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Air pollution isn’t limited to car exhaust, jet fuel, sprayed pesticides, and factory smoke. Did you know mold spores, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and smoke can get trapped inside your home and office? That means your furry friends could be contributing to your allergy and asthma symptoms. Fortunately, air purifiers can help improve the air quality in your home and eliminate the toxins that your furry family members may be unable to prevent. Our best pet dander air purifier reviews help you find the best fit for your needs.
At A Glance: Best Pet Air Purifier For…
| Pet Odors | Dog Hair | Large Spaces | Bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| GermGuardian | Filtrete | Coway | Levoit Core |
Best Air Purifiers For Pets
Ahhhhh, now you can stop holding your breath as it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: our recommendations for the best air purifier for allergies and pets.
Pet Odors: GermGuardian AC4300BPTCA 3-in-1 True HETA Filter Review
The GermGuardian AC4300BPTCA is the newest version of air filters from GermGuardian. This 3-in-one, high-performing air purifier for dog smells traps, kills, and filters germs, dust, and dander at a reasonable price. This air purifier claims to capture 99.97% of allergens (as small as 0.3 microns), including pet dander, mold spores, and plant pollens.
It has UV-C light technology, which kills bacteria, viruses (including rhinovirus, e.coli, and streptococcus), germs, and mold spores in the air. The charcoal filter reduces cooking, smoking, and pet odors (including urine smell), and the HEPA air filtration system helps reduce exposure to asthma triggers. For all of these reasons, we think it’s the best air purifier for pet odors.
Our Personal Experience
“We bought the GermGuardian AC4825 air filter to minimize dog smells in our basement since that is where their dog crates are. It has exceeded expectations by getting rid of the doggy smell quickly, reducing the amount of time we have to run it. As a bonus, it also reduces fire pit and cigar odors that waft in through the basement door and damp smells when it rains. It’s so quiet that we sometimes forget to turn it off, but I am not complaining about that! It’s been a great air purifier for pet smells.”
– Michelle S., Canine Journal
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| CADR rating: 100+ | Small light can be annoying to some if they keep it running during the night |
| HEPA filter lasts for 6-8 months | A small number of customers say there’s a plastic smell when you first use it, but it goes away after a day or two of use |
| Earned the Energy Star by the U.S. EPA | |
| Certified energy efficient | |
| Is great at removing smelly odors | |
| Customers state allergies are more manageable indoors | |
| Small design | |
| Quiet on low and medium | |
| Easy to set up | |
| 3-year warranty |
Price
Dog Hair: Filtrete Air Purifier Review
Like other air purifiers in this article, Filtrete’s air purifier claims to capture 99.97% of airborne particles (as small as 0.3 microns), including dust, lint, dust mite debris, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, smoke, smog, bacteria, viruses, exhaust particles, and ultrafine particles. This air purifier can help clean air in rooms up to 250 square feet.
It has a change filter indicator to help you know when the filter has reached the end of its life. The top has a soft-touch display to adjust the fan speed, set a timer, dim the control panel lights, and reset the filter change indicator. We think this is the best air purifier for dog hair because it helps eliminate the smell and debris that comes with a shedding dog.
Our Personal Experience With Filtrete Air Purifier
I was sent a similar smart Filtrete air purifier (a smart air purifier that has a few advanced features) to test out in exchange for an unbiased review. I noticed our bedroom had a fairly strong pet odor in it, so I thought testing the air purifier in there would help me notice the most changes.
The air quality in our bedroom was absolutely terrible, I’m embarrassed to even share the numbers with you. When I set up the air purifier, the bedroom air quality was in the 120-range, which is deemed “poor.”
When I had the humidifier running in our bedroom, it worsened the air quality tremendously. This can happen depending on the type of water you use, how clean your humidifier is, how old the filter is, and more. Without the humidifier running, the air quality numbers were much lower in our bedroom. On average, our air quality is now less than five, which is deemed “good.”
This version of the Filtrete air purifier integrates with an app to adjust the fan speed, set a timer, see the filter life, learn more about pollutants, and more from my phone. I’ve been pleased with it and think it’s a great contender for the best air purifier for pet dander.
