As pet owners we’ve found ourselves running into a few less-than-pleasant situations. Do you find yourself dealing with any of these?
- Minor or severe pet allergies related to cat or dog dander
- An annoying amount of pet hair collecting around your home
- Stinky pet odors that won’t seem to go away
In this guide, you’ll discover what the best air purifier for pets is so you can reduce allergy symptoms, get rid of floating pet hair, dander, and eliminate pet odors in your home that are caused by cats and dogs.
By the end, you’ll have everything you need to find an air cleaning product that will make living with your furry friend a whole lot easier and even more enjoyable.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Best Air Purifier for Pets Comparison Chart
Here’s a chart showing the comparison between the top air purifiers for pets.
We’ll go more in depth about each one later in this guide but this gives you a sense of what’s available and an easy way to quickly compare them.
| Image | Air Purifier Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
  | VEVA 8000 Elite Pro Series Air Purifier
| Check Price |
  | Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Cleaner
| Check Price |
  | Hamilton Beach TrueAir Compact Pet Purifier
| Check Price |
  | Hathaspace Air Purifier
| Check Price |
Pet Dander vs. Pet Hair (and Why it Matters!)
As a pet owner, learning what the differences are between pet dander and hair is essential to choosing the best air purifier for your home.
Knowing this little bit of knowledge up front will pay back dividends in the future because you’ll be able to buy the best pet air purifier for your needs (and save cash) as a cat or dog owner.
The truth is that most people confuse pet dander with pet hair.
While you may think that these two are the same thing, they really are different and you want an air cleaner that will eliminate what’s really bothering you.
What is Pet Dander?
Pet dander is actually microscopic pieces of skin that are shed by pets with hair or fur. Interestingly, dander also comes from animals with feathers such as birds.
Many people believe the myth that pet dander is only present in younger animals. This is simply not true.
In fact, pet dander actually gets worse as an animal gets older. You’ll find that as your pet ages, the more dander he or she will shed around your home.
Pet dander (and not hair) is the real cause of pet allergies that flare up in humans.
It can also be present in animal saliva which can flake off from a pet’s fur and become airborne.
The most common allergies are caused by the Fel d I protein from cats and the Can f I and Can f II proteins from dogs.
Fortunately, a dedicated pet allergy air purifier can drastically help reduce these particles. We’ll show you what the best air purifier for pet dander and allergies is below.
What is Pet Hair?
Pet hair is simply just that. Hair.
A huge misconception here is that people with pet allergies believe that they have allergic reactions to the hair that animals shed. This is false.
As mentioned previously, it’s the pet dander that people are allergic to, not the hair. However, animal hair is still an unsightly mess that collects around our homes and usually does have dander particles stuck to it.
Luckily, a specialized air cleaner can help to get rid of it.
Why Any of This Matters
Knowing the difference between pet dander and pet hair will make it much easier for you to find the best air purifier for your home because you can get a device that’s specific to your needs.
A person with dog or cat allergies will want to get the top air purifier for pet dander to eliminate it from a room, while someone who just wants to eliminate ugly pet hair from their house does not need as advanced (or expensive) of a unit.
In the next section, we’ll show you what the best air purifier for pet dander, best air purifier for pet hair, and best air purifier for pet odors are so you can get the right model for your needs.
The Three Best Air Purifiers for Pets
There are literally hundreds of air purifiers being sold today, but the two you’ll find below are considered the best home air purifiers for pet owners.
As you’ll see, the type of HEPA filter that the air purifier uses will determine how good it is at removing pet dander and allergens versus pet hair and odors.
The best air purifier for removing pet odors will be one that includes a high-quality Activated Carbon filter, which you’ll find below.
The Best Air Purifier for Pet Dander
If you or a family member suffers from pet dander allergies, the best type of product to combat this problem is a True HEPA air purifier.
Here’s why:
- A True HEPA air purifier is the best air purifier for pet dander because it’s able to remove 99.97% of allergens as small as 0.3 microns.
- After trapping dander particles into the filter, the True HEPA filter doesn’t allow them to be released back into the air.
- A True HEPA filter creates a cleaner, fresher air space which drastically helps reduce pet allergies.
So, what is the top air purifier for pet dander?
