Best Overall
Rabbit Air A3 Air Purifier
- Setup5/5
- Design4.8/5
- Noise Level5/5
- Features4/5
- Effectiveness5/5
- There’s an option for a pet-specific filter in addition to the four other filters that are included.
There’s an option for a pet-specific filter in addition to the four other filters that are included.
- It’s not as effective at collecting hair.
It’s not as effective at collecting hair.
Air purifiers in homes with pets have to be adept at eliminating all kinds of allergens, from dander to odors to hair. The Rabbit Air A3 earned a 5/5 for effectiveness during our tests and impressed us with its ability to eradicate various contaminants.
It comes with five filters—a pre-filter, medium filter, activated carbon filter, HEPA filter, and a customizable filter. Options for the customized filter include pet allergy, germ defense, toxin absorber, and odor remover.
While we did think this was a touch gimmicky—we felt that, for the cost, the air purifier should be able to take care of all these elements without a special filter, or that all of the filters could have been included off the bat—there’s no denying the machine was extremely effective in most areas we tested for.
It noticeably cut down on smoke and odors on the low and high settings. Though we didn’t notice as much of a qualitative difference on low, it still lowered the PM2.5 numbers by 90% and the TVOC by 80% during the 30 minute testing period.
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CATHIE FRANCE
The main downside is that we didn’t notice any hair collected in the filters after the test, which indicates it might not be quite as effective at gathering pet hair. This could be a problem if you have a pet that sheds a ton, or live with someone who is sensitive to pet hair.
How It Performed After Two Months
We used the Rabbit Air A3 at home for two months and noticed a quick improvement in air quality and less dust built up on surfaces. While the bulky size is a bit of a downside, we love that it can be hung on a wall to keep it out of the way.
Product Details: Recommended Room Size: 1070 square feet | CADR: 357 (smoke,) 262 (dust), 315 (pollen) | Noise Level: 58 decibels | Dimensions: 18.9 x 19.7 x 8.4 inches
- WE ASSEMBLED THE RABBIT AIR A3 AIR PURIFIER BY INSTALLING ITS FIVE FILTERS, INCLUDING ONE CUSTOMIZABLE FILTER. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Key Terms to Know
- HEPA Filter: A type of filter that is able to remove 99.9% of particles 0.3 microns in size. As of 2023 we only test air purifiers that include a HEPA filter, as they are proven to be most effective (though some models also include other types of filters).
- Pre-Filter: A type of filter meant to capture large particles before the air reaches the HEPA filter. These are especially useful for capturing pet hair.
- CADR: Clean Air Delivery Rate. The rate at which an air purifier can deliver clean air to a space.
- PM 2.5: These are particles in the air with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers, such as dust, smoke, pollen, and other common allergens. The higher the PM 2.5 in a room the less healthy the air.
- VOCs: Stands for volatile organic compounds. Chemicals and gasses released from paints, building supplies, and some new items such as furniture, mattresses, and sheets.
Best Budget
Winix Air Purifier
- This air purifier has a washable pre-filter to remove pet hair and prevent it from clogging the HEPA filter.
This air purifier has a washable pre-filter to remove pet hair and prevent it from clogging the HEPA filter.
- It's pricier to maintain than other models due to filter costs.
It's pricier to maintain than other models due to filter costs.
One of the trickiest parts about pet ownership is figuring out a way to deal with all of the shed pet hair that seems to find its way into every corner of the house. While buying a good vacuum for pet hair can certainly help with the problem, adding an air purifier can help capture and remove hair from your home, too.
The relatively affordable Winix 5500-2 4-Stage True HEPA Air Purifier impressed us during testing. It uses multiple filtration steps to capture debris floating around in the air. This includes a pre-filter, which effectively traps large particles like dust bunnies and pet hair that would clog a HEPA filter more quickly.
The True HEPA filter removes 99.9% of fine particles from your home, including bacteria, chemicals, allergens, and more. There's even a washable odor-control filter to help eliminate bad smells.
During testing, this air purifier quickly worked to reduce the hazardous PM 2.5 levels in our test environment from a 999 to a 2 within 30 minutes. The filters captured a significant amount of the synthetic pet hair we used for testing—we could practically see it sucking up the fibers as we sprinkled them into the room.
