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Air quality in our home is a crucial issue. From viruses and bacteria to smoke from increasingly severe wildfires, our health is at risk. Ventilating homes by opening windows only takes you so far, and maybe even then just makes it worse.
We are going to compare two air purifiers, the Winix AM90 vs 5500-2. We will discuss their design, filtration systems, and ease of use. After looking at all their features, we will include a comparison chart and some pros and cons before deciding which is better.
There are a few similarities between the Winix AM90 and the Winix 5500-2. We will start with these.
Winix AM90 vs Winix 5500-2 – Similarities
Quick Glance
The side-by-side chart below has all of the specifications of the Winix AM90 and the Winix 5500-2 for a quick overview.
Winix AM90 | Winix 5500-2 | |
| Image |  |  |
| Size | 15.1 x 8.7 x 23.5 | 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches |
| Weight | 16.5lbs | 15.4lbs |
| Color | White | Charcoal gray |
| Room Capacity | 360sq ft | 360sq ft |
| AHAM Verified | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Enabled | Yes | No |
| Compatible with Alexa | Yes | No |
| Filtration | 4-stage with PlasmaWave Technology | 4-stage with PlasmaWave Technology |
| HEPA | 99.97% True HEPA Filter | 99.97% True HEPA Filter |
| CADR | Dust 233, Pollen 240, Smoke 230 | Not stated |
| Fan Speeds | 4 | 4 |
| Sleep Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Sensors | Dual sensors for Auto Mode | Dual sensors for Auto Mode |
| LED Indicators | Yes | Yes |
| Amazon Dash Replenishment | Yes | No |
| Price |
Room Capacity
The Winix AM90 and the Winix 5500-2 have been AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) verified for rooms up to 360sq ft.
Filtration
There are 4 stages of filtration with the Winix AM90 and the Winix 5500-2. There is a washable fine mesh pre-filter, a carbon filter, and a True HEPA filter. The final stage of filtration is PlasmaWave Technology that hydroxyls to neutralize bacteria and viruses. They capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Fan Speeds
The Winix AM90 and the Winix 5500-2 have 4 fan speeds, low, medium, high, and turbo.
Sleep Mode
On Sleep Mode, the Winix AM90 and the Winix 5500-2 will automatically reduce the fan speeds for quieter use and better energy consumption.
Sensors and Auto Mode
On the top of the Winix AM90 and the Winix 5500-2, there are dual sensors. These sensors detect the quality of the air and on Auto Mode, will automatically adjust the fan speed for optimal air quality.
LED Indicators
There is an LED indicator that warns you when the filters need to be replaced. The Winix AM90 and the Winix 5500-2 also have an LED bar that changes color based on the quality of the air. Blue is good, orange is fair and red means the air quality is poor.
We will now move on to how the Winix AM90 and the Winix 5500-2 differ.
Differences Between Winix AM90 and Winix 5500-2
Appearance
The two air purifiers look very different although the choice might be a personal choice.
Winix AM90
The unit is white and measures 15.1 x 8.7 x 23.5 inches. It weighs 16.5 pounds. There are control buttons on the top for the fan speeds.
Winix 5500-2
The charcoal gray and no holey grate on the front makes this air purifier more modern-looking. It measures 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches and weighs 15.4 pounds.
The Winner Is- The Winix 5500-2
Read next – Winix 5500 vs 5500-2: Which Air Cleaners are Better?
Wi-Fi Enabled
While Wi-Fi doesn’t affect the air quality, it does help with the ease of use.
Winix AM90
This air purifier is Wi-Fi enabled. You can download the Winix app to change the settings and check the life of the filters. Because it is Wi-Fi enabled, it is also Alexa compatible for voice activation. Finally, the Wi-Fi means you can sign up for Amazon Dash Replacements. When the filters need replacing, they will automatically be ordered and sent to you, so you never run out of filters.
Winix 5500-2
This is not a Wi-Fi air purifier. You can use it with the controls on top of the unit, or you can use the included remote control.
The Winner Is- The Winix AM90
The Carbon Filter
Although both have 4-stage filtration and True HEPA filters, the carbon filters are slightly different.
Winix AM90
The activated carbon filter reduces VOCs and odors from things like cooking, pets, and smoke. Being activated carbon also helps to prolong the life of the True HEPA Filter.
Winix 5500-2
The AOC carbon filter will also reduce odors from the air. The only difference is that this filter is advertised as being washable.
The Winner Is- The Winix 5500-2
Read next – Winix AM90 vs Winix AM80: Which Air Purifiers are Better?
CADR
CADR stands for clean air delivery rate.
Winix AM90
For dust, the CADR is 233, pollen 240, and for smoke, the CADR for smoke is 230.
Winix 5500-2
There is no information on the CADR ratings for this air purifier.
The Winner Is- The Winix AM90
Pros and Cons
The following pros and cons of the Winix AM90 and the Winix 5500-2 will help us decide which is the better air purifier.
Winix AM90
Pros:
- It’s very quiet on low mode
- Good air quality for the price
- It’s very easy to use with the app
Cons:
- The carbon filter is thinner than expected
Winix 5500-2
Pros:
- It’s also extremely quiet on low mode
- Nicely built air purifier
- Great sensors that pick up air quality
Cons:
- Not as effective on strong odors
The Final Verdict
It wasn’t an easy decision. Initially, the Wi-Fi made all the difference. It is definitely handy to be able to control devices from your smartphone. When we took a closer look, we decided that the Winix 5500-2 was the better air purifier. It looks a lot nicer, which does make a difference. Realistically, with Auto Mode, the air purifier runs itself with little interference. There is a noticeable difference in air quality, and it helps that the carbon filter is washable. Furthermore, the Winix 5500-2 is a little bit cheaper, so you can save yourself some money and enjoy a nicer design.