As much as we love our furry friends, there’s no denying that pets can pong from time to time. Whether you’re a cat, dog, hamster, or even a fish household, having a pet in your home will inevitably contribute some unpleasant smells over time.
Although this is a small price to pay for the love and companionship of having a pet in the family, I’m sure we would all love to eradicate these unpleasant odors. Especially when you consider we often become nose blind to the smells in our home, so it may be even worse than you think!
With the pet industry booming in recent years, there are many innovations you can buy to help care for your pet. But when it comes to unwanted odors, one of the most effective solutions is to invest in a quality air purifier.
In order to tackle odors, or any volatile organic compound (VOC), you will need a purifier with an activated carbon filter. This filter, made up of a sponge-like bed of charcoal, works by absorbing VOCs from the air as they pass through the purifier.
As well as odors, we know pet dander and hair can be a nuisance when cleaning your home and trigger allergies amongst many other unpleasant side effects. An air purifier can certainly help with this issue too. As each purifier on our list also utilizes HEPA filters, they can easily capture and remove these particles and odors from the air.
When choosing an air purifier, bear in mind that different machines are best suited to certain size spaces. So whether you’re looking for a large-room purifier like the Conway Airmega 400, or a purifier suited to a small space like the Winix HR900, we’ve included a range to suit everyone’s needs.
We analyzed Consumer Reports and genuine customer reviews to ensure each purifier has been endorsed by real users and you can rest assured they will leave your home feeling fresh and free from pet odor.
1. LEVOIT Core P350
The Core P350 air purifier from Levoit is ideal for anyone who suffers from pet allergies or is conscious of pet odors. It uses a three-in-one combination filtration system that not only captures pet dander and hair, but features a specially designed pre-filter, a high-grade, revised active carbon filter, and an H13 True HEPA filter, which makes pet odors a thing of the past.
Its cylindrical shape and appealing design make it suitable for any room in the house. The controls are on the top of the unit and comprise fan speed, timer, display, and sleep mode buttons. It measures 14.2 inches high and weighs 7.5lbs.
To ensure the 360-degree air intake works efficiently, leave a gap of at least 15 inches around the unit. It comes with a one-year warranty and lifetime customer support.
We have published an in-depth hands-on review of the Levoit Core 300, which is very similar apart from the improved pet filter that exists for the P350.
- Purifier Technology: H13 True HEPA filtration
- Room Size Suitability: 219 sq. ft.
- Filter Life: 6 – 8 months
- Noise level: 24 – 50 dB
- Monthly energy Consumption: $1.30
What we love:
- With its stylish looks, it blends in perfectly with any decor
- It runs very quietly and the sleep mode is almost silent
- The display can be turned off for discreet use in a bedroom
We don’t like this as much:
- It doesn’t have an air quality indicator which would be useful
- Genuine Replacements: Only use genuine Levoit replacement parts to ensure excellent performance (Search for: LEVOIT Core P350-RF). The convenient check filter indicator informs you when it might be time for a new filter. Filters should be replaced every 6–8 months
- Perfect Gift for Pet Families: Ideal for pet allergies, improve your air quality and help you and your pets relieve allergic symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, sinuses and heavy breathing. Ozone-free, approved by CARB, ETL listed and CA PROP 65 certified
- High Powered: The Vortexair Technology offers an increased CADR of 141 CFM / 240 m³/h, handily covering rooms as large as 219 ft2 (20㎡) and refreshing the air 5 times per hour, perfect for bedroom, living room, dining room or pet room
- H13-Grade True HEPA Filter: Reduces up to 99.97% of harmful air pollutants, smoke, pollen, mold spores, dust mites and other allergens as small as 0.3 microns from the air. This new fine non-woven fabric pre-filter is more effective than other common pre-filters at capturing floating hair, pet fur, pet dander, dust, fibers, lint
- Sleep Mode and Timer: The QuietKEAP Technology keeps noise levels as low as 24dB. Set a timer for 2, 4, 8, or 12 hours, then turn off the display light to enjoy a perfect and undisturbed night of sleep. The pet lock button prevents your pets from tampering with any of the other buttons or settings
2. Winix HR900
The Winix HR900 pet air purifier provides superior air filtration for pet owners. With high-efficiency, deodorized carbon filters, pet odors are trapped within the five-stage filtration system. This consists of an Ultimate Pet Filter, a Washable Pre-Filter, an Advanced Odor Control (AOCTM) Carbon Filter, and a True HEPA Filter along with a combination of Smart Sensors and innovative technology. This air purifier will also remove pet hair, pet dander, and 99.97% of airborne particles, as small as 0.3 microns.