Since using the Filtrete air purifier, I’ve noticed the amount of dust, pet dander, and dog smell has decreased dramatically in our bedroom. We’re now considering purchasing a whole-home air purifier or additional units to be in other areas of concern in our home.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| CADR rating: 158 | Louder when on high mode |
| HEPA filter lasts for 6 months | |
| Earned the Energy Star by the U.S. EPA | |
| Is great at removing smelly odors | |
| Modern design | |
| Quiet on low and medium | |
| Easy to set up | |
| 1-year warranty |
Price
Large Spaces: Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Review
This advanced air purifier uses a four-stage filtration system (pre-filter, deodorization filter, true HEPA filter, and vital ion) that captures up to 99.97% of particles (0.3 microns) in the air. It’s amazingly effective in reducing odor, pollen, pollutants, and many other allergens. Many customer reviews state that it’s the best air purifier for allergies and pets.
Its real-time pollution sensor lets you know how clean or dirty your indoor air is all day long. You can set the timer to turn off after one, four, or eight hours. And to save energy, this purifier will automatically stop the fan and go into Eco mode when no pollution is detected for 30 minutes.
This Coway purifier is designed to accommodate room sizes up to 361 square feet and is ideal for apartments, a great room, and other mid-sized spaces. Many users, however, report excellent performance in much larger spaces, which is why it’s the best large room air purifier for pets.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| CADR ratings: 246 dust, 240 pollen, and 233 smoke | Set up instructions can be confusing |
| 4-stage filtration system | Some users say the fan is too noisy on high setting |
| HEPA filter lasts for a year and odor filter for 6 months | |
| Energy Star certified | |
| Pollution sensor communicates indoor air quality in real-time | |
| Filter lifetime indicator for pre-filter and HEPA filter | |
| Quiet on low and medium | |
| Attractive design and compact size | |
| 3-year warranty |
Price
Bedrooms: Levoit Core P350 Review
The Levoit Core P350 air purifier has a Pet Lock that prevents the change of settings by pets or children. It can cover up to 219 square feet and has a three-stage filtration system (fine preliminary filter, true HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter) that captures up to 99.97% of particles (0.3 microns) in the air.
It’s effective in absorbing pet odors and decomposing them to eliminate second-hand pollution, which is why we think it’s a great air purifier for pet urine smell and odor. You can set a timer for 2, 4, 8, or 12 hours. This Levoit air purifier is smaller than others and runs quietly in the background, so it’s a good option for your bedroom. It’s also a great air purifier for pet hair and dander and can help eliminate odors.
Our Personal Experience
We bought a Levoit for our bedroom as I was getting pretty stuffy at night. The purifier was easy to set up, and we love that it works with Google Assistant, so it’s easy to turn off and on at night. It’s super quiet and can’t even hear it blowing. The filter is easy to clean, and it has a nightlight feature if you want so you don’t trip over it in the dark.
– Sadie Cornelius, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog mom
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| CADR rating: 240 | Not Energy Star certified |
| HEPA filter lasts 6-8 months | |
| 3-stage filtration system | |
| Quiet | |
| Easy to setup | |
| Attractive design and compact size | |
| 1-year warranty |
Price
What Are My Other Options For Air Purifiers?
Below are more air purifiers we reviewed that may be great fits for your home.
Bionaire True HEPA 360° Air Purifier Review
Bionaire claims to capture 99.97% of airborne particles with its three-stage filtration system. This air purifier can help clean air in rooms up to 155 square feet making them excellent options for bedrooms, offices, playrooms, and more.
It has a unique 360° air intake, so it can clean from all directions. It’s easy to change the filter, and it’s super quiet when it’s turned on.
The control panel features on/off button, three fan speed settings, timer options, night light on/off, and night mode.
Our Personal Review
“I was sent a similar Bionaire True HEPA 360° Air Purifier in exchange for an unbiased review. I noticed my basement had more of a pet odor mixed with humidity. I leave my dog in the basement when I’m away from home, so it can start to smell downstairs at times. We already use a dehumidifier, which helps with the humidity level but I thought adding an air purifier to the area would offer additional benefits.
I plugged the Bionaire Air Purifier into the outlet and set it on the low setting. Within a couple of days, I stopped noticing the smell in the basement. I’m unsure about what the air quality level was in the basement because it doesn’t offer any type of advanced features like that, but I can tell that it improved it.
I don’t spend a lot of time in the basement, so I wish I had access to an app to see how the air quality is and turn it on/off from my phone. But overall, I’ve been happy with it and think it’s a great option for a medium-sized room.”
