Best air purifier for pets: 11 wise picks in 2021
Top 11 Best air purifiers for pets in 2021
Every single year, it is the same story. The Levoit takes the edge over all other air purifiers in the market. Talk about an aesthetic design on top of an efficient air purifier, Levoit P350 is an all in one.
It comes with a pre-filter made with non-woven nylon that can trap larger particles like dust and pet hair. Then the air is passed on to a True-HEPA filter with a size of 0.3 microns. And if there is anything smelly in the air, the activated carbon filter takes care of it for you.
The CADR test results for Levoit P350 suggests a score of 141 cfm. This is actually the best score for any pet air purifier in the market for a price range of $100. On box, the company suggests that it can cover approximately 219 sq. ft. area, which is also pretty great.
Hands down! Levoit Core P350 tops our list of the best air purifiers for pet hair.
Features:
- H13-Grade triple filtration system
- Pet-Lock
- Sleep-mode
- Timer
Pros:
- Triple layer filtration system
- Budget-friendly
- Good CADR rating of 141 cfm
- Super quiet mode: 25 dB
- 1-Year Warranty
Cons:
- Made for small rooms of size 219 sq. ft.
- No air quality monitor
- Size: 8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches
- Weight: 6.7 pounds
- Coverage: 219 sq. ft.
- CADR: 141 cfm
When it comes to pet odors, there is no better air purifier than Blueair 211+ Air Purifier. The market reputations suggest that this is equally effective against airborne pollutants.
For a company that claims to focus on design aesthetics, we must say Blueair has done a great job with this one. Not only that, it is light in power consumption. Yet, surprisingly, it can cover larger areas and open spaces with equal effectiveness.
It comes with two variations, one that covers 620 sq. ft. while the other that covers 540 sq. ft. with a CADR score of 350 cfm. Although a bit expensive, it certainly deserves a spot in our list.
Features:
- Single Button to control it all
- Tells you when it’s time to change the filters
Pros:
- Triple layer filtration system
- Excellent CADR rating of 350 cfm
- Upto 620 sq. ft. of coverage
- Aesthetic design
- Low energy consumption
Cons:
- No auto mode
- Comparatively expensive
- Size: 13 x 13 x 20.4 inches
- Weight: 14 pounds
- Coverage: 620 sq. ft.
- CADR: 350 cfm
Another air purifier in our list, another Levoit product. Levoit is incredible with their products. And they have created a state of the art instrumental product with their LV-H132 air purifier.
Levoit LV-H132 kept its place for the Amazon Best Seller for almost two years. And for good reason. Just like P350, it is equipped with a True-HEPA filter, a pre-filter and an activated carbon filter. But the best part about it is its 25 decibel noise level, which is almost inaudible.
Features:
- Optional night light present
Pros:
- Triple layer filtration system
- Aesthetic design
- Budget friendly
- Noise cancellation Mode: 25 dB
Cons:
- No auto mode or air quality monitors
- Only 40 cfm CADR capacity.
- Covers small areas: 129 sq. ft.
- Size: 8.5 x 8.5 x 14.5 inches
- Weight: 5.4 pounds
- Coverage: 129 sq. ft.
- CADR: 40 cfm
The Honeywell HPA300 boasts an exceptional 300 cfm CADR score. That makes it one of the best air purifiers for pets you can purchase in the market. It has an incredible design and quality aesthetics with its rounded-corner build.
However, at a price range of $250, it is missing some quality features such as auto mode. It may make other options seem more attractive. But it’s coverage area makes up for the lack of extra features.
Features:
- Timer options
Pros:
- Triple layer filtration system
- Good design
- Exceptional CADR score: 400 cfm
- #1 Amazon Best Seller
- Good Area Coverage
Cons:
- Expensive
- No Auto Mode
- Size: 9.25 x 20 x 22.25 inches
- Weight: 21 pounds
- Coverage: 450 sq. ft.
- CADR: 300 cfm
It’s the era of smart home products and controlling everything from your home. Toshiba has come up with an amazing solution with their Smart Air Purifier. Now you can control your pet air purifier with your voice command using Amazon Alexa.
And as good as it is in being smart, it does a better job in air purification. It has a triple air filtration system with a UV radiator for pathogens. It boasts a phenomenal 248 cfm CADR rating. Moreover, it can clean up to a room of 222 sq. ft. area within 1 hour.
All these factors contribute to the fact that it is one of the best pet air purifiers in the market. But the amazing part is that it is only $100. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?
Features:
- Amazon Alexa Integration
- Sleek Design
- UV radiation filter
Pros:
- Smart Home Control with Amazon Alexa voice command
- UV radiation filter
- Excellent CADR rating 249 cfm
- Good coverage
- Economical
Cons:
- Not the quietest air purifier
- No warranty provided
- Size: 25.4 x 33.02 x 26.57 inches
- Weight: 12 pounds
- Coverage: 222 sq. ft.
