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Say goodbye to hair, dander, odors, and more. Air Filter Hepa Filter
We love living with our furry friends, but the odors and dander they leave behind? Not so much. That’s why air purifiers are essential for pet owners—they help reduce allergens and eliminate unpleasant odors in your space. However, not all air purifiers are created equal. While some are made for more general use, others are specially designed with pets in mind.
To find the best air purifiers for pet owners, we tested 61 popular models and evaluated them based on their design, noise levels, features, effectiveness, and value. For expert insight, we also spoke with Kenneth Mendez, CEO and president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Keep reading for our top five picks for a fresher, fur-free home.
The four-stage filtration is effective on pet hair and dander in large rooms and open floor plans.
It’s a bit clunky and indiscreet.
The Winix 5500-2 4-Stage True HEPA Air Purifier impressed us with how well it tackled pet dander and odors, earning it the title of our overall best pick. It stands out for its four stages of filtration: a washable fine mesh pre-filter that catches pet hair and larger particles, a washable carbon filter that absorbs odors and VOCs, a HEPA filter that traps tiny particles, and, finally, PlasmaWave technology that releases ions to break down pollutants in the air.
After just 30 minutes on the highest setting, it reduced PM2.5 (tiny airborne particles) by 80% to 82% and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—like room sprays—by over 86% to 88%. The mesh pre-filter was also full of hair at the end, proving just how effective it was. In terms of features, it comes with a remote control, an LED light that shows air quality in real time, and an auto mode that adjusts the fan speed based on the air quality. An indicator light also tells you when the filters need to be changed. With its quiet operation and sleep mode, it’s great for nighttime use, too.
After six months of constant use, our air felt much fresher and cleaner. The manufacturer claims it can clean rooms up to 1,740 square feet in an hour, making it well-suited for larger spaces. Our only complaint is that the cover tends to pop off easily, as the magnetic closure isn’t super secure. The design is also bulky, so it might not fit well in a living room or dining area. However, we think its strong performance makes up for these minor issues.
Dimensions: 15 by 8.2 by 23.6 inches | Weight: 14.8 pounds | Room Size: 360 square feet | CADR: 246 CFM for pollen, 243 CFM for dust, 232 CFM for smoke | Certifications: Energy Star, AHAM Verifide, UL Listed
Despite its portable size, the budget-friendly model can disperse clean air throughout large open spaces.
The filter removal process releases allergens back into the air.
While air purifiers can be pricey, this option from Kenmore proves that you don’t have to break the bank for an effective performance. It has three fan speeds (low, medium, and high) and three levels of filtration: a pre-filter for large debris and hair, a true HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter for absorbing odors. Despite its compact design, we were really impressed by its power—while it’s best suited for smaller spaces, it still kept the air fresh and clean in our 850-square-foot room.
With a sleek, user-friendly design, this model blends in well with any decor. It runs quietly, even on the highest settings, and the underlight can be turned off, making it perfect for bedtime use. Plus, you can set it to run continuously or on a timer. One downside is that the filter is not disposable, and we wish there was a way to clean it without releasing allergens back into the air. Still, we appreciate its reasonable price and love that its lightweight design makes it portable enough to bring from room to room.
Dimensions: 8 by 14 by 8 inches | Weight: 5.85 pounds | Room Size: 850 square feet | Certifications: Energy Star
It operates very quietly and includes a customized filter of your choosing.
It’s one of the pricier models out there.
Whether it’s sticking to your clothes or just making you sneeze, fur around the house is never fun. If you’re tired of dealing with long pet hair or pet dander, the Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier is a must-have.
In our tests, it removed more smoke and pet hair than other units, thanks to its six-stage filtration system. It has a pre-filter for larger hair and debris, a medium filter for smaller particles, a HEPA filter to trap pet dander and other tiny bits, an activated charcoal filter to absorb odors, and a negative ion generator to trap tiny molecules that cling to airborne particles.
Unlike most purifiers, which are one-size-fits-all, this model lets you add a customized filter based on your specific needs—choose between a green tea filter, germ defense filter, toxin absorber filter, odor remover filter, or pet allergy filter.
You can control this unit with a corresponding app (so you can adjust it from anywhere) or with the included remote. It has an auto mode that adjusts the fan speed depending on the room’s air quality, and it automatically dims according to the room’s lighting.
Features aside, this unit really stood out for its quiet operation—the “silent” mode really was silent, and even on the highest setting, it wasn’t disruptive. In fact, it was so quiet, we practically forgot it was there. Plus, the sleek, modern design makes it an unobtrusive addition to any space. After six months of use, it’s still exceeding our expectations.
Dimensions: 21.4 by 7 by 20 inches | Weight: 19.4 pounds | Room Size: 815 square feet | CADR: 200 CFM for pollen, 193 CFM for dust, 180 CFM for smoke | Certifications: Energy Star, Asthma & Allergy Friendly
The filters are very long-lasting.
The higher settings are disruptive, and the robotic appearance may not appeal to everyone's tastes.
