Air Purifiers: The Buying Guide For Bird Owners (2023)
Hello and welcome to the ultimate bird owner’s guide to air purifiers!
This article aims to match your specific situation to an ideal air purifier that will eliminate bird dander from your atmosphere.
As a cockatiel owner myself, I know just how bad the dust can get.
Whether your birds live in a small apartment room or in a huge indoor aviary, I guarantee you’ll find the right air purifier to meet your conditions here today.
Firstly, I want to discuss why inhaling bird dander is harmful and how air purifiers can benefit all bird owners.
I don’t want to waste your time, so let’s get straight into it!
If you already know the harmful effects of excessive bird dander inhalation, feel free to use the quick navigation below to jump straight to the number 1 air purifier.
Affiliate links are present throughout this article, which means I earn a small commission for qualified purchases made through those links. It doesn’t cost you any extra and helps keep my lights on💡
Quick Navigation:
- How Bird Dander Can Be Harmful
- 1) Levoit LV-H134 – #1 Best Air Purifier For Bird Owners
- 2) Levoit Core 300/300S Air Purifier
- 3) Medify MA-40
- 4) AROEVE MK01 Portable Air Purifier
- 5) Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier – Best Value For Money
- 6) Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Stage 5 Filtration
- 7) Germ Guardian AC4825E Air Purifier – #1 Best Budget Pick For Bird Owners
- 8) Coway AirMega 250 Air Purifier
- 9) Coway AirMega AP-1512HH
- Conclusion
How Bird Dander Can Be Harmful
When inhaled excessively, bird dander can wreak havoc on the respiratory systems of both you and your beloved parrots.
Breathing in too much bird dander has the potential to cause or aggravate respiratory issues.
Bird dust can be especially damaging to those suffering from asthma, allergies, or other serious lung conditions.
Just look at the dust that comes off this cockatiel:
Just think, these guys fluff up like that multiple times an hour, imagine how damaging a day’s worth of dust can be when lingering in the atmosphere.
Cockatiels, African grey parrots, and cockatoos are much dustier than most other bird species.
Due to their excessive dust, those three birds are called “powder down birds”.
Air purifiers are beneficial to all bird owners, but they’re absolutely crucial for those living with these extra powdery birds.
So, how can an air purifier benefit you as a bird owner?
How Air Purifiers Benefit Bird Owners
Basically, an air purification device is an investment in air quality.
It takes air from the surrounding area and traps any dust particles and airborne pollutants within its filter while also delivering clean air into your home.
As a bird owner, the primary airborne pollutant within your home would be your bird’s dander.
But most air purifiers are also good for removing these other contaminants from the atmosphere:
- Dust
- Hair
- Pollen
- Smoke
- Gases
- Odours
Removing these pollutants from the air is also good for you and your bird.
Since birds have very sensitive respiratory systems, it’s important for the air to be as clean and pollutant-free as possible at all times
Most air purifiers do this effectively, but there are some that are simply more suited for bird owners.
What Makes An Air Purifier Good For Bird Owners?
There are many components that make up a good air purifier, but bird owners should mainly focus on these features:
- How much space the device can purify
- How long it takes to purify that space (CFM/CADR)
- Device filter size and life
- Particle size that can be trapped by the filter
CFM = Cubic Feet of air that can be processed by the device every Minute
CADR = Clean Air Delivery Rate
Most air purifiers will have either a CFM or CADR rating as they mean almost the same thing. A low-end air purifier will have a CFM rate of 100 – 120, but a good device will typically be within the 200 – 250 range, which is excellent.
Generally, the higher the CFM or CADR rating, the more powerful the air purifier is.
The CFM rating that is ideal for you will depend on many things, such as how many birds you have and how large their living space is.
Below you’ll find the 9 best air purifiers on the market for bird owners.
I chose each device very carefully to match a whole range of different circumstances related to bird ownership.
For example, I know many bird owners that are on tight budgets, so there are a few budget options.
Before showcasing each air purifier, I first want to give you a quick warning…
Beware Of Ionizers, “PlasmaWave” Tech, & Ozone
Some of the air purifiers on this list have an “ionization” option, some purifiers call this “PlasmaWave” but the two terms are pretty much interchangeable.
Ozone is a by-product of ionizer technology and can be harmful to pet birds.
But don’t worry, the ionization tech can be left off on any device that includes it, making the air purifier bird safe. If you’re concerned about whether or not turning off the ionisation actually makes it safe, I’ll let you know if the device has this option under the “cons” section and you can decide if you want to purchase it or not.
If you believe it’s too much of a risk, there are plenty of air purifiers without an ionizer.
