Winix hr900 vs 5500-2. A Complete Comparison

Last updated on Jul 27, 2021 Air Purifiers

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You can never be sure about the state of your surroundings, especially the cleanliness of the air you’re breathing in. With lots of external pollutants from the surrounding, your indoor air might be filled with many tiny particles that may affect your respiratory system. This should not be something to worry you because you can get yourself an air purifier that can help address this issue. In this article, we look at the winix hr900 vs 5500-2 which are both tried, tested and authorized air purifiers currently on the market.

Winix hr900

Dubbed as the perfect pet air purifier, the winix hr900 is one of the best air purifiers on the market. The winix hr900 comes with a special pet filter for those with furry animals like cats and dogs. The Winix hr900 offers more advanced purification technology. Its design provides for purification from both the front and side therefore giving it a 360 degree air intake before it pushes the purified air out through the top. More to this, the Winix hr900 has a five-step air purification cleaning process which makes for a more thorough air cleaning process, capturing both large and also the very smallest and tiniest particles. The Winix hr900 has up to 6 fan speeds, to choose from.

The Winix hr900 is packed with 2 Pre-filters for capturing external bodies and also to protect the finer filters. In that same set-up, it comes with an Activated Carbon filter for filtering gases and odors and a True HEPA filter for capturing even smaller particles of up to 0.3 microns. For a more advanced air purification experience, then the Winix hr900 is the perfect air purifier to serve you.

Winix 5500-2

The Winix 5500-2 is another air purifier that will give you value for your money even if it only offers 4 stage air purification. The Winix 5500-2 features 3 different filters. The first filter is a washable pre-filter, followed by a Carbon filter and finally a True HEPA filter. It also includes an ionizer which you should not confuse with an ozone generator. Unlike its counterpart the Winix hr900, the 5500-2 doesn’t have 2 double pre-filters. The design aspects of air intake are almost similar with the Winix hr900 since the 5500-2 takes in air through the sides and the front openings, and clean air exits through the top.

The Winix 5500-2 has 4 modes, without a dedicated sleep mode option (The available option senses a darkened room and adjusts to quiet energy-efficient operation). With an output of approximately 250 Cubic feet of air per minute, the Winix 5500-2 is a decent air purifier and you should get it if you don’t mind the fact it is less advanced than its counterpart.

In this comparison, we get into an in-depth discussion on which air purifier you should buy and why. In the winix hr900 vs winix 5500-2, each of the two air purifiers comes with distinct features. The distinction between the two leans more to being one of preference and less about the product inadequacies like we are about to reveal below. Other factors like price range, and features, of course, do come in handy as well.

What are the main differences and similarities between the Winix hr900 and 5500-2? Let us find out together, as we explore their special features, and why you should buy any of the two air purifiers for your indoor air cleaning experience.

With all that said, let us look into the details of the features, differences and similarities of the two air purifiers.

What are the main differences between the Winix hr900 vs 5500-2?

Maximum Airflow capacity

The airflow capacity is the rate at which an air purifier takes in air and cleans the air from its surrounding. The Winix hr900 leads the way having the highest air flow capacity of approximately 274 Cubic feet of air per minute while the Winix 5500-2 has an airflow capacity of approximately 250 Cubic feet of air per minute.

The higher the airflow capacity, the faster the cleaning speed and thus the lesser the time spent by the purifier in capturing air pollutants.

Air Purification process

The Winix hr900 has a 5-stage air purification process while the Winix 5500-2 has a 4-stage air purification process. Whereas the Winix hr900 comes with 2 prefilters (A washable and a replaceable prefilter), the Winix 5500-2 only has one prefilter (A washable fine mesh prefilter).

winix 5500-2 4 stage purification — Winix hr900 5 stage purification

This difference gives the Winix hr900 an edge over the winix 5500-2 when you compare how they purify the air.

Remote Control

While some of the latest air purifiers come with remote monitoring capability, where you can turn it on and off via wireless connectivity with the help of an online application, both the Winix hr900 and 5500-2 have no wireless connectivity to support remote monitoring capabilities.

The difference, however, is that the Winix 5500-2 comes with a physical remote control device which the Winix hr900 doesn’t have. This remote control device has buttons and keys which help a user switch between modes, turn the device on and off, and also enjoy other controls.

