Best Air Purifier for Pets – Reviews & Buying Guide
We all love our pets. And just like any member of our family, they are allowed to go freely in and out of the house, bringing dirt and impurities in the air which, not only harmful for them, but also for us and our family, most especially with the small kids.
Regular air purifiers can help lessen these impurities in the air, but it can sometimes fail to remove microscopic particles such as pet dander (flecks of skin shed by animals with fur or feathers), and specific pet odors that is not only embarrassing to other people, but can also be annoying because it stings up your nose and stay. Thankfully, there are specialized all-in-one air purifiers that can filter out even the smallest of these allergens and other fine irritants in the air.
In this article, we will be listing each of the best air purifiers every fond pet owner should own inside their home in 2022.
The Best Air Purifiers for Pets in 2022
1. Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet 5 Stage True HEPA Air Purifier
- Rated to cover an area of up to 1560 sq. ft.
- Can easily take out gaseous pollutants, toxic fumes and cigarette smoke alongside suspended solid particles in air
- The filter indicator tells if it’s time to replace the primary filter
- The pre-filter is washable/reusable
- 1-year limited warranty for internal malfunctions and 5-year for motor and electronic parts
- Has a considerably big footprint
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4.9/5.0
| Stores | Price |
|---|---|
| Sylvane (Supplier) | Check Price |
| Amazon | Check Price |
The Winix HR900 Ultimate is a replacement of the ever popular and familiar Winix 9500. It can purify up to 300 sq. ft., and delivers stable airflow spreading across the 4 fan speed. Of course being an air purifier, it does come with features that are enough to rival its competitions in the market. It has true high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration made out of fine mesh that can capture 99.97 percent of airborne pollutants, including pet dander, pollen, tobacco smoke and any allergen that is as small as 0.3 microns.
The washable advanced odor control (AOCTM) carbon filter makes sure that the Winix HR900 can also capture pet, kitchen, and household odors, as well as smoke that can also give your household an unclean impression. This additional washable filter can also extend the life of your HEPA filter. Like with other air purifiers with washable filters, you’re spared with costly filter replacements that only add up in the running costs.
Furthermore, the clean air delivery rate (CADR) of the Winix HR900 is also way ahead of the Winix 9500. Dust CADR is at 200 cubic feet per minute, pollen CADR at 220 cubic feet per minute, while the smoke CADR reaches 194 cubic feet per minute.
The filtration system of the Winix HR900 consists of many stages. The air goes through the add-on Ultimate pre-filter, and the standard washable pre-filter. It will pass through the AOC Advanced Granular Carbon Filter which will then capture the smoke and pet odors, as well as extend the life of the HEPA filter. The process ends with Winix’s own PlasmaWave technology which will break apart allergens and any microscopic level debris at molecular level. If you are on a budget then you can consider Winix 5500-2 which is comparatively cheaper.
2. Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier
- Highly economical
- The True HEPA filter effectively removes pollutants and potential allergens
- Produces zero ozone in the purification process
- Activated carbon filter takes out unpleasant gases giving out clean and fresh air
- Covered with a 2-year warranty
- Not Wi-Fi/Alexa compatible
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4.8/5.0
Hathaspace is new to the game, but the brand has retained its good reputation all throughout the years by making exceptional air purifiers. The Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier, brings a lot of features similar to many other specialized air purifiers out there in the market, but also incorporates good design that makes it one of the best looking air purifiers in this list. Of course, aside from design, the effectiveness of the product is also important, and the Hathaspace Smart True HEPA does an outstanding job with that.
It features a true HEPA filter that is effective at capturing 99.97% of air pollutants such as dust mites, pollen, mold spores, pet danders, pet hair, odor, smoke, and even volatile organic compound (VOC) such as benzene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, xylene, and 1,3-butadiene.
Thanks to the cellular-activated carbon filter, the Hathaspace Smart True Air Purifier is not only an air cleaner, but also an odor eliminator. It also features an ozone-safe anion generator approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). It can separately be controlled to target the most stubborn odors in things like litter boxes, cigarettes, and places in some old homes.
The Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air has a 5-in-1 purification system that makes sure that no air pollutants can pass through the process. First, the unfiltered air pass through the cold catalyst filter that captures large dust particles, then it passes through the cellular-activated carbon filter, then on the anti-bacterial filter to get rid of any bacteria and germs, then through the True HEPA filter to remove that 99.97% of allergens as small as 0.3 microns. To finish up the process, the air will then pass through the ionizer which releases negatively charged ions to neutralize and eliminate odors.
For the clean air delivery (CADR), the Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier got a very good score. Smoke CADR reaches 160 cubic feet per minute, with the dust and pollen CADR also gotten 160 cubic feet per minute.
3. Levoit Core 300 Air Purifier for Pets and Allergies
- The cheapest in this list so far at only USD 99.99 in Amazon US, ranking #1 Best Seller in HEPA Filter Air Purifiers.