The HR900 boasts advanced, triple-action air quality sensors that measure suspended particles and odors in the air, automatically adjusting the speed of the fan, and the LED air quality indicator lights change color accordingly. If the room is dark, the unit activates the sleep mode and changes back to Auto when a light is turned on. It measures 16.3 x 9.6 x 23.6 inches and weighs just under 19lbs.
- Purifier Technology: True HEPA filtration
- Room Size Suitability: 300 sq. ft.
- Filter Life: 12 months
- Noise level: 26dB
- Monthly energy Consumption: $1.60
What we love:
- If the air is bad, it automatically increases the fan speed
- It has a child mode that safely locks the settings
- This purifier quickly removes all traces of pet odors
We don’t like this as much:
- User-friendliness could be improved with the addition of a remote control
- The next generation of the wildly popular Winix 9500 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier
- True HEPA filtration captures 99. 97percent of airborne pollutants, pet dander and allergens as small as 0. 3 microns
- Washable Advanced Odor Control (AOCTM) Carbon Filter captures pet odors as well as smoke, kitchen and other household odors. Also extends the life of the True HEPA filter.
- Ultimate pet pre-filter is the first line of defense against pet hair, dander, and large household particles
- Washable pre-filter extends the life of your filter by capturing pet hair and larger airborne particles
3. Coway Airmega 400
The Coway Airmega 400 Smart Air Purifier has a dual, three-stage filtration system that can clean the air every 30 minutes in a 1,560 sq. ft. room, and every 15 minutes in a 780 sq. ft. room, removing 99.97% of contaminants from the air.
Air is drawn in on each side of the unit, where washable pre-filters and Max2 filters combine both activated carbon and True HEPA filters, removing airborne pollutants down to 0.3 microns as well as VOCs and pet odors.
The Airmega 400 features real-time monitoring of your room’s air quality, with colored LED rings that tell you how clean or dirty the air in the room is. With its handy Smart Mode feature, this purifier will automatically adjust the fan speed depending on the air quality. It comes with a remote so you can set any one of the unit’s five fan speeds. It also has a five-year manufacturer’s limited warranty.
- Purifier Technology: True HEPA filtration
- Room Size Suitability: 780 sq. ft.
- Filter Life: 6 months
- Noise level: 22-52dB
- Monthly energy Consumption: $2.00
What we love:
- The Eco mode shuts the fan off periodically to save energy
- Cooking smells and pet odors are cleared within mere minutes
- The filters are easy to clean and replace when needed
We don’t like this as much:
- If it had wheels, portability would be greatly increased
- Coway Airmega 400 room air purifier is designed to accommodate large room sizes up to 1,560 square feet and cleans the air at least two times per hour when used as recommended.
- Coway Airmega Max2 filter-a combined activated carbon and a True HEPA filter-captures and reduces up to 99.99 percent of particles 0.01 microns in the air, including pollen, pollutants and other allergens. It also reduces more than 99 percent of volatile organic compounds and reduces fumes such as NH3 and CH3CHO.
- Coway Airmega’s pollution sensor communicates indoor air quality testing in real-time. The brightly colored LED ring lets you know how clean or dirty your indoor air is, every minute of the day.
- Coway Airmega has five fan modes: Smart, Sleep, Low, Medium and High. Noise level is nearly silent at lower speeds. Max noise at highest setting is 43.2 dB.
- Coway Airmega is a smart, energy efficient air purifier with a three-setting smart mode to adapt to its surroundings. Fan speed automatically adjusts based on the room’s air quality and lighting conditions to improve air quality.
4. LEVOIT LV-H132
Designed for smaller rooms, the LV-H132 air purifier from Levoit is a powerful, compact unit, perfect for removing pet odors. It measures 12.5 inches high and weighs approximately 6lbs. This unit features a three-stage filtration system that consists of a pre-filter to trap dust and hair, a True HEPA filter to capture airborne particles, and an activated carbon filter that will rid you of any nasty pet odors that would otherwise linger.
Being cylindrical, the air intake is located near the bottom of the unit, with clean air being emitted from the top. To make sure the room’s air gets cleaned efficiently, leave at least 15 inches of clearance all around. Simple touch-sensitive buttons on the top of the unit let you control the power, the three-speed fan, and the night light.