The remote control device has been deemed by some users as not that useful since all the buttons and manual controls are found on the air purifier. However, the fact that the Winix 5500-2 has a physical remote control device makes it easier for you. This is because you do not have to always walk up to the device and switch modes.

Room square footage

For the Winix hr900, the largest room square footage it can cover is 300 sq. ft. In contrast, the Winix 5500-2 can cover a larger room square footage of 360 sq. ft . The winix 5500-2 will do 5 clean air changes per hour in a 360 sq ft room.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR)

CADR determines the fraction of particles that have been removed from the air. It is important to note that the higher the CADR, the faster the air purifier filters the air.

The Winix hr900 has a higher CADR of 264 cfm for dust, 301 cfm for pollen, and 258 cfm for the smoke while the Winix 5500-2 has a lower CADR, with 243 cfm for dust, 246 cfm for pollen, and 232 cfm for the smoke.

The Purchase Price

After comparing the 2 air purifiers with each other based on the features outlined above, normally a difference in how they are priced is expected. The Winix hr900 would usually be more expensive than the Winix 5500-2. This is because the variation in technology and additional features of the Winix hr900 make it cost a little higher than its counterpart the Winix 5500-2. But because prices always change and market changes can also lead to price fluctuations, we suggest you check out the winix hr900 and winix 5500-2 on amazon to find out their current prices.

Size and Weight

When placed next to each other, both the Winix hr900 and 5500-2 look different. Even with the same boxy design, the device curvatures and design aspects are different.

The Winix hr900 is heavier than the 5500-2. The Winix hr900 weighs 18.7 pounds while the 5500-2 weighs 15.4 pounds.

Both have the same height, but the other dimensions of these 2 giant like air purifiers are different.

What are the main similarities between the Winix hr900 vs 5500-2?

Tower design

Both the Winix hr900 and 5500-2 have a large form factor and a tower shape.

This towering shape gives the air purifier room to take in a lot of air (from the front and the sides), and to also create a larger space for the HEPA filter and Carbon filter. The tower design also provides for more room at the top for ejecting out purified air after it has been passed through the filters.

PlasmaWave Technology

To offer an extra level of air cleaning, both the Winix hr900 and 5500-2 have a plasma wave filter installed. To give you the cleanest air, the last phase of air purification deals with neutralizing bacteria and viruses. The PlasmaWave technology helps to reduce the presence of airborne Bacteria and Viruses when air is passed through it. This filtration technology can be switched on/off since it is said to affect some allergen sensitive users.

The HEPA filter

The Winix hr900 and 5500-2 have an inbuilt HEPA filter whose main use is to purify the air by doing away with tiny and very small particles found in the air.

The HEPA filter has a fine mesh through which air to be filtered is forced through and any pollen or dust mites are removed.

It is said to remove 99.97% of pollutants and allergens measuring as small as 0.3 microns.

Carbon filter

Right behind the HEPA filter is a Carbon AOC filter in both the Winix hr900 and 5500-2. This specifically purifies the air from chemical vapors like cigarette smoke, mold odors, gasses or other unwanted smells.

No wireless connectivity

Both the Winix hr900 and 5500-2 are manually controlled and do not have wireless connectivity installed like some other high-end air purifiers. The Winix 5500-2 comes with a physical remote control device while the Winix hr900 doesn’t come with one. We have already pointed this out in the differences.

Multiple fan speeds

The Winix hr900 and 5500-2 allow for switching between many fan speeds. They both allow for 5 fan speeds. For lower fan speeds, you get to enjoy less noise output. Additionally, the Winix hr900 and 5500-2 enable air change in a room for up to 5 times in one hour.

Control Panel on the device

The Winix hr900 and 5500-2 are controlled with buttons found on the air purifiers. There is no phone application one can use to switch between modes since the devices are not Wi-Fi enabled.

Distinct features of the Winix hr900

Advanced filtration process

The Winix hr900 has a 5 stage filtration process which ensures the air is thoroughly cleaned. First and foremost, it has 2 pre-filters (A washable and Replaceable pre-filter). Secondly, it also has a Carbon filter for Advanced Odor cleansing. Thirdly, the hr900 has a True HEPA filter which it uses for capturing tiny particles in the air and lastly a Plasma wave filter with technology for nullifying any bacteria or viruses.

