Dogs are popular pets, with 4 out of 10 U.S. homes owning at least one. While a dog may be man’s best friend, their odor is less than cordial to our noses. An air purifier can help to reduce or eliminate unwanted dog smells, but which model is the best air purifier for dog smell and odor?
We have taken the time to provide you with some features you will want to look for in a quality purifier, as well as reviews of five products that may fit your needs.
Best Air Purifier For Dog Smell And Odor
| Product | Air Volume | Odor Filters | Odor Sensors | Variable Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1. Winix WAC9500 Ultimate Pet True HEPA Air Cleaner Our Best Pick  Check Price | 283 square feet | 3 filters | Yes | 4 speeds |
#2. Alen Breathe-Smart And FIT50 Air Purifier Check Price | 1100 square feet | 3 filters | No | Multiple, including auto-adjust |
#3. Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier Check Price | 700 square feet | 2 or 3 filters | No | Multiple |
#4. Whirlpool Whispure Air Purifier Check Price | 490 square feet | 1 filter | No | 4 speeds |
#5. GERMGUARDIAN AC5250PT 3-IN-1 AIR PURIFIER Check Price | 180 square feet | 2 filters | No | 5 speeds |
Features To Look For To Eliminate Dog Odor
Dog odors are generated in multiple ways and can present overpowering smells that you will want to neutralize. Sources for your dog’s smell include bad oral or skin hygiene, a lack of consistent grooming, as well as natural skin shedding.
It is interesting to note that dog hair is not a source of unpleasant pet odors.
Carbon Filter
A carbon filter will be the standard odor eliminator on most models. This filter provides a porous surface that exposes the maximum surface area for air to move across. It absorbs odors through a chemical reaction between the carbon and the air.
UV-3 Lighting
The best air purifier designs will use more than one filtration method to eliminate dog odors. Using UV lighting to neutralize odors is probably the second most common method. This process is not an ozone-free process, however, and might be unpopular with some dog owners.
Other Features
Other types of filters will usually target the microbial build-up in your filter that results from extended use, and add to pet odor elimination.
Another feature that you may wish to look for will be odor sensors. These sensors can detect the odor particulates in the air and will either switch the air purifier on or adjust the motor speed to increase the purification process.
Speaking of motor speed, you will want to have the ability to adjust the airflow rate on your air purifier. This feature should include a lower sleep mode setting that will run quietly at night, while a turbo speed is handy for quick dog odor removal.
Other considerations should include filter reusability. Filters that can be vacumned or washed will help to save you money with less filter replacements.
#1. Winix WAC9500 Ultimate Pet True HEPA Air Cleaner
The WAC9500 offers many convenient features that make it easy to operate. This includes sensors that are designed to detect air quality level as well as odors.
There is a sleep mode that sets the purifier to run quietly, a feature that will be appreciated as you rest at night. This particular model also includes timer functions that allow you to set its run time.
- There are two distinct filtration designs that help to eliminate dog odors in the area that it is placed in
- It includes a remote that will allow you to make adjustments without having to move to the purifier itself
- This model also includes an electronic odor sensor that can detect unwanted smells in your home
- This product presents a larger footprint, especially in the height of the purifier body that can limit its placement
- Its lighting system stays on continuously, which may be a distraction in bedrooms at night when you sleep
#2. Alen Breathe-Smart And FIT50 Air Purifier
If you are looking to remove odors in larger rooms, this model may be worth considering. Not only does it handle larger volumes of odor, but it also provides four levels of filtration that effectively removes other dog-related pollutants.
The HEPA-Odor Cell filter has been included specifically to address dog odor and the pre-filter is washable, something that will help eliminate frequent replacements.
- It is designed to remove air pollutants in larger areas up to 922 square feet
- This air purifier does excel at eliminating strong urine smells from areas where your dog has had an accident
- A major consideration when looking at this product is the lifetime warranty that the manufacturer offers
- The HEPA-Odor Cell filter is more effective with odors such as smoke in comparison to dog odors
- This model comes with a larger price tag due to the volume, proprietary filters, and warranty
#3. Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier
The standout feature about the Rabbit Minus2 is its multiple odors eliminating filters. This includes a charcoal filter, negative ion generator, as well as an optional odor remover filter.
Another product design that caught our attention was the light sensor that automatically puts the unit into sleep mode in low and no light levels, helping to eliminate distracting lights while you rest.
- This product comes with two dedicated odor filter components as well as an optional third filter that can be used for removing smells
- It can be placed like normal air purifiers or it can be mounted to a wall
- You can set it to run quietly, especially at lower fan settings, in bedrooms
- This design lacks the quality sensors that you would expect at its price range
- Its secondary customizer filter can be allocated for dog odors but will require more frequent replacement
#4. Whirlpool Whispure Air Purifier
The soft-touch controls on the face of this unit are easy to use without being over sensitive. Each filter on this model is designed to be replaced at specific intervals. While this may cost more, it will help to keep your air purifier running at optimal levels.
Whirlpool is a well-established brand name and the company covers the purifier with a five-year warranty.
- This purifier has four operational fan speeds, including a turbo setting for fast odor removal
- Its sleep mode uses the Whispure Quiet System which helps to reduce noise levels in bedrooms at night
- The active carbon filter’s placement at the front end of the system provides you with easy access when you need to replace it.
- Its carbon filter used for dog odor is located on the front end pre-filter and may not be as effective as other designs
- This air purifier has a tendency to heat up with extended use and may overheat if not given some operational downtime
#5. GERMGUARDIAN AC5250PT 3-IN-1 AIR PURIFIER
The GermGuardian might be ideally suited for smaller rooms with limited space. It is Energy Star certified and will operate with less energy than some models on this list.
Due to the three-stage filtering system, this product comes at a reasonable price point that may appeal to those with a limited budget. Its blue indicator light is visible at a distance, allowing you to monitor its operating status at a distance.
- The antimicrobial design element in this model helps to eliminate odors that can build up over time in the purifier
- This filtering system has five-speed levels that provide more control options to users
- Its tall body is sleek and provides a small footprint at the base that can be placed in smaller areas
- Its UV-C light system will eliminate odors but will not be an ozone-free filter option
- A somewhat distracting plastic odor will be expelled from the air purifier when it is first used
Our Verdict
While each of the air purifiers examined above will work efficiently on dog odors, we feel that the Winix WAC9500 Ultimate Pet True HEPA Air Cleaner is the best air purifier for dog smell and odor.
The unit itself is easy to use and avoids over-complicated controls that can be hard to use at night. Its sleep mode is also an advantage in bedrooms as you try to sleep.
This model provides two distinct odor removing filter stages that are a step up from the carbon only designs. Lastly, its odor detection sensors allow it to activate when smells are detected.