Winix has been recognized as a top-rated solution for clean and fresh air for many years. This manufacturer offers an extensive range of air purifier models with varying dimensions, features, and price ranges. Winix has become a household name in the air purifier industry thanks to its cutting-edge technology and user-friendly designs.
Table of Contents
From the tests I have conducted on Winix air purifiers, I have consistently been positively surprised, particularly with their performance tests, where their devices have almost always delivered fantastic and very competitive results. Additionally, I am impressed with the filtration technology, particularly the quality of the True HEPA filters used by these air purifiers. Other noteworthy features include washable pre-filters, washable activated carbon filters, and PlasmaWave technology.
But what makes a Winix air purifier unique, and which model is the best choice? In this article, I will answer these and many other questions. I will present an analysis of all Winix air purifiers and showcase a list of the currently best-performing models you can buy to improve the air quality in your home.
So, keep reading, and discover which air purifiers have earned their place on this list.
Here’s a Summary of The 5 Best Winix Air Purifiers!
- Winix 5500-2 – This is the best Winix air purifier. It uses 4-stage filtration technology, covers rooms up to 360 sq. ft., and has many advanced options.
- Winix HR900 – This is the best choice if you have pets in the area where you stay. It uses 5-stage filtration technology and covers rooms up to 300 sq. ft.
- Winix C535 – A slightly weaker version of the 5500-2 model, but also an extremely efficient and affordable air purifier. It is ideal for rooms up to 360 sq. ft.
- Winix A231 – This is a portable air purifier, which makes it ideal for a small room, bedroom, office, or even for a desk. Covers rooms up to 230 sq. ft.
- Winix 9800 – This is the only smart Winix air purifier on this list. In addition, it covers large rooms, up to 500 sq. ft. It uses the recognizable 4-stage filtration technology.
*If you click any of these links and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Top 5 Winix Air Purifiers
Winix produces exceptional air purifiers, and you can hardly go wrong with any device you choose. However, there are many differences between models regarding filtration technology, coverage, features, and more. All of this makes the decision of which Winix air purifier to choose much more challenging. Therefore, below, you will find a list of the top 5 Winix air purifiers to make your choice easier.
Winix 5500-2 – Best Overall
Winix 5500-2 Highlights
- Winix 5500-2 covers rooms up to 360 sq. ft.
- It uses 4-stage filtration technology with a high-quality True HEPA filter and pellet-based carbon filter.
- It has many advanced options that make everyday use of the device easier.
- This model comes with a 2-year warranty.
Winix 5500-2 is an excellent air purifier that stands out from the rest, making it the top choice on this list. This model has undergone rigorous performance tests, and the results are impressive. When running at the maximum speed for 60 minutes, it improved the air quality by a remarkable 96%.
The Winix 5500-2 uses a four-stage filtration system, which includes a washable pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, a True HEPA filter, and PlasmaWave technology. This powerful combination of filters effectively captures and removes many pollutants, including dust, allergens, smoke, and odors, leaving your air clean and fresh.
One of the standout features of this model is its washable activated carbon filter. This filter comprises carbon pellets that capture and adsorb odor-causing molecules, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and household odors. This means you won’t need to replace it as often as you would with other types of carbon filters, saving you money in the long run.
The Winix 5500-2 also has advanced features, including an air quality sensor, a remote controller, and an auto mode feature. The air quality sensor continuously monitors the air quality in your room. It adjusts the fan speed accordingly to maintain optimal air quality. The remote controller allows you to adjust the settings from the comfort of your couch, while the auto mode feature automatically adjusts the fan speed based on the air quality in the room.
This model is suitable for rooms up to 360 square feet in size, making it an excellent choice for most bedrooms, living rooms, and home offices. The Winix 5500-2 comes with a two-year warranty, providing you with added peace of mind. Overall, this model is an excellent choice, offering exceptional performance, advanced features, and excellent value for money.
| Filters | Washable Pre-filter, Washable AOC Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, and PlasmaWave |
| Coverage | 360 sq. ft. |
| Power Consumption | 70W |
| Warranty | 2-year |
Winix HR900 – Best For Pets
Winix HR900 Highlights
- The Winix HR900 covers rooms up to 300 sq. ft.
- It uses a 5-stage filtration technology, including a pet filter, pre-filter, activated carbon filter, True HEPA filter, and PlasmaWave.
- The best choice if you have pets in your home.
- This model also comes with a 2-year warranty.
The Winix HR900 is a specific air purifier model designed for pet owners. Suppose you seek a more specialized air purifier that removes pet odors. In that case, the Winix HR900 is definitely worth considering. One of the key differences between this model and the one previously mentioned is the filtration technology it uses.
The Winix HR900 uses a 5-stage filtration technology consisting of five filters: a washable pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, a True HEPA filter, and PlasmaWave technology. You may notice that there is an additional filtration stage in front of the pre-filter, known as the pet filter. This is essentially the first line of defense against pet hair, dander, and other visible particles that pets can leave behind in your home.
