Being a bird owner can be rewarding but ensuring that your bird has the best quality air available to it is a tedious task. Out in the wild, the birds can move to a different spot if air quality goes down. Under captivity, they can’t escape VOCs, smoke, and other such chemicals that usually frequent a household. While improved ventilation and repeated cleaning can help, they are not sustainable options and aren’t even possible in some places.
By choosing the best air purifier for bird owners with all the right features. You can ensure safe and healthy air, for everyone.
Not all air purifiers are suited to tackling dangerous chemicals that birds are sensitive to. In addition, there is a problem of pet dander, several allergens, and the odors that they can bring, which can trigger allergies in humans. Here we’ll discuss what type of air purifiers suit bird owners and what you should look out for when getting one.
Jump to …
- What is Bird Dander?
- Do Bird Owners Need an Air Purifier?
- Best Air Purifier for Bird Owner
- What to Look Out For in an Air Purifier for Birds?
What is Bird Dander?
Bird dander or feather dust is a fine mix of powdery keratin protein and waxy secretions that are given off when birds flap their wings or simply move. Bird dander can trigger allergic reactions just like pet dander and can even aggravate respiratory conditions. According to a study, dander can trigger itching, watery eyes, eczema, or even rashes all over the body.
Bird dander is dangerous, not only for humans but for your feathery friend as well. This is because the human nose and respiratory tract are equipped with tiny hair that filters out allergens and other unwanted substances and birds lack that privilege.
Do Bird Owners Need an Air Purifier?
Yes, air purifiers are extremely effective against bird dander and other allergens. Pet and bird dander can trigger allergies and severe asthma attacks. Birds and pets can also bring a distinct odor that can make your space uncomfortable to breathe in. According to the EPA, the right air purifier not only filters the air but also takes care of the odor.
A study identified birds as carriers of coronaviruses but thankfully they don’t carry the ones that cause COVID-19. According to various studies, birds are neither susceptible nor carry the risk of transmitting COVID-19 but that doesn’t make them immune to other viruses and illnesses. Stale indoor air can contain toxins
Having birds around also means bird dander, feathers and odor will be common in the air. An air purifier packs various filters that can filter out airborne pollutants, allergens, microbes and will neutralize the odor as well. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also suggests using a HEPA air purifier as it can filter out 99.97% of airborne particles down to a size of 0.3 microns. True HEPA filter goes even further and offers up to 99.99% cleansing when used in unison with other filters.
Air purifiers for birds make sure your air is safe to breathe both for the inhabitants and for the birds as well. Most purifiers for bird owners are different from the usual ones. Here’s a guide that will help you understand better and will assist you in making the right choice
Best Air Purifier for Birds Owners
| Features | GermGuardian AC5250PT Air Purifier | Alen BreatheSmart Classic | Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 | Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier | Hamilton Beach TrueAir |
| Filtration Stages | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| UV-C Light | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Replaceable Filter life | 6-8 months | 12 months | 36 months | 12 months | 3 months |
| Coverage Area | 180 sq. ft. | 1100 sq. ft. | 300 sq. ft. | 350 sq. ft. | 140 sq. ft. |
| Warranty | 5 year | Lifetime | 5 year | 2 year | 1 year |
Also Read: 7 Best Air Purifier for VOCs (2022)
1. GermGuardian AC5250PT Air Purifier
The GermGuardian AC5250PT packs a 5-stage filtration system in a sleek design. It is the specialized version of the already successful AC5250 and features a permanent mesh filter that is paired with a charcoal pre-filter. This combination acts as the first line of defense and stops large particles like bird feathers, pet hair, and other large-sized contaminants while also taking care of dangerous chemicals and VOCs that birds are sensitive to. The air is then passed through the True HEPA filter that can filter particles down to a size of 0.3 microns with a 99.97% accuracy. This easily filters out the pet dander, which is about 5-10 microns in size.
The stand-out feature of the GermGuardian 5250PT is the Pet Pure treatment and a UV-C light chamber that destroys the germ DNA. It hinders microbial growth on the filter and inside the air purifier body making the air fresh and safe to breathe in for the birds and owners.
The GermGuardian Air Purifier is excellent in function but lacks some nifty features like air quality sensors and auto mode. Moreover, the air purifier can only cover about 180 square feet, which can be a letdown if you have a bigger space. However, it’s an efficient and effective air purifier for small to mid-sized rooms.
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2. Alen BreatheSmart Classic
Alen is the best-selling air purifier brand in the US, and rightly so, as it makes aesthetic, user-centric designs, and the BreatheSmart Classic is no different.
The classic features air quality sensors and an automatic mode that adjusts the speed according to the contamination levels. The air quality sensors coupled with the air quality indicator lights on top that change color depending on the quality of the air are particularly helpful when the birds flap their wings vigorously. The purifier quickly increases the fan speed whenever a deterioration in the air quality is detected and returns it to normal once the air contamination levels go down again.
At maxed-out settings, it can provide 290 cubic feet per minute and can cycle the air in an 1100 sq. ft. room twice an hour, making it the perfect air purifier for bird owners with extra-large rooms.
With the Alen FreshPlus filter BF35-VOC, the air purification efficiency goes up to 99.99% for particles 0.1 microns and up. The filter also tackles VOCs, chemicals, and pet odors that arise from the pet dander. For the space/price ratio, this air purifier is one of the best options out there.
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3. Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0
RabbitAir has risen in popularity owing to its intuitive user interface and simplistic functionality. Air BioGS 2.0 offers 4-stage filtration and can cover an area of 625 sq. ft.
