We humans love our pets and consider them an important part of the family. As pet owners know, however, pets come with messes.

Dust, dirt, pet hair and odors always seem to find their way into your home regardless of how thoroughly you clean it. This is because, aside from bringing in dust and dirt from outside, pets also shed hair and dander. These contaminants can trigger allergic reactions and make them worse.

One of the best ways to control pet dander and dust at home is to use an air purifier specifically designed to clean the air at home and help you breathe easier. In this article, we compare some of the best air purifiers on the market for homes with furry friends.

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1RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A

  • Light Sensor
  • LED Mood Light Panel
  • Filter Indicator
  • Covers up to 815 sq. ft.
  • Air Quality Indicator
  • 5 Fan Speeds
  • 5-year Warranty

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2GermGuardian AC5250PT

  • Pet Pure Treatment
  • UV-C Technology
  • Filter Indicator
  • Covers up to 193 sq.ft
  • Built-In Timer
  • 5 Fan Speeds
  • 5-year Warranty

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3Winix 5300-2 Air Purifier

  • HEPA Filter
  • 3-stage filtration
  • Plasmawave Technology
  • Covers up to 360 sq.ft
  • Auto Sleep Mode
  • Smart Air Sensors
  • 1-year Warranty

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4Hamilton Beach TrueAir Compact Pet Air Purifier (04384)

  • Washable Pre-filter
  • Permanent HEPA-grade filter
  • Cleans up to 140 sq. ft
  • Dual Zeolite Filters
  • 3 Fan Speeds
  • 1-year Warranty


1

RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A

The RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A is a console-type air purifier that has an impressive 6-stage filtration composed of a pre-filter, medium filter, BioGS HEPA filter, carbon filter, another filter of your choosing, and an ionizer. Its slim design allows it to be mounted on the wall and cover up to 815 sq. ft. of space.

The RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A is easily one of the sleekest and most customizable air purifiers out there. Within its thin frame comes a 6-stage filtration system, which includes a customizable filter. Pet owners can choose either the Pet Allergy Filter for removing pet dander and other allergens or the Odor Remover Filter which is designed to trap odors from pets, cigarettes, and cooking. Although the SPA-780A already has a carbon filter, the Odor Remover Filter increases its odor-removing capacity by 91%.

Aside from that great feature, the SPA-780A also has several features a high-end air purifier should have: filter life indicator, air quality indicator, light sensor, remote control, and an ionizer. It even has an LED light panel that changes colors for added relaxation. Despite having all these wonderful features, though, the SPA-780A doesn’t have a timer which could have been useful for those who don’t plan to leave their air purifier on 24/7. Another thing that’s great about this air purifier is that you can mount it on a wall so that it takes up less space and runs less of a risk of getting knocked over.

As one might expect, the SPA-780A is the most expensive of all the air purifiers in this list. Although it is expensive upfront, it becomes a lot more affordable in the long run since it’s highly energy efficient and its replacement filters come quite cheap. All things considered, the SPA-780A is definitely one of the best air purifiers for pet owners out there.

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Pros

  • Large coverage
  • Customizable filters specifically for pet owners
  • Affordable replacement filters
  • Can be mounted on a wall
  • Quiet

Cons

  • Expensive (upfront)
  • Ionizer produces ozone
  • No timer
  • Heavy

2

GermGuardian AC5250PT

The GermGuardian AC5250PT is a tower-type air purifier with an efficient 3-stage filtration system which includes a carbon pre-filter, True HEPA filter, and UV-C Light antimicrobial treatment. It is best used in small rooms and is recommended for both allergy sufferers and pet owners alike.

The GermGuardian AC5250PT is one of the most popular air purifiers in its size and price range. For an affordable price, you get a sleek, lightweight model capable of heavy duty air purification.