In addition to the pet filter, the HR900 also utilizes a more advanced air quality sensor that not only detects odors in real time but also detects particles. This helps to ensure that the air purifier is constantly monitoring the air quality in your home and adjusting its filtration process accordingly.
Overall, the Winix HR900 is an innovative air purifier specifically designed for pet owners. It is an excellent choice if you have pets in your home and want to ensure that the air you breathe is as clean and healthy as possible. It can effectively purify rooms up to 300 sq. ft. and has a 2-year warranty for added peace of mind.
| Filters | Pet filter, Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, and PlasmaWave |
| Coverage | 300 sq. ft. |
| Power Consumption | 90W |
| Warranty | 2-year |
Winix C535 – Still a Good Option
Winix C535 Highlights
- Winix C535 is designed for rooms up to 360 sq. ft.
- It uses a 4-stage filtration technology consisting of a pre-filter, carbon filter, True HEPA filter, and PlasmaWave.
- It has shown fantastic results in performance tests, uses long-lasting filters, and is easy to maintain.
- Winix also provides a 2-year warranty for this model.
The Winix C535 is another air purifier from Winix that has made a list. Its design is reminiscent of the 5500-2 model. At first glance, the color is the most significant difference between these two devices. However, the C535 has a slightly different filtration technology. Specifically, the Winix C535 uses a fibrous filter coated with carbon, while the Winix 5500-2 uses a pellet-based carbon filter. In addition to this filter, the C535 also has a pre-filter, a True HEPA filter, and a PlasmaWave.
It’s worth noting that the Winix C535 is one of the best-selling models from this manufacturer, especially since it is available in markets like Costco and its price is very affordable. It has many advanced features, of which I particularly like the air quality sensor, air quality indicator, and auto mode. In performance tests, it has performed excellently, improving air quality by about 95% in a room of up to 320 sq. ft. in just 60 minutes of running at its maximum speed.
Overall, this is a reliable, affordable, and highly efficient air purifier. So, if you come across a reasonable price, don’t hesitate to buy it. Additionally, it’s designed for rooms up to 360 sq. ft., has a 4-stage filtration system, and uses long-lasting filters that are easy to maintain. Winix also provides a 2-year warranty for this model, which adds extra peace of mind for buyers.
| Filters | Pre-Filter, Odor Adsorbing Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, and PlasmaWave |
| Coverage | 360 sq. ft. |
| Power Consumption | 70W |
| Warranty | 2-year |
Winix A231 – Best Portable Option
Winix A231 Highlights
- The Winix A231 covers rooms up to 230 sq. ft., which means it will purify the air in a room of this size 4.8 times in one hour.
- It uses a 4-stage filtration technology, including pre-filter, True HEPA filter, carbon filter, and PlasmaWave technology.
- This air purifier has a 55W motor.
- The Winix A231 comes with a 2-year warranty.
Winix, a manufacturer of air purifiers, surprised many with the release of the A231 model, primarily because they had not previously offered a similar small air purifier. The Winix A231 has a cylindrical shape that resembles many of the identical air purifiers currently available on the market. However, what is most important is that it uses the same filtration technology as the larger Winix models.
This small air purifier uses 4-stage filtration technology. The first filtration stage is the pre-filter, followed by the True HEPA filter, the carbon filter, and finally, the PlasmaWave technology. The A231 also features the latest technology from Winix, including air quality sensors, air quality indicators, and auto mode features.
The Winix A231 is ideal for small spaces such as a desk, bedroom, or similar-sized room. With a coverage area of up to 230 sq. ft., this air purifier can clean the air in a room of this size up to 4.8 times per hour. The motor of the A231 has a power of 55W, which provides sufficient power for effective air filtration.
In addition, the Winix A231 comes with a 2-year warranty, which provides peace of mind to customers who purchase this air purifier. Overall, the Winix A231 is a highly effective, portable air purifier that can provide clean air in small spaces.
| Filters | Pre-Filter, True HEPA Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, and PlasmaWave |
| Coverage | 230 sq. ft. |
| Power Consumption | 55W |
| Warranty | 2-year |
Winix 9800 – Best For Large Rooms
Winix 9800 Highlights
- Winix 9800 is designed for rooms up to 500 sq. ft. and will clean the air in the room 4.8 times per hour.
- This air purifier uses 4-stage filtration technology, including pre-filter, carbon filter, True HEPA filter, and PlasmaWave.
- It has a motor power of up to 95W but operates relatively quietly.
- Winix 9800 comes with a 2-year warranty.
Winix 9800 is a newer model in the Winix series. This air purifier is characterized by a slightly larger room coverage, but other than that; there’s nothing revolutionary or different from what we’ve seen with other models, except for the possibility of connecting it to a smart application.
