9 of the best air purifiers to deal with pets, pollen, and pollution

If you were hoping for a more modern design, the Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier(opens in a new tab) is aesthetically pleasing AF. The design is as clean as the air it pushes out and will blend right in with any home's contemporary decor. 

Called "mighty" for a reason, this puppy features a four-stage filtration system with a 99.7% HEPA efficiency rating (in a space up to 361 square feet). It also comes equipped with an energy-saving "Eco Mode," which will turn its fan off when it detects 10 minutes of good air quality levels, then on again after 30 minutes or when it senses any sort of air pollution.

Overall, it has a 4.7/5-star rating at Walmart(opens in a new tab) with nearly 200 reviews.

If you don't want a large, intrusive rectangular air filter sitting out of place in your otherwise color-coordinated room, the Blueair Blue Pure 311 Air Purifier is a good alternative. The fabric pre-filter that covers it doesn't just look and feel nice (and come in different colorways), it works to remove larger particles from the air and has an activated carbon layer to absorb unpleasant smells. It's washable and interchangeable, so you can switch it up occasionally if you'd like, but you don't need to invest in more than one.

The air purifier itself is also very effective — at its high setting, it completely circulates the air in a room of 388 square feet every 12.5 minutes. Its intuitive auto mode means you don't have to bother adjusting settings to the level called for. Just turn it on and breathe deep.

For smaller rooms or offices, you might not need a massive cleaner that sits on the floor — but that doesn't mean a mini one is your only other option. The Levoit LV-H132 Air Purifier(opens in a new tab) is one of the sleekest little guys on the market, and though it's small enough to sit on a desk, its cleaning capacity is massive. 

The three-stage filtration system apparently kills 99.7% of dust, pollen, and pet dander, including particles as small as .3 microns. It's also 100% ozone free — this basically means that it does not use UV or ions, which produce trace amounts of measurable ozone.

Overall, it has a 4.5/5-star rating on Amazon(opens in a new tab) with nearly 20,000 (!) reviews.

Moving on to the big guns: Dyson’s highly visible in the small appliances market (and even the hair styling market), but its contribution to the world of air purifiers is just as impactful. The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool(opens in a new tab) is truly ahead of its time, using bladeless Air Multiplier tech to circulate 99.97 percent pollutant-free air through the room. Dirty air is pulled in, sent through multiple diffusers and a HEPA filter, then pushed back out to give the room serious airflow. The hollow design may look complicated, but the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool is one of the simplest devices to use in the list.

A mini LCD screen on the front shows you the current status of your air, and the Dyson app gives detailed info on the quality of the air outside and the type of pollutants most affecting your home. If the app senses that polluted air increases in your home at a certain time of day, you can set timed cleaning schedules just as you would with a robot vacuum.

The effortless peace of mind is enough justification on its own, but the cooling fan and heater addition make it a year-round favorite. So yeah, you're paying nearly $500, but you're getting the best-of-the-best quality and three appliances in one.

Overall, it has a 4.3/5-star rating on Amazon with over 650 customer reviews.

The name "GermGuardian(opens in a new tab)" may seem corny, but it's literally what this thing can do for a room—and it’s priced well for buyers on a budget at less than $90. The HEPA filter captures 99.7 percent of allergens like household dust, pet dander, mold spores, and plant pollens, even as small as .3 microns. For rooms that need a heavy-duty cleaning, the UV-C light technology sanitizes air by working with Titanium Dioxide to kill airborne bacteria, viruses, germs, and mold spores.

Not only is it cleaning the air by trapping particles you can't even see, but it's making it smell better, too. The filter battles odors like cigarette smoke, litter boxes, or overly-smelly furnaces to provide a fresher feel every time you walk into the room. Though it sits on the floor, it's slim enough to be tucked in a corner, in between furniture, or somewhere else out of the way.

The GermGaurdian isn't the quietest thing in the world on its highest setting, but if you're anything like us, that white noise could actually be great for drowning out city noise, neighborhood lawnmowers, and more. 

Overall, it has a 4.2/5-star rating on Amazon(opens in a new tab) with nearly 23,000 reviews (whoa).

Go ahead and throw out that little evergreen-shaped air freshener dangling from your rearview mirror: LG's new PuriCare Mini(opens in a new tab) will do a much better job deodorizing your car.

Released in mid-2020(opens in a new tab), this ultra-portable, dual-fan air purifier features a 3,600mAh battery that lasts for up to 8 hours on a single charge (in Low Mode) and charges with a USB cable. At just 1.2 pounds, it's no heavier than a water bottle — you can easily stash it in a purse or backpack for use in a hotel, on a plane, or at the office. (There's a built-in leather wrist strap that makes it easy to carry.)

On the outside, you'll find an LED smart display that shows you the air quality in real time, though you can also control its airflow, keep tabs on air quality history, and monitor its filter and battery life via Bluetooth using the PuriCare Mini app.

The PuriCare Mini hasn't gotten a ton of feedback yet since it's so new, but as of April 2022, it has 57 5-star ratings on Amazon(opens in a new tab) and has a 4.1/5-star rating on the LG website(opens in a new tab) with 23 customer reviews so far.

This Levoit air purifier comes from one of the best brands in the field — and it’s been specifically 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). We also love the sleep mode and timer that allows you to tone down the noise while keeping the filter going. 

Large enough for most apartments, this Alen Classic Air Purifier is pricey but efficient — and its customizable cover plates can be tailored to coordinate with your designs. Thanks to its medical-grade Pure True Hepa Filter, it removes particles like pet fur and dander in sizes down to .1 micron from the air. It also gets rid of bacteria, dust, and allergens so your home is a comfortable place to breathe. Besides its stunning good looks, it also has handy touches like an advanced color-coded particle sensor on the front so you always know what your air quality is like. 

Instant's new air purifier is quite the heavy hitter when it comes to filtering pollen during allergy season, bacteria, and even protecting against dangerous smoke and mold spores. This air purifier has a three-in-one filtration system that includes a HEPA-13 filter, activated carbon to reduce odors, and an antimicrobial coating to help prevent bacterial growth.

Perfect for all kinds of rooms, it comes in three sizes: the Instant Large Air Purifier, Instant Medium Air Purifier, and the Instant Small Air Purifier.

Although it may be hard to tell when to change the filter, Instant's shift from the kitchen to air purifying is definitely helping us breathe a little easier.