The 5 Best Air Purifiers For Cat Litter Dust
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While UV purifiers, plasmawave technology, and other features increase an air purifier’s value for some customers, a good filtration system is all you need to get rid of airborne cat litter dust.
The best air purifiers have strong filtration systems that catch particles both large and small, control odors, and give you a fast, efficient clean.
After spending hours researching air purification technology and evaluating over a dozen air purifiers, we recommend the following five products as the best air purifiers for cat litter dust.
At the top of our list is the Blue Pure 211+ air purifier. This stylish, straightforward unit has everything you need to reduce airborne dust and control litter box odors.
At a Glance: Best Air Purifiers For Cat Litter Dust To Buy
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Air Purifiers For Cat Litter Dust
|
Best For Small Homes
2. LEVOIT Core 300 True HEPA Air Purifier with Custom Filters |
Best For People On A Budget
3. Hamilton Beach TrueAir Specialized Pet & Odor Eliminator Purifier |
Best For Large Homes
4. Alen BreatheSmart Classic Pet Dander/Odor Large Room Air Purifier |
Best For People With Allergies
5. Medify Air MA-40 Medical Grade Filtration Air Purifier |
|
|
Filtration System
Washable prefilter, particle filter, and carbon filter |
Filtration System
Ultra-fine prefilter, true HEPA filter, carbon filter |
Filtration System
Prefilter, permanent HEPA-grade filter, two carbon zeolite filters |
Filtration System
Washable pre-filter, HEPA OdorCell |
Filtration System
Pre-filter, Medical Grade H13 True HEPA Filter, Carbon Filter, Optional Anion Generator |
|
CADR
AHAM certified for 350 cubic feet per minute |
CADR
140 cubic feet per minute (AHAM rated for dust) |
CADR
Not available |
CADR
300 cubic feet per minute |
CADR
330 square feet per minute |
|
Key Strengths
An all-around high-performance air purifier |
Key Strengths
A small air purifier that does everything well |
Key Strengths
One of the most popular budget-level air purifiers |
Key Strengths
A robust, fast air purifier that cleans large rooms with ease |
Key Strengths
22.4” x 15.38” x 8” |
|
Ideal For
People who want a well-rounded, mid-range air purifier |
Ideal For
People who want a compact, mid-priced air purifier |
Ideal For
People who want a reliable low-cost air purifier |
Ideal For
People with large rooms who want a smart, strong air purifier |
Ideal For
People who want to eliminate litter box odors |
How Do You Choose The Best Air Purifiers For Cat Litter Dust?
Respirable cat litter dust measures less than 10 microns in diameter. In terms of air purification, those are big particles—easy pickings for any top-of-the-line air purifier.
The Best Purifiers Are Outfitted With Hepa Filters, Which Capture 99.97% Of .3 Microns And Above.
The best HEPA filters capture particles as tiny as cat dander and radioactive contaminants, but such a top-level HEPA filter isn’t necessary for dust alone. In fact, much of your cat litter dust won’t make it there. Instead, the pre-filter will catch it before it reaches the less-porous, more expensive primary filter.
If you’re looking to control dust alone, an ultra-fine filter may not be necessary. Anyone who wants to capture bacteria, smoke, and dander, however, should look for a purifier with a good HEPA filter.
The Best Air Purifiers For Cat Litter Dust Have A High CADR(Clean Air Delivery Rate).
A fast purifier will clean an entire room six or more times per hour, keeping the air fresh all day and night. But since rooms vary in size, we need a standard rate by which we can compare various air purifiers. That’s where the CADR comes in.
This value represents the number of cubic feet the air purifier cleans every minute. Your numbers will differ based on which types of pollutants are present in the air. While there’s no way of knowing how the purifier will handle your air composition, it helps to look for CADR numbers specific to different pollutants.
To help you get a clearer idea of the purifier’s efficacy, AHAM (the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) releases CADR numbers specific to various pollutants. Products are tested for their ability to purify tobacco smoke, pollen, and dust.