VEVA 8000 Elite Pro Series Air Purifier
The VEVA air purifier effectively filters pollen, bacteria, mold spores, dust, microbes, smoke and pet dander.
It comes with a premium HEPA filter to capture dust and allergens as well as four carbon pre-filters to remove odors and provide fresh, clean air throughout a room.
This air purifier has a sleek design that’s great for your home. It also has an automatic shut-off safety feature (when the front panel is removed), making it safe for pets.
The VEVA 8000 Elite Pro Series offers more filters and lower replacement costs compared to other air purifiers of similar size. There’s also the VEVA 9000 ProHEPA Air Purifier which covers 600 square feet at a slightly more expensive price point.
Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier
This air purifier was made specifically for pet owners and no other product comes close to competing with it.
With this unit, you’ll find instant relief from pet allergies as well as a few additional perks.
Pet dander doesn’t stand a chance of escaping from this air purifier.
What makes this the best air purifier for pets is the 5-stage air cleaning system that includes:
- True HEPA filter (for pet dander)
- Washable Activated Carbon filter (for reducing pet odors)
- Pet pre-filter (for larger pet hair and dander particles)
- Washable pre-filter (for finer pet hair)
- PlasmaWave Technology (for breaking down particles in the air before they get into your lungs)
This machine eliminates all traces of airborne pet dander and hair for a cleaner, healthier home.
It also gets rid of common pet odors so you can have a fresher smelling house.
When you set this air cleaner on the automatic mode, it uses 3 smart sensors to monitor the air quality in the room.
As pet dander enters the air, the sensors detect this and adjust the fan speed accordingly in order to quickly eliminate these allergens.
You’ll also notice how efficiently this pet air cleaner is working by viewing the color on the front panel LED light.
- Green color indicates that the room is free from pet dander
- Yellow color shows that dander is being detected
- Red color alerts you that there are high levels of dander in the air
This product is suitable for a large family room or bedroom and can purify a space up to 300 square feet.
What’s also nice is that it includes a remote control, so you can control the device from anywhere inside the room.
With an Energy Star certification, it also ensures ultra-low operating costs.
Hands down, this is the best air purifier available for pet dander and hair and combines the most advanced technologies to deliver the cleanest air possible for pet owners.
It’s also a great air purifier for pet odor since it includes a dedicated filter to remove those smells.
The Best Air Purifier for Pet Hair
If you don’t suffer from cat or dog allergies and just want an air purifier to get rid of pet hair and odors, then your options and savings open up quite a bit.
While we usually recommend that you get a True HEPA type device (because it traps particles as small as 0.3 microns), this is the one instance where a HEPA-type purifier may be appropriate.
- A HEPA-type filter only captures particles as small as 2-3 microns in size which doesn’t trap many allergens
- While a HEPA-type filter is a major disadvantage to people with dog or cat allergies, a person seeking only to eliminate pet hair from their home can win out by getting a product with a cheaper price tag
Below, is the best air purifier for pets that’s strictly used to remove pet hair with minor allergy control.
Hamilton Beach TrueAir Compact Pet Air Purifier
This small inexpensive device is excellent at controlling dog and cat hair.
What makes it the best air purifier for pet hair is the included 3 filters:
- Permanent HEPA-type filter that can be vacuumed clean for a lifetime of use (for pet hair and larger dander particles)
- Pre-filter (for pet hair)
- Zeolite filters (for eliminating pet odors)
This air purifier can also purify a space up to 140 square feet which is perfect for most small rooms in your house.
And, at such a cheap price, it’s easy to pick up more than one to place in various rooms to keep them free of pet hair and odors.
This air cleaner can also stand up vertically or be placed on its side, allowing you to place it practically anywhere inside a room.
Put it in a corner, on a desk or close to where your pet sleeps.
Regardless, of where you place it, this air purifier will help get rid of pet hair that’s been driving you crazy and reduce unpleasant cat and dog odors.
The Best Air Purifier for Pet Odors
If getting rid of pet odors is your top concern then you’re going to want an air purifier that’s fully equipped to handle those smells.
The most important feature in an air purifier for pet odor removal is an Activated Carbon filter.
This special filter traps odor particles as they pass through the system and prevent them from re-entering the air.
