We are here to help you figure out the best air purifier for bird dander. If you live with an African grey parrot like me, you know these birds can produce a LOT of dust and dander! Furthermore, the amount of dust an African grey makes is one of the main reasons allergists do not recommend birds for people with allergies.
So, if you’re looking for a bird-safe air purifier that can help reduce the amount of bird dander in your home, you’ll want to choose one with a HEPA filter and a pre-filter. They design HEPA filters to capture small particles like dust and dander, and they’ve proven very effective at reducing allergens in the air.
More importantly, check out our video on the best air purifier for bird owners below to see how much bird dander our air purifier captures every month.
Some of the best air purifiers for bird dander are listed below. These air purifiers have been chosen because they offer excellent dust and allergen removal and are affordable.
One thing to remember is that reducing bird dander involves a comprehensive approach. It would help if you vacuumed, used a bird-safe air purifier, and regularly bathe your bird. In particular, when you give your bird a shower using a spray feature, you can see the dander pooling up in the bottom of the tub. So be aware that an air purifier is not a total solution, but it’s an essential first step!
In the meantime, check out this list of non-dusty birds that we compiled for you!
We researched a few models over the past 10 years and found that the Coway AP-1512HH model is our top pick. Keep reading to find out why!
In fact if you don’t have time to read the full article, here are our top 3 picks for
The Best Air Purifier for Bird Dander
First, let me start by saying this is not one of those review posts where we list a dozen air purifiers without even trying them. Furthermore we will focus on our top 3, with the smaller Coway being our go-to air purifier. Lastly, we have first-hand experience with each of these.
What is Bird Dust?
Bird dust comes from a powder coating on the feathers of certain types of birds, like African greys, Goffin’s cockatoos, and cockatiels. However, all birds produce dust, not just birds with a powder down the coating.
Birds produce dust by preening their feathers with their beaks. In fact, the dust is tiny particles of dead skin, feathers, and other materials on the bird’s body.
When the bird preens, it rubs the dust into its feathers, which helps to clean and condition them. The dust also has a cooling effect on the bird’s body and helps protect the bird’s skin from ultraviolet rays.
Furthermore, bird dust can also come from dried poop on the bottom of your bird’s cage. As this dried poop becomes disturbed, tiny microscopic particles will float through the air.
An air purifier will help trap all dusty bird particles, including tiny feathers. However, bird dander is a nuisance to deal with in a home but serves an essential purpose in the bird’s life.
Will an Air Purifier Help with Bird Dust?
Yes, an air purifier will trap a lot of dust and dander. In addition, check out this video to see all the bird dander trapped in the Coway air purifier pre-filter.
Our Favorite Air Purifier for Bird Dander and Why
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH
- Coway Mighty (AP-1512HH) is designed to accommodate room sizes up to 361 sq. ft (CADR: Dust 246 / Pollen 240 / Smoke 233 cb. ft. ).
- 4 Stage Filtration System (Pre-filter, Deodorization filter, True HEPA filter, Vital Ion) captures and reduces up to 99. 97% of particles 0. 3 microns in the air, including pollen, pollutants and other allergens. It also reduces volatile organic compounds and reduces odor.
- Coway Mighty pollution sensor communicates indoor air quality in real-time. The brightly colored LED lets you know how clean or dirty your indoor air is every minute of the day. And it features a timer, and filter lifetime indicator.
- Fan speeds available in 1, 2, 3 stages by manually setting up. While auto mode automatically optimizes the speed setting 1 through 3 based on the level of indoor air quality. When no pollution is detected for 30 minutes, the fan will automatically stop and set as Eco mode to save energy.
- Timer feature allows the machine to run 1/4/8 hours before automatically powering off.
The Coway is the air purifier that has saved my health. Indeed, living with a bird is hard if you hate dust. For this reason, this is why I love this incredible machine and how it traps dust and dander. In addition, please do not use the ozone feature; it’s not safe for birds.
I think you get more coverage by using the multiple Coway air purifiers. The air will exchange at a faster rate with a smaller machine. I like that it only covers 360 sq feet, so instead of having one big machine for your entire house, I prefer to have these spread all over.
Having an air purifier that captures dust has been a life changer for me. Furthermore, replacement filters are under $70 and come with 1 HEPA and two charcoal filters. Additionally, if you live in a one-bedroom apartment, you may want to get one for the bedroom and 1 for the living room.
Keep in mind that this one is amazing if you are looking for an air purifier for bird dander. Although it will not collect all the dust, you will still have to vacuum frequently if you have a bird!
Air Purifier Specifications
- It covers a 360 sq ft room
- Dimensions of the machine: 427 mm X 465 mm X 243 mm [16.8 X 18.3 X 9.6 inch]
- HEPA filter (lasts one year)
What We Like About the Best Air Purifier for Bird Dander
- It has a true HEPA filter
- The 4 stage filtration is essential for thoroughly cleaning the air.
- The pre-filter captures a lot of feathers and dander.
- You can wash the pre-filter often, allowing it to capture even more bird dander.
- Any bird dander that gets past the pre-filter and carbon filter will get trapped in the HEPA filter.
- It’s excellent for multiple pet households because the pre-filter will also trap fur.
What We Don’t Like
- It only covers 361 sq ft. (for this reason, I purchase one for each room)
- It has an ozone feature, which you do not need for bird dander. Keep in mind that the ozone is dangerous for a bird.
