Air purifiers can be a helpful solution if you suffer from cat allergies but still want to share your home with a feline friend. Pet hair and dander can be unbearable for those with allergies. Cats that spend time outdoors can bring allergens, such as various pollens, back home with them. In addition, litter box odors and litter dust are often irritating to those with respiratory sensitivities. The benefits of an air purifier can extend to your cat if they also suffer from seasonal allergies.
Air purifiers remove harmful particles, along with dander and flying loose fur, from the air before they have a chance to settle on your clothes, furniture, or bedding. There are many types of air purifiers available, so we rounded up our favorites. Our list of reviews can help you get acquainted with the basics and see which one works for your household.
In this article
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2026
| Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall
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Filtrete Air Purifier |
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Best Value
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Germ Guardian Air Purifier |
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Premium Choice
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Bissell Smart Air Purifier |
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CHECK PRICE |
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WINIX AM90 Air Purifier for Home |
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Levoit Core Pet Air Purifier |
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The 8 Best Air Purifiers for Cat Allergies
1. Filtrete Air Purifier — Best Overall
| Dimensions: | 12.2” L x 9.3” W x 18.3” H |
| Color: | White |
The Filtrete Air Purifier is our best overall choice for cat owners. The compact size can cover approximately 170 square feet. While this is an ideal option for one room, it can easily be moved from room to room, so you can use it where you need it the most.
The particles captured by the filter in this purifier include dust, mold spores, cat dander, smoke, pollen, and various bacteria that cause odors. The filter should be replaced every 6 months with heavy use. An indicator will light up on the control panel to let you know that a filter change is due.
The easy-to-use control panel has soft touch buttons that enable you to set a timer, dim the LED lights, and switch between three fan speed options.
This air purifier doesn’t run silently. There will be some noise when it’s on, and a few reports claim that it’s too loud. But others report that it’s quiet enough to sleep through.
- Compact size
- Timer option
- Affordable
- May be noisy
2. Germ Guardian Small Air Purifier — Best Value
| Dimensions: | 7.75” L x 6.5” W x 11” H |
| Color: | Grey |
The Germ Guardian Small Air Purifier is the best value choice for the money. This portable air purifier uses a HEPA filter with activated charcoal to clean the air in your home and remove odors. It reduces 99.97% of dust and allergens while trapping pet hair.
This can be used on a desktop, nightstand, counter, or table. It has three different speed options and can be moved around your home so you can always breathe the cleanest air possible.
It works best in small rooms and can cover up to 78 square feet. Use it near the litter box to let the activated charcoal filter eliminate odors where they start.
This device includes an option for UV-C light technology. When this setting is selected, it will help kill airborne germs and viruses. The UV-C light bulb can be replaced. Vacuuming the filter between uses will help extend its lifespan and keep the unit working optimally. Replacement filters can be purchased separately.
- Inexpensive
- Portable
- UV-C light technology kills germs
- Only covers a small area at once
3. Bissell air320 Smart Air Purifier — Premium Choice
| Dimensions: | 8.3” L x 14.75” W x 25” H |
| Color: | White & grey |
This modern Bissell air320 Smart Air Purifier is sleek and stylish. It has a simple design that won’t clash with your home décor in any room. Our premium choice air purifier can filter the air in large rooms and uses a three-stage filtration system. A pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, and a medical-grade HEPA filter work together to capture 99.97% of particles in the air. This unit will eliminate irritants such as dust, pet dander, and pollen. It will also reduce smoke from cooking, wildfires, or smoking.
The air is pulled in through the filters, cleaned, and released through the top. This air purifier may be large, but it operates with “library quiet performance,” even with five different fan speeds.
This air purifier monitors the air in your home and gives you a reading of its quality. It will then adjust to the appropriate fan setting to make sure your home’s air is the cleanest that it can be.
Bissell is known for making products that cater to pet parents and help clean up and guard against potty accidents, messes, and odors. With every purchase, Bissell also helps save homeless pets.
