Pets are a fun addition to the family, but we all have to be honest. Cats and dogs produce lots of loose fur and dander that can sometimes trigger respiratory irritations. Pair that with the accumulating dust in your home, and your family will have a sneezing fest. Instead of letting this happen, you should consider getting the best air purifier for pets and dust. While it’s not the sole solution to the problem, it will make a big difference in your indoor air quality.
Below, I reviewed five of the best-selling air purifiers tried and tested by pet owners like me. See which one you’ll find suitable for your home and budget:
| AIR PURIFIER | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick! LEVOIT LV-H132 HEPA Air Purifier |  | Check Price |
 | Airthereal APH260 Pure Morning Air Purifier | | Check Price |
 | PARTU BS-08 HEPA Air Purifier | | Check Price |
 | Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Home Air Purifier |  | Check Price |
 | RENPHO RP-AP001 HEPA Air Purifier |  | Check Price |
Best Air Purifier For Pets And Dust – My Top 5 Picks
OUR #1 CHOICE
OUR TOP PICK: LEVOIT LV-H132 HEPA Air Purifier
Product Name: LEVOIT LV-H132 HEPA Air Purifier
Product Description: When it comes to the best purifier for pets and dust, I swear by the LEVOIT LV-H132. This unit is equipped with 3-step filtration, including a pre-filter, true HEPA filter, and a carbon filter. So while it captures dander and dust, it’s also neutralizing nasty odors in your home like pet scents. Aside from that, this purifier boasts 99.97% efficiency in removing airborne contaminants up to 0.3 microns. And since it’s made in California, it’s guaranteed to be 100% ozone-free. This air purifier has three-speed settings to suit your air purifying needs. It also operates at 25dB, which is tolerable even at night.
Offer price: $$$
Availability: InStock
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Moreover, the LEVOIT HEPA Air Purifier has a Smart Filter Change Reminder. This will let you know once the filter is already dirty. LEVOIT also sells replacement filters for your convenience.
I also like the night light feature that you can set in two brightness levels. There’s also an option to turn off the lighting entirely if you want an undisturbed slumber.
Overall, this air purifier works in removing pollen, pet fur, dander, dust, smoke, and VOCs in the air. It’s also ETL-listed and UL-certified, which proves its safety and efficiency.
The LEVOIT Air Purifier is ideal for room sizes not bigger than 516 sq. ft., which is already a champ for its compact size. It has a 110 CFM clean air delivery rate, which is already impressive.
However, the only weird thing I noticed is that they made the night light blue, which is counterproductive. Blue light is known to inhibit sleep. This is why I just turn the lighting off entirely before going to bed.
Pros
- 3-step filtration system
- Smart Filter Change Reminder
- ETL-certified and UL-listed
Cons
- The night light is blue, which seems contradicting since blue light tends to disrupt sleep.
RUNNERS-UP
Airthereal APH260 Pure Morning Air Purifier
If you have a bigger room to cover, you should consider the Airthereal APH260 Pure Morning instead. This unit has a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter similar to the 3-step filtration of LEVOIT. Overall, this can filter up to 0.3 microns and 99.97% of all airborne contaminants.
The Airthereal APH260 has a CADR rate of 152 CFM, which is suitable for rooms up to 355 sq. ft. It’s so powerful that you can see an improvement in indoor air quality in as fast as 10 minutes. This is heaven-sent for homeowners who are tired of pet dander and fur.
Moreover, this air purifier has digital controls on top where you can see the air quality in real-time. The unit will also automatically adjust its cleaning power based on how polluted the indoor air is.
There are UV-C light and anion built-in features on this air purifier, which is said to kill airborne bacteria and viruses. It’s a big plus in this time of the pandemic. You can also switch to a medical grade H13 HEPA filter from Airthereal for a more intensive purification.
Aside from that, the Airthereal APH260 has a 0-12 hour timer to help you save electricity. And when the PM 2.5 light blinks and flashes a red light, it’s a reminder to replace or check the HEPA filter.
PARTU BS-08 HEPA Air Purifier
For those on a budget, I highly recommend the PARTU BS-08 HEPA Air Purifier. This is a compact air purifier that works well for rooms up to 160 sq. ft. I personally use this in my bedroom, and I’m quite happy with the results, especially that I have an intensely shedding cat.
When it comes to the filtration system, PARTU has a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and activated filter. It’s the gold standard when it comes to removing pet dander, pet odor, and other particulates in the air. For this price range, this is already a steal!
Aside from that, this air purifier has an iridescent night light that soothes your mood for better sleep. This is aside from the seven changeable colors you can tweak to your liking. You can also turn the light off by pressing the light button thrice without changing the fan speed.
Overall, this unit has three fan speeds with a CADR rate of 61 CFM, which is suitable for small areas and light air pollution. If you tend to get sneezy in your bedroom, this air purifier will be a big help.
Moreover, this air purifier has an anion+cation feature that weighs down dust so that it will fall to the ground. This prevents you from inhaling the irritants.
Lastly, there’s a filter warning that will light up once it’s time for a replacement. PARTU sells replacement filters for your convenience.
Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Home Air Purifier
The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ has the advanced Swedish Filter Technology that captures 99% of all airborne pollutants. This includes pet dander, dust, molds, bacteria, and viruses. And thanks to its carbon filter, this air purifier can also remove VOCs, gasses, and nasty pet odors inside your home.
Aside from that, the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ has a 3-step filtration system completed by a pre-filter and a HEPA filter. The pre-filter is washable, which will help you save money from buying replacements.
Moreover, this air purifier has a quiet operation that’s no louder than 56 decibels on the highest setting. This is also an Energy Star-rated appliance, which guarantees lower electricity consumption than other models in the market.
Overall, this air purifier is rated for up to 540 sq. ft. with a CADR of 350 CFM. It’s a champ for indoor air improvement, especially if you have multiple pets at home. This also has the AHAM Verifide seal with a metal filter housing that lasts for years.
I also like its single-button operation, which is a big plus for older users who aren’t too techie. Aside from that, this has a 360-degree airflow to ensure that the clean air gets dispersed all over the room.
While this is a powerful air purifier, it doesn’t have an automatic mode. Still, it’s just a small downside that I can live with considering the cleaning ability of this appliance.
RENPHO RP-AP001 HEPA Air Purifier
My last pick for this roundup is the RENPHO RP-AP001 Air Purifier. This has a five-step filtration system, including a washable pre-filter, charcoal filter, antibacterial filter, activated charcoal filter, and HEPA filter. It’s a powerhouse device in removing airborne particles, including pet dander, dust, pollens, and more. This air purifier can also eliminate bad odors in your home.
Moreover, the RENPHO RP-AP001 Air Purifier has a CADR rate of 135, which is suitable for a maximum area of 301 sq. ft. It promises to circulate air three times faster than other models.
Aside from that, this air purifier has a Smart Air Quality Sensor that allows you to set the device in auto mode. It will adjust fan speeds based on the air quality inside your home. Just note that this appliance doesn’t have a remote control function, but it’s not really a big deal.
This air purifier also boasts of a quiet operation of no more than 35 dB. You can also utilize the Child Lock mode to prevent your curious child or pet from tinkering with the air purifier.
How to choose the best air purifier for pets and dust
There are many air purifiers in the market, but not all of them can help reduce pet dander. To help narrow down your options, here are some of the things you should consider:
✔️Certifications
The very first thing you should check is the certification of the air purifier you’re going to buy. Here are some of the important certifications you should look for:
- No-ozone certified. California has since banned the use of ozone-emitting air purifiers. Even if your state has no restrictions on this, it’s still important to get an air purifier that doesn’t emit harmful substances. Take note that some manufacturers will try to mask ozone as “super oxygen” or “activated oxygen”.
- Energy Star. An air purifier with an Energy Star seal is energy-efficient. It means that the appliance will work efficiently while consuming the least possible electricity.
- AHAM Verifide. This seal is awarded by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). It proves that the air purifier has at par clean air delivery rates (CADRs).
There are other certifications in the market that guarantees the efficacy of the air purifier. Just make sure that it’s legitimate by checking it on the organization’s website.
✔️Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADR)
CADR or Clean Air Delivery Rates refer to the air purifier’s ability to remove specific particulates in the air. In short, it tells how effective the purifier is in cleaning the air against the contaminants to which it is rated.
Moreover, CADR is measured by cubic feet per minute. It measures the volume of clean air produced by the air purifier on its highest setting.
For example, if an air purifier has a filter that can remove 90% of particles at a 100 CFM speed, its CADR would be 90. The higher the CADR is, the more effective it would be in removing dander and dust in your home.
✔️Room size
Another thing you should check is the size of the room where you’re going to use the air purifier. Similar to air conditioners, you need to match the air purifier’s capacity to the area it will clean. This way, the appliance can efficiently remove irritants in the air without overconsumption of electricity.
Here’s a quick rundown on the air purifier sized based on the floor size of your room:
- Small air purifiers. These are suitable for rooms not bigger than 299 square feet.
- Medium air purifiers. Those with rooms ranging from 300 to 699 square feet would benefit from this size.
- Large air purifiers. You should use large air purifiers on room sizes between 700 and 1,900 sq. ft.
For whole-house use, you need to set up multiple air purifiers in different locations. There are also whole-house air purifiers, but these aren’t portable and would cost you a fortune.
✔️Noise level
The noise level of air purifiers is a big deal for many users. First of all, a noisy unit can scare off or agitate a cat or dog. Also, noisy air purifiers can disrupt sleep, especially if you’re using them in an infant’s room.
However, you should know that high-powered air purifiers will have a louder sound than smaller units. This is due to the larger engine and higher suction or filtering power.
In the end, it’s about finding the right balance between the noise level and the purifier’s power.
✔️Filter type
Filters are the very heart and soul of air purifiers. The type used on a specific unit will dictate how well it can filter particulates in the air. So far, there are three common filters available in the market: pre-filter, HEPA filter, and carbon filter. An air purifier has at least one or a combination of all these filters.
