7 Best Air Purifier for Pet Hair, Pet Dander, Pet Odors In 2021
Take note pet owner, your Lab, Goldy, Yorkie, or feline (I’m not a cat person) deserve freedom at home! When your body suddenly develops a taste for pet allergies, the likely scenario is your buddy has to go. Allergens flow wherever they want whether you like it or not. Just because your pet is shedding like crazy or smell, it does not mean they should be chased out.
To save you from going to the extreme route, there is an alternate happy ending for both parties. We listed down THE BEST air purifier for pet hair, dander, odors, and allergies catered to different needs. At the end of this post, you will have a clearer answer on how to live well with your furry companion.
What causes pet allergies?
Pet allergy is an abnormal reaction to the proteins in pet dander (skin flake), urine, and saliva from your pet. Yes, it is the protein that causes the allergic reaction. NOT shed hair from your dog/ cat as many people might mistake it for. Common symptoms from pet allergies include red eyes, itchiness, wheezing, shortness of breath, and asthma. There are also people that are hyper-sensitive to pet odors. One might experience chronic sneezing, stuffy nose, or nausea when the smell picked up. A final point worth highlighting is that allergies could come and go anytime. some owners would only start developing allergies after a certain stage of life.
Who is this for?
First and foremost, all the air cleaner listed here is perfect for both the owner and their furry friend. Pet owners with asthma would benefit greatly from this list as well. Newborn, children or elderly with weaker immune system would appreciate an allergen-free environment. Lastly, anyone that is allergic to pet dander, dust mites or even pet odors.2021 Best Air Purifier for Pets
| No | Image | Air Purifier | Online Price (Amazon) | Filtration | Coverage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier | $$$$$$$ CHECK PRICE | 3-stage | 1,100 sq. ft. (102 m2) | 4.5 |
| 2 |  | GermGuardian AC5250PT Air Purifier | $$$ CHECK PRICE | 5-stage | 180 sq. ft. (17 m2) | 4.5 |
| 3 |  | Austin Air HealthMate HM400 Air Purifier | $$$$$$$ CHECK PRICE | 4-stage | 1500 sq. ft. (139 m2) | 5 |
| 4 |  | Rabbit Air MinusA2 SPA-780A Air Purifier | $$$$$$$ CHECK PRICE | 6-stage | 815 sq. ft. (76 m2) | 4.5 |
| 5 |  | Hamilton Beach 04384 TrueAir Compact Pet Air Purifier | $$ CHECK PRICE | 3-stage | 140 sq. ft. (13 m2) | 3.5 |
| 6 |  | Medify MA-15 Air Purifier | $$$ CHECK PRICE | 4-stage | 330 sq. ft. (31 m2) | 4 |
| 7 |  | Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier | $$$ CHECK PRICE | 4-stage | 360 sq. ft. (33 m2) | 5 |
| 8 | Air Purifier | CHECK PRICE |
How Do We Measure?
Pre-filter
Animal sheds all the time. A good pre-filter would have no issue stopping and removing pet hair from the air. It can also extend the HEPA and carbon filter lifespan by reducing both workloads. What we are looking at is a pre-filter that can trap a good amount of dog/ cat hair before the need to clean out the filter. Regardless if is a permanent or a 2-in-1 carbon pre-filter, as long as it can do the job, we are happy with it.
HEPA filter
Even a small flake of skin could trigger an asthma attack. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) is a common filter in "genuine" pet air purifiers. What we need is a reliable HEPA filter that can get rid of airborne pet dander (dead skin), germs, and parasites. For optimize filtration efficiency, it would also have to play well alongside pre-filter and carbon filter.
Activated Carbon filter
Cat urine, stool, and saliva are the main culprit that will vaporize to create an unpleasant smell. The bacteria-filled feces can trigger allergic symptoms that no pet's owner would want. An activated Carbon filter is not only great at removing odors, it is also the perfect tool to get rid of toxic gases. What we want is a deodorization carbon filter capable of removing even the foulest pet odor.
