Editor's note: This product is in the process of being tested.
The Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier knows that as important as pets may be, they still have a big impact on a home’s air quality. That’s why this air purifier has been designed with pet owners specifically in mind. Things like pet dander, hair, and odors are all targeted by the Winix air purifier. However, that’s not all that it can deal with: it also tackles mold spores, pollen, dust, dirt, and odors, whether they’re from humans or furry companions.
Dimensions: 16.3 x 9.6 x 23.6 inches
Weight: 18.7 lbs
Filters: Pet pre-filter, fine mesh pre-filter, carbon filter, and HEPA filter.
Max noise: 55.2 dB
Max power use: 46.6 W
Coverage: 300 sq ft
Modes: Sleep mode
Warranty: 2 years
Energy Star Certified: Yes
All that put together makes the Winix HR900 a fierce contender as one of the best air purifiers right now. In fact, the Winix purifier has one of the longest air purification processes out of them all. After the air is sucked into the purifier through the perforated grill on the front of the device, it’s passed over five different filters, including two pre-filters, which add double protection against troublesome pollutants.
Once the Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier is put on auto mode, the purifier will save you energy and boost air quality by closely monitoring levels of pollutants throughout the day. This means that you’re free to move your attention back to your chores, work, or family time, while still being kept in the loop through the color-coded light signal system on the front of the device. All the while, the purifier stays relatively quiet and only emits 55.2 dBA at its noisiest.
Pet hair is one of the trickiest pollutants to trap, so the fact that this purifier is designed to deal with pet hair specifically makes it a very wise choice for pet owners.
Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier: Price
The Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet air purifier cost $349.99 at launch, but even on Winix’s own site you can now find it at the reduced price of $279.99. That price tag places it firmly in the mid-range realm of air purifiers.
It's often subject to further price cuts online, regularly moving it closer to $260, so it's a good idea to shop around. Our price tracker software below highlights the best deals for this air purifier online today.
Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier: Features
One of the big plus points of the Winix HR900 Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet air purifier is its in-depth cleaning process. First, an Ultimate Pet Pre-filter traps the largest particles, such as pet hair and dander; then a washable fine mesh pre-filter picks up any other large particles that have slipped past the first filter. Both pre-filters help extend the life of the finer filters.
Next, the Activated Carbon filter traps pet odors, as well as smoke, chemicals and VOCs (volatile organic compounds), helping make your indoor air fresh. Following that is a True HEPA filter – they're becoming increasingly common in air purifiers, and for good reason. The one in the Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet can capture up to 99.97 per cent of particles down to 0.3 microns, including mold spores, pollen, virus particles and allergens.
Finally, the Winix PlasmaWave ionizer further reduces the amount of harmful particles. Bear in mind that Ionizers sometimes release ozone, which can be irritating to people with asthma or allergies – but the Winix HR900 lets you turn this off, which is particularly useful.
Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier: Performance
Another important point to mention is unlike premium air purifiers – such as the Rabbit Air MinusA2 or Austin Air HealthMate – the Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet pre-filter is just a paper filter. It does the job, but it's easily broken and can need to be replaced regularly. However, it's difficult to find an air purifier in this price range that includes a filter like this at all.
Aside from the five-step air purification process, one great feature of the Winix HR900 is its smart sensor. Not only does this monitor your air quality, but it also offers real-time feedback via a color-coded light system on the front of the air purifier, so you can see how clean your air is at a glance. The Winix HR900 can then use this information to automatically adjust the fan speed for efficient cleaning.
Lastly, a handy sleep mode reduces the fan speed to keep the Winix HR900 quiet. it also turns off light notifications for an undisturbed night’s sleep.
Testing revealed that the odor control and vapor absorption ability of the Winix HR900 was some of the best the site has ever tested. The team also found that it did a great job of cleaning pet hair, as well as capturing odors, dander, and microscopic dust.
The Advanced Odor Control filter was not only an unusual design but incredibly effective. (So if pet smells are a particular problem for you, this air purifier could be a great choice.) The team also praised the quiet and soft sound of the fan, which meant that any noise it did make was barely noticeable.
Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier: User reviews
On Amazon, the Winix HR900 averages 4.7 out of 5 stars, across over 80 reviews. It also has 4.7 out of 5 stars at Wayfair and Home Depot, but this time across a smaller pool of user reviews.
Users comment on how the sleek, unobtrusive design means it easily slots into a variety of rooms. For those who are particularly concerned about pet odors, especially when guests are due, there’s plenty of feedback about the powerful cleaning ability of this air purifier in homes shared with pets. One reviewer even commented that in a home with three cats and one dog, visitors have only said they smell nothing or clean laundry.
A number of reviewers comment that the Winix HR900 is quiet to run, except on turbo mode, and that overall they’re really happy with the noise levels. Some reviewers have mentioned that the airflow is low in sleep mode and they’re concerned about the purifier’s ability to clean thoroughly in that mode, but overall most reviewers rate the Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet consistently highly.
Should you buy the Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier?
With a purification process that’s geared towards pet odors, dander, and hair, the Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier is the crème de la crème of air purifiers for homes that feature furry friends. Better yet, the air purifier can be mostly left to its own devices, as the sleep mode and smart sensor adjust to the ever-changing environment that comes with a pet-friendly household.
Even with this niche and impressive skill set, you can nab this purifier at quite an affordable price, making it an even more attractive option.
If this product isn't for you
If pet dander and odors aren’t too troublesome in your home, you may want to check out other all-round performers. The Rabbit Air MinusA2 is an excellent choice, especially for allergy sufferers or those who are troubled by flu-like symptoms.
The Honeywell HPA300 is also perfectly capable of purifying large spaces. While you won’t be able to leave this air purifier to its own devices like the Winix air purifier, this is one of the best models out there for those on a tighter budget.
If you’re looking for an air purifier that’s high-end and comes with WiFi connectivity, check out the Molekule Air. As well as dealing with large spaces, the air purifier has a sleek, cylinder-shaped design that makes it a standout esthetics-wise.
