The 6 Best Air Purifiers for Cat Allergies

Written by Angie Menjivar
Updated: March 22, 2023
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You can’t imagine your life without your cat. Cats have quirky personalities, incredibly strong boundaries, and the cutest little faces. But along with having a cat at home comes tons of cat dander. Yes, it’s extra work cleaning up around the house and brushing your cat, but it’s all a labor of love. For cat parents with allergies, however, it’s harder to share your space with your beloved feline companion. That’s why using one of the best air purifiers for cat allergies can be such a useful tool.

These little machines are total life savers — but they’re not all made the same, and it all depends on what you need. There is a wide range of products you can find online with different features and price points. While you can certainly do the research yourself, we thought we’d help to simplify the process of finding the best air purifier for cat allergies by itemizing our top six favorites. 

You do have to put in a little extra work when you have cat allergies and you share your home with a kitty but with the right air purifier, you can enjoy your space alongside your favorite purring fur ball with minimal discomfort (which leaves more time for enjoying one another!).

  1. Bissell air400 Professional Air Purifier
    • The 3-stage filtration system has a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, and a HEPA filter.
    • It filters out pet dander, pollen, smoke, dust, odors, gasses, and hair.
    • It monitors indoor air quality and responds quickly to any changes in your home. 
    • There is an auto-mode, silent mode, max mode, and timer mode.
    Check Amazon
  2. LEVOIT Mini Air Purifier
    • Designed to remove allergens, improve sleep, and clear pet dander from your home
    • Uses 3-stage filtration
    • Add essential oils for optional aromatherapy
    • 1-button design cycles through all of the features
    • Compact design is meant to be carried from room to room
    Check Amazon
  3. Coway Airmega 400 Smart Air Purifier
    • Can filter multiple rooms up to 1560 feet
    • Select between a Wi-Fi or non-Wi-Fi model
    • Available in white and graphite
    • Catches and reduces 99.99% of particles 0.01 microns from the air
    • 5 fan modes operate nearly silently
    Check Amazon
  4. LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies

    •Pet home air purifier

    •Triple filter

    •Small appliance

    •Fast-acting

    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  5. Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier
    • Features a medical-grade filtration H13 HEPA filter
    • Available in a variety of colors
    • Works in areas up to 1100 feet
    • Eliminates odors from litter boxes and garbage
    • The filter captures 99.99% of bacteria, aerosolized viruses, and airborne particles that are larger than 0.1 microns
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  6. Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier
    • It has an advanced six-stage deodorization and purification filtration system.
    • The device uses a pre-filter, a medium filter, a BioGS HEPA filter, a customized filter, an activated carbon filter, and a negative ion generator.
    • Filters can last up to two years before needing to be replaced.
    • The fan has five different speed options.
    Check Chewy Check Amazon

Top Picks: The Best Air Purifiers for Cat Allergies Today

#1 Best Overall: Bissell air400 Professional Air Purifier

The overall best air purifier to use if you suffer from cat allergies is the Bissell air400 Professional Air Purifier. This air purifier will transform your home into one that is as clean and healthy as possible with its three-stage filtration system. This includes a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, and a HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of 0.3-micron particles or smaller. That means it not only filters out the pet dander in your air, but also pollen, smoke, dust, odors, gasses, and hair! You can see why it is one of the best air purifiers for cat allergies on the market.

The Bissell air400 Professional Air Purifier also uses a unique automated CirQulate System. Its PM 2.5 sensor monitors indoor air quality and responds quickly to any changes in your home. It also adjusts the fan speed when needed so that your home environment stays safe and clean. Many customers have happily reported that this air purifier can clear the room of cooking smoke and any leftover odors within minutes!

It has an auto-mode, silent mode, and max mode, so you can also choose just how much purifying you need at any given time. In addition, you can set it using the timer mode so that it shuts off when you want it to.

This air purifier is black with a sleek cubic design. It is It measures 9.75 inches by 16.13 inches by 24 inches and weighs just over 20 pounds. There are handles on the sides to make it easier to move and carry, but it is still a bit large.