Specialized pet's air purifier/ filter
An added bonus point, we will be looking at other filtration designed to tackle pet allergies. For example, antimicrobial is regularly used to prevent microorganisms growth on the filter. You also have UV-light, ionizer that is effective against pet contaminants. Above all, the specialized pet air purifier would have to pass our performance test in order to be fame here.Quick Summary
| BEST BUDGET | BEST OVERALL | BEST PERFORMANCE |
|---|---|---|
| | |
| Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier | GermGuardian AC5250PT Air Purifier | Austin Air HealthMate HM400 Air Purifier |
| Recommended Room Size | ||
| 1,100 sq. ft. (102 m2) | 180 sq. ft. (17 m2) | 1500 sq. ft. (139 m2) |
| Filtration | ||
| 3-stage | 5-stage | 4-stage |
| Ratings | ||
| 4.5 ⭐ out of 5 | 4.5 ⭐ out of 5 | 5 ⭐ out of 5 |
| Amazon Price | ||
| $$$$$$$ | $$$ | $$$$$$$ |
CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
Alen BreatheSmart overall purifying performance is great, the all-in-one filter is even better. Other than Classic, there are few variants of BreatheSmart models currently on sale. Each air purifier would vary in specification and cater for different price group. Having said all that, it's actually the pet odor neutralizer HEPA-OdorCell that won our heart. It is a must-have upgrade as it is the best filter to remove pet hair, dander, and odors. HEPA-OdorCell filter comes with Alen's patented Molecular Conversion Powder. It is specialized in destroying pet smells at a molecular level.
Treating it as a sheer pet air purifier, Alen BreatheSmart has a rather expensive price tag. Worst still, the HEPA-OdorCell we talked about is an optional purchase add-on. The lack of a dedicated activated carbon filter would also drive the filter cost up. Skipping the downsides and noisy max speed, there are many good things about Alen BreatheSmart that we yet to touch on but its there. You can learn more about BreatheSmart in the detail reviews.
Pros
- Customizable design.
- Strong CADR and wide air coverage.
- Long-life HEPA-Pure Filter (upgradable).
- Optional Ionizer.
- SmartSensor, Auto mode, child lock, pre-set timer.
- Lifetime warranty.
Cons
- Expensive price tag.
- No carbon filter on HEPA-Pure filter.
A worthy replacement to the previous AC4850PT with roughly the same price range. GermGuardian AC5250PT slim profile is arguably the best air purifier for pet hair job. With plenty of filtration strength in its pocket, no allergens will be able to bypass the 5-stage filtration. The combined HEPA filtration is highly effective against cat and dog allergies. Begin with the permanent mesh filter plus charcoal pre-filter for cat's hair and odors. A must-have True HEPA Fresh filter to remove microscopic allergens. Pet Pure treatment AKA antimicrobial that halts microorganism growth. Closing with UV-C Light that destroys airborne germs and bacteria.
GermGuardian AC5250PT is a well-made, mid-range, tower air purifier that barely takes up any space. It does have its downside and is unsurprisingly down to average airflow performance. Mediocre purifying coverage and slow airflow delivery rate. The slightly over-bright indicator light might also be annoying for some. Still, we can't complain much as it holds exceptional value for a pet dander removal machine.
Pros
- Inexpensive 5-stage pet filtration.
- 5 fan speed and programmable timer.
- True HEPA filter with Pet Pure antimicrobial.
- UV-C light with TIO2 treatment.
- 5 years warranty.
Cons
- Small room coverage.
- Mix charcoal pre-filter.
- Lacks air quality sensors and auto mode.
A powerful air purifier with a very low annual filter maintenance cost. Pet Machine might not age well in today's standard, it is still one of the best air purifiers for pet hair/ odor. It has one of the widest purifying coverage (1500 sq. ft.) at 2 airflow releases hourly. The strong airflow output is excellent in controlling dog/ cat odors before the stench spread through the house. Trio pre-filter (outer mesh, inner pre-filter, and medium filter) ensure no pet hair would be able to get out. Moving on, impregnated carbon/zeolite mixture carbon filter will tackle smelly odors. The final stage 60 sq.ft. True Medical Grade HEPA filter will trap all microscopic particles.
