Best Air Purifier for Pets

Following an in-depth comparison of more than thirty consumer air cleaners by (me) an indoor electrical room air quality engineer, we’ve determined that the best air purifier for pets and allergy sufferers, and number one pick, is the Austin Air Healthmate Standard ($538.99). It also has several features that make it a contender for top-rated air purifiers.

The decision was based on pre-filter quality (to catch large particulate like dust and hair), True HEPA filter class (based on the European Norm), carbon filter grade and specifications (for odor and gas control), and an analysis of the motor implemented and its effectiveness moving air across the multi-staged filter arrangements. The machine’s pre-filter effectively captures large pet dander before moving air through the activated carbon and True HEPA filter array, which works exceptionally well, eliminating smells that your hairy companion might track in and filtering finer particulate in the air.

Best Air Purifier for Pets

	Austin Air Healthmate Standard	Airmega 400S	IQAir HealthPro Plus
Rank	#1 – Editor’s Choice/Best Air Purifier for Pet Odors	#2 – Best Air Purifier for Pet Allergies and Asthma	#3 – Best Pet Dander Air Purifier
Amazon Rating
HEPA
HEPA Class	H14	H13	H13
Price	$539	$749	$899
	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

How We Choose The Best Air Purifier for Pets

Pre-filters help remove larger particulate from the air stream prior to more precision filtration. They’re often reusable and washable, and external to the higher-grade carbon and HEPA air filters installed inside of a home air purifier. But, compare air filters vs air purifiers to make sure you get the best one. The main benefit of pre-filter inclusion in an air purifier design is that larger contaminants in the air are restricted from passing on to the more advanced filters, and that increases the life and efficiency of expensive filters meant to remove the things that matter.

Pre-filters are relatively cheap to manufacture and cheap to include as a component in an air purifier, and as such, we believe the exclusion of such a feature demonstrates poor design. All of our top picks include pre-filter configurations, some of which are part of the activated carbon filter.

Pet odors are another issue that we wanted to ensure our top picks addressed. As such, a pet air purifier should remove nasty odors in small and large rooms and clean the air. Plan carefully if you need to clean a large room, since not all air purifiers can clean them, so consider looking at the best air purifier for large rooms. To clean the air, some form of an activated carbon filter needed to be a part of the filtration process. Activated carbon, or charcoal, filters adsorb odors by trapping molecules inside an extremely porous carbon substrate. Since our top picks focus solely on the best air purifier for pets, we didn’t weigh our decision based on the quality of the carbon media used, but rather only on the inclusion of a carbon filtration step. Air purifiers intended for use as smoke eliminators, or volatile organic compound (VOCs) removers require high-grade, activated carbon media to clean an environment more effectively. Be sure to check out some of the best air purifiers for smoke if you regularly smoke in your home or office.

HEPA Air Filters, or High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance, filters are a crucial component in any air purification equipment. They function as the finest line of defense in the filtration process, filtering out a minimum of 99.97% of particulate matter that is as small as 0.3 microns in diameter (to put that into perspective, a human – or pet’s – hair is approximately 100 times larger in diameter). The best air purifiers will utilize HEPA filters or a filtration system that operates to the same standard, capturing and successfully eliminating 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. Using the aforementioned European Norm as a guideline to classify HEPA quality, we began our analysis by ensuring that air purifiers that made our list met a rating of at least the standard E12 classification. Purifiers using HEPA filters exceeding our baseline were rated more highly, with those combining multiple, high-grade purification technologies rated considerably higher.

Finally, motor quality and machine construction were considered to ensure that each air cleaner had sufficient power to move each manufacturer’s rated volumetric air across filter arrays. This is critical to performance because, without enough power, air cleaners can’t optimally force flow through filters. Our top picks all demonstrate high airflow rates equating to powerful motors capable of pulling air into the machines and through filters as advertised. Typically, motor specifications and/or airflow information isn’t something that air purifier companies publish. More commonly, coverage area and maybe air changes per hour (ACH) are marketed to demonstrate product effectiveness. These numbers are usually reliable indicators of machine power, although we’ve found some with grossly inaccurate claims, so always do your own homework.

