The 8 Best Air Purifiers for Pet Owners of 2021

Prevent allergies and smells with these top-picks

Written by
Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim covers home decor for The Spruce. She has over 10 years of experience in writing and editing and has held positions at Time and AOL.
Learn about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process
Ashley Knierim
Updated 01/11/21

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: LEVOIT LV-H132 Air Purifier on Amazon

“Will free the air of any smoke, dust, pollen, and more.”

Best for Odors: Alen BreatheSmart Customizable Air Purifier on Amazon

“It’s capable of cleaning the air in spaces up to 1,100 square feet.”

Best for Pet Dander: Germ Guardian 3-in-1 Pet Pure Air Purifier on Amazon

“Perfect for small to medium rooms between 100 and 300 square feet.”

Best for Pet Hair: Hamilton Beach Air Purifier on Amazon

“Three filtration process with a permanent pre-filter that targets pet hair.”

Best for Large Rooms: AIRMEGA 400 Smarter Air Purifier on Amazon

“Can reach up to 1,560 square feet and features a dual-filtration system.”

Best Year-Round Use: Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link Air Purifier at Best Buy

“Ability to cool in the summer and heat with thermostat control in the winter.”

Best Quiet: Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier on Amazon

“Ultra-quiet BLDC motor that, at its lowest speed, is virtually silent.”

Best High Tech: Blueair Classic 405 Air Purifier on Sears

“Best-in-class cleaning with smart home technology.”

Best Compact: BeeMoon Mini Air Cleaner on beemoon

“Removes 99% of pollutants–even the smallest kinds.”

Best Overall: LEVOIT LV-H132 Air Purifier

Very Good

If you are looking for a small but mighty air purifier this model from Levoit is just the thing. This air purifier will, of course, tackle pet hair, dander, and smells but it also will free the air of any smoke, dust, pollen, and beyond giving you safe and fresh breathing air. This model works great in small to medium-sized rooms and has a soothing nightlight that makes it ideal for the bedroom.

Reviewers agree that this unit is small but mighty. Many say they've seen their allergy symptoms improve just one night after using this. One customer who fosters kittens said this was one of the only things that took the smell out of her house. A few say that this is a bit loud so if sounds bother you might want to try another option on the list.

"While we didn't notice any significant difference during the week it was running, we could certainly tell during the off-days that the unit had indeed been doing its job when it was on. Without it, the room smelled mustier and we woke up with scratchier, itchier throats."—Suzie Dundas, Product Tester

Best for Odors: Alen BreatheSmart Customizable Air Purifier with HEPA-OdorCell Filter

Alen BreatheSmart Customizable Air Purifier with HEPA-OdorCell Filter
Courtesy of Amazon

If you’re ready to make a serious investment in your air purifier, Alen BreatheSmart has a pedigree that’s worth the steep price tag. Designed by NASA airflow engineers, it’s capable of cleaning the air in spaces up to 1,100 square feet and features four filter options, each suited to different tasks. Choose the one with odor-controlling technology to take care of even the toughest, longest-lingering smells. This model also comes in 16 different color options so you can choose something that blends into your decor seamlessly.

Pet owners with multiple dogs report it’s worked wonders for their home, and successfully eliminated pet odors that have long kept visitors at bay.

Best for Pet Dander: Germ Guardian Elite 3-in-1 Pet Pure True HEPA Air Purifier

Germ Guardian Elite 3-in-1 Pet Pure True HEPA Air Purifier
Courtesy of Target 
Excellent

The Germ Guardian Elite features a True HEPA filter which is your best defense against pet dander, the most common cause of pet allergies. This air purifier captures 99.97 percent of allergens while the “Pet Pure” antimicrobial agent helps stop the growth of mold, bacteria, and mildew on the surface of the filter. It is 22 inches tall, features three speeds, and is perfect for small to medium rooms between 100 and 300 square feet.

Each filter lasts six to nine months and owners say the Germ Guardian Elite is effective at reducing allergies and odors. It also comes with a 3-year limited warranty against defects and failures. It also runs at a quiet level so it won't disturb you when you sleep.