- Stylish look
- Provides air-quality readings
- User-friendly
- Can be bulky to move from room to room
- Does not provide different levels of filtration
4. WINIX AM90 Air Purifier for Home — Best for Cat Dander
| Dimensions: | 8.7″ D x 15.1″ W x 23.5″ H |
| Color: | White |
The Winix AM90 Air Purifier is designed for large spaces and uses a four-stage filtration system to capture 99.99% of airborne allergen as 0.01 microns. This includes pollen, dust, smoke, and pet dander. The washable fine mesh pre-filter captures larger particles first, extending the life of the True HEPA filter, while the activated carbon filter reduces household odors from cooking, pets, and smoke.
The built-in air quality sensor monitors your environment in real-time and displays the current air quality through LED indicator lights. In Auto Mode, the unit automatically adjusts fan speeds based on air quality readings for efficient operation. The WiFi feature allows you to control the purifier remotely through the Winix Smart App, making it easy to monitor air quality and manage settings from anywhere. The unit also features PlasmaWave technology and operates quietly, making it suitable for bedrooms and living spaces.
- Covers large areas up to 1,740 square feet
- Smart app control with WiFi connectivity
- Ultra-quiet operation on lower speeds
- Higher price point than smaller models
- Smart features may not be necessary for all users
5. Levoit Core Pet Care Air Purifier — Best for Cat Hair
| Dimensions: | 8.7” L x 8.7” W x 14.2” H |
| Color: | White |
While working well to combat cat hair, the Levoit Core Pet Care Air Purifier also removes pet dander, dust, mold, and allergens from the air. The carbon filter absorbs pet odors. This machine can work in any room and will fit in with your décor. If you’re using this in a bedroom, the fan is quiet enough to not disturb sleep, and the display light can be turned off to keep your room dark.
A timer feature can be set for 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours. A filter-replacement light will remind you to change the filter and keep your unit working efficiently. This machine can clean the air up to 219 square feet around it, so it’s ideal for use in your office, den, bedroom, or living room. Multiple units can be purchased for different areas of the house if necessary. The unit is also small enough that it can be transferred from room to room.
The buttons on the display lock so pets and children can’t accidentally adjust the settings. The average time between filter changings is 6–8 months, but if you use your air purifier often, it may need to be changed sooner.
- Carbon filter removes odors
- Compact size
- Timer feature
- No air-quality monitoring
6. Lasko Pure Platinum Air Purifier — Best for Allergens
| Dimensions: | 8.9” L x 2.3” W x 14.5” H |
| Color: | Black |
The battery-powered Lasko Pure Platinum Air Purifier comes with a 1-year supply of replacement filters. The slim design lets you place this anywhere. Like many other models, this machine has a sensor that will alert you to poor air quality.
This unit comes with a remote control for convenience. You can change between the three different speed settings without having to get up. Other options include a 7-hour timer, a child lock mode, and a sleep mode.
The machine will provide air filtration up to 200 square feet in only 17 minutes. It captures 99% of allergens, including dander, dust mites, mold, and pollen in three stages.
The carbon filter works first to remove smoke and household odors. It also captures dust, pet hair, and other particles. This filter lasts up to 4 months.
The second stage is a pleated filter that removes airborne irritants. The third stage is the TiO2 filter with UV light that eliminates mold, bacteria, and viruses from the air. It will also reduce fumes from cleaners, aerosols, and paint. The second and third stage filters last up to 12 months.
- Remote control operation
- Comes with replacement filters
- Air-quality sensor
- Timer
- Covers only one room at once
7. Crane Tower Air Purifier
| Dimensions: | 9.25” L x 9.25” W x 15.3” H |
| Color: | White |
The Crane Tower Air Purifier comes with a True-HEPA filter, a pre-filter, and a UV lamp. Bacteria and germs in the air are broken down by the UV light, while the filters trap irritants like dust, pollen, and dander.
