Purchasing an air purifier to use within the home is the first step to improving the quality of your indoor air, and ultimately your health.
An effective air purifier works by removing harmful irritants and pollutants in the air, such as cigarette smoke, household contaminants, and both large and small particles. Contaminated air is filtered through a complex filtration system and clean air is delivered. The result is fresh air and an odor-free home.
In this article we’ll not only go through some of the things to look for when purchasing an air purifying system for pet allergies, but we’ll also give you the lowdown on some of the best models out at the moment.
Table could not be displayed.Buying Guide: What to Consider When Buying an Air Purifier
With so many different air purifiers on the market today, it can be daunting to choose the best model for you, particularly if you’re a pet owner. The following section will give you a better idea of some of the most important factors to consider when buying an air purifier:
Pet Dander
As much as we all love our pets and couldn’t imagine life without the furry little things, they do come with their own challenges. Not only do pets add an extra odor to the air, but they also add a continuous supply of pet fur and pet dander to the air. These extra particles are diminishing the indoor air quality and can cause great irritation to those suffering from pet allergies, asthma, or any other respiratory condition.
No one wants to spend day after day sneezing or even worse, suffering from allergic reactions. So, finding an air purifier that will tackle this problem and help to eliminate some of that excess pet fur and dander is vital. But don’t worry, as there are plenty of decent air purifiers on the market that are specifically for this purpose – some of which we’ll get on to in the next section.
Filters
Finding an air purifier that’s equipped with a HEPA filter shouldn’t be too much of a problem, as pretty much all of them are, and for good reason too. HEPA air filters clean more than 99.9% of airborne particles. However, there are other kinds of filters to look out for as well.
Many good air purifiers use other types of filters in conjunction with a HEPA air filter. For example, carbon filters are sometimes used to neutralize odors, while HEPA filters tackle the actual particles. When you have pets, it’s a good idea to opt for an air purifier that uses a combination of these filters in order to effectively remove any pet dander or pet fur in addition to any bad odors such as those relating to a litter box.
Material Type
They type of material the air purifier is made from will largely affect the price as it will affect the efficiency of the product. When it comes to air purifiers, those made with higher quality components are almost always more effective. And, we’re not talking that much of a difference in price. So, even if you are on a bit of a budget, don’t automatically reach for the cheapest product as it could end up being completely ineffective, in which case you’ll end up buying the better one anyway.
Metal air purifiers are good because they’re tough and long lasting. The downside is they can be quite heavy. Some plastic air purifiers are also a good choice as they’re affordable, easy to clean, and lightweight. The downside to these is they are much weaker than metal ones, some so much that they shouldn’t be sold. So, just take extra precautions when buying a plastic air purifier.
Room Size
The size of the room you intend to put your air purifier is another very important consideration. While it would be great to have an air purifier in every room within the home, it’s not always feasible. In which case, you need to decide which room you’re going to place it. Is it better placed in the living room where you spend a large portion of your time? Or would you rather it went in the kitchen where a lot of the odor in the home emanates?
Once you’ve decided on that, you need to measure the size of the room. Having an air purifier that’s too small may help to reduce odors and clean a portion of the air, but it’s not going to work for the whole room. On the flip side, if you buy one that’s too big, you’re simply going to be wasting energy.
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Medify MA-40
If you’re looking for something that offers a little more than just the basic removal of pet odors, dander, and fur, then the Medify MA-40 may be a good choice for you. Featuring a medical-grade filtration system, the Medify MA-40 is the perfect solution for anyone who has severe allergy symptoms or asthma who may need something a little more effective.
According to the manufacturers this air purifier can clean a room up to 1600 square foot in size in just one hour. Halve the room size and the cleaning time is also halved.
In terms of the actual size of the device, the Medify MA-40 is 26” in height and 10.5 inches in width, making it quite small against some of its competitors. But don’t let that put you off, as it’s still super effective, and much easier to find a home for. On the top of this air purifier you’ll find a tempered glass control panel that’s easy to use and looks pretty cool too.
When it comes to performance, this air purifier is a true force to be reckoned, featuring a comprehensive, 4-stage air cleaning system that’s very effective. The first stage is a washable pre-filter which traps any large pollutants such as pet fur, and large dust particles. Next, the HEPA filter takes over, capturing all the smaller allergens such as mold spores and pollen particles. It then passes the air through an activated carbon air filter in which to remove any toxic odors. And then finally, through an ionizer (although this is optional and can be switched on or off).
The Medify MA-40 features 3 different fan speeds. On speeds 2 and 3 the ionizer can be switched off as and when needed. On the highest setting it measures in at around 65 decibels (dB), which is kind of noisy. However, when it’s on speed 1 or in “sleep mode”, it automatically switched off to help keep the sound to a minimum.
For added peace of mind, this air purifier comes with a lifetime warranty.
Hathaspace Smart
The Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier is a high-end 5-in-1 air purifier. It works similarly to the Medify MA-40, with multi-functioning filters, but with an antibacterial filter thrown in.
