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There are so many reasons why the quality of our air may not be satisfactory. It could be that our lovely pets happen to leave a lingering smell or that wildfires have become a more frequent problem. Then we have the everyday dust, pollen, and bacteria that find their way into our homes. With today’s global health issues, an air cleaner is a necessary piece of equipment.
We are going to look at the Winix 5500 vs 5500-2. We will compare all of their features from controls to air cleaning technology and capabilities. You will be able to find a handy comparison chart and some pros and cons before we decide which air cleaner is better.
Let’s start with what the Winix 5500 and the Winix 5500-2 have in common.
Winix 5500 vs 5500-2 – Similarities
Filtration
The Winix 5500 and the Winix 5500-2 have True HEPA filters which capture up to 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. These filters are washable, saving you money in the long run.
PlasmaWave Technology
PlasmaWave Technology is a technology that generates positive and negative ions that form plasma clusters. The clusters neutralize bacteria and viruses that can be found in the air. Some people worry about the environmental impact, but you can turn this feature on or off as you wish.
LED Lights
The LED light indicators let you know when the filters need to be replaced. There is also an air quality bar that lets you know the quality of the air based on real-time results collected from sensors.
Remote Control
You will be able to change the settings from the control panels on the top of the units or from the remote control that is included.
Side by Side Comparison
We can take a quick recap of the two Winix air cleaners with the comparison chart below.
Winix 5500 | Winix 5500-2 | |
| Image |  |  |
| Size | 16.3 x 8.5 x 21.7 inches | 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches |
| Weight | 15lbs | 15.4lbs |
| Color | Metallic Silver | Charcoal gray |
| Filters | Washable True HEPA, activated carbon filter | Washable True HEPA, washable advanced odor capture carbon filter, pre-filter |
| Filter Capture | 99.97% as small as 0.3 microns | 99.97% as small as 0.3 microns |
| PlasmaWave Technology | Yes | Yes |
| Filtration Levels | 3-stage | 4-stage |
| Air Quality Sensor | Yes | Dual |
| Controls | 4 fan speeds, sleep mode, auto mode | 4 fan speeds, sleep mode, auto mode, Rest Easy mode, timer |
| LED Lights | Changes based on real-time air quality, filter replacement indicator | Changes based on real-time air quality, filter replacement indicator |
| Remote Control | Yes | Yes |
| Room Size | 350sq ft | 360sq ft |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2-year limited |
| Price |
There are just as many differences between the Winix 5500 and the Winix 5500-2, so we will take a closer look at these now.
Differences Between Winix 5500 and Winix 5500-2
Appearance
Really, they are both nice-looking air cleaners and a good compact size. The appearance may be a personal preference.
Winix 5500
This air cleaner is 16.3 x 8.5 x 21.7 inches and weighs 15 pounds. It comes in metallic silver.
Winix 5500-2
Overall, it measures 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 and weighs 15.4 pounds. It is a charcoal gray color.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Read next – Winix 5300 vs 5500: Which Air Cleaners are Better?
Filtration Stages
This is one of the main differences to consider as one has more capabilities.
Winix 5500
Aside from the True HEPA filter and PlasmaWave technology, there is a carbon filter that captures bacteria, mold, pet dander, dust and pollen. It is a 3-stage air cleaner.
Winix 5500-2
This is a 4-stage air cleaner. It has the same filters as the Winix 5500, but the carbon filter is also washable. Furthermore, there is a fine pre-filter mesh to make up the fourth stage.
The Winner Is- The Winix 5500-2
Read next – Winix AM90 vs Winix 5500-2: Which Air Purifiers are Better?
Air Quality Sensor
We love the auto mode which uses sensors to automatically adjust the fan speed of the air cleaners.
Winix 5500
The air sensor is located on the top of the unit.
Winix 5500-2
This model has dual sensors for air quality and odors.
The Winner Is- The Winix 5500-2
Read next – Winix C535 vs C555: Which Air Cleaners are Better?
Controls
Both of these Winix air cleaners have 4 fan speeds but there is a bit of a difference with other controls.
Winix 5500
The auto mode is probably the most popular setting because the unit takes care of itself based on the information from the sensor. It also comes with a sleep mode that reduces the noise levels and energy consumed.
Winix 5500-2
It still comes with the same settings as the Winix 550 but with an additional timer and Rest Easy Mode. This automatically switches between sleep and night mode depending on the amount of light in the room.
The Winner Is- The Winix 5500-2
Room Size
There really isn’t much of a difference but it is still worth noting.
Winix 5500
You can use this in room sizes of up to 350 square feet.
Winix 5500-2
Just a little more, the suggested room size is up to 360 square feet.
The Winner Is- The Winix 5500-2
Pros and Cons
Just before our final decision, we have some pros and cons of the Winix 5500 and the Winix 5500-2.
Winix 5500
Pros:
- The dust collected in the filter shoes how well this works
- Excellent value for money
- It’s very quiet on the low fan speed
Cons:
- Some units produce a strange sound with the PlasmaWave technology
Winix 5500-2
Pros:
- It’s super quiet on the lowest setting
- It’s well built and durable
- The color LED lights really show the differences in the air quality
Cons:
- It’s not as effective on bad odors
The Final Verdict
Winix did a great job when releasing the new model of the Winix 5500. The Winix 5500-2 comes with better filtration and more settings. While the Winix 5500 is a great air cleaner, the Winix 5500-2 is far superior. Not only do you get an additional stage of filtration, but you also have a washable carbon filter. This means even more savings. It comes with an additional sensor, a slightly larger room size and another bonus of a longer warranty.