11 Best Air Purifiers for Pet Owners: Top Picks, Reviews & Buying Guide

Are you a pet owner struggling with pet allergy and/or pet odors? 

Let us help you find a suitable air purifier. 

Having a pet negatively affects your overall home environment. And shedding hair and pet dander are not the only problems.

If your cat or dog likes spending time outdoors, it can introduce a hoard of allergens like pollen, dust, germs, and other grime. Not to mention the smell. 

Fortunately, you don't have to keep your furry friends outside to maintain a clean and fresh indoor atmosphere. A good air purifier can help combat pet-associated allergens. 

Since there are tons of models out there, choosing the right device according to their needs becomes tough for most pet owners.

To simplify the matters, we dug deep and rounded up the best air purifiers for pet inhabited homes. Check out our reviews to learn more about them. 

What's Inside This Buying Guide

Why Buy an Air Purifier for Pets?

An air purifier allows you to live comfortably with your pet especially if you have a dog or cat allergy.

But it’s not just pet allergy sufferers who need an air purifier.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, people with other allergies or Asthma are highly likely to be also allergic to pets. 

The best treatment for pet allergy is to avoid keeping pets at home. But if you still want to live with your cat or dog, the next best option is to buy a HEPA air purifier for pets.

It will filter out almost all airborne pet allergens from the air as well as other common allergens like dust and pollen.

Note: If you have a severe pet allergy, the best option may be to avoid living with a pet. Consult your doctor before you make a decision on whether to keep your pet or not.

Even if you do not have a pet allergy, an air purifier can still help if you have pets around.

Pet dander can still cause mild allergy-like symptoms in healthy people including stuffiness, sneezing, and itchy eyes.

Pet hair can also carry other common allergens and pollutants like pollen and dust around the house.

Simply put, pets, as lovely as they are, reduce indoor air quality. If it’s not dander, it’s the stink from their feces.

A good quality air purifier ensures your indoor air remains clean, fresh and allergen-free.

11 Best Air Purifiers for Pets

Disclaimer: All links below go to Amazon.com

1. Best All Round Air Purifier for Pets: Winix HR900

The Winix HR900 is the best air purifier for most homes with pets. It has excellent air filtration, easily covers small and medium size rooms and the price is not too bad. 

With one of the highest CADR in the industry, the Winix HR900 easily handles pet dander and hair, and any other allergens in your home. 

Best Features 

1. 5-Stage Filtration System 

The Winix HR900 passes indoor air through 5 filtration stages to remove as many airborne contaminants as possible. Here are the various stages: 

A note on plasmawave technology; it’s a type of ionizer. Whether it produces ozone like other ionizers in air purifiers, we are not sure. 

Winix claims their Plasmawave technology is ozone-free, but some sources say it produces a little amount of ozone. 

Even if it does produce some ozone, it’s too little to cause any harm. But if you are concerned, there’s a dedicated button to turn the Plasmawave feature off. 

2. Air Quality Sensor and Indicator

Three built-in sensors constantly measure the amount of particulates and odor in your indoor air. The Winix HR900 then indicates the current air quality using a color-coded strip of light. 

Blue means good, amber is fair and red means poor air quality. 

Knowing your home’s air quality can help you determine when it goes down and the possible cause. If possible, you can then eliminate or reduce the source of pollution. 

3.  Auto Mode

The Winix HR900 also uses the air quality sensors to automatically adjust fan speed. When in auto mode, you don't need to adjust fan speed manually when you need better air filtration. 

The unit will automatically sense an increase in indoor air pollution and increase fan speed. When air quality improves, it reduces fan speed to save energy. 

The Winix HR900 also features an automatic sleep mode. When you turn off the lights, it automatically reduces fan speed to the lowest setting for a quieter operation and turns off the air quality light. 

You can also manually turn on sleep mode using the mode button. The control panel also includes a timer button with auto-off options for 1, 4 and 8 hours. 

4. Great for Medium Size Rooms

With a maximum coverage of 300 square feet, the Winix HR900 is great for medium-size rooms. It also works great in smaller rooms, but we don't recommend using it in a room smaller than 200 sf. 

If you want an air filter for a small home office, bedroom or nursery, there are many cheaper air purifiers that work great in smaller spaces.

Issues and Limitations 

The Winix HR900 doesn't come with a remote control, meaning you have to stand and walk to the air purifier any time you want to adjust a particular setting. 

