These Are the 8 Best Air Purifiers to Reduce Pet Hair, Dander, and Odors, According to Our Tests

How it saves space

Several innovations set the Rabbit Air MinusA2 air purifier apart from the competition, but we’ll start with its streamlined design. “It’s the first unit we’ve had in the Lab for testing that can be mounted to the wall,” says Greenwald. “The unit installs easily which will save floor space, especially compared with the largest standing models, which can get quite bulky.” GH Test Engineer Alec Scherma who tested it in his home noted, "Mounting the Rabbit on my wall keeps my floors clear and I haven't had to dust nearly as much since I started using it."

What you’re getting and what you’re giving up

Besides its sleek, space-efficient design, the Rabbit Air is also engineered to pull a range of pollutants from the air, thanks to its multiple levels of filtration. That includes the all-important true HEPA filter, rated to capture 99% of particulates less than 0.1 microns in size. There’s also a pre-filter for pet hair and other larger allergens, an activated carbon filter to neutralize odors, and a custom pet filter designed specifically for dander.

While our Lab and home tests are still ongoing, the unit has delivered solid performance results so far. It's on the pricey side, but it is also living up to its ultra-quiet claim, especially in silent mode, when its fan is literally whisper-quiet; even on the highest "turbo" setting, the fan only gets up to around 49 decibels, or as loud as a soft conversation.

An important caveat: The MinusA2 has an ionization setting, which our experts don't recommend with any air purifier, since ionizers can release small amounts of ozone (an irritant that can exacerbate existing respiratory conditions) and the science on ionizer efficacy and safety is still inconclusive. While we prefer purifiers without any ionization mode, at least with the MinusA2 the process for turning it off is straightforward and there is an indicator light on the face of the unit that clearly indicates if it's in active ion mode.

Why it stands out for versatility

The brand best known for bleach and other household cleaning supplies recently entered the air purifier category with this true HEPA unit. Based on our initial testing experience, Clorox is worth a look if you’re in the market for an air purifier that delivers capable performance at a decent price. Recommended for medium-sized rooms, the Clorox 11010 air purifier is a good example.

What you’re getting and what you’re giving up

Thanks to its true HEPA filter, it's effective at removing airborne particulates, especially on higher fan speeds; the brand says the device will clean the air in a 225-square-foot room up to five times an hour. One downside is that it is quite noisy when running at full tilt, so you might want to consider a quieter model if you’ll be running the air purifier in a bedroom (though some testers told us they didn’t mind the white noise effect of louder devices).

We also evaluated Clorox's Large Air Purifier, designed for spaces up to 1,500 square feet. Pet owners will appreciate the activated carbon filter on both units that does a solid job neutralizing bad odors. (We also looked at the new Tabletop Air Purifier, but we don't recommend it because it doesn't feature activated carbon.)

In our usability tests, Clorox earned high marks for the intuitiveness of its LCD display. "We also like the fact that the onboard sensor monitors air quality in the room and displays the information clearly,” said Greenwald. For smart home enthusiasts, Clorox offers an Alexa-enabled version of its air purifier that lets you control the device from anywhere through the smartphone app and operate it via voice control through any Amazon smart speaker.

Why it works for pets that shed a lot

Thanks to the excellent filtration and washable pre-filter, our experts say this Coway is one of the best air purifiers for owners with a heavy-shedding pet, whether a Himalayan long-haired cat or a Bearded Collie. It can also help with pet odor due to its carbon activated filter, which proved powerful in our home tests.

What you’re getting and what you’re giving up

Our Lab experts liked the easy-to-clean pre-filter that captures hair, fur, and other large particulates before they reach the inner HEPA filter. Indicator lights give the heads up when filters need to be cleaned or replaced.

The Airmega 200M has the same rectangular shape our experts have come to expect from Coway. Though the design allows ample surface area for the filter, it means air can only be drawn in from the side of the machine, which slows down the process of purifying. The brand recently released its first cylindrical model, the Airmega 100 that can take in air from 360 degrees, which Coway says will deliver faster air cleaning. We will report back on the results once performance testing is complete.

Why it stands out as Most Responsive

Our lab testers appreciated the constant air quality updates provided by this Honeywell’s built-in VOC (volatile organic compound) sensor, which automatically adjusts cleaning levels based on detected pollutants. The color-coded Air Quality Indicator makes it easy to see real-time air conditions from across the room.

What you’re getting and what you’re giving up

This air purifier excels at trapping pet dander and airborne allergens with its true HEPA filter, helping to improve indoor air quality. Ideal for rooms up to 360 square feet, it captures up to 99.97% of allergens, including dust, pollen, pet hair, and smoke. One of our experts who evaluated the unit for several months was impressed: “I was shocked at how well it detected irritants in the air.”

Another highlight is the affordable replacement filter cost, which is a major plus if you plan to run multiple units. For pet owners needing extra protection, Honeywell offers specialty filters targeting pet allergens, smoke, and VOCs. The drawback is the bulky design takes up a lot of space.

What makes it so innovative

Though it may not be cheap, this Dyson air purifier is loaded with technology that makes it worth the splurge, according to our experts. "It was one of the fastest models at reducing particulate matter in our test chamber, so it should do the job on pet allergens," said Greenwald. The machine's unique catalytic filter, combined with true HEPA filtration, vanquishes contaminants down to 0.3 microns.

What you’re getting and what you’re giving up

The Dyson also has one of the most sophisticated onboard air monitors we’ve seen on a purifier. For example, it measures the presence of particulate matter (such as dander and pet hair) and relays the data, along with ambient temperature and humidity levels, to a sleek app. “The interface on the app is extremely intuitive and should give users a very clear picture of their home’s indoor air quality,” says Greenwald.

Costing $80, the Dyson’s replacement filter is among the most expensive. The air purifier also takes up a lot of space, standing a full 3 feet tall. If neither of those factors are deal breakers, the Dyson Humidify + Cool Formaldehyde won’t disappoint when it comes to clearing your home's air of pet contaminants.

Why it’s good for large spaces

If you’ve got a big house with several dogs or cats, the 751i Air Purifier merges advanced filtration technology with a powerful fan for massive cleaning power across 1,300 square feet.

What you’re getting and what you’re giving up

This is the only other model in our round-up (along with the Blueair 311i+ Max) that can capture contaminants down to 0.1 microns. This is also one of the better-looking models to pass through our Labs due to its sleek front panel. It's also one of the smartest, thanks to its built-in laser sensor technology that monitors air quality in the room and adjusts the fan speed accordingly.

The combination of peak performance and high design will cost you extra: Besides the steep upfront price, the filter replacement price is several times that of other models. Additionally, our safety experts point out that the Alen has an optional ionization setting designed to combat even more pollutants. We don’t recommend this feature on any air purifier since it can produce ozone, a lung irritant. But even without the use of the ionization setting, the Alen should capture plenty of pet hair and allergens, while looking good in the process.