10 Best Air Purifiers for Pets – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks
By Grant Piper
Updated on
Pets are an amazing addition to nearly any family. They are sweet and friendly and offer companionship every day. However, pets also add something else to a home that most people aren’t a fan of, and that is fur, hair, and dander. These things can irritate people’s allergies. Pet hair and dander can clog up your air conditioning system and make your house smell like your pet. Not great. The solution is to try using an air purifier to help remove all of the things your pets put into the air. But which air purifiers are worth the money? Do they actually work? What kind of air purifier do you need for your home?
This guide covers 10 of the best air purifiers for pet owners, along with our reviews, and also includes a simple buyer’s guide to help steer you toward the product that will best fit you and your lifestyle.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall | Levoit Core Pet Care True HEPA Air Purifier |
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Best Value | Germ Guardian GG1100W Pluggable Small Air Purifier |
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Premium Choice | Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 Smart Air Purifier and Fan - White/Silver |
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Germ Guardian AC4100 HEPA Filter Small Air Purifier |
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Honeywell HPA100 Series HEPA Medium Room Air Purifier |
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The 10 Best Air Purifiers for Pets
1. Levoit Core Pet Care True HEPA Air Purifier – Best Overall
Weight: | 9 pounds |
Power: | Corded electric |
Filtration: | HEPA |
The Levoit Core Pet Care True HEPA Air Purifier is the best overall air purifier for pets that you can get today. This unit combines everything you want from a modern air purifier without any of the things you don’t want. The Levoit Core Pet Care True HEPA Air Purifier has a powerful true-HEPA filter, a compact size, a fair price tag, and multiple options. You can buy this unit in one of four sizes: Compact, Standard, Large, and Desktop. The Standard size can filter the air in rooms up to 219 square feet, which covers most medium rooms. It also has some excellent quality-of-life features, including a pet lock which prevents your cats or dogs from messing with the filter and turning it on or off without your permission. It also has multiple settings for sleeping areas, including low light and low noise options. It will even tell you when it is time to swap out the filters for fresh ones so your air quality never takes a dip.
Some people find the fan to be too loud, even on the quietest setting. That is something to note if you are sensitive to white noise in your small spaces. Otherwise, this is an excellent all-around air purifier with plenty of options and versatility to meet most pet owners’ needs.
- Versatile and all-around excellent performance
- Multiple sizes to choose from for different spaces
- Pet lock keeps your animals from changing the settings
- Sleep settings available for bedroom use
- Fan is considered loud by some
2. Germ Guardian GG1100W Pluggable Small Air Purifier – Best Value
Weight: | 12 ounces |
Power: | Outlet |
Filtration: | UV-C light |
Some air filters can be expensive. Between the upfront cost and continuous maintenance costs in the form of cleaning and filter replacements, not everyone can afford a large air purifier for their home. For those people looking to try out an air purifier without investing a ton of money, there is the Germ Guardian GG1100W Pluggable Small Air Purifier. This air purifier has a lot of upsides. It plugs right into an outlet, similar to an air freshener. It does not require any pricey filter replacement packages. This unit purifies the air using UV-C light, which bakes microbes. Instead, you just have to replace the UV bulb once per year, which is about as low maintenance as it gets for air purifiers. The upfront costs are also very modest. This unit is perfect for plugging in near your dog’s crate or in areas where your pets spend the most time, like a litterbox.
Without a physical filter, this purifier cannot remove particulate matter like hair, dust, and dander from the air. Instead, it works to kill viruses and bacteria with UV light. If you are looking for something to remove particulate matter, this unit will not work for you, but we think it’s the best air purifier for pets for the money.