If you find this inconvenient, select auto mode and the air purifier will automatically adjust fan speed to keep up with the amount of air pollution in your home.

The Bottom Line 

It’s not the most powerful device nor the most advanced, but the Winix HR900 does the job of filtering pet allergens well enough for most homes. 

A remote control would have been handy, but the Winix HR900 makes up for it with its hands-off auto mode.

2. Best for Pet Dander: GermGuardian AC5250PT 3 in 1 True HEPA Air Purifier

If you are looking for an air purifier you can use in your home office, bedroom or a small living room, we recommend the GermGuardian AC5250PT.

It’s perfectly sized for smaller rooms of up to 180 square feet.

It uses a 3-stage filtration process to remove mold spores, pet dander, dust and other allergens from the air. This includes a carbon filter, a HEPA filter, and a UV-C lamp.

Best Features 

1. Two Filters Plus UV Bulb 

The GermGuardian AC5250PT has two primary filters: a carbon filter that captures large allergens and filters out odors and a HEPA filter that captures tiny allergens like pet dander and mold spores.

The unit has an extra line of defense to ensure the best air quality. An integrated UV-C bulb targets airborne bacteria, viruses and mold spores.

2. Five Fan Speed Levels 

If your pet has just used the litter box or the air feels particularly dirty, you can increase fan speed to remove odors and allergens quickly.

At the highest speeds, the AC5250PT is relatively noisy, similar to most other air purifiers.

But at medium and low speeds, which are the ones you’ll be using most of the time, the fan is barely audible.

At the lowest speed, you can sleep soundly without any noises to distract you.

Note that the GermGuardian air purifier lacks an auto mode. So you have to manually adjust the fan speed yourself depending on how polluted the indoor air is.

3. Filter Change Reminder and Timer

An indicator on this GermGuardian unit will light up when it’s time to change the filter or the bulb. The filters last about 6 months while the bulb lasts for about a year.

Another convenient feature is the auto switch off timer. It’s handy for nighttime use or in case you forget to switch off the device when leaving home.

Issues and Limitations 

1. Not Ideal for Large Rooms 

The GermGuardian AC5250PT works best in small rooms. You can still use it in a room larger than the max recommended area of 180 sq. ft. but it will clean the air slower and less efficiently.

If you want this air cleaner instead of a larger one with more coverage, consider getting two of them.

2. Noisy at Higher Fan Speeds

At speed levels 4 and 5, you’ll have to turn up the TV volume. It’ll also be difficult to carry on any conversation.

3. No Auto Mode 

You have to select the right fan speed manually. With auto mode, the AC5250PT would automatically pick the best fan speed based on the air quality.

The lack of auto mode also means the GermGuardian AC5250PT doesn’t have an air quality indicator.

The Bottom Line 

This air purifier is best for: Any pet owner looking for a compact HEPA air filtration device for a small room.

Avoid if: You want an air purifier you can use in a large room.

3. Best for Removing Pet Odor: AeraMax 300

Having two or more pets means higher levels of allergens in the air.

You’ll need an air purifier powerful enough to remove all the pet dander and hair floating in the air as well as the dust and pollen the pets bring into the house.

We recommend the AeraMax 300.

Rated for rooms up to 600 square feet, the AeraMax 300 uses 4-stage filtration to remove pet dander, pet odors and other allergens from indoor air.

A smart set and forget auto mode automatically increases performance to keep up with the number of pet allergens in the air.

Best Features 

1. Four-stage Filtration 

Carbon pre-filter: Captures pet odors, smoke and large particles like pet hair.

True HEPA filter: Filters out pet dander, pollen, fine dust and mold spores.

Antimicrobial treatment: Prevents the growth of bacteria and mold inside the device.

Ionizer: Clumps together allergens and pollutants, making it easier to filter them out of the air.

2. Smart Auto Mode with Air Quality Indicator 

You can manually select from the four fan speeds to vary the air purifier’s performance and noise level.

But the auto mode is more convenient to use. Using an integrated air quality sensor, the unit will automatically select the best fan speed based on air quality.

The sensor also displays the air quality using a color-coded indicator. Red means dirty air, blue means the indoor air is clean and amber means air quality is somewhere in the middle.

3. Aera+ Mode for Allergy Season 

For pet owners with allergies, allergy season can be especially bad. As if pet hair and dander are not enough, you also have to deal with higher levels of pollen, dust and other allergens.

