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You are here: Home / Best Rated Air Purifiers / Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier Review in 2021

Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier Review in 2021

Updated on August 18, 2021 By Musfikur Rahman · Leave a Comment

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If you are looking for an inexpensive air purifier with multistage filtrations and a decent airflow rate, then the Winix 5500-2 is a no-brainer. The washable pre-filter is suitable for pet hair and dander, the washable pellet-based carbon filter and Plasmawave is effective for odors. There is a True HEPA filter to catch tiny particles.

Read on to learn more about the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier based on our in-depth research.

Jump to:

  • Specs
  • In-depth Review
  • Suitable Room Size
  • Operating Costs
  • Pros & Cons
  • Winix 5300-2 vs. Winix 5500-2

Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier

Check Current Price on Amazon
Check Current Price on Sylvane

Winix 5500-2 Specifications:

ParameterValue
Filtration Technology
  1. Mechanical 3-Stage: Washable pre-Filter, activated carbon filter, and HEPA filter.
  2. Electronic: PlasmaWave.
Common air cleaning technologies of air purifiers.
HEPA ClassTrue HEPA
Filter Life
  • HEPA: 12 months
  • Carbon: 12 months
Maximum CADR232 cfm (Tobacco Smoke)
Room Coverage (8 ft ceilings)350 sq ft with 5 air changes per hour (calculate ACH for your room).
Sensors✔️ (Odor sensor and ambient light sensor)
Fan Speeds4
Automatic Mode✔️
Noise Level27.8 - 54.8 dB
Rated Power70 Watt
Weight14.7 lbs
Dimensions23.6″H x 15″W x 8.2″D
Deal Alert
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA, PlasmaWave and Odor Reducing...
23,515 Reviews
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA, PlasmaWave and Odor Reducing...
  • True HEPA filter captures 99.97% of airborne pollutants; dust mites, pet dander, pollen and other allergens as small as 0.3 microns
  • Washable AOC Carbon Filter, made from activated carbon granulars for removal of household odors. Decibels 27.8 dB
  • PlasmaWave acts as a permanent filter to safely break down odor, allergens, chemical vapors and other pollutants with no harmful ozone
  • Smart Sensors gauge the air and our Auto Mode adjusts the fan to filter the air as needed; with a sleep mode for silent night time...
  • CADR rated for 360 square feet room size. Suitable for medium and large rooms; kids bedrooms, family rooms and kitchens
$249.99 −$102.73 $147.26
Get it from Amazon

Last update on 2023-01-27 at 08:23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

In-depth Review of Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier:

Winix 5500-2 is mainly the activated carbon filter upgrade of the best-selling 5300-2 model. The 5500-2 comes with an advanced carbon filter and a basic remote controller.

Here are the features of the purifier.

4 Stage Filtration System

An air purifier with multi-stage filtrations can significantly improve indoor air quality because it efficiently targets different types of particles. The 5500-2 Air Purifier comes with a 4 level filtration system:

  • Fine mesh Pre-filter (permanent and washable) – target larger particles
  • Granular activated carbon filter (washable and replaceable)- target odors
  • True HEPA filter (replaceable) – target fine particles
  • PlasmaWave (electronic) – target odors

The first line of defense is the fine mesh pre-filter that traps large particles. They include dust, pollen, pet hair, lint, and fibers.

You need to know that the pre-filter is permanent and washable. To get a better output, clean the pre-filter twice a month.

The second stage of the filtration system is the activated carbon filter. Made of activated carbon pellets, the filter helps to reduce household VOCs and odors.

The good news is, this honeycomb carbon filter is also washable. Winix suggests washing the carbon filter every 3 months and replace it after 12 months. Use tap water, and don’t use strong detergents or soaps. Dry the filter well before re-install.

After the activated carbon filter, you have the True HEPA filter. Made of dense fibrous media, the HEPA filter traps 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. Such particles include allergens, mold spores, smoke residue, fine dust, and microbes.

Lastly, we have the PlasmaWave. It releases hydroxyl, an oxidizing agent that deactivates odors, VOCs, and other chemicals in the air.

The purifier has a dedicated button for activating PlasmaWave. To activate the feature, press the button only once.

You need to know that PlasmaWave often produces a traceable amount of ozone. Use this feature intermittently as the ozone can cause lung irritation. If you have breathing difficulties, avoid it completely.

Winix recommends that you replace the filters every 12 months. To know when to replace the filters, check the filter replacement indicator.

Compact Design and Easy Controls

Winix 5500-2 Control Panel

The 5500-2 Air Purifier has a boxy, rectangular design with a front and sides air intake and an outlet at the top. The front and sides intake draws in air and passes it through the 3-stage physical filters.

The control panel may look reasonably busy, but it makes selecting a control fast and easy. You have the following controls:

  • Power button
  • Mode (Auto & Sleep)
  • PlasmaWave
  • Fan Speed (Low, Medium, High, & Turbo)
  • Timer (1hr, 4hr, 8hr)
  • Filter Reset

The mode button enables you to activate preset modes, namely Auto and Sleep mode.

Auto mode works together with the air quality monitoring system to clean the air. If the onboard VOC sensor detects pollutants in the air, it will select the highest fan speed to get rid of the contaminants faster. The other preset mode is Sleep mode.