- Has the highest fan power for under $100, with 360-degree air intake.
- Customizable air purifier for specialized needs.
- Small, and sleek design.
- Operates in near silent mode at night at only 24dB.
- Doesn’t include any smart sensor.
- No dedicated pre-filter.
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4.6/5.0
The Levoit Core 300 Air Purifier is one of the less expensive choices on this list, and also one of the more appealing in our opinion. It remains the #1 best seller in Amazon US under the Small air purifier category and is a winner of a prestigious international design award, Contemporary Good Design (CGD) for its sleek form factor, and ease of use. In fact, the design reminds us so much of the Nokia Beacon, or of the trash can Apple Mac Pro – both of which exemplifies minimalism, premiumness and good quality.
Of course, beauty is not just the one that makes the Levoit Core 300 an amazing product. Aside from its affordable price, it is also no slouch in terms of the set of features it offers. First of all, it has four replacement filters to choose from. The original filter (Core 300-RF) offers excellent, multi-purpose coverage, while the pet allergy filter (Core 300-RF-PA) is designed for animal lovers, and any person with some kind of allergies.
There is also a toxin absorber filter (Core 300-RF-TX) can capture smoke, smog, and volatile organic compound (VOC) such as benzene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, xylene, and 1,3-butadiene. Furthermore, the mold and bacteria filter (Core 300-RF-MB) is designed for a moisture heavy environment where mold and bacteria are more likely to strive. You can check more about this model and other Levoit models in our Levoit Air Purifier Reviews.
Probably one of the best features that the Levoit Core 300 Air Purifier offers are the two modes to choose from. During the Core Sleep Mode, the Levoit Core 300 operates at a near silent 24dB, while at its full operation, Core High Speed, the device operates at 50dB which is still near quiet (sound of the keyboard typing, for example, is like 40dB to 50dB).
Furthermore, the Levoit Core 300 refreshes the air 5 times per hour in a room as large as 219 sq. ft.
4. GermGuardian AC4300BPTCA True HEPA Air Purifier
- One of the cheapest air purifiers in this list.
- Good performing device, with HEPA filter, and built-in UV-C light.
- Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) verified.
- Very easy to maintain.
- Best 3-year limited warranty, with US-based product tech support.
- Quite noisy at the highest rating.
- Doesn’t have any smart features, or sensors.
- Plain black design.
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4.5/5.0
The GermGuardian AC4300BPTCA True HEPA air purifier may not win any design awards when it comes to its form factor, but it does great on its features, especially that is also one of the most popular air purifiers in Amazon US under USD 100. Currently, it ranks #1 Best Seller in Amazon US’ Electrostatic Air Purifiers.
The GermGuardian AC4300BPTCA True HEPA Air Purifier is just like any other air purifiers in this list. It can capture odors, dust mites, spores, pollen, pet dander, and many other microscopic air pollutants and unwanted air particles that can cause allergic reactions.
Thanks to its HEPA filter that is effective at capturing 99.97% of allergens as small as 0.3 microns, the built-in UV-C light that can kill germs, and that charcoal filter that can capture odor. The product’s CADR is rated at 107 cubic feet per minute for dust, 116 cubic feet per minute for pollen, and 99 cubic feet per minute for smoke.
However, unlike the other air purifiers in this list, the GermGuardian AC4300BPTCA True HEPA Air Purifier comes in with a 3-year warranty, and US-based tech support.
5. Alen BreatheSmart 45i HEPA Air Purifier
- SleepScore Labs-certified.
- Beautiful, and elegant design, with customizable color options.
- Large room coverage, by up to 800 sq. ft.
- Has a lot of useful sensors, paired with four LED indicators.
- Lifetime warranty.
- More expensive than any other products on this list.
- Only 1 filter process.
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4.4/5.0
Finally, ending this list is the Alen BreatheSmart 45i HEPA Air Purifier. Aside from being the most minimalistic out of the five choices in this list, it is also the most expensive. But the expense comes with really great features.
First off, the design. As mentioned above, the Alen BreatheSmart 45i is the most minimalistic of the five. Minimalistic means, it is simple but elegant and can go well with any sort of modern interiors.
For the features, the Alen BreatheSmart 45i can do all the things the other specialized air purifiers can do in this list, but more. Its true HEPA filter is effective at filtering 99.97% of air impurities as small as 0.3 microns. It can clean up to 800 sq. ft. every 30 minutes, and circulates air up to 5 times per hour. You can also check Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier for a coverage area of 1100 Sq. Ft.
The Alen BreatheSmart 45i also has a four led indicator which tells you what exactly is the air quality in your room at the moment. Red indicates that the indoor air quality contains high pollutants, orange indicates an okay air quality with moderate air pollutants, green tells that indoor air quality is good, with minimal pollutants present, while the blue led light indicates that the indoor air quality is excellent, with no air pollutants detected.