Another feature that can help reduce pet smells is an Ionizer function. Ionizers work by emitting charged ions into the air to knock various types of pollutants out of the air.
This technology also clumps particles together so they’re easier to capture in the internal air filters.
Below, is one of the best air purifiers for pet odors, but also works well for pet dander too.
Hathaspace Air Purifier for Pets
This 5-in-1 air purifier is great for reducing stubborn pet odors.
If you have one or more dogs or cats that tend to stink up the home, this air purifier will be a great investment.
The reason being is that it includes these powerful odor-fighting and dander-controlling filters:
- Nano-Cold Catalyst Filter (for capturing large pet dander particles)
- Activated Carbon Filter (for reducing pet odors)
- Anti-Bacterial Filter (for trapping bacteria and germs that also cause odors or sickness in your pets)
- True HEPA Filter (for eliminating microscopic pet dander particles)
- Ionizer (for boosting the air purification power against pet odors and dander)
Smart air quality sensors that monitor the level of airborne contaminants and automatically adjust the air purifier speed to remove them.
Like the Winix HR900 above, this air purifier also shows you the current air quality with an LED light.
- Green color indicates clean air
- Yellow color means dander or odors are detected
- Red color alerts you that a high influx of dander or odors are present
This air purifier is good more most medium to large size rooms of the home and can purify a space up to 350 square feet. It also includes a remote control for convenience.
Tips on Using an Air Purifier for Pet Dander and Pet Hair
After you buy an air purifier, there are a few things you can do to maximize its efficiency. In order to get the most out of your new air purifier for pets, follow these tips:
1. Give it Space to Breathe
Air purifiers need space around them to ensure proper airflow. Unless the manufacturer says otherwise, keep at least two feet of space around all sides and the top of the unit. Unobstructed air circulation will allow it to collect the most amount of pet dander and hair from the room.
2. Choose a Good Location
Animals are creatures of habit and you can use this to your advantage. It’s common for household pets to hang out in certain areas of a room rather than others. Therefore, to cut down on the most dander, hair, and odors, it’s a good idea to put the air purifier close to the area your cat or dog congregates the most. For example, next to a couch, a favorite corner, or special pet bed on the floor.
3. Run it 24/7
You may be tempted to turn your pet air purifier on and off in order to conserve energy. However, this is actually the worse thing you can do. Air purifiers require constant 24/7 operation in order to keep pet dander, hair, and odors under control. Today’s air purifiers are very energy-efficient, so you don’t have to worry about it costing much to operate.
4. Keep Doors and Windows Closed
When you’re trying to combat pet dander and odors with an air purifier, it’s important that you keep a tight seal in the room that you’re using it in. While opening windows may seem like a good idea to let those types of particles float outside, it actually forces your air purifier to overwork itself. When doors and windows are kept closed there will come a point when the air purifier has stripped all of the airborne contaminants. At that point, a room’s air can stay up to 99.97% clean while operating on its lowest setting.
5. Stay on Top of Filter Changes
Every air purifier manufacturer will recommend how often you should clean or replace the internal filters. Some filters may require cleaning or replacement ever three to six months, while others may not need to be touched for twelve months or more. The product’s manual will guide you on what to do here. Just make sure to stay on top of these filters changes, otherwise having dirty or clogged filters will essentially render your air purifier useless.
Common Questions People Have about Air Purifiers for Pet Hair and Pet Dander
Do Air Purifiers Get Rid of Pet Odors?
Yes, an air purifier can get rid of pet odors as long as it includes an Activated Carbon filter.
This filter is the only type that removes pet odor particles from the air and traps the inside. The result is fresher smelling air.
The best air purifier for pet odors is the Hathaspace model reviewed above.
Do Air Purifiers Help with Pet Hair?
Yes, air purifiers that use a HEPA filter can reduce the amount of floating pet hair inside your home.
These filters can suck in and trap animal hair so that it doesn’t collect around the room.
What is the Best Air Purifier for Pet Hair?
The best air purifier for pet hair is technically the Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Cleaner that’s featured on this page.
It includes all of the functions necessary to reduce pet hair accumulation.
However, if you only have a small space to remove pet hair, then the Hamilton Beach TrueAir Pet Cleaner is an inexpensive choice.
