Looking for the best air purifier made by the well-known brand Winix?
Perfect! In this proHVACinfo.com review, you’ll learn:
- What is a Winix air purifier?
- What do you look for in the best Winix Air Purifier?
- Top 5 Winix air purifiers reviewed

Our #1 Overall Top Rated Pick
January 2, 2022

Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
Check on AmazonWe’re happy to award our top pick when it comes to Winix air purifiers is the 5500 – 2 model!--break--This device offers powerful performance, an impressive array of filter options and several additional features at a great price.--break--It features three filters (a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, and a True HEPA filter, along with an array of operating modes to clean the air whether you’re working from home, relaxing in the living room or getting a good night’s sleep.
Image | Product | |||
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Our Top Pick ![]() | Our Top Pick | Winix 550-2
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High-End Pick ![]() | High-End Pick | Winix HR900
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Best Budget Pick ![]() | Best Budget Pick | Winix 5300-2
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![]() | Winix AM90
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![]() | Winix A231
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What Are Winix Air Purifiers (what makes them unique)?
And what makes them unique? Great question!
Winix started as a South Korean company by another name (Yooshin Enterprise) in 1973. The company later changed its name to Winix and moved to the US in the early 2000s.
Winix is a very well-regarded air purifier brand and is known for its extremely high quality standards.
The company’s stated objective is to “develop clean and healthy living and working environments by creating the highest quality of clean air and clean drinking water that you can make yourself!”
They’re also well known for their elegant designs, and have won awards in that area including the including the Reddot design award and the IF design award.
Something that makes Winix unique compared to other air purifier manufacturers is their PlasmaWave technology. This is a type of ion filter that combines with the True HEPA filter (more on that below) and activated carbon filter to ensure the air you breathe is of the highest quality.
What Do You Look for In the Best Winix Air Purifier?
So, you like the Winix brand, but aren’t sure what else to think about before buying? Let’s take a look!
First, you want to ask yourself what it is exactly that you want to remove from the air – is it mostly particles (such as dust, pollen, etc.) or odors / gases, like tobacco smoke?
If it’s particles, you’ll want to be sure you select a purifier with a high Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (“MERV”). That’s the standard measure of how well a particle air filter works.
Air purifiers with the highest MERVs earn the designation of “True HEPA” filter (“HEPA” stands for “High Efficiency Particle Air [filter]”. The good news is that all Winix air purifiers reviewed below come with HEPA filters.
If you’re more concerned with removing odors, you’ll want to be sure the model you select has an activated charcoal (also called “activated carbon”) filter.
Do you have pets?
Pet fur and dander can really shorten the life of a filter (which then needs replaced), so finding a unit with a pre-filter (ideally a reusable pre-filter) can help keep the True HEPA filter in good shape for longer (see our third Winix recommendation below).
See also: Best Furnace Filters for Pets
How large is the room / area where you’ll put the air purifier?
Air purifiers, including those made by Winix, are measured by their CADR (“Clean Air Delivery Rate”), which tells you how many cubic feet per minute (“CFM”) the air purifier can process. T
ake a look at the below table from the EPA which compares square footage and CFM.

