Winix Air Purifier Review
The Winix 5500-2 air purifier is a powerful and versatile medium-sized air purifier well-suited for spaces up to 360 square feet. It features a true HEPA filter, washable AOC carbon filter, and PlasmaWave technology to capture 99.97% of airborne pollutants as small as 0.3 microns.
This includes allergens like dust, pet dander, pollen, and mold spores. The activated carbon filter helps reduce household odors from pets, cooking, and more. Meanwhile, the PlasmaWave safely breaks down chemical vapors, smoke, and other pollutants without producing harmful ozone.
The Winix 5500-2 has smart sensors that continually monitor air quality and Auto Mode adjusts the fan speed accordingly. There is also a sleep mode for quieter operation at night.
With a CADR rating of 360 square feet, this air purifier is a great choice for medium to large rooms like family rooms, kids’ bedrooms, and open kitchens. It has an Energy Star certification for efficiency and is relatively affordable given its purification capabilities.
Filter Types
The true HEPA filter is the star of the show, trapping 99.97% of pollutants in the air that pass through it. This includes fine particulates like PM2.5 as well as larger allergens and dust. The HEPA filter needs to be replaced about once per year to maintain peak performance.
The washable AOC carbon filter adsorbs household odors and large volumes of chemicals and smoke. As an added bonus, this filter is reusable – it can be washed with water and left to air dry when it gets saturated. This helps reduce replacement filter costs down the line.
The PlasmaWave acts as a permanent filter, using positive and negative ions to safely break apart pollutant molecules in the air without producing any harmful ozone in the process. This provides an extra layer of air purification compared to air purifiers without this technology.
Design
The Winix 5500-2 features a sleek charcoal gray color scheme with simple controls and an LED air quality indicator light. The air purifier measures 7.8” x 14.9” x 23.6” so it has a slim, unobtrusive footprint for a 360 square feet model. The air intake and filters are conveniently located at the bottom rather than the sides or back, allowing flexible placement in the room.
The control panel on top features intuitive buttons to switch between manual fan speeds, auto mode, sleep mode, indicator light dimmer, timer, and filter reset.
The air quality light always remains on to display real-time readings from the smart sensors. There are also indicator lights next to each fan speed setting. Overall, the 5500-2 combines modern design with useful smart features for purification and convenience.
Pros
- True HEPA + carbon + PlasmaWave filtration
- Captures 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns
- Reduces odors, chemicals, smoke
- Washable AOC carbon filter saves money
- Smart sensors and auto mode
- SLEEP mode (27.8 dB noise output)
- Energy Star certified
- 1 year warranty
Cons
- Replacement HEPA filters can be expensive
- Higher upfront cost than more basic models
- Does not cover extremely large spaces
Conclusion
For the price, the Winix 5500-2 air purifier packs powerful true HEPA filtration, odor reduction, and smart convenience features into a compact and efficient package. With the ability to capture a wide range of indoor air pollutants and flexibility for medium to large rooms, this Energy Star-certified purifier delivers excellent value through clean air and energy savings.
While the replacement HEPA filters add an ongoing cost, the initial investment pays dividends through cleaner, healthier indoor air.