The Best Air Purifiers For Cat Litter Dust Aren’t Just Fast. They’re Energy-efficient, Too.
Air purifiers span the price spectrum, with some costing less than a bag of (fancy) cat food and others going for $800 or more. What you pay upfront matters, but you’ll also want to think about operating costs. Look for air purifiers that are Energy Star certified for energy efficiency and which feature multiple filters to extend the longevity of each.
Look For Purifiers That Excel In Odor Neutralizing.
The best air purifiers tackle both dust and odors. Look for units that contain a prefilter to capture large particles, a secondary filter to capture smaller particles, and a carbon filter or other odor-neutralizing filter.
Our Top Picks For The Best Air Purifiers For Cat Litter Dust
Now that you have a better understanding of how we came to our top picks, you’re probably eager to see them! Here are our 5 favorites for air purifiers for cat litter dust:
Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier
Product Info
- Filtration System: Washable prefilter, particle filter, and carbon filter
- CADR: AHAM certified for 350 cubic feet per minute
- Key Strengths: An all-around high-performance air purifier
- Ideal For: People who want a well-rounded, mid-range air purifier
- One of the most aesthetically-pleasing air purifiers on the market
- Has a triple filtration system for a complete clean
- Energy-efficient and cost-effective
- Simple one-button operation
- A quiet, unobtrusive air purifier
- Cat litter dust and other larger particles will visibly gather on the external prefilter
- Doesn’t have a true HEPA filter—not a good option for people with severe allergies and sensitivities
- Some reviewers say that the air purifier produces a bad smell when it’s new
It has a three-level filtration system featuring a washable fabric prefilter, a particle filter for smaller particles like allergens, mold, and other irritants, and finally, a carbon filter to neutralize odors.
Though the particle filter falls just short of HEPA requirements, most users won’t notice much of a difference. Customer reviews say that the purifier handles everything they throw at it, from “stinky stagnant air” to dust and pollen.
Though it’s not the cheapest air purifier you can buy—at $295, it’s right around the middle of the price spectrum—this air purifier is an efficient investment. It’s Energy Star rated for best-in-class energy efficiency. A washable prefilter cuts down on your replacement costs.
One of this air purifier’s biggest selling points is its appearance. With multiple prefilter colors and a boxy, Apple-esque design, this is a refreshing switch from air purifiers that look like they belong in a hospital. One reviewer even went so far as to suggest that this air purifier might earn you a few friends. Tips650 says that “once you pull this baby out of the box, you’ll instantly transcend to ‘the guy with the cool air purifier’.”
The bulk of negative reviews revolve around the air purifier’s tendency to produce an intense plastic smell when it’s new.
LEVOIT Core 300 True HEPA Air Purifier with Custom Filters
Product Info
- Filtration System: Ultra-fine prefilter, true HEPA filter, carbon filter
- CADR: 140 cubic feet per minute (AHAM rated for dust)
- Key Strengths: A small air purifier that does everything well
- Ideal For: People who want a compact, mid-priced air purifier
- Uses a three-filter system, which increases the unit’s longevity and ensures the capture of cat litter dust and other particles
- A fast, efficient purifier appropriate for rooms measuring up to 215 square feet
- One of the most feature-rich air purifiers you can buy for under $100
- Energy Star Certified for energy efficiency
- A passive purifier that doesn’t produce any harmful emissions
- Compatible with a variety of replacement filters geared towards specific needs
- Some reviewers say that the purifier puts off a plastic smell when it’s new
The unit has a three-filter system that includes an ultra-fine prefilter, which will capture larger particles of cat litter dust, a true HEPA filter rated to capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns in size.
At just under $100, it’s one of the cheaper purifiers you can buy and, in addition to its low up-front cost, the purifier has several features for greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The air purifier is Energy Star Certified and designed for longevity, with an “excellent internal structure” that “increases abrasion resist”. With 2, 4, 6, and 8-hour timers, you’re able to control how long the air purifier runs—another life-extending feature.