Now that you’re aware of that, let’s discuss each air purifier, starting off with my personal favourite…
1) Levoit LV-H134 – #1 Best Air Purifier For Bird Owners
Key Features:
- Device dimensions: 13″ L x 13′ D x 29″ H
- Weight: 27 Pounds (12.2 KG)
- CFM = 312
- Maximum space coverage: 700 Square feet
- 360° Air intake
- 3 Stage filtration: 1) Prefilter, 2) True H13 HEPA Filter, 3) High-quality activated carbon filter
- Filter life: Manufactures suggest replacing filters every 6 – 8 months
- Includes filter check indicator
- 3 Fan speeds: Low, medium, and high
- Auto mode: Adjusts between fan speeds based on air quality
- Sleep mode: Turns off the display light and runs on the slowest/quietest fan speed
- Timer setting: 1 – 12 Hours
- Lowest fan speed noise level: 23 dB
- Air quality indicator: Red = Bad air quality, Orange = Moderate air quality, Green = Good air quality, Blue = Excellent air quality
- Has wheels for portability (Can only be pushed forwards or backwards)
- Control method: Touchscreen on the top
- Power usage: 45 Watts. Will add roughly $3.80 a month to the energy bill when run for 24 hours a day on the highest setting
- Power source: AC (Plugged into the wall)
- Included in the box: 1x air purifier device (already inside the purifier), 1x LV-H134 filter, 1x power cord, and 1x user manual
- Price: Ranges between $300 – $350 View Amazon’s latest price
Pros:
- Large True HEPA Filter – To be titled a true HEPA filter, it must be able to trap 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. Not only is the HEPA filter included in the Levoit LV-H134, but the filter is very large, which ultimately extends its life.
- Quality Activated Carbon Filter – Part of the 3 layered filtration includes the high-quality activated carbon filter. While the HEPA filter takes care of those tiny dust particles, the carbon filter absorbs gases from the atmosphere. Unlike some other purification devices that use low-quality fibrous carbon filters, the LV-H134 uses much more effective carbon pellets.
- 360° Air Intake – Taking in polluted air from all sides makes the device very effective. It also gives you the option to put the air purifier against the wall as you don’t need to worry about blocking airflow.
- High output – Compared to most other air purifiers on the market, the LV-H134 has a very high CFM of 312. This high output allows it to quickly purify the air of larger spaces, which is ideal for bird owners. Even CFM rates of 200 – 250 are great, but this device goes beyond that!
- Great for large spaces – According to the manufacturers, the LV-H134 is ideal for purifying 710 square feet of space. For visualisation, the average 2-car garage is around 400 square feet, which is over half the size of this device’s maximum space coverage.
Cons:
- Expensive – Although all the quality features make this a very valuable air purifier, it’s still rather expensive, being sold between 300$ – 350$ depending on where you buy it. Not only is the air purifier itself pricey, but the replacement filters can cost roughly 70$ each. This might not be the option for you if you’re on a budget.
- Wheels – The wheels on the LV-H134 would have been helpful for portability if they could wheel in any direction like a shopping cart, however, the wheels are stuck in place and it can only be pushed backwards and forwards on the wheels. It’s simply easier to just pick up the device, which defeats the whole purpose of the wheels.
Thoughts & Opinions On The Levoit LV-H134:
The Levoit LV-H134 is definitely one of the best air purifiers on the market for bird owners. Not only does it have a True H13 HEPA filter to eliminate almost all bird dander from the air, but it can do this fast and within a large space (710 square feet or less). Due to this air purifier’s high CFM rate, it’s effective in large indoor aviaries with multiple birds as it can clear the high amount of dust from those rooms super quickly. The price definitely reflects the quality of this air purifier, putting it outside the reach of many bird owners. That’s definitely the biggest downside to the Levoit LV-H134.
2) Levoit Core 300/300S Air Purifier
Key Features:
- Device dimensions: 9″ L x 9″ D x 14″ H
- Weight: 7.5 Pounds (3.4KG)
- CFM = 140
- Purifies 219 square feet of space 5 times within an hour
- Maximum space coverage: 230 square feet
- 360° Air Intake
- 4 fan speeds: Sleep, low, medium, and fast
- Timer settings: 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours until auto shut off
- Sleep mode: Turns off display lights and runs on the lowest/quietest fan speed
- Slowest fan speed produces roughly 24 dB
- 3-stage filtration: 1) Cleanable pre-filter, 2) H13 True HEPA Filter, 3) Activated carbon filter
- 4 Types of replacement filters are available: Original, pet allergy, toxin absorber, and smoke remover
- Filter life: Manufacturers suggest replacing the filter every 6 – 8 months
- Filter check indicator
- Power usage: 45 watts. Will add roughly 4$ to your monthly energy bill when run for 24 hours a day
- Power source: AC (Plugged into the wall)
- Control method: Touchscreen
- 300S model can be run via mobile app or voiced controlled with Google and Alexa
- 300S model has an auto mode: Adjusts fan speed based on air quality
- 300S model has an air quality sensor
- Included in the box: 1x Levoit Core 300 air purifier, 1x True HEPA 3stage original filter (already inside the device), 1x User manual, 1x Quick start guide
- Price ranges from 99$ – 200$. View Amazon’s latest price
Pros:
- 360° Air Intake – Both the 300 and 300S models have 360° air intake, which is useful for reducing as much bird dander from the vicinity as possible.
