The 8 Best Air Purifiers for Pets, According to Testing

As much as we love our cats and dogs, pets can often negatively affect the air quality in our homes. In addition to the unpleasant smells (think accidents on the carpet and litter box odors), all the pet hair and dander floating around can be almost unbearable for allergy sufferers. That's where air purifiers come in.

"It's a good idea to invest in portable air cleaners (air purifiers) in rooms where you spend the most time like your bedroom, home office, or living room," notes Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

To determine which models are the best air purifiers for pets, we tested 67 air purifiers in our lab in Des Moines, Iowa. We placed each air purifier in an enclosed space and exposed it to pet hair and smoke to see how well it captured tiny particles and pieces of hair alike.

What We Tested

We evaluated how well the air purifiers removed smoke and pet hair from the room, checking the PM2.5 and VOC levels using an air quality monitor before and after the purifier had a chance to run on both low and high settings. Aesthetics, ease of use, and size were also taken into account.

We used a decibel reader to get exact noise levels for each machine on high and low settings and tried all the various features included with the models, such as app connectivity, different modes, and specialty filters.

For more information on how we tested air purifiers in our lab, check out our testing process below.

Best Overall

Rabbit Air A3 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier

Amazon

Our Ratings

Setup

5/5
Design

4.8/5
Noise Level

5/5
Features

4/5
Effectiveness

5/5

Why You Should Get It

Keep in Mind

The best air purifier for pets has to be adept at eliminating all kinds of allergens, from dander to odors to hair. The Rabbit Air A3 earned a 5/5 for effectiveness during our tests and impressed us with its ability to eradicate various contaminants.

It comes with five filters—a pre-filter, medium filter, activated carbon filter, HEPA filter, and a customizable filter. Options for the customized filter include pet allergy, germ defense, toxin absorber, and odor remover.

While we did think this was a touch gimmicky—we felt that, for the cost, the air purifier should be able to take care of all these elements without a special filter, or that all of the filters could have been included off the bat—there's no denying the machine was extremely effective in most areas we tested for. 

It noticeably cut down on smoke and odors on the low and high settings. Though we didn't notice as much of a qualitative difference on low, it still lowered the PM2.5 numbers by 90% and the TVOC by 80% during the 30 minute testing period.

The main downside is that we didn't notice any hair collected in the filters after the test, which indicates it might not be quite as effective at gathering pet hair. This could be a problem if you have a pet that sheds a ton, or live with someone who is sensitive to pet hair.

How It Performed After Two Months

We used the Rabbit Air A3 at home for two months and noticed a quick improvement in air quality and less dust built up on surfaces. While the bulky size is a bit of a downside, we love that it can be hung on a wall to keep it out of the way.

Product Details: Recommended Room Size: 1070 square feet | CADR: 357 (smoke,) 262 (dust), 315 (pollen) | Noise Level: 58 decibels | Dimensions: 18.9 x 19.7 x 8.4 inches

Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock

Key Terms to Know

HEPA Filter: A type of filter that is able to remove 99.9% of particles 0.3 microns in size. As of 2023 we only test air purifiers that include a HEPA filter, as they are proven to be most effective (though some models also include other types of filters).
Pre-Filter: A type of filter meant to capture large particles before the air reaches the HEPA filter. These are especially useful for capturing pet hair.
CADR: Clean Air Delivery Rate. The rate at which an air purifier can deliver clean air to a space.
PM 2.5: These are particles in the air with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers, such as dust, smoke, pollen, and other common allergens. The higher the PM 2.5 in a room the less healthy the air.
VOCs: Stands for volatile organic compounds. Chemicals and gasses released from paints, building supplies, and some new items such as furniture, mattresses, and sheets.

Best Budget

Amazon

Why You Should Get It

Keep in Mind

One of the trickiest parts about pet ownership is figuring out a way to deal with all of the shed pet hair that seems to find its way into every corner of the house. While buying a good vacuum for pet hair can certainly help with the problem, adding an air purifier can help capture and remove hair from your home, too.

The relatively affordable Winix 5500-2 4-Stage True HEPA Air Purifier impressed us during testing. It uses multiple filtration steps to capture debris floating around in the air. This includes a pre-filter, which effectively traps large particles like dust bunnies, pet hair, and dander that would clog a HEPA filter more quickly.

The True HEPA filter removes 99.9% of fine particles from your home, including bacteria, chemicals, allergens, and more. There's even a washable odor-control filter to help eliminate bad smells.

