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Statistics show that about 3 out of 10 people in America are allergic to cats and dogs. That is exactly why many people avoid getting a pet. Allergic reactions may occur upon contact with the dander from your pet. Moreover, outside cats and dogs may also bring back other allergens such as dust and pollen into your house. Buying an indoor air purifier that filters dust, pollen, and pet dander may solve that problem.
We are going to compare two air purifiers from Winix – the HR900 and 5500-2. Let’s see how some of the best HEPA air purifiers Winix HR900 and Winix 5500-2 fare against each other. This article will narrow down the choice Winix HR900 or 5500-2.
| Name | Winix HR900 | Winix 5500-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
 |
| Recommended Room Size | 300 sq. ft. | 360 sq. ft. |
| Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) | Dust – 264 cfm
Pollen – 301 cfm Smoke – 258 cfm |
Dust – 243 cfm
Pollen – 246 cfm Smoke – 232 cfm |
| Air Changes per Hour (ACH) | 5 | 5 |
| Stages of Filtration | 5-stage | 4-stage |
| HEPA Filter | 99.97% True HEPA | 99.97% True HEPA |
| Deodorization Filter | Washable AOC Carbon | Washable AOC Carbon |
| Advanced Sanitation Technologies | PlasmaWave | PlasmaWave |
| Certifications | AHAM / Energy Star / UL / CARB / Prop65 | AHAM / Energy Star / UL / CARB / Prop65 |
| Air Quality indicator | 3 Color LED | 3 Color LED |
| Number of Fans Speed | 5 | 5 |
| Minimum Noise Level | 27 dB | 27dB |
| Timer | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Sensors | Triple Smart Sensors | Dual Smart Sensors |
| Sleep Mode | Automatic Sleep Mode | Automatic Sleep Mode |
| Auto Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Filter Replacement Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Product Dimensions (W x D x H) | 16.3 x 9.6 x 23.6 inches | 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches |
| Product Weight | 18.7 pounds | 14.8 pounds |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Similarities between Winix HR900 and Winix 5500-2 HEPA Air Purifiers
Air Changes per Hour
Air changes per hour or ACH is exactly what you think it is. It is the number of times an air purifier changes the air inside the room in one hour. People who suffer from allergies and asthmas need at least 4 air changes per hour or an air change every 15 minutes. Fortunately, both the Winix HR900 and 5500-2 can change the air inside the room 5 times in one hour. Moreover, you can choose from 5 fan speeds. The slowest fans speed hits the minimum noise level of only 27dB.
HEPA and Deodorization Filter
The Winix HR900 and 5500-2 have the same HEPA and deodorization filters. Both use 99.97% true HEPA filters which are said to remove particles as small as 0.3 microns. Moreover, both air purifiers use the AOC Carbon filters to remove odor from the room. Their AOC carbon filters are washable as well. The life span of these filters is longer compared to other filters in the market. You should replace these filters every 12 months. There is a filter replacement indicator on both air purifiers so you will never forget to replace them.
Differences between Winix HR900 and Winix 5500-2 HEPA Air Purifiers
Recommended Room Size
The recommended room size of both air purifiers is verified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).
Winix HR900
AHAM validated that the Winix HR900 has a recommended room size of 300 sq. ft. While the average living room space is 319 square feet, the Winix HR900 can still fit a medium-sized living room. Moreover, it can easily fit your infant or children’s room.
Winix 5500-2
The Winix 5500-2 has a larger recommended room size of 360 square feet. Therefore, you can place the 5500-2 in any living room space because it exceeds the average living room area. With that said, the Winix 5500-2 has the advantage over the HR900.
The Winner Is- Winix 5500-2
Clean Air Delivery Rate
Alongside the recommended room size, AHAM also standardized the performance of air purifiers by measuring the clean air delivery rate. CADR is measured in the volume of air it can purify over time, hence the higher CADR the better it can filter air.
Winix HR900
The Winix HR900 has better CADR overall. It has a higher CADR of 264 cfm for dust, 301 cfm for pollen, and 258 cfm for the smoke. Another advantage that the HR900 has over the 5500-2 is an extra smart sensor. The HR900 has triple smart sensors that detect the surrounding air and adjust the fan speed accordingly in real-time.
Winix 5500-2
Although the Winix 5500-2 can filter a larger room, it consequently has a lower CADR versus the HR900. The 5500-2 has a CADR of 243 cfm for dust, 246 cfm for pollen, and 232 cfm for the smoke. While the 5500-2 only has dual smart sensors, it can still detect and adjust the fan speed but with less efficiency.
The Winner Is- Winix HR900
Stages of Filtration
Air purifiers have their way of filtering the surrounding air. This can be seen in their stages of filtration.
Winix HR900
The Winix HR900 has a more intricate way of purifying the air as it has 5 stages of filtration. Air sucked in by the HR900 first passes through its ‘Ultimate Pet Pre-filter’. As the first line of defense, it filters pet hair, dander, and other visible particles. Next, it passes through the washable fine mesh pre-filter that captures large airborne particles. Afterward, it goes through the activated carbon filter which lessens the VOCs and odors around your house. It then passes through the true HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of allergens and other particles as small as 0.3 microns. Lastly, the air does through the PlasmaWave air cleaning technology which neutralizes bacteria and viruses. Then, the cycle repeats every 12 minutes.
Winix 5500-2
On the other hand, the Winix 5500-2 has one less filter inside it. The 5500-2 has all the filters that the HR900 has except the ultimate pet pre-filter. Thus, its first line of defense is the washable fine mesh pre-filter.
The Winner Is- Winix HR900
Pros and Cons
Winix HR900
Pros:
- Although it has a smaller recommended room area, it has a higher overall clean air delivery rate.
- It has 5 stages of filtration, thus producing higher quality air.
- It has a more accurate auto mode since it has triple smart sensors.
Cons:
- Due to the additional stage of filtration, it is significantly bulkier and heavier.
Winix 5500-2
Pros:
- You can place the Winix 5500-2 in any area inside your house as it has a larger recommended room area by the AHAM.
- Even if it has a significantly lower CADR, it still can change the air with the same frequency in an hour as the HR900.
- It costs cheaper than the HR900 due to the lack of an ultimate pet pre-filter.
Cons:
- A lower CADR and fewer stages of filtration produce a lesser quality air than the HR900.
Which Winix Air Purifier is Better?
Winix products are great air purifiers you can get for your family. It is tested and trusted as they have multiple verifications and certifications. Moreover, both are backed with 2 years of warranty from Winix. However, one stands better than the other. The Winix HR900 is indeed the better air purifier due to its added pre-filter and higher CADR which comes with a heftier price. But do not discount the 5500-2 since it can also do a lot for lesser money.
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