There is also a filter indicator light that turns on when the filter needs replacing. The blue night light has three settings, bright, dim, and off. If used in a bedroom, the noise produced is almost non-existent when on the low speed, and still changes the air up to four times per hour.
- Purifier Technology: True HEPA filtration
- Room Size Suitability: 129 sq. ft.
- Filter Life: 6 months
- Noise level: 25-50dB
- Monthly energy Consumption: $0.80
What we love:
- It will remember the settings prior to being switched off
- There are no complicated buttons or controls to learn
- The two-year warranty that it comes with is a welcome surprise
We don’t like this as much:
- The HEPA and activated carbon filter set is quite expensive to replace
- Designed in California. The UVC Light and Anion that other Brands adopt to purify air could produce a kind of air pollutant-Ozone, which is especially harmful for the children, Asthma sufferers and pets. Levoit air purifiers never use these for 100% Ozone free
- Advanced 3-Stage Filtration System: The Pre-Filter, True HEPA Filter, and High-Efficiency Activated Carbon Filter capture allergens, pet hair, dander, smoke, mold, odor and large dust particles, in addition to removing 99. 97% of airborne contaminants as small as 0. 3 microns
- Genuine Replacement Filters: Search for B06XD7X81D for Replacement filter. Use genuine Levoit replacement filters to maintain the best performance and to ensure what you're buying is worthy of your investment
- Adjustable Speeds with Silence: Three speed settings (low, medium, high) to meet different air quality and personal needs. Purify the air with only 25 dB on low level, suitable for restful environment and sleep time
- High-Efficiency Air Purifier: Circulates room air over 4 times per hour to achieve rapid purification. Unique size and contemporary design make the Levoit air purifier suitable for small or medium-sized rooms, like offices and dorms
5. Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0SPA-625A
The Rabbit Air SPA-625A is a seriously impressive-looking air purifier. Slightly futuristic in shape, its dimensions are 22.2H x 16.6W x 9.8D in., and features air intakes on both sides, as well as the bottom, with the air outlet at the back towards the top.
A four-stage filtration system takes care of all the pollutants in the air plus odors. The four stages include a washable pre-filter, a BioGS HEPA filter, a charcoal-based activated carbon filter to eliminate any pet odors, and a negative ion generator. The stage 2 & 3 filters can last up to 3 years of 12 hours of usage per day.
This purifier also has an automatic air quality monitor, which senses when the air quality deteriorates and will adjust the fan speed accordingly. The ultra-quiet fan makes it almost undetectable when set to a low speed. The one control button on the top is used for all functions, cycling through the different settings.
- Purifier Technology: True HEPA filtration
- Room Size Suitability: 300 sq. ft.
- Filter Life: 6-8 months
- Noise level: 22.8-50.4dB
- Monthly energy Consumption: $1.00
What we love:
- There is a slot in the top to store the small remote control
- Set it to Auto mode, and the unit takes care of any air pollution
- If your pet has “an accident”, this purifier will deal with any pet odors
We don’t like this as much:
- The lack of wheels or handles makes it harder move
- The BioGS SPA-625A air purifier will filter all the air in a room up to 625 sq. ft. twice in an hour on the highest setting.
- BioGS HEPA Filtration with 4 stages of purification and deodorization. The BioGS HEPA and Charcoal-Based Activated Carbon Filters will last up to three years, based on 12 hours daily operation. The Pre-Filter is washable.
- An ultra quiet BLDC motor operates at five different speeds. It’s virtually silent at low speed.
- Energy Star certified units will not run up your energy bill.
- Backed by industry leading five-year warranty and 24/7 lifetime technical support. Won several prestigious product design awards including Germany Red Dot award, Good Design Award by Chicago Athenaeum and Japan Good Design Award (G-Mark).
6. Blueair Blue Pure 211+
The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ air purifier is designed for larger rooms and is perfect for pet owners who are concerned about any conspicuous pet odors. It has a “set it and forget it” one-button operation. When powered on, one touch of the control button puts it into Intuitive Auto mode, and the purifier adjusts the fan speed to remove the “bad air”, indicating the air quality with a single colored LED on the front.
