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7 Best Air Purifiers for Pets (and Their Humans)

Allergies? We don't know her.

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If you live in fire country or anywhere that's been affected by dangerous levels of smoke and pollutants in the air, you might already own an air purifier. But even if you don't live anywhere with particularly hazardous air quality, you should still consider getting an air purifier anyway—especially if you have pets. What do air purifiers do for pet owners? Along with cleaning the air of pet dander, a good air purifier for pets can trap pet hair, thus making it easier to vacuum for pet hair and ensuring you get the most out of that luxury candle you gifted yourself.

If you're allergic to your pet, an air purifier can also help eliminate dander and other allergens. Not allergic to your furry friends, you say? Well, air purifiers for pets aren't just to protect you; they also protect pets with respiratory diseases like asthma, lower airway disease, and cardiac dysfunction, says veterinarian Dr. Antonio DeMarco. In addition to recommending air purifiers in households where one or more persons are allergic to the household pet, he advises you to change the filter monthly to reduce allergens. Dr. DeMarco also recommends air purifiers for cats and dogs, which have thresholds for air quality similar to those of humans. Good news: we scoured the internet to find all the best air purifiers for your pet (and for you!) based on top-rated features and tester reviews.

Our picks for the best air purifiers for pets in 2023:

So, if you've been hesitating to splurge on an air purifier for yourself, consider buying one for your fur baby. They deserve the best, don't they?

1
best air purifier for homes with multiple pets

LEVOIT Vital 200s Smart True HEPA Air Purifier

Vital 200s Smart True HEPA Air Purifier

Pros

  • According to reviewers, it's very quiet

Cons

  • You have to purchase the pet specific filter separately

This air purifier is made for large spaces with more than one pet and has filters targeting pet hair, pet odor, and dander. It can also connect to an app, Google Assistant, or Alexa for easy use that allows you to create schedules for your air purifier. The filter is compatible with Levoit's True HEPA + Pet Allergy Carbon Replacement Filter, which features increased activated carbon for more odor control.

THE REVIEW: "We have two full size German shepherds and they leave a lot of hair floating in the air! This purifier has definitely minimized it," one reviewer writes. "One feature I particularly like is when the air quality isn't good, [the button] will change from green to red."

Max room coverage1900 square feet/1 hour
Filter typeWashable pre-filter, activated carbon, and H13 True HEPA filter
Dimensions15.6" x 8.5" x 19.8"
Weight13.2 lbs
Fan speeds5, including Auto and Sleep modes
Replacement filter cost$59.99
2
best air purifier for medium-sized rooms

Bissell Air220 Air Purifier with Replacement Filters

On Sale
Air220 Air Purifier with Replacement Filters

Pros

  • Looks more sleek than other air purifiers

Cons

  • Doesn't have WiFi connectivity

This sleek air purifier features a three-stage filtration system: a pre-filter to catch larger particles, an activated carbon filter to capture gases and odors, and a medical-grade H13 HEPA filter. It's also made to work in bigger rooms, and, yes, will catch all those pesky pet allergens. My favorite thing about it is that it looks less like an air purifier and more like a speaker, so it'll blend in with your home decor.

THE REVIEW: "I purchased this unit 18 months ago and have been very happy with it. It's a workhorse at cleaning the air in the main floor of my house," one tester writes. "I replace the filter every 6 months to keep it at peak performance."

    Max room coverage1252 square feet/1 hour
    Filter typePre-filter, Activated carbon filter, and H13 HEPA filter
    Dimensions14.5" x 8.5" x 24"
    Weight18.7 lbs
    Fan speeds5
    Filter replacement cost$59.99
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    LV-H128 Desktop True HEPA Air Purifier

    Pros

    • Super lightweight and easy to move

    Cons

    • Only works for small spaces

    If you're looking for something you can easily move around the house as your own personal air purifier, this is it. At 3.3 pounds, this small air purifier fits perfectly on a desk or side table and is light enough to move with you throughout the day. It also has a diffuser feature, so you can add a few drops of essential oil to your clean air.

    THE REVIEW: "I have a cat who sheds incessantly. You brush him three times with whatever tools you can find and he'll still shed," writes a tester. "This keeps my bedroom and bathroom pretty clean! I've definitely started seeing less hair in my vacuum filter."

    Max floor coverage322 square feet/1 hour
    Filter typeDual-sided HEPA filter
    Dimensions6.7" x 6.7" x 10.4"
    Weight3.3 lbs
    Fan speeds4, including Sleep mode
    Replacement filter cost$23.99
    4
    best air purifier for small rooms

    Blueair Blue Pure 411a Max Air Purifier

    On Sale
    Blue Pure 411a Max Air Purifier
    AmazonAlso Consider

    Pros

    • Super quiet, so it won't wake light sleepers

    Cons

    • Does not use an official HEPA filter

    The Blueair 411a Max air purifier is perfect for smaller rooms, specifically small bedrooms. The machine is discreet and known to be super quiet, so you can have it on all night and still get a great night's sleep. It also has a night setting, so you can set it and forget it when you go to bed.

