Not all “HEPA” filters are safe for birds. Many modern units use Bipolar Ionization or Plasma technology to boost their efficiency ratings. While these are often marketed as “safe for humans,” the trace ozone ($O_3$) they emit can be catastrophic for the delicate air sacs of a parrot or finch.
This registry only includes units that have been verified as Mechanical-Only (No electronic components) or UL 2998 Validated (Zero Ozone Emissions).
🟢 The “Safe Room” Tier: 100% Mechanical HEPA
These units contain no ionizers, no UV-C, and no plasma tech. They are the “Gold Standard” for bird rooms because they cannot physically produce ozone.
| Brand & Model | Best Use Case | Safety Verification |
| Austin Air (All Models) | Large aviaries / Heavy VOCs | CARB “Filter Only” / Steel Housing |
| IQAir HealthPro Plus | Clinical protection (Aspergillosis) | HyperHEPA / No Electronic Add-ons |
| Levoit Core 300 / 400S | Small to Medium Bedrooms | CARB Certified / 100% Ozone Free |
| Coway Airmega 150 | Small apartments / Dust control | GreenHEPA / No Ionizer |
| Rabbit Air A3 | Open-concept homes / Dander | UL 2998 Verified Zero Ozone |
🟡 The “Manual Override” Tier: Use With Caution
These units are excellent filters, but they include an electronic feature (Ionizer/Plasma) that MUST be turned off manually to be bird-safe.
- Winix 5500-2: Must manually disable PlasmaWave®.
- Blueair Blue Pure Max (211i/311i): Uses HEPASilent™ technology. While CARB certified to meet ozone safety standards, it uses electrostatic charging. We recommend this for larger rooms where the unit can be kept 10+ feet from the cage.
- Medify Air (MA-25 / MA-40): Features an optional ionizer. Never activate the ionizer button in a bird room.
🚫 The “No-Fly” List: 2026 Do-Not-Use
Avoid these units in rooms with birds. Even if they claim “low ozone,” their primary filtration method involves charging the air.
- “Ionic” Tower Purifiers: Any unit that relies on “plates” rather than a thick HEPA filter.
- UV-C Only Units: These can produce ozone as a byproduct of the light’s wavelength.
- Active Oxygen / Hydroxyl Generators: These are designed to “kill” odors by releasing reactive gases—deadly to birds.
🔍 How We Audit This List
We update this registry monthly by cross-referencing the CARB Certified Air Cleaning Devices Database.
- Mechanical Category: Units listed as “Mechanical” by CARB are air cleaners that only use physical filtration (like H13 HEPA).
- Electronic Category: Units listed as “Electronic” have some form of ionization or UV. We only move these to our “Caution” list if the feature can be confirmed as “Manually Deactivatable.”
Reader Tip: If you see a unit on Amazon that isn’t on our list, check the box for the UL 2998 seal. If it’s not there, and it mentions “Plasma,” “Ion,” or “Fresh Air Tech,” keep it away from your flock.