Pros and Cons of the Bissell air400 Professional Air Purifier

ProsCons
This air purifier uses a 3-stage filtration system with a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, and a HEPA filter.This air purifier is a bit big and can be cumbersome.
The HEPA filter captures 99.97% of 0.3-micron particles or smaller.
It filters out pet dander, pollen, smoke, dust, odors, gasses, and hair.
The automated CirQulate System uses a PM 2.5 sensor that monitors indoor air quality and responds quickly to any changes in your home.
It also adjusts the fan speed when needed.
Many customers reported that this air purifier can clear the room of cooking smoke and any leftover odors within minutes.
There is an auto-mode, silent mode, max mode, and timer mode.
It has a sleek, black design.
There are handles on the sides that make it easy to move.
Best Overall
Bissell air400 Professional Air Purifier
  • The 3-stage filtration system has a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, and a HEPA filter.
  • It filters out pet dander, pollen, smoke, dust, odors, gasses, and hair.
  • It monitors indoor air quality and responds quickly to any changes in your home. 
  • There is an auto-mode, silent mode, max mode, and timer mode.
Check Amazon

2. Best for Portable: LEVOIT Mini Air Purifier

Air purifiers can get pricey so it’s always nice to know you have a budget-friendly option like the LEVOIT Air Purifier. This mini air purifier is designed to help relieve your allergies, improve your sleep, and clear out pet dander in your environment. It uses 360-degree vortex air technology 3.0 and three-stage filtration to ensure you’re getting the best air purification. It’s a quiet machine, which lets you sleep more soundly without any annoying sounds emanating from it. It also has an aroma pad that you can use to add a few drops of essential oils if you’d like to have the machine deliver aromatherapy. Talk about value!

Since it’s a mini air purifier, you can transfer it from room to room as needed. This air purifier is compact enough to set up on your nightstand. It measures 6.5 inches by 6.5 inches by 10.4 inches, so it creates less clutter while helping you breathe fresh air. This is also a one-button control design. You can cycle through three fan speeds and turn the air purifier on and off. You’ll immediately notice a difference in your sleep quality. You can also pop this on your desk so that when you’re working, you’re breathing the freshest air possible (indoors, anyway!). Take it with you to your living room when you’re ready to lounge and enjoy some popcorn and a good movie. It’s also super quiet, so you don’t have to worry about it keeping you awake or disrupting your movie!

Since it is a smaller air purifier, it does not have the air-quality monitoring features of other, larger air purifiers. However, it is only 7 watts so you can run it all night without worrying about your power bill.

Pros and Cons of the LEVOIT Mini Air Purifier

ProsCons
It’s only 7 watts so you can run without worrying about how much power it’s using.It does not have the air-quality monitoring features of other, larger air purifiers.
It uses 360-degree vortex air technology 3.0 and three-stage filtration.
The motor is very quiet.
There is an aroma pad you can use for essential oils.
It is small and lightweight, so you can move it from room to room.
It uses a one-button control design and you can cycle through three fan speeds and turn the purifier on and off.
Best for Small Spaces
LEVOIT Mini Air Purifier
  • Designed to remove allergens, improve sleep, and clear pet dander from your home
  • Uses 3-stage filtration
  • Add essential oils for optional aromatherapy
  • 1-button design cycles through all of the features
  • Compact design is meant to be carried from room to room
Check Amazon

3. Best for Large Spaces: Coway Airmega 400 Smart Air Purifier

If you need a more heavy-duty air purifier that can handle multiple rooms, this Coway Airmega 400 Smart Air Purifier is ideal. You can select between a non-Wi-Fi or a Wi-Fi model. The device comes in three colors: white, graphite, and beige. This air purifier can handle clearing spaces up to 1,560 square feet in just 30 minutes! It’s designed to accommodate large rooms and cleans the air at least two times per hour when you use it as recommended. It’s equipped with a combined activated carbon and a true HEPA filter, which together catch and reduce 99.99% of particles 0.01 microns in the air.

The Coway Airmega 400 Smart Air Purifier is a smart and energy-efficient air purifier that automatically adjusts based on the room’s air quality. It is equipped with a pollution sensor that communicates indoor air quality testing in real-time. The bright, colored LED ring lets you know with a simple glance how clean or dirty your indoor air is. It has five fan modes including smart, sleep, low, medium, and high. At lower speeds, the noise level is nearly silent and at the highest settings, the maximum noise reaches 43.2 decibels.

It also has an eco mode that helps you to conserve energy. When it is in use, the fan will automatically turn off after 30 minutes of purified air, only turning back on when pollution is detected. In addition, the air filter indicator lets you know when filters need to be cleaned or replaced.

However, be advised that this unit is much bigger and pricier than many other options. It measures 14.8 inches by 14.8 inches by 22.8 inches.