This air purifier covers rooms up to 500 sq. ft., which is the largest coverage of all the models on the list, making the Winix 9800 particularly recommended for large rooms.
This model uses a 4-stage filtration technology and uses an identical filter to the Winix C535 model. Therefore, we can say that the efficiency and performance are very similar to the C535 model. The largest difference is that the 9800 model is much more powerful.
The first stage of filtration is the pre-filter, the second stage is the carbon filter, the third is the True HEPA filter, and the last is the PlasmaWave technology.
My criticism of this air purifier is the motor’s strength of up to 95W, which, in my opinion, is a bit too much, and I think Winix could have worked on this aspect.
Essentially, this is another air purifier that I would recommend purchasing, especially if you want a device for larger rooms.
| Filters | Pre-Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, and PlasmaWave |
| Coverage | 500 sq. ft. |
| Power Consumption | 95W |
| Warranty | 2-year |
Common Filtration Technology in Winix Air Purifiers
Winix air purifiers are known for their high-quality filtration technology, which is used in all their air purifiers. This means that even this brand’s most affordable air purifier uses highly effective filters.
Since Winix products use similar filtration technology, I will describe each filtration layer separately.
Pre-filter
The pre-filter is an essential part of every Winix air purifier. Its primary purpose is to capture all large particles, such as hair, dust, or anything similar, before reaching the True HEPA filter, prolonging its lifespan. This filter is usually washable and looks like a mesh screen, making it easy to clean. The only exception is the Winix A231, where this filter is not washable and comes attached directly to the True HEPA filter. In addition, the HR900 model has an additional filtration stage, a pet filter, which essentially serves the same function as the pre-filter.
The pre-filter is the first line of defense against pollutants and particles that circulate in the air. It captures large particles that are visible to the naked eye, such as dust, pet hair, and other debris before they can reach the True HEPA filter. By capturing these larger particles, the pre-filter not only helps to extend the life of the True HEPA filter but also helps to improve the overall air quality in your home.
Winix air purifiers are designed to be user-friendly and easy to maintain, and the pre-filter is no exception. Most models feature a washable pre-filter, meaning you can simply remove it from the air purifier and wash it under running water. Once the filter is clean, you can simply replace it and continue using your air purifier.
Activated Carbon Filter
Winix air purifiers use two types of carbon filters. The first type, which I prefer, is the pellet-based carbon filter, which is much more efficient, washable, and has proven to be better in all tests. The pellets in the filter act like tiny sponges, adsorbing and trapping odors and harmful gasses. This type of filter can last up to six months, depending on the usage, and is highly effective at removing unpleasant odors from your home.
The second type of carbon filter used by Winix is the fibrous filter coated with carbon, which is also very good and high quality, but much inferior to the pellet-based carbon filter. This filter works by adsorbing odors and pollutants onto the surface of the filter rather than adsorbing them like the pellet-based filter. This type of filter typically lasts for around three months, depending on usage.
It’s worth noting that the best air purifier on the list, the Winix 5500-2, uses a pellet-based carbon filter. This filter, combined with the other stages of filtration, makes the 5500-2 one of the most effective air purifiers on the market.
True HEPA Filter
The True HEPA filter is the cornerstone of all Winix air purifiers. This filter is of the highest quality and can capture 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns in size. This is an impressive feat, as particles of this size include common household allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander, and potentially harmful particles like smoke, mold spores, and bacteria.
As someone who has extensively tested Winix air purifiers, I can attest to the exceptional quality of this filter. It consistently performs at a high level, removing a wide range of pollutants from the air and leaving behind a noticeable difference in air quality. I believe that the True HEPA filter is one of the main reasons Winix air purifiers have earned such a strong reputation in the industry for their performance and effectiveness.
In addition to its high capture rate, the True HEPA filter is also designed to last a long time. Most models are recommended for replacement every 12 months. This makes it a cost-effective and convenient option for homeowners looking to improve their indoor air quality. Overall, I believe the True HEPA filter is a key feature that sets Winix air purifiers apart from their competitors. It makes them a top choice for anyone looking to breathe cleaner, healthier air in their home or office.
PlasmaWave
PlasmaWave is the final stage of filtration in Winix air purifiers. The PlasmaWave® air purifier technology creates a short electrical discharge that produces dual polarity ions from air moisture, which are then dispersed into the air. Essentially, this is an ionizer that helps neutralize various airborne pollutants such as bacteria, viruses, odors, and chemical vapors.
It is important to note that all Winix air purifiers are CARB-certified, which means they are safe to use. Additionally, it is essential to note that these devices don’t produce ozone when the PlasmaWave technology is turned off. By default, this filtration technology is turned on.
Overall, I appreciate that Winix has allowed users to choose whether or not to use this filtration stage. This allows for a more customizable experience based on personal preferences and concerns.