You can choose from three speed and timer settings to get the cleanest air that you want in your home. There is a setting for reduced noise and an automatic shutoff feature after the timer is used. This machine can in rooms up to 300 square feet and can even be a suitable option for a classroom setting.
It’s compact enough to be able to move to new places around your home if you wish.
The HEPA filter is suggested to be replaced every 3–6 months, depending on how often you use this unit.
The filters are changed by turning the unit upside down and unscrewing the large screw in the center. Then the screw must be tightened again once the filters are in place.
- Timer feature
- Reduced noise setting
- UV light
- Must be moved to different rooms for use
- Filters may be troublesome to replace
8. Germ Guardian HEPA Filter Air Purifier
| Dimensions: | 11” L x 6.75” W x 27.25” H |
| Color: | Black |
The Germ Guardian HEPA Filter Air Purifier is designed for allergies sufferers and pet parents who want to breathe easier in their homes. The HEPA air filter captures allergens, and the activated charcoal filter keeps rooms smelling fresh and clean. This filter is treated with a PetPure antimicrobial agent that will stop the growth of mold and other odor-causing bacteria on the filter’s surface.
This unit uses optional UV-C light technology to break down germs and viruses in the air. It comes equipped with five settings, an 8-hour timer feature, and an indicator for filter changes.
With the ability to clean areas up to 180 square feet, you can place this machine wherever you need it the most. The filters need changing every 6–8 months for heavy use. The UV-C bulbs will need to be replaced every 10–12 months. The carbon filter can be vacuumed periodically to extend its lifetime.
- UV-C light technology
- PetPure antimicrobial filter surface
- May take a while to notice a difference in air quality
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Air Purifier for Cat Allergies
Choosing the best air purifier for your home can come down to several factors. There’s no universal air purifier that’s right for everyone. Look at the filter types, size, area cleaned, and replacement filter costs when comparing and choose the one that fits your needs. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the right one for you.
What Do Air Purifiers Do?
Air purifiers filter pollutants and allergens from the air. You don’t have to suffer from allergies or be a pet owner to reap the benefits of clean air in your home. However, using an air purifier can greatly reduce hair, dander, and odors caused by cats.
If you are allergic to cats, an air purifier can be a helpful solution to breathing easier around your feline companion. It will reduce dander and hair in the air before those irritants can settle around you.
Air purifiers can only capture these things as they float in the air. Once they’ve settled, they can’t be moved by the machine. Heavy allergens tend to settle quickly and can’t be removed in time.
Room air purifiers can only work for a designated amount of space surrounding them. If you’d like multiple rooms to be filtered, moving the air purifier from room to room is necessary. You can also get multiple units for the rooms that you want to use them in.
Related: Is it True that Cat Allergies are Genetic?
Getting the Most Out of Your Air Purifier
Consider the rooms in which you want to use an air purifier. Bedrooms and living rooms seem to be the most common choices because people spend most of their time in these areas. Place the purifier away from walls and curtains. Nothing should obstruct the airflow on all sides of the machine. Using the air purifier where you need it most will help you receive the maximum benefits.
Keep it running for the cleanest air possible. Turning it off will let allergens and particles settle. Keep the windows and doors to the outside closed near the air purifier when it’s running. If your machine has a timer feature, you can only use the machine when you want to, saving energy.
Clean your filters. An air purifier is only as good as its filters. They must be replaced over time. Usually, that period is approximately every 6 months. Carbon filters that capture and neutralize odors in the air should be replaced every 3 months. If your unit comes with permanent filters, learn how to clean them. Some require vacuuming. Others require cleaning with water and then allowing them to fully dry. Keeping your filters clean will not only keep your air cleaner but will also extend the life of your air purifier.
Improving the Air Quality in Your Home
In addition to the air purifier, you can do things to help improve your home’s air quality. The air purifier can only do so much. You can help reduce its workload by doing the following.
