Winix HR1000 Review: Cheapest 5-stage WiFi enabled air purifier?

Winix HR1000 review

The starters

Winix HR1000 is a modern, simplistic air purifier that would blend in nicely as part of home decor. At 16.3 x 23.6 x 9.6 in and 18.7 lb weight, the air purifier shares the same platform as Winix HR950 where you find familiarity in design and controls placement. You will find the usual air inlet on front sides and air outlet at the top. Air quality indicator light is located at the front that will display blue when air quality is good, yellow when is fair, and red when is poor. There is also a back handle that you can hold on to when transporting the unit. Build quality wise, Winix HR1000 is made entirely in plastic from top to bottom. Not premium but everything is well fitted that does not feel cheap or will release ozone gas at any heat.

Operating Winix HR1000 is simple with controls all nicely laid out at the top. Starting from the left you have the Smart Sensor + Light Sensor, Wi-Fi button, Mode button, Power button, PlasmaWave button, and Timer button. The Smart Sensor is used to detects indoor air quality for autonomous purifying while the below light sensor detects surrounding ambient light and automatically adjust the brightness LED indicators accordingly. Next to it is the sole Wi-Fi button will either enable or disable the Wi-Fi function. You can check the strength of the Wi-Fi connectivity or if Winix Smart app is currently active via the 2 LED indicator above. The mode button is self-explanatory, every time you press the button, the air purifier will cycle between Auto, Sleep, Low, Medium, High, Turbo with top LED indicator showing the selected mode. Right at the center, you have the Power button that will turn on or off the air purifier. Continue the path is the PlasmaWave/ Child lock button that will enable or disable PlasmaWave on a single press. Press and hold for at least 3 seconds will activate Child lock mode where all controls are locked. Repeat the step to disables Child lock. Lastly, Timer/ Air Quality button will cycle between 1, 4, 8 hours and no timer on a single press. Again press and hold for at least 3 seconds will enable/ disable the Air Quality light.

Similar to Winix NK100, Winix HR1000 is WiFi enabled that allows pairing between the air purifier and Winix SMART app. Available in Google Play and Apple store, it’s not the most intuitive way in linking the 2 with steps like enter the setting in the app, disconnect from your current network and join the air purifier network. Once connected though, the Winix SMART app is highly functional where you could set multiple scheduling at any date, time and fan speed. Turning on/ off the air purifier is also a click away at any destination. Other features from the SMART app includes indoor & outdoor air quality check with history charts, local weather, lighting control, rename your unit and check filter remaining lifespan.

To recap on Winix HR1000 features, you have the exclusive WiFi-enabled access, 5-stage filtration including PlasmaWave technology and Anti-microbial coating, 4 fan speed plus Auto/ Sleep mode, Smart sensor, Light sensor, front air quality LED indicator light, ever useful Childlock button, AHAM verified, Ozone-safe certified by CARB, UL listed, ENERGY STAR rated and 2 years warranty.

Airflow, CADR and everything in between

Winix HR1000 just passed 400 sq. ft. coverage for the large purifying segment air purifier. It is of course still ideally-suited for kitchen, living hall or large-size bedroom. Airflow is consistent that stand between 56.5-286 cfm across the 4 fan speed. Utilizing the light and smart sensor, the default Auto mode features are also available in Winix HR1000 for autonomous airflow management. Sleep mode is best used in night time to reduce fan speed diminish the air purifier into the background. Great but nothing overly standout, Winix HR1000 Dust CADR is verified at 264 cfm, Pollen CADR at 301 cfm and Smoke CADR at 258 cfm. The combined HEPA filter and high 300 pollen CADR output show Winix HR1000 is best in handling allergens like mold, pollen particularly with the added anti-microbial. With dust and smoke passed the 200 cfm bar, expect decent to identical airflow performance against dust mite, dander, smoke, and odor irritants.

What’s inside count

^ Winix HR1000 filters/ technologies/ lifespan

Winix HR1000 5-stage filtration is great for owners that are frequently haunted by seasonal and pet allergies. The full-size permanent pre-filter (washable) would first capture large particles and while prolonging other filters lifespan. Smoke, gas, and odor that manage to bypass the pre-filter would now be captured by the coated Deodorization carbon filter. With many of the airborne particles captured, the anti-microbial coated True HEPA filter will deal with those uncaptured microscopic allergens while halting any bacteria from further growing onto the filter. Wrapping things up is Winix PlasmaWave Technology that generates Hydroxyl to neutralize any type of germs without creating any harmful ozone.

Keep it down

Judging on its power output, Winix HR1000 26.4 - 60 dB noise level is on the lower side although typical measurement rules still applied here. Expect virtually no noise in low speed, minimal noise at medium/ high speed and loud noise at turbo speed. For night time use, you can rely on the air purifier Auto/ Sleep mode. Power consumption is good too for this ENERGY STAR rated unit. Official figure lands between 11 - 83 Watt depending on the selected fan speed and usage frequency. Again Auto mode is available to autonomously manage the air purifier energy consumption.

At what cost

Not the most expensive air purifier that is meant to target large purifying group. With the given specification and 5-stage filtration, Winix HR1000 is worth every single penny you have to churn out. If this fall to other brands, expect the cost to push up double or even higher! However, that could not be said for the filter replacement set that requires annual change. The relatively short lifespan means filter change cost will surpass the air purifier price within 3-4 years period. Costly it may be, what you do get in the bundled package include a separate HEPA and carbon filters.

The challengers

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