Are you struggling with allergies or asthma?
Asthma is an inflammatory and allergic disease. One of the risk factors for asthma morbidity is exposure to indoor allergens. According to the CDC, common triggers of allergies and asthma include dust, tobacco smoke, mold, pollen, and household pets.
These contaminants range in size. Some are more than a micron in size, while others are as small as 0.1 microns. Despite the allergens’ size, if you breathe in these contaminants, they will find their way into your lungs.
They will cause untold damage to your lungs and other organs, triggering diseases such as asthma. According to the EPA, one of the best ways of getting rid of pollutants in the air is by using an air purifier.
Air purifiers have powerful filtration systems made of fibrous media. These filters are capable of capturing particles of different sizes. By doing so, you and your family get to breathe clean, fresh air.
Looking for an air purifier with smart sensors capable of detecting pollutants in the air.
Read on to learn more about the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier.
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Winix 5500-2 Specifications:
Filtration: Mesh pre-filter, carbon filter, HEPA filter, and PlasmaWave
HEPA class: True HEPA
Filter life: 12 months
Filter Replacement Indicator: Yes
Maximum CADR: 232 cfm (Tobacco Smoke)
Room Coverage: 350 square feet with 5 air changes per hour (ACH)
Sensors: VOC sensor, ambient light sensor
Number of manual fan speed: 4
Automatic mode: Yes
Size: 23.6″H x 14.9″W x 7.8″D
Device weight: 17.6 lbs
Noise level: 27.8 – 54.8 dB
Rated Power: 70 Watt
Voltage: 120 V AC 60 Hz
- 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:
Founded almost 50 years ago, Winix has grown to be a popular brand. To deliver quality products, Winix invested in R&D, and today, they make quality home appliances such as air purifiers. One of the best air purifiers from Winix is the 5500-2 Air Purifier.
Here are the features of the purifier.
4 Stage Filtration System
An air purifier is an essential appliance that can significantly improve indoor air quality. It’s capable of delivering fresh, clean air thanks to its advanced filtration system. The 5500-2 Air Purifier comes with a 4 stage filtration system.
The filtration system includes:
- Permanent and washable mesh Pre-filter
- Replaceable and washable activated carbon filter
- Replaceable True HEPA filter
- Electronic PlasmaWave
The first line of defense is the pre-filter. Made of fine mesh, the pre-filter traps large particles. They include dust, pollen, pet hair, lint, and fibers.
You need to know that the pre-filter is washable. To clean the pre-filter, vacuum it or rinse it in room temperature water.
The second stage of the filtration system is the activated carbon filter. Made of granular carbon, the filter helps to reduce VOCs and odors from cooking. It also traps and removes smoke, pet odors and prolongs the lifespan of the True HEPA filter.
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 room temperature water and with no detergents or soaps. Dry the filter completely before use again.
After the activated carbon filter, you have the True HEPA filter. Made of dense fibrous media, the HEPA filter traps and removes 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. Such particles include allergens, mold spores, smoke, dust, pet dander, and microbes.
Lastly, we have the PlasmaWave. The technology creates hydroxyls, which helps to neutralize VOCs and odors.
The purifier has a dedicated button for activating PlasmaWave. To activate the feature, press the button only once.
You need to know that the PlasmaWave acts as a permanent filter. It does so while emitting small amounts of ozone. Use this feature intermittently as the ozone can cause lung irritation.
Winix recommends that you replace the filters after six months to 12 months of use. To know when to replace the filters, check the filter replacement indicator.
The air purifier has a Tobacco Smoke CADR of 232 cfm. It can clean up to 350 square feet five times in an hour. As such, the purifier is ideal for medium to large living spaces.
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 ambient light sensor detects light in the room.
The system also includes an air quality indicator. The LED light changes in real-time based on air quality.
If the LED light turns red, it means 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.
If the air quality is terrible, the purifier’s auto mode will select the highest fan speed. Doing so will draw in unfiltered air where the purifier will trap the pollutants and distribute fresh air in the room. You need to know that the air purifier will continue running at high fan speed until the sensor cannot detect any air pollutants.
Box-like Design and Controls
The 5500-2 Air Purifier has a boxy, rectangular design with a front and sides air intake and the outlet at the top. The front and sides intake draws in air and passes it through the 3-stage filtration system. After a thorough cleaning, the purifier will distribute clean air via the top outlet.
At 15 by 7.8 by 23.6 inches and weighing 17.6 pounds, the rectangular shape has clean lines. Since it’s not bad looking, the purifier is ideal for use in your living room, bedroom, kitchen, or office.
Besides the neat design, this is a space-saving model. You can place it anywhere in your room, and it won’t get in the way.
Winix fitted the purifier with a pedestal as a base. Made of ABS plastic material, the pedestal is sturdy and provides balance. The body is also made of ABS plastic and can withstand impact.
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, auto mode 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.
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 (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.
Pros & Cons:
Check out our top picks >>> The 9 Best Air Purifier for Smoke
Winix 5500-2 vs. Winix 5300-2 Air Purifier:
The Winix 5500-2 and Winix 5300-2 are powerful purifiers identical in many ways. For example, they have four-stage filtration systems, dual smart sensors, and air quality indicators. They also have the same size, room coverage, CADR, and design.
Besides the similarities, they have a couple of differences.
Carbon Filter
Carbon filters are convenient. They trap and remove chemical vapors, VOCs, smoke odors, and pet odors. The 5500-2 has an advanced honeycomb-styled activated carbon filter, while the 5300-2 features the thin carbon filter.
Remote Control
Remote controls are handy when it comes to controlling air purifiers, how you may ask. You can change any setting or function from the comfort of your seat. The 5500-2 comes with remote control, and the 5300-2 does not.
While we both love the 5500-2 and 5300-2, we recommend the 5500-2 over the 5300-2. It has an advanced carbon filter, a space-saving design, remote control, and much more.
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 in every 3 months.
Q. Is the unit effective for wildfire smoke?
A. Yes, it’s effective against wildfire smoke, as it has an advanced activated carbon filter and true HEPA filter. Also, PlasmaWave will reduce the VOCs in wildfire smoke.
Q. Is this unit Energy Star rated?
A. The Winix 5500-2 is Energy Star rated.
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 level CADR ratings, it’s ideal for both medium and large rooms.
If you are searching for an air purifier that’s CARB certified, Energy Star certified, and verified by AHAM, we recommend the Winix 5500-2.
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