    THE REVIEW: "The smaller unit works great in my 550 square foot apartment. At the lowest fan speed, it's virtually silent. On medium and high it is noisier, but I don't care," one reviewer writes. "I could tell a huge improvement in my apartment air quality in just one day."

    Max room coverage526 square feet/30 minutes
    Filter typeWashable pre-filter, main filter with activated carbon layer
    Dimensions10.6" x 10.6" x 18.9"
    Weight7.5 lbs
    Fan speeds5, including Auto and Night settings
    Replacement filter cost$29.99
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    Air Purifier with Critter Cuddler Filter

    Pros

    • The app provides users with in-depth analysis on the air quality in their homes

    Cons

    • Many reviewers say the sensors are very sensitive, which can cause the machine to go into overdrive unnecessarily

    The Mila air purifier looks unlike any other air purifier on the market, making it stand out as a more chic appliance. The brand offers 7 different types of filters, each tailored to specific needs. The pet filter, called the Critter Cuddler, is engineered to filter out more unwanted odors and pet dander. But the real selling point is the Mila app, which comes with a ton of settings and features so you can set your air purifier to your liking directly from your phone.

    THE REVIEW: "This air filter is The Chosen One foretold in prophecy. Long have I yearned for the fresh air stolen by our modern world and promised by dreams of health, freedom, and prosperity," writes one reviewer. "Life's problems fade a little bit with every breath I draw. I now breathe as though free."

    Max room coverage790 square feet/30 minutes
    Filter typePre-filter, carbon filter, and H13 HEPA filter
    Dimensions12" x 12" x 15"
    Weight7.4 Pounds
    Fan speedsUnspecified
    Replacement filter cost$79
    6
    best colorful air purifier

    Coway Airmega 150 True HEPA Air Purifier

    On Sale
    Airmega 150 True HEPA Air Purifier
    Now 30% Off

    Pros

    • It's bright color helps the air purifier become part of your decor

    Cons

    • Though it's relatively light and portable, it doesn't have a handle

    Looking to add a pop of color to your home? This Coway Airmega 150 comes in three bright colors—Peony Pink, Sage Green, and Dove White—so you can customize your look. But don't worry, this air purifier is much more than just aesthetically pleasing, it's also powerful. Built for small rooms (cleans the air in a 518 square foot room in 30 minutes), the Coway Airmega 150 features an automatic mode that'll kick in whenever it detects a dip in air quality.

    THE REVIEW: "I ran this in my bedroom all winter long. The air feels fresh. It's very quiet, except on the highest setting, but even that is a gentle whirr," one tester writes. "It's easy to take apart to clean—I have cats, so the first filter catches hair and dust."

    Max room coverage1,035 square feet/1 hour
    Filter typeWashable pre-filter, activated carbon filter, green true HEPA filter
    Dimensions6.5" x 13.4" x 18.5"
    Weight12.1 lbs
    Fan speeds4, including Auto
    Replacement filter cost$49.99
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     Purifier Cool Formaldehyde™ TP09 Air Purifier and Fan
    Now 41% Off

    Pros

    • The two-in-one device is the ultimate space saver

    Cons

    • Some reviewers complain of a high-pitched noise when operating

    Feeling fancy? Treat yourself to a Dyson air purifier/bladeless fan. Yes, it's a luxury, but trust me, it's worth it. The fan and air purifier capabilities of this machine work hand-in-hand to provide you with fresh, cool air all year 'round. But the best part is how quiet it is. I'm talking whisper quiet.

    THE REVIEW: "Filter is SO easy to put in, mobile app is so nice to have, and the little display on the fan itself showing levels of particles of NO2, HCHO, etc, is really nice too," one reviewer writes. "I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who has limited space and can't have both a fan and an air purifier in one room without losing floor space."

    Max floor coverage2860 square feet
    Filter type360 Combi Glass HEPA + Carbon air purifier filter
    Dimensions41" x 4.72" x8.7"
    Weight10.7 lbs
    Fan speeds10
    Replacement filter cost$79.99

    How to choose the best air purifier for you and your pet:

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    Spoiler alert: no air purifier is perfect for everyone or every pet. At the end of the day, there are a few factors that can help you pick the best air purifier for you and your pet.

    Determine what size air purifier you need

    The air purifier size you need will correlate to the size of the room you plan to use it in. So before you pick an air purifier, consider your space and where the machine will live. (Generally speaking, larger air purifiers work on larger areas, smaller ones work on smaller areas, etc.) Once you narrow down the size you're looking for, then you can go from there. Also, the room will determine which features are most important to you. For example, if you're planning on putting an air purifier in your bedroom, odds are you'll want that one to be on the quieter side.

    Determine any additional air purifying features you want

    If you plan on using your air purifier to combat negative effects of smoke in the air or mold in your home, then you might want to consider splurging a little bit more on your machine to make sure that it can do everything you need it to. (From personal experience, I can tell you that automatic settings really help when there's wildfire smoke in the air, for example.)

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