The best air purifier for a home with pets is the $169.99 Levoit Vital 200S-P, which adds a U-shaped second air inlet to pull in pet hair and takes an optional Pet filter that held its particle performance in lab testing, according to HouseFresh, an independent site that tests air purifiers. It was listed at that price.
HouseFresh found the Pet filter, which carries 150 g more carbon than the standard filter, cleared its test room of PM1 particles in 24 minutes, the same as the original filter. That means pet owners can add odor control without giving up particle removal (HouseFresh, “Levoit Vital 200S ▸▸ Still Worth It In 2026?”).
The $119.99 Levoit Vital 100S-P is the smaller pick with a Pet Mode, the $179.99 Winix 5510 keeps its carbon and HEPA filters separate, and the $269.99 Levoit Core 600S-P covers big open rooms where pets roam.
Best air purifier for pets: hair, dander and odor features compared
Prices from Amazon at time of writing. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.
| Spec | Levoit Vital 200S-P | Levoit Vital 100S-P | Winix 5510 | Levoit Core 600S-P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 | $119.99 | $179.99 | $269.99 |
| Pet hair intake | Extra U-shaped inlet | Wide U-shaped inlet | Washable fine-mesh pre-filter | 360-degree intake |
| Pre-filter | Separate, washable | Washable (rinse with water) | Washable fine mesh | Part of 3-stage filter |
| Carbon for odor | 250 g standard; 400 g in Pet, Toxin or Smoke filters (HouseFresh) | Activated carbon layer | 226 g in a separate filter (HouseFresh) | Smoke Remover and Toxin filter options |
| Pet-specific mode | Pet Allergy filter option | Pet Mode | No | No |
| Listed CADR or coverage | Smoke 250 CFM; up to 1,875 sq ft/hr | 222 sq ft at 4.8 changes/hr | 392 sq ft (AHAM); 1,882 sq ft/hr | 391 CFM; 606 sq ft in 12.5 min |
| Buy | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Levoit Vital 200S-P: Best overall for pets
Levoit says the 200S-P’s added U-shaped inlet traps airborne pet hair and odors without clogging. Its pre-filter is separate from the main filter, so you can clean it without disturbing the HEPA layer, which Consumer Analysis, a YouTube channel that measures airflow, counted as a plus along with its pelleted carbon and a button that turns off every light (Consumer Analysis, “Levoit Vital 200S-P Review – Is It a Bad Air Purifier?”). HouseFresh’s verdict: “For pet owners, the Vital 200S is still the smarter buy” (HouseFresh, “Levoit Vital 200S ▸▸ Still Worth It In 2026?”). $169.99. See the Levoit Vital 200S-P on Amazon.
- AHAM Verifide CADR: 250 CFM smoke (listing)
- Pet, Toxin and Smoke filters carry 400 g of pelleted carbon vs 250 g standard (HouseFresh)
- Auto and Sleep modes; VeSync app
- Yearly filter: $49.99, per HouseFresh
Levoit Vital 100S-P: Best for smaller rooms
The Vital 100S-P has a Pet Mode and a wide U-shaped inlet that Levoit says traps pet fur and large particles. Its pre-filter rinses clean with water, and its carbon layer targets pet odors and VOCs. Harry B, a YouTube reviewer, pointed pet owners to it for its auto mode, which ramps up when it senses dust or dander, and its washable pre-filter that catches the big pet hair (Harry B, “Best Air Purifier for Bedroom – Top 5 HEPA Air Purifiers”). $119.99. See the Levoit Vital 100S-P on Amazon.
- Cleans 222 sq ft 4.8 times an hour or 1,073 sq ft once an hour (listing)
- Light-sensing display dims at night; 25 dB sleep mode
- App schedules by mode, including Pet Mode
- 99.97% capture of 0.1 to 0.3 micron particles, per Levoit
Winix 5510: Best if you want separate filters
The 5510 keeps its carbon filter and True HEPA filter separate. HouseFresh says it prefers unbonded filters because you can keep using the particle filter once the carbon is spent, which often happens first (HouseFresh, “Levoit Vital 200S vs Winix 5510 – Battle of the Mid-sized Air Purifiers”). Project Farm, a YouTube channel that buys every product it tests, ranked the Winix 5510 first overall in its air purifier roundup (Project Farm, “We Tested Every Air Purifier! One Clear Winner!”). $179.99. See the Winix 5510 on Amazon.