- Very Lightweight – Being only less than 8 pounds in weight makes this air purifier very portable. You can easily pick this device up in one hand and move it to another room whenever you decide to move your birds.
- Uses True HEPA Filter – Although it’s a compact device, it uses a high-quality True HEPA filter, catching 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. In other words, it will pick up the super fine dust particles of African grey parrots and cockatiels.
Cons:
- Low CFM Output – Due to its compact size and relatively low price, the core 300 air purifier has a pretty low CFM rate of 140. This is not bad for bedrooms, but this device will take longer to purify larger spaces.
- Small Filter – The filter size of the core 300 is pretty small, especially when compared to the large filter size of the LV-H134 model. Having a small filter means it’ll need to be replaced more often. Although the manufacturers recommend changing it every 6 – 8 months, you’ll likely be doing it much more frequently, especially if you have lots of birds that can clog up the filter with their dander pretty quickly.
- Fewer Features on the 300 Model – The 300 model does not include an auto mode or an air quality indicator, which are favoured features of an air purifier. The slightly more expensive 300S model has these features as well as an app to control the device and voice activation through Google and Alexa.
Thoughts & Opinions On The Levoit Core 300:
The Levoit Core 300 is a compact air purifier that is suitable for bird owners living in apartments or who have their birds living in a bedroom. Although it’s advertised as being able to clear 550 square feet of space, it simply doesn’t have the CFM rate to do this effectively and is much better for spaces less than 230 square feet, which is a bit larger than the commonly sized bedroom. As a budget option, it’s pretty good as other air purifiers within this price range have less CFM with a lower quality filter. Generally, the Levoit Core 300/300S is ideal if you’re on a budget and have your birds living in a smaller space, but you may want to explore other options if you live in a larger space.
3) Medify MA-40
Key Features:
- Device dimensions: 10.5″ L x 11″ W x 22″ H
- Weight: 15 Pounds (7KG)
- CFM = Roughly 230
- Maximum space coverage: Can clear 840 square feet in 30 minutes, according to manufacturers
- 3 Fan speeds: Low, medium, and high
- Lowest fan speed noise level: Independently measured at 55 – 57 dB, which is 10 decibels higher than advertised
- Highest fan speed noise level: 66 dB
- 3 Stage filtration: 1) Prefilter, 2) H13 True HEPA Filter, 3) Pellet-based activated carbon filter
- Check filter indicator after 3,000 hours (4 – 5 months) of use
- Takes in air from the back, and delivers air through the front
- Timer setting: Can be set for 1, 2, 4, or 8 hours until auto shut off
- Child lock: Will lock other settings until child lock is turned off
- Sleep mode: Turns off display lights and runs on lowest fan speed for 8 hours
- Sleep mode and fan speed are controlled via the same button
- Control method: Touch screen on the top
- Includes an ionizer: Can be switched ON/OFF
- Power source: Electric cord (must be plugged into the wall)
- Power usage: 68 Watts. Will add roughly $5.90 to the monthly energy bill when run for 24 hours a day
- Included in the box: 1x MA-40 Air Purifier, 1x H13 True HEPA Filter (already inside the device)
- Price: Ranges from 350$ – 400$ depending on the place of purchase. View Amazon’s latest price
Pros:
- H13 True HEPA Filter – The Medify MA-40 air purifier comes equipped with a 3-stage filtration unit that includes an H13 True HEPA filter that has a 99.97% efficiency with trapping particles as small as 0.3 microns. It also has a high-quality pellet-based activated carbon filter, which is effective for absorbing gases and smoke.
- Large Maximum Space Coverage – According to the manufacturers, the MA-40 can cover 840 square feet of space in 30 minutes and 1,600 square feet in 1 hour. This is a huge coverage space compared to most other air purifiers.
Cons:
- Expensive – Not only is the air purifier itself rather expensive (350 – 400$) but the replacement filters that you need to buy every 4 – 5 months can also cost roughly 40$. For the hefty price, I personally would expect a higher CFM rate considering cheaper devices have much better CFM rates.