What makes the AC5250PT so special is that its carbon pre-filter is treated with GermGuardian’s very own Pet Pure treatment which is an antimicrobial agent that inhibits the growth of fungi and odor-causing bacteria. Aside from this, it also has a True HEPA filter capable of removing pet dander and other allergens, and finally, a UV-C Light treatment for additional antimicrobial treatment. This filtration system is excellent for filtering out pet hair, dander, and odor!

It is also a very quiet air purifier, making it suitable for use at night. With its thin design, you can place the AC5250PT in virtually any nook or cranny in your home. However, it can only cover a small area of 193 sq.ft. so if you want to cover a larger area, you might want to buy more than one.

The AC5250 also lacks some important features like an air quality indicator and modes to choose from. However, it does have a built-in timer, 5 fan speeds to choose from, and a filter indicator to tell you when it’s time to change filters. Overall, the AC5250PT is an excellent, cost-effective choice for a small house with pets.

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Pros

  • Affordable
  • Small and lightweight
  • Quiet
  • Good for odors, mold, virus, and bacteria
  • Energy efficient

Cons

  • Small coverage
  • No air quality indicator
  • No smart modes/Fan speed does not adjust automatically

3

Winix 5300-2 Air Purifier

Another tower-style air purifier, the Winix 5300-2 features a True-HEPA filter which is perfectly designed to combat pet hair, odors, dust mites and more. Using a 3-stage cleaning process, it captures 99.97% of airborne particles and pollutants 0.03 microns and above, leaving you with a fresher and cleaner home.

CADR rated to purify up to 360 sq.ft. this air purifier will be more than capable of covering an average sized home effectively. Smart sensors intelligently monitor the air quality in your home, adjusting the fan speed to match should a change in air quality occur. This is particularly useful if you have a pet which sheds heavily at certain times of year. The convenient LED indicators keep you informed of indoor air quality levels, too – so you can easily see if there has been recent change and monitor progress. Furthermore, when the HEPA filter requires a change, an LED indicator will light up, so you’ll never miss it, no matter how busy you are.

In addition to the HEPA filter, the Winix 5300-2 Air Purifier features an odor-neutralizing carbon filter and Plasmawave technology. This technology uses ions to deconstruct pollutants at a microscopic level, breaking down vapours, nasty pet odors and airborne allergens efficiently, without the use of ozone gas which can be harmful to both humans and pets.

If you ever struggle to sleep, you won’t need to worry about noise disturbance during the night with this air purifier. The special ‘sleep mode’ uses a sensor to detect the light levels in the room, reducing the speed of the fan and indicator light levels when it’s bedtime for you and your pets.

On the downside, this air purifier lacks a remote control, so you’ll need to manually change the settings as required. Also, the night mode can be frustrating if you want to keep the air purifier on high overnight. The only way to get around this is to leave a light on in the room, which isn’t always convenient for obvious reasons.

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Pros

  • HEPA Filter
  • 3-stage filtration
  • Plasmawave Technology
  • Auto Sleep Mode reduces noise
  • Smart Air Sensors adjust power

Cons

  • No remote control
  • No way to override night setting


4

Hamilton Beach TrueAir Compact Pet Air Purifier (04384)

The Hamilton Beach TrueAir Compact Pet Air Purifier (04384) is a compact air purifier, but is fully equipped with a 3-stage filtration system which consists of a pre-filter, dual carbon filter, and a HEPA-grade filter. For such an affordable price, this air purifier is popular for being able to quietly clean areas of up to 140 sq. ft.

One of the most affordable air purifiers out there, the Hamilton Beach TrueAir Pet Air Purifier is a small air purifier that is big on fighting pet odors! It has a washable pre-filter for large particles like pet hair and dust, a washable HEPA-grade filter capable of filtering out 99% of pollen, mold, and dander, and finally 2 carbon zeolite filters for heavy-duty odor removal.