On its auto setting, the air purifier's built-in sensors will measure particles found in your air and automatically change the fan speed to match it. It also has a color-changing display so you can see your home's air quality at a glance, which we found extremely useful.
Though the upfront cost is on the low end for a purifier of this size, the multiple filters that need to be replaced approximately every six months make it a bit more costly to maintain. However, given its effectiveness and the affordability of the model itself, we could justify the cost.
Product Details:
Recommended Room Size: 360 square feet | CADR: Not listed | Noise Level: 65 decibels | Dimensions: 14.9 x 7.8 x 23.6 inches
Related: The 8 Best Vacuums for Removing Pet Hair from Every Surface of Your Home
Best Splurge
Alen BreatheSmart 75i Air Purifier
- Setup5/5
- Design4/5
- Noise Level4/5
- Features5/5
- Effectiveness3/5
- This air purifier gives you plenty of flexibility with colors and filters, and its wide range of features makes it worth the higher price tag.
This air purifier gives you plenty of flexibility with colors and filters, and its wide range of features makes it worth the higher price tag.
- With a coverage area of 1,300 square feet, it might not be the best choice for small rooms since it'd be unnecessarily big.
With a coverage area of 1,300 square feet, it might not be the best choice for small rooms since it'd be unnecessarily big.
This splurge-worthy Alen BreatheSmart air purifier can be customized to your preferences in two ways. There are eight different finishes available, including classic white and brushed stainless, so you can choose one that matches your aesthetic.
You can also pick one of four filters that target specific issues like pet dander and odor or mold and bacteria. The pet-specific version consists of an odor neutralizer that reduces smells from accidents or litter boxes and a True HEPA filter that relieves allergy symptoms by capturing 99.99% of particles bigger than 0.1 microns.
At the highest setting, it's capable of filtering the air every 30 minutes in spaces up to 1,300 square feet (the largest room we tested air purifiers in was 728 square feet—on the high setting it decreases PM2.5 levels from 999.9 to 8.9 in ten minutes). There's even a built-in air quality sensor so you can see that it's working.
During testing, found that this model was supremely easy to use and understand, with a color-changing LED display to indicate the air quality in your home and a wide range of fan speeds and settings to cycle through. You'll be able to download the app and pair it to your device, too, if you want to change the settings remotely.
Since this air purifier is designed to work in large spaces, it's likely too bulky to be used in a smaller room like a bedroom or bathroom. If you need an air purifier for a more confined space, we'd recommend choosing one that's more compact and uses less energy.
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MELANIE FINCHER
How It Performed After Six Months
We loved how the Alen BreatheSmart performed once we brought it home. It's large enough that we were able to purify an entire 850-square-foot apartment with just one device.
The sensors proved effective, responding to changes in air quality from the introduction of cooking smoke, hairspray, and other contaminants and quickly adjusting the fan. Strong odors such as frying bacon seemed to dissipate more quickly.
Product Details: Recommended Room Size: 1,300 square feet | CADR: 347 | Noise Level: 71 decibels | Dimensions: 18.5 x 11.5 x 27 inches
- THIS SLEEK AIR PURIFIER IS AVAILABLE IN EIGHT FINISHES, INCLUDING CLASSIC WHITE. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MELANIE FINCHER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MELANIE FINCHER
Best for Pet Hair
Black+Decker BAPUV350 Air Purifier
- Setup5/5
- Design4.8/5
- Noise Level4.3/5
- Features5/5
- Effectiveness4.5/5
- Three out of four filters collected visible pet hair on the high setting during the 30-minute testing period.
Three out of four filters collected visible pet hair on the high setting during the 30-minute testing period.
- It was significantly more effective on the high setting.
It was significantly more effective on the high setting.
Pet hair is one of the most irritating (sometimes literally) aspects of having a pet. Certain dog and cat breeds shed more than others, and pet hair in general can be a major allergy trigger. In these cases, the best air purifier for pets will be adept at sucking hair particles into the filter.
Though it might seem like a given, not every air purifier we tested was great at eliminating the synthetic pet hair we used in the lab, even if it excelled in other areas. That’s why we were especially impressed by the Black+Decker BAPUV350’s ability to pick up pet hair from the test environment.
When we examined the filters after running the machine for 30 minutes on the high setting, three out of four of them had visible pet hair collected on the surface.