"After a few weeks of purifying, we hosted friends who are sensitive to pet dander. We were happy to see they didn’t have any issues during their stay—even when sitting on the couch our cats love to lounge on."—Katie Begley, Product Tester

Best for Pet Hair: Hamilton Beach Air Purifier

Very Good

If pet hair is your biggest concern, the Hamilton Beach Air Purifier features a three filtration process with a permanent pre-filter that targets pet hair and other large airborne particles. In addition to the permanent filter, this purifier has two carbon zeolite filters that reduce pet odors and eliminate common allergens. All you need to do to clean the filter is vacuum it and you are on your way to pet hair free air. It’s effective for rooms up to 140 square feet and measures 10.8 x 8.1 x 16.4 inches. The permanent 99 percent HEPA-grade filter vacuums clean for easy upkeep.

Buyers love how economical the Hamilton Beach Air Purifier is, noting that they save money on pricey filters (up to $49 a year). This is a great air purifier if you find yourself constantly chasing after floating pet hair.

"After one week, the air quality was noticeably better and our son was waking up refreshed instead of sneezing or clearing his throat."—Katie Begley, Product Tester

Best for Large Rooms: AIRMEGA 400 Smarter Air Purifier

Whether you own a loft or you simply want to purchase a single air purifier for most of your home, the AIRMEGA 400 is one of the most effective large-space purifiers out there. This workhorse can reach up to 1,560 square feet and features a dual-filtration system to reduce up to 99.97 percent of airborne matter, including pet hair, molds, dust, and dander. It measures 14.8 x 14.8 x 22.8 percent and weighs just under 25 pounds. The ultra-quiet system works on its own, recognizing when air quality is poor or good and adjusting as needed. The sleep mode can also detect when it’s dark and will turn on the quietest fan during nighttime hours.

Reviewers also like the quiet fan and the smart mode that adjusts throughout the day.

Best Year-Round Use: Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link Air Purifier

Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link Air Purifier
Courtesy of Best Buy

Though all air purifiers can be used 12 months out of the year, the Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link Air Purifier comes with a nifty extra feature—it can help heat a room too. This purifier removes up to 99.7 percent of small particles and allergens in the air and can cover rooms up to 400 square feet. The activated carbon granules in the filter capture pet odors and the “Air Multiplier” technology circulates air in even large rooms. But its most unique feature is the ability to cool in the summer and heat with thermostat control in the winter.

Though the Dyson is pricy, owners say it’s durable, dependable and well worth the cost. Many reviewers say that on top of reducing pet allergies and dust in the air, it’s aesthetically pleasing—which is always a plus when it’s in the main space in your house.

Best Quiet: Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier

If white noise isn’t your thing, you may struggle with using an air purifier. The Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier is a great alternative that features an ultra-quiet BLDC motor that, at its lowest speed, is virtually silent. It can filter allergens from rooms as large as 625 square feet up to twice an hour. The HEPA filter can trap up to 99.97 percent of allergens, including pet dander.

With a top rating on Amazon, the Rabbit is definitely a fan favorite. Though the unit can filter up to 625 square feet, owners say it’s better for small to medium-size rooms and best in a bedroom. Owners say the sound is undetectable and allergies are instantly reduced with this handy little machine.

Best High Tech: Blueair Classic 405 Air Purifier

Blue Air

 Courtesy of Sears

Looking for an air purifier that’s made for the internet age? The Blueair Classic combines best-in-class cleaning with smart home technology, allowing you to use voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa to set it into action. It’s also super quiet, allowing you to sleep without disruption while it works, and Energy Star-rated—so it won’t take a toll on your energy bill. The HEPA filtration system captures 99.97 percent of airborne particles.

Customers say that while the Blueair has a high price tag, it’s virtually paid for itself in terms of money saved on allergy medicine. They also say it’s far quieter than many of its competitors—on its lowest setting, it’s virtually inaudible.

What to Look For in an Air Purifier

Strength

Some air purifiers are more powerful than others, and just how much power you’ll need will depend on the size of the room, how many pets you have and what, if any, allergies your family members experience. 

Features

Besides cleaning the air, some air purifiers come with additional features, including odor and temperature control. You may also want to consider the look of the air filter if it’s going to be in a visible spot. Some come in a variety of colors, so you can choose one to complement your decor. 

SoundWhile some love the white-noise hum of typical air purifiers, others are annoyed by it. Fortunately, there are machines that are ultra-quiet and others that allow you to adjust the volume. On some models, you can preset runs to operate at different volumes during different times of the day. 
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