- CADR: 249 cfm
If you have a pet dog or a cat, you are already familiar with how much they like to play outside. You take them to the park and they get their paws in the dirt. You wash them when you get home but never feel fully satisfied that the air is clean with germs.
This is where the GermGuardian AC5250PT Air Purifier comes in. It has a triple layer of air purification filters with UV as an air sanitizer. And let’s be honest here: it does the good job as it has a CADR rating of 125 cfm and a coverage area of 167 sq. ft.
Priced at 129$, it is a good option to have especially because of its retro sturdy metal design.
Features:
- Pet-pure filter for pet odors
Pros:
- UV radiation filter
- Good CADR rating and coverage
- Pet-pure filter optimized for pet odors
- Low noise
Cons:
- A little expensive and does not include auto mode
- Size: 12 x 9 x 29.25 inches
- Weight: 11.25 pounds
- Coverage: 167 sq. ft.
- CADR: 125 cfm
If you want a modular looking pet air purifier sitting right in the middle of your living room, look no further. The TaoTronics TT-AP001 is a design phenomenon.
It is designed for a small room space with a size of 161 sq. ft. and comes with a CADR rating of 150 cfm, which is incredible. TaoTronics are known for their high quality audio products. But they have introduced a super quiet mode that reduces the noise down to 25dB. Believe me, it is inaudible even in the silence of the night.
This is very effective against pet hair, odors and pet dander. According to the manufacturer, it can remove 99.7% of the airborne impurities. That is a pretty good deal at a 77$ price tag.
Features:
- Low noise mode that reduces noise to 25 dB
Pros:
- Good CADR rating and coverage
- Low noise mode
- Budget friendly
- Modular design
Cons:
- No auto mode
- No air quality monitor
- Size: 8.5 x 8.5 x 13.54 inches
- Weight: 3.7 pounds
- Coverage: 161 sq. ft.
- CADR: 150 cfm
If you are looking for a portable pet friendly air purifier that you can take anywhere, this one’s for you. Sometimes pets can be real nasty sometimes in their litter rooms. All you need is to plug this air purifier in a wall socket and it’ll take care of odor and germs within minutes.
Additionally, it is an economical option. It is more of an air sanitizer rather than a full fledged air purifier. It has a low CADR, 40 cfm, and works best for small bathroom sized rooms.
Features:
- Portable and works with Plug & Play.
Pros:
- Economical Option
- Portable
- Plug and Play functionality
- Cleans odor and germs in second.
Cons:
- Low CADR and coverage
- No auto mode
- Size: 3.5 x 3 x 7.5 inches
- Weight: 0.7 pounds
- Coverage: 25 sq. ft.
- CADR: 40 cfm
If you want to have sheer power against your pet allergens, then the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier is the one to have. It has alone made the name of Winix an industry giant and for good reason.
Winix boasts an incredible 246 cfm CADR score and can cover approximately 363 sq. ft. easily. That is very similar to the likes of Blueair 211+ we talked about earlier. And no doubt, it deserves a mention among the likes of them.
Features:
- No extra features
Pros:
- Best for large rooms.
- Washable AOC carbon filter
- Low noise at 28 dB
- Economical
Cons:
- No extra features
- No warranty
- Size: 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches
- Weight: 15.4 pounds
- Coverage: 363 sq. ft.
- CADR: 246 cfm
Like its successor, the Core 300 has an incredible CADR score of 145 cfm and can easily cover 219 sq. ft. area. It may be hard to distinguish between either of them. The only significant difference you may see between them is the price tag as this is priced at 75$.
Features:
- H13-Grade triple filtration system
- Pet-Lock
- Sleep-mode
- Timer
Pros:
- Triple layer filtration system
- Budget-friendly
- Good CADR rating of 141 cfm
- Super quiet mode: 25 dB
- 1-Year Warranty
Cons:
- Made for small rooms of size 219 sq. ft.
- No air quality monitor
- Size: 8.7 x 8.7 x 16.25 inches
- Weight: 6.7 pounds
- Coverage: 219 sq. ft.
- CADR: 145 cfm
Hamilton Beach is one of the most famous home appliance brands in the United States. Living up to their brand’s name is Hamilton Beach TrueAir Air Purifier.
More importantly, it is pet friendly and quiet, so don’t be alarmed if a cat may roam around it. Even more important, the HEPA filter is permanently attached, so you only need to clean it by brush. In simpler words, it is minimal maintenance.
Features:
- No extra features
Pros:
- Budget Friendly
- Good Coverage of 160 sq. ft.
