Winix 5500-2

Specs only matter in context. Here's where the Winix 5500-2 genuinely fits — and the trade-offs worth knowing before you buy. If you're deciding between this model and similar options, focus on the fit cards below: they highlight the specific use cases where this purifier shines and the situations where it falls short.

• Good fitBest in large bedrooms, dens, and mid-size living roomsRated for 360 sq ft, with a smoke CADR of 232 CFM — enough for rooms up to about 350 sq ft by the two-thirds rule, which delivers the 4–5 air changes per hour allergists recommend.
• Good fitBedrooms and light sleepersAt 27.8 dB on its lowest setting, the Winix 5500-2 clears the 30 dB bedroom bar — roughly a whisper. Just know high speed reaches 59.8 dB, so let a lower setting do the overnight work.
• Good fitOdors, pets, and smokeAn activated carbon stage traps the gases a particle filter can't — cooking smells, litter-box odor, VOCs, and wildfire smoke gases.
• Good fitAllergy and asthma householdsA True HEPA filter captures 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns — pollen, dander, dust mite debris, and most smoke. Run it continuously for real symptom relief.
• Good fitSet-and-forget operationListed features include air quality sensor, auto mode, sleep mode, remote (no Wi-Fi) — handy for letting the purifier manage itself, though none of it replaces CADR headroom.
• Keep in mindHigh speed reaches 59.8 dBThat's conversation volume. CADR is measured at max speed, so on quieter settings the effective CADR drops — buy the headroom and run it on medium.

These alternatives share key traits with the Winix 5500-2 — same brand family or similar room coverage. Compare their scores, owner sentiment, and specs side by side to see which fits your specific needs better.

• WinixPrice variesWinix 5300-23.4/5★★★★★3.4 out of 5 stars(3)iAHAM VerifideEnergy StarCARBValue for moneyCADR & airflow360 sq ft“a winix 5300 or 535s are the sweet spot for price and CADR.”
• Winix$279Winix C5453.5/5★★★★★3.5 out of 5 stars(3)iAHAM VerifidePet hair & danderAllergy relief360 sq ft“They really do work.”
• Coway$229.99Coway Airmega AP-1512HH3.4/5★★★★★3.4 out of 5 stars(10)iAHAM VerifideEnergy StarCARBPet hair & danderValue for money361 sq ft“Coway AP-1512HH comes in at your max budget and does a great job.”
• Coway$129.99Coway Airmega 1003.4/5★★★★★3.4 out of 5 stars(2)iAHAM VerifideEnergy StarSleep friendlyValue for money405 sq ft“I have noticed an improvement in both.”

Quick answers to the questions shoppers most often ask before buying. If your question isn't covered here, check the full specifications below or compare against similar models above.

• What size room can the Winix 5500-2 handle?It's rated for rooms up to 360 sq ft. Cross-checking its 232 CFM smoke CADR against the two-thirds rule puts the honest ceiling at about 350 sq ft for allergy-level cleaning — beyond that it still helps, just with fewer air changes per hour.
• Is the Winix 5500-2 quiet enough for a bedroom?Yes — 27.8 dB on the lowest setting is under the 30 dB threshold most sleepers need, roughly a whisper. On high it reaches 59.8 dB, so size it to run on low or medium overnight.
• Can the Winix 5500-2 handle odors and smoke?Yes — its activated carbon stage traps odor and VOC gases while the True HEPA filter handles the particles, which is the combination smoke and pet households need.

cadr dustiClean Air Delivery Rate for dust, in cubic feet per minute. Higher means faster dust removal.CADR guide →

243

cadr smokeiCADR — Clean Air Delivery Rate — measures how many cubic feet of air a purifier cleans per minute. Smoke particles are the hardest to capture, so smoke CADR is the honest number: aim for at least two-thirds of your room's square footage.CADR guide →

232

dimensions

14.9 x 8.2 x 23.6 in

weight lbs

14.8

cadr polleniClean Air Delivery Rate for pollen, in cubic feet per minute. Higher means faster relief during allergy season.CADR guide →

246

energy stariEnergy Star purifiers use roughly 40% less electricity than standard units — meaningful for something that runs 24/7.Certifications guide →

True

filter typeiThe particle filter grade. True HEPA captures 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns; 'HEPA-type' has no standardized efficiency.Filter guide →

True HEPA

model numberiThe manufacturer's exact model identifier — handy when comparing listings across retailers.

5500-2

noise db maxiThe loudest fan setting, in decibels. 60 dB is normal conversation; above that you'll hear it across the room.Noise guide →

59.8

noise db miniThe quietest fan setting, in decibels. 20 dB is a whisper, 40 dB a quiet library — for bedrooms, look for under 30 dB here.Noise guide →

27.8

aham verifiediAHAM Verifide means CADR and room-size claims were verified in an independent lab, not self-reported.Certifications guide →

True

carb certifiediCARB certification means ozone emissions stay below California's strict safety threshold.Certifications guide →

True

smart featuresiExtras like air quality sensors, auto mode, app control, and sleep modes. Nice to have — they don't clean the air themselves.Smart features guide →

air quality sensor, auto mode, sleep mode, remote (no Wi-Fi)

warranty yearsiThe manufacturer's warranty period. Longer coverage signals confidence in the motor and build.

2

room coverage sqftiThe largest room, in square feet, this purifier can effectively clean — assuming standard 8-foot ceilings and 4–5 air changes per hour.Room size guide →

360

has activated carboniActivated carbon traps gases, odors, and VOCs that HEPA filters can't catch — essential for smoke, cooking smells, and pet odor.Filter guide →

True

filter lifespan monthsiHow long the manufacturer rates the filter to last under normal use. Running in smoky or dusty homes shortens it.Ownership cost guide →

12

filter replacement usdiWhat a genuine replacement filter costs. Divide by the lifespan to get the real monthly cost of ownership.Ownership cost guide →

50