The Aeramax 300 has a special mode called Aera+ that you can turn on when allergen levels are particularly high.

It kicks up the unit’s performance to keep the air clean.

Issues and Limitations 

1. No Sleep Mode or Light Dimmer 

If you prefer a completely dark bedroom, you’ll find its light panel to be annoying.

There is no button or mode to dim or turn off the lights.

2. Noisy Ionizer 

You most likely will have to keep the ionizer off if you get the AeraMax 300. That’s because it produces an annoying high-pitched sound that is especially audible at night.

The Bottom Line 

This air purifier is best for: Homes with multiple pets. Also great for pet owners who want a powerful unit to purify a large room.

Avoid if: You are looking for an air filter for a small room (under 200 square feet).

4. Ozone-free Air Purifier for Pets: LEVOIT LV-PUR131

If you are concerned about your family and pets being exposed to ozone, the LEVOIT LV-PUR131 is the best choice.

Unlike most air cleaning filters, it does not have a negative ion generator or a UV lamp, meaning it doesn’t produce any ozone at all.

Best Features 

1. Three-stage Ozone-free Filtration 

While most air purifiers with ionizers produce very low levels of ozone, research is not clear on the long-term effect of exposure to any level of ozone.

This is the best option if you don’t want to risk any exposure to your family and pets.

The lack of an ionizer means the LV-PUR131 has one less stage than other options on this list. But the three stages do a great job removing allergens, odors, and pollutants from indoor air.

They include a pre-filter for dust, dander and pet hair, a HEPA filter for finer allergens like mold spores and an activated carbon filter for odors.

2. Auto Mode and Air Quality Indicator 

The auto mode feature lets you enjoy the air purifier without messing with any fan speed settings.

Instead, an air sensor constantly monitors air quality and automatically increases fan speed if it detects a spike in allergens or smell.

It also displays real-time air quality through an air quality indicator. It changes color to show whether your indoor air is dirty, medium-clean or clean.

3. Sleep Mode and Timer

Select sleep mode and the device instantly turns off all lights and selects the lowest and quietest fan speed.

You can also set a timer before you sleep and the unit will automatically turn off after the selected number of hours.

Issues and Limitations 

1. Problematic Reset Button 

Several users say the reset button doesn’t always work. Pressing it should remove the filter replacement warning after you put in a new filter but it sometimes doesn’t.

2. Noisy Fan 

At higher speeds, the fan can be quite noisy, especially if you are trying to watch a movie or talk to someone.

3. Subpar Build Quality 

The LV-PUR131 is surprisingly cheap considering its coverage and features.

I guess one of the things they sacrificed to lower the price tag is build quality. Customers say this Levoit model doesn’t feel like it will last for more than a couple of years.

The Bottom Line 

The LV-PUR131 is best for: Pet owners looking for an ozone-free air purifier.

Avoid if: You want an air purifying unit that is well-made, meaning it can survive around kids and pets and will last long.

5. Best for Pet Hair Removal: Oransi OV200 Air Purifier

If you want a device that is guaranteed to last long, we recommend the Oransi OV200.

Where most models have a 1-2 year warranty, the Oransi OV200 has a 10-year warranty.

Beyond its excellent build quality, the air purifier offers high-performance 3-stage air filtration, powerful large room coverage and easy control via remote control.

Best Features 

1. Three-Stage Ozone-Free Filtration 

The Oransi OV200 is another good choice if you are concerned about ozone exposure. It doesn’t have an ion generator or a UV bulb.

It uses three mechanical filters.

Pre-filter: Captures the larger particles like pet hair and dust.

HEPA air filter: Captures 99.97% of allergens as small as 0.3 microns, including mold spores, pet dander, and fine dust.

Activated carbon filter: Removes common household odors associated with smoking, cooking, aerosol sprays and pets. It also eliminates volatile organic compounds.

2. Auto Mode

Instead of selecting fan speed manually, select auto mode and the unit will automatically set the best fan speed for your home’s air quality.

When the air sensor detects a spike in allergen levels, fan speed increases to clean the air quicker. When the air gets clean, it reduces fan speed to save energy and reduce noise.

3. Highly Portable 

The OV200's lightweight and compact design makes it easy to move between different rooms.

4. Sleep Mode 

Sleep mode turns off the lights and reduces fan noise to create an optimal sleeping environment.