- Easy to maintain
- Low noise
Cons:
- Low CADR rating
- Size: 8.5 x 6 x 13.54 inches
- Weight: 5.7 pounds
- Coverage: 160 sq. ft.
- CADR: 35 cfm
Best air purifiers for pets: a comparison chart
| Purifier for pets | Coverage | Dimensions | CADR | Weight | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVOIT core P350 | 219 sq. ft. | 8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches | 141 cfm | 6.7 pounds | 4.7 |
| Blueair 211+ air purifier | 620 sq. ft. | 13 x 13 x 28.2 inches | 350 cfm | 14 pounds | 4.7 |
| Levoit LV-H132 | 129 sq. ft. | 8.5 x 8.5 x 14.5 inches | 40 cfm | 5.4 pounds | 4.6 |
| Honeywell HPA300 | 450 sq. ft. | 9.25 x 20 x 22.25 inches | 300 cfm | 21 pounds | 4.7 |
| Toshiba Smart Air Purifier | 222 sq. ft. | 25.4 x 33.02 x 26.57 inches | 248 cfm | 12 pounds | 4.7 |
| GermGuardian AC5250PT | 167 sq. ft. | 12 x 9 x 29.25 inches | 125 cfm | 11.25 pounds | 4.5 |
| TaoTronic TT-AP001 | 161 sq. ft. | 8.5 x 8.5 x 13.54 inches | 150 cfm | 3.7 pounds | 4.8 |
| GermGuardian GG1000 | 25 sq. ft. | 3.2 x 3 x 7.5 inches | 40 cfm | 0.7 pounds | 4.4 |
| Winix 5500-2 | 363 sq. ft. | 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches | 246 cfm | 15.4 pounds | 4.7 |
| Levoit Core 300 | 219 sq. ft. | 8.7 x 8.7 x 16.25 inches | 145 cfm | 6.7 pounds | 4.6 |
| Hamilton Beach TrueAir | 160 sq. ft. | 8.5 x 6 x 13.54 inches | 35 cfm | 5.7 | 4.5 |
How to choose the best air purifier for pets
Okay, let me stop you here. How will you even know which air purifier is the best in the market? Is there any right-hand rule here? The answer is no. The best pet air purifier is the one that fits according to your requirements.
Still, you should consider the following before choosing an air purifier for pets.
Step 1: Consider size
There is no such thing as lack of breathing space when it comes to air purifiers. The main job of the air purifier is to clean the air in your room. If your room is too large or your pet air purifier is too small, it might not prove as effective.
Step 2: Pay attention to CADR ratings
The quality of any air purifier is measured by its Clean Air Delivery Rate, or simply CADR, rating. CADR represents how quickly an air purifier can clean the room for a specific room size.
Let me give an example: An air purifier with 300 CADR will clean the 250 sq. ft. room faster than the one with 200 CADR. In simpler words, if you have a large room size, you should choose a higher CADR rating.
Step 3: Consider the cost of maintenance
Almost all pet air purifiers are assembled with air filters, such as the HEPA filter. These filters need to be replaced every six months. If you live in a dusty area, like near to a construction site, you may even consider replacing it even before that.
Step 4: Think about automatic monitoring
Not everything can be seen with an eye or a pet camera. These days, many modern air purifiers are equipped with air monitoring infrared sensors.
These sensors automatically adjust the CADR and reduce stress on the purifier.
Some of these sensors connect to your smartphones and help you track air quality in your room. It may not seem much, but it is definitely something to consider.
Step 5: Consider noise level
Noise can be extremely intimidating for some people. 80% of our readers are using cat fountains, automatic litter boxes, or automatic wet food feeders.
Just imagine what will happen if you add up all these noises?
And an air cleaner making a humming sound right next to your nightstand can be very irritating. Some people even complain about insomnia.
In such cases, it is important to consider noise level in your pet air purifier. Although the noise from the air purifier is caused by the flow of air, it can be a little too much. A good air purifier would exhibit 30-32 dB noise which is a little above whisper (28dB).
Step 6: Research the manufacturer’s reputation
If I told you that you can experience the air purifier even before buying it, would you believe me?
Yes, I am serious. Manufacturer’s reputation is a crucial identifier to assess the quality of the product. Go through the review section of Amazon and read what people have to say about the manufacturer. Ideally, the best air purifier for pets must be able to gain trust of its users.
Step 7: Warranty
You know what? No one, not even the manufacturer himself, can guarantee that the product won’t break after a month.
A company offering warranty on the product can be deal breaker for some. And we strongly advise you to consider this before buying the best pet air purifier for your home.
Types of pet air purifiers
We have mentioned HEPA filtered pet air purifiers many times already, but is it our only option? Of course not!
So, what are exactly the types of pet air purifiers that we can use?