The clean air delivery rate (CADR) is rated at 245, which is the highest on this list. As for other features, the Alen BreatheSmart 45i has three timer settings, 2hr/4hr/12hr. It has also many other modes like sleep mode which cleans the air while operating at lower decibels. In fact, the Alen BreatheSmart 45i does it well that it received certification from SleepScore Labs.
Pet Air Purifier Buying Guide
How Pet Hair and Pet Dander Can Become a Nuisance
When your pets scratch their body, it releases hairs and dander in the air, which if breathed in, may cause allergies to some people. Pet dander, for example, may cause upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms. This includes congestion, sneezing, runny nose, tight chest, wheezing, sometimes itching, watery eyes, or, eczema and rashes.
Aside from pet hairs, and pet dander, urine stains can also leave bad odors that stings on your nose. These urine stains can release ammonia in the air which can trigger respiratory problems, especially for people that are suffering from asthma and bronchitis.
Pet hair, pet dander, and urine smell is very hard to effectively filter out from the air. So if you don’t have a specialized air purifier that is designed for this job, not only does it fail to purify the air you are breathing, but also damage the device itself in the long run. If you are a pet owner, it is advisable to always make sure that your pet and family is away from these dangers. In this case, a specialized spot cleaner, or air purifier should be considered.
In this part, we will help you choose the best specialized air purifier for your pets and your family.
Factors to consider when buying the best air purifier for pets
1. Maximum area coverage
When you are considering purchasing an air purifier, you should always look first for the maximum area coverage of each device. Depending on how large the room you plan to put an air purifier on, an air purifier should be able to cover each area to get the best possible result.
In the list we have covered above, for example, the Alen BreatheSmart 45i offers the best maximum area coverage. It will be able to cover up to 800 sq. ft., while other air purifiers in the list can only reach up to 200 sq. ft. maximum area which is good enough. If you specifically want a an air cleaner that covers a bigger square footage, you might need a large room air purifier instead.
2. Type of Particle filter
Each air purifier contains a filter that will be able to capture pollutants at microscopic level. However, effectiveness of the filtration depends on what type of filter the air purifier has. If the primary concern is all about pet hair, and pet dander, options like true HEPA filters will be able to capture fine air pollutants down to 0.3 microns.
This is because, to meet the HEPA standard, a filter must remove at least 99.97% or more of particles that are as small as 0.3 microns in diameter. In perspective, the size of human hair is approximately 80 to 100 microns in diameter. That is how small a HEPA filter should be able to capture.
Beware of air purifiers with HEPA-type and HEPA-like filters as these are not true HEPA. They will not be able to remove 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter, and is only used as a term to confuse consumers to buy low-quality air purifiers. However, if your concern is not about allergen, and just some larger than 0.3 microns dust particles in the air, these options will work just fine too. But don’t expect it to release a fine purified air as with the true HEPA.
3. Activated Carbon Filter
If you are looking for air cleaners that will be able to remove air pollutants and particles like smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), smoke, and odor, then you should look for an air purifier that has activated carbon filters.
Carbon filtration works by adsorbing all the impurities in the air, and trapping them on the surface area of the filter infused with activated carbon. Note that the adsorption process is different from absorption. Absorption is the process wherein the fluid is dissolved by a liquid or a solid, while adsorption is when the atoms, ions, or molecules from a substance only adheres to the surface of the adsorbent. We’ve a very detailed post on the working of activated carbon filters that could further clear things up for you.
4. Recurring Cost
Air purifiers are known as an expensive investment, and expenses never end even after purchasing. To make sure that the air purifier works efficiently and effectively as it was first bought, you should also be ready to spend money on filter replacement. However, there are some air purifiers that come with a washable filter (usually odor filters) that you can just wash and are ready to use again as it is. If recurring cost is a big issue for you, look for air purifiers that come with a washable filter. This will help you in keeping the running cost in check.
5. Warranty
Finally, warranty is also a big factor in purchasing air purifiers. As you can tell, air purifiers are an expensive home investment. With that said, you expect to get the most out of your money with the device by using it for a long period of time.
If you are purchasing an air purifier, also look for how long the manufacturer will be able to provide free service to your device. In this list, for example, the highest number of warranty goes on for three long years. That is three years of manufacturer support should you have any problems with your air purifier within the time range.
Conclusion
Air purifiers are an expensive investment. So if you want to spend money on it, you wanna make sure that the one you are getting is of your money’s worth. If you really want an air purifier with a quality air filtration system, you should get the one that offers true HEPA, like all the air purifiers we put on this list.
Beware of anything that says HEPA-type or HEPA-like, as these terms are mostly used to fool consumers into buying an air purifier, expecting that it will work the same way as a true HEPA when it is not.
A true HEPA air purifier is a must-have for pet lovers who are dealing with pet hairs, dander, and odor all the time. If you are one of those people, any devices we put on this list will be able to give that.