If you're a pet owner, you’re probably all too familiar with the faint urine scent following your furry friends. That’s why we love the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier MAX, which stands out for its odor-neutralizing technology. Those of us living with a slow-to-potty-train pup can vouch that this is the first air purifier that’s actually eliminated the urine smell from our carpet—and it even left a pleasant floral scent behind. Better yet, it also seemed to alleviate our dog's allergies.
This unit includes a Debris Defense filter for larger particles and a HEPA filter for smaller ones. The touchscreen panel offers four intensity levels, a timer, lock, light adjustments, filter change icon, and an info icon that changes to show PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10, or the clean air percent. Our dog slept through the first two speeds, though it got a bit noisy at level three. You can also buy a remote control separately.
Beyond its effective odor neutralization, this unit also has an impressive lifespan. The filter lasts 10 times longer than most, reducing the need for frequent replacements. After six months of 24/7 use, we’ve only needed to clean the pre-filters once, making it a very low-maintenance pick.
Setup was also a breeze, thanks to the easy-to-install pre-filters and HEPA filter. Overall, we love the design and functionality—just keep in mind that the side panels have a robotic appearance, which might not be everyone’s style.
Dimensions: 13.2 by 13.2 by 22.5 inches | Weight: 12.27 pounds | Room Size: 1,400 square feet | Certifications: Energy Star
It’s incredibly easy to use.
The touchscreen lags a bit.
Whether you have an open floor plan or need to tackle an especially large area, the Orsani Mod+ Hepa Air Filter checks all the boxes. It covers up to 2,722 square feet every hour and 1,361 square feet every 30 minutes, hitting every nook and cranny. Thanks to the three-in-one filtration system, it excels at removing larger and smaller particles, including pet dander, pollen, dust, and activated carbon.
The setup was ridiculously easy, and we found the interface similarly easy to navigate. There aren't specific settings to choose from—instead, you control the intensity by sliding your finger down the half-circle arc from low to high.
We did notice a slight lag on the touchscreen which, while frustrating, wasn't a dealbreaker. The touchscreen lights up for just a moment when you touch it, so it's not very obtrusive, and we found the noise level to be subtle and soothing. We think the calming noise, coupled with the dim display, make this a great nighttime option.
Overall, we were impressed by this air purifier's performance. It made our apartment feel fresher—even on smoggy days—and eliminated the ripe smell of our cat's litter box in warm weather. After six months, it’s still exceeding our expectations.
Considering its strong output, it's no surprise that this unit is fairly bulky, so it may not be the best choice for smaller rooms. Luckily, the basic design allows it to blend in well with any decor, and its discreet handle makes it easier to tote from room to room.
Dimensions: 14 by 14 by 25 inches | Weight: 23 pounds | Room Size: 2,722 square feet | CADR: 363 CFM for smoke, 375 CFM for dust, 373 CFM for pollen, 369 CFM for PM2.5 | Certifications: Energy Star, CE, ETL, RoHS, California Air Resources Board
Our overall best pick is the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier, which excelled at filtering pet hair, odors, and smaller particles like pet dander. Plus, it can cover up to 1,740 square feet in one hour, making it great for larger spaces, too. If you’re looking for a less expensive yet still effective option, we recommend the Kenmore 850e Air Purifier with SilentClean HEPA Technology - PM1005 for its three fan speeds, three levels of filtration, and portable design.
We tested 61 air purifiers in our lab and at home, evaluating them based on their design, noise, effectiveness, and value. To start, we timed how long it took to assemble each air purifier, taking note of how clear the instructions were. We then evaluated the design based on the quality, aesthetics, design features, and footprint.
Then, we used a decibel meter to measure each purifier’s noise levels on its highest and lowest settings. For air purifiers with additional features, such as air quality indicators or Wi-Fi compatibility, we tested these functions and recorded whether they were useful and easy to use on the first try.
Of course, we also tested each air purifier's effectiveness at purifying the air. To do so, we set up stations throughout our testing space and recorded the baseline PM2.5 (tiny particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter) and volatile organic compound (VOC) levels at each one.
We emitted a different containment at each station, including mothballs, incense smoke, pet hair, scented room deodorizer spray, and a mixture of dust, dirt, and flour. We then recorded the PM2.5 and VOC levels again at each station and from varying distances. After running each model on its lowest setting for 30 minutes, we measured the PM2.5 and VOC levels again. We repeated this test with the air purifier on its highest mode.
Lastly, we scored the overall value of each air purifier based on its price and performance. We made sure to consider the cost of replacement filters, and we calculated the estimated annual energy cost of running each air purifier by averaging its recorded wattage on the highest and lowest settings and basing the cost on the U.S. average of $0.16 per kilowatt-hour—assuming the unit was running 24 hours per day 365 days a year.
Once lab testing was complete, we brought the top-performing air purifiers home and assessed their performance after one, three, and six months of use.
