Danny as been writing about air purifiers for 10+ years. He is a major fan of home technology, which makes him the perfect person to test and evaluate products for HouseFresh
Let’s kick this article off with two key statistics:
🤧 Up to 20% of the U.S. population is allergic to pet dander.
🐕 There are 161 million cats and dogs in the United States, and that figure keeps growing.
Considering those two facts, it is no surprise that demand for air purifiers for apartments and homes is rising. This prompted me to create this shortlist of the best and worst units for pet owners.
Understanding Pet Allergies
The number one solution to help with pet allergy symptoms is to reduce the number of allergens in the home. In this case, the primary allergen is dander (dry skin flakes). Many people assume they are allergic to the pet’s hair or fur, but the reality is that their allergies are triggered by a protein that is present in dead skin.
The most common allergic reaction is to cat dander, but any mammal (dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, etc.) can shed dead skin cells that trigger an allergic reaction in people. Coming into contact with pet dander can cause a skin rash or hives, and in the most severe cases, it can trigger a person’s asthma.
Regularly vacuuming, keeping your pets off the furniture and getting rid of carpets can help you get rid of pet dander at home. Still, it’s important to highlight that these measures are ineffective against some dander, which can be as small as 2.5 microns. These tiny particles can easily make their way into your lungs, making a HEPA-based air purifier the most powerful way to remove these tiny skin flake particles from the air.
Pet dander, at its smallest level, is a 2.5μm particle. This type of small particle can be removed using a HEPA-based filter, which effectively removes small particles, including virus particles that measure 0.1 μm. If you are also interested in pet odor removal, you will also want an air purifier with an activated carbon filter, as HEPA is useless for gasses and odors.
| Why You Can Trust Our Recommendations At HouseFresh, we don’t just take the manufacturer’s word on air quality performance. That’s why we run our own tests on all the models we recommend: TEST 1️⃣ Air Cleaning Performance: With the help of an air quality monitor, we record how fast the air purifier can clean the air inside our 705 cubic ft. home lab from smoke pollutants when running at full speed. TEST 2️⃣ Electricity Consumption: We use an energy monitor to record how much electricity the air purifier pulls when running at its lowest and highest fan speeds. TEST 3️⃣ Noise Pollution: We uncover noise levels in decibels emitted by the air purifier when running at different speeds, using a sound level monitor. |
The Top 3 Air Purifiers For Pets
We tested 43 air purifiers last year, and using these data points, we can recommend these three units as our top three favorites:
When I sat down to hand-pick the best air purifiers to help you tackle pet-related issues that affect indoor air quality, I focused on finding units that met the following criteria:
✅ High-grade HEPA filter — HEPA technology is fantastic as it can pull the smallest particles from the air and remove them. It can remove particles as small as viruses, so it has no problem removing pet dander, which is the leading cause of pet allergies.
✅ Activated charcoal filter — HEPA alone will do nothing for pet smells and odors, so all the units I recommend here use a combination of charcoal and high-grade HEPA filter.
✅ Good value for money — Don’t fall for the marketing; air cleaning is a simple process. We always compare air quality performance against initial + long-term costs to uncover the most cost-effective air purifiers; only those made this list.
Read on to learn more about performance test results and features for each shortlisted unit, including why we think they are the best choice for pet owners.
1. Best Overall for Pet Owners: Alen Breathsmart 75i
Alen has been making air purifiers since 2005. I still have a working Alen A350 that continues to clean the air in my home and Alen still sells replacement filters for it. They are currently the only manufacturer with a Forever Guarantee, which means they will replace your unit if it breaks at any time as long as you have an active filter subscription.
The main reason the Alen 75i is our top for pet owners is its combination of a large HEPA H13 filter with an activated carbon filter — it has 3.6 lbs of activated carbon with its B7-MP-Pet/Odor filter option. Performance in our test lab matched their reported CADR of 347 CFM, as it cleaned our test room of all pollutants in 24 minutes.