Although it is small, it’s still capable of quietly and quickly cleaning the air in a space of up to 140 sq. ft. Its versatile design allows it to be used either horizontally or vertically in any part of the room. One of the best things about the TrueAir Pet Air Purifier is that the pre-filter and HEPA-grade filter are both permanent, helping you cut costs long term. The 2 powerful zeolite filters are also specifically designed to remove all types of odors present at home.

Of course, with a compact air purifier, you can’t expect to have it all. Even if the TrueAir Pet Air Purifier is excellent for removing pet odors and large particles, the lack of a True HEPA filter may be a problem for people who suffer from allergies. The HEPA-grade filter is capable of removing 99% of airborne contaminants whereas a True HEPA filter can remove 99.97%. It also lacks several modes and features that are present in today’s air purifiers. The short 1-year warranty may also be a problem for some.

However, for such a low price, the TrueAir Pet Air Purifier is more than enough to deal with pesky pet hairs, dander, and odor at home. It’s compact, quiet, and does its job fairly well. If you need more room coverage, then buy two or more for different rooms. If you’re iffy about spending too much money on an air purifier to remove pet hair and odors, then the TrueAir Pet Air Purifier is the choice for you!

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Pros

  • Affordable (upfront and long term)
  • Small and lightweight
  • Good for pet odors

Cons

  • Not a True HEPA filter
  • No smart features

Comparison Chart

FEATURESGermGuardian AC5250PTWinix 5300-2 Air Purifier  Hamilton Beach TrueAir Pet Air Purifier (04384)RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A
TypeTower, plug-inTower, plug-inCompact, plug-inConsole, plug-in
Size6.1 x 9.5 x 27.214.9 x 7.8 x 23.610.8 x 8.1 x 16.420.2 x 21.4 x 7
Weight10.55 lbs17 lbs6.3 lbs19.4 lbs
Filters/
Technology		Carbon Pre + HEPA + UVPre + Carbon + HEPAPre + Carbon + HEPAPre + Medium + HEPA + Custom Filter + Ionizer
Room Coverage 193 sq. ft.360 sq.ft.140 sq. ft.815 sq. ft.
CADR Ratings Dust: 125

Pollen: 125

Smoke: 125

Dust: 243 Smoke: 232 Pollen: 246N/ADust: 200

Pollen: 208

Smoke: 193

Noise LevelLowLowVery LowVery Low
Warranty5-year1-year1-year5-year

Buyer’s Guide:

Air Purifiers for Pets

With proper use and maintenance, air purifiers can be highly beneficial for pet owners in reducing airborne pollutants brought about by their pets. They can help reduce hairs, dust, dirt, and odors, ultimately making it easier for you to clean your home and keep it clean!

Family members suffering from allergies will also find it easier to breathe with less allergens floating around the house. Therefore, an air purifier is excellent not only for the family but for your furry friends as well.

As as a pet owner, before you go out and purchase an air purifier, you must understand why the quality of the filters is important.

Firstly, you should look for an air purifier with a pre-filter. The pre-filter is the air purifier’s first line of defense and is able to filter out larger particles such as dust, dirt, and pet hair. Pre-filters also prevent the other filters from wearing out quickly.

True HEPA filters are the gold-standard of air purifier filters. They are capable of filtering out 99.97% of particulates 0.3 microns or larger. This means that troublesome pet dander can effectively be filtered from the air and cannot irritate allergies or make your home difficult to clean. An activated carbon filter is also a good choice as this will help control pet odors such as those from urine and feces.

It’s important to remember that although these filters are highly efficient at removing airborne pollutants, they lose their efficiency when they aren’t cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. Care instructions will vary for each air purifier so it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Simply buying an air purifier isn’t enough to make sure you have fresh, clean air in your home. You must also ensure you are using it the right way for best results.

In this section, we give you some tops tips on how to use an air purifier in a home with pets.

Location

Air purifiers will not work efficiently if they are crammed into a small space. For this reason, choose a spot which gives your air purifier a couple of feet of space all around it and above it so that air can circulate effectively. If your pet prefers to spend most of its time in one particular room, this is a good place to put the air purifier for maximum benefits.