Pros and Cons of the Coway Airmega 400 Smart Air Purifier

ProsCons
This air purifier can handle clearing spaces up to 1,560 square feet in just 30 minutes.The unit is quite large.
You can select between a non-Wi-Fi or a Wi-Fi model.It is more expensive than many of the other options.
It also comes in three colors: white, graphite, and beige.
It cleans the air with a full scrub at least twice each hour.
The combined activated carbon and true HEPA filter catch and reduce 99.99% of particles 0.01 microns in the air.
It is smart and energy-efficient with a pollution sensor and adjusts automatically to the air quality in the room.
The bright-colored LED ring lets you know how clean or dirty the air is.
It has five fan speeds.
Eco mode conserves energy by automatically turning the fan off after 30 minutes of purified air. It only turns back on when it detects pollution again.
It has an air filter indicator to let you know when filters need to be cleaned and replaced.
Best for Large Spaces
Coway Airmega 400 Smart Air Purifier
  • Can filter multiple rooms up to 1560 feet
  • Select between a Wi-Fi or non-Wi-Fi model
  • Available in white and graphite
  • Catches and reduces 99.99% of particles 0.01 microns from the air
  • 5 fan modes operate nearly silently
Check Amazon

4. Best for Small Spaces: LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies

If you need an air purifier for your bedroom, the LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies is an amazing option. This Core 300 True HEPA air purifier can remove pollutants and contaminants from the air of a 1,095-square-foot room in as little as one hour! It works with a three-stage design that includes a pre-filter, a high-efficiency activated carbon filter, and a true HEPA filter to capture 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns or smaller, including pollen, dander, dust, odor, and smoke. There are three different fan speeds you can use, and each hour the air purifier circulates all the air in the room four times over.

In addition, a variety of filters work for this air purifier, so you can choose which one best suits your needs when it’s time to replace the original filter. The company makes pet allergy filters, toxin absorber filters, and smoke remover filters that all fit this air purifier! And replacing the filter is super easy! Just turn the device over and unscrew the bottom to take out the old filter, then put in the new one. You are supposed to vacuum the filter every two to three weeks, but some customers felt turning the device over each time was a hassle.

The LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies uses QuietKEAP Technology with noise-reducing shock pads that absorb internal vibrations. It is also small and sleek with a modern design that fits into any room. This air purifier measures 8.7 inches by 8.7 inches by 14.2 inches and comes in white or black.

Pros and Cons of the LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies

ProsCons
This purifier cleans pollutants and contaminants from the air of a 1,095-square-foot room in as little as one hour.You are supposed to vacuum the filter every two to three weeks, but some customers felt turning the device over each time was a hassle.
It has a three-stage design with a pre-filter, a high-efficiency activated carbon filter, and a true HEPA filter.
It captures 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns or smaller, including pollen, dander, dust, odor, and smoke.
Each hour the fan circulates and cleans the air in the room four times over.
There are three fan settings.
You can replace the original filter with specialized filters.
The filter is easy to clean and replace.
The QuietKEAP Technology uses noise-reducing shock pads that absorb internal vibrations.
It is small and has a sleek, modern design in either white or black.
Top Choice
LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies

•Pet home air purifier

•Triple filter

•Small appliance

•Fast-acting

Check Chewy Check Amazon

5. Best Splurge: Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier

If you’re ready to shell out the cash for a big purchase, then the Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier with a medical-grade filtration H13 HEPA filter is for you. This machine is available in several different colors including espresso, graphite, brushed stainless, maple, oak, weathered gray, and white. It’s recommended for pet owners who deal with dust, dander, and other allergens. It’s ideal because it also tackles those heavy odors from litter boxes and garbage. And it can purify spaces up to 1,100 square feet in just 30 minutes.

The odor cell filter helps to relieve allergy and asthma symptoms — plus, it’s also equipped with a patented molecular conversion powder to eliminate those strong odors that can sometimes fill up your home. The filter catches 99.99% of bacteria, aerosolized viruses, and airborne particles larger than 0.1 microns. With regular use, these true HEPA filters last between three and five months longer than standard filters.

The air purifier’s smart sensor features a three-color LED display that provides real-time updates to let you know the air quality in the room. When enabled, its innovative ozone-safe ionizer creates negative ions which attract and bind ultra-fine particles to capture dirty air. In addition, this device creates pink noise that is meant to sound like gentle rainfall to help you sleep, and the fan has four different speed settings.

