Winix 5510 vs 5500-2: Is the Upgrade Really Worth It?
Tayyabah Zahoor
June 24, 2025
Menu
Bye Bye 5500-2? Why Everyone's Talking About the New Winix 5510 Air Purifier Upgrade
The new Winix 5510 is here—built as the smarter, sleeker upgrade to the popular 5500-2, with powerful performance for today’s air quality needs.
The Winix 5510 is a highly recommended air purifier praised for its powerful performance, ease of use, and effectiveness in tackling allergens and odors. Users have reported noticeable improvements in air quality, including reduced coughing, better breathing, and significant odor control—especially in cases of strong smells like mold, sewer gas, and smoke. Its True HEPA filter captures dust, pollen, and mold spores, making it ideal for those with allergies. Meanwhile, the pellet-based carbon filter and PlasmaWave technology help eliminate foul odors, which outperformed other purifiers like BlueAir in real-world tests.
Setting it up is quick and simple, with intuitive controls and a quiet auto mode that works well in bedrooms. While the air quality sensor isn’t always responsive—sometimes failing to detect vape smoke—it does react to strong scents like cologne or steam. The PlasmaWave function can be turned off at night for those concerned about ionizers, though it produces minimal ozone.
The design is compact enough to sit on a nightstand, and the filter lasts 6–12 months, keeping maintenance low. Whether for an apartment or bedroom, this purifier is a great value for the price and offers long-term comfort, especially for allergy sufferers and pet owners.
Filter Type
HEPA
Floor Area
1881 square feet
Item Weight
13.3 Pounds
Control Method
touch
Particle Retention Size
0.01 micrometer
Noise Level
27 decibels
Filter Replacement Indicator
Yes
Power Source
Electric
Specification Met
AHAM Certified, CARB Certified, UL Certified
The Winix 5510 is the newest air purifier model from Winix, introduced as the direct successor to the highly popular Winix 5500-2, specifically targeting the U.S. market. Released after the discontinuation of the 5500-2 in May 2025, the 5510 brings a fresh, modern design, enhanced smart features, and slight performance improvements while retaining the trusted filtration technology that made the 5500-2 a favorite among users.
The Winix 5500-2 earned a loyal following for its effective air cleaning, affordability, and reliability. However, as consumer expectations evolved toward smart home integration and more modern aesthetics, Winix decided to update its lineup. The 5510, along with the 5520, was launched to replace the 5500-2 and 5300-2 models. With the 5500-2 discontinued in the U.S., the 5510 now stands as Winix’s flagship model in this size and price category.
The Winix 5510 introduces several notable upgrades:
Modern, Compact Design: The 5510 is smaller and lighter, measuring 13.6 x 8.3 x 22.2 inches and weighing 13.3 pounds, compared to the 5500-2’s 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches and 15.4 pounds. This makes the 5510 easier to place in various rooms without taking up much space.
Higher Cleaning Power: The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of the 5510 is 253 CFM, which is higher than the 5500-2’s 232 CFM. This allows the 5510 to efficiently clean air in rooms up to 392 square feet, slightly larger than the 360 square feet coverage of the 5500-2.
Smart Connectivity: A major advancement is the addition of WiFi connectivity and compatibility with the Winix Smart App. Users can remotely control the purifier, monitor real-time air quality, set schedules, and receive filter replacement alerts. The 5500-2 lacks any smart features or app control.
Enhanced Sensors: The 5510 includes a gas sensor that detects volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors, plus a light sensor that automatically switches the unit to sleep mode in dark environments. These sensors help optimize performance and energy use, features not present in the 5500-2.
Noise and Energy Efficiency: Both models are quiet, but the 5510 is slightly quieter at its lowest fan speed (40.2 dBA vs. 40.6 dBA) and uses less power (65W vs. 70W). It is also Energy Star certified, ensuring lower electricity costs over time.
The Winix 5510 employs a 4-stage filtration system:
Washable Pre-Filter: Captures large particles such as pet hair and dust, extending the life of the other filters.
AOC™ Carbon Filter: Targets household odors and VOCs from cooking, pets, and smoke. Unlike the 5500-2’s washable carbon filter, the 5510’s carbon filter is replaceable, which may increase maintenance costs but helps maintain consistent odor control.
True HEPA Filter: Captures 99.99% of airborne particles as small as 0.01 microns, including pollen, dust mites, pet dander, smoke, and ultrafine particles. This is critical for allergy sufferers and those wanting cleaner indoor air.
PlasmaWave® Technology: Acts as a safe ionizer, producing hydroxyl radicals that neutralize bacteria, viruses, and pollutants at a molecular level without generating harmful ozone.
The purifier’s smart sensors continuously monitor air quality and adjust fan speeds automatically. An LED air quality indicator changes color to provide immediate visual feedback on the room’s air status. The unit’s sleep mode dims lights and lowers fan speed in dark rooms for undisturbed rest.
WiFi connectivity allows users to control the purifier remotely via the Winix Smart App, offering convenience and peace of mind. The app provides filter status, scheduling options, and real-time air quality data.
Noise levels are impressively low, with the quietest setting producing just 23.5 dB, making the 5510 suitable for bedrooms and offices. Its Energy Star certification ensures energy-efficient operation, reducing electricity bills.
Maintenance is user-friendly, with filter replacement indicators that notify when it’s time to change filters, typically about once a year depending on use.
Despite its strengths, the Winix 5510 has some drawbacks:
The replaceable carbon filter, while effective, is not washable like the 5500-2’s, potentially increasing long-term costs.
The smaller filter size compared to the 5500-2 means the fan may work harder and generate more noise on higher speeds.
The Winix Smart App, though functional, is relatively basic and could benefit from advanced scheduling and more detailed air quality tracking.
Noise at higher fan speeds could be reduced for a quieter experience.
Yes, the Winix 5510 is a newer version with improved filtration efficiency, a more modern design, and upgraded controls. However, both perform well for smoke and allergens.
The Winix 5510 is rated to clean up to 1,881 square feet in one hour, making it ideal for large rooms, open areas, or entire apartments.
Yes, the PlasmaWave feature on the Winix 5510 is optional. You can turn it off anytime while still enjoying powerful HEPA and carbon filtration.
No, the PlasmaWave technology in the Winix 5510 is ozone-free and safe. It helps break down pollutants at a molecular level without releasing harmful byproducts.
Tayyabah Zahoor is an expert writer with a Bachelor's degree in Physics. She specializes in creating content for affiliate websites, particularly about air purifiers. Using her scientific knowledge, she compares different air purifiers by analyzing their features and effectiveness. This helps her provide clear and helpful information to consumers looking for the best options.