The only downside to this air purifier is the initial cost ($779) and replacement filter costs, which are $129 every 15 months.
If you can handle the initial costs, you get an air purifier that can remove pet dander for the largest rooms, and a large number of activated charcoal pellets will do a good job of reducing pet odors.
All models include an auto-mode that automatically switches on when it detects particle pollutants and then switches to a lower mode when they are removed. The latest model even comes with an App for Android and Apple, but we have not had a chance to test it yet but will report back on its functionality and use.
What We Really Like:
👍 Large carbon filter with 3.6 lbs that will be perfect for any pet odor as well as dealing with gasses and VOCs
👍 Powerful medical grade HEPA H13 filter, which is exactly what you need to remove pet dander particles
👍 Auto-mode that allows for usage only when it detects particle pollutants in your home
👍 Lifetime guarantee is unique in the air purifier market but does require an active filter subscription
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 High price for both unit and filter replacement
👎 Ionizer might put off pet owners who own birds, but Alen guarantees 0 PPM when disengaged and less than 0.001 PPM with optional ionizer engaged
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★☆ |
|---|---|
| Time to clean our test room: | 24 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | True HEPA H13 filters with activated carbon pellets + Ionizer technology |
| Recommended room size: | Up to 1,300 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 347 CFM (589 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 27H x 18.5W x 11.5D inches (68.58H x 46.99W x 29.21D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 12.2 kg (27 lbs) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24dB – 49dB |
| Filter life: | 12 – 15 months |
| Warranty: | Lifetime (with product registration & active filter subscription) |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $47.30 per year |
2. Best Budget for Pet Hair & Pet Dander: Taotronics AP-003
Owning a pet is not cheap with food, medical bills and treats, and a recent study estimated that, on average, a pet cost between $2,000 — $4,000 a year. So it makes sense that pet owners will look to save when keeping their air clean of pet dander and odors.
Previously, there were no real options for air purifiers that cost less than $100; most were useless or even harmful. The good news is that as of this year, there is a budget unit that uses H13 HEPA and activated carbon and, in our performance tests, performed as well as air purifiers costing upwards of $200.
The Taotronics AP-003 is the perfect option for pet owners who don’t want to spend too much, with a cost of $79.99 and well-priced filters. It even includes an onboard screen that shows pollutant levels to the nearest ug/m3. It even includes activated carbon pellets that can deal with pet odors.
The only downside is that it’s hard to find on Amazon and has no app support.
What We Really Like:
👍 Best price for a HEPA cleaning power on the market as of 2022
👍 Great to have auto-mode and accurate sensor readings on a budget unit
👍 Size is good enough for a bedroom or small living room and is cheap enough that two units make sense for a larger space
👍 Energy costs are well under what we normally see for this level of cleaning power, so has a very efficient fan
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Hard to find on Amazon because Taotronics has been banned for review manipulation
👎 Other units have more activated carbon, so they will be better for gasses and odors
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Time to clean our test room: | 29 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H13 HEPA with activated carbon pellets |
| Recommended room size: | 322 sq ft (30 m²) |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 226 CFM (384 m³/h ) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 21.8 x 14.1 x 7.9 inches (55.4 x 35.8 x 20cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 18 lbs (8.16 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 32 – 52 dB |
| Filter life: | 3 – 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $30.48 per year |
3. Best for Pets in Large Spaces: Levoit Core 600S
This air purifier was the fastest to remove particulate pollutants from our home test lab, managing to remove everything in 15 minutes. If you have a large space and don’t want to invest in multiple units, the Levoit Core 600S is great value for money based on the air it can clean and its initial price of $299.99.
Like all Levoit air purifiers, its filter combines an H13 HEPA with activated carbon, but these extensive filters are not cheap at $59.99 for genuine filters made by Levoit. It has full App support and auto-mode, so one of the smarter air purifiers we have tested, so something to consider if you are used to smart home features.