Do Air Purifiers Help with Pet Dander?
Yes. Air purifiers can lower the amount of pet dander in a room as long as it uses a True HEPA filter.
This type of filter is required to trap microscopic pet dander particles and prevent them from recirculating back into the air.
What is the Best Air Purifier for Pet Dander?
The best air purifier for pet dander is the Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Cleaner.
However, the Hathaspace air purifier is also an excellent device for removing pet dander particles from the air.
Read the reviews on both air cleaners to find the one that’s right for you.
Do Air Purifiers Work for Pet Allergies?
Yes. Air purifiers that use a True HEPA filter and collect pet dander will help with your pet allergies.
Just make sure that the air cleaner does actually use a True HEPA filter and not a HEPA-typer or HEPA-grade filter.
Those filters are inferior versions and don’t work near as well for people with pet allergies.
What is the Best Air Purifier for Pet Allergies?
The best air purifier for pet allergies is the Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Cleaner that we reviewed above.
This product was designed specifically to help get rid of pet dander and other allergens in the home.
What is the Best Air Purifier for Pet Odors?
The Hathaspace air purifier reviewed on this page is the best air purifier for pet odors because it includes an Activated Carbon filter and Anti-Bacterial filter.
This combination of filters reduces the widest range of pet odors and also helps to stop germs and bacteria from causing smells in your home.
Facts About Pets and Allergies
For those of you who are interested, here are some interesting facts about pets and allergies.
- 85 million families have some sort of pet inside their homes (Insurance Information Institute)
- 36.5% of households have dogs while 30.4% have cats (AVMA)
- 90% of households have detectable levels of dog and cat allergens (WebMD)
- Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies (Live Science)
- Pet owners by generation: 35% of Millenials, 32% of Generation X, 27% of Baby Boomers, and 6% of Builders (Statista)
Other Ways to Get Rid of Pet Dander and Hair
While a dedicated air purifier for pet dander and pet hair is highly effective, there are other ways to help keep these pesky particles under control.
By following these additional tips below, you can guarantee that your home remains free of animal dander and hair.
Regular Bathing
One of the best ways to keep pet dander under control is to bathe your pet regularly.
In fact, up to 85% of dander can be removed from a household pet by bathing it weekly.
Unfortunately, the truth is that not many of us have that kind of free time to keep up with a weekly wash.
If you can bathe your pet at least every two weeks or on at a minimum on a monthly basis, you’ll be much better off at controlling the pet dander inside your home.
Combining this cleaning ritual with an air purifier will keep your home pet dander free for years to come.
In order to control pet hair in between baths, it’s important to start at the root of the problem – your pet’s fur.
Brushing
Brushing your cat or dog once per day or at least 2-3 times per week will drastically help keep the amount of pet hair that accumulates inside your home.
While yes, an air purifier can collect pet hair and remove it from a room, a cheap dog or cat comb can help speed up this process.
One of the best pet combs on the market is the FURminator brush. Look for it in your local pet supply store or on Amazon.
No other type of comb can really compete with its effectiveness.
Tape/Tape Rollers
Finally, for stubborn pet dander and hair that has attached itself to your furniture, a simple way to get rid of it is to use a roll of packing tape or clothing tape roller to remove lint.
If you have a clothing tape roller then you should already be accustomed for how to use it. Just use it to pick up hair on furniture instead of your clothing.
If you’re trying the packing tape method, just wrap the tape around your hand backward so that the sticky side is facing out.
Attach it at the end to make a tape roll. Then roll it around the furniture to collect any dander or hair that has accumulated on the surface.
Enjoy Your New Best Air Purifier for Pet Dander
We hope that this guide has helped you learn how to choose the best air purifier for pets and that you get the one that serves your needs as a cat or dog owner.
Living with animals doesn’t have to be a pain as long as you know how to keep your house healthy and clean.
The best air purifier for pet dander (as outlined in this guide) can help keep not only the air in your home clean, but also the furniture and other surfaces indoors. It’s also excellent for household dust and other particles.
The best air purifier for pet hair can keep your house clean as well, but it won’t be the top choice for dander particles. And finally, the best air purifier for pet odors mentioned above also has the capability to remove pet dander and hair too.
So, choose the product that’s right for you and your budget.