Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA, PlasmaWave and Odor Reducing Washable AOC Carbon Filter Medium

Keeps Wildfire Smoke Outside
We’ve had one heck of a fire season this year–and if you live in the Western United States, I can already see you nodding your head in agreement. That’s probably why you’re here reading this review. Thank goodness for air purifiers. Chances are you’ve already looked at tons of them. You might even be confused as to which one to choose. Hopefully I can help you out with that.In essence, all an air purifier has to do is filter the air and expel it in better shape than it inhaled it. Most units (including the Winix unit here) do this by pulling the air through a HEPA filter–and that certainly helps. If all you’re looking to do is reduce dust, you can stop here. Pick a filter, any filter. You’ll get the job done.But why stop with one layer of filtration when this unit offers you four?When the air enters your Winix, it will first encounter a cleanable dust screen. This screen is much like what you may have in front of your computer case fans. Large particles get stuck here rather than in your HEPA filter, meaning you won’t have to replace the HEPA as often. In fact, Winix recommends replacing the HEPA once a year; you may have noticed that other brands recommend changing filters every three months or so. That’s why, and it serves as Layer One.The next layer is a honeycomb filter which is filled with activated carbon. You see, HEPA filters alone won’t eliminate odors. Just like how activated carbon will remove odors from fish tanks when used as part of the tank’s filtration, it also removes odors from the air. Pet dander, wildfire smoke, a certain someone’s love of gassy foods… yeah, you’ll like this function. That’s Layer Two.Layer Three is the HEPA filter itself. Small particles you may not be able to see–but will still do a number on your eyes and sinuses–get stopped in their tracks here.Layer Four is a negative-ion filter that Winix calls “Plasmawave.” Without over complicating the science behind it, this feature will make it harder for viruses to spread and will cause smaller particles to sink where they can be collected easier. This feature can be turned off if you don’t see the need for such thoroughness or perhaps you’re skeptical of the process, but I strongly suggest leaving it on.When it’s time to change (or clean, in the case of your dust screen) your filters, getting to them is easy. The entire front panel is held on by magnets (better than plastic tabs which can break over time). The filters themselves are easy to find right here on Amazon, and they are reasonably priced. You’ll be switched over in minutes. Your biggest hassle just might be tearing your new filters out of its packaging.Now let’s talk about features. For the vast majority of the people, simply hitting the “auto” button will work. This unit has an air quality sensor, and it will automatically increase its fan speed when it senses that your air quality has declined. Once air quality improves, it’ll slow down its fans. It’s a set-and-forget type of thing.For those who are more hands-on, you can bypass the auto mode and choose your own fan speed. This is useful if you’re running this unit in a room that needs more “reach,” or if you find the white noise of the fans to be soothing. On maximum speed, the unit is still quiet enough to hold a conversation next to it—a box fan is far, far louder. The filtered air is pushed upward, where it can more easily circulate in the room without diluting the denser polluted air it has yet to filter. This helps the purifier do a more efficient job.The air quality monitor lets you know what your room’s air quality is by showing you one of three colors: Blue means your air quality is good; Amber means it’s… well… mediocre; Red means bad. Pretty easy stuff, and easy to see from across the room. The various functions and features are backlit, so even in a dark room you won’t have any trouble selecting what you want. For those who are bothered by the indicator lights, there’s a night-time mode which turns them off.The unit itself is well thought-out and constructed. It doesn’t draw attention to itself, and will blend with most any decor. There’s no remote control that you’ll never use, and the controls are so well laid-out you’ll very likely never need to go digging around for the manual.My brother-in-law owns this unit, and it was on his recommendation that we ordered ours. We liked our first one so much, we quickly bought a second unit to go in our daughter’s bedroom. The difference has been striking. Now we only have to deal with wildfire smoke when we venture outside. The dry eyes and sniffles have reduced dramatically. If that sounds like the kind of world you wish to create for yourself in your own home, why not place your order today?

🔹 Pros & Highlights:✅ Quiet Operation – Even on higher settings, the purifier operates quietly, ensuring an undisturbed sleep environment.✅ Effective Performance – It efficiently cleans the air, making a noticeable difference in air quality.✅ Easy Filter Replacement – Replacing the filter is straightforward and hassle-free. Check out the video attached✅ User-Friendly Controls – The interface is simple, with minimal buttons, making it easy to operate without unnecessary features.🔹 Cons or Areas for Improvement:❌ Price Increase – I purchased this unit last year for $220, and it’s disappointing to see the price has increased since then.🔹 Real-Life Use & Comparison:In my small apartment, the Winix 5500-2 has been a reliable addition, especially during sleep due to its quiet operation. Compared to other purifiers I’ve tried, this one stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness without unnecessary features.🔹 Who is This Best For?Ideal for individuals in small living spaces like apartments or condos, or for those looking to purify specific rooms. It’s perfect for light sleepers who need a quiet environment.🔹 Final Thoughts:I highly recommend the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier for its performance and quiet operation. However, be aware of the recent price increase when making your purchase decision.

I’m reviewing this after having it up and running for 2 weeks.The reason I bought it, is because we have 2 mainecoons who create a lot of airborne cat hair. Not great. After a bit of research, I reached the conclusion that this brand of air filters was pretty good for pet owners so here I am…. After 24 hours there was already a noticeable difference and today, 2 weeks later, I decided to wipe clean the large particle filter which is the outer filter right behind the front vent ( behind that filter is an activated charcoal filter and a huge hepa filter too)I removed an impressive amount of cat hair photo attached.At this point in time I’m now considering buying a second one for upstairs as this one is downstairs. I had no idea it would be so effective. Great buy.

Works silently. Seems to have strong air delivery. Comes with extra filters. Auto turns off panel lights when it’s dark. Perfect for bedroom.