Though the purifier comes standard with Levoit’s original filter, customers can replace it with specialized filters for pet allergies, toxins, and mold and bacteria.
Reviewers say that it’s attractive, compact enough to put almost anywhere, and noticeably freshens the air. While most customer reviews are positive, this purifier isn’t exempt from complaints.
The number one problem mentioned in negative reviews was the unit’s smell. Numerous reviewers were disappointed by the purifier’s tendency to put off an intense plastic smell during the first few hours of operation.
Hamilton Beach TrueAir Specialized Pet & Odor Eliminator Purifier
Product Info
- Filtration System: Prefilter, permanent HEPA-grade filter, two carbon zeolite filters
- CADR: Not available
- Key Strengths: One of the most popular budget-level air purifiers
- Ideal For: People who want a reliable low-cost air purifier
- One of the most affordable air purifiers you can buy
- Has a three-level filtration system to capture large and small particles and odors
- Uses a permanent particle filter for greater longevity
- Some reviewers say that the air purifier is ineffective
- Doesn’t have a true HEPA filter and not appropriate for people with severe respiratory issues
In addition to being one of the cheapest air purifiers you can buy, it’s an economical long-term investment. Instead of replacing it every few months, you’ll vacuum the particle filter to remove accumulated dust.
Though the main particle filter isn’t a true HEPA filter, this shouldn’t be an issue for casual users without a medical need for HEPA filtration. Most reviewers say that it does a good job of capturing airborne contaminants, but a few say that it’s ineffective.
Alen BreatheSmart Classic Pet Dander/Odor Large Room Air Purifier
Product Info
- Filtration System: Washable pre-filter, HEPA OdorCell
- CADR: 300 cubic feet per minute
- Key Strengths: A robust, fast air purifier that cleans large rooms with ease
- Ideal For: People with large rooms who want a smart, strong air purifier
- Smart functionalities give you more control over your purification experience
- Capable of quickly purifying large rooms
- Energy Star certified for energy efficiency
- Has a sleek, subtle appearance and comes in eight colors
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
- One of the most expensive air purifiers you can buy
The unit is smart, too, with helpful features like an Air Quality Indicator Light, a Laser Smart Sensor that detects tiny airborne particles, and a self-adjusting Auto Mode that changes fan speed to adapt to an ever-changing environment.
The unit’s filtration system is designed for odor-heavy spaces like your cat’s litter box area. The Odorcell filter includes a pre-filter, HEPA PURE filter to capture allergens and other irritants, and a deodorizing layer featuring Alen’s patented “Molecular Conversion Powder”.
Medify Air MA-40 Medical Grade Filtration Air Purifier
Product Info
- Filtration System: Pre-filter, Medical Grade H13 True HEPA Filter, Carbon Filter, Optional Anion Generator
- CADR: 330 square feet per minute
- Key Strengths: 22.4” x 15.38” x 8”
- Ideal For: People who want to eliminate litter box odors
- With its medical-grade HEPA filter, this air purifier is a good option for people with cat dander allergies
- Cleans the air quickly and efficiently
- Energy Star certified
- Features an air quality indicator light for easy monitoring
- None
In addition to outstanding allergen filtration, this device has just about every feature you’d want from an air purifier. It cleans rooms of up to 1,300 square feet in a single hour, allows you to toggle between four fan speeds, and features an air quality indicator light.
Compared to other air purifiers with medical-grade filtration, this air purifier is one of the cheapest you can buy. On Amazon, the purifier normally sells for $274.63, but at the time of this writing, it’s on sale for $194.63.
Final Thoughts
In addition to a good air purifier, make sure you’re using the right cat litter.
Whether it’s corn or crystalline silica, cat litter dust is almost unavoidable. But it is possible to fill your box with lung-friendly cat litter. In conjunction with a good air purifier, a dustless or almost-dustless litter could help both you and your cat lead cleaner, safer lives.
Check out our article on the best dust-free cat litter on the market.