Levoit EverestAir Smart Air Purifier: This mode’s user-friendly app allows you to control the direction of airflow, and its AirSight Plus technology activates automatically once it detects a decrease in air quality. We just wish there was a mechanism to adjust the display directly on the purifier itself.
LG PuriCare AeroTower Air Purifying Fan: With 10 fan speeds and a turbo setting, we were amazed by how well this purifier improved air quality and reduced odors. However, it wasn’t as effective in open spaces.
Different filter types are designed to trap different pollutants, and most air purifiers for pets have a combination of two or more filters to trap pet hair, allergens, and odors. Some are washable, while others need to be replaced on an annual or semi-annual basis, so it’s important to factor in the cost of replacement filters when considering which air purifier you buy. Here’s a quick primer on the various filters you might find when shopping for an air purifier for pets:
HEPA Filters: HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air and is the most efficient at filtering particles in the air, including pet dander. These mechanical filters work by forcing the air through a very fine mesh filter that removes even the tiniest particles from the air. "An air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is recommended for pet owners, as they remove 99.97% of allergens and pollutants as small as 0.3 microns from the air," Mendez says. In general, HEPA filters should be replaced rather than cleaned, usually around every six to 12 months, but you should always refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for specific time frames.
Activated Carbon Filters: If you’re dealing with pet odors, look for activated carbon (or charcoal) filters. They can absorb many contaminants in the air that HEPA filters cannot, including VOCs. Activated carbon filters are often used in combination with HEPA filters to trap both allergens and odors. In general, you'll want to replace activated carbon filters every three to six months.
Pre-Filters: Many air purifiers come with pre-filters to trap large debris and dirt. They’re great if your pet sheds a lot, as they can trap hair and prevent it from clogging the HEPA filter. To remain effective, pre-filters need to be cleaned regularly (and allowed to fully dry) before use—even a small amount of water left in the filter can lead to mold growth.
An air purifier’s strength is measured by its Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), which indicates the amount of purified air it produces at its highest setting. Some manufacturers provide a single general CADR, while others break it down into three categories: pollen, dust, and smoke.
When choosing the right air purifier for your needs, it’s important to consider the size and layout of your space. A small air purifier may not be as effective for larger rooms, while a model that’s too large might use up more energy than you need.
If you’re living in an apartment or need to cover a smaller area, consider a purifier like the Kenmore 850e Air Purifier with SilentClean HEPA Technology - PM1005, which can cover up to 850 square feet. On the other hand, if you have a larger home or an open floor plan, you might want to opt for a purifier like the Orsani Mod+ HEPA Filter, which can cover up to 2,722 square feet.
Noise is another important consideration, especially if you have sensitive pets around the house. Higher settings are generally noisier than lower ones, but some models are still quieter than others. Most of the air purifiers we tested had noise levels ranging from 20 to 60 decibels.
If you plan to use the purifier in the bedroom or a main room 24/7, you’ll want one that operates quietly. While some purifiers automatically adjust based on air quality, look for one that also offers manual mode options so you can choose your speed setting.
Some even have a quiet mode that’s specially designed for bedtime use. During testing, the Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier w/WiFi stood out for its quiet operation, particularly on its silent setting.
If you want to save money on utilities, look for an Energy Star-certified air purifier. This certification ensures the air purifier meets specific energy-efficiency requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency. And if you have allergies, the Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification Program (run by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and Allergy Standards Limited) independently tests air purifiers to ensure that they meet certain standards for reducing allergens in the air.
Additionally, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) Verifide label indicates that the product has undergone independent testing to verify its CADR and claimed room size. Be sure to also look for Intertek’s Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL) Listed mark for proof that the product complies with North American safety standards or the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) Listed mark, which indicates compliance with its own safety standards. (ETL does not develop its own safety standards.)
To keep your air purifier running smoothly and prevent allergens from releasing back into the air, Mendez stresses the importance of regularly changing or cleaning your filters. For washable filters, you should rinse or wipe them down every month. If the filter isn’t washable, you can gently vacuum it. For disposable filters, the manufacturer will indicate how often they need to be replaced (usually every six to 12 months).
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance option that you can set and forget, the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier MAX uses filters that last up to five years.
All of the air purifiers on our list feature multi-level filtration systems, typically offering three to six stages of filtration. When it comes to larger debris, a pre-filter is essential for capturing things like pet hair. These are the most effective for those with shedding animals, while HEPA filters specialize in capturing smaller debris like pet dander.
If odors are your main concern, look for purifiers that have active carbon (or charcoal) filters that absorb pet odors and other gasses. Four of the five picks on our list come with an activated carbon filter—while the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier MAX doesn’t, it does have an effective odor-neutralizing technology that leaves behind a fresh fragrance.
Air Filter Co This article was written by Jamie Fischer, a shopping writer for Real Simple. To compile this list, we tested 61 air purifiers in our lab and at home to evaluate them on design, noise level, features, effectiveness, and value. For expert tips, we spoke with Kenneth Mendez, CEO and president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.