- Includes Ionizer – The MA-40 includes an ionizer option. The by-product of the ionization is ozone in the atmosphere, which is harmful to birds. Luckily, you can keep it off by simply not switching it on. Although ionization can be a good feature for other users, it’s definitely not acceptable for bird owners.
Thoughts & Opinions On The Medify MA-40:
For bird owners with large spaces, this could have been the top pick, however, the CFM rate simply makes it less effective than some of the other devices on this list. Don’t get me wrong, 230 CFM is not bad, it’s just that this air purifier is so expensive, I would expect much more output than this. For comparison, the Levoit LV-H134 has a much higher CFM rate with a similar space coverage and price. If you’re interested in the Medify MA-40, it’ll certainly do the job and remove bird dander from the atmosphere, but I think other air purifiers are more value for money.
4) AROEVE MK01 Portable Air Purifier
Key Features:
- Device dimensions: 6″ L x 6″ W x 10″ H
- Weight: 3 Pounds (1.3 Kg)
- Timer setting: 6, 12, or 24 hours until auto turn off
- Takes in the air from the front and back vents, and delivers air through the top
- Maximum space coverage: 215 Square feet on the highest fan speed
- CFM = Unspecified by manufacturers (wouldn’t be too high considering the price and size of the device)
- 3 fan speeds: Sleep (low), medium, and high
- Lowest fan speed noise level: 22 dB
- 3-stage filtration: 1) Prefilter, 2) H13 HEPA filter, 3) Activated carbon filter
- Filter life: Manufacturers suggest replacing the filter every 3 – 6 months
- Check filter indicator (red light) will turn on after 2000 hours of use
- The filter can be accessed and replaced by opening up the bottom of the device
- Control method: Buttons on the top
- Includes aroma pad: You can add essential oils to the aroma pad which will make the delivered air scented (Dangerous for birds, don’t use this feature)
- Light options: Can switch between LED light on the top and UV light behind the vents, or both can be switched on at the same time
- The UV lights behind the air vents are supposed to kill germs
- Power usage: 17 Watts. Will add roughly $1.50 to the monthly energy bill when run for 24 hours a day
- Power source: AC (Must be plugged into the wall)
- Price: Usually around 70$. View Amazon’s latest price
Pros:
- Very Portable – Both the size and weight of the MK01 air purifier make it easy to carry around and move to the next room. Weighing only 3 pounds, most people can easily lift this device with one hand.
- H13 HEPA Filter – The MK01 uses an H13 HEPA filter which can trap 99.95% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. This device also uses a low-quality fibrous carbon filter, so it won’t absorb gasses or smoke as well as it traps bird dander.
- Quiet On Lowest Fan Speed – This air purifier has 3 fan speeds, the lowest of which is designed for sleeping as it only produces 22 dB of sound. To activate the lowest setting, you need to touch the bottom button until the light is shown beneath the sleep icon on the left.
- Budget Price – The AROEVE air purifier is a good option for those on a tight budget, being sold for only 70$ on Amazon. However, the low price reflects the maximum space coverage, CFM rate, and filter size.
Cons:
- Unspecified CFM Rate – It’s kinda odd that both the Amazon product page nor the product page from AROEVE do not specify the CFM rate for this air purifier. Based on the price and size of the device, I’m going to assume that it’s less than 150, possibly even less than 100 CFM. Either way, I wouldn’t expect a high amount of circulation from this device, even on the highest setting.
- Low Maximum Space Coverage – 215 square feet is roughly larger than the average bedroom. So, if you’re looking for an air purifier to clear that space, this may be the device for you. However, if you’re looking to purify a larger space as many bird owners do, you may want to explore other options.
- Small Filter – Seeing as the device itself is only 10″ tall, the actual filter would be only a fraction of that, which is pretty small. A small filter means you’ll need to replace it more often, and that all adds up, especially when the filters are roughly 30$ each.
Thoughts & Opinions On The AROEVE MK01:
This air purifier is best for bird owners who live in relatively small spaces, such as apartments, or who have their birds in a small bedroom. It definitely wouldn’t be effective in spaces larger than 220 square feet. However, one way you could get around this is by purchasing multiple units and spreading them evenly throughout your house. Seeing as they’re pretty cheap, it wouldn’t cost much to do this. With a presumably low CFM rate, low spatial coverage, and low filter life, you might be better off saving your money for a much better unit. I would only buy this product if I was on an extremely tight budget and desperately needed an air purifier for my small bird room. In that very specific situation, this air purifier is one of the best options.
5) Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier – Best Value For Money
Key Features:
- Device dimensions: 15″ L x 8″ W x 23.6″ H
- Weight: 15.4 Pounds (7 Kg)
- CFM = 250
- Maximum space coverage: 300 – 350 Square feet
- 3-layered filtration: 1) Washable pre-filter, 2) True HEPA filter, 3) Pellet-based activated carbon filter
- 4 Fan speeds: Low, medium, high, and turbo
- Takes in air from the front and side vents and delivers purified air through the top
- Lowest fan speed noise level: 28 dB
- Highest fan speed noise level: 58 dB
- Air quality LED indicator: Blue = Good, Orange = Moderate, Red = Bad
- Sleep mode: Automatically activates when the room is darkened, then turns off all display lights (except for the sleep mode symbol) and runs on the lowest/quietest fan speed. Turns back to auto mode in the presence of light
- Auto mode: Automatically adjusts fan speed based on air quality picked up by the sensors
- Timer settings: 1, 4, or 8 hours until auto shut off
- Filter life: Manufacturers suggest replacing the filter every 12 months
- Filter check indicator on the right side of the device
- The filter can be accessed by removing the front panel
- Includes “PlasmaWave” ionization tech but it can be left off
- Control method: Buttons on the top, and also a remote control (batteries pre-installed) that comes with the purifier that can control the fan speed
- Power Usage: 54.8 Watts on the highest setting. Will add roughly $4.70 to the monthly energy bill when run for 24 hours a day.
- Power Source: AC/DC
- Price: Typically sold for 150$. View Amazon’s latest price
Pros:
- High CFM Output – A good CFM rate is what all bird owners should look for in an air purification device. The Winix 5500-2 has a CFM rate of 250, which is pretty high compared to other air purifiers within the same price range.
- Quite Energy Efficient – On the highest setting, the Winix 5500-2 only draws 54.8 watts of power, which is relatively low for an air purifier on maximum fan speed. When compared to the MA-40 which uses roughly 68 watts at its highest speed, you’ll really see how energy efficient the Winix is. If saving as much energy as possible is important to you, the Winix 5500-2 will serve you well.
- High-Quality Filtration – This air purifier comes with a True HEPA filter, which effectively removes 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. It also comes with a high-quality washable pre-filter, which catches larger particles that would otherwise wear down the HEPA filter. Lastly, this air purifier also includes a high-quality pellet-based activated carbon filter to absorb gases.
- Remote Control Included – Having a remote control for an air purifier might sound lazy, but for bird owners, it’ll come in handy. The remote allows you to adjust the fan speed from a distance while you’re busy tending to your feathered friends.
- Great value for money – Overall, the Winix 5500-2 is great value for money considering the good CFM, large space coverage, high-quality filtration, and remote control for just 150$. There aren’t too many other air purifiers with that amount of value for the price. In fact, there are lower-quality air purifiers that are more expensive.
Cons:
- Ionisation “PlasmaWave” Included – The only bad thing about this air purifier is that it has an ionization or “PlasmaWave” feature. This might be a good feature for some people, but the ozone that is produced from the ionizer is toxic to birds. Luckily, you can leave this feature turned off.
Thoughts & Opinions On The Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier:
If you want an air purifier with high-quality filtration and excellent CFM for a good price, the Winix 5500-2 might just be your best option. With a 300 – 350 square foot coverage, this air purifier could effectively be used in a medium to large bird room, living room, or kitchen area. The high-quality washable pre-filter will preserve the life of the HEPA filter by catching larger particles, leaving the much smaller particles (such as superfine bird dander) to be collected by the HEPA filter. With great value for money, this is probably one of the best air purifiers on the market for bird owners.
6) Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Stage 5 Filtration
Key Features:
- Device dimensions: 16.3″ L x 9.6″ W x 23.6″ H
- Weight: 19 Pounds (8.6 Kg)
- CFM = 200 (Dust), 194 (Smoke), 220 (Pollen)
- Maximum space coverage: 300 Square feet
- Takes in air from the front and sides, delivers purified air through the top
- 4 Stage filtration: 1) Pet filter, 2) Washable pre-filter, 3) Activated carbon filter, 4) True HEPA filter
- Pet filter life: 1 Month (there are 12 pet filters included in the box, meaning you have a whole year’s worth of replacement pet filters)
- HEPA filter life: Manufacturers suggest replacing it every 12 months
- Check filter indicator included
- 4 Fan speeds: Low, medium, high, and turbo
- Air Quality Indicator: Blue = Good, Orange = Moderate, Red = Bad air quality
- Auto mode: Adjusts fan speed based on current air quality
- Sleep mode: Turns off display lights (except the “sleep” indicator) and runs on the lowest/quietest fan setting
- Sleep mode automatically activates when lights are dimmed
- Lowest fan speed noise level: 27 dB
- Timer settings: Can be set for 1, 4, or 8 hours until auto shut off
- Child lock: Locks all other settings until child lock is turned off
- Includes “PlasmaWave” ionization tech but it can be left off. When it’s on, the “PlasmaWave” logo in the middle of the device will light up. When it’s off, there is no light
- Power source: Electric cord (Needs to be plugged into a wall socket)
- Power usage: 56 Watts. Will add $4.80 to monthly energy bill when run for 24 hours a day
- Price: Typically sold for around $160. View Amazon’s latest price
Pros:
- Extra Filtration Than Most Other Air Purifiers – Most air purifiers have 2 – 3 filters but the Winix HR900 has 4, which includes the pet filter in front of the pre-filter. Having that extra pre-filter will help preserve the life of the much more efficient HEPA filter, therefore saving you money on replacement HEPA filters.