Measuring in at 13.5” x 7” x 19.5” and weighing just 12 pounds, it’s quite a lightweight air purifier, which is ideal for anyone looking to move it from room to room. In terms of performance, it’s capable of cleaning the air in a room of up to 350 square feet in 30 minutes. It’s also a very sleek and snazzy looking machine that would look great just about anywhere.
What sets this air purifier apart from the rest is not necessarily its performance (although that is definitely on par with the best). It’s more about the extra smart features it has to offer. For example, there’s a smart sensor on-board that measures the air quality and adjust the fan accordingly to make sure you always get the best air possible. Right on the display itself, it continually displays the air quality within the room on a very easy to read red, yellow, or green scale. This ensure you always know the quality of the air you’re breathing.
It also comes with a handy remote control which allows you to adjust the machine from anywhere in the room. Or, simply activate the “sleep mode” and it will switch off all the display lights and operate at its quietest (20dB).
Overall, the Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier is a pretty good buy. While it may not have the capacity to clean a large space all at once, it’s very effective in smaller rooms at removing pet smells, pet dander, dust, and other irritants in those areas that it can reach.
Germ Guardian
One of the most popular air purifiers currently available is the Germ Guardian. It’s a 4-in-1 air purifier that’s both effective and affordable and therefore suited to a wide range of homes.
In terms of size, the Germ Guardian is very compact. It measures just 9” x 6.69” x 27.56”, making it one of the smaller air purifiers on this list. It’s also very lightweight, weighing just 7 pounds. So, if you are looking for a portable air purifier to use in multiple rooms, this may be the model for you.
Being a 4-in-1 air purifier means it’s effective in 3 separate areas. It reduces odors and traps allergens that are produced from a range of sources including pets and moldy food. It also uses a UV-C light in which to kill germs. These are especially important features for pet owners, as all help to improve the overall cleanliness and freshness of a room (something that’s easily dampened when pets are around).
There are couple of downsides to this machine. The first is that it’s only effective in a room of up to 167 square feet in size. And, secondly, it produces around 40 dB even on the lowest setting, making it one of the more louder air purifiers around.
On the plus side, you do get a 3-year limited warranty should to experience any problems.
So, while it may not have all the bells and whistles that some of the other air purifiers on this list have, what the Germ Guardian does offer is effective air cleaning in a confined space. It’s lightweight enough to be moved around as often as needed, and it’s very well priced.
Winix HR900
Considered to be the next generation of air purifier, the Winix HR900 takes innovation to a whole new level. This ultimate pet air purifier uses plasma wave technology to break apart and destroy odors, allergens, and other harmful pollutants that happen to be lurking around.
Capable of cleansing the air in a room of up to 300 square feet in size, this air purifier super effective at removing pet hair and pet dander. And thanks to the integrated deodorized carbon filters, it’s also highly effective at absorbing pet odors too.
The Winix HR900 uses a 5-stage air filtration system that’s one of the best around when it comes to pets. It has not one, but two, pre-filters which capture all the larger particles of pet dander, fur, and dust; an activated carbon filter in which to absorbing all those lingering pet odors; a True HEPA filter that’s capable at capturing 99.97% of allergens and other harmful particles; as well as a Winix PlasmaWave air filter which is a special type of ionizer that further reduces the number of pollutants in the air.
Don’t worry if that seems like a lot of filters as they are pretty robust and last a while. And even when they do need changing, replacement filters don’t usually cost that much.
Measuring in at 16.3” x 9.6” x 23.6” makes it one of the larger air purifiers on this list. However, when you’re a pet owner you’ll know only too well how far pet smells can travel. Having a larger than normal air purifier usually means having larger filters. And having larger filters, means less smell.
In terms of noise, this is one of the quietest air purifiers on the market, with a dB level of just 26, which is little more than that of a whisper. This ultra quiet setting can be great if you’re easily bothered by noise.
So, if you’re in need of an air purifier that’s designed for those with a furry friend or two at home, then this may be the one for you.
Levoit H13 Air Purifier
A sleek and classy looking device, the Levoit Air Purifier is fantastic pet air purification system that’s perfect for just about anyone, especially those with pets.
The biggest selling pint of this air purifier is that it’s equipped with 3 unique filters. There’s an ultra-fine pre-filter; a HEPA filter; and a granular activated carbon filter. While the pre-filter can be cleaned regularly to help maintain its life, both the HEPA and carbon filters will need to be changed at regular intervals. But don’t worry as the machine also features a check filter indicator that lets you know when it’s due for a clean or an air filter replacement.
Equipped with Vortexair Technology, the Levoit H13 Air Purifier creates a stronger air flow and is capable of purifying the air in its range up to 5 times per hour. And, the noise level is just 24 dB, making it one of the quieter models out there.
Another bonus this air purifier has to offer is that because it uses no UV/Ion light, there’s no harmful ozone gasses emitted.
However, it is a little on the small side. The Levoit H13 measures in at just 8.7” x 8.7” x 14.2”. And while it’s great in terms of portability, it’s does mean the area it covers is usually less. Covering up to 219 square feet, is not bad coverage for a device of this size, but there are some more efficient models out there for a similar price.