- Affordable
- No filter replacement needed
- Small and easy to use (just plug it in)
- Kills viruses and bacteria that could be lurking in the air
- Does not remove particulate matter
- Loud fan makes noise
3. Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 Smart Air Purifier and Fan – Premium Choice
Weight: | 11 pounds |
Power: | Corded electric |
Filtration: | Sealed HEPA |
For those looking for a premium air purifier, there is no better option than the Dyson Purifier Cool™ TP07 Smart Air Purifier and Fan – White/Silver. This air purifier combines Dyson’s famous bladeless fan technology with a sealed HEPA filtration system to give you cool, clean, and filtered air for your space. This fan can oscillate, which is something most air purifiers cannot do. Don’t want to be cooled by the purifier? Change it to backward flow mode and just get the purifying properties instead of the fan. The Dyson Purifier Cool™ TP07 Smart Air Purifier and Fan – White/Silver will even track your air quality in real time and display it on a handy LED screen or through your MyDyson app on your phone.
The biggest downside to this product is the price. This is by far the most expensive purifier on this list, and that can be a huge hurdle for anyone shopping on a budget.
- Sealed HEPA filtration system
- Combines the best part of a fan and purifier
- Displays real time air quality information for you to examine and tweak
- Oscillates and has multiple fan settings
- Expensive
4. Germ Guardian AC4100 HEPA Filter Small Air Purifier
Weight: | 5 pounds |
Power: | Corded electric |
Filtration: | HEPA |
There are a variety of different sizes for air purifiers. Some purifiers are very large towers, while others are more petite. The Germ Guardian AC4100 HEPA Filter Small Air Purifier is a small compact unit that packs a serious purifying punch. The Germ Guardian AC4100 HEPA Filter Small Air Purifier includes a three-part filtration system that combines a true HEPA filter with a carbon pre-filter and a UV-C light for extra antimicrobial characteristics. This unit is just 11 inches tall and weighs only 5 pounds, which makes it ideal for a countertop or tabletop. This is ideal for someone that wants some extra purifying power in a kitchen, mudroom, or bedroom without getting something too large, bulky, or expensive.
The only major complaint about this unit is its longevity. Some users reported that this product lasted around a year before running into mechanical problems. That can be frustrating for someone looking for a product that will last a lifetime.
- A powerful multi-part filtration system
- Compact size is perfect for tables and counters
- Affordable and easy to use
- Seems to start having issues after a year of regular use
5. Honeywell HPA104 Series HEPA Medium Room Air Purifier
Weight: | 7.5 pounds |
Power: | Corded electric |
Filtration: | HEPA |
The Honeywell HPA104 Series HEPA Medium Room Air Purifier is an excellent medium-sized air purifier. This unit can cycle air four times per hour in a space of up to 155 square feet. That is more than enough to get some serious circulation in a typical bedroom. This purifier also has a two-part system. It has a carbon pre-filter, which helps clean the air before it hits the effective HEPA post-filter. The activated carbon pre-filter helps reduce odors and VOCs while also working to capture large airborne particles before they reach the HEPA filter. The result is a strong purifying element that works great in small to medium-sized rooms. You also get the added benefit of the Honeywell name and quality, which are both above average, especially in this space.
One of the things to consider before purchasing this unit is the fact that it recommends that you use genuine Honeywell HEPA filters and pre-filters. This can get pricey over time, as some of these filters can be as much as $20 a piece or more.
- Two-part filtration system gives an excellent clean
- Can easily filter rooms up to 155 square feet
- Perfect for bedrooms, offices, or other medium-sized rooms
- Name brand for a fair price
- Requires official Honeywell filters, which can be expensive, especially over time
6. BISSELL Air180 Air Purifier, Gray
Weight: | 14 pounds |
Power: | Corded electric |
Filtration: | HEPA (3 part) |
Many air purifiers have a limited reach. This can make it hard to set up purifiers to tackle large rooms or even your whole house. The BISSELL Air180 Air Purifier solves that problem by offering massive coverage for large spaces. You can cover 450 square feet with three air changes per hour, 686 square feet with two air changes per hour, or a whopping 1,372 square feet with one air change per hour. This makes it ideal for living rooms, common areas, kitchens, garages, and other open areas. You can even put it in a bedroom and set it to quiet mode for nighttime use. This purifier is very versatile and can be used in a variety of areas around your home to great effect. The HEPA filter scrubs the air, while a secondary carbon filter cleans VOCs and unwanted smells from the area.
