The fourth and last stage in Winix 5500-2 air cleaning process. Not to mention the fact that they run less energy efficiently and are noisier in the applications where theyre used the most (small rooms). So, thats what makes the Winix 5500-2 a very good choice for reducing odors. On the negative side of things, the Winix only comes with a 1 year warranty. It has the same output as the Winix. But you can control it with the PlasmaWave button on the control panel. PlasmaWave stage. Many people will find noise at the highest speed irritable. It includes but not limited to pet hair, dander dust, pollen, fibers, lint and other large particles. With the ionizer turned off it's impossible for the 5500-2 to release ozone. But dont expect the Winixs HEPA filter to be any better than the same type of filter (HEPA) in the Winix 5300-2, Coway Mighty, Coway AirMega, IQAir, Austin, or GermGuardian. It only weighs about 16.5 lb. If you have any trouble or feel uncomfortable replacing the filters on Winix, follow the guide I prepared below. We recommend running either unit on its highest fan speed to initially lower particle concentration in the room and then to switch it to a lower fan speed to maintain that low particle concentration at peak energy efficiency. 
It consumes more energy than some smaller air purifiers, but still, it is energy-star certified. The Winix 5500-2 is an affordable air purifier intended for medium-sized rooms up to 360 sq. How long does it take for the Winix PlasmaWave 5500-2 to clean a room? I know you said it's about a 10/1 for the lower ones, but knowing the exact values would be great. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier In-Depth Review. To choose how long you want the 5500-2 to work, you need the Timer button. And even with it, turned on, it's still completely safe to use. 
You are probably wondering what my opinion is after using it in a real-life environment for some time? If we do the math on energy consumption and say that the air purifier will work on the third speed for 30 days, Winix will cost you only 1.2$. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I just installed a uv light into my HVAC system. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. For example, lets say youre looking for an air purifier for a smaller room around 150 sq. Pre-filter is permanent, you cant replace it. The Winix 5500 is now $250 on Amazon. There are units on the market that allow for full control panel light control. The 5300-2 and Coway Mighty have the exact same output 250 CFM and have the exact same area of coverage 300 sq. At this stage the Winix 5500-2 captures tiny airborne particles as small as 0.003 microns. The Winix 5300-2 also has a HEPA filter and also outputs at approx. A cursory glance at the spec sheets would reveal this to be yet another ionizing model, and although you reveal this feature being off during tests within the comments, you have not spoken about this within this review itself. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Have a question or comment? These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. If I choose not to use the plasmawave feature how much is the filtering ability decreased? No way to turn all lights off - white LEDs that light up for most settings, the PLASMAWAVE text light turns on when you turn on the ionizer, the air quality light is a horizontal bar that also cannot be turned off. Immediately after that, remove the front panel by grasping its upper edge and gently pulling forward. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. So i just wanna make sure that if I keep this product with the plasma-wave off I should have no Ozone emissions what so ever? Even the Coway Mighty has a longer warranty (than the Winix) of 3 years. new $900 for the IQAir HealthPro Plus. A smaller unit like the Honeywell HPA100 has to be set to its highest fan speed to output at approx. Remove the front panel by grabbing it at the top and gently pulling it forward. For big rooms and large spaces in general we recommend to check out NuWave OxyPure Air Purifier. In this mode the fan works even slower than Low speed setting (thats why manufacturer specifies the 5500-2 has 5 fan modes, despite having only 4 at a surface) and PlasmaWave technology gets deactivated automatically although you can turn it on. Which Winix unit would you recommend? Something like the GermGuardian AC4825 only has a HEPA filter and a fibrous carbon filter. It has a smart sensor that will track indoor air quality in real-time. It's also a feature that can very easily be turned off and kept off if you're concerned about ozone release. However, it is by no means a large or heavy appliance. | The Coway Mighty is another HEPA equipped 250 CFM unit we tested. Both pre-filter and carbon filters are washable and need to be periodically cleaned. The first thing worth mentioning is that I received replies quite fast and always got in-detail answers to each question.
We recommend one unit per 300 sq. Smaller lower CFM units were not as successful. But it lacks smart sensors and auto mode. Sold by: Like most other air purifiers on the market, the 5500-2 uses a carbon filter for gas filtration (removing unwanted gases like VOCs and odors). Second, remove any filters that may be dirty. This filter is the third stage of filtration, and it is the most significant part of Winixs filtration process. Cleaning speed depends on a size of your room. On this fan speed its noise output was measured at 68.7 dB. The IQAir draws a whopping 233 watts on its highest fan speed with only slightly greater output (approx. The unit is only about 2 ft. tall, a little over a ft. wide, and well under a ft. deep. Given an indefinite amount of time the GermGuardian AC4825 was only able to achieve a room particle concentration as low as 500 particles per cubic ft. February 20, 2021 I improved the article and fixed typos. They were not able to achieve the same level of ultra-low room particle concentration as higher CFM units like the Winix 5500-2 and Coway Mighty. The last step is to remove the new filters from the protective plastic wrap and then insert it into the device. Having 5 different speed options makes the Winix 5500-2 air purifier a consumer-friendly device because it gives the option to every consumer to adapt the fan speed to their own needs. Does this air purifier cool the air or does it remain room temperature? I dont think your basement would be a good place for the filter as the high humidity may saturate the filters over time. Hey Paula, The Winix 5500-2 is definitely one the most well-built air purifiers we tested. Winix 5500-2 air purifier is full of advanced features that I rarely find in other tested air purifiers. Sold by: It was one of only a handful of air purifiers we tested that is not made in China. 430 CFM Coway AirMega 400s took only 4 minutes. I recommend buying the original Winix filters because, only in that way, you can be sure the air purifier is optimally working. There is also a PlasmaWave button, and once it is on, there will be a light saying so. The good thing is that the air, once filtered, is released on top of the device. This result suggests that you should always start an air purifier in turbo mode and let it run for some time (lets say 10 minutes) at that speed. | The PlasmaWave technology meets the CARB (California Air Resource Board) AB 2276 standard, which is known as the most rigorous American certification benchmark for indoor air cleaning. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The 5500-2 comes equipped with a mesh pre-filter for the purpose of filtering out larger particles and fibers before they can reach the units primary particle filter its HEPA filter. Beware though, if the air pollution level in a areas you reside is too high (industrial, highway etc.) Total Yearly Operating Costs (Replacement Filters + Electricity): approximately 100 USD. Behind the control panel is a handle for more effortless transport. Here is a table for different room sizes and how long it takes for Winix 5500-2 to clean air: If you have allergies and/or asthma, you should look for air purifiers with ACH rating 4 or higher. Once removed, you will see a bag with filters. The Winix also comes with a remote if thats important to you.
Winix 5500-2 has many advanced features, and thats what puts it above the competition. It can not detect other types of pollution, such as dust, pollen, and other neutral smell pollution. As a general rule of thumb, it should be about 12-18 inches from any furniture or walls. and physically smaller as well. Pre-Filter, AOC Carbon filter, True HEPA filter, and Winix PlasmaWave technology make this air purifier effective in combating air pollution. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Thanks to this sensor, the air quality indicator can change lights according to the pollution in the air, and auto mode can switch between fan speeds. Selecting sleep mode turns all lights off EXCEPT the light that shows that sleep mode is activated (moon with z's) - this is a white light that cannot turned off. The air intake is on the front panel and also on each side. 360 sq. Recall that higher end units like the Austin HealthMate and IQAir have a much greater quantity of gas filtration media and more substantial pre-filters as well. No matter what affects the air quality in your home, urban and rural pollutants will be successfully eliminated with the Winix 5500-2 air purifier. Thus, a larger unit like the Winix or Coway gives you more than twice the output at a similar noise output on their highest fan speed. I only have the CFM/W data readily available for three fan speeds: Do you have a chart or table that lists the CFM/Watt at every speed for all the air purifiers you tested?
Home Review Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier In-Depth Review. Thanks to the filter replacement indicator, you undoubtedly know when it is time to replace the filter. Thus, if gas filtration is a priority for you the Winix 5500-2 is an excellent choice with its pellet-based carbon filter. Thus, if youre looking for an air purifier for a smaller room, a larger unit like the Winix or Coway is a much better option if noise output is a concern for you. Or else this device would not be CARB certified. Smaller units like the Honeywell HPA100 or GermGuardian AC4825 are under 10 lb. 250 CFM Winix 5500-2 lowered room particle concentration from 10,000 particles per cubic ft. (dirty air) down to 1,000 particles per cubic ft. (clean air) in 9 minutes. Note that while 5.5 is almost two time 3.2, both numbers are very small. Required fields are marked *. All of these units provide very similar particle filtration quality. Four-stage air purification is the core of the Winix 5500-2 air purifier. In that room, it will be most effective. This type of carbon filter is not as effective as the pellet-based type for removing gases. The unit works very well without having its ionizer turned on. All of the tests I discuss in the review above were conducted with the unit's ionizer turned off. This filter looks like a mosquito net, it gets dirty fast and requires regular cleaning. For small bedrooms and offices Winix A230/231 model is go-to option. I give a full analysis of ionizers like the Winix's "plasmawave" technology here. Yes, you should close the door. Firstly, be sure that the air purifier is unplugged from power. What do you make of the ozone that supposedly being released when using this product? I have been running the Air Purifier First since 2016. Besides that, I research air quality and air pollution, and I'm trying to raise awareness of those problems in my environment as well. First, unplug the unit before cleaning procedure. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. If you have any questions regarding this air purifier, feel free to ask it in the comment box below. I especially like the fact that the Winix 5500-2 uses a True HEPA filter and that the overall quality of its filters is very high. Things get even worse for smaller units when you consider real world applications. Also, you need to understand that the Winix 5500-2 air purifier is 3.5x more effective on turbo speed than on first speed. Is it possible to use the 5500-2 filters with the 5300-2? Lower end units like the GermGuardian AC4825 also often use HEPA filters. 4. Filters are inside the air purifier wrapped in a plastic bag that needs to be removed. The Honeywell has to be set to maximum fan speed to provide the same output at a much greater noise output close to 70 dB. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Would you be able to provide the CFM/W details you measured for each fan speed? 300 sq. Many consumers find this air purifier design a bit outdated, but for me, its acceptable. You can switch to this mode by pressing the Mode button. $150. Thank you for allowing me to comment, and I do appreciate the detailed reviews. I got my pre-filter damaged, and as there was no place to buy it separately, I contacted Winix to see what to do. What singles the 5500-2 model out is its filtration technology, reliability, and trust that has been spread among many users over the years. At first speed, it uses only 6.4W, on standby mode, only 1.2W. Since Winix 5500-2 air purifier has a filter indicator, you will precisely know when to replace filters. The Coway was measured at 66.1 dB on high (its highest fan speed) and the Winix was measured at 67.5 dB on turbo (its highest fan speed). Check price & availability. In this Winix 5500-2 review we cover air purifier specifications, its main features and maintenance costs along with some advices on how to use it effectively. I'm so glad this filter is available as a single purchase, since the other filters are washable. Verified purchase: The two most energy efficient air purifiers we tested were the 5500-2 and Coway Mighty. All in all, with its remarkable performances, Winix 5500-2 air purifier is my absolute recommendation for buying, and I guarantee that youll be extremely satisfied with this air purifier. These units also have carbon filters containing actual carbon pellets; however, their carbon filters contain a greater quantity of carbon pellets than what is contained in the Winixs carbon filter. They can be run at lower fan speeds at much lower noise output and still provide sufficient air processing power (output/CFM) to properly lower room particle concentration in such a room. The Winix 5500-2 comes equipped with all the features youd expect in an air purifier at its price point namely a timer, air quality sensor and display, auto mode, and sleep mode. HEPA filters are the most commonly used particle filters in the air purifier industry. My office is only 70 square ft. ft.
We would even go so far as saying that its better built with better quality parts and materials than the made in China Coway Mighty. When talking about carbon filters, air purifiers usually come with fibrous filters coated with carbon or with pellet-based carbon filters. Winix 5500-2 smart sensor detects only odors, so you will find the auto mode most practical option if you regularly cook or smoke in the room. Do it as quickly as possible. 
Above the control buttons, there are LED indicators, which indicate what features are active at the moment. My name is Alex Evans and I own this website. Comparable units like the Winix 5500-2 and Coway Mighty were able to achieve this same ultra-low concentration of 100 particles per cubic ft. in similar times. The 5500-2 is one fo the best air purifiers weve tested so far. ConsumerAnalysis.com is a participant in the Amazon LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. No, filter life depends solely on the particle concentration in the room, how long you run the unit, and on what fan speed. Thus, it is a combination of the 5500-2s HEPA filter and 250 CFM that allowed it to clean the air in our test room in only 9 minutes. Not surprisingly, these were three of the most well-built units we tested. Replacing the filter is as simple as the first startup setup. The AQI was lowered from 289 to 21 in just one hour. Pre-filter is the first level of filtration, which means all large particles such as dust particles, hair, pet hair, and similar are caught on it. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. June 21, 2021 I improved the filtration section by adding an in-depth filter-replacing guideline. ft., it works perfectly in small, but also in rooms larger than intended. Its handle is quite helpful when transporting it from room to room. Yes As soon as you plug it in, all the lights on the device will light on for a few seconds, and you will hear a sound. ft.) to that of the Winix. By this testing, I agree that it is best to use it at the fourth speed for at least 10 minutes because, in just 10 minutes at the highest speed, Winix can do a lot. If you fail to do so, you may damage the device. Click here to know more. The Winix 5500-2 is one of the best air purifiers I have ever tested. I purchased a 5300 prior to reading up on the difference between fibrous vs. pellet-based carbon filters. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Winix only draws 54.8 watts. I really fancy this air purifier, so along with the traditional tests I performed, I have used it every day for a bit. Do the price inversions change your opinion now that the Winix is no longer a value play? After turning on the Winix 5500-2 will automatically detect air quality in your room with the Smart sensor and after a few minutes the unit starts working in the Auto mode with PlasmaWave on. Low noise output with very good CFM/dB ratios compared to competitors as well, What we definitely like most about this unit is its great value 250 CFM, HEPA, pellet-based carbon filter, great energy efficiency, low noise output all of this for around $150 makes this one of the best value options on the market. This Winix allows you to set the timer to 1h, 4h, or 8h. One of the downsides of this additional filtration media is worse energy efficiency. The 5500-2 can only release ozone with its plasmawave feature (ionizer) turned on. A single knob controls these three fan speeds with no extra buttons or knobs for additional settings. 250 CFM) to that of the Winix and Coway. Most other units on the market, especially at the same or lower price points, have carbon filters that are made of a fibrous material that is only coated with carbon. Being at the top of the market for years is not an easy thing to do, for many air purifiers but not for the Winix. Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. Press and hold the reset button for at least 5 seconds with a small object such as a paper clip before the Check Filter light turns off. Heres my in-depth Honeywell HPA300 review where I give out more details about this model. The appliance needs space to run. On low, both units are essentially whisper quiet with a noise output of only 40 dB. If you want to calculate air changes per hour for your room and get a closer look what are the general recommendations, go to the ACH calculator & recommendations page. $900 IQAir HealthPro Plus has control panel lights that cannot be adjusted or turned off. The Austin HealthMate has three fan speeds with no extra settings no auto mode, no sleep mode, nothing. They also cost substantially more youre looking at cost of approx. Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty air purifier is another decent competitor to the 5500-2 from the same price category. Using a large dehumidifier and it is difficult to get humidity down to 45-50. The unit does have a sleep mode but on sleep mode you give up all manual control of the unit (i.e. These units have a very similar area of coverage (approx. Their heavy weight 35 and 47 lb. That being said, there are even smaller and lighter options available. Winix 5500-2 is also easily transported because it is not too heavy. 250 cubic feet of air per minute. What is the effect of leaving it slightly open? In larger rooms you simply cannot use a smaller unit to properly lower particle concentration in the room. High end units like the Austin Air HealthMate and IQAir HealthPro Plus have a CFM of 250 and 300, respectively. I just punched a Winex 5500-2 unit and I am very happy and absolutely amazed how great it performs. ft. 140 CFM GermGuardian AC4825 took 23 minutes. Before the first startup, you need to prepare the device and install the filter. When a room gets dark, the air purifier will turn on Sleep mode. Smaller less expensive units with lower CFM have a lower area of coverage. It also extends the life of the carbon filter as it takes longer to saturate a filter that contains more carbon. The carbon filter has to do the job of removing gases AND removing larger particles and fibers. So do all air purifiers manufactured by Levoit. Higher particle concentration air will still be pulled into the room through the bottom of the door but much less so than if the door was left open. Cheaper units generally do not come equipped with a washable pre-filter. It is suggested to clean it every two weeks. This Winix 5500-2 review should give you some good ideas about what you can expect from this air purifier with ionizer. In other words, even though 5.5 is much greater than 3.2 in terms of percentage, 5.5 is still a very low power draw. Thats where large airborne pollutants are caught. I used the device on auto mode with a PlasmaWave on, and the Air Quality was improved by 93%. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The lowest concentration possible was 100 particles per cubic ft. If you dont have any breathing conditions, ACH 3 is enough for living rooms and as low as 2 is enough for bedrooms. Hey there, appreciate all the teaching & research you guys have done and I'm looking to purchase this model for my bedroom based on your recommendation, however my bedrooms very small and has little air circulation. I have a question. My home was flooded back in 2020 and now im having health problems. 100 to 120 CFM with a noise output under 50 dB. You can choose a different time, and the air purifier will automatically shut down after the picked time passes. Two factors determine the units results in this test: we use CFM (cubic feet per minute) as the unit of measurement here. Great review, have a couple of questions. Additionally, it is equipped with many functions and advanced features that I cover in detail in this Winix 5500-2 review. The Honeywell hpa 300 is now $220 at Home Depot. The 5500-2 processes approx. The Austin comes with a 5 year warranty and the IQAir comes with a 10 year warranty as long as you register your purchase with the manufacturer. Depending on the environment where you use the air purifier, the filters can get dirty much faster and require replacement much earlier than recommended 12 months. Got the house air ducts cleaned last year but I get lots of dust from the AC/Heater gas blower system. Both the Coway and Winix were measured at 48.9 dB on their second highest fan speed. Your email address will not be published. If the air quality is good, the Indicator will light blue; amber light indicates fair air quality; however, a red light means air is poor. This mode requires sensors to detect pollution, allowing the air purifier to switch fan speed according to the pollution levels. The approx. Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. In fact, you will not be sure if it actually works. The 53 is a little bit less expensive primarily for this reason (and also the fact that the 55 has a remote while the 53 does not). 
These are fantastic results. ft. Additionally, you have to prepare the remote controller by pulling out the plastic protection that keeps the battery safe from wearing. The 7 ft flood was in the basement, got out most of the mold but salt deposits still on floor. You should clean pre-filter or AOC (Carbon) filter, but do not wash Winix HEPA filter as it will break the ability to capture dangerous particles.
Check out these Winix air purifier reviews. Another site with the same purifier states The final cleaning stage, this patented technology generates and releases thousands of negatively and positively charged ions which combine with water vapor in the air to form Hydroxyls. The Winix 5500-2 comes with a 2-year warranty. Through the first 30 seconds of power-up, the Air Quality Indicator will cycle through blue, amber, and red colors. Add this item to your watchlist to keep track of it. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 140 CFM and an estimated area of coverage of 150 sq. At first starting by a default air purifier will start in auto mode with PlasmaWave turned on. Winix 5500-2 is an extraordinary air purifier equipped with a True HEPA filter and is one of the hottest products Winix ever made. Third, use a vacuum cleaner or air compressor on all surfaces of the unit including inside and outside vents and pre-screen filter (following AIR FLOW label). The Winix does have a shorter warranty only 1 year vs 3 years with the Coway. A smart sensor detects only odors and needs approximately 4 minutes to detect odor levels in the room. Recall that the Winix and Coway were measured at 67.5 dB and 66.1 dB respectively but at approx. respectively is mostly due to their more substantial gas filtration media. Condition: Read my Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty air purifier review to get more idea about this model. With that being said, I think your bedroom or your main room would be fine. Use our Energy Consumption Calculator to estimate electricity usage and costs of the Winix 5500-2 air purifier based on your local electricity rates. The 55s carbon filter has actual activated carbon pellets for better adsorption of gases while the 53s carbon filter is comprised of a fibrous material that is only coated with carbon. The pre-filters on these units do filter out more particles than the mesh pre-filter on the Winix. ft. After running it for an hour or so you can set it to a lower fan speed at much lower noise output to maintain a low particle concentration.