- Generally Good Performance – Although the performance of the HR900 isn’t perfect, it’s still pretty good. With an average CFM of 205 and a maximum space coverage of 300 square feet, it’ll function well enough to remove bird dander from the atmosphere. Overall, there aren’t any big complaints about the performance.
- Includes Desirable Features – Auto mode, timer settings, an air quality indicator, and multiple fan speeds are all desirable features included on the Winix HR900. Many other air purifiers within the same price range don’t have these parts, so it’s good that this device does.
Cons:
- Has Ionization “PlasmaWave” Tech – As is the same with the Winix 5500-2, the ionization/PlasmaWave feature may be good for those without pets, but the ozone produced by the ionization can be harmful to birds. You can also keep this option off on the HR900 as well.
Thoughts & Opinions On The Winix HR900:
Overall, I think the Winix HR900 air purifier would have been a pretty decent option if the Winix 5500-2 didn’t exist. The 5500-2 model simply has a better CFM and space coverage for a slightly lower price than the HR900. If for whatever reason the Winix 5500-2 isn’t available to you, the HR900 is still a very solid choice and will effectively cover the average-sized living room, kitchen, or bird room, clearing excessive bird dander from the air. The only complaint I have is the “PlasmaWave” option, but you can just leave that off. Other than that, I have no issues with the HR900.
7) Germ Guardian AC4825E Air Purifier – #1 Best Budget Pick For Bird Owners
Key Features:
- Device dimensions: 7″ L x 10″ W x 22″ H
- Weight: 8.5 Pounds (3.8 Kg)
- CFM = 130
- Maximum space coverage: 150 – 200 Square feet
- Takes in air from the back, delivers clean air through the front of the unit
- 2 Stage filtration: 1) Fibrous activated carbon filter, 2) HEPA Filter
- Filter life: Manufacturers suggest replacing the HEPA filter every 6 – 8 months
- Filter replacement indicator: When the green light turns red, it’s time to replace the HEPA filter
- 3 Fan speeds: Low, medium, and high
- Lowest fan speed noise level: Around 40 dB
- Highest fan speed noise level: Around 55 dB
- Timer setting: Does not have a timer setting, it simply runs until turned off
- Control method: Buttons and dials on top of the device
- Includes UV-C light to help kill germs. Can be switched on or off
- Power usage: 50.6 Watts on the highest setting. Will add roughly $4.40 to the monthly energy bill when run for 24 hours a day
- Power source: Electric cord (Needs to be plugged into the wall)
- Price: Usually sold for 80 – 99$. View Amazon’s latest price
Pros:
- Great Particle Filtration – Although the fibrous carbon filter is low-quality, the Germ Guardian AC4825E comes equipped with an H13 HEPA filter, which can filter particles as small as 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency. For a relatively cheap air purifier, it’s pretty good that it comes equipped with this high-quality filter. Not too many air purifiers within this price range (below 100$) have good filtration, which makes this device one of the best budget options for parrot owners.
- Good Budget Option – Although this air purifier only has a decent CFM rate and maximum space coverage of 200 square feet, it’s still pretty good for the price, especially when compared to similarly priced air purifiers on the market.
Cons:
- Low-Quality Carbon Filter – One of the worst aspects of this Germ Guardian is the fibrous carbon filter. The actual carbon filter is just a flimsy sheet of carbon-coated fibres that have been attached to the HEPA filter via velcro. If gas filtration is important to you, I suggest looking at other air purifiers. However, although it can’t filter gas very well, it can still be used as a pre-filter to catch larger particles before they get to the HEPA filter. In other words, the only good purpose of this carbon filter is that it preserves the life of the much more effective HEPA filter.