The device itself is pretty big, measuring 10 inches by 75 inches by 21 inches. It is also much more expensive, but customers repeatedly report that it was well worth the cost for the quality of the machine and the purification it provides.

Pros and Cons of the Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier

ProsCons
It comes in several different colors.This unit is very expensive.
In addition to removing dust, dander, and other allergens, this air purifier also has a patented molecular conversion powder that eliminates strong odors.It is a large device.
The filter catches 99.99% of bacteria, aerosolized viruses, and airborne particles larger than 0.1 microns.
The odor cell filter helps to relieve allergy and asthma symptoms.
It cleans spaces up to 1,100 square feet in just 30 minutes.
With regular use, these true HEPA filters last between three and five months longer than standard filters.
The air purifier’s smart sensor features a three-color LED display that provides real-time updates to let you know the air quality in the room.
The innovative ozone-safe ionizer creates negative ions which attract and bind ultra-fine particles to capture dirty air.
The device also creates pink noise to help you sleep.
The fan has four different speed settings.
Best Splurge
Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier
  • Features a medical-grade filtration H13 HEPA filter
  • Available in a variety of colors
  • Works in areas up to 1100 feet
  • Eliminates odors from litter boxes and garbage
  • The filter captures 99.99% of bacteria, aerosolized viruses, and airborne particles that are larger than 0.1 microns
Check Chewy Check Amazon

6. Most Versatile: Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier

The Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier is unique because you can let it stand alone like other air purifiers, or you can mount it cleanly on the wall! Its advanced HEPA filtration system has six stages of deodorization and purification, with a pre-filter, a medium filter, a BioGS HEPA filter, a customized filter, an activated carbon filter, and a negative ion generator.

It can trap particles 0.1 microns in size with over 99% efficiency to reduce the buildup of allergens like mold, pollen, dust mites, and pet dander, as well as the growth of bacteria and viruses. It also reduces odors from cigarettes, cooking, mildew, and pets.

The Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier has a five-year warranty. It covers 700 square feet with two full air changes each hour. You can replace the original filter with customized filters to fit your personal needs, like the germ defense filter, pet allergy filter, toxin absorber filter, and odor remover filter. Plus, even using the air purifier 12 hours a day, the filters can last up to two full years!

When the room is dark, the Purifier will switch over to sleep mode automatically, and then transition back to a more active mode as the light in the room increases. The brushless direct current motor has five different speed options, including ultra-quiet levels. There are indicators for air quality, filter replacement, odor sensing, and even a mood light.

This air purifier is large but stylish and comes with a sleek white or black panel design. The company also has an Artists Series with special edition decorative panels. The device measures 20 inches by 7 inches by 21 inches. It is an expensive option, but customers report that its quality is well worth its high price tag.

Pros and Cons of the RabbitAir MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier

ProsCons
This air purifier is thinner and can be mounted on the wall like a picture frame, or left to stand alone.This device is large.
It has an advanced HEPA filtration system with six stages of deodorization and purification: a pre-filter, a medium filter, a BioGS HEPA filter, a customized filter, an activated carbon filter, and a negative ion generator.It is also quite expensive.
The BioGS HEPA filter can trap particles 0.3 microns in size with 99.97% efficiency and particles less than 0.1 microns in size with over 99% efficiency.
Its unique filtration design helps to reduce the buildup of allergens like mold, pollen, dust mites, and pet dander and reduces the growth of bacteria and viruses on the filter.
The odor remover customized filter traps and reduces odors from cigars, cigarettes, cooking, mildew, and pets.
It has a five-year warranty.
It covers 700 square feet and completes two full air changes per hour.
You can replace the original filter with customized filters as well to fit your personal needs.
Even using the air purifier 12 hours a day, the filters can last up to two full years.
The device switches between sleep mode and more active modes depending on the levels of light in the room.
The brushless direct current motor has five different speed options, including ultra-quiet levels that are nearly silent.
The side panel has visual indicators for air quality, filter replacement, odor sensing, and a mood light.
You can choose between a white or black panel design.
The company also has an Artists Series with special edition decorative panels.
Most Versatile
Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier
  • It has an advanced six-stage deodorization and purification filtration system.
  • The device uses a pre-filter, a medium filter, a BioGS HEPA filter, a customized filter, an activated carbon filter, and a negative ion generator.
  • Filters can last up to two years before needing to be replaced.
  • The fan has five different speed options.
Check Chewy Check Amazon

