8 Best Air Purifiers for Pets, Tested and Reviewed

Blueair is a top brand with our experts based on its superb filtration used across its line of air purifiers. We particularly like the 211+ model for pet owners because of its three-part filtration system, which provides multi-level protection against contaminants of all sizes — not just dander and pet hair, but also cooking fumes, dust mites and pollen. "The washable fabric pre-filter that encases the device did a good job of snagging fur, dust and other large particles in our Lab and home tests," said Nik Greenwald, data engineer at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

Next in the multi-layered defense is the true HEPA filter, which captures smaller particles down to 0.1 microns, the smallest of all the air purifiers we tested. Then there's the carbon activated filter to help neutralize odors caused by urine and saliva. That's enough to clear up to 99.97% of pet-generated pollutants across 540 square feet, which is the ideal size for a family room or a large office (in case you like to take your fur baby to work!). An underrated feature of this air purifier that might be its best — you'll barely notice it running since it's so quiet.

Many homes need multiple air purifiers — one for each room. With this budget-friendly model, you can outfit your home for the cost of a single premium purifier.

Despite its lower price, it doesn’t compromise on performance. The true HEPA filter captures pet dander, hair and airborne allergens down to 0.1 microns, making it ideal for homes with shedding cats and dogs. The activated carbon filter helps reduce pet odors, though its effectiveness may be limited in humid environments.

In our tests, it performed especially well in small to mid-sized rooms (up to 215 sq. ft.), quickly improving air quality after just an hour of use. One tester noted that the air felt fresher and more breathable even after running it for a short period. However, it can be relatively noisy on the highest setting, so if you need an ultra-quiet operation, a higher-end model might be a better fit.

For pet owners looking for a cost-effective way to reduce allergens and odors, the GermGuardian is an excellent value that delivers reliable performance without breaking the bank.

Several innovations set the Rabbit Air MinusA2 air purifier apart from the competition, but we’ll start with its streamlined design. “It’s the first unit we’ve had in the Lab for testing that can be mounted to the wall,” said Greenwald. “The unit installs easily which will save floor space, especially compared with the largest standing models, which can get quite bulky.” Another tester noted, "Mounting the Rabbit on my wall keeps my floors clear and I haven't had to dust nearly as much since I started using it."

Besides its sleek, space-efficient design, the Rabbit Air is also engineered to pull a range of pollutants from the air, thanks to its multiple levels of filtration. That includes the all-important True HEPA filter, rated to capture 99% of particulates less than 0.1 microns in size. There’s also a pre-filter for pet hair and other larger allergens, an activated carbon filter to neutralize odors and a custom pet filter designed specifically for dander. While our Lab and home tests are still ongoing, the unit has delivered solid performance results so far. It's on the pricey side, but it is also living up to its ultra-quiet claim, especially in silent mode, when its fan is literally whisper-quiet; even on the highest "turbo" setting, the fan only gets up to around 49 decibels, or as loud as a soft conversation.

An important caveat: The MinusA2 has an ionization setting, which our experts don't recommend with any air purifier, since ionizers can release small amounts of ozone (an irritant that can exacerbate existing respiratory conditions) and the science on ionizer efficacy and safety is still inconclusive. While we prefer purifiers without any ionization mode, at least with the MinusA2 the process for turning it off is straightforward and there is an indicator light on the face of the unit that clearly indicates if it's in active ion mode.

The brand best known for bleach and other household cleaning supplies recently entered the air purifier category with this true HEPA unit. Based on our initial testing experience, Clorox is worth a look if you’re in the market for an air purifier that delivers capable performance at a decent price.

Recommended for medium-sized rooms, the Clorox 11010 air purifier is a good example. Thanks to its True HEPA Filter, it's effective at removing airborne particulates, especially on higher fan speeds; the brand says the device will clean the air in a 225-square-foot room up to five times an hour. One downside is that it is quite noisy when running at full tilt, so you might want to consider a quieter model if you’ll be running the air purifier in a bedroom (though some testers tell us they didn’t mind the white noise effect of louder devices). We also evaluated Clorox's Large Air Purifier, designed for spaces up to 1,500 square feet. Pet owners will appreciate the activated carbon filter on both units that does a solid job neutralizing bad odors. (We also looked at the new Tabletop Air Purifier, but we don't recommend it because it doesn't feature activated carbon.)