ACH numbers are the best way for a machine’s effectiveness to be gauged and compared. ACH is the number of times a purifier completely filters the air in an advertised square footage space within one hour. So, for example, if a machine’s ACH is 5 and the machine is marketed as being able to purify spaces as large as 500 sq ft, then the machine will completely filter all of the air in a 500 sq ft (square feet) area 5 times in one hour. Now, there’s a bit more to ACH than this simple explanation. Room height is assumed to be seven feet in ACH calculations. So for spaces in your home that have higher ceilings, the advertised ACH will not be accurate. There isn’t an optimal ACH rate. It’s only a way to measure and compare filtration power. If you’re looking at two purifiers with the same square footage rating and one has a higher ACH, it’s a more capable unit.

Why You Should Buy an Air Purifier for Pet Dander

We all love our pets, but did you know that certain elements found within pet dander, saliva, urine, and fecal matter can be the cause of allergic reactions, or irritate asthma sufferers? Also, shedding pet hair creates an environment in which pollen and mold spores can live if undisturbed. So you may also want to check out the top-rated air purifier for mold too.

Most medical resources suggest that asthma and allergy sufferers remove pets from their homes if irritation becomes a consistent problem, but we realize that this option isn’t always ideal. The best air purifier for pets will help owners mitigate the risk associated with pet allergens by removing harmful contaminants from the air. If you and your pet reside in a large home and want your air purifier to cover more ground, consider a whole-house air purifier. Additionally, if it’s hard on you, it will probably be hard on your child, which is why you want to invest in the leading air purifier for babies.

The EPA lists indoor air quality as one of the leading contributors to individual health and wellness in the United States. Long-term effects of poor air quality have been suggested as having the potential to cause respiratory diseases, heart disease, some forms of cancer – and in extreme cases – death. Everyone reacts differently to indoor air pollutants though, so it’s important to consider your unique situation about the information provided here and elsewhere. Having said that, pet owners can live healthier lives by using Pet Air Purifiers in areas frequented by their furry friends.

#1 Pick Austin Air Healthmate Standard

Price: $539 | HEPA Class: H14 | Coverage: 1,500 Sq Ft | Auto Mode: No

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Austin Air’s Healthmate Standard takes a no-BS approach to air purification with components that are top quality in the industry. This is our editor’s choice and the best air purifier for pet odors.

So why is the Austin Air Healthmate Standard our top pick? What makes it the best for this consumer application? Simply put: it’s an industrially designed air purifier that beats most others in its class concerning the variables we found most important.

The machine’s pre-filter, activated carbon and zeolite filter, and HEPA filter has been combined into a cylindrical, one-piece filter array that can easily be removed and replaced from the bottom of the machine when needed (although a new filter array should last an average user approximately three years). The Healthmate’s HEPA filter is industrial-grade, rated as H14 on the European Norm scale, and retains 99.995% of particulate measuring 0.3 micrometers in diameter.

Build quality is superior, like the Bissell Air220, and the machine isn’t an eyesore like some. Austin uses a purely mechanical filtration process for filtering air (devoid of ionization or ultraviolet treatments), and the motor we tested pushes air through the machine without straining. At full speed, the machine can be a bit loud (approximately 65 dB), but with this kind of performance, it’s understandable. We recommend running it on high for the first three to four hours after installation and then set it to medium for continued operation. If you have pets, you may not consider air purifiers to be pet gadgets, but they help with dander and make life easier for you and your furry friends.

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#2 Pick Airmega 400S Air Purifier

Price: $711 | HEPA Class: H13 | Coverage: 1,560 Sq Ft | Auto Mode: Yes

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: The most connected, “smart,” high-performance air purifier for pet allergies and asthma.

Airmega manufactures some of the most attractive and tech-savvy air purifiers on the market, and the 400S is the company’s MVP. This is an excellent buy if you’re looking for a high-performing air purifier for pet dander. It is the best air purifier for pet allergies and asthma.