Coway Airmega 400S
- [Coverage] Designed to clean spaces up to 1,560 sq. ft. in 30 minutes
- [HyperCaptive Filtration System] Combination of a pre-filter, deodorization filter, and True HEPA Filter reduces 99.999% of 0.01-micron particles, including pollen and other allergens. It also reduces 99% of volatile organic compounds and odor
- [APP and Voice Control] IoCare mobile app includes indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring, filter notification, scheduling, and speed and smart mode control. Coway Airmega also works with Amazon Alexa and Dash Replenishment
- [Smart Mode] With its Smart Mode feature, the Airmega automatically adapts to its surroundings by adjusting fan speeds based on the room's air quality. That means your unit is energy efficient without compromising effectiveness
- [Eco Mdoe] When the air quality in the room remains purified for 30 minutes or more in Eco Mode, the fan will turn off to conserve energy, kicking on again when pollution is detected
The fact that this brand has lasted me for two years without any trouble is why I am recommending it. Not only that, but the Airmega has three levels of filtration, which is all you need for bird dander. Furthermore, the pre-filter will trap the majority of the particles.
We all know that tiny feathers are everywhere when you have a bird; this machine will draw them in and trap them.
Air Purifier Specifications
- It covers a 1,560 sq ft room
- Dimensions of the machine: 14.8 x 14.8 x 22.8 inches
- HEPA filter (lasts one year)
What We Like
- It does not have an ozone feature.
- Not only will it remove bird dander from the air, but it will also clean the air and make it safer for your bird to breathe.
- The clean air blows upward.
- It has a whisper, quiet night setting.
What We Don’t Like
- The unit gets louder if it detects unclean air. The machine will kick into high gear if the air quality sensor light turns red. The loud noise is also a plus since you know it’s working.
- The sensor lights are bright if you are trying to sleep, and the lights bother you.
Austin Air HealthMate Standard Air Purifier (B400A1)
- The Austin Air Healthmate is the ultimate solution for everyday protection against indoor air pollutants.
- Highly efficient at removing a wide range of pollutants such as dust, pet dander, pollen, and gases from the home for superior indoor air quality.
- Boasting over 780 cubic inches of activated carbon and zeolite filtration, the Austin Air Healthmate effectively removes chemicals, gases, and odors.
- Reduce coughing, wheezing, sneezing, dry mouth, and runny nose with the trusted performance of the Healthmate air purifier.
- Improve your sleep quality, reduce snoring, and strengthen your immune system with the ultimate protection against airborne pollutants.
Although Austin Air is more expensive than our number one pick, there is a reason we need to include it on this list. Every parrot rescue I visit has a few Austin Air machines running. There’s a reason why 7 out of 10 parrot rescues use this machine; it’s because it’s very effective at removing large amounts of dust!
However, the Austin Air website recommends regularly vacuuming the machine’s outside and air vents to prolong the filter’s life. Doing this is especially important if you have dusty birds like African Greys.
The replacement filters are between $175-$250 every five years. The cost comes out to under $50 per year for the filter, which is similar in price to the Coway machines.
Air Purifier Specifications
- It covers a 1,200 sq ft room
- Dimensions of the machine: 14.5″L x 14.5″W x 23″H
- HEPA filter (lasts five years)
What We Like
- The filter lasts five years. If you have multiple dusty birds, you may want to change them every four years.
What We Don’t Like
- The large size if you live in a small apartment.
- It only covers a 1,200 sq ft room, so you will have to get multiple machines in various rooms.
- It was pretty expensive.
What are the Best Types of Air Purifiers for Bird Dander?
The best type of filter will have multiple layers of protection. We like the Coway machine because you see the bird dander collecting on the pre-filter. However, visualizing the air purifier containing dust lets you trust that the device is doing its job.
Benefits of Using an Air Purifier if You Have a Dusty Bird
– Your air will be cleaner and healthier for you and your bird.
– You’ll reduce the amount of dust in your home.
– You’ll minimize the risk of respiratory problems for you and your bird.
– You will be less likely to develop allergies to your parrot.
– An air purifier can help reduce the amount of vacuuming you must do.
What to Look For Before Choosing a Bird Air Purifier
- Make sure the air purifier has multiple layers of protection.
- A HEPA filter is an important feature.
- You should be able to visualize the amount of dust the machine collects.
- The filter should last a long time and be easy to replace.
- Having a pre-filter will allow you to wash away dust once a month.
How do you Stop African Grey Dust?
4 ways to mitigate African Grey Dust
- Regular bathing.
- Use a good air purifier.
- Offer plenty of fresh foods.
- Vacuuming multiple times per week.
Are African Greys a Hypoallergenic Pet?
No, since they produce a lot of dust and dander, they are not considered hypoallergenic. Notably, African greys, Cockatoos, and Cockatiels all have a dust coat, and this dust is not hypoallergenic. Finally, there are a few studies linking allergies to pet birds.
Lastly, if you only have a mild dust allergy, you can safely live with your parrot using multiple air purifiers plus regular vacuuming.
Final thoughts for What’s the Best Air Purifier for Bird Dander?
If you live with a feathered friend, then it’s essential to have an air purifier to help keep the dust down. In this article, we’ve looked at three different air purifiers ideal for bird dander and listed some of the benefits of using one. Our top pick is the Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier, thanks to its multiple layers of protection and long-lasting filter. However, all three options will do a great job of keeping the air clean for you and your bird. So take your pick and enjoy breathing easier knowing that your atmosphere is dust-free and fresh.
To Learn More About Parrots, Check Out These Other Articles:
Can birds eat sweet potatoes? Find out if they are healthy for all parrots.
How long do African greys live? Will they outlive you?
Congo VS Timneh – What are the main differences between these two African grey species?