The first line of defense starts with the Pre-filter that traps dust mites, large particles, and large particles like bird feathers. The air is then passed through a high-grade granular activated carbon filter that neutralizes chemicals, VOCs, and other household odors, including bird odors.
Next, the air goes through the BioGS HEPA filter that offers 99.99% efficiency against 0.1-micron-sized particles and brings down air contamination to a bare minimum. At the fourth and final stage, the air makes its way towards the negative ion bay that traps pollutants with negative ions and makes them too heavy to be carried in the air.
The BioGS 2.0 is excellent for bird owners as it packs all the bells and whistles that one would expect from an air purifier. It eliminates allergens from the air in a very quiet and convenient manner, so you can enjoy quality time with your pet bird without startling it with the loud fan noise that some air purifiers have.
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4. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
Winix 5500-2 is another excellent choice for bird owners. The 4-stage filtration process ensures that your indoor air is safe and free from contaminants. It is excellent for medium-sized rooms of up to 360 square feet, has an autonomous function, a remote control, and even an air quality indicator.
The 4 stage filtration cleans the air by filtering out large particles with the pre-filter before passing them to the True HEPA filter. The carbon filter that follows makes sure that your indoor air is free from harmful chemicals and odors so you and your pet bird breathe in clean, allergen-free air.
Winix has added smart features to the 5500-2 and can automatically switch between modes depending on the time of the day and the contamination levels. The extra coverage and high CADR make it the superior choice when compared to its popular sibling, the Winix HR900. The improved airflow can bring down air contaminants sharply in minutes to deliver excellent air quality. You don’t have to worry about high electricity usage as the 5500-2 is Energy-Star certified.
The pre-filter, True HEPA filter, and carbon filter are paired to Winix’s PlasmaWave technology that neutralizes any left-out contaminants just like air scrubbers do. So if you’re looking for a purifier for bird dander or bird odors, Winix 5500-2 can be a great option regardless of the bird species you have.
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5. Hamilton Beach TrueAir
If you’re looking for an inexpensive option that can conveniently cover your small aviary then the Hamilton Beach TrueAir offers great value for money. It offers 3-stage filtration with its pre-filter, HEPA filter, and a carbon sheet. For the price, it offers very good protection against harmful contaminants both for your loved ones and your birds.
The whole package is simple and while it doesn’t pack any innovative features, it gets the job done. The purification process is purely mechanical, and the carbon filters are very cheap to replace. The carbon filters tackle odors, chemicals and also neutralize VOCs that birds are sensitive to.
The TrueAir is quiet even at maximum settings and offers three different fan speeds. The air purifier can cover 140 sq. ft. easily, which makes it great for a small dedicated bird room. Owing to the small footprint it is also easy to maintain and can be moved around effortlessly.
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What to Look Out For in an Air Purifier for Birds?
Air purifiers bring all kinds of features. Some offer an intuitive user interface, while others are great against cooking smells. People with asthma should always use an air purifier as CDC suggests that it could significantly reduce the chances of a severe attack. The following aspects of an air purifier need your attention, particularly if you’re one of those pet owners that value good indoor air quality.
Types of Filters
An air purifier can have between 1 and 5 filters. The most popular ones include:
- Pre-filter
- HEPA filter
- Carbon filter
Different manufacturers use different materials for the pre-filter. Some use nylon ones, while others have a washable pre-filter. After the initial filter, the HEPA filter filters particles down to a size of 0.3 microns with an efficiency of 99.97%.
HEPA offers powerful filtration and can help minimize allergy symptoms by filtering out allergy-causing particles. The air is then passed towards the carbon or charcoal filter. The charcoal filter neutralizes cooking odors, unwanted odors, and, most importantly, bird odor effectively. Some manufacturers add in an activated carbon filter that keeps all bad odors at bay while also keeping the birds safe from harmful chemicals in the air.
Filtration Stages
Most air purifiers have the above-mentioned three air filters, and they offer ample protection against dander particles, dust mites, airborne allergens, and most indoor air pollutants. Each filter that the air passes through is termed a filtration stage.
Manufacturers can add an extra layer of safety by adding additional filtration stages. These include a static electricity discharger or UV-C light that deals with allergens at a molecular level.
Having UV-C light on the collection side of the HEPA-grade filter ensures that the pollutants are dealt with at a molecular level. Bird dander can be allergic and must be filtered out to make the air safe to breathe in. At least 3 stage filtration is recommended for common bird debris and dander that makes its way into the air.
Additional stages offer superior protection and even better efficient filtration.
Filtration vs. Sterilization
Filtration is the mechanical procedure of filtering the air and removing the finest particles by passing the air through the filters.
Sterilization, on the other hand, means neutralizing airborne germs and other allergens by using specialized filters. For pet and bird dander, it is important that an air purifier that features both kinds of stages is used. This is particularly important for areas that are more humid and warm as studies point towards an alarmingly high spread of bacteria under these conditions. An air purifier with UV-C light can deform the DNA of microbes, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
Ease of Moving
Bird owners love to move their birdcage around a lot, and rightly so, as your feathery friend also deserves some time in the sun or near fresh air. The perfect air purifier for birds should be able to provide this flexibility of movement and should be portable enough to be moved to some other room if need be.
While air purifiers can clean the air multiple times every hour, if you’re moving your pet bird to some other room, it is prudent to move the air purifier to the same room too.
Conclusion
Buying the right air purifier can be a bit confusing as airborne irritants can be a problem not just for you but for your birds as well. Efficient air purifiers will rid you of foul odor and other bird allergens and will make your living space safe to breathe in. All the discussed air purifiers are well suited for use by bird owners, boast an attractive design, and feature a filter that a health agency recommends.