Unlike many other air purifiers, Airmega’s units pull air through two separate intakes utilizing individual motors and carbon/HEPA combination filters. The machine’s side panels can easily be removed for cleaning and replacing each filter box. Just like the Healthmate, this machine comes loaded with an industrial-grade HEPA filter rated as H13 and retains 99.95% of airborne particulate.

It’s a great-looking machine that’s well-built and nice to look at – probably the most attractive air cleaner we’ve reviewed yet. A mechanical filtration process ensures that contaminants are captured, and because the unit uses two separate motors to drive the suction fans on either side, it’s capable of operating more quietly than others rated for similar coverage areas. Smart features on the device enable users to control the unit and monitor indoor air quality from their smart devices. You won’t find these features on the best cheap air purifier.

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#3 Pick IQAir’s HealthPro Plus Air Purifier

Price: $899 | HEPA Class: E12| Coverage: 1,125 Sq Ft | Auto Mode: No

WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: IQAir’s HealthPro Plus has been rated as a top performer in more of our application-specific reviews than any other air purifier.

We’ve previously discussed how much we love IQAir’s HealthPro Plus, but never regarding pet dander. An excellent machine for nearly every application, the HealthPro Plus performs exceptionally well for pet-related pollutants due to its unique combination of filters, internal sealing system, and build quality. It has earned the spot for the best pet dander air purifier.

The HealthPro Plus includes a pre-filter, granulated activated carbon and impregnated activated alumina filter, and an E12/H13 HEPA filter. Filters are installed in individual filter housing segments from top to bottom. The HEPA filter’s class varies between E12 and H13 depending on the machine’s airflow setting (airflow rates below 112 CFM keep the filter classified as a medical-grade H13, while higher flow rates reduce efficiency to E12).

IQAir uses a doubled-walled housing, rubber vibration padding on the motor, and an “EvenFlow” air diffuser to reduce the noise created from the operation, and in our examination, all of these features seem to work well. Just like our other top picks, the HealthPro Plus doesn’t use ionizers or UV-c light to treat air, but rather works its magic through a completely mechanical purification process. Air is pulled from the bottom of the machine and suctioned through the filter arrangement until clean, purified air is released from the top (EvenFlow Diffuser). Another model great for homes with pets is the Germ Guardian AC4300 – an air purifier with a HEPA Filter and a Pet Pure Treatment Filter. The filter includes an antimicrobial agent (Pet Pure) that prevents the build-up of mold, mildew, and odor-causing bacteria on the surface of the filter, plus, an activated charcoal filter that reduces odors from cats, dogs, smoking, and cooking.

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Key Factors to the Best Air Purifier for Pets

Pre-filter

• Pre-filters are a necessary part of the filtration process when dealing with indoor animals.
• With the pre – filter, an air purifier captures airborne particles and larger particles several times per hour. However, this depends on which level is used and which noise level is comfortable for you.
• Large particulates in the air, like pet dander hair, can cause efficiency and lifespan reductions in carbon and HEPA filters.
• Regularly clean your air purifier’s pre-filter to ensure maximum airflow through the primary filter array.

Carbon filter

• Pets stink; it’s not their fault, just part of being a four-legged friend. An air purifier using an activated carbon filter as part of the overall air filtration process with help to reduce, or even eliminate, nasty pet odors from cats and dogs. An air purifier for pets should include an activated carbon filter.
• If you have an animal of the feline variety, try keeping your litter box close to the purifier – we’ve heard from air purifier owners this helps quite a bit.

HEPA filter

• A must for any kind of air purification, HEPA filters remove the smallest air particles from the air (as small as 0.3 microns).
• HEPA filters help to prevent the spread of bacteria, pollen, dust, mite feces, and even fleas if used in conjunction with a HEPA vacuum cleaner.

Airflow

• Air suctioned through an air purifier needs to be properly suppressed from escaping the machine until it has been completely processed through the filter array. Leaks between the intake and exhaust reduce a machine’s effectiveness exponentially, in some cases nearly completely nullifying a machine’s use.
• In addition to ensuring internal seals are a part of an air purifier’s design, airflow patterns created by an air cleaner are important too.
• Some machines unintentionally create air loops that recirculate air that’s just been cleaned – poor efficiency. Our analysis of intake and exhaust ports considered the optimal airflow design based on each machine’s unique physical characteristics.