There are two reported issues with this product. The first is that the large size uses a lot of power if you run it continuously. Second, some people reported that the motor burned out in less than a year, which is not ideal.
- Large coverage can scrub large amounts of air
- HEPA and carbon filters leave your air fresh
- Versatile
- Can be used in a bedroom
- Some longevity issues reported
- Uses a lot of power if left on continuously
7. Germ Guardian AC5250PT HEPA Filter Air Purifier
Weight: | 11.25 pounds |
Power: | Corded electric |
Filtration: | HEPA, activated charcoal, and UV-C light |
Many people choose to buy an air purifier to help them with allergies and airborne particles that cause sinus problems. The Germ Guardian AC5250PT HEPA Filter Air Purifier has all of the tools for someone looking for an allergy-focused purifier. The Germ Guardian AC5250PT HEPA Filter Air Purifier includes multiple purifying elements, including a HEPA filter, an activated charcoal filter, and a UV-C light. Together, you get one of the most powerful air purifiers on the market. The filters trap physical particulate matter while the UV-C light kills viruses and bacteria that might be hiding in the air. This system even includes a PetPure antimicrobial agent that prevents mold and mildew from growing in or on the purifier. This purifier is also rated to purify the air up to 180 square feet, which is decent.
The biggest downside to this purifier is the size can be misleading. 180 square feet is a good amount of space to filter, but it is not the best on the market. The average bedroom size is 132 square feet, so it is only good for a large bedroom. It won’t be effective in a common area or living room setting.
- Multiple filtration options provide an excellent boost
- Designed to tackle allergens of all types
- Works for a large bedroom
- PetPure antimicrobial agent prevents mold from growing
- Not big enough for large spaces
- Would need two units for a living room or common area
8. VEVA 8000 Black Air Purifier for Home
Weight: | 6.75 pounds |
Power: | Corded electric |
Filtration: | HEPA |
More people than ever are working from home these days, which makes the office a perfect place to put an air purifier. The VEVA 8000 Black Air Purifier for Home has a few features that make it great for an office. First, it is pretty small and can fit in a corner or on a desk. It can change from a tabletop unit to a tower unit by removing and adjusting the base. It also has multiple fan settings. It has a turbo setting to help circulate the air quickly, and it has an “ultra quiet” mode that will be perfect if you are trying to concentrate on your work. This system also comes with five filters included. It ships with one HEPA filter and four pre-cut activated carbon filters.
Some users reported longevity issues with this filter. People who ran them continuously were reporting that the motor was burning out after just a few months. This can be an important consideration if you plan on heavily using your air purifier.
- Multiple configurations that are perfect for an office setting
- Ships with five filters included
- Multiple fan settings to choose from
- Some longevity issues reported
9. Levoit Compact True HEPA Air Purifier with Replacement Filter
Weight: | 6.6 pounds |
Power: | Corded electric |
Filtration: | HEPA (3 part) |
Some air purifiers can be loud and noisy enough to be distracting. Not everyone likes white noise to sleep. That is why Levoit created a compact purifier specifically designed to be used in a bedroom at nighttime. The Levoit Compact True HEPA Air Purifier with Replacement Filter has a quiet running mode that will make sleeping a breeze. It also has various light settings. You can turn the light completely off, or you can use it as a soft nightlight. This is all in addition to having a true three-part HEPA air purifying system that is perfect for people with pets. This purifier would be excellent for anyone that likes to sleep with their dog in bed as it will quietly work to remove the hair and dander from the air as you sleep.
The biggest drawback to this unit is the fact that some people do not like that the air is taken in via the bottom of the unit and blown out the top. Other purifiers use different intake methods, and this one seems to be less powerful and efficient than other designs. Your mileage may vary on that front.