The air purifier activates Sleep mode when the room becomes dark. This ensures continuous, quiet operation. You need to know that the purifier can change back to auto mode in the presence of light.

In sleep mode, the purifier’s sound level is 27 dB. Aside from switching the purifier to the lowest noise level, Sleep mode also turns the purifier’s lights down.

The Winix 5500-2 also comes with a basic remote controller for your convenience.

Two Smart Sensors

The air purifier has two smart sensors. The VOC sensor is capable of detecting a variety of odorous pollutants in the air. The light sensor measures ambient lights in the room.

The system also includes an air quality indicator. The LED light bar changes its color in real-time based on the air quality.

If the LED light bar turns red, the air quality is poor, and orange indicates the air quality is fair. When the LED turns aqua, the air quality is good. In this case, the purifier will continue to run normally.

Suitable Room Size for Winix 5500-2:

*The room size calculation is based on an ideal situation. For best practice, consider the size of the room a little less than the calculated value.

If you have higher ceilings, use our Air Changes per Hour Calculator to calculate the suitable room size.

Winix 5500-2 Operating Costs:

Annual Filter Replacement: ~ $60 for 1 year filter pack (HEPA+Carbon) (check availability & filter price).
Monthly Energy Consumption: ~ $3 (based on 12 cents per kWh and 12 hours use on the turbo mode per day). Use our Energy Usage Calculator to find out the bill based on your usage and the local energy rate.

Official Introduction Video:

Deal Alert
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA, PlasmaWave and Odor Reducing...
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA, PlasmaWave and Odor Reducing...
Product has no extra filters
$249.99 −$102.73 $147.26

Last update on 2023-01-27 at 08:23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros & Cons:

Pros
  • Has a total 4 level filtration system
  • Permanent pre-filter, True HEPA-grade particle filter
  • A pellet-based activated carbon filter, also washable
  • Built-in Odor sensor to detect pollution
  • Auto-activated sleep mode based on room lights
  • AHAM-verified CADR, CARB approved for ozone safety
  • Value for money air purifier
Cons
  • PlasmaWave technology produces a small amount of ozone
  • Remote control lacks a backlight
  • There is only one color variant

Check out our top picks >>> The 7 Best Air Purifier for VOCs.

Winix 5300-2 vs. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier:

The Winix 5500-2 is the upgraded model of the 5300-2 model. Here are the main differences between them:

Winix Air Purifier Model
Low Price
5300-2
Effective Carbon Filter
5500-2
Image
Winix 5300-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA, PlasmaWave and Odor Reducing...
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA, PlasmaWave and Odor Reducing...
Carbon Filter Type
Impregnated-type activated carbon filter sheet
Honeycomb-styled pelletized activated carbon filter
Washable Carbon Filter
Carbon Filter Life
3 months
12 months
Remote Control
Color
Gray
Charcoal Gray
Customer Ratings
Number of Reviews
10,132 Reviews
23,515 Reviews
Current Price
$131.66
$147.26
Bring it Home
Get it from Amazon
Get it from Amazon
Low Price
Winix Air Purifier Model
5300-2
Image
Winix 5300-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA, PlasmaWave and Odor Reducing...
Carbon Filter Type
Impregnated-type activated carbon filter sheet
Washable Carbon Filter
Carbon Filter Life
3 months
Remote Control
Color
Gray
Customer Ratings
Number of Reviews
10,132 Reviews
Current Price
$131.66
Bring it Home
Get it from Amazon
Effective Carbon Filter
Winix Air Purifier Model
5500-2
Image
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA, PlasmaWave and Odor Reducing...
Carbon Filter Type
Honeycomb-styled pelletized activated carbon filter
Washable Carbon Filter
Carbon Filter Life
12 months
Remote Control
Color
Charcoal Gray
Customer Ratings
Number of Reviews
23,515 Reviews
Current Price
$147.26
Bring it Home
Get it from Amazon

Last update on 2023-01-27 at 08:54 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Questions and Answers

Q. Is the Winix 5500-2 carbon filter washable?
A. Yes, the AOC carbon filter is washable. Wash it without any soaps or detergents every 3 months.

Q. Is the unit effective for wildfire smoke?
A. It’s somewhat effective against wildfire smoke for the filtrations, but the CADR is not strong enough.

Q. Is this unit Energy Star rated?
A. Yes, the Winix 5500-2 is an Energy Star rated air purifier.

Final Thoughts

Winix 5500-2 is an excellent choice for any family. It comes with a smart sensor that detects pollutants in the air. The purifier also has an auto mode for automatically adjusting fan speed and sleep mode for silent night operation.

Thanks to its 4 stage filtration system, it traps pollutants, creating a healthy living environment for you, your family, and pets. With the mid-range CADR ratings, it’s ideal for both medium and large rooms.

If you are searching for an air purifier with washable filters and low maintenance costs, we recommend the Winix 5500-2.

Check Current Price on Amazon
Check Current Price on Sylvane
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Filed Under: Best Rated Air Purifiers

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Musfikur Rahman

A former smoker, who has become a clean air enthusiast, created this blog to review different types of air purifiers so that you can make an informed decision.

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