- Pre-filter. This is a basic filter that can sift dust and other large air particulates. It usually lasts for 3 months before requiring a replacement. Some are washable for you to save money.
- HEPA filter. HEPA or High-Efficiency Particular Air filters are the gold standards for air purifiers. This can sift contaminants as small as 0.3 microns. It’s very effective in removing dander and dust in the air.
- Carbon filter. If your goal is to reduce pet odors at home, you should get a purifier with an added activated carbon filter.
✔️Maintenance
It’s also important to consider the maintenance needs of the air purifier. It should be easy to remove the filters for cleaning or replacement. Also, spare parts should be available in case the purifier needs repairs.
✔️Price and warranty
Lastly, always consider the value for money of the air purifier you’re going to buy. Its price tag should be proportionate to its ability to remove dander and dust in the air. Take note that investing a few more bucks will go a long way for air purifiers.
If you’re planning to get an expensive unit, make sure that it’s covered by a decent warranty. This will protect your money in case there are manufacturer defects or premature damages in the unit.
How to manage dust and pet dander at home
Dust and pet dander aren’t the best mix, especially if you have allergies. To keep things manageable, you can try the following tips:
- Vacuum your floors religiously. If you have a pet, you have to vacuum your floors more frequently than ever. This way, you can remove loose fur and dander even before it spread all over the house. Make sure that you use a vacuum cleaner with a True HEPA filter to prevent the dust and dander from recirculating.
- Bathe your pet regularly. Like humans, our furry friends need regular bathing to remove dead skin cells and dirt off their bodies. This will greatly benefit your home, especially when you’re trying to limit allergens. Most cats and dogs will thrive in monthly bathing, depending on the breed that you have.
- Brush your pet daily. Brushing your dog and cat daily will help remove loose fur and dander, so it won’t fall off around the house. Consider doing the brushing session outdoors or a spot indoors that you can easily clean.
- Remove the clutter. Many of us are guilty of hoarding items we don’t really need. In the long run, it only gathers dust that ruin our homes’ indoor air quality. For your benefit, remove old boxes, newspaper, and books that you’re not longer using. You can sell it to a recycling shop or donate it to local organizations.
- Consider switching to hard wood flooring. One way to make dust and dander easy to clean is to keep your floors smooth. Hard wood flooring is the easiest way to enjoy this. So if you’re planning a floor remodeling, consider tossing the carpet and investing in a wooden type.
- Seal the gaps. Check your windows and doors for gaps where outdoor dust could enter. Seal this with caulk to help reduce the dust levels inside your home. You can also change your weather strippings if it’s already worn out or crumbling.
- Wash your bedding. Dust can accumulate in your bedding without you knowing it. Since the lights are off at night, it’s easy to miss the layer of dust already clinging on your sheets and pillowcases. In general, it’s recommended to wash these fabrics once a month.
- Use microfiber towels for dusting. When dusting your home, I suggest using damp microfiber towels. This will catch more dust and dander than feather-dusting alone. Make sure that you wash the towel in between wipe to prevent the dirt from transferring to other surfaces.
Dust and pet dander don’t have to make your home feel less comfortable. With the right techniques and reliable air purifiers, you can manage these allergens easily. It’s a compromise you need to make as a fur-parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I reduce dust and pet hair at home?
A: Vacuuming regularly and keeping your home clean is the best way to reduce pet hair and dust at home. You can also utilize an air purifier to suck in dust and dander left in the air. Most of all, you should groom your pet regularly to prevent loose fur from falling all over your house.
Q: Do air purifiers reduce pet odor?
A: Air purifiers can help reduce pet odors if it has a specific filter intended to neutralize bad odor. An activated charcoal filter helps a lot in filtering nasty house odors, including that of your pet. Still, you should clean up to remove the cause of the bad odor.
Q: What causes a lot of dust in your home?
A: Failure to clean your HVAC filters regularly will cause dust to recirculate in your home. This could be the reason why you notice more dust buildup than usual. Also, your family members and pets might be bringing dust from the outside.
Q: Can air purifiers harm my pets?
A: Air purifiers are safe for pets as long as you place them in a secure area. Some pets, especially cats, like fiddling and chewing on cables. This can result in burns and even electrocution if you’re not careful. To be safe, you should get an air purifier made for pets.
Q: Can air purifiers help with pet allergies?
A: Air purifiers are helpful in reducing dander in the air. This can help ease your pet allergies, but it’s not the sole solution to the problem. Still, it won’t hurt to try air purifiers aside from the allergy medications you’re already taking.
Final words
The best air purifier for pets and dust will help keep your home clean and comfortable. While a single device can’t remove all the pollutants in the air, it will make a big difference in the breathability of your indoor air. It’s also safe for your pets and children.
What do you think of these air purifiers? Share your thoughts below!
Home Air Quality is founded by Bernard K to provide information on Indoor Air Quality in Homes and enlighten people about what they need to know about creating and maintaining a comfortable and healthy home environment.
We believe that “Quality air brings a healthy life.”