In our usability tests, Clorox earned high marks for the intuitiveness of its LCD display. "We also like the fact that the onboard sensor monitors air quality in the room and displays the information clearly,” said Greenwald. For smart home enthusiasts, Clorox offers an Alexa-enabled version of its air purifier that lets you control the device from anywhere via the smartphone app and operate it via voice control through any Amazon smart speaker.

Our experts say this Coway is one of the best air purifiers for owners with a heavy-shedding pet, whether a Himalayan long-haired cat or a Bearded Collie. It can also help with pet odor, thanks to its carbon activated filter, which proved powerful in our home tests.

Testers liked the easy-to-clean pre-filter that captures hair, fur and other large particulates before they reach the inner HEPA filters. Indicator lights give the heads up when filters need to be cleaned or replaced.

The Airmega 200M has the same rectangular shape our experts have come to expect from Coway. Though the design allows ample surface area for the filter, it means air can only be drawn in from the side of the machine, which slows down the process of purifying. The brand recently released its first cylindrical model, the Airmega 100, which can take in air from 360 degrees, which Coway says will deliver faster air cleaning. We will report back on the results once performance testing is complete.

This Honeywell air purifier excels at trapping pet dander and airborne allergens with its true HEPA filter, helping to improve indoor air quality. Ideal for rooms up to 360 square feet, it captures up to 99.97% of allergens, including dust, pollen, pet hair and smoke.

Our testers appreciated the constant air quality updates provided by the built-in VOC (volatile organic compound) sensor, which automatically adjusts cleaning levels based on detected pollutants. The color-coded Air Quality Indicator makes it easy to see real-time air conditions from across the room. One tester who evaluated the unit for several months was impressed, “I was shocked at how well it detected irritants in the air.”

Another highlight is the affordable replacement filter cost, which is a major plus if you plan to run multiple units. For pet owners needing extra protection, Honeywell offers specialty filters targeting pet allergens, smoke and VOCs.

Though it may not be cheap, this Dyson air purifier is loaded with innovations that make it worth the splurge, according to our experts. "It was one of the fastest models at reducing particulate matter in our test chamber, so it should do the job on pet allergens," said Greenwald. The machine's unique catalytic filter, combined with True HEPA filtration, vanquishes contaminants down to 0.3 microns.

The Dyson also has one of the most sophisticated onboard air monitors we’ve seen on a purifier. For example, it measures the presence of particulate matter (such as dander and pet hair) and relays the data, along with ambient temperature and humidity levels, to a sleek app. “The interface on the app is extremely intuitive and should give users a very clear picture of their home’s indoor air quality,” said Greenwald.

Costing $80, the Dyson’s replacement filter is among the most expensive. The air purifier also takes up a lot of space, standing a full 3 feet tall. If neither of those factors are deal breakers, the Dyson Humidify + Cool Formaldehyde won’t disappoint when it comes to clearing your home's air of pet contaminants.

Got a big house with several dogs or cats? The 751i Air Purifier merges advanced filtration technology with a powerful fan for massive cleaning power across 1,300 square feet. It's the only other model in our round-up (along with the Blue Pure 211) that can capture contaminants down to 0.1 microns. This is also one of the better-looking models to pass through our Labs, with its sleek front panel available in six colors. It's also one of the smartest, thanks to its built-in laser sensor technology that monitors air quality in the room and adjusts the fan speed accordingly.

The combination of peak performance and high design will cost you extra: Besides the steep upfront price, the filter replacement price is several times that of other models. Additionally, our safety experts point out that the Alen has an optional ionization setting designed to combat even more pollutants. We don’t recommend this feature on any air purifier since it can produce ozone, a lung irritant. But even without the use of the ionization setting, the Alen should capture plenty of pet hair and allergens, while looking good in the process.