Comparison: Best Winix Air Purifiers
| Best Overall | Best For Pets | Still a Good Option | Best Portable Option | Best For Large Rooms | |
| Product Image | |
|
|
|
|
| Rating | 9.6/10 | N/A | 9.5/10 | N/A | N/A |
| Manufacturer | Winix | Winix | Winix | Winix | Winix |
| Model | 5500-2 | HR900 | C535 | A231 | 9800 |
| Dimensions | 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches | 16.3 x 9.6 x 23.6 inches | 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches | 9.5 x 9.5 x 14.6 inches | 16.5 x 11.8 x 23.2 inches |
| Room Coverage (4.8 ACH) | 360 sq. ft. (33,4 m²) | 300 sq. ft. (27,9 m²) | 360 sq. ft. (33,4 m²) | 230 sq. ft. (21,4 m²) | 500 sq. ft. (46,5 m²) |
| Performance Ratings | |||||
| Filtration Technology | Washable Pre-filter, Washable AOC Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, and PlasmaWave | Pet filter, Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, and PlasmaWave | Pre-Filter, Odor Adsorbing Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, and PlasmaWave | Pre-Filter, True HEPA Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, and PlasmaWave | Pre-Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, and PlasmaWave |
| Filter Replacement Indicator | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Filter Longevity | up to 12 months | up to 12 months | up to 12 months | up to 12 months | up to 12 months |
| Power | 70W | 90W | 70W | 55W | 95W |
| Operating Costs Ratings | |||||
| Fan Speeds | 5 – Sleep Mode, Speed 1, Speed 2, Speed 3, and Turbo Mode | 5 – Sleep Mode, Speed 1, Speed 2, Speed 3, and Turbo Mode | 5 – Sleep Mode, Speed 1, Speed 2, Speed 3, and Turbo Mode | 4 – Sleep Mode, Low, Medium, and High | 5 – Sleep Mode, Speed 1, Speed 2, Speed 3, and Turbo Mode |
| Air Quality Sensor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Air Quality Indicator | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Noise Levels | 40.6 – 66.4 dBA | N/A | 40.8 – 63.2 dBA | N/A | N/A |
| Noise Ratings | |||||
| Warranty | 2-year | 2-year | 2-year | 2-year | 2-year |
| In-Depth Review | Winix 5500-2 | N/A | Winix C535 | N/A | N/A |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Scroll or swipe left/right to view the whole table.
FAQ on Best Winix Air Purifiers
What is the best Winix air purifier?
In my opinion, the Winix 5500-2 is the best air purifier from Winix. This model uses high-quality and efficient filtration technology, which includes a top-notch True HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, pre-filter, and PlasmaWave. In addition, the price-to-quality ratio is definitely at the top, and few air purifiers can compete with it.
Do Winix air purifiers use True HEPA filters?
All Winix air purifiers use highly efficient True HEPA filters. This is primarily why all the air purifiers from this manufacturer I have tested so far have achieved fantastic results on performance tests.
Do Winix air purifiers produce ozone?
Essentially, all Winix air purifiers are CARB-certified, meaning they are safe to use. However, Winix models with PlasmaWave technology produce ozone, but in permissible amounts and only when this filtration technology is active. It is essential to know that the PlasmaWave is always turned on by default, so if you don’t want to use it, you need to turn off this filtration stage each time the device is turned on.
Final Conclusion
Winix is a well-known and reliable name in the air purifier market, offering a wide range of air purifiers with different purposes, coverage, and features. Choosing the best Winix air purifier can be difficult due to the variety of available options. To simplify this process, I have written a comprehensive guide that analyzes, compares, and presents a list of the 5 best Winix air purifiers currently available on the market.
After thorough research and testing, the current best model from this manufacturer is the Winix 5500-2 air purifier. This model offers an excellent price-to-quality ratio and utilizes top-of-the-line filtration technology, has been on the market for years, and has earned the trust of many users. Additionally, it is one of the best air purifiers I have tested.
Aside from the Winix 5500-2, any other model you choose to purchase will likely be a good option. All Winix models use highly efficient filtration technology, so it is up to you to decide which other features suit your needs best, whether it be price, additional features, room coverage, or something else.
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment in the comments section below, and I will do my best to answer each question as quickly as possible.
It would be nice if you could test the performance of the a231.
I will do it this year. Thanks for the suggestion.
Would you be able to test the difference in filtration effectiveness of one of these purifiers with and without PlasmaWave enabled? I’d like to know whether the risk of ozone conveys any measurable benefits in filtration performance.
I have already tested it and found that when PlasmaWave is on, it improves the air quality by only about 1%. Therefore, I don’t believe using a PlasmaWave is necessary for the average user. Personally, I choose not to use it.
Which model is equivalent to Zero S in US?
I would say the Winix AM90.