– Kimberly A., Canine Journal
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| CADR rating: 100 | Loud on medium and high settings |
| HEPA filter lasts up to 18 months | No auto mode to adjust the fan speed when more toxins are in the air |
| Great at removing smelly odors | |
| Quiet on low setting | |
| Easy to set up, lightweight, compact | |
| 1-year warranty |
Price
Dyson Pure Cool Link Review
Look no further if you want a sleek and modern air purifier for dust and pet hair. The Dyson Pure Cool Link Air Purifier claims to remove 99.97% of allergens and pollutants as small as 0.3 microns.
Dyson has an app that includes information about the filter’s life, acts as a remote control, and lets you schedule when the purifier is on and off. It also has a night mode, which is quieter and dims the display.
This didn’t make our top picks for the best air purifier for pet hair because of its high price point (without the technological advances you’ll find in the Molekule below). You can get other HEPA air purifiers for much less, and they do just as good of a job as this Dyson does. Unless you want an air purifier with an app, we recommend looking at our top picks.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 360° air intake | Expensive |
| Night mode | Since it’s more technical with the app, it can be tricky getting it set up at first |
| Can sync with your smartphone via app (iOS | Android) | Issues with the app in the past |
| Works with Amazon Alexa | |
| Filter is replaced every 12 months | |
| HEPA filter | |
| 2-year warranty |
Price
Want An Inside Look At The Dyson Air Purifier?
Check out this video to see how techy this air purifier truly is and what it can help eliminate from your home’s air.
Holmes HAP2420NUC Air Purifier Review
If you’re looking for a less expensive option to use in a 10′ x 11′ room, then the Holmes HAP242-NUC air purifier is a great choice. It claims to remove up to 99% of airborne particles as small as 2 microns. You can place the purifier vertically or horizontally on a desk, table, or other surfaces.
As stated, it works best for smaller rooms, approximately 110 square feet, so using this in an office or bedroom is ideal. This Holmes air purifier has a carbon filter which helps remove up to 44% of odors from the air.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| CADR rating: 70 | Only collects particles down to 2 microns |
| Filter lifespan varies based on the filter you buy | Not stylish |
| Filter change indicator | Some customers complain of a chemical smell |
| Small design | Not the best air purifier for smoke |
| Quiet on low, medium, and high modes | HEPA type filter is not a true HEPA filter |
| Great value |
Price
Honeywell 50250-S Review
Honeywell is a household name for security equipment, HVAC equipment, doorbells, and air quality equipment, including air purifiers. This Honeywell model’s glass fiber HEPA filter collects up to 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
The system will notify you when you need to change or clean the filter. The pre-filter, which is carbon activated, captures larger particles, reduces odors, and should be replaced every three months. However, if you vacuum the pre-filter, it can be extended to three to five years.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Filter can last 3-5 years | Not stylish |
| CADR rated 250 for smoke, dust, and pollen | Louder when on higher modes |
| AHAM Certified for rooms up to 390 sq ft | Some assembly is required, but customers say it’s easy |
| Filter change indicator | Small light can be annoying to some if they keep it running during the night |
| 360° air intake | Cannot be placed against a wall |
| Customers state allergies are more manageable indoors | |
| HEPA filter | |
| 5-year warranty |
Price
Molekule Review
Is the Molekule the next-gen of air purifiers? That’s what they claim — and consumer feedback seems to agree that this new technology’s ability to clean the air is more effective than traditional HEPA-filtered purifiers. Molekule’s major selling point is PECO, an innovative nanotechnology that utilizes free radicals to oxidize pollutants and kill airborne viruses and airborne chemicals (called VOCs). They say that this technology can destroy pollutants 1,000 times smaller than traditional HEPA filters.
The only major downside we see for this product is its high price tag, which will turn away some consumers. They do, however, offer a payment plan, and it comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very effective against mold and many allergens | Very expensive |
| Innovative technology has been third-party tested (and they publish test results) | Replacement PECO filters are expensive (but you get your first year free) |
| Can choose 2 room sizes (250 or 1,000 square feet) | Some users had problems with the smartphone app being buggy |
| Three operating modes: silent, boost, and auto | |
| Glowing customer reviews about its performance | |
| 60-day money-back guarantee | |
| 1-year warranty |
Price
Molekule gives you one year of free filters and offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Note: While conducting our research for this article, we noticed some users complaining about the release of cool air from air purifiers. To clarify, this is totally normal, and it’s natural for there to be a slight breeze.
Best Air Filters For Pets: Filtrete
Each of the air purifiers above takes its own specific filter. However, filters in your home’s furnace need to be changed regularly. Depending on the type of air filter you get, you may need to change it every one to three months. However, if you suffer from allergies or have multiple pets, you may want to change your filters more often.