Bypassing all the cons and expensive price tag, Austin Air Pet Machine is actually a low-maintenance air purifier. The super long-life, all-in-one filter that could last up to 5 years on normal use. However, there is no Auto mode, air quality monitor/ sensor, timer or any modern features you could think of. Fan noise is louder than we preferred and it's also very bulky in size; not great if you have very limited space.
Pros
- 1500 square feet purifying range.
- Dual pre-filter, medium filter.
- 15 lbs. carbon filter.
- 60 sq. ft. HEPA filter.
- 5 years of filter lifespan.
Cons
- Bulky and heavy.
- No autonomous mode.
Not limited to any version, Rabbit Air MinusA2 is a regular sitter in our best list here for many valid reasons. It has an exceptional 360° circulation for comprehensive, all-angle purifying coverage. More importantly, the 6-stage filtration will handle all spectrum of airborne irritants. Starting with the pre-filter that remove first-stage particles e.g. dog/ cat hair. With most pet hair trapped, HEPA filter and Medium filter will focus on smaller allergens. Choose the optional Pet Allergy Customized Filter to get rid of animal dander and germs. Charcoal-Based Activated Carbon Filter would eliminate all foul smells from canine and feline. The final Negative Ion Generator is there to round up any leftover irritants for a new clean cycle.
Lets nitpicking on Rabbit Air MinusA2 disadvantages. The expensive starting price without adding the filter upgrade and front panel. Bulky despite being wall-mountable. CADR is not impressive while few might argue MinusA2 is not effective against foul cat or dog odor. We beg to differ on the last part.
Pros
- Frame-sized 6-stage pet air purifier.
- Low filter replacement cost.
- Medium Filter, HEPA Filter, Ionizer.
- Carbon filter and 4 customizable filter options.
- Trio sensor, auto mode, light-sensitive sleep mode.
- Remote control, timer, 5 years warranty.
Cons
- Very expensive.
- Average airflow output.
The cheapest pet air purifier listed here (less than 60 after discount). TrueAir Compact Pet is the ideal tabletop air purifier if you have a cat that loves to hang around the work desk. Small and cheap yet with all the bundled filters squeezed in its tight body. Your table will guarantee stay-free of airborne cat hair, animal dander, and germs. The replacement carbon sheet is also very cheap at around 10 dollars. Permanent, reusable HEPA-grade filter that will trap hair, dust mite, and pet dander. On top of that, there are 2 carbon zeolite filters standing by to neutralize any cat odors stench.
Good as a subsidiary/ tabletop purifying machine on top of your main air cleaner. The big trade-off for such a cheap air purifier is the weak filtration performance. Purifying range is also very limited as you would expect from its compact form. Filtration against animal allergens and odors is way below par. Lastly, the permanent filter requires regular vacuuming to remove the fast-filled pet hair.
Pros
- Very affordable (+-70).
- Cost-saving, reusable filter.
- Compact and versatile design.
Cons
- Limited coverage and airflow delivery.
- Permanent HEPA filtration.
- No supporting features.
A destined replacement to 9500, Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier has my vote of confidence. Not only there is a bumped up airflow performance, it still possesses the previous charm that most pet owner would be looking for. The 5-stage filtration that will trap any types of pet allergies in its surroundings. The dependable pre-filter and optional pet filter will stop furball/ hair moving forward. Protected True HEPA filter will then remove associated allergens as small as 0.3 microns in size. The Coated Deodorization (CD) Carbon Filter will eliminate urine and related pet odors. Last PlasmaWave Technology also in the bag to neutralize incoming odor and germs.
The one and only shortcoming with HR900 is the filter change will end up being VERY COSTLY. The high annual filter replacement cost (100+) is the only biggest beef we have with this air purifier. Other than that, it is well-equipped with dual sensors, timer, auto, and sleep mode all standing by.
