HoMedics Pet Plus Air Purifier Review: Is It Worth It for Pet Odor?

If you live with pets, you already know that cleaning the air is not just about dust. It is also about dog odor, litter box smell, pet dander, hair, smoke, and the everyday household odors that seem to come back no matter how often you vacuum. That is exactly where the HoMedics Pet Plus Air Purifier is positioned.

In this HoMedics Pet Plus Air Purifier Review, I looked at the official AP-PET35 manual, retailer product information, and owner feedback from Home Depot, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. The goal is simple: to find out whether this purifier actually helps pet owners, where it performs well, and what you should know before buying.

The short answer: the HoMedics Pet Plus 5 in 1 Air Purifier is a strong choice for bedrooms, pet rooms, and medium-size living areas up to about 266 sq. ft. It gets especially good feedback for pet odor, dust, dander, and ease of use. However, it is not perfect. The high fan speed can be noisy, replacement filters add long-term cost, and the ionizer and essential oil tray should be used carefully around pets.

Homedics 5-in-1 PetPlus UV-C Air Purifier

• 5-in-1 filtration for pollen, pet dander, smoke, odors, and larger airborne particles
• Covers rooms up to 266 sq. ft., suitable for bedrooms, pet areas, and medium-size rooms
• UV-C technology plus HEPA-type filtration captures up to 99.97% of airborne particles
• Built-in carbon filter helps reduce pet odors, household smells, and VOCs
• Optional ionizer enhances air purification when needed
• 3 fan speeds and auto-off timer for customized daily use
• Night-light and essential oil tray add comfort and light scenting
• Includes air purifier, HEPA-type filter, 3 essential oil pads, and quick start guide

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What Is the HoMedics Pet Plus Air Purifier?

The HoMedics Pet Plus Air Purifier, model AP-PET35, is part of the HoMedics TotalClean line. You may also see it described as the HoMedics TotalClean PetPlus 5-in-1 Air Purifier, HoMedics Pet Plus 5 in 1 Air Purifier, or HoMedics pet plus air cleaner and purifier.

It is designed specifically for households with pets. The unit uses a 360-degree filtration design and is meant for rooms up to 266 sq. ft. According to the manual, it is more effective when doors and windows are closed.

The five main features are:

• True HEPA filtration
• PetPlus odor filtration
• Prefilter for larger particles
• UV-C technology
• Optional ionizer

It also includes three fan speeds, a 2/4/8/12-hour timer, a replace-filter indicator, a night-light, and an essential oil tray with three included pads.

This makes it more than a basic air purifier. It is built as a pet-focused air cleaner, odor reducer, and general household air purifier.

Key Specifications

One important note: some retailer copy describes the filter as “HEPA-type,” while the AP-PET35 instruction manual describes it as an “All-in-One True HEPA Filtration System.” Because of that inconsistency, buyers should verify the exact model and replacement filter before purchasing. For the AP-PET35 manual, HoMedics lists the replacement filter as AP-PET35FL and repeatedly calls it a True HEPA filter.

Does It Really Remove Pet Odor?

This is the main question for most shoppers searching for homedics pet plus air purifier reviews. Based on owner feedback, pet odor reduction is one of the strongest reasons to consider this unit.

Several users report that it helps with dog smell, litter box odor, and general pet-related household smells. One owner placed it near an older dog’s bed and said odors from accidents disappeared quickly without needing to open windows. Another used it near a litter box and said the kitty litter dust was much more controlled. A Best Buy reviewer said their pet sleeps in the master bedroom, and after using the purifier, the covers and carpet stayed fresh longer.

The manual also supports this use case. HoMedics says the PetPlus odor filtration is designed to reduce litter box odor, wet dog smell, household odors, and VOCs or gases.

That does not mean it will replace cleaning. If you have urine, litter, wet dog smell, or smoke, the source still needs to be cleaned. But as a continuous air cleaner, the HoMedics pet air purifier appears to help reduce lingering smells between cleanings.

Pet Hair, Dander, and Dust Performance

The HoMedics Pet Plus Air Purifier is not a vacuum, so it will not pull pet hair off your couch or carpet. But it can help capture airborne hair, dander, dust, and allergens that pass through the filter.

Walmart’s review summary highlights dust capture, pet dander, and odor removal as common positives. Multiple users say they noticed less dust around the home and fewer allergy symptoms. One owner said the amount of dust and pet hair picked up by the filter was remarkable. Another said they had severe allergies to cats, dogs, and dust and felt much better after using the purifier.

The prefilter is important here. According to the manual, the prefilter captures larger particles, while the True HEPA filter captures particles as small as 0.3 microns. For best performance, HoMedics recommends vacuuming the outside of the filter/prefilter once a month.

This monthly maintenance matters. If the prefilter gets clogged with pet hair and dust, airflow can drop. The manual lists reduced airflow as a possible sign that the grille is blocked, the prefilter needs vacuuming, or the filter needs replacement.

Is It Quiet Enough for a Bedroom?

For most people, yes, especially on low or medium. Bedroom use is one of the most common positive themes in the reviews.

Owners mention using it in bedrooms, near pet beds, and while sleeping. Some say the sound is calming and not too loud. One reviewer said her husband liked sleeping with the soothing sound. Another said it was quiet enough to run in a bedroom where their pet sleeps.

However, high speed is a different story. Several users describe the high setting as louder or a bit noisy. This does not mean the machine is badly designed. Higher fan speeds move more air, and more airflow usually means more noise. But if you are sensitive to sound, you will probably want to use low at night and reserve high for daytime cleaning.