Features To Look For

As a buying guide, look out for these features when choosing an air purifier for your home. A good place to start is to check out HEPA Air Purifiers and compare their specs and features to other models.

Automatic Mode

• When coupled with an air quality sensor, an automatic function works well to ensure airflow settings are adjusted based on airborne pollutants detected.
• We know it sounds odd, but some machines feature an “automatic” mode that’s controlled by a timer function only which isn’t truly automatic. Timer functions are convenient for setting machines to day/night cycles, but not as a true “set it and forget it” option.

Filter Indicator

• While nearly all air purifier filters have a lifespan between twelve and thirty-six months (lifetime use varies greatly based on filter assembly and construction materials), it isn’t easy for busy folks to remember when it’s time to change our filters.
• A filter indicator automatically detects changes in airflow across a filter and provides an audible or visual indication that filter efficiency has decreased and a new filter may be required.

Noise

• You’re going to live with your air purifier, so noise is an important aspect to consider. Most cleaners aren’t that loud on lower settings, but some can get a little fussy when turned up. Expect powerful units with multiple fan speeds set on maximum airflow settings to create between 80 and 90 decibels (think blender on a medium setting).
• This point becomes even more critical if you’re planning on sleeping near your high-end quiet air purifier machine. All of the machines on our list can be used comfortably without sacrificing quietness in your home. Moreover, you’ll want to check out the leading air purifiers/humidifiers for better-added breathing comfort.

Coverage

• The maximum treatable area demonstrates a machine’s ability to effectively purify a certain volume of air and the sheer suction power that a machine has available. ACH is a great number to refer to, especially when comparing multiple units, although, unfortunately, the ACH number isn’t always advertised. When in doubt, go larger. If you require treatment of a space that’s 500 sq ft, it’s better to purchase a machine capable of treating 700 sq ft than one built for 499 sq ft.
• The greater the suction, the more air is moved across the filter array, and the more effective a machine is at removing stubborn particulate.

Mistakes to Avoid

This needs to be reiterated: without the incorporation of a pre-filter and air purifier meant to help against pet dander could be less effective due to carbon and HEPA filter blockage by larger particulates. Always check to make sure a pre-filter is part of the design of the machine for this application.

It may be tempting to try out a less expensive product, but be very cautious. We’ve found that many machines priced under $150 are often too weak to pull in the air around them properly.

One method that some less powerful machines will incorporate into the filtration process is ionization. Air ionizers charge particles, so that negative and positive attractions retain impurities in the air, and while this technology can be used very effectively – most consumer products that feature ionization just don’t perform as they should. Another issue with ionizers is that they produce ozone, a respiratory irritant at specific parts per million. Again, some machines utilize ionization very well – but you’ll need to do your homework carefully.

Don’t be overwhelmed. With so many models and brands to choose from, it can be a pain to figure out which air purifier is right for you. Popular models such as the Honeywell HPA300, the Levoit LV-H132, Hamilton Beach TrueAir, GermGuardian AC5350B, and many other great air purifiers available can make it a difficult decision. Regardless, make sure you shop around, compare specs and features, and ultimately choose a model you like!

What Else You Should Think About

When composing this piece, we had quite a bit of feedback regarding just removing animals from the home, but as pet owners ourselves, we realize that sometimes that isn’t a reasonable solution to the problem. As additional steps to combat allergies caused by indoor pets, consider using hypoallergenic shampoos and regular vacuuming with a vacuum that incorporates a HEPA filter of its own. Alternatively, buying a great HEPA air purifier will help tons.

Doing these things in combination with running the best air purifier for pets works well to eliminate irritating sources of allergies that can hide in your home. If you’re looking for an air purifier to treat a wider variety of pollutants, check out our air purifier comparison article between Winix vs Dyson air purifiers.

Our top pick as Editor’s Choice/Best Air Purifier for Pets, Austin Air’s Healthmate Standard is an excellent choice for reducing airborne pollutants that could be causing asthma attacks and/or irritating allergies. We’ve personally tested this unit, and it’s one of the best units for consumers with animals in their homes!