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Do you have an air quality issue in your home? Are you thinking about getting an air purifier to help solve the problem?

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Maybe you're dealing with pet dander, hair or unpleasant odors. Or you might want to get rid of smells from cigarettes or cooking. Maybe dust or pollen in the air are making you sick.

The Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier is a large room air cleaner designed specifically for problems caused by pets.

But that's not all. It also gets rid of other pollutants and allergens, making it a good general purpose air purifier, too.

In this review, we'll take a look at the features of the Winix HR900, how it works, what it removes from the air, and other details you'll want to know. We'll also talk about price, warranty, and where you can buy it.

If you're in a hurry and just want to know how much it costs, you can click here to find the current price of the Winix HR900 at Amazon.

You can click on your most pressing question in the quick navigation below, or keep scrolling to read the whole review.

What are the features of the Winix HR900?

5-Stage Filtration

Five layers of filtration help to make your indoor air as clean and allergen free as possible.

1. Ultimate Pet Pre-filter

This disposable filter traps the pet hair, dander, and other very large particles. It also helps extend the life of the the other (more expensive) filters.

The pet pre-filter needs to be changed out every month. You'll get 12 of these with the air purifier, though, so you're set for a year.

2. Fine Mesh Pre-filter

Next comes a washable mesh pre-filter. It blocks large particles that might have gotten through the pet filter.

You should vacuum this filter every two weeks, or as needed. If it gets really dirty, you can wash it with plain water.

3. Advanced Odor Control (AOC) Carbon Filter

The carbon filter targets pet odors plus smoke, cooking, and other odors.

You'll replace this filter annually.

4. True HEPA Filter

After passing through the carbon filter, the air is filtered by a True HEPA filter.

That means it's able to capture 99.97% of pollutants, allergens, and pet dander in air as small as 0.3 microns.

Along with the carbon filter, this one should be replaced once a year.

5. PlasmaWave Technology

The HR900 uses what they call PlasmaWave Technology to clean odors, gases, bacteria, and viruses from the air.

This is a great feature because it can help prevent spreading germs and improve your health.

And in case you're wondering - PlasmaWave does not produce ozone or other dangerous byproducts.

(For more information about PlasmaWave, please see this article from the Drexel University Plasma Institute.)

Smart Sensors

This machine has Smart Sensors that detect light, odor, and dust. When in Auto mode, It automatically adjusts the fan speed according to what's needed.

So, if there's a sudden increase in the amount of particles or odors in the air, the fan speeds up. When the air is clean again, it switches to a lower speed.

Also, the light sensor will automatically reduce the speed to Sleep Mode and turn off the display lights at night.

That means you always get the purest air without having to bother with the settings. Plus, it doesn't run any faster than it needs to, and that saves energy.

Another nice feature to go along with this is an air quality LED light on the display that changes color according to the quality of your air.

Blue means good,  amber means fair, and red means poor.

If you'd rather not use the air quality light, you can turn it off.

User-Friendly Controls

The HR900 has an easy to use and easy to read display panel with these features:

  • Fan Speed  - Manually select it yourself or just set it on Auto.
  • Timer - Set it to automatically shut off the air purifier after 1, 4 or 8 hours.
  • Sleep Mode - Turns off the air quality light and switches the fan to low.
  • PlasmaWave - You decide whether to have it on or off.
  • Check Filter Indicator - Reminds you to inspect the filters to see if they need to be cleaned or replaced.
  • Child Lock Button - Locks the controls so little ones can't change the settings.

Is the Winix HR900 quiet?

Yes, it's whisper quiet on the lowest settings, so you might even forget that it's running.

What are the dimensions?

It measures 9.6" x 16.3" x 23.6", and it weighs 18.7 pounds.

How big of an area does it cover?

This model can purify up to 300 square feet. It's perfect for a large bedroom or a family room.

What is the CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)?

The CADR is 200/200/194 for dust/pollen/smoke.

What comes in the box?

  • 1 Winix HR900 air purifier.
  • 1 True HEPA filter
  • 1 AOC carbon filter 
  • 1 Pre-filter
  • 12 Pet filters
  •  User Manual

How often will I have to replace the filters?

On average, you'll need to replace the pet filter once a month, and the others once a year.

Exactly how often depends on factors like the quality of your air, the number of pets you have, and the activity that goes on in the room where the unit is located.

If you forget, the check filter indicator on the display will remind you to take the filters out to see if you need to clean or replace any of them.

Where can I buy replacement filters?

You can buy them directly from Winix or other online retailers.

There are two separate replacement packs:

Winix 1712-0093-00 Filter T (includes the carbon and True HEPA filters)

Check the price and availability at Amazon here.

Winix 1712-0094-00 Ultimate Pet Filter U (comes in packs of 12)

Check the price and availability at Amazon here.

Where are Winix air purifiers made?

They're made in South Korea, and they're distributed in the US by Winix America.

Does it have any certifications?

All Winix air purifiers sold in the US have multiple certifications, so you can be assured that they are safe and effective.

Here's the list:

  • Participant in the AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). This voluntary program allows consumers to compare the ability of air purifiers to remove dust, smoke and pollen.
  • Listed with UL (Underwriter's Laboratory). This verifies that an electric product is safe to use.
  • Energy Star qualified. This means that it's energy efficient. 
  • CARB (California Air Resources Board). The State of California has very strict standards when it comes to clean air. This product has been CARB tested and approved.

How does the Winix HR900 compare to the old WAC9500?

The WAC9500 had a great reputation as an air purifier for pet owners. But Winix decided to make some improvements, and they replaced the WAC9500 with the new HR900 Ultimate Pet clean air machine.

Here's a quick rundown of the main changes:

  • CADR - Went from 142/145/138 to 200/200/194 for dust/pollen/smoke. 
  • Coverage - Improved slightly, from 283 to 300 square feet.
  • Pet Filter - This is an additional filter that the WAC9500 did not have. 
  • Size and Weight - The HR900 is a couple inches bigger and weighs 5 pounds more than the WAC9500.
  • No Remote Control - They did away with the remote, so you're going to have to get up out of your chair to change the settings.

Are there any negatives to this air purifier?

Really, it's hard to find anything bad to say about the HR900.

The main drawback is probably the cost of replacement filters. You're going to pay a good bit every year.

Plus, sometimes they're hard to find. But, you can always buy them directly from Winix if you have to.

What kind of warranty does it have?

It has a 2-year limited warranty from the date of purchase. If it's defective, Winix will repair or replace the product.

Verdict: If you're a pet owner, you need this air purifier!

The Winix HR900 is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a one room air purifier - and especially for pet owners.

First, the carbon odor control filter does a great job of clearing the air of bad smells. Plus, the combined power of the pet filter, pre-filter, and True HEPA filter greatly reduces the dust, pollen and pet dander that make allergy sufferers so miserable.

It's also easy to set up and easy to use.

There are cheaper and more expensive air purifiers out there, for sure. But this one is affordable, and it does the job. And the manufacturer backs it up with a 2-year warranty, so there's really no risk in trying it out.

If this air purifier sounds like the right choice for you, it's time to go shopping!

If you're not sure this is the right air purifier for you, please see my review of the best air purifiers for some other outstanding options.

Last Updated on April 8, 2022

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