This is one area where most existing homedics pet air purifier review pages are weak. They say quiet or noisy without giving real measurements. If you are writing your own review, a simple decibel test at low, medium, and high speed would add real value.

Filter Replacement and Long-Term Cost

The filter is easy to replace, according to several owners, but the cost is worth considering.

The manual lists the genuine replacement True HEPA filter as model AP-PET35FL. It recommends replacing the filter every 12 months under normal usage conditions. The replace-filter light turns on based on hours of use, and after replacing the filter, you reset the indicator by holding the ionizer button for 3 seconds.

Some users mention buying a spare filter to keep on hand. Others say the product is expensive but worth it. Target also lists replacement filters, which suggests availability is decent, but this is still something buyers should check before purchasing.

There is also a UV-C bulb to consider. The bulb is designed to last about 10,000 hours. When it burns out, the UV-C button flashes red. The purifier will still run without UV-C, but the UV-C function will not work until the bulb is replaced. The replacement bulb model is AP-UVC1.

For a complete review homedics pet plus air purifier article, this is a key section to include. Most retailer pages do not calculate the 1-year or 3-year ownership cost. That is a missed opportunity.

UV-C and Ionizer: Useful, But Read the Fine Print

The HoMedics Pet Plus includes both UV-C technology and an optional ionizer. These features sound impressive, but they deserve a careful explanation.

According to the manual, UV-C technology kills viruses and bacteria by affecting their DNA, making microorganisms die or unable to reproduce. The UV-C function has an on/off button.

The ionizer is also optional. It releases negatively charged ion particles that attach to airborne particles, making them easier for the filtration system to capture. However, the manual includes important warnings. Dust particles may accumulate on surfaces around the purifier when the ionizer is used. You may also hear occasional popping sounds.

Most importantly, the manual says the ionizer produces less ozone than the UL-established limit of 0.05 ppm, but ozone may be harmful around birds and small pets. HoMedics recommends using the ionizer in a well-ventilated area to prevent ozone buildup.

This is a major point for pet owners. Many product listings treat the ionizer as a pure benefit, but if you have birds, small pets, asthma, or respiratory sensitivity in the home, you may not want to run the ionizer all the time.

Essential Oil Tray: Nice Feature, But Be Careful Around Pets

The essential oil tray is a popular feature. It allows you to add scent using the included pads. HoMedics recommends placing essential oil only on the pad, not directly into the tray or anywhere else in the purifier.

But pet owners should be cautious. The manual has a specific section about essential oils and pets. HoMedics recommends using essential oils around pets only in a well-ventilated area and giving pets the option to leave the space. It also says to observe each animal carefully when introducing an essential oil and to stop use if irritation occurs.

This makes the essential oil tray a nice optional feature, not something every pet household should use automatically. Cats, birds, and small animals can be especially sensitive to scents and oils.

Common Complaints and Negative Reviews

Most reviews are positive, but the negative feedback is useful.

The main complaints include:

• High speed can be noisy
• Some users do not notice a clear difference
• The unit and filters can feel expensive
• One Walmart reviewer reported a UV-C bulb issue straight out of the box
• A Target reviewer said the unit left a white residue near a window
• Some users may confuse the reset process after changing the filter

The white residue complaint is especially interesting. HoMedics replied that it could be related to moisture or condensation near a window. This suggests placement matters. The manual also says to keep the purifier dry and not operate it in wet or moist conditions.

The no difference complaint is also realistic. Air purifiers are not always dramatic, especially if the room is too large, windows are open, filters are dirty, or the odor source remains untreated.

Who Should Buy It?

The HoMedics air purifier pet plus model is a good fit if you:

• Have dogs, cats, or litter box odors
• Want a purifier for a bedroom, pet room, or medium-size living room
• Prefer simple controls instead of app-based smart features
• Want a night-light, timer, UV-C, and optional scent tray
• Need help with pet dander, dust, and everyday odors

It is less ideal if you:

• Need whole-house purification
• Want smart sensors or app control
• Are very sensitive to fan noise
• Have birds or small pets and plan to use the ionizer constantly
• Want the lowest possible long-term filter cost

If you are comparing homedics total clean air purifier for households with pets reviews or homedics totalclean air purifier for households with pets reviews, make sure you are looking at the same model. HoMedics has several TotalClean units with different room sizes and features. Some larger models include sensors or remotes, while the PetPlus AP-PET35 is focused on pet odor, dander, and medium-room use.

Final Verdict: Is the HoMedics Pet Plus Air Purifier Worth It?

Overall, this HoMedics Pet Plus Air Purifier Review finds that the AP-PET35 is a practical and well-liked air purifier for pet households. It has strong owner feedback for dog odor, litter box smell, pet dander, dust, and bedroom use. The manual confirms useful maintenance details, including the AP-PET35FL replacement filter, 12-month filter replacement schedule, 10,000-hour UV-C bulb life, and 266 sq. ft. recommended room size.

Its biggest strengths are odor control, simple controls, pet-focused filtration, and quiet low-speed operation. Its weaknesses are high-speed noise, filter and bulb replacement costs, and the need to use the ionizer and essential oils carefully around pets.

If you want a simple, pet-focused purifier for a bedroom, pet area, or medium-size room, the HoMedics Pet Plus Air Purifier is worth considering. Just do not treat it as a whole-house solution, and check the exact model and filter details before buying.