Okay, without further ado, here are the five best Winix air purifiers!
Best Winix Air Purifiers Reviewed
Winix 5500-2 (Our Top Pick)
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The Winix 5500-2 is our overall #1 pick for Winix air purifiers, and it’s easy to see why.--break--This purifier packs a lot of power into a relatively compact unit and is also a great value!--break--The 5500-2 comes in at 24 inches tall, 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick. This is small enough to sit in any living room or bedroom without drawing unwanted attention.--break--The great thing about this model is that it doesn’t sacrifice power for that small design.--break--The 5500-2 is rated for 250 CFM, meaning that it processes 250 cubic feet of air per minute.--break--This ensures coverage for rooms up to almost 400 square feet!--break--When it comes to performance, this model also lives up to the Winix promise.--break--It includes three filters: a washable pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, and True HEPA filter.--break--The pre-filter captures larger particles to protect the carbon and HEPA filter in order to extend their useful life.--break--The nice thing about this pre-filter is that it’s washable instead of disposable. Some air purifiers come with disposable pre-filters, which means you have to consistently buy new filters.--break--Those additional purchases can really add up in the long run!--break--The activated carbon filter is most useful in capturing gasses and odors, like tobacco smoke.--break--The carbon filter also stands out because it uses actual activated carbon pellets, whereas some filters use carbon-coated fibers for their charcoal filter, which doesn’t work as well.--break--Finally, the True HEPA filter is where most of the air pollutants are captured. In order to be a True HEPA filter, the filter must capture all particles down to a size of 0.3 microns (much smaller than what the human eye can see).--break--Other features on this model include 4 fan speeds, a sleep mode, smart sensors.--break--The smart sensors work by detecting the air quality and adjusting the fan speed accordingly to cater to the environment.
Pros
- High CFM--break--Washable pre-filter--break--Carbon filter with activated carbon pellets--break--Energy efficiency--break--Quiet--break--Overall good value
Cons
- LED lights don’t turn off unless in sleep mode (in which case you lose some functionality)--break--Short warranty (1-year)
Winix HR900 (High End Pick)
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The Winix HR900 is the first air purifier on our list designed specifically with pets in mind.--break--The HR900 has a 5-stage air purification system that eliminates pet allergens and particles from the home environment.--break--The 5-stage air purifications system has two pre-filters (an “Ultimate Pet” filter and a washable pre-filter similar to those we’ve already looked at), an Advanced Odor Control carbon filter, a True HEPA and finally Winix Plasma Wave Technology.--break--It’s slightly bulkier than the models we’ve looked at above, at 24 inches tall 16 inches wide and 10 inches deep.--break--The CADR is slightly less than the models already discussed, but at 220 CFM, it’s powerful enough to provide coverage in most rooms in the home environment.
Pros
- 5-stage filtration--break--Good CFM--break--Users noted it was quiet
Cons
- Price
Winix 5300-2 (Best Budget Pick)
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The 5300-2 is the slightly more affordable cousin of the 5500-2.--break--You’ll notice a lot of similarities between the two units – first off, their look and size are the same (24 x 15 x 8).--break--They’re also both rated for 250CFM, so you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to air processing power.--break--The 5300-2 also contains a reusable pre-filter, activated charcoal filter, and true HEPA filter.--break--One thing to note, is that the activated carbon filter in the 5300-2 model does not have true carbon pellets, so it’s less effective than the 5500-2 at eliminating odors and gasses.--break--This may not be an issue if your primary concern is dust, pollen, and the like, but could be problematic if you’re hoping to filter out odors.
Pros
- Price--break--High CFM, especially for the price--break--Energy efficient
Cons
- Carbon filter does not use activated carbon pellets
Winix AM90
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The AM90 is another very well-regarded model.--break--This one sets itself apart because its’s Wi-Fi enabled. With your smartphone, you can connect to the unit directly with the Winix app and control the unit or monitor the air quality in your home--break--It also works with Alexa, so you can give it voice commands without touching your phone.--break--The CADR is around 240, suitable for rooms around 350 square feet.--break--You’ll see the same quality described above with this model, as it comes with a pre-filter, activating carbon filter, and True HEPA filter.--break--The AM90 also has 4 fan speeds, a sleep mode and a filter replacement indicator, so you’ll never forget to replace the carbon or True HEPA filter when the time comes.
Pros
- High CADR--break--Wi-Fi enabled and works with Amazon Alexa
Cons
- Some users reported issues with the app
Winix A231
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The final model we’ve included in this review is the Winix A231.--break--This unit features a slightly different “tower” design compared to the four models above, which some users find more aesthetically pleasing.--break--However, a different design doesn’t mean this model compromises on quality!--break--The A231 has the same four-stage filtration you’ve probably come to expect by now (pre-filter, carbon filter, true HEPA filter, and Plasmawave technology), and it’s rated to cover areas up to 230 square feet!--break--This model also includes smart sensors that let you know when your air is in need of cleaning, which cuts down on running the unit unnecessarily.--break--On that same theme, it has an auto mode which adjusts the fan speed to ensure its operations is not only effective, but efficient as well!
Pros
- Appealing design--break--4-stage true HEPA filtration--break--Smart sensor--break--Auto Mode
Cons
- Some users reported filters are difficult to access during replacement--break--Air quality LED light does not turn off (can be disruptive to sleep)
Final Thoughts on the Best Winix Air Purifier
Winix is known for their high build quality and has won many awards in the realm of air purifiers.
With a company as well-regarded as Winix, you can’t go wrong with any of the above air purifiers, especially with the powerful combination of carbon filters and true HEPA filters offered by all the above options.
Whether you have a specific allergen like a pet that you’re thinking of, or just want a purifier that will keep your air fresh and won’t break the bank, we hope you found this review informative and helpful.