All-in-all, it’s a pretty basic functioning air purifier that’s effective at using to tackle pet dander, hair, odors, and more. Sure, there may be bigger and more efficient models out there, but then you will pay a lot more for them. But if you just want something that’s going to help give you better indoor air to breathe while eliminating some of those (not so nice) pet odors, then the Levoit H13 Air Purifier is a good choice for you.
Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 Air Purifier
The Rabbit Air BioGS is one of the higher-end air purifiers on this list, not just in looks, but in performance too. It’s the winner of multiple awards including the Red Dot Design Award and the G-Mark Good Design Award.
Measuring in at 22.2” x 16.6” x 9.8”, it’s a pretty big purifier so you will need to make sure you find room for it. But, capable of filtering the air in a room of up to 550 square feet in size, is one of the more efficient models on this list and perfect for filtering any large rooms in the house. This is achieved through the device’s 4-stage filtration system.
The permanent pre-filter effectively traps all the large particles like pet fur and dust mites, before directing the air to the BioGS HEPA filter where any smaller airborne pollutants are broken down. Next, the air is passed through the charcoal filter in which to reduce any nasty odors, before finally making its way to the negative ion generator which helps to fortify the air, making it healthier and more breathable.
There are five different speed setting to choose from on this air cleaner, so it should please just about everyone. Just be aware that while it’s pretty quiet (22 dB) on the lowest speed, on the highest speed it can get as loud as 50 dB. So, you may want to avoid this setting when trying to bed down for the night.
One of the biggest selling points of the Rabbit Air BioGS is that it’s so innovative. To help reduce energy usage, all the lights on the interface will go out when the machine is idle. It’s also fitted with a filter life indicator to let you know when they need replacing. Another very environmentally friendly feature.
As well being an effective air purifier to have if you own pets, the Rabbit Air is also considerate of children too. If the cover of the machine is removed while in use, the device will stop immediately. So, there’s no danger about little hands getting caught where they shouldn’t.
Honeywell HFD320 AirGenius 5
Here we have another fantastic air purifier in both looks and functionality. Hosting a smooth, black exterior, the Honeywell HFD320 AirGenius 5 is definitely one of the better looking models out there. It also features some great design qualities. Being tall and slender means you need less floor space to be able to use this device effectively. At 9.9” x 9.7” x 26.8” it can be plonked just about anywhere there’s free-flowing air.
When it comes to selling points, the most prominent feature this model has to offer is the advanced ifD QuietClean technology that it’s equipped with. Don’t let the fact that it has a 2-stage filtration system deter you as it is fitted with some of the most effective filters out there. The first filter is the pre-filter, and this is pretty similar to most other models out there. It’s permanent, and it’s pre-washable.
The second filter is the Intense Field Dielectric (ifD) filter which effectively captures up to 99.9% of airborne particles including bacteria, pollen, viruses, and pet dander. It also includes a part of it an activated carbon filter to help contain bad odors. These filters are one of the only types that’s comparable to that of HEPA filters in terms of protection. Another benefit to be seen in an ifD air purifier such as this, is that it’s much quieter than a HEPA filtration system, even at top speed.
Capable of filtering a room that’s up to 250 square feet in size, the Honeywell HFD320 AirGenius 5 has a total of 5 different air cleaning levels to choose from. There’s a general setting, a sleep setting, a max setting, a germ setting, and an allergen setting. So, you can change the speed, depending on what it’s to be used for.
Dyson Pure Cool DP04 HEPA Air Purifier
And last on the list, but certainly not least, we have the Dyson Pure Cool DP04 HEPA Air Purifier, offering just the right blend of class and functionality.
As soon as you clasp eyes on this model it’s easy to see why it’s one of the top-end models out there today. Not only does it look super cool with its funky silver circular design, but it offers some advanced functionality that’s hard to beat.
For one thing, its innovative design is more than just an attempt to make it look nice in any room. The circular part of the air purifier offers a 360-degree filtration that’s rarely seen in other models. With this kind of system, you can direct where you want the air to be dispersed. In Diffused Mode, the air is purified then projected through the back of the machine via the unique Dyson air valve. Or simply, put it into oscillation mode at either 45, 90, 180, or 350 degrees to direct the air more accurately where you want it.
It’s also equipped with Air Multiplier technology which ensures air gets purified and circulated throughout the whole room. And it has automatic sensors which detect changes in the air quality and act accordingly, without you needing to do a thing.
Another bonus is that it works with Alexa or Siri. So, you can operate it from wherever you are in the house (provided you speak loud enough). This allows you to get a room nice and clean before you even need to go in there. How efficient is that?
Measuring in at 8.8” x 13.8 x 27.2”, it’s another compact yet effective model that will work well and look good just about anywhere.
Conclusion
So, as you can see, there are a great deal of high-efficiency and energy star rated pet air purifiers available to buy. Now it’s just a case of deciding which is going to be the right fit for you. Just remember to refer back to our handy buyer’s guide if you do need some help in making your decision.
And finally, just enjoy the improved room air quality that you, your family members, and your pets will have gained just by investing in one of the best air purifiers for pets.