filtration system that employs UV C light. While the HEPA filter works to remove pet dander, hair and pollen, the ultraviolet light destroys airborne viruses like influenza.
What’s more, it’s equipped with an activated carbon filter that serves to remove unpleasant odors from pets, cooking fumes and smoke.
Unlike other brands where replacement filters are a little tricky to find, Guardian Technologies ensures that their filters are readily available. After every 6 to 8 months, look for this brand’s specific filters and replace the one in your purifier.
Pros
- Uses true HEPA filter for ultimate air purification
- Convenient filter replacement
- UV light helps to kill airborne viruses
- Backed by a 5-year warranty
- Includes a quiet mode with programmable timer
Cons
- It’s too loud despite the Quiet mode
Wrap Up
When making a decision to buy a pet, we often consider factors like budget, the health of the pet, and breed. However, it is equally important to consider how a new pet might impact the health of you or your family.
Regardless of whether you suffer from pet allergies or not, an air purifier for pets is a necessary investment. Not only does it get rid of pet dander and hair but also heavy odors that your pup might bring home from the outdoors.
That said, there are a few things you should take into consideration before purchasing an indoor purifier. It should be able to filter air in the space where you’ve installed it. Essentially, it should provide enough coverage for your home.
The air purifier should also have a True HEPA filter that helps to remove very tiny articles. A carbon filter is another must-have feature as it’s good for removing pet smells. One air purifier that checks all these boxes is the Alen BreatheSmart FIT50 Purifier. It can remove microscopic particles thanks to the HEPA filter, and provides coverage of up to 900 square feet.