The air purifier was also adept at removing odors on the high setting, making Febreze and incense distinctly less noticeable. We think this adds to its value as a pet-friendly air purifier since funky smells often come with the territory of pet parenthood.
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Other notable features of this air purifier include sleep mode, auto mode, a UV light that helps remove viruses and bacteria from the air, and an air quality readout on the display.
It’s worth noting that the air purifier wasn’t as dramatically effective on the lower settings. While it still did a nice job of eliminating incense, it wasn’t as strong when it came to VOCs, and we could still smell some of the Febreze. We also didn’t notice pet hair in the filters on this setting, so if that’s your main concern, you’ll want to run it on high.
How It Performed After Two Months
The Black+Decker air purifier did an amazing job of minimizing odors from pet messes due to a potty-training puppy. We stored it in a small closet where we discard used potty pads and paper towels and noticed a nearly immediate difference in the smell. Our one complaint is that it's louder than we'd like on the higher settings.
Product Details: Recommended Room Size: 500 square feet | CADR: 324 (smoke,) 309 (dust), 387 (pollen) | Noise Level: 63 decibels | Dimensions: 14.4 x 27.1 x 14.8 inches
- THE BLACK+DECKER AIR PURIFIER'S SLEEK RECTANGULAR DESIGN ALLOWS IT TO BLEND WELL WITH YOUR HOME’S DECOR. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best for Large Rooms
Coway Airmega 400S Smart Air Purifier
- Setup5/5
- Design4/5
- Noise Level4/5
- Features4/5
- Effectiveness4.4/5
- This air purifier works in rooms up to 1,560 square feet, so it's a great choice if you have large rooms or an open floor plan in your home.
This air purifier works in rooms up to 1,560 square feet, so it's a great choice if you have large rooms or an open floor plan in your home.
- It's on the bigger side, so anyone with limited floor space or mobility issues might have trouble with it.
It's on the bigger side, so anyone with limited floor space or mobility issues might have trouble with it.
The Coway Airmega 400S air purifier is your best bet if you want to purify the air in large rooms or entire floors of your home. In a 1,560-square-foot room, it changes the air twice per hour and removes airborne particles floating through your home.
It uses three layers of filtration (including a washable pre-filter, activated carbon, and a HEPA filter) to clean the air at least twice every hour. Dirty air goes in through the sides and clean air pushes out the top.
When we tested this air purifier in our lab, we found that even at its lowest speed, it was able to effectively remove harmful particles from the air and reduce PM 2.5 levels from a hazardous rating to a healthy one in as little as five minutes.
It's not excessively loud, either—at 72 decibels on its highest fan speed, this air purifier would only be a slight distraction if you were sitting directly in front of it.
The Coway Airmega 400S even keeps you posted on air quality: The LED ring on the front changes colors (from blue to red) depending on how clean or dirty the air in your home is. Thanks to its smart mode, the air purifier can automatically adjust its settings based on detected air quality.
Plus, the filter indicators tell you when they need to be replaced or cleaned, so you don't have to keep track of it on your own. We noted that the air purifier has a modern white design, but it takes up quite a bit of space (it measures 14.8 x 14.8 x 22.8 inches) and weighs nearly 25 pounds.
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
How It Performed After Six Months
We put the Coway air purifier through the ringer in a household with four pets—two dogs and two cats—and humans with allergies. It rose to the challenge, drastically improving the air quality over the course of six months of continuous use. The tech features (the app and Amazon Alexa compatibility) are useful as well.
Product Details: Recommended Room Size: 1,560 square feet | CADR: 400 (pollen), 350 (dust), 350 (smoke) | Noise Level: 72 decibels | Dimensions: 14.8 x 14.8 x 22.8 inches
- OUR TESTERS NOTED THIS AIR PURIFIER REDUCED HARMFUL PARTICLES IN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best with Fan
Dyson Purifier Cool Purifying Fan
- Setup5/5
- Design5/5
- Noise Level5/5
- Features4.5/5
- Effectiveness5/5
- This air purifier is completely sealed, so there's no chance for any of the particles it captures to escape back into your home.
This air purifier is completely sealed, so there's no chance for any of the particles it captures to escape back into your home.
- We found it a little tricky to close the filter doors.
We found it a little tricky to close the filter doors.