However, if you prefer to slumber off to white noise, you can increase fan speed to enjoy the relaxing hum.

5. Remote Control 

This is one of the few portable devices that come with remote control. It makes a big difference in terms of ease of use and convenience.

You don’t have to bend down every time you want to change a setting.

Issues and Limitations 

1. Noisy when on High 

Some people love the white noise-like sound of the fan when it’s set at the highest speed. But others find it too noisy.

If you are watching a movie or using this air purifier in a nursery, the top speed is a tad too loud.

The Bottom Line 

The Oransi OV200 is best for: Pet owners who want a long-lasting and low-maintenance option. Also ideal for anyone looking for an ozone-free air filter for a large room.

Avoid if: You are looking for a budget air purifier. This one’s a bit pricey.

6. Best For Pet Allergies: Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier

If the idea of changing filters every 6 months sounds tedious (and expensive), consider buying the Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 HEPA air purifier.

If you leave it on for 12 hours a day, the charcoal and HEPA filters will last a whopping 3 years.

Beat Features 

1. Four-stage Filtration 

Permanent washable pre-filter: Traps large particles like pet hair and dust.

BioGS HEPA air filter: Filters the tiniest of allergens including pet dander, mold spores, smoke, and fine dust.

Activated carbon filter: Reduces common household odors, pet smells and harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

Negative ion generator: Enhances air purification and freshens the air.

2. Long Life Filters 

With most air purifying devices, you have to replace the filters every 6 or 12 months. The Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 uses a HEPA filter and carbon filter that are designed to last up to 3 years.

This is assuming you use it for 12 hours a day. If you prefer leaving yours on 24/7, the filters will still last a respectable 15-18 months.

It’s important to dust and vacuum the filters regularly to make sure they last that long.

3. 5 Fan Speeds and Auto Mode

You can set the fan speed yourself or, as most users prefer, leave the air filter on auto mode.

An allergen and odor sensor constantly monitors air quality. If there is a spike in allergens and pollutants, it automatically increases fan speed until the air gets clean.

4. Best for Small and Medium Size Rooms 

While Rabbit Air says, this unit is good for large rooms of up to 550 sq. ft., you’ll get the best results in a smaller room.

They recommend a maximum room size of 275 sq. ft. for allergy sufferers, where it makes up to 4 air changes per hour.

In a 500-550 sq. ft. room, it only manages 2 air changes per hour.

5. Sleek Modern Design

You probably won’t find any option as beautiful as this one. It’s big and boxy, but they’ve managed to make it look great. The neutral white finish blends perfectly into any room.

Issues and Limitations 

1. Loud when On High 

Like most air filters, the Rabbit Air is a bit loud when the fan is spinning at the highest speed. Fortunately, you only need the highest setting when the air gets really dirty.

If it is in auto mode, it will switch to the highest speed only for a short time until the air clears up.

The Bottom Line 

This Rabbit Air device is best for: Pet owners who want a low-maintenance device with long-lasting filters.

Avoid if: You want a device that can cover a large room.

7. Best for Removing Cat Hair: Rabbit Air MinusA2

If loud sounds easily spook your pets or you want a super quiet air purifier, we recommend the highly rated MinusA2 by Rabbit Air.

Like other Rabbit Air models, this one is incredibly well made. They’ve gone the extra mile, such as using expensive brushless motors, to make it quiet even when on high.

It’s great for bedrooms, the nursery, living area, and home office.

Best Features 

1. Six Filtration Stages 

Washable permanent pre-filter: Removes large airborne particles and allergens.

Medium filter: Removes smaller particles of up to 1 micron in size, including pollen, pet dander and some mold spores.

BioGS HEPA Filter: Removes even smaller particles of up to 0.3 microns, including smaller mold spores, fine dust, and other allergens.

Customized filter: You can select from several types of filters depending on your air purification needs. For pet owners, we recommend the Pet Allergy filter. If it’s the litter smell bothering you, get the Odor Remover filter.

Activated carbon filter: Removes common household odors.

Ionizer: Produces negative ions that give the room a crispy and fresh feel.

2. Ultra-Quiet Operation

The Rabbit Air MinusA2 is designed to operate quietly even when set on the highest fan speed setting. It’s perfect for the bedroom, a baby nursery or a home office.

3. Large Room Coverage 

The MinusA2 puts out enough power to cover large rooms of up to 700 sq. ft. In that big an area, it does two air changes per hour.

