Levoit LV-PUR131 Vs Winix 5500-2 – Trusted Comparison (2023)

With each new product, Levoit becomes a serious competition to some already well-known brands. In this comparison, I will compare Levoit LV-PUR131 and Winix 5500-2 air purifiers. These models are similar when we compare room coverage, size, and popularity.

Winix offers slightly more advanced options and has been available on the market for a longer time. Levoit LV-PUR131 is intended for rooms of 322 sq. ft., while Winix 5500-2 is designed for rooms up to 360 sq. ft.

Levoit is available in white color, while Winix model is available in black color.

Whether Levoit can shake the fame of the already proven and well-known Winix 5500-2 air purifier, find out in this comparison article. I will compare performance, advanced options, and everything related to these two products. In the end, I will make a decision on which device I think is the better choice to buy and why.

Levoit Vs Winix Specifications

Features Overview

The Levoit LV-PUR131 and Winix 5500-2 have many features in common.

Both devices use a timer, have a sleep mode, use a smart sensor and an air quality indicator. Of course, there is also the indispensable filter reset indicator.

Device control

Both devices have control buttons at the top. The buttons are arranged horizontally. A beep sounds at every pressure. The difference is that with Winix, the buttons respond to pressure, while with Levoit, the buttons are sensitive to touch.

Besides, Winix comes with a remote controller as an add-on that allows you to control the device from a relaxing chair. The Levoit LV-PUR131 uses 3 fan speeds with an extra sleep mode, while the Winix 5500-2 uses 4 fan speeds and sleep mode.

Smart Sensor

Both devices use a smart sensor, which detects air quality in real-time. The current air quality is displayed via the Air Quality Indicator, which illuminates certain colors depending on the current air quality.

An important difference between smart sensors is that Winix detects only odors, while the Levoit sensor detects only dust particles. So it is important to keep this in mind when deciding which air purifier to buy.

What I don’t like about Levoit is that the Air Quality Indicator only works if the device is switched to auto mode. With Winix, the Air Quality Indicator shows the current air quality at all times.

Auto Mode

Both devices have an auto mode, which works on the same principle. Auto mode changes fan speed based on the quality of the air in the room. This means that auto mode is cooperative with the smart sensor.

One important difference is that the auto mode in Winix works in combination with the light sensor, which means that it will switch to sleep mode if the room is dark.

Timer

A timer is a great option, which allows you to set the air purifier to turn off after a certain amount of time. The Levoit LV-PUR131 uses a timer set between 1h and 12h, while Winix 5500-2 uses a timer that can be set to 1h, 4h, or 8h.

Sleep Mode

What I really like is that both devices have a sleep mode. With both devices, sleep mode will further reduce motor speed. Besides, when the device is in sleep mode, all indicators on the device will turn off.

The Winix 5500-2 is slightly quieter in sleep mode than the Levoit LV-PUR131.

Ionizer

The Winix 5500-2 uses the Ionizer as an additional filtration stage. The technology used by Winix is ​​PlasmaWave. I wrote more about this technology in a complete review, which you can find on the site or on the YouTube channel.

What I don’t like about the Ionizer is that it’s on by default. However, you can always turn it off by pressing the PlasmaWave button.

Airflow

The airflow of these two devices is almost identical. Levoit LV-PUR131 draws air from the back more precisely through the openings on the sides and below. The air is then filtered and exits at the top.

The Winix 5500-2 draws air through openings in the front of the device. The filtered air exits through the grilles on the upper side of the device.

Filtration Technology

The filtration method of these two devices is somewhat different. The Levoit LV-PUR131 uses 3-stage filtration, while the Winix 5500-2 uses 4-stage filtration. The pre-filter is the first stage of filtration in both devices. 

With Levoit, the pre-filter needs to be cleaned periodically with a vacuum cleaner.
With Winix, it is also recommended to clean the pre-filter. However, this pre-filter is washable.

Both devices use a True HEPA filter, which is the best filter and credit for the excellent performance. Carbon filtration is somewhat different; both devices use carbon pellets. The difference is that Winix uses an AOC carbon filter that is washable.

How to Replace Filters?

With Levoit LV-PUR131, the filters need to be changed on average between 6-8 months. With the Winix 5500-2, the filter is changed on average every 12 months.

Both devices use a filter reset indicator, so you won’t have to worry about when it’s time to replace the filter. The device will let you know.

Noise Tests

The Winix 5500-2 and Levoit LV-PUR131 are large devices with slightly larger motors, so they are expected to produce a slightly louder sound at higher speeds.

What I really like is that both devices have a sleep mode. With Winix, sleep mode is quieter than with Levoit. However, at top speed, Levoit is much quieter than Winix.

I like that the devices have more than 3 different fan speeds, primarily because each user can find the speed that suits him. The Winix 5500-2 is a little too loud for my taste at the highest speed, but at the highest speed, the device is the most efficient and produces the best performance.

You can see the detailed noise ranges of these two air purifiers in the table below.

Performance Tests

These two air purifiers are designed for rooms of almost identical dimensions. Winix 5500-2 is designed for rooms up to 360 sq. ft. The Levoit LV-PUR131 is designed for rooms up to 322 sq. ft.

Due to their almost identical specifications, I tested the devices in the same rooms. Below I will explain and compare the most interesting tests.

320 sq. ft. Room Tests

I tested the devices in a room of 320 sq. ft. The devices were tested separately and worked at maximum speed at all times.

The Levoit LV-PUR131 lowered the AQI from 135 to 11 in 60 minutes, thus improving the room’s air quality by about 92%. The Winix 5500-2 improved air quality by about 96% at the same time, lowering the AQI from 141 to 9.

Both devices performed very well, and I can say that I am very satisfied with this test’s performance.

320 sq. ft. Room Tests – Auto Mode

After the first test, I tested the devices in the same room, but they worked in auto mode this time. It is important to note that the smart sensor in these two devices is different. With Winix, the smart sensor detects only odors, while with Levoit, it detects dust particles.

Levoit LV-PUR131 improved air quality by about 86% in 60 minutes, while Winix improved air quality by about 93% in the same room at the same time.

In this test, both devices did great results; meanwhile, Winix did a bit better.

Operating Costs

The Levoit LV-PUR131 uses a 40W motor, while the Winix 5500-2 uses a slightly more powerful 70W motor. These two devices have slightly more powerful motors, and therefore the power consumption is slightly higher.

If you leave the LV-PUR131 running 24 hours a day, the device will spend about $ 3 of electricity in one month. In comparison, Winix will spend about $ 5 in identical conditions and at the same time.

When we compare electricity consumption and the price of replacement filters annually, the Winix 5500-2 is a slightly higher cost than the Levoit LV-PUR131.