Dyson air purifiers are trusted household appliances, and this smart model is a great choice for anyone who wants to remove dust, dander, and more from their homes. It has two levels of filtration—an activated carbon filter for pet odors and a HEPA filter for small particles.
The machine uses the brand's signature Air Multiplier technology to circulate the clean air throughout the entire room. When we put the Dyson Purifier Cool air purifier to the test in our lab, we were amazed by how quickly this device cleared smoke, dander, and hair from the room.
Though the PM 2.5 levels quickly raised to 999 when we added pollutants to the air, the Dyson air purifier had no trouble capturing and removing these particles and reducing levels back to a healthy number in 10 minutes. We were so impressed that one of us was instantly influenced to buy one for her own home.
We also liked that the device has a built-in oscillating fan, which helps promote good airflow by circulating clean air throughout the room. The fully sealed purifier ensures that none of the particles this device just captured can escape back into the air, so you'll be able to keep cool without breathing in pollutants.
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Dyson doesn't list the CADR for its air purifiers because the brand designed its own tests, but this model can handle rooms ranging from 500 to 800 square feet in size. You'll be able to connect your device to the Dyson Link app, where you can view detailed reports on your home's air quality and change settings from anywhere.
To check or change the filter, simply open the doors on the bottom of the unit. We found that these opened smoothly but were trickier to close, though it was only a small detail on an otherwise very impressive product.
How It Performed After Six Months
Continued use further convinced us that the Dyson is worth the investment. Not only does it look attractive, running it nearly 24/7 for six months showed us just how sensitive the Auto setting is to changes in the air.The machine sensed when we were painting our nails, cooking pungent foods, or lighting candles and adjusted accordingly.
It also kept dirt and dust at bay in a 1950s-built home with one dog, cutting down on sneezes and sniffles. And the fact that it doubles as a fan further justifies the price and the size.
Product Details: Recommended Room Size: 800 square feet | CADR: Not listed | Noise Level: 64 decibels | Dimensions: 4.72 x 8 x 41 inches
- THIS AIR PURIFIER FAN WAS EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE IN OUR LAB ENVIRONMENT, SENSING NAIL POLISH FUMES, BURNING CANDLES, AND PUNGENT COOKING ODORS. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best Features
Bissell Smart Air Purifier with HEPA and Carbon Filters
- Setup5/5
- Design5/5
- Noise Level3.8/5
- Features5/5
- Effectiveness3.9/5
- A digital readout feature gives you information about the room's air quality—no fussy apps are required.
A digital readout feature gives you information about the room's air quality—no fussy apps are required.
- This air purifier is louder than others we tested on its highest fan speed.
This air purifier is louder than others we tested on its highest fan speed.
If you want an in-depth understanding of your home's air quality without the hassle of downloading and using a complicated app on your phone, the Bissell Air320 air purifier is for you.
This device has a user-friendly, color-coded display to help you understand your room's exact PM 2.5 levels and change settings to remove pollutants. It will also automatically adjust the fan settings based on the current air quality.
During testing, we discovered that this air purifier was one of the most effective when it came to removing smoke particles, pet hair, and allergens during testing. We detected a noticeable difference when entering the room during the testing period.
This device uses three different filters to help clear the air: a pre-filter for large particles like pet hair, an activated carbon filter for odors, and a HEPA filter to remove 99.9% of particles 0.3 microns in size and smaller.
Compared to other air purifiers we tested, this model had some impressive features, since the display shows an exact PM 2.5 reading and changes colors to indicate your room's air quality at a glance.
You'll also be able to change the fan speed, set the device to auto mode, and see when your filter needs replacing directly on top of the machine. It even includes cord storage so you can wrap extra wire and neatly tuck the cord away when not in use.
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
This air purifier is Energy Star certified, meaning it won't cause a huge spike in your energy bill every month just to operate it. The only thing we'd change is its noise levels when run on the highest fan speed—it would likely be disruptive to run at this speed while sleeping.
However, since the air purifier is extremely effective even on the low fan speed (which is just 40 decibels), you can still operate the device at night.
How It Performed After Two Months
In an apartment close to Times Square with typically "horrendous" air quality the Bissell made a noticeable difference in the amount of dust, cut down on smells from cooking, and improved seasonal allergies.