For allergy sufferers, Rabbit Air recommends a max room size of 350 sq. ft. to increase the number of air changes to 4 per hour. This keeps the air cleaner.

4. Customized Panel Options

Despite its large and boxy design, the MinusA2 looks pretty cool thanks to a customizable front panel.

They have several beautiful designs you can choose from.

If you want to showcase your appliance, you can mount it on the wall using the included mounting kit. It’s the only wall mountable air purifying appliance we have reviewed.

5. Automatic Sleep Mode

The device senses when it’s dark and automatically enters sleep mode. This turns off the lights and lowers fan speed to provide a more comfortable sleeping environment.

Issues and Limitations 

1. Pricey 

The Rabbit Air MinusA2 is one of the more expensive portable options.

But the high price tag is not surprising considering the range of features and coverage area.

The Bottom Line 

The Rabbit Air MinusA2 is best for: Pet owners looking for a quiet air cleaning device.

Avoid if: You are looking for a budget model.

8. Best for Dog Hair and Dust: Alen BreatheSmart Classic Fur Family

With its powerful 1100 sq. ft. coverage, the Alen BreatheSmart is the best choice for pet owners who want a device that can easily clear the hair and dust in an extra-large space.

The Alen BreatheSmart Classic comes in several customizable filter options.

For dealing with pet dander and pet odors, we recommend the Fur Family version. It’s optimized for pet allergens and odors.

Best Features 

1. Optimized For Pet Owners 

Alen BreatheSmart comes with the HEPA Odor Cell filter that is designed specifically for pet owners.

The filter is optimized to remove dander particles and strong pet smells. It consists of three layers that remove pet dander, mold spores, dust, pet hair, and odor molecules.

The odor cell filter also contains MCP or molecular conversion powder, a special odor-removing material that focuses specifically on urine and feces smells. 

Whether you are struggling with the smell from your cats’ litter or a persistent wet dog smell, the Alen BreatheSmart is the best option for pet odor, dog hair and dust. 

2. Auto Mode 

Instead of constantly changing fan speed, just set the unit to auto mode and it will do all the work for you.

It uses an integrated smart sensor to detect allergens and pollutants in the air. If there’s a spike, it instantly increases fan speed to clean up the air faster.

3. Large Room Coverage 

If you are looking for a powerful air cleaner that can cover a large bedroom, an open style living area or an open basement, the Alen BreatheSmart is a great choice.

4. Works Quietly 

Despite its size and power, the Alen BreatheSmart purifier is surprisingly quiet.

It’s fitted with WhisperMax technology that reduces noise levels even when the fan speed is set to the highest level.

Issues and Limitations 

1. Expensive 

Like the Rabbit Air MinusA2, the Alen BreatheSmart is not cheap.

But considering it is one of the most powerful units, we did not expect otherwise.

The Bottom Line 

The Alen BreatheSmart Classic Fur Family is best for: Pet owners who want a powerful air purifier that can cover an extra-large space.

Avoid if: You are looking for a budget model or an air filter for a small room.

9. Best for Cat Allergies: IQAir HealthPro Plus

The IQAir HealthPro Plus is one of the most expensive home air cleaners, but it’s for a good reason. Its filtration performance beats that of conventional HEPA air filters. 

Its HyperHEPA filter captures far smaller particles and allergens, which is why we think the IQAir is the best choice for pet owners with asthma or allergies. Combined with its powerful airflow, you can comfortably live with a pet in your home. 

Best Features 

1. HyperHepa Filtration 

The IQAir’s best feature is its ability to capture ultra-fine particles as small as 0.003 microns. These ultra-fine particles are particularly dangerous for your health because they penetrate to your lungs and organs more easily. 

They cause more severe pulmonary inflammation and irritation, which worsens symptoms for asthmatics and people with allergies. 

The HyperHepa filter in the IQAir HealthPro Plus captures these ultra-tiny particles more effectively than most HEPA air filters. 

Many customers with allergies say their symptoms disappeared overnight. 

In addition to the HyperHepa filter, the IQAir air purifier also comes with a V5-Cell Filter. This filter consists of activated carbon and alumina that filter out VOCs, odors and gaseous chemicals from indoor air.

2. Long Filter Life

The average filter life for the V5-Cell filter is two years, while the HyperHepa filter lasts about four years. 

