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PET FRIENDLY AIR PURIFIERS! Our Top 8 Picks for a Cleaner Home
Table of Contents
Say goodbye to pet allergies! An effective air purifier can significantly reduce pet dander, hair, and other allergens in your home. This is especially important for those who suffer from sinus issues and eye irritation.
Look for HEPA filters that capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. These filters are certified to remove small particulate matter, including pet dander, mold, bacteria, and dust.
We tested 48 air purifiers and found the Winix 5500-2 to be the best. It's ultra-quiet, highly effective, and easy to maintain. The layered filtration system has a straightforward replacement process, making it a convenient option.
Top 8 Pet-Friendly Air Purifiers
No 1 . Top Pick
No 2. Ideal for Compact Areas
No 3 . Affordable Solution for Compact Areas
No 4 . Most Silent
No 5 . Best Odor Eliminator
No 6 . Allergy Relief Champion
No 7. Splurge-Worthy Option
No 8 . Best Value for Large Spaces
No 1 . Top Pick
What We Love:
- Powerful 4-layer filtration, including true HEPA and pre-filter, captures pet hair and dander with ease
- Easy setup and filter replacement
- Color-changing sensors indicate air quality changes
- Remote control for convenient operation
- Auto-adjusting sensors conserve energy
What We Don’t Love:
- Illuminated notifications can be distracting at night
- Larger size compared to other air purifiers
The Winix 5500-2 4-Stage True HEPA Air Purifier stands out as our top choice due to its exceptional features. With four layers of filtration, including a pre-filter, washable carbon filter, HEPA filter, and permanent filter, it effectively captures pet hair and allergens. Built-in sensors detect changes in air quality, and its low decibel rating ensures quiet operation.
Dr. Niha Qamar, an Allergy and Immunology expert, highlights the importance of true HEPA filters and good CADR for reducing allergens. This air purifier excels in capturing pet hair with its top-performing pre-filter and automatically switches to sleep mode for energy conservation.
The device is easy to set up and comes with a remote control for convenient operation. Three light-up color indicators monitor air quality in real-time. However, its size (15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches) may not be suitable for smaller spaces. For bedroom use, consider our alternative top picks: Levoit Core 300s or Rabbit Air MinusA2.
Key specs include a coverage area of 360 square feet, HEPA filter type, and CADR ratings of 243 (dust), 246 (pollen), and 232 (smoke). While it has smart capabilities, it lacks WiFi and mobile app connectivity.
No 2. Ideal for Compact Areas
What We Love:
- Convenient mobile app for monitoring and controlling the air purifier
- Four fan speeds, auto mode, night mode, and child lock setting for customized use
- WiFi and voice command enabled for easy operation
- Washable pre-filter and internal HEPA filter for easy maintenance
- Five colors indicating air quality changes, keeping you informed
What We Don’t Love:
- Replacing the internal HEPA filter can be a bit of a challenge
The Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max offers reliable air filtration with the added convenience of a mobile app, allowing real-time monitoring and control. In our testing, it effectively cleared pollutants and improved air quality. This quiet and powerful air purifier features:
- Four fan speeds and two power modes (night and auto)
- Smart Wi-Fi capabilities with voice commands and child lock
- Three brightness settings for display lights
- Five color air quality indicators
- Washable pre-filter capturing pet hair, available in five muted colors
- Optional subscription service for replacement filters
With its versatile features, this air purifier is suitable for bedrooms and living rooms. Key specs include:
- Coverage Area: 219-526 square feet
- Dimensions: 18.9 x 10.6 x 10.6 inches
- Filter Type: HEPA
- CADR Rating: 141 (dust, pollen, smoke)
- Smart Capabilities: Yes
No 3 . Affordable Solution for Compact Areas
What We Love:
- Sleek and compact design, easy to move around
- Whisper-quiet operation for peaceful use
- Triple-layer filtration for effective air purification
What We Don’t Love:
- Struggles with large particles like pet hair
- Power cord could be longer for more flexible placement
The Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier is a compact and lightweight solution for small spaces, measuring 6.5 x 6.5 x 10.4 inches and weighing just over 2 pounds. It's designed to clear the air in areas up to 337 square feet, making it perfect for bedrooms, dens, or offices.
