Winix Air Purifiers: Top 5 You Can Buy – Tested and Reviewed

Winix has been recognized as a top-rated air purifier brand. This manufacturer offers a wide range of air purifiers with varying dimensions, features, and price points. Thanks to its cutting-edge technology and user-friendly designs, Winix has become a household name in the air purifier industry.

With every new test of a Winix air purifier, I find myself increasingly impressed by the quality and efficiency of their devices.

Not only do Winix air purifiers feature high-quality filtration technology, but they also come equipped with plenty of advanced features and are reasonably priced. Additionally, many Winix air purifiers have a variety of third-party replacement filter options available.

But what makes a Winix air purifier unique, and which model is the best choice? In this article, I’ll answer these and many other questions. I’ll analyze all the Winix air purifiers we’ve tested and highlight the best-performing models currently available to help you improve the air quality in your home.

So, keep reading to find out which air purifiers have earned a spot on this list!

Top 5 Winix Air Purifiers

Before moving on to the list of the best buying options, I want to highlight that you can’t go wrong with any Winix air purifier on this list.

All of them are top-performing devices equipped with high-quality filtration technology, plenty of advanced features, and excellent price-to-value ratios.

Winix 5500-2 – Best Option Overall

The Winix 5500-2 is the best air purifier from this brand that you can get.

It features high-quality filtration technology, including a washable pre-filter, a washable activated carbon filter, a high-efficiency True HEPA filter, and PlasmaWave technology, which is optional and can be turned off.

What makes this air purifier particularly impressive is its high CADR of 232 CFM (394 m³/h), making it ideal for spaces up to 360 sq. ft. (33 m²).

It delivered outstanding results in our airborne particle removal tests and performed exceptionally well in our smoke test, clearing all the smoke from a glass box in just 20 seconds.

This air purifier effectively captures and removes pollutants such as dust, allergens, smoke, and odors from the air.

One of its standout features is the washable activated carbon filter, which contains carbon pellets that efficiently absorb odors, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and household smells. The ability to wash and refresh this filter extends its lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements and saving you money in the long run.

It also includes advanced features like an air quality sensor, air quality indicator, and auto mode, which I find particularly useful.

Overall, the Winix 5500-2 is an excellent choice. It offers incredible value for the money and is, without a doubt, the best Winix air purifier you can buy.

Winix 5510 – An Upgraded Option

The Winix 5510 is considered the successor to the Winix 5500-2. Since it’s a relatively new model, it hasn’t yet had enough time to gain popularity and establish itself like its predecessors.

However, in all our tests, the Winix 5510 delivered outstanding results. In our airborne particle removal test performed in a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) room, it improved air quality by 96% in just 60 minutes while running at max speed.

What sets this model apart from its predecessor is its more modern design, higher CADR, and smart features.

Additionally, the Winix 5510 consumes less electricity and operates much quieter compared to the 5500-2.

With a CADR of 253 CFM (430 m³/h), it’s ideal for rooms up to 392 sq. ft. (36 m²).

All in all, Winix has done a fantastic job with the 5510 model, and this air purifier has all the potential to become one of Winix’s most popular models.

Winix C535 – Still a Good Option

The Winix C535 is another standout air purifier from Winix that has earned a spot on this list. Its design closely resembles the 5500-2 model, with the most noticeable difference at first glance being the color.

However, the C535 also features a slightly different filtration system.

Specifically, it uses a fibrous filter coated with carbon, whereas the Winix 5500-2 utilizes a pellet-based carbon filter. Alongside this, the C535 includes a pre-filter, True HEPA filter, and PlasmaWave technology.

The Winix C535 is one of the brand’s best-selling models, especially due to its availability in stores like Costco and its affordable price. It also comes equipped with several advanced features, including an air quality sensor, air quality indicator, and auto mode, which I find quite useful.

In performance tests, the C535 delivered excellent results, improving air quality by about 95% in a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) room within just 60 minutes at max speed.

Overall, this is a reliable, affordable, and highly efficient air purifier. If you find it at a good price, don’t hesitate to buy it.

The Winix C535 is intended for rooms up to 360 sq. ft. (33 m²), features a 4-stage filtration system, long-lasting filters that are easy to maintain, and comes with a 2-year warranty.

Winix A231 – Best Portable Option

Winix surprised many, including me, with the Winix A231 (A230) model, mainly because I believe a compact model was exactly what their product line needed.

The Winix A231 features a cylindrical design, similar to many other small air purifiers on the market. However, what truly matters is that it uses the same advanced filtration technology as Winix’s larger models.

This compact air purifier uses 4-stage filtration technology, consisting of a pre-filter, True HEPA filter, carbon filter, and PlasmaWave technology.

It also includes Winix’s latest features, including an air quality sensor, air quality indicator, and auto mode.

The Winix A231 is ideal for small spaces such as a desk, bedroom, or similarly sized room. With a coverage area of up to 230 sq. ft. (21 m²), it cleans the air up to 4.8 times per hour in a room of this size.