Note that these lifespans are based on using the air filter for 10 hours daily at speed setting 3. So if you leave the unit on all day long, it’ll last roughly half the expected lifespan. 

3. Large Room Coverage 

The IQAir HealthPro Plus is big, measuring over 2 feet tall. The upside to its size is that it packs more power. 

This IQAir unit can cover rooms as big as 1,125 sq. ft. You can even filter air in multiple rooms or an entire small home if you leave doors to different rooms open. 

4. Quiet and Energy Efficient 

Despite its size and power, the HealthPro Plus is surprisingly quiet and uses very little energy. The main reason for this is the specially designed fan that delivers powerful airflow with minimal wattage consumption. 

At the highest fan speed, it uses only 215 watts of power. At the lowest speed, it’s a paltry 27 watts. 

The quiet operation is partly because the air comes out in multiple directions at a 320-degree angle. There isn’t a single noisy air outlet. 

The HealthPro Plus has 6 fan speeds. Obviously, the highest couple settings are going to be fairly noisy. But you’ll rarely use them. The middle and lower settings are quiet enough for working and sleeping. 

Issues & Limitations

It’s surprising the IQAir lacks an auto mode, considering its price. An auto mode that automatically adjusts fan speed based on air quality is both convenient and energy-saving. 

Another issue with the IQAir is the price tag. It easily costs four times the price of some other options in this buying guide. But considering it’s filtration performance, power and large room coverage, we can’t complain.  

The Bottom Line

The IQAir HealthPro Plus is not for everyone. If you don't have serious allergies or asthma symptoms, a cheaper and smaller HEPA unit will do.

If, on the other hand, you want your indoor air to remain as pristine as possible even with a pet inside the house, go for the IQAir HealthPro Plus. 

10. Best Value Air Purifier for Pets: LEVOIT LV-H133

If you are looking for a good deal on a high-performance unit, we doubt you’ll find a better bargain than the LEVOIT LV-H133 HEPA air filter. 

The LV-H133 is an affordable option that can cover large rooms, has an auto mode and comes with a medical grade HEPA filter.

Best Features 

1. Excellent Performance for the Money 

The LEVOIT LV-H133 cleans the air just as well, and sometimes better, than many pricier models in the market. 

It has the three standard stages of filtration: a pre-filter to capture large particles, a true HEPA filter for tiny allergens and an activated carbon filter for odors and gasses. 

The surprising part is how big an area it covers. The manufacturer-recommended max room size is 538 square feet, which is bigger than the area many pricier air filters cover. It’ll clean all the room’s air in a quick 15 minutes. 

If your home has less airborne pollution or if you don't have any allergies or asthma, you can use the LEVOIT LV-H133 in an even bigger room with an area up to 1,076 sq. ft. It’ll do a full air change every 30 minutes. 

2. Auto Mode + Air Quality Indicator 

Usually, we only see air quality sensors in $300+ air purifiers. It’s a pleasant surprise that the affordable LEVOIT LV-H133 has them. 

This allows it to have an auto mode, where it automatically adjusts fan speed depending on the amount of air pollution. And it’s really sensitive. Users say it turns up fan speed as soon as something starts cooking in the kitchen or if the pet walks in. 

An air quality indicator lights up in different colors to let you know how clean or dirty your indoor air is. 

3. Quiet 

Even at the highest fan speed, the LEVOIT LV-H133 operates quietly. Turn down fan speed or select sleep mode and it’ll be barely audible. 

The unit’s control panel also lets you turn off display lights for better sleep. You can also set an auto-off timer. 

Issues & Limitations 

The LEVOIT LV-H133 has a relatively short filter life compared to the filters in most air cleaners. Instead of the usual 1 year, you have to replace filters in the LV-H133 every 6-8 months. 

Another issue, but not a dealbreaker, is the lack of a remote control. But with auto mode, you don't really need it. Just select auto mode and let the unit select the best fan speed. 

The Bottom Line

The LEVOIT LV-H133 is one of the best deals you’ll find online for a HEPA air filter that’s great for homes with pets. 

11. Best for Eliminating VOCs: EnviroKlenz Air Purifier Plus Large Room Air Purifier

VOCs are gaseous chemicals emitted by various solids and liquids in your home that are not just bad for you but can also harm your pets.

But fret not! An air filter that eliminates VOCs from indoor air can protect both your health and that of your pets.