During testing, this air purifier quickly worked to reduce the hazardous PM 2.5 levels in our test environment from a 999 to a 2 within 30 minutes. The filters captured a significant amount of the synthetic pet hair we used for testing—we could practically see it sucking up the fibers as we sprinkled them into the room.

On its auto setting, the air purifier's built-in sensors will measure particles found in your air and automatically change the fan speed to match it. It also has a color-changing display so you can see your home's air quality at a glance, which we found extremely useful.

Though the upfront cost is on the low end for a purifier of this size, the multiple filters that need to be replaced approximately every six months make it a bit more costly to maintain. However, given its effectiveness and the affordability of the model itself, we could justify the cost.

Product Details:

Recommended Room Size: 360 square feet | CADR: Not listed | Noise Level: 65 decibels | Dimensions: 14.9 x 7.8 x 23.6 inches

Related: The 8 Best Vacuums for Removing Pet Hair from Every Surface of Your Home

Best Splurge

Alen BreatheSmart 75i True HEPA Air Purifier

Amazon

Our Ratings

Setup

5/5
Design

4/5
Noise Level

4/5
Features

5/5
Effectiveness

3/5

Why You Should Get It

Keep in Mind

With a coverage area of 1,300 square feet, it might not be the best choice for small rooms since it'd be unnecessarily big.

This splurge-worthy Alen BreatheSmart air purifier can be customized to your preferences in two ways. There are eight different finishes available, including classic white and brushed stainless, so you can choose one that matches your aesthetic.

You can also pick one of four filters that target specific issues like pet dander and odor or mold and bacteria. The pet-specific version consists of an odor neutralizer that reduces smells from accidents or litter boxes and a True HEPA filter that relieves allergy symptoms by capturing 99.99% of particles bigger than 0.1 microns.

At the highest setting, it's capable of filtering the air every 30 minutes in spaces up to 1,300 square feet (the largest room we tested air purifiers in was 728 square feet—on the high setting it decreases PM2.5 levels from 999.9 to 8.9 in ten minutes). There's even a built-in air quality sensor so you can see that it's working.

During testing, found that this model was supremely easy to use and understand, with a color-changing LED display to indicate the air quality in your home and a wide range of fan speeds and settings to cycle through. You'll be able to download the app and pair it to your device, too, if you want to change the settings remotely.

Since this air purifier is designed to work in large spaces, it's likely too bulky to be used in a smaller room like a bedroom or bathroom. If you need an air purifier for a more confined space, we'd recommend choosing one that's more compact and uses less energy.

How It Performed After Six Months

We loved how the Alen BreatheSmart performed once we brought it home. It's large enough that we were able to purify an entire 850-square-foot apartment with just one device.

The sensors proved effective, responding to changes in air quality from the introduction of cooking smoke, hairspray, and other contaminants and quickly adjusting the fan. Strong odors such as frying bacon seemed to dissipate more quickly.

Product Details: Recommended Room Size: 1,300 square feet | CADR: 347 | Noise Level: 71 decibels | Dimensions: 18.5 x 11.5 x 27 inches

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

Best for Pet Hair

Home Depot

Our Ratings

Setup

5/5
Design

4.8/5
Noise Level

4.3/5
Features

5/5
Effectiveness

4.5/5

Why You Should Get It

Keep in Mind

Pet hair is one of the most irritating (sometimes literally) aspects of having a pet. Certain dog and cat breeds shed more than others, and pet hair in general can be a major allergy trigger. In these cases, the best air purifier for pets will be adept at sucking hair particles into the filter. 

Though it might seem like a given, not every air purifier we tested was great at eliminating the synthetic pet hair we used in the lab, even if it excelled in other areas. That's why we were especially impressed by the Black+Decker BAPUV350's ability to pick up pet hair from the test environment.

When we examined the filters after running the machine for 30 minutes on the high setting, three out of four of them had visible pet hair collected on the surface.

The air purifier was also adept at removing odors on the high setting, making Febreze and incense distinctly less noticeable. We think this adds to its value as a pet-friendly air purifier since funky smells often come with the territory of pet parenthood. 

Other notable features of this air purifier include sleep mode, auto mode, a UV light that helps remove viruses and bacteria from the air, and an air quality readout on the display. 

