Are you looking for the best air filter for your home with pets? If so, you're in the right place. MERV 9-12 filters are great for capturing smaller allergens, such as pet dander, which is ideal for people with allergies. MERV 13-16 ratings are the highest air cleaners can achieve, and they can block bacteria and viruses, making them perfect for those with severe respiratory conditions or sensitivities. Air purifiers with carbon filters are also great for keeping odors to a minimum.
Activated charcoal is the main ingredient in these filters, and it can filter out odors from wet litter boxes or pet beds to keep your home smelling fresh. Some activated carbon air purifiers come with additional air filters within the same unit, which work together to eliminate odors and trap particles in the air. The Levoit Core P350 Pet Care air purifier is specifically designed for homes with pets and has a superior filtration system with a special grade H13 true HEPA filter. This filter can remove 99.7% of air pollutants, such as dust mites, dander, pollen and other allergens, from a room up to 219 square feet.
Ultraviolet light is often used in commercial office buildings, hospitals and research facilities to treat filtered air and gain the additional benefit of treating components of the air that cannot be trapped by filters. This doesn't mean the filtration is inferior; it has a HEPA-grade filter that traps 99.97% of dust, pet dander, and pollen from the air. MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) ratings are the primary rating system for air filters, and each category can filter different contaminants based on their size. If an air purifier has an industry-standard HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) filter, it can remove up to 99.97 percent of airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns or larger, including pet dander. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about the best filters for homes with pets.
For example, green indicates good air quality, yellow is moderate, and red indicates unhealthy air quality. The HoMedics air purifier has a HEPA filter that removes 99% of air pollutants and a UV-C function that kills bacteria and viruses. The air purifier will filter the air your family breathes and remove visible fur, but it will also eliminate microscopic things that you can't see but that will affect your breathing. A MERV 13 filter is best for people with asthma and allergies because it filters pet dander particles, pollen, dust mites, and even airborne viruses. A negative ion air purifier artificially produces negative ions, and instead of sucking in air and trapping contaminants, this type of air purifier injects invisible puffs of negative ions into a room.
However, MERV 13 air filters have the added benefit of being able to trap airborne viruses and bacteria. These air filters have a layer of activated carbon that is capable of attracting odor particles and trapping them within the carbon material. However, if there are other air quality issues, you might consider improving it by combining it with an additional filter or using an oven filter designed to minimize pet allergies. The Germ Guardian air purifier is a small but powerful device that filters odors and eliminates viruses and germs. Although you can choose MERV 11 filters to help keep the air clean when you welcome a pet into the family, MERV 13 filters are the best option if you also have newborns or older family members who live with you who are more susceptible to getting sick. Depending on quality, a charcoal filter will also remove smoke and volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the air and eliminate kitchen odors and many types of chemical odors.