- Quiet and made specifically for bedrooms
- Multiple light settings
- Three-part HEPA filter system
- Great for people who sleep with pets in their bedroom
- Air intake is on the bottom
- Not as powerful as larger purifiers
10. AROEVE Air Purifiers for Home MK01- White
Weight: | 3 pounds |
Power: | AC cord |
Filtration: | HEPA |
Most air purifiers do nothing to make the air smell better other than cleaning it. Air purifiers and air fresheners are two different products, after all. But what if you could combine the two into one unit? That is what the AROEVE Air Purifiers for Home MK01– White strives to do. This air purifier combines a HEPA rated filter with 360-degree airflow outlets with a special aroma pad that allows you to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the system. This will allow the AROEVE Air Purifiers for Home MK01- White to scrub the air while also adding a fragrance to it, which is something most air purifiers just don’t do.
One of the biggest downsides is that some buyers have reported that this unit makes odd noises. This can be loud and distracting at times. If you are looking for a quiet air filter to run while you are trying to sleep or work, you might want to look elsewhere.
- Ability to add essential oils to your air
- 360-degree airflow
- HEPA filters
- Can make loud and odd noises from time to time
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Air Purifier for Pets
What Is HEPA?
HEPA is a classification of filters as set by the United States Department of Energy. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter. A HEPA filter must be able to remove 99.97% of any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm). Filters that meet this standard can achieve the HEPA rating, and HEPA is considered to be the gold standard for filtration efficiency.
HEPA or Not?
Do you need a HEPA filter? It certainly does not hurt to have one. However, if a filter can remove 99.95% of particulate matter and just misses the mark to make HEPA, it will be almost as good as a HEPA filter. Pet owners often use HEPA filters to remove pet hair and dander from the air. HEPA filters are also used in the medical field to achieve the highest possible air quality. Not every homeowner needs a HEPA filter, but at this point, so many filters meet HEPA standards that you might as well buy one unless you are on a strict budget.
Filter Considerations
Another thing to consider is filter replacement. What kind of filter does the system use? How often do you need to change the filter? How expensive are the filters? The better the filter rating or the larger the filter system, the more expensive the replacements will be. It can be pricey to get an air filtration system that requires $20 a month in filter replacements, and that is definitely something you need to consider before making a final purchase. You should also look at the size and type of filter to make sure that it is something that is regularly in stock. Some air filtration systems have weird sizes or specialized filters only made by one manufacturer, which can make it difficult to find replacements when you need them.
Check the Size
Make sure to double-check the size before buying an air purifier. There are two things you want to pay attention to. First, the actual physical size of the unit. You don’t want to get a large air purifier that is going to take up too much space in the living room or bedroom. Second, you want to see how many square feet the filter can handle. Some air filters are small and can only filter the air in the surrounding 100 square feet. That would work for a single bedroom or office, but it won’t do for large common areas. Other air filters can handle 200, 300, or even 500 square feet. of space, which would work better for larger areas. Make sure you buy an air filter that matches your goals.
What Are Your Goals for Your Air Filter?
Another important thing to consider is your goal for an air filtration system. Are you trying to purify your whole house? Are you trying to purify your bedroom? Are you trying to reduce allergens to help you sleep and work more comfortably? Are you trying to make the air smell and feel fresher? The answer to these questions will steer you toward different types and sizes of air filters. Some people don’t need to run their air filters constantly, while other people want them to run 24/7. Your ultimate goal and your budget will help determine which one of these air purifiers is best for you.
Conclusion
These ten air purifiers represent some of the best examples that are readily available on the market today. There are large air filters for open spaces, small, quiet air purifiers for bedrooms, affordable air purifiers for people to try out, and everything in between.
The best overall air purifier for pets is the Levoit Core Pet Care True HEPA Air Purifier. If you’re on a budget, you might like the Germ Guardian GG1100W Pluggable Small Air Purifier. After you determine your budget and your goal for your particular home or space, it should be easy to select the air filter from this list that is the best fit for you.
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