This mini air purifier features a three-stage filtration system, quietly removing air pollutants with a 25dB rating. While it effectively clears smoke, dust, and allergens, it's less effective with larger particles like pet hair and dander compared to other air purifiers on our list.
The device comes in black or white and has a few drawbacks, including a power cord that could be longer. However, it's a small but mighty option for those seeking a compact air purifier.
Key specs:
- Coverage Area: 337 square feet
- Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.5 x 10.4 inches
- Filter Type: HEPA
- CADR Rating: Not listed
- Smart Capabilities: No
No 4 . Most Silent
What We Love:
- Sleek modern design for versatile placement (standalone or wall-mounted)
- Silent and sleep modes for peaceful operation
- Effective filtration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
What We Don’t Love:
- Premium price point, significantly more expensive than other air purifiers
The Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier with Wi-Fi boasts a comprehensive five-layer filtration system, including an activated carbon filter, specialized HEPA filter, and custom pet allergy filter. In our tests, it effectively and quietly improved air quality by removing pollutants like pet hair, dander, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
This sleek and modern air purifier has a space-saving design and can be wall-mounted. It features silent and sleep modes for undetectable operation and uninterrupted air filtration. The accompanying app and on-device display monitor air quality and filter status, ensuring optimal performance.
Although it's the priciest option on our list, the MinusA2 Ultra Quiet comes with a generous five-year warranty from Rabbit Air.
Key specs:
- Coverage Area: 700 square feet
- Dimensions: 20 x 21.4 x 7 inches
- Filter Type: HEPA
- CADR Rating: 166 (smoke), 173 (dust), 171 (pollen)
- Smart Capabilities: Yes
No 5 . Best Odor Eliminator
What We Love:
- Effective 3-stage filtration removes irritants and odors
- Built-in sensors and 4-color indicators provide real-time air quality monitoring
- Wi-Fi connectivity enables app and voice control for added convenience
- Whisper-quiet operation, even at its highest setting
What We Don’t Love:
- Less effective at capturing pet hair compared to other air purifiers
The Levoit Core 300s Smart True HEPA Air Purifier impressively eliminated incense aroma from our testing space in under 30 minutes, even on its lowest setting. Its compact design houses a 3-layer filtration system:
1. Pre-filter for large particles like pet hair
2. HEPA filter for dust, pollen, and dander
3. Activated carbon filter for odor removal (smoke, fumes, etc.)
This WiFi-enabled air purifier is easy to set up and control via the app, LED display, or voice commands. It features three air intake settings, with a peak decibel rating of 58 (comparable to a quiet dishwasher). A sleep mode ensures quiet operation and turns off display lights.
Key specs:
- Coverage Area: 219 square feet
- Dimensions: 8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches
- Filter Type: HEPA
- CADR Rating: 141
- Smart Capabilities: Yes
No 6 . Allergy Relief Champion
What We Love:
- Unique 360-degree design for maximum air intake and filtration
- UV light technology kills bacteria and germs
- Ionizer feature effectively captures pet hair and dander
- Customizable nighttime settings for personalized illumination
- Rapidly improves air quality in under 30 minutes
What We Don’t Love:
- Highest setting is too loud, making conversation difficult
The Bionaire True HEPA 360 UV Air Purifier excelled in our testing, capturing airborne allergens and improving air quality in under 30 minutes. Its cylindrical design enables 360-degree air intake and filtration, while the built-in handle allows for easy portability.
