Choosing the best air purifier for pet hair

by Marsha Collins-Mroz 02/19/2025

If you’re a pet owner with allergies, you may want to consider an air purifier for pet hair. Both pet hair and dander can be controlled with air purifiers by trapping the allergens floating in the air. While an air purifier won’t completely rid your home of pet allergens, the right one can significantly reduce the amount circulating in your breathing space.

Here’s a rundown of the most common and effective types of air purifiers for pet hair:



Activated carbon filters

Activated carbon filters use charcoal to neutralize odors and remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. By chemically bonding with the offending molecules, the activated carbon filters are great for improving air quality. This type of filter is commonly used both in air purification and water purification. 

However, since they’re chemical rather than mechanical filters, they’re not particularly effective against pet hair and dander. If your pets are stinking up the house, however, you might want to use one for odor control.



HEPA filters

HEPA filters are mechanical filters, meaning they can physically trap particles of dust, pollen and pet allergens. This makes them extremely effective in reducing the amount of dander and hair circulating in your home’s air.

While HEPA filters can clean up the air in your home, they cannot do anything about the pet dander and hair caught in fabrics, carpets and on surfaces like your vacuum cleaner brush roller. However, combining a HEPA filter with careful cleaning habits can definitely bring some allergy relief.



Ionized air purifiers

Ionized air purifiers use electric charges to trap allergen particles in the air. Similarly to HEPA, this type of purifier will work to reduce pet dander and hair floating in the air. They work without a fan, which makes them quiet - however, this also means they can only clear a small portion of the air in a room.

Overall, if you’re trying to get the best relief from pet allergens at home, a HEPA filter will be the best air purifier choice. You can get standalone filters for individual rooms, or upgrade your HVAC system by adding HEPA filtration. Combined with regular cleaning habits, you’ll be able to fight back against pet allergens and breathe cleaner air.

About the Author
Author

Marsha Collins-Mroz

“Whether moving across town or around the world.. My Global Partners and I will handle all the details”

Marsha Collins-Mroz, Broker, "Global Partners in Real Estate"

Marsha brings her combined 46 years of successful real estate brokerage experience and expertise to every transaction. Recognizing the overwhelming demand for personalized and objective consulting services and assistance, Marsha expanded her business model to a national and international scale. She consults and oversees the acquisition and disposition of primary residences, vacation/second homes, and commercial real estate. And presents on U.S. opportunities in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Her personally vetted network of Global Partners are uniquely skilled and positioned to assist with the needs of her clients; focusing on advancing their knowledge of local markets and opportunities, empowering them to make informed decisions.