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.
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Winix 5500-2 Specifications:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Filtration Technology |
|
| HEPA Class | True HEPA |
| Filter Life |
|
| Maximum CADR | 232 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 Speeds | 4 |
| Automatic Mode | ✔️ |
| Noise Level | 27.8 - 54.8 dB |
| Rated Power | 70 Watt |
| Weight | 14.7 lbs |
| Dimensions | 23.6″H x 15″W x 8.2″D |
- 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
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
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:
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:
Pros & Cons:
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:
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.
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