The big downside of this unit is that it’s huge with a height of nearly 24 inches, and would likely be overkill for smaller rooms for pet owners, but there are smaller options like the Levoit Core 400S that has less cleaning power, but its smaller size makes it easier to live with.
If you have large rooms and want the best single-unit performance, then the Levoit Core 600S is the air purifier for you and your pets.
What We Really Like:
👍 Fastest air purifier at removing particles from all the 40 tests we performed this year
👍 Simple to use, especially if you have used Levoit air purifiers before
👍 App support allows for control when you are not in the room. You can check the current level of pollutants via its onboard sensor
👍 One unit that can clean the air in large rooms of up to 3,175 sq. ft.
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Very large, unsuitable for smaller rooms where space is an issue
👎 Filters are costly and need replacing every six months but there are generic filters available that cost fewer
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Time to clean our test room: | 15 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H13 True HEPA filter with Activated Carbon |
| Recommended room size: | 635 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 410 CFM (697 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 12.3 x 12.3 x 23.6 inches (31.3 x 31.3 x 60 cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 26 – 55 dB |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Warranty: | 2 years |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $51.51 per year |
4. Best for Pet Hair: Smart Air S
If you read my review of the Smart Air S, you will see that it was our top budget choice until we got a chance to review the Taotronics AP-033 at the end of 2022.
I love the simplicity of the Smart Air S, and it’s one of the better-looking air purifiers we tested. It uses H12 HEPA, which is more than enough to deal with particles from pet hair, which allows it to push more air without needing the energy-intensive fans that some manufacturers use. It has one wheel to control the speed and is a pure HEPA and activated charcoal, so there is no use of ionizers here, and so are CARB, UL and CSA certified.
The other stand-out feature of the Smart Air S is the price of filters, the HEPA is $29.99, and the optional Carbon filter is $22.99. I would recommend getting the optional carbon filter for pet owners, as it will then be able to deal with pet odors as well as the particles from hair and dander.
The only downside to the Smart Air S is that it has zero smart features, no auto-mode or app support. The Air S is a good size for a bedroom and is currently the unit we use to keep our bedroom free of particles and hazardous gasses like VOCs and formaldehyde.
What We Really Like:
👍 Design looks great and is small enough for a bedroom without taking over the space
👍 Option to not have a carbon filter to reduce total cost, but we do recommend for pet owners due to pet odors
👍 Simplicity to use, one wheel to change speed and turn off/on
👍 Low sound even at the highest fan speed
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Lack of smart features and no-onboard particle sensor
👎 Minor build quality issues around the screws used
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★☆ |
|---|---|
| Time to clean our test room: | 29 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H11 HEPA and optional activated charcoal filter |
| Recommended room size: | 430 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 185 CFM (315 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 13H x 13W x 14.3D inches (33.02H x 33.02W x 36.32D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 10.1 lbs (4.58 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 23dB – 52dB |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty | 1 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $45.20 per year |
Buying Guide: Finding a Good Air Purifier for Tackling Pet Hair and Odors
Is your pet making you sneeze, and you don’t want to part with your furry friend?
Pets can be your new best friend—until their dander triggers allergies. You will have to contend with red eyes and a stuffy nose, and unpleasant odors too.
| 🤔 How do I remove pet dander from the air? Pet dander size can range from 2.5 to 100 microns, which is very small, but air purifiers using HEPA filters can easily remove these particles from the air. The pet dander will be pulled into the filter and stuck to the fibers. This means you must change the filters over time to ensure air cleaning effectiveness, but it will remove any pet dander. I wrote a separate article sharing other measures you can take to help reduce pet dander that works wonders in addition to a trusted air purifier. |
Don’t suffer for your pet—getting an air purifier for pets can help clean the air in your home. These devices can clean the air of pollutants, such as dust, smoke, pollen, and pet dander. But the best air purifiers capture everything, including odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Getting the best air purifier for pets can be tricky with so many products that say they all do a great job. That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you make a more informed buying decision. Here’s what to look for when buying an air purifier for pets.