We recommend these Filtrete Odor Reduction air filters for furnaces for the best air filter for pet hair. These air filters can last up to three months and remove strong odors from the air, including smells from pets, cooking, mildew, and smoke. For the best air filter for homes with pets, consider Filtrete’s Odor Reduction.
Whole-Home Air Purifier Systems
If you don’t want to have an air purifier in every room, you can install a whole-home air purifier solution. These air purifiers can be in the thousand-dollar range, so they aren’t as affordable as the air purifiers we reviewed for this article.
It’s an investment, but if you want a house full of clean air, a whole-home solution may be best for you.
What Are Air Purifiers?
Generally speaking, all air purifiers have an intake where the air is taken into the system to be filtered and another spot where it’s released after filtration.
By using an air purifier, the air in your home will smell and feel squeaky clean. You’ll notice your ability to breathe easier and may even find that you don’t need allergy medication as often.
Can An Air Purifier Remove Urine Smell?
You might be wondering, “Will an air purifier get rid of dog smell?” Yes. Find one like our winner for bedrooms with an activated carbon filter to trap and neutralize home pet odors, including that nasty pee small. A HEPA filter may not prove as useful for urine smells and other odors emitted as very small particles.
Air Purifier Terminology & Technology
Here’s a bit more explanation about the technical side of how air purifiers work and what to look for when picking out the right one for you.
What Are HEPA Filters?
High-efficiency particulate air filters (aka HEPA filters) force air through a mesh screen and collect harmful particles like pet dander, mold spores, pollen, and dust mites. We’ve noted in our reviews which air purifiers use HEPA filters.
Air Purifier Certifications
We discuss three certifications in this article: Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), Energy Star, and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).
- CADR is a measurement of how fast an air purifier delivers filtered air. The higher the CADR, the better.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gives products the Energy Star rating when they meet energy-efficient guidelines.
- AHAM is an organization that inspects the performance of household appliances.
Note: Not all of the air purifiers we reviewed will have all three of these ratings. We provide information about these certifications for the products we could find.
What Is A Micron?
You’ll hear us refer to microns in this article and the size of microns an air purifier can handle. A micron is equal to one-millionth of a meter (in other words, it’s super small).
Here are some common particles in our air and their size in microns to give you some perspective.
- Human hair: 80-100 microns
- Pollen: 30 microns
- Mold spores: 10-30 microns
- Household dust: 10 microns
- Pet dander: 5 microns
- Smoke: 1 micron
If you want your air purifier to get rid of smoke, you’ll need one that can filter particles as small as one micron. If you want an air purifier to help with pet odor and dander, you’ll need one that can handle particles as small as five microns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions from our readers regarding air purifiers.
Do Air Purifiers Help With Pet Hair?
You may be wondering, do air purifiers catch pet hair? Yes, air purifiers can help eliminate pet hair, but only if it is floating in the air. So, do air purifiers remove pet hair entirely? Air purifiers won’t magically eliminate all the pet hair and dander lying around your home (we wish!).
Do Air Purifiers Work For Pet Allergies?
If you are also thinking, will air purifier help with dog allergies? Yes, air purifiers can help alleviate dog allergy and asthma triggers because they remove tiny particles from the air. We recommend any of our top picks as the best air purifier for pet allergies and asthma.
What Are The Best Air Purifying Plants Safe For Pets?
Below is a list of the best air-purifying plants that are safe for dogs.
- Money Tree
- Palms
- Spider Plant
- Boston Fern
- Bamboo
- Wax Plant
- Gerber Daisy
- Prayer Plant
Can Air Purifiers Prevent Illness, Like COVID-19?
Air purifiers won’t necessarily prevent you from getting COVID-19, but they can improve the air quality in your home to help someone suffering from this illness. Additionally, running an air purifier could help protect other family members or caregivers.
COVID-19 spreads via viral droplets transmitted from the body. Air purifiers can help reduce airborne germs that cause the flu and common cold, which is a coronavirus. So this device may reduce some COVID-19 airborne pathogens as well, but experts haven’t verified it.
Best Vacuum For Pet Hair
Another way to improve the air quality in your home is to vacuum up the dust, dog hair, pet dander, and other particles that have landed on your floors and embedded themselves into your carpet. Vacuuming can help remove pet hair from the air and other airborne particles from your home and improve the overall cleanliness and air quality in your home. Our experts have reviewed some of the best vacuums for pet hair and share our findings with you.
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