And your best bet for eliminating VOCs is the EnviroKlenz Air Purifier Plus. It doesn't just tackle these chemicals; it also reduces odors, pet hair, allergens, and microbes.

Best Features

1. 3-Stage Filtration

The EnviroKlenz Air Purifier Plus uses three oversize filters to purify indoor air.

The first filter is a cartridge containing earth minerals, including titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, and zinc oxide. This filter cartridge is why we recommend this EnviroKlenz unit to eliminate volatile organic gasses in indoor air.

It’s been tested by third parties to reduce a variety of VOCs, including formaldehyde, benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia.

In addition, the cartridge also reduces airborne microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even mold.

It also acts as a pre-filter, trapping large particles like dust and pet hair. The second HEPA filter traps finer particles like pet dander, fine dust, pollen, and mold spores.

Finally, a UV bulb provides additional protection against microbes and sterilizes the internal filters.

2. Large Room Coverage

With a max coverage of 1,000 square feet, the EnviroKlenz Air Purifier Plus is among the most powerful indoor air filters. 

It’s a great choice for open-style living rooms, open basements, and any large indoor space.

3. Simple Control Panel

This EnviroKlenz air cleaner has one of the simplest and easiest to use control panels we’ve seen in an air cleaning device.

It consists of a dial to select one of the four fan speeds, a switch for the UV lamp, and filter replacement indicators.

However, you do miss out on certain conveniences like an auto-off timer and sleep mode.

Issues and Limitations

If you are shopping for a budget air filter, the EnviroKlenz Air Purifier Plus is not it. It is pricey, which is expected considering the space it covers.

The expensive filter cartridge, which you need to replace every six months, also drives up ownership costs.

For its price, we wish the unit came with an auto mode to detect air quality and adjust the fan speed automatically.

As it is, you have to increase fan speed yourself when the air feels polluted (e.g. after the cat has used the litter), and turn it down when the air is cleaner, and you want some quiet. It also doesn't come with a remote controller.

Speaking of quiet, this EnviroKlenz unit is a bit noisy even at the lowest setting. If you are looking for a whisper-quiet bedside air filter, this is not it.

The Bottom Line

Though a bit pricey and noisy, this air purifying device from EnviroKlenz is the best option for pet owners who are worried about VOCs.

Buying Guide for Pet Air Purifiers

A simple search for air purifiers yields thousands of results for you to choose from. However, not all models are designed to address air quality issues of a home where pets reside. 

You need a special air cleaning system that not only helps eliminate pet dander and hair but also addresses odor issues. To help narrow down your choice, we have compiled the following buying guide discussing pet air purifiers.

The Truth About Pet Hair, Dander and Your Health

Pet hair is actually not an allergen. But it can carry allergens that cause sneezing, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms.

The allergen that affects most people is pet dander, flakes of dead skin the dog leaves behind on surfaces and disperses into the air.

A pet’s saliva and urine can also cause pet allergies.

Pet allergens can also worsen the health of asthma sufferers. The dander can trigger asthma attacks and worsen asthma symptoms.

Even if you are completely healthy – no allergies and no asthma – you may still find that you are a bit sensitive to pet dander if the concentration is high.

Because it’s so small, it’s easy for it to get into your respiratory system and cause hay fever-like symptoms.

Note: There’s nothing like a hypoallergenic pet. All pets produce dander and pose a health risk to people with allergies and asthma. Even short-haired dogs and cats can cause allergic reactions. Other pets like guinea pigs, birds, ferrets and hamsters can also introduce pet dander into the air.

Benefits of Buying an Air Purifier for Pets

Four Types Of Air Purifiers For Pets

HEPA Air Purifiers 

HEPA or high efficiency particulate air filters are a must-have for homes with pets. The HEPA filters can remove almost 100% of pet dander and other allergens in the air, ensuring you are breathing in fresh air. 

Note: Don't get confused by manufacturers and sellers who use the terms HEPA type or HEPA like filters. These are not certified HEPA filters and will not capture tiny allergens from your pet and environment. Only get a purifier that has a true HEPA filter. 

Activated Carbon Air Purifiers 

These are not ideal for pets since some small particles of pet dander can pass through the filter.

But they are great for eliminating pet-related as well as other odors.

Ionizers/Negative Ion Generators 

These purifiers do not use any filters. Instead, they produce negative ions that attach onto allergens and pollutants in the air, causing them to clump and fall to the ground.

