Winix air purifiers explained: models, filters, and care tips

Air purifiers are useful for homes big and small, helping eliminate harmful bacteria and pollutants from the air. This can include everything from dust and pollen to pet dander and other allergens. Everyone can benefit from breathing cleaner air, but especially those with allergies and asthma. Winix is one of the top brands in this space, offering a wide selection of air purifers to suit all types of homes, room sizes, and families and individuals.

About Winix air purifiers

In business for more than 50 years, Winix prides itself on helping bring cleaner air to homes. The company’s range of air purifiers include features like true HEPA filters that can capture 99.99% of airborne allergens. This includes ultrafine particles that are as small as 0.01 microns. They also use PlasmaWave Air Cleaning technology, which breaks down pollutants at a molecular level without producing harmful ozone in the process.

Smart filtration thanks to features like smart sensors, auto mode, and an AOC carbon filter, ensure that they’re working hard in the background to keep your air clean. Plus, many Winix air purifier models are ENERGY STAR certified for energy efficient operation. The latest and most premium models can even be controlled remotely using a companion app.

Overview of the Winix 5500-2

The Winix 5500-2 air purifier is a top-line model designed for larger rooms and areas that are up to 1,740 square-feet in size. Thus, it might be big enough to clean the air in an entire home or apartment, or at least an entire floor of a large multi-level home. It offers four-stage Wi-Fi True HEPA filtration with an additional Carbon filter and PlasmaWave technology. There’s an air quality indicator on the front showing the quality of the air in the room in real time while smart sensors inside work in the background to measure air quality and adjust the fan speed as needed. It runs ultra quiet at just 27dB on its slowest speed, similar to a quiet bedroom or office. When you turn off the lights, sleep mode will automatically kick, conserving energy.

The ENERGY STAR certified unit is also tested and proven by AHAM Verifide, assuring the effective removal of smoke, dust, and pollen. The fine mesh pre-filter and carbon filter are both washable. When the True HEPA filter need to be replaced, you’ll know via the filter replacement indicator LED. Available in black or grey, note that this is an older model. But it’s still a great, well-reviewed option at a reasonable price.

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Overview of the Winix C545

The Winix C545 is similar in features and can clean a room up to 1,740 square-feet in size as well. It runs at the same 27dB. You’ll find the same activated carbon filter, True HEPA filter, PlasmaWave Air Cleaning technology, smart sensors, air quality indicator, sleep mode, filter replacement indicator, and washable fine mesh filter. But this unit also works with the Winix Smart app for remotely controlling it and monitoring status. It also comes with up to two years of filtration included, including a pair of True HEPA filters and eight carbon filters. That’s tremendous value for dollar. Along with being ENERGY STAR certified, it is AHAM Verifide. This model comes in white if you prefer that colour for your décor.

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Comparing the two

Here’s a side-by-side comparison table of the key features with these two models.

Understanding Winix filters

Winix air purifiers typically have three filter layers that work together to help purify the air around you and maximize the benefits of air purifiers.

Fine mesh pre-filter: This first layer of defense against dust and dander captures the larger airborne particles so the other filters can focus on the smaller ones. It’s washable, so you can easily remove it, give it a rinse, let it dry, and re-insert it.

Activated carbon filter: This second filter layer is designed to help reduce VOCs and household odours. That might be from cooking pungent foods, pets, and smoke. It captures as much as it can to leave only the heavy lifting to the True HEPA filter. This also helps prolong the life of the HEPA filter. It will usually need to be replaced every 3-6 months, depending on how often you use the machine and how hard it works.

True HEPA filter: The last filter is designed to capture ultra-fine particles as small as 0.03 microns in size. It promises to capture 99.99% of airborne allergens. This can include pollen, dust, smoke, pet dander, and more. The HEPA filter lasts the longest; you’ll likely only need to replace it annually, potentially every six months with heavy and frequent use.

How to maintain your Winix air purifier

As with any air purifier, it’s important to properly maintain your Winix air purifier to ensure it operates as it should for as long as possible. This includes regularly removing, cleaning, drying, and re-inserting the fine mesh pre-filter. You should plan to do this every 1-3-months.

The activated carbon filter should be replaced every 3-6 months and the True HEPA filter annually, sooner if the unit indicates as such. Pay attention to the filter replacement indicator, which will advise when the filters need to be changed. You can find replacement filters at Best Buy Canada, often sold in multi-packs so you can stock up for the year or longer.

It’s a good idea to wipe down the exterior at least once a month using a dry cloth. Make sure to unplug it and let it cool down first. A few times per year, unplug it, remove the cover, and use a handheld vacuum to clean out the interior and vents as well.

Here’s a quick cleaning checklist to follow.

• Monthly: Unplug, cool down, and wipe the exterior of the unit with a dry cloth.
• Every 1-3 months: Remove the fine mesh pre-filter, rinse, dry, re-insert.
• Every 3-6 months: Replace the activated carbon filter. Unplug, cool down, remove the cover, vacuum out the interuir and vents.
• Every 6-12 months: Replace the True HEPA filter.

Choosing the right Winix model for your space

To find the right Winix air purifier for your space, first figure out where it will go. You’ll want a smaller unit for smaller rooms or apartments. Check the specs to see the size of the space it can clean. For smaller spaces, like a home office or bedroom, consider the smallest units, like the Winix A231 or Winix C610.

For tech savvy individuals, consider a model that has Wi-Fi connectivity and works with the Winix app so you can control the fan and check the status from your phone. Check pricing for replacement filters and plan out the annual cost to get a better idea of what the unit will cost over time to ensure it fits within your budget.

For households with pets or family members with allergies and/or asthma, a model with True HEPA filtration is essential. For households that do a lot of cooking, especially with pungent spices, a model with PlasmaWave technology and an activated carbon filter will be appreciated. Pet owners will appreciate this, too, in rooms like where cat litter resides.

Thankfully, most Winix air purifiers, including the models mentioned here, feature all the above. So, you can be rest assured they’d fit in any home.

Learn more about air purifiers in our air purifier buying guide and explore a wide selection of air purifiers, including many models from Winix, at Best Buy Canada.