- Complaints From Amazon Reviews – One of the most common complaints about this air purifier is that the circuit gets fried and the device stops working. I’m not sure if they were all defective items or something else, but many people have shared similar experiences of the air purifier’s circuit just exploding all of a sudden. There have also been a few complaints about receiving the purifier dented.
- Maximum Space Coverage – As well as a below-average CFM rate, this air purifier also has a pretty small space coverage of just 200 square feet at most. 200 square feet is about the size of a single-car garage or slightly larger than the average-sized bedroom.
Thoughts & Opinions On The Germ Guardian Air Purifier:
Seeing as it’s a relatively cheap air purifier, you can’t blame it for not having a higher CFM rate or maximum space coverage. For the best results with this device, you’ll need to have it on the highest fan speed all day to notice a difference in air quality, even in small spaces. When set up in an appropriately sized space, the Germ Guardian can remove bird dander from the atmosphere due to its highly efficient HEPA filter, which is one of its best qualities. Overall, I’d only buy this air purifier if I was on a really tight budget and in desperate need of improved air quality in small spaces. But in most cases, you’d likely be better off saving up for a much better air purifier.
8) Coway AirMega 250 Air Purifier
Key Features:
- Device dimensions: 18.5″ L x 8″ W x 20″ H
- Weight: 20.5 Pounds (9 Kg)
- CFM = 261 (Dust), 230 (Pollen), 248.5 (Smoke)
- Maximum space coverage: Manufacturers claim it can cover a 930 square foot space in 30 minutes
- 3 Stage filtration: 1) Washable pre-filter, 2) Pellet-based activated carbon filter, 3) Green true HEPA filter
- Max2 Filter = A combined filter of the activated carbon and the HEPA filter
- Filter life indicator: Includes a pre-filter and Max2 filter indicator
- Filter life expectancy: Manufactures suggest replacing the Max2 filter yearly
- Takes in air through the front grill, delivers clean air from the top vent
- 4 Fan speeds: Low, medium, high, and rapid mode
- Lowest fan speed noise level: 22 dB
- Highest fan speed noise level: 54 dB
- Air quality indicator: Blue = good, Green = moderate, Yellow = bad, Red = very unhealthy
- Rapid mode: Puts the device at full power when air quality begins to lower
- Smart mode: Adjusts fan speed based on current air quality (other air purifiers call this feature “auto mode”)
- Timer settings: Can be set for 1, 4, or 8 hours until auto shut off
- Child lock: Locks all other settings until child lock is turned off
- Control method: Buttons on top of the unit
- Power usage: 64 Watts on the highest setting. Will add roughly $5.50 to the monthly energy bill when run for 24 hours a day
- Power source: AC (Needs to be plugged into the wall)
- Price: Usually sold for $320 – $400. View Amazon’s latest price
Pros:
- Large Space Coverage – Being able to cover 930 square feet of space in just 30 minutes is definitely one of this air purifier’s best qualities. With this much coverage, combined with the good CFM rate, you can feel comfortable knowing that this device will be effective in any room in the house.
- Pretty Quiet – On its lowest fan speed, the Coway AirMega 250 produces only 22 dB of sound, which is quieter than a whisper. Even at its highest fan speed, it only produces 54 dB of sound, which is almost as loud as a normal speaking tone. If you plan to sleep with the air purifier on, this device will not disturb you.
- Good Filtration – The AirMega 250 comes equipped with a pre-filter and a Max2 filter. The Max2 filter is simply a combination of a pellet-based activated carbon filter and a True HEPA filter. The HEPA filter will trap airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency while the carbon filter will efficiently absorb gases from the atmosphere. Overall, you get excellent filtration with this air purifier.
Cons:
- Very Expensive – The big downside to the Coway AirMega 250 is the hefty price. Being sold between $320 – $400, this air purifier is out of financial reach for some bird owners. If you’re looking for a good quality air purifier for a cheaper price, I highly recommend the Winix 5500-2 or the Levoit Core 300.
Thoughts & Opinions On The AirMega 250:
For me, the biggest attraction to the Coway AirMega 250 is the large 930-square-foot space coverage. Having the capacity to clear that amount of space means it’ll work even better in smaller spaces, such as kitchens, living rooms, or large indoor aviaries. I also like this device’s output of 261 CFM, which is pretty fast air circulation. Due to how fast it circulates the air, the AirMega is ideal for rooms with multiple dusty birds (such as cockatiels and African grey parrots) as it can suck in and trap dust fast, preventing it from being airborne too long. If it’s within your budget, the AirMega 250 is a great air purifier for bird dander.