1. Filtered
There are two very common types of filtered air purifiers. One is the famous HEPA filter and the other one is the Carbon filter.
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air and, like its name, is super efficient. They are capable of absorbing 99.7% of particles above the size of 0.3 microns. In simpler words, if your cat is shedding hair, HEPA filters are the best.
2. Ionizers
Ionizers typically use a scientific method to clean air. The purifier discharges negative ions into air that react with air toxins. As a result, these particles become heavy and fall on the floor.
From there, it’s just a simple task for you to sweep the floor. It’s not the best option considering you would have a pet running around wild in your home. But if you don’t have any other options, this one is the right thing to choose.
3. Ozone Purifiers
Similarly, ozone purifiers are specifically used to remove odor in your home. They work like ionizers, but are dedicated for the removal of odor from the room.
So, let me ask again? Does your pet produce a lot of bad smell? If yes, then ozone purifiers are the best pet air purifiers for odor. And you should consider one for your home right now!
4. UV Purifiers
Are you sick and tired of worrying about the germs your pet may carry in your home? After all, we are horrified by the Coronavirus pandemic and can’t risk our health.
So, in such circumstances, UV Air Purifiers are the best thing to go for. They are designed to remove the bacteria and viruses from your home using UV radiations. These radiations destroy these microorganisms and stop these pathogens from multiplying.
Vital features of high-quality purifiers for pets
Now that we know about our option in types, the job of searching for the best air purifier for pets becomes easier. But wait! We still have plenty of features to look out for. Let’s discuss each one of them in detail.
1. HEPA Filters
HEPA filters are a must-have when it comes to pet air purifiers. Although it may not kill any germs, HEPA filters are vital against toxins.
An air purifier with 1 micron HEPA filter will do most of the job for domestic pets such as dogs and cats. If you want to pet birds, you may consider 0.5 micron filters.
2. Carbon Filters
As I mentioned earlier, carbon filters are responsible for room odor. So, if you are looking to kill the odor your pet is causing, you should go look for carbon filters in your air purifiers.
3. Purification Capacity
CADR is a really important aspect to consider when you buy a pet air purifier. Not only does it specify how quickly a room will be purified, it also indicates how big a room it can purify.
So the best air purifier for you and your pet would be the one that fits your room requirements.
Purified air will prevent your cat’s skin from drying out and will help you to get rid of dandruff in your cat.
4. Anti-Bacterial Coating
Wouldn’t it be great if your air purifier could clean the air around your pet AND kill the pathogens they carry? Yes, it would!
These days, air purifiers come with an extra layer of anti-bacterial coating. This, in theory, kills all pathogens in the air. The effectiveness of an anti-bacterial coating is underrated. In fact, lack of such coatings is definitely a deal breaker.
5. Air Quality Sensors
This is a digital age and every one of us wants to remain informed. So, so do our gadgets! An air quality sensor installed in your pet air purifier can help you track the air quality of your room.
This may seem like an unimportant feature, but it’s really not. And if you listen to me, you should definitely look for it when buying the best pet air purifier.
6. Child Lock
Having an unattended child running around a sensitive tech gadget is always a bad idea. Make sure the air purifier you choose has a child lock programmed inside it.
FAQs
What is the best air purifier for cat allergies?
Cat allergies can be a real bummer especially when you want to keep that stylish Persian cat in your home. But don’t worry.
Levoit Core P350, in our opinion, is one of the best air purifiers available in the market. It has a triple filter design that will take care of all smell, pet dander and hair around you.
What is the best air purifier for pet dander?
There is no better product available in the market than Levoit HV-132 to get rid of pet dander. It has a similar triple air purification filter system as P350.
You might not even end up sweeping the floor. All you have to do is to clean the filters every once in a while and you’re good to go.
Do air purifiers get rid of pet dander and hair?
In a nutshell, yes, the air purifiers will eliminate pet hair and dander, but only when they are floating in the air. Many people have seen a significant improvement in both after using air purifiers.
Do air purifiers work for pet-related allergies?
Yes, it does! If you get one of the best air purifiers for pet allergies, you will definitely feel improvement. It is worth trying!
Are air purifiers dangerous for pets?
It depends! If you choose an air purifier that emits some by-products, chances are it will be harmful for your pets. Sometimes, it may even prove fatal.
The good news is that you can choose air purifiers from our list as we have handpicked pet friendly ones.
At the end of the day
So what does it all mean?
Choosing the best air purifier is not an easy task. But I handpicked some options for you. I feel that Levoit Core P350 is the best air purifier for pet hair. Similarly, Levoit Core LV-132 is the best air purifier for pet dander. Whereas, the Blueair 211+ is the best air purifier for pet odors.
If you find these choices not fitting to your requirements, you can find one from our best pet air purifiers list.