It's worth noting that the air purifier wasn't as dramatically effective on the lower settings. While it still did a nice job of eliminating incense, it wasn't as strong when it came to VOCs, and we could still smell some of the Febreze. We also didn't notice pet hair in the filters on this setting, so if that's your main concern, you'll want to run it on high.

How It Performed After Two Months

The Black+Decker air purifier did an amazing job of minimizing odors from pet messes due to a potty-training puppy. We stored it in a small closet where we discard used potty pads and paper towels and noticed a nearly immediate difference in the smell. Our one complaint is that it's louder than we'd like on the higher settings.

Product Details: Recommended Room Size: 500 square feet | CADR: 324 (smoke,) 309 (dust), 387 (pollen) | Noise Level: 63 decibels | Dimensions: 14.4 x 27.1 x 14.8 inches

Best for Large Rooms

Amazon

Our Ratings

Setup

5/5
Design

4/5
Noise Level

4/5
Features

4/5
Effectiveness

4.4/5

Why You Should Get It

This air purifier works in rooms up to 1,560 square feet, so it's a great choice if you have large rooms or an open floor plan in your home.

Keep in Mind

The Coway Airmega 400S air purifier is your best bet if you want to purify the air in large rooms or entire floors of your home. In a 1,560-square-foot room, it changes the air twice per hour and removes airborne particles floating through your home.

It uses three layers of filtration (including a washable pre-filter, activated carbon, and a HEPA filter) to clean the air at least twice every hour. Dirty air goes in through the sides and clean air pushes out the top.

When we tested this air purifier in our lab, we found that even at its lowest speed, it was able to effectively remove harmful particles from the air and reduce PM 2.5 levels from a hazardous rating to a healthy one in as little as five minutes.

It's not excessively loud, either—at 72 decibels on its highest fan speed, this air purifier would only be a slight distraction if you were sitting directly in front of it.

The Coway Airmega 400S even keeps you posted on air quality: The LED ring on the front changes colors (from blue to red) depending on how clean or dirty the air in your home is. Thanks to its smart mode, the air purifier can automatically adjust its settings based on detected air quality.

Plus, the filter indicators tell you when they need to be replaced or cleaned, so you don't have to keep track of it on your own. We noted that the air purifier has a modern white design, but it takes up quite a bit of space (it measures 14.8 x 14.8 x 22.8 inches) and weighs nearly 25 pounds.

How It Performed After Six Months

We put the Coway air purifier through the ringer in a household with four pets—two dogs and two cats—and humans with allergies. It rose to the challenge, drastically improving the air quality over the course of six months of continuous use. The tech features (the app and Amazon Alexa compatibility) are useful as well.

Product Details: Recommended Room Size: 1,560 square feet | CADR: 400 (pollen), 350 (dust), 350 (smoke) | Noise Level: 72 decibels | Dimensions: 14.8 x 14.8 x 22.8 inches

Best with Fan

Dyson

Our Ratings

Setup

5/5
Design

5/5
Noise Level

5/5
Features

4.5/5
Effectiveness

5/5

Why You Should Get It

Keep in Mind

Dyson is a trusted brand name when it comes to household appliances, and this smart air purifier is a great choice for anyone who wants to remove dust, dander, and more from their homes. It has two levels of filtration—an activated carbon filter for pet odors and a HEPA filter for small particles.

The machine uses the brand's signature Air Multiplier technology to circulate the clean air throughout the entire room. When we put the Dyson Purifier Cool air purifier to the test in our lab, we were amazed by how quickly this device cleared smoke, dander, and hair from the room.

Though the PM 2.5 levels quickly raised to 999 when we added pollutants to the air, the Dyson air purifier had no trouble capturing and removing these particles and reducing levels back to a healthy number in 10 minutes. We were so impressed that one of us was instantly influenced to buy one for her own home.

We also liked that the device has a built-in oscillating fan, which helps promote good airflow by circulating clean air throughout the room. The fully sealed purifier ensures that none of the particles this device just captured can escape back into the air, so you'll be able to keep cool without breathing in pollutants.

Dyson doesn't list the CADR for its air purifiers because the brand designed its own tests, but this model can handle rooms ranging from 500 to 800 square feet in size. You'll be able to connect your device to the Dyson Link app, where you can view detailed reports on your home's air quality and change settings from anywhere.

It doesn't have a pre-filter to catch pet hair, so this device's filter may get clogged more quickly than other devices if you typically find fur in every nook and cranny of your home.

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