Limit the number of chemicals that you use inside. Paints, pesticides, cleaners, and glue can all lead to poor air quality in your home. While your air purifier will help, it won’t eliminate them from the air if they’re used regularly.
Reduce or stop smoking indoors, and limit how often you burn candles in your home.
Open your windows on pleasant days to let in clean air. If you suffer from allergies, use an air conditioner with an air filter. This will help cycle the air in your home.
If your home has exhaust fans, use them regularly.
Most of all, vacuum. By cleaning your floors, furniture, and surfaces in your homes, you can gather up the particles missed by the air purifier. When these particles are stirred up into the air again, whatever you miss has another shot at being grabbed by the machine.
Types of Air Purifier Filters
Many air purifiers have more than one filter. The pre-filter is used to grab large particles, like cat hair, in the air as they pass through it. The main filter is used to capture smaller particles and allergens. Activated charcoal or carbon filters work for odor control. Some units include all three filters, and some only have the first two.
HEPA filters are high-efficiency particulate air filters and are recommended by the American Lung Association. Your main filter should be a HEPA filter. It captures 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 millionths of a meter or larger.
Activated charcoal or carbon filters work against odors. Your air purifier can remove particles from the air. However, without a filter for odor control, it won’t do much against smells. These filters can trap gases and fumes, cooking odors, and litter box odors. By placing the air purifier in the same room as the litter box, you can help eliminate odors even further.
Are Air Purifiers Noisy?
The air purifiers work by pulling air in through the filtration system and circulating it back out once it’s cleaned. Internal fans usually make this happen. While some of them can produce a humming sound, others are virtually silent.
When considering where you want to use your unit, choosing one that operates quietly, even at high speeds, will be better for areas like offices and bedrooms. Some machines offer a silent option that must be selected when you want a quieter clean.
Air Purifier Features
Air purifiers can come with additional features. This may affect the price of the unit. Some of these features can make operating the machine more convenient, and others you may not find to be necessary.
Filter-Replacement Indicator Light
A light will appear on the panel of the machine letting you know that your filter is close to the time that it needs to be replaced or that it’s now the time that it must be replaced. If you can remember to replace your filter according to how often you use your machine, this feature may not be needed. It can be convenient when you forget to do it, though. Keeping your filters clean will keep your machine running smoothly, so replacing them on time is essential.
Dimming LED Panel
If your machine lights up and you’re using it in a bedroom, being able to adjust the brightness of the display is helpful. If you’re using the machine in a living or common room, how bright it is may not matter overnight.
Timer
Setting your machine to operate for a certain amount of time every day can be useful when you don’t want to turn it on and off manually. However, if you’re using a portable air purifier that sits on your desk or nightstand, turning it on and off might be so easy that a timer is unnecessary.
Remote Control
It’s convenient to be able to adjust your air purifier from across the room. Depending on how often you want to change the settings, the remote control could be a helpful feature.
Smart Controls
Some air purifiers can be controlled by your phone or a voice command. While these features may be more expensive, they don’t affect the unit’s overall performance. These are specific features that appeal to the user’s convenience. Having Smart capabilities does not mean that the unit will work better than one that doesn’t have them.
Our Air Purifiers for Cat Allergies Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best air purifiers for cat allergies for cats. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about air purifiers for cat allergies. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats worldwide, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Conclusion
Our best overall choice for an air purifier for cat allergies is the Filtrete Air Purifier. It cleans a large area at once for an affordable price and has a timer option. Our best value choice is the Germ Guardian Small Air Purifier. It uses UV-C light technology to kill germs in the air but only cleans a small area at a time. Our premium pick is the Bissell air320 Smart Air Purifier. It has a stylish design and provides air quality readings. We hope that our reviews have helped you decide on the best air purifier to provide relief from cat allergies.
Featured Image Credit: Parinya Smithijaroenpon, Shutterstock