Pros
- Compact and affordable.
- Medium room size coverage.
- 2x Medical-grade H13 HEPA filter.
- 2x Carbon filter with carbon pellets.
- Anion generator, timer, child lock.
- Lifetime warranty (US only).
Cons
- Double filter set recurring cost.
- No sensor, air quality monitor, auto mode.
A popular and inexpensive air purifier with a twist. Winix 5500-2 filtration setup is compatible with HR900 Ultimate pet filter. You can now officially upgrade your air purifier with additional protection. With or without the pet filter add-on, 5500-2 will have no problem reducing the frequency of pet allergies from arising. The outer pre-filter is great at cleaning up airborne dust, dog and cat hair sheds. Inner True-HEPA filter with deal with smaller allergens not captured by the pre-filter. CD Carbon Filter will eradicate odor emitted from feces, saliva. PlasmaWave will end the cycle by neutralizing any germs or bacteria along the way. Combining with wide purifying coverage, decent CADR, and autonomous purifying in the bag, what more could you ask for?
A reliable air purifier for allergens and odor capturing but a pain in the a** to maintain. Winix 5500-2 is effective, has an accessible price point and all the features you would ever need. Again, high annual filter replacement cost is a common theme in Winix air purifier. There is also the minor indicator light glaring issue that might or might not be a big deal to you.
Pros
- PlasmaWave pet machine under 150.
- Impressive coverage and CADR.
- True-HEPA filter.
- (AOC) Activated carbon filter.
- Auto/ sleep mode with dual sensors.
- AQ indicator, timer, remote control.
Cons
- High maintainece cost.
What is Pet Dander?
In simple terms, pet dander is dead skin cells that shed from animals’ fur or feathers. All warm-blooded animals produce dander including tiny gerbil, reptiles to bird species. Cat dander is the most common contributor to allergies follows closely by dog dander.
It Is hard to spot pet dander on its own through our naked eyes. These tiny skin flakes vary in size with an estimated 75% scale at 5 microns or larger and 25% are 2.5 microns or smaller.
Most people mistake pet dander as an allergy aggravator. It is actually the protein within that trigger symptom like sneezing, skin rash. Our body immune system produces antibodies as it mistakes protein as harmful allergens.
An air cleaner would get rid of airborne animal dander, but vacuuming and grooming work best complement each other.How Long Does Pet Dander Stay In a House?
Pet dander will stay in a house for around 4–6 months or 20 to 30 weeks even if the pet has already left. Cat dander is the most known type to be adhesive on household objects including our hair, bag, and clothes. As a result, many pet owners unknowingly became the allergen official transporter. When on the move, the allergens will spread to common places e.g. shopping malls, offices, classrooms, etc.
Can You Develop Dog Allergies Later in Life (Or Cat)?
Yes,
If you experience any of the known pet allergy symptoms only when your pet is around, it's a clear sign that you "have" it. Time to get some airborne protection. There are just so many health benefits an air purifier can bring to the table. Even though not all are related to pet allergies, you should consider them when choosing the right one. To get the most out of the many available options, focus on the following features below: I'm sure 99% of you did not go through the air purifier's manual. Probably missed few interesting quirks but no biggie. We are here to cover the most generic yet important tips you should do after unboxing your air purifier. The easiest way of removing pet hair in the air is to set the air purifier at max speed and place it near your cat or dog. The strong airflow will quickly pull in surrounding air into the filter before anyone has a chance to breathing in. It can be very loud thus it is not possible to run it in the bedroom at night. So limit your pet activity space especially during night time. Also, pet hair is not microscopic, you don't need a top-end air purifier or the best HEPA filter to get rid of pet hair.8 Signs That You Need An Air Purifier For Pet Allergies
What To Look for When Buying An Air Purifier for Pet
How To Use Your Pet Air Purifier Properly?
Pro Tip For Removing Pet Hair From Air