It is capable of filtering the air in a 500 sq. ft. room five times per hour, removing large particles with its fabric pre-filter that traps dust, mold spores, and smoke with an electrostatic particle filter. It then finally eliminates household and pet odors with an activated carbon filter. The stylish cube design has a 360-degree air intake with clean air exiting from the top, allowing you to place it anywhere in your room. It is whisper-quiet when set on low speed, so you can position it next to your bed and still have a good night’s sleep.
- Purifier Technology: HEPASilent
- Room Size Suitability: 540 sq. ft.
- Filter Life: 6 months
- Noise level: 23-56dB
- Monthly energy Consumption: $1.00 to $2.00
What we love:
- The washable fabric pre-filter is available in five different colors
- Weighing only 13lbs, it is easy to move from room to room
- If left running 24/7, it uses as much energy as a small light bulb
We don’t like this as much:
- The replacement Particle and Activated Carbon Filter is expensive, coming in at $69
- Performance you can trust; Third-party tested for performance by the AHAM Verified Program for a Clean Air Delivery Rate of Smoke 353, Pollen 380, Dust 347
- Removes 99%* of fine particles from wildfires
; *In 60min. Tested on PM 2.5 (GB/T 18801-2015). - Recommended for large rooms; Completely filters air in large living rooms, family rooms & playrooms about every 12.5 minutes¹ (4.8x an hour at 550 square feet)² on high
- Intuitive Auto mode; Automatically adjusts to real-time conditions reported by the particle sensor to maintain a comfortable home environment
- HEPASilent technology; Delivers more³ clean air with less energy and noise; ;⁴ Activated carbon traps light odors⁵
7. Medify Air MA-40-W V2.0
The Medify MA-40 combines style and technology to bring you an air purifier powerful enough to clean a room up to 840 sq. ft. in 30 minutes, and 420 sq. ft. in 15 minutes. Its three-stage, one-piece filtration system, located at the rear of the unit, has a pre-filter, an H13 HEPA filter to remove 99.9% of unseen particles, and a carbon filter containing carbon pellets for pet odor and smoke removal.
An elegant, tempered glass panel incorporating the easy-to-use touch controls is located on the top of the unit. There’s an ON/OFF button, timer, fan speed, ionizer, and a very useful child lock button. The air intake is located at the back, with fresh, clean air being expelled from the front. A three-color LED light on the front of the unit informs you of the quality of the air in the room, blue for good, green for not-so-good, and red for contaminated air.
- Purifier Technology: HEPA H13 filtration
- Room Size Suitability: 420 sq. ft.
- Filter Life: 6 months
- Noise level: 46-65dB
- Monthly energy Consumption: $2.00
What we love:
- It’s good looking, easy to operate and the 3-in-1 filter gets a thumbs-up
- Easy to set up and keeps the house clear of pet odors
- It weighs 15.5lbs so will not be knocked over by kids or pets
We don’t like this as much:
- There is no Auto mode or air quality monitor indicator
- MAXIMUM COVERAGE: Cleans large spaces up to 1,600 sq ft in one hour, 840 sq ft in 30 minutes (CADR 380). Ideal for homes, apartments, bedrooms, living rooms, offices, schools, universities, classrooms, hospitals, restaurants, and other businesses.
- HEPA H13 FILTRATION: Trusted to remove 99.9% of particles including odors, smoke, pet dander, dust, and more down to 0.1 microns in size. Captures finer particles than HEPA H11 (0.3 microns).
- ULTRA QUIET: Choose from 3 fan speeds, with the lowest setting operating virtually silent. Runs at 110 Volts at a min noise level of 46dB and max of 66dB. For the most discreet operation, enable sleep mode to completely dim the unit's panel lights.
- EASY TO USE FEATURES: Includes a sleek touch screen operation panel with 0-8 hour timer, fan speed, sleep mode, filter replacement indicator, and child lock, great for both kids and pets.
- QUALITY TESTED & BACKED: CARB, ETL, and Energy Star certified. Backed by a USA registered Lifetime Warranty when genuine Medify replacement filters are used. The replacement filter (B07MTQFFNT) lasts 3,000 hours or about 6 months.
8. Alen Air BreatheSmart FIT50
The Alen Air BreatheSmart FIT50 is a compact workhorse capable of cleaning a 900 sq. ft. space twice an hour. Not only does it remove dust, pollen, pet dander, allergens, and normal household odors, but it also eradicates strong pet odors from litter boxes and the odd pet “accident”.