How to Choose the Right Air Purifier for Cat Allergies

As you can see, there are many different types of air purifiers for cat allergies. The one you choose depends on several different factors, including:

  • Size of your room
  • Single or multi-cat home
  • Quiet mode
  • Extra features

Size of Your Room

When deciding on the best air purifier for your home, make sure that you select one that can tackle the size of the room you’ll be placing it in. You can find this information in the product description. If you have a large home with multiple rooms, you may need to purchase more than one air purifier for the different spaces throughout your whole house. It’s also important to remember that air purifiers are usually designed for standard ceilings. If you happen to have really high ceilings, it’ll take your air purifier a little more time to completely re-circulate the air. If you’re just looking for an air purifier to cover one specific room, however, then you don’t have to splurge on one with such high capacity. Some of the best air purifiers for cat allergies are smaller and can take a single room.

Single or Multi-Cat Home

If you only have one cat at home, your air purifier will last longer between filter replacements. You’ll also notice that there is less hair that gathers on the outside vents. However, you should always make sure to replace the filter regularly. In addition, wipe down and clean out the vents to keep your air purifier working properly.

If you have more than one cat at home, you’ll need to replace the filter more frequently. You will also need to clean the unit more often. Make sure that when you find a model you like, you also check the pricing for the replacement filters. That way, you know what your regular expenses will look like to keep your air purifier working efficiently.

Quiet Mode

Some air purifiers are louder than others. For some cat owners, the white noise might be a welcome feature. For others who prefer a quieter unit, you’ll need to select a model that minimizes noise levels. Typically, there are several different settings on an air purifier. A higher setting will be louder while a low setting will be much quieter. If you want to purify the air, you may need to turn it on high for a set amount of time (the product description will tell you how long it takes to completely cycle the air in the room). Once the air is clean, you can then turn it down to a low setting to maintain air quality when you are home and don’t want to be bothered by the noise.

Extra Features

If you’re ready to splurge on the best high-tech air purifiers for cat allergies, you’ll find that they come with tons of features. If your allergies are the worst kind, the initial investment for a solid air purifier may not be much of a concern for you. However, if your allergies are more on the minimal side, you may not need to splurge on such a high-tech model. There are plenty of affordable air purifiers available on the market that can help to keep your air cleaner and keep your allergies at bay.

Other Ways to Reduce Allergens in Your Home

It’s not just humans that suffer from allergies — cats can too! In addition to using one of the best air purifiers for cat allergies, you can take several additional measures to keep your home as allergen-free as possible.

It’s very important that you spay or neuter your cat. Spayed and neutered cats shed a ton less than unaltered cats, and their allergen production is much less as well. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not your cat’s fur that makes your allergies act up. It’s actually the oil glands in your cat’s skin along with her salivary glands that produce cat allergens. Even hairless cats can produce cat allergens and dander!

The number of cats in your home affects allergy levels as well. When you add more cats to your household, the number of allergens in your environment also increases. 

You can also create allergy-free zones in your home (such as your bedroom or home office) where your cat isn’t allowed and consequently doesn’t leave any allergens behind. The two of you can spend quality time in the living room or in another room, but creating an allergen-free zone can help reduce the discomfort that allergies bring on.

Carpets are notorious for trapping allergens, so if possible, you can also remove any carpeting from your floors and replace them with smooth flooring options like linoleum or wood. In addition, using a disposable dust mask when cleaning can help keep allergens from your respiratory system.

Wash your clothes and bedding, as well as any cat blankets and cat covers frequently with high temperatures and gentle detergents. This will also help to reduce the number of allergens in your home to keep you and your cat a lot more comfortable.

About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

The 6 Best Air Purifiers for Cat Allergies FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Can air purifiers help with cat allergies?

Absolutely! These machines are pretty miraculous for helping to reduce cat allergies. They work by removing all of those tiny, annoying particles, which would otherwise wreak havoc on your allergies. They have special replaceable filters that trap all the yucky stuff in your air, so you can discard it properly into a trash bin. So long as you are keeping up with the regular maintenance and replacement of filters, your air purifier will keep clearing your environment of allergens.

Do air purifiers help with cat smells?

Yes, air purifiers don’t just work to remove allergens from your home environment, but they also help to re-circulate the air, which reduces any pet odors.

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