You’ll first want to check the type of filters the unit uses. Choose a cleaner with both HEPA and activated carbon filters.
1. Choose a unit with a high-quality HEPA filter
The best air purifiers for pets utilize HEPA filters to capture pet dander and other particles from the air. If an appliance has an industry-standard HEPA, it can remove up to 99.97% of the pollutants in the air, including pet dander.
HEPA filters can trap air particles as small as 0.3 microns or larger, and dander falls into this category. Note that a micron is equivalent to 0.00004 of an inch, so HEPA filters will trap even microscopic particles that are too small for the naked eye to see.
2. Make sure the air purifier comes with an Activated Carbon filter
Air cleaners with activated carbon filters can trap pet odors.
Activated charcoal, the main ingredient in these filters, can filter out cat litter box odors or whiffs of wet dogs to help keep your home smelling fresh. You’ll want a unit with a ton of activated charcoal to filter out these odors effectively. The carbon captures and traps gasses and odors as you pass air through it.
The best air purifiers for pets will have HEPA and activated carbon filters, so ensure your unit is equipped with both before buying.
3. Pick a model with a high CADR score
According to AHAM, Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) indicates the volume of clean air an air purifier delivers, with separate scores for dust, smoke, and pollen. Checking the unit’s CADR rating effectively determines if the unit is powerful enough for your room size.
The higher the CADR score, the more pollutants the unit will remove from the air. Aim for a smoke CADR score of at least two-thirds of your room’s square footage for best results.
4. Decide if having smart functions and a mobile app is worth paying the extra $$
Modern air purifiers have smart technology that gives you more device control. For instance, some air purifiers come with auto-mode that automatically adjusts the unit’s speed, depending on the air quality in the room.
Others come with a downloadable app that allows users to monitor the filter’s status, receive alerts, or even turn the unit on and off via voice commands. Such features can give you more control over your device but are not critical considerations.
The Most Common Questions About Air Purifiers for Pets
🤔 Do air purifiers really work for removing pet dander from the air?
Yes, mainstream science is unequivocal that HEPA air purifiers are a great way to remove pet dander. On top of this, activated charcoal filters work well for pet odors. Don’t take my word, though; we include references to 10 academic studies that show the benefits of HEPA and activated charcoal in our article Are Air Purifiers a Waste of Money?
While pet dander can be as small as 2.5 microns, HEPA-based air purifiers are effective at removing much smaller particles like those from viruses.
🤔 Do air purifiers pick up pet hair?
Most pet hair is heavy and will fall to the ground but any smaller particles of pet hair will stay around in the air. Air purifiers can pick up these smaller particles, catching them in the pre-filter as they are much larger than the particles designed to be picked up by a HEPA filter. Keeping that in mind, the best way to reduce the amount of pet hair in your home is to continuously use a vacuum cleaner to remove it from your carpet, floor and furniture.
Read my article on pet hair to find out what other things you can do to help remove pet hair from every surface of your house.
🤔 Do air purifiers work for pet odor?
If you want to remove odors from the air, you will need an air purist that uses activated carbon, as HEPA only works on particles in the air, not gasses or odors. Activated carbon has a long history of removing harmful gasses and can remove all types of gasses like VOCs, formaldehyde, and odors from pets.
If you have a smelly dog at home, read my guide on how to get rid of dog smells, and I also recommend the best pet odor air purifier.
Wrapping Up
Choosing an air purifier for pets can be daunting due to the many options available, and it can get trickier if you don’t know what to look for.
As mentioned, the unit’s filters and CADR rating are the most important factors. For filters, choose an option with both HEPA and activated carbon filters. As for the CADR, the higher the rating, the better.
Last update on 2023-09-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API