Product Details: Recommended Room Size: 327 square feet | CADR: Smoke (211), dust (221), pollen (245) | Noise Level: 66 decibels | Dimensions: 14.75 x 8.3 x 25 inches
- THE BISSELL AIR 320 AIR PURIFIER HAS A STYLISH DESIGN THAT INTEGRATES WELL WITH MOST DECOR. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best for Odors
Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max Air Purifier
- Setup5/5
- Design4.6/5
- Noise Level4.9/5
- Features4.3/5
- Effectiveness5/5
- Quiet operation and multiple brightness modes (including one that turns the light off) make this a nice bedroom option.
Quiet operation and multiple brightness modes (including one that turns the light off) make this a nice bedroom option.
- This was not as effective at picking up pet hair during our tests.
This was not as effective at picking up pet hair during our tests.
The compact Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max impressed us with its ability to clear smoke and chemical smells. We found it to be extremely effective in this regard on both the lowest and highest settings (it has four settings in total).
Even when running on low, it completely eliminated our need to sneeze when entering the test environment after 30 minutes. This is a great option if you have a pet that is prone to accidents.
In addition to the four speeds, it has three brightness modes, including one that turns off the light. Combine that with the quiet operation (we could hardly hear it when set to night mode) and it would work nicely in a bedroom.
The design is simple and sleek, with a Scandinavian-inspired silhouette, just a few buttons, and a light indicating when the filter needs to be changed. Blueair offers a filter subscription that will send a replacement every three, six, or nine months (the brand recommends changing the filter every six months).
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LIBBY NICHOLS
App functionality allows you to monitor your home's air quality from a distance, change the settings, and use voice commands. One of the more unique features will put your air purifier on standby when you leave the house and turn it back on when your connected device gets close to your house.
Though we appreciated how well the Blueair cut down on unpleasant odors, we were less impressed by its ability to pick up pet hair. If your furry friend sheds a lot, this is probably not your best choice. But if odors are your top concern, it can't be beat.
Product Details: Recommended Room Size: 219 to 526 square feet | CADR: Smoke (141), dust (125), pollen (114) | Noise Level: 53 decibels | Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.6 x 18.9 inches
- THIS AIR PURIFIER OFFERS A FILTER SUBSCRIPTION, AND THE BRAND RECOMMENDS CHANGING THE FILTER EVERY SIX MONTHS. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best for Small Rooms
Levoit Core P350 Pet Care Air Purifier
- Setup5/5
- Design4/5
- Noise Level3/5
- Features4/5
- Effectiveness3/5
- This small air purifier rivaled much larger and more expensive models in performance.
This small air purifier rivaled much larger and more expensive models in performance.
- It doesn't have a reusable or washable filter.
It doesn't have a reusable or washable filter.
During testing, we were pleasantly surprised by the performance of the Levoit Core P350 air purifier, which was effective at purifying the air in confined spaces while remaining easy to operate.
The True HEPA filter (which means it's been tested to meet the U.S. Department of Energy's standards) also includes an activated carbon filter, which absorbs pollutants like pet odors, breaks them down, and traps them so they don't get redistributed into the air.
Keep in mind that it's not a reusable filter, so you'll have to replace it every six to eight months, depending on use. The filter also reduces the amount of pet dander, fur, and allergens in the air because it traps fine particles floating around in your home.
When we used the Levoit Core P350 air purifier in our test environment, we found that it was able to effectively lower the room's PM 2.5 levels from a hazardous rating to a healthy one in 10 minutes—the same amount of time it took several far more expensive models.
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
The air purifier works best in small rooms up to 219 square feet, and its compact size (8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches) means it won't take up too much floor space. It has a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 240, which is a number that indicates the volume of air it can change 4.8 times per hour.
Your air purifier should have a CADR that's at least two-thirds the area of the room it's in, but putting it in a larger room just means it'll clean the air at a slower rate (and therefore be less efficient).
It's also packed with helpful features, including four timers, a sleep mode, and a lock button that prevents your furry friends from messing with the settings. While it doesn't offer an app connection, we didn't miss it, since all of the features are easily accessible right on the machine.
Product Details: Recommended Room Size: 219 square feet | CADR: 240 | Noise Level: 72.3 decibels | Dimensions: 8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches
- THE LEVOIT CORE AIR PURIFIER EFFECTIVELY LOWERED HAZARDOUS AIR LEVELS IN 10 MINUTES IN OUR CONFINED TESTING ENVIRONMENT. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK