Winix 5300-2 vs 5500-2 – Which Purifier Is The Better Choice?
Which Is The Best Air Purifier: Winix 5300-2 VS 5500-2?
We wanted to test both the Winix 5300-2 vs 5500-2 to get the best air quality. We know, sorting through different air purifiers can be a tough task. You’ll find out that several options look the same. You may even come across some air purifiers with the brand name Winix. For the sake of this review, however, we’ll compare 5300-2 VS 5500-2; two Winix’s air purifiers.
Both air purifiers are an upgrade of the older Winix 5300 and Winix 5500 versions, respectively. With the improvements done on them, these newer models are excellent devices.
Air filters generally are a fantastic technology. They are electronic devices that take out air pollutants from your bedroom, living room, or kitchen.
The purifying process involves pulling in dirty air and forcing it through a filter to trap unwanted pollutants. It then releases the clean air back to the room. This process continues until the entire room purifies.
Air purifiers can take out dirt, dust mites, odors, pollen, smoke, bacteria, pet dander, mold, and volatile organic compounds. Air purifiers can clear the air of pollutants that trigger allergies or asthma attacks.
Not all air purifiers are good for health. A few contain compounds that can be potentially harmful, while some others can’t purify efficiently. The only way to buy the best air purifier is to know how to buy it correctly.
What Makes A Good Air Purifier?
#1 The Air Filter
Air purifiers make use of different air filter technologies to tackle pollutants. It’s the air filter that determines the majority of the efficiency of the purifier. There are various air filters, and not all are recommendable.
The most recommendable is the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. They comprise dense fiberglass materials that trap particles as air moves through it. HEPA filters are very efficient as they can take out tiny particles as small as 0.3 microns. This technology is capable of removing 99.97% of airborne particles, which is the standard.
There are other filters labeled as “HEPA-like” or “HEPA-type,” but they don’t meet the industry’s standard for True HEPA filters.
While True HEPA is sufficient in taking out particles, it isn’t capable of removing odors. If your primary concern is just dust or clean air, then a HEPA filter will be best for you.
For people with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) or respiratory issues triggered by odor, carbon filters are recommendable.
They comprise molecular-sized pores with a highly absorbent and bonding ability. Carbon filters use activated carbon technology, which is very efficient in trapping tobacco smoke and odors. However, carbon filters are not very useful in removing airborne particles.
The best air purifiers are HEPA filters having a layer of activated carbon material. This combination filter covers up for the limitations of both HEPA and carbon materials. They’ll trap in both odors and particles in the air.
Other types of air filters are Ozone, ionizers, and UV filters. Manufacturers of air purifiers with ozone filters claim that it emits low levels of Ozone. However, even at low levels, Ozone is not safe for health. It might trigger asthma and other breathing-related diseases.
Ionizer filters produce ions which have a charge meant to take out particles. Instead, the ion charge causes particles to stick around room surfaces instead of floating in the air. They may also produce small amounts of Ozone as a by-product.
UV filtration technology is an excellent way to kill bacteria and viruses. However, they only have germicidal properties and are not capable of taking out particles effectively. In general, Ozone, ionizers, and UV filters are not as effective for air purifying as HEPA filters.
#2 Capacity
Buying an air purifier of 100 square feet for a 350 square foot apartment will not be sufficient. A good air purifier should be able to cover your room size. It should be powerful enough to clean your entire room and not just its immediate vicinity.
#3 AHAM Certification
The association of home appliance manufacturers (AHAM) verification is a voluntary one. However, many manufacturers choose to go through the verification process to ease the minds of users. When picking an air purifier, check if it has the AHAM verified mark. This certification ensures the performance and efficiency of home care appliances such as air purifiers.
#4 CADR Measurement
Clean air delivery rate (CADR) measures the speed at which the air purifier takes out pollutants. The higher the CADR number, the more particles the purifier can remove. A good air purifier should have a CADR of at least 300.
There are also different CADR ratings for removing various pollutants. If you smoke regularly, pick a purifier that has a high CADR rating for tobacco smoke.
#5 Noise
A good air purifier should be not only powerful but also capable of running quietly, especially when you’re asleep. Many air purifiers with large capacities can still work at lower noise levels.
A Winix Air Purifier Review: Comparing 5300-2 And 5500-2
Winix Plasmawave 5300-2
Product Details
- CADR: 236 CFM
- Capacity: 360 square feet
- Noise levels: 27.8 decibels
- Power: 70 watts
- Weight: 17.6 pounds
- Dimension: 14.9 x 7.8 x 23.6 inches
- Color: Gray
- Warranty: one year
The Filter
Winix 5300-2 air purifier has a True HEPA material in combination with an odor-reducing carbon filter. It uses a three-stage filter cleaning method. The pre-filters are capable of large trapping dirt greater than 0.5 microns. The True HEPA filter captures up to 99.97% of pollutants as small as 0.3 microns.
The carbon filter material then removes smoke and other household odor.
Plasmawave Technology
Besides the carbon filter, Winix 5300-2 uses Plasmawave technology to take out volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the air. It also takes out bad smells that linger for long and molds. This technology is eco-friendly, neutralizing bad odor in a less harmful way than using Ozone.
Capacity
5300-2 is capable of covering a range of 360 square feet. This capacity is sufficient for medium to large spaces.
Clean Air Delivery Rate
It has AHAM certified CADR ratings for different pollutants. Its airflow ratings are 243 CFM for dust, 236 CFM for Pollen, and 232 CFM for smokes.
Mode Settings
The 5300-2 purifier has three mode settings; sleep, auto, and manual. In auto mode, it uses Smart Sensors to automatically detect the indoor air quality in the room and adjust the fan speeds accordingly. As the air quality improves, the fan speed will reduce, and if the air quality decreases, the fan speed will increase.
Smart Sensors can automatically activate sleep mode by sensing the amount of light in the room. This mode reduces the fan’s speed to 35.31 CFM and disables the LED indicator light, so as not to disturb your sleep.
When you select manual mode, the auto mode automatically disables, and you can manually set the fan’s speed as you want.
Fan Speed
It has four fan speeds that are selectable manually or automatically. The speed settings are low, medium, high, and turbo modes. As the fan increases, the airflow speed increases too.
At low speed, it gives an airflow of 70.63 CFM, 91.82 CFM for medium speed, 123.60 CFM for high speed, and 240.14 for turbo speed.
Noise Levels
The 5300-2 air purifier has a low noise level of 27.8 decibels. I found the noise level at the turbo mode to be bearable. Once I turn it to the low mode setting, it operates even more quietly.
Design
5300-2 features an excellent looking design that can add beauty and style to a room. Its controls are on the top while the vents are by the side. The design features a top handle that is easy to pick up.
I love that it’s portable enough to carry around, with a weight of 17.6 pounds. I can use it in my living room during the day and carry it comfortably to my bedroom at night. The design also features a timer to choose the length of time you want the purifier to work. You can select one hour, four hours, or eight hours on the timer.
The LED indicator on its controls displays indoor air quality on a color scale. Blue indicates good, amber indicates fair, and red indicates poor air quality. Depending on the environment, the indicator may change frequently or stay the same.
Filter Replacement Technology
The filter replacement indicator will illuminate when the True HEPA filter needs replacing. After replacing, you can reset the replacement indicator by pressing the RESET button for at least five seconds. You can use a thin object like a needle to press the button.
Note that it’s only the HEPA filter that indicates replacement, which is usually every 12 months. The pre-filter is permanent, and you may need to clean it every two weeks. The carbon filter will require replacement every three months.
What You May Like
- Three-stage air purifying process
- Eco-friendly Plasmawave cleaning mechanism
- Low noise levels
- Three-mode and four fan speed settings
- Affordable to purchase
What You May Not Like
- Non-washable carbon filters
- Expensive filter replacement
- No child lock feature
Winix Plasmawave 5500-2
Product Details
- CADR: 236 CFM
- Capacity: 360 square feet
- Noise levels: 27.8 decibels
- Power: 70 watts
- Weight: 15.4 pounds
- Dimension: 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches
- Color: Black
- Warranty: one year
The Filter
The Winix 5500-2 air purifier has a 99.97% True HEPA material combined with an advanced odor control (AOC) carbon filter. It’s the AOC material that differentiates it from the 5300-2 air purifier. The material is washable, and it contains activated carbon granules, designed to perform better than standard carbon filters.
This air purifier also employs a similar three-stage filtration mechanism like the 5300-2 air purifier, but with the AOC carbon filter taking out more pollutants. I bought the 5500 specifically for my kitchen, and it filtered out cooking smells, odor from stale foods, and smoke even better.
Since this carbon filter is washable, it doesn’t require a quarterly replacement, unlike its 5300-2 counterpart. It’s, therefore, less costly to maintain and more economical.
Size
In comparison to 5300-2, 5500-2 is lighter, with a weight of 15.4 pounds. This size makes it even more portable to carry around the home.
Remote Control
The 5500-2 air purifier has a remote control for easy accessibility. This feature is very convenient, especially if the buttons on the purifier ever gets faulty.
Other Features
Winix 5500-2 has other similar features with 5300-2, including plasma wave technology, three-mode settings, four fan speed settings, and Smart Sensor Technology. It has the same HEPA filter replacement technology.
The 5500-2 also has similar room coverage of 360 square feet and CADR ratings. Its noise levels of 27.8 decibels gave the same effect as my 5300-2 purifier. It has similar design features with 5300-2 include the handle, the timer, and the LED indicator.
What You May Like
- Advanced odor control carbon filters
- Smart Sensor and Plasmawave technology
- Remote control features
- Less maintenance cost with washable carbon filters
- Lighter and more portable
What You May Not Like
- Slightly more expensive than 5300-2
- No child lock feature
Winix 5300-2 vs 5500-2 The Verdict: Which is The Top Pick?
Both Winix 5300-2 and 5300-2 have several similar and a few different features. The 5300-2 performs well, but it has a slight weight of 17.6 pounds. This purifier is less expensive to purchase, but it requires the replacement of its carbon filters, which is costly.
The 5500-2 air purifier stands out with an advanced carbon filter technology capable of removing more household odors. It’s also more pocket friendly in the long run. Although it’s more expensive to purchase, the carbon filters are washable, eliminating costly replacements.
In the battle of Winix 5300-2 VS 5500-2, both are great products. However, I’ll pick the 5500-2 air purifier over Winix 5300-2. It offers better air purification and has a low maintenance cost.