Triple Smart Sensors and Air Quality indicators

The Winix hr900 comes with triple-action built-in air quality sensors. The sensors detect changes in the state of the air like number of particles suspended in the air and odors present. They then adjust the fan speed in real-time to counter any changes in the air. The Air Quality indicator also changes color in real-time based on the state of the air quality in the atmosphere.

Winix hr900 Pros

Recommended for Allergy and Asthma sufferers

AHAM Verified and Energy Star Certified

Auto and Sleep modes

Winix hr900 Cons

Small room square footage: It is not effective in purifying the air in rooms larger than 300 sq. ft. The Winix 5500-2 cleans larger rooms.

High maintenance costs to replace the pre-filter (This is not the case with the Winix 5500-2 since it has one washable pre-filter)

No wireless capability

Unique features of the Winix 5500-2

Dual Smart sensors and Air Quality indicator

In contrast to the Winix hr900 which has 3 smart sensors, the Winix 5500-2 has 2 smart sensors. These sensors help to automatically adjust the fan speed in real-time according to the state of the air. Furthermore, the 5500-2 has an inbuilt air quality indicator, a LED light. It is a color-coded system which changes color based on the state of the air quality in the atmosphere from in real time.

Throughout this post, you can tell that the Winix 5500-2 doesn’t have that many unique features. Most of its features are similar to the Winix hr900.

Winix 5500-2 Pros

Price: The Winix 550-2 is a pocket-friendly air purifier. If you want to get the basic functionalities for a good price-point, you can bet on this.

Recommended for persons with Allergy and Asthmatic problems.

AHAM Verified and Energy Star Certified.

Able to clean larger rooms (Recommended for Up to 360 sq. ft. rooms).

Winix 5500-2 Cons

Does not have wireless capabilities.

Its air delivery rates have generally lower CFMs as compared to the Winix hr900

Winix hr900 vs 5500-2: Who takes the nod?

Let us find out the difference between the functionalities and usability of each of these two Air purifiers, the Winix hr900 vs Winix 5500-2.

In this table comparison, we match features and find out which one outperforms better the other.

Features/Specifications	Winix hr900	Winix 5500-2
Maximum Airflow capacity	274 Cubic feet of air per minute	250 Cubic feet of air per minute
Fan speeds	5	5
Wi-Fi connectivity	No	No
Weight	18.7 pounds	15.4 pounds
Dimensions	16.3 x 9.6 x 23.6	15 x 8.2 x 23.6
Construction type	Plastic	Plastic
Auto mode	Yes	Yes
HEPA filter	Yes	Yes
Carbon Filter	Yes	Yes
Room Square footage	300 sq. ft	360 sq. ft
Controls	buttons on the device	buttons on the device
Height	23.6 inches	23.6 inches
Colors	White	Black

Conclusion of winix hr900 vs 5500-2

Finally, we have come to the end of this in-depth review between the Winix hr900 vs Winix 5500-2. The two air purifiers come with a lot of differences and similarities.

Generally considering all factors, we choose the Winix hr900. Here is why?

You get to enjoy an extended set of advanced functionalities. For example, the Winix hr900 has higher maximum airflow capacity, better room coverage, triple smart sensors and an advanced purification process.

However, if you have a somewhat larger space and you would prefer an air purifier with a remote control device, then the Winix 5500-2 should be the purifier to get.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Winix hr900 and 5500-2

Q: What is the main difference between the Winix hr900 and 5500-2?

A: The major difference is the cleaning process. The Winix hr900 has a 5-stage purification process while the Winix 5500-2 has a 4-stage purification process. Additionally, the Winix hr900 has a higher maximum airflow capacity, so it is better at cleaning in a much shorter time than the Winix 5500-2.

Q: Does the Winix hr900 have a remote control device like the Winix 5500-2?

A: No. Unlike its counterpart, the Winix hr900 doesn’t come with a physical remote control device. All controls and switching between modes are done with the buttons found on the devices

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