The secret to its odor-eliminating power is the True HEPA-Odorcell filter, which contains proprietary odor-reducing properties that captures any strong pet odor at its molecular level, combined with a H13 True HEPA layer to remove the other “nasties” in the air.
Buttons on the top of the unit control the four-speed fan, an ionizer, timer, and the child lock. You can also turn on the Auto feature and let the purifier make all the decisions for you. The power button lights up with three different colors as the air quality sensor analyzes the air, and it also keeps track of the filter condition, letting you know when it’s time to replace it.
- Purifier Technology: True HEPA filtration
- Room Size Suitability: 900 sq. ft.
- Filter Life: 12 months
- Noise level: 32-49dB
- Monthly energy Consumption: $2.00
What we love:
- It’s stylish, very quiet, and blends into any room in the house
- The control buttons are very clear and easy to understand
- The front panel can be one of five colors, in Oak or Maple
We don’t like this as much:
- The replacement filter is over $100. Good thing it lasts a year!
- COMPACT AND MIGHTY: Cleans 900 SqFt every 30 minutes at a whisper-quiet level. A compact workhorse fits in any space from bedrooms, living rooms, gyms, offices, nurseries, kitchens, basements, and open concept areas
- RECOMMENDED FOR: Dust, allergens, pollen, fur, pet dander, household odors PLUS heavy odors from pets, litter boxes, cooking, stinky diapers, and garbage
- FF50-MP FILTER: Has a proprietary odor-reducing technology that captures and eliminates strong household odors at the molecular level
- TRUE HEPA: Includes a Medical Grade H13 True HEPA layer that removes 99.99% bacteria, aerosolized viruses, and airborne particles larger than 0.1 micron. Includes a vacuumable prefilter to help increase filter life
- 3 AIR QUALITY COLORS: The power button changes colors as the sensor detects the particles in the air. Blue = Excellent air quality, Orange = Fair air quality, Red = Poor air quality (high levels of particles)
FAQs about Air Purifiers for Pet Odor.
Can pet odors cause illness?
Pets, especially young ones, have “accidents” from time to time, or perhaps your pets like to “mark their territory”. Either way, if left unattended, pet odors can not only be unpleasant, but they are potentially harmful to your health.
When bacteria in the air mixes with the pet “accidents”, particularly urine, chemical gases are produced. Inhaling these gases for any length of time can lead to:
- Asthma
- Lung infections
- Nose and throat burning sensations
- Eye or skin irritation
What do Activated Carbon filters do to pet odors?
Activated carbon or activated charcoal filters work by trapping those odors through a process known as adsorption, which occurs when certain molecules attach themselves to an external surface instead of being soaked up (absorption). An activated carbon filter that has more porous carbon will increase the area of surface space that the odor molecules can attach to when the air is drawn through the filter.
What are the advantages of owning an air purifier to combat pet odor?
Pets, especially dogs or cats, are continually shedding particles which can lead to health issues. However, it’s not the hair that causes the problem, but the dander from dead skin cells they shed. Your pet can also bring all sorts of other unpleasant items into the house from outside, and over time things begin to smell.
A top-quality air purifier goes a long way to combat not only the dander, but will kill any bacteria in the air, and greatly reduce if not eliminate the odors associated with the four-footed members of your family.
Which Air Purifier is Best for You?
If you’re suffering from allergies, notice the presence of pet odors in your home, or if your pet happens to be allergic to dust, pollen, or other animal’s dander, then an air purifier designed specifically to help eliminate these problems should not only make you feel better, but also your pet’s health may improve, and your home will smell fresher and cleaner.
Think about:
How large is your room?
Look for “coverage area” or “room size suitability”. Choose an air purifier that corresponds to your room’s sq. ft.
What size is the purifier?
Select a purifier of a size that will fit in your room.
How noisy is the purifier?
Each air purifier will state the noise levels in decibels (dB). The lower the number, the quieter the unit will be.
How much can you afford to spend on a purifier?
We don’t recommend buying the most expensive one available. A cheaper model may be just as effective for your purposes.
Pick an air purifier that gets rid of odors, cleans the air efficiently, is of a size you can fit in your room, is quiet enough to be located in a bedroom, and is the most cost-effective for you.
Our recommendations:
- Budget/Smaller Rooms – LEVOIT LV-H132
- Mid-range Rooms – Medify Air MA-40
- Larger Rooms – Alen Air BreatheSmart FIT50
Last update on 2021-09-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API