9) Coway AirMega AP-1512HH
Key Features:
- Device dimensions: 17″ L x 9.6″ W x 18.5″ H
- Weight: 12.5 Pounds (5.5 Kg)
- CFM = 245 – 250
- Maximum space coverage: 361 Square feet
- 3 Fan speeds: Low, medium, and high
- Lowest fan speed noise level: 24 dB
- Highest fan speed noise level: 53 dB
- Takes in air through the sides and bottom, delivers clean air from the top vent
- 3 Stage filtration: 1) Washable pre-filter, 2) Fibrous activated carbon filter, 3) Green true HEPA filter
- Filter life expectancy: HEPA filter = 1 year. Carbon filter = 6 months, according to manufacturers
- Filter check indicator: Includes an indicator for the HEPA filter and the carbon filter
- Timer settings: Can be set for 1, 4 or 8 hours until auto shut off
- Includes ionizer (can be kept off)
- Air quality indicator: Blue = good, Purple = moderate, Red = unhealthy. Located on the right side of the control panel on top of the device
- ECO mode: Activates when air remains clean for 30 minutes. Shuts off the fan and remains on standby until pollutants are detected, which then returns to auto mode.
- Auto mode: Adjusts fan speed based on air quality. Activates ECO mode when air remains purified for more than 30 minutes
- Control method: Buttons on top of the air purifier
- Power usage: 77 Watts on the highest fan speed. Will add roughly $6.65 to the monthly energy bill when run on high for 24 hours a day
- Power source: Electric cord
- Price: Usually sold between $190 – $220. View Amazon’s latest price
Pros:
- Energy Efficiency – On its highest fan speed, this air purifier draws roughly 77 watts of power. That may seem like a lot, but the medium fan speed only draws 8.1 watts of power while also maintaining a high CFM rate. Compared to most other air purifiers, this device is quite energy-efficient. As well as the relatively low power consumption, it also has an ECO mode, which turns off the fan when the air is clean for more than 30 minutes, which is a huge long-term power saver.
- High CFM Output – With 250 CFM, the AP-1512HH air purifier will effectively remove bird dander from a 360 square-foot space within 15 minutes. A high CFM rate is ideal for those with multiple powder birds as it will prevent excessive dust build-up by quickly removing the airborne pollutant.
- Good Price – For an air purifier with high CFM, good spatial coverage, energy efficiency, and great particle filtration, $200 is a pretty reasonable asking price.
Cons:
- Includes Ionization – Unfortunately for bird owners, this air purifier has an ionizer, which produces toxic ozone. Thankfully, this option can be switched off. If you’re looking for an air purifier with good filtration, high CFM and doesn’t include an ioniser, I highly recommend the Levoit LV-H134.
- Low-Quality Carbon Filter – Although the HEPA filter is excellent for particle filtration, gas and odour filtration is far less effective due to the low-quality fibrous carbon filter. Unfortunately, the fibrous carbon filter is not as effective as a pellet-based carbon filter. If gas filtration/absorption is important to you, this device will struggle to meet your needs. The Coway AirMega 250 on the other hand has a much more effective pellet-based carbon filter.
Thoughts & Opinions On The Coway AP-1512HH:
With high CFM and excellent particle filtration for a reasonable price, you really can’t go wrong with the Coway AP-1512HH. Manufacturers recommend this device to be used in spaces as large as 361 square feet, which means it’ll be suitable for the average-sized living room, kitchen, or bedroom. The high CFM allows airborne particles to be sucked in and trapped quickly, meaning this device is ideal for households with multiple dusty birds. The only things I dislike about this air purifier are the ionization feature and the low-quality fibrous carbon filter. Besides that, I’d recommend this energy-efficient device to anyone struggling to remove airborne bird dander from their home.
Conclusion
Here’s a quick recap of the top 9 best air purifiers for bird owners:
Each air purifier was selected carefully to ensure at least one would meet very specific circumstances related to bird ownership. For example, those who are on a tight budget but want a good CFM rate might choose the Germ Guardian AC4825E. However, those who are willing to spend a bit more for a higher CFM might go with the Winix 5500-2.
There are also options for those with larger or smaller living spaces.
If gas and odour filtration/absorption is important to you, you may want to avoid the Germ Guardian or the Coway AP-1512HH and instead choose the Medify MA-40 or the Levoit LV-H134.
Whatever your situation is, I hope I helped you find the right air purifier to meet those needs.
Thank you for reading.
Sources
- https://www.thesprucepets.com/are-essential-oils-safe-for-birds-4587493
- https://www.wikihow.com/Visualize-Square-Feet
- https://inovaairpurifiers.com.au/pages/hepa-filtration
- https://www.healthline.com/health/what-does-an-ionizer-do
- https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/questions/ionizer-air-cleaner-dangers-for-small-birds/
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