They are not very effective at eliminating all allergens and are ineffective against pet odors.

UV Purifiers 

Like ionizers, these do not use any filters as well. Instead, UV light is used to kill germs and sanitize the air.

Such units are ineffective against pet dander and odor since they only target bacteria, viruses, and mold spores.

Note: Most air purifiers for pets use a combination of the above air purification technologies. A typical HEPA filter will have a mesh pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, a HEPA filter, and an ionizer.

Some also have a UV lamp for germs.

What to Look For When Buying an Air purifier for Pet Problems

Pet Air Purifier Basics

HEPA Filter 

Do not buy an air cleaner without a HEPA filter. It will be of no help at all.

A HEPA filter is the only one good enough to capture the tiny particles of pet dander floating in the air, some of which are smaller than 2.5 microns.

These tiny particles along with dust, pollen, mold spores and other allergens are responsible for irritating your airways and causing allergy symptoms. 

Activated Carbon Filter

This is another must-have filter in a pet air purifier.

While a HEPA filter excels at getting the tiny particles, an activated carbon filter does a great job eliminating unpleasant odors from your pet or the litter box.

Air Ionizer

An air ionizer helps freshen up the air and reduce the amount of allergens in the air. But it is not essential.

If you are concerned about exposure to ozone, you don’t have to get an ionizing unit. 

Room Coverage

Before you buy any unit, check which size of the room it is rated for.

Do not use an air purifier in a room that is larger than the recommended maximum. It will not remove pet dander and other allergens efficiently.

Other Considerations

Size: Make sure the device doesn’t take up too much room. Size is also important for portability. A large unit is going to be heavier and more difficult to move between rooms.

CADR: CADR or clean air delivery rate tells you how much air the air cleaner can clean in a minute. The higher the CADR, the better. High CADR units are great for large rooms, homes with multiple pets (meaning more allergens in the air) and for people with serious allergy or asthma symptoms.  

Auto mode: It’s not essential but it’s convenient. Auto mode allows the appliance to monitor air quality and set the right fan speed automatically.

Noise level: Check what customers say about the noise level at different fan speeds. Most devices are going to be noisy at the highest setting so don’t let that put you off.

What’s most important is that it be fairly quiet at the lowest and mid settings, which are the ones you are going to use most of the time.

Dimmable lights: If you are planning to use the air purifier in the bedroom, check that there is a button to dim or turn off the indicator lights. Some devices have a light sensor to sense when it’s dark and automatically turn off lights.

Filter life: If you want a low maintenance option, look for one with a filter life of at least one year.

Filter life indicator: Tells you when it’s almost time to change the filter.

Energy Star: An Energy Star certified unit uses less energy. If it has an auto mode, it uses even less energy since it cranks up fan speed only when necessary. 

Frequently-Asked Questions About Air Purifiers for Pets

Are air purifiers safe for pets?

They might be spooked for a while by the noisy fan when it’s on high but the air purifier is generally safe for pets.

The only concern is using an air filter with an ionizer. The ionizer produces some ozone, though it’s usually below the safety threshold.

But some pet owners are concerned about the long-term effects of any kind of exposure for themselves and their pets.

If you are worried, look for a device without an ionizer or one with a dedicated on/off control for the ionizer.

Do air purifiers help with pet odors? 

Yes as long as you get the right model.

Make sure it has an activated carbon filter. It is highly effective at eliminating household odors including those from pets.

Can an air purifier remove urine smell?

Along with pet odors, an air purifier will also get rid of urine smells. We recommend getting a unit with a built-in air quality sensor. When your home gets smelly, the smart sensor will automatically kick the fan into high gear to quickly remove urine smell and other odors. 

Do air purifiers help with pet allergies? 

Yes, as long as it is a HEPA air purifier. The HEPA filter captures almost all allergens in the air including pet dander, airborne pet hair, dust, pollen and even microbes. This drastically reduces allergy symptoms.

Do air purifiers help with pet hair? 

An air purifier will reduce the amount of pet hair in the room but only by a little.

Compared to pet dander, pet hair is heavy and doesn’t easily float in the air. The best way to remove it from the floor and upholstery is using a vacuum cleaner.

Where To Get The Best Deal on an Air Purifier

The best deals are online. Air purifier brands run frequent offers and discounts and you get to choose from a wide variety of options and prices.