Keep Doors and Windows Closed

If you have the windows and doors open, this will make it a never-ending process for your air purifier. Purified air will escape and be quickly replaced with polluted air from outdoors, so you won’t feel the benefits.

Be sure to keep any windows and doors firmly sealed when using your air purifier. If you have a dog or cat door, make sure it seals well when not in use. 

Leave it Running

Your air purifier will only be working to clean the air in your home when it is switched on. If you turn it off, this leaves time for pet dander, dust and odors to accumulate. Air purifiers are generally energy-efficient, so you don’t need to worry about your energy bills shooting up. If you want to, it’s better to turn your air purifier down to its lowest setting rather than turn it off completely.

Change Filters Regularly

Any air purifier will cease to work effectively if you neglect to change the filters. The frequency of filter changes required will vary between different makes and models.

Read the guide that comes with your air purifier carefully when you purchase it. This will give you the instructions regarding how often filters should be changed to keep your air as clean as possible. Many models also feature a handy indicator light which will tell you when a filter change is needed.

If your air purifier has washable filters, these should be cleaned according to instructions as soon as you notice any discoloration.

Air Purifier for Homes with Pets

Pros

  • Great for allergy sufferers
  • Cleans the air of pet dander, dust and other allergens/pollutants
  • Easy to use
  • Can cover large spaces
  • Some models offer smart sensors to adjust fan speeds

Cons

  • Higher maintenance
  • Filter changes can be expensive/more frequent
  • Can take up a lot of space
  • High fan speeds may be quite loud

  • Are Air Purifiers Safe For My Pet?
  • Air purifiers are safe for your pets and shouldn’t cause them any issues. Air purifiers which emit ozone should be avoided as this gas is dangerous to both humans and animals.  
  • Will I Need To Change the Filter More Often If I Have Pets?
  • If you have a home with lots of pets, or a pet which sheds lots of hair, it is possible that your air purifier filters will require more frequent changing due to the amount of pet dander and dust in your home. You can help to extend the life of your filters by keeping your home very clean – dusting regularly and using a good vacuum for pet hair.  
    Air purifiers with filter change indicators will notify you when a change is required, but if you have a model which doesn’t offer this, it may be wise to change the filter a couple of months earlier if you have lots of pets in the home.
  • Where Should I Place the Air Purifier for Best Results?
  • If you suffer from allergies, the best place to put your air purifier is in the room which you and your pet frequent the most. This is where most pet dander will be and allows you to be exposed to freshly purified air most of the time. If odor is the main issue, placing the air purifier close to your pets’ toilet box will help you to deal with nasty smells effectively.

Final Thoughts 

Regardless of the size, type, or brand, there’s no doubt that an air purifier is a great addition to your home appliance collection. In this list, we explored a range of air purifiers for pet owners at different price points.

The GermGuardian AC5250PT an excellent choice for pet owners who are looking for a mid-range air purifier that can take care of pet hair, dander, odor, and even killing off germs that pets may bring! However, if you’re hesitant to spend too much money on an air purifier, then the Hamilton Beach TrueAir Pet Air Purifier is your best bet. While it may not have as many functions and features as the other air purifiers on our list, you can be sure it’ll do its job of removing unwanted pet hair, dander, and odors within a small space.

That said, overall, we believe the RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A is the best air purifier for pet owners. While it’s true that it’s an investment some people might not want to make, you can’t deny that it’s definitely worth it – especially in the long run. Aside from the powerful and customizable filtration system, you can tell that the SPA-780A was designed with aesthetics in mind. Wall mounted, it’s perfect for people who have both children and pets that like to run around the house. With this air purifier, you can rest assured that humans and animals alike can breathe easier at home.

Further Reading

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HVAC
All about HEPA Filtration
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Vacuums
Best Vacuum for Pet Hair
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