The best air purifiers for pet owners

If you need something for a large space — or even an office — the WINIX Zero is an excellent choice. It’s a well-reviewed model from a top air purifier brand.

It uses a four-stage filtration system — removing all the usual bacteria, pet dander, mould, and other particles — plus PlasmaWave technology, which neutralises bacteria and viruses.

Features include auto mode — which uses a smart sensor to automatically adjust its performance based on the current air quality — and a colour-coded indicator that also keeps you up to date on the current air quality.

There’s also a timer that can be set to one, four, or eight hours, plus a sleep mode that reduces the volume. Reviewers have confirmed that it’s barely audible in sleep mode. It’s all controlled by a snazzy panel or buttons, but if you’re basking in the air quality and can’t be bothered to get out of your chair, there’s a remote control too.

The Blueair Classic 605 doesn’t come cheap, but it’s a case of premium price for a premium machine. It’s a top-rated purifier that uses advanced technology to purify a wide coverage area of 775 square feet — ideal for large rooms.

As for technology, it’s WiFi enabled. This allows you to monitor air quality on your phone or smart device (via the Blueair app) and adjust settings remotely. It also connects to Alexa, so you can switch to voice control. It’s a breeze to use.

Its HEPASilent filtration technology tackles 99.97% unwanted nasties, including pollen, dust, pet dander, mold, bacteria, viruses, and more.

Ultimately, a big and reliable air purifier that does a big, reliable job. If you can afford it, this ranks among the very best air purifiers around.

The Levoit Pet air purifier comes from one of the best brands in the field. And as the name suggests, it has been developed to take care of pet dander and hair.

The H13-Grade True HEPA filter, made from non-woven fabric, is more effective than other pre-filters at capturing pet fur, hair, and dander. It also has a specific pet lock button so your dog or cat won’t accidentally shut it off when they go to investigate the new addition to the house. 

While the filters are replaceable (not reusable), the machine makes it easy to stay on top of replacements, with a check filter that indicates when it’s time for a new one (typically every six to eight months). There’s also a sleep mode and timer that allows you to tone down the noise while keeping the filter going. 

While we fully respect the internal engineering of air purifiers, when it comes to their exterior, it’s hard to rate an air purifier we’d be embarrassed to keep out in the living room (since, you know, it’ll be kept out in the living room). The Coway Mighty Air Purifier brings a lot of efficiency with a helping of modern design. You wouldn’t often describe an air purifier as “adorable,” but this bucks the trend.

It’s not all about looks. The Coway Mighty has a HyperCaptive filtration system that captures 99.999% of nano-sized particles — including pet hair and dander. It also has timer settings, an auto mode that adapts to dust levels, and a sensor that switches off automatically when the air is clean. Not to mention real time monitoring with colour-coded lights.

Some reviewers have had trouble buying replacement filters, so make sure you’re able to source before making a purchase.

The Philips AC0820/30 Series 800 is a compact purifier that would suit smaller homes. As you can tell from the mid-range price, it’s not the most powerful purifier around, but it’s certainly got its share of features.

It offers professional grade sensors that automatically monitor air quality and react to purify the air. Its high-grade filters remove dust, pollen, allergens, gases, bacteria, and, yes, pet hair. It gives you real-time feedback, with a four-step colour display indicator that shows you the quality of the indoor air. But don’t worry about the lights keeping you awake: the lights dim in sleep mode.

The Series 800 also boasts a quiet operation, with two speed options and fast-working action that purifies in under 16 minutes.