Powered by a 55W motor, it delivers effective air filtration while remaining efficient and quiet.

Additionally, the Winix A231 comes with a 2-year warranty.

Overall, it’s a highly effective and portable air purifier that ensures clean, fresh air in small spaces.

Winix 9800 – Best For Large Rooms

The Winix 9800 is a newer model in the Winix series. This air purifier is characterized by slightly larger room coverage, but other than that, there’s nothing revolutionary or significantly different from what we’ve seen with other models—except for the ability to connect to a smart application.

This air purifier covers rooms up to 500 sq. ft. (46 m²), making it the most powerful model on this list and the one I particularly recommend for large rooms.

The Winix 9800 uses 4-stage filtration technology and features the same filter as the Winix C535 model. Therefore, we can say that its efficiency and performance are very similar to the C535, with the biggest difference being 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 stage is the True HEPA filter, and the final stage is PlasmaWave technology.

My main complaint about this air purifier is its 95W motor, which, in my opinion, is a bit excessive. I believe Winix could have optimized this aspect better.

Essentially, this is another air purifier I would recommend, especially if you need a device for larger rooms.

Common Filtration Technology in Winix Air Purifiers

Winix air purifiers are known for their high-quality filtration technology, which is consistently used across all their models. Even the most affordable Winix air purifiers are equipped with highly effective filters.

Since Winix products share 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 function is to capture large particles such as hair, dust, and similar before they reach the True HEPA filter, helping to extend its lifespan.

This filter is typically washable and easy to clean. The only exception is the Winix A231, where the pre-filter isn’t washable and is attached directly to the True HEPA filter.

Additionally, the HR900 model includes an extra filtration stage—a pet filter, which serves the same function as a pre-filter.

Activated Carbon Filter

Winix air purifiers use two types of carbon filters. The first type, which I prefer, is the pellet-based carbon filter. It’s much more efficient and has consistently outperformed other filters in tests.

The carbon pellets inside the filter act like tiny sponges, adsorbing and trapping odors and harmful gases. This type of filter can last up to twelve months, depending on usage, and is highly effective at eliminating unpleasant odors from your home.

The second type is the fibrous filter coated with carbon, which, while still high quality, is less effective than the pellet-based carbon filter. Instead of adsorbing pollutants like the pellet-based version, this filter traps odors and pollutants on its surface. It typically lasts around three months, depending on usage.

Notably, the best air purifier on the list, the Winix 5500-2, uses a pellet-based carbon filter. When combined with its other filtration stages, this 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 high-quality filter captures 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, an impressive feat considering that particles of this size include common household allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander, as well as potentially harmful pollutants like smoke, mold spores, and bacteria.

Having extensively tested Winix air purifiers, I can easily attest to the exceptional quality of this filter. It consistently delivers high-level performance, effectively removing a wide range of pollutants and creating a noticeable improvement in air quality.

I believe the True HEPA filter is one of the key reasons why Winix air purifiers have earned a strong reputation in the industry for their effectiveness and reliability.

Beyond its high capture efficiency, the True HEPA filter is also long-lasting. Most models require replacement only once a year, making it a cost-effective and convenient option for homeowners looking to maintain cleaner indoor air.

Overall, the True HEPA filter is a standout feature that sets Winix air purifiers apart from their competitors. It makes them an excellent choice for anyone looking to breathe cleaner, healthier air at home or in the office.

PlasmaWave

PlasmaWave is the final stage of filtration in Winix air purifiers. The PlasmaWave® technology generates a short electrical discharge, producing dual-polarity ions from air moisture, which are then dispersed into the air. Essentially, this acts as an ionizer that helps neutralize various airborne pollutants, including bacteria, viruses, odors, and chemical vapors.

It’s important to note that all Winix air purifiers are CARB-certified and safe to use. Additionally, these devices don’t produce ozone when PlasmaWave technology is turned off. By default, this feature is enabled.

Overall, I like that Winix allows users to choose whether to use or disable this filtration stage, providing a customizable experience based on personal preferences and concerns.

FAQ on Best Winix Air Purifiers

Final Conclusion

Winix is a well-known and trusted name in the air purifier market, offering a wide range of models designed for different purposes, coverage areas, and features. With so many options available, choosing the best Winix air purifier can be challenging. To simplify this process, I have created a comprehensive guide that analyzes, compares, and highlights the best Winix air purifiers currently available.

After extensive research and testing, the Winix 5500-2 stands out as the best model from this manufacturer. It offers an outstanding price-to-quality ratio, features top-tier filtration technology, and has been on the market for years.

Aside from the Winix 5500-2, any other model on this list is also a great option. All Winix air purifiers utilize highly efficient filtration technology, so your choice will ultimately depend on your specific needs, whether that’s price, additional features, room coverage, or other factors.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below, and I’ll do my best to respond as quickly as possible.