- Washable fine-mesh pre-filter
- 226 g of carbon in the standard carbon filter (HouseFresh)
- AHAM Verifide at 392 sq ft; auto mode and LED air quality light
- Replacement filter set: $79.99, per HouseFresh
Levoit Core 600S-P: Best for large open rooms
Levoit calls the Core 600S-P its most powerful purifier, built for extra-large rooms, open floor plans and high ceilings. Its listed CADR is 391 CFM, enough for 606 sq ft every 12.5 minutes. It offers Smoke Remover and Toxin filter options for odors and an auto mode that adjusts fan speed to air quality. $269.99. See the Levoit Core 600S-P on Amazon.
- 3-stage filtration; 99.97% of 0.1 to 0.3 micron particles, including dander (listing)
- HEPA-grade in Sleep Mode with the Original Filter, per Levoit
- VeSync app and Alexa control
- Largest coverage of these four picks
Pet Owner Tips From the Reviews
- Clean the pre-filter often. A clean pre-filter keeps airflow up and extends the main filter’s life, HouseFresh says. It suggests vacuuming slide-out pre-filters every 2 to 4 weeks in pet homes (HouseFresh, “Coway Mighty2 → The BEST Air Purifier for Most People?”).
- Buy carbon for odor. HouseFresh says the standard 250 g and 226 g carbon loads in the Vital 200S and Winix 5510 are “way too low” for serious fumes, and suggests the Vital’s 400 g Pet, Toxin or Smoke filters for extra odor control (HouseFresh, “Levoit Vital 200S vs Winix 5510 – Battle of the Mid-sized Air Purifiers”).
How These Picks Were Chosen
I have not tested these purifiers myself. Specs come from the Amazon listings and maker claims, prices from Amazon at time of writing, and test results from HouseFresh, Consumer Analysis, Project Farm and Harry B, credited in each section.
What Reviewers Found About Pet Purifiers
- The Vital 200S’s Pet filter matched the original filter’s 24-minute PM1 clean while adding 150 g of carbon (HouseFresh, “Levoit Vital 200S ▸▸ Still Worth It In 2026?”).
- With the filter cost and energy combined, HouseFresh estimated the Vital 200S 33% cheaper to run each year than the Winix 5510 (HouseFresh, “Levoit Vital 200S vs Winix 5510 – Battle of the Mid-sized Air Purifiers”).
- The Vital 200S-P’s separate pre-filter can be cleaned without risking the main filter (Consumer Analysis, “Levoit Vital 200S-P Review – Is It a Bad Air Purifier?”).
- The Vital 100S is a strong pick for pet owners who want a set-and-forget smart purifier (Harry B, “Best Air Purifier for Bedroom – Top 5 HEPA Air Purifiers”).
Video: HouseFresh, “Levoit Vital 200S ▸▸ Still Worth It In 2026?”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do air purifiers help with pet hair?
The pre-filter catches airborne hair and larger debris, and the main filter catches dander. You still need to vacuum floors.
What is the best air purifier for pet odor?
Look for more carbon. HouseFresh recommends the Vital 200S’s 400 g Pet, Toxin or Smoke filters over the 250 g standard filter.
Which pick has a pet mode?
The Levoit Vital 100S-P lists a Pet Mode. The Vital 200S-P offers a Pet Allergy filter.
Sources
- Amazon listing: Levoit Vital 200S-P
- Amazon listing: Levoit Vital 100S-P
- Amazon listing: Winix 5510
- Amazon listing: Levoit Core 600S-P
- HouseFresh, “Levoit Vital 200S ▸▸ Still Worth It In 2026?”
- HouseFresh, “Levoit Vital 200S vs Winix 5510 – Battle of the Mid-sized Air Purifiers”
- Consumer Analysis, “Levoit Vital 200S-P Review – Is It a Bad Air Purifier?”
- Project Farm, “We Tested Every Air Purifier! One Clear Winner!”
- Harry B, “Best Air Purifier for Bedroom – Top 5 HEPA Air Purifiers”
Related: Best Air Purifier for Allergies | Best Air Purifier for Bedroom | Levoit Vital 200S vs Winix 5510
Notes and disclosure
Note: Prices come from Amazon listings at time of writing. CADR and coverage figures are the manufacturers’ listed numbers unless a reviewer is credited. Prices change often, so check the current listing.