This air purifier features a 6-stage filtration system:
1. Two pre-filters (fabric and mesh)
2. True HEPA filter
3. Carbon filter
4. UV light (kills bacteria)
5. Ionizer (attracts particles, including pet hair and dander)
The UV light and ionizer can be activated together for enhanced air cleansing. Three air filtration power settings are available, with the highest setting producing significant noise. However, the other two settings are suitable for everyday use, even while sleeping.
Additional features include:
- Night-light setting for low-light visibility
- Night mode setting to turn off display lights
- 8-hour timer setting for extended filtration
- Annual replacement of UV light and filters (under $100)
Key specs:
- Coverage Area: 175-848 square feet
- Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 15 inches
- Filter Type: HEPA
- CADR Rating: 113
- Smart Capabilities: No
No 7. Splurge-Worthy Option
What We Love:
- Whisper-quiet operation, even at its highest setting
- Oscillating feature ensures even air distribution
- Rapidly removes fine particulate matter for improved air quality
- Sleek, elongated design with a compact footprint, perfect for use as a floor fan
What We Don’t Love:
- Reattaching the filter can be a bit finicky
The Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 Smart Air Purifier and Fan excelled in our effectiveness tests, efficiently clearing air pollutants, including smoke, and significantly improving air quality. Its powerful filtration, cooling effects, and quiet operation made it our previous Best Overall choice. However, due to its high price, we reassigned it to a new spot on our list.
This air purifier boasts:
- Compact footprint despite its larger size
- Minimal noise emission, making it suitable for bedrooms
- Smart capabilities with a user-friendly Wi-Fi app
- Oscillating top for even air distribution
- Auto-sensing and reporting of air quality changes
- Backward airflow mode for purifying without cooling
Key specs:
- Dimensions: 4.72 x 8 x 41 inches
- Filter Type: HEPA
- Smart Capabilities: Yes
No 8 . Best Value for Large Spaces
What We Love:
- Comprehensive 4-layer filtration system for superior air cleaning
- Permanent, washable pre-filter for easy maintenance
- Convenient filter access and replacement
- Sleek design available in two colors: black and white
What We Don’t Love:
- Lack of smart connection capabilities for remote monitoring and control
Our top pick for affordable air purification in large spaces is the Veva ProHEPA 9000 Air Purifier. Although we haven't tested this model yet, it's a larger version of our previous Best Budget pick, the Veva 8000 Air Purifier. The 9000 model can handle rooms up to 600 square feet and features:
- Three speeds, including an extra-quiet mode and ultra-turbo speed for maximum purification
- Four levels of filtration, including a washable pre-filter and HEPA filter capturing particles as small as 0.3 microns
- Easy-to-access filters for low-maintenance cleaning and replacement every 2-6 months
Key specs:
- Coverage Area: 600 square feet
- Dimensions: 8.3 x 12.68 x 20.6 inches
- Filter Type: HEPA
- Smart Capabilities: No
FINAL VERDICT
Our top pick is the Winix 5500-2 4-Stage True HEPA Air Purifier, which has a powerful filtration system able to collect pet hair and pet dander. It also emits low sound levels and features built-in sensors that automatically adjust to optimize air quality, dim the display lights, and conserve energy. For anyone looking for a purifier under $100, check out the Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier, which can filter up to 327 square feet and operates quietly.
Other Options We Tested
Hamilton Beach TrueAir Air Purifier: This air purifier was previously our best budget pick based on home testing and research, but after testing in The Lab, we determined there were better-functioning options available at this price range. …
How We Tested the Air Purifiers
We tested 47 air purifiers across our labs in Des Moines and New York City, putting them to the task of tackling pet dander and odors. …
What to Look for in an Air Purifier
The air purifier space has scientifically proven features to consider and technology-based enhancements that you may or may not find useful (app control, voice commands, remote control) along with extraneous attributes added by manufacturers in an effort to differentiate their products. … Why Trust The Animal Kingdom? This roundup was revamped by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Animal Kingdom who shares her home with a happy pomeranian named Gidget. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Mejorada embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets.
