Winix 5500-2 CADR Explained: AHAM Verifide Smoke, Dust and Pollen

The Winix 5500-2 is listed by AHAM Verifide with a CADR of 232 for smoke, 243 for dust and 246 for pollen, which is good for a room of roughly 360 square feet. That made it one of the most popular mid-priced purifiers of the last decade, but independent reviewers report that Winix retired it in 2025. If you are searching for the best AHAM Verifide Winix 5500-2 CADR numbers for smoke, dust and pollen, the practical answer today is the Winix 5510 family, its direct successors, with slightly higher figures of about 253 smoke, 252 dust and 247 pollen.

This guide explains what the 5500-2 numbers actually mean, how to turn a CADR figure into a real room size, and which currently sold Winix and non-Winix models give you the same or better certified performance. It is research-based, built from the AHAM Verifide directory data as cited by independent reviewers, manufacturer pages and listings. We did not personally use any of these purifiers, so we do not describe noise or smoke performance from our own experience, and every figure below is attributed to the manufacturer or a reviewer.

Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall 5500-2 Replacement: Winix 5510, the direct successor with Wi-Fi and an air quality sensor.
• Best Value: Winix 5520, the same certified performance in an all-black body with an air quality monitor.
• Best Newest Version: Winix 5530, the latest member of the family with app control.
• Best for Extra-Large Rooms: Winix T830, a smart Wi-Fi model listed for up to 1,968 square feet at one air change an hour.
• Best Non-Winix Alternative: Levoit Vital 200S-P, an AHAM Verifide smart purifier with a quiet 27 dB low setting on the listing.
• Best High-Output Option: Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max, with the highest CADR in this guide.

What the Winix 5500-2 CADR Numbers Mean

CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate. It is the volume of filtered air a purifier delivers, in cubic feet per minute, for a specific particle size. AHAM, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, runs the program that certifies these figures. When a purifier says AHAM Verifide, a lab has independently confirmed the numbers rather than letting the manufacturer self-report them. The three figures are given because the three particle types behave differently: smoke is the smallest, dust is medium and pollen is the largest.

The 5500-2’s figures of 232, 243 and 246 are therefore not a single number to compare but a profile. The lowest, smoke, is the one that sets the recommended room size, because AHAM’s room-size rule is based on the smoke rating. A rule of thumb used throughout the industry is that the CADR for smoke should equal at least two-thirds of the room’s floor area, assuming an 8-foot ceiling. Flip that around and a smoke CADR of 232 supports about 348 square feet, which AHAM rounds to the 360 square feet printed on the 5500-2’s box.

A Worked Calculation: How Big a Room Does Each Purifier Cover?

To convert smoke CADR to a room size, multiply the figure by 1.5. For the Winix 5500-2 that is 232 x 1.5, about 348 square feet. For the Winix 5510 family at about 253 it is 253 x 1.5, about 380 square feet, which sits close to the 392 square feet printed by Winix. The Levoit Vital 200S-P at about 250 comes out near 375 square feet. The Blueair 311i Max at about 283 gives roughly 425 square feet.

Why do listings often show far bigger numbers, such as 1,881 or 1,968 square feet? Those figures are for one complete air change per hour, a much weaker standard than the two-thirds rule, and they are not what you should plan around. If you have a 500 square foot living room, none of these models will meet the AHAM rule on its own. Use one on the high setting and accept slower cleaning, or add a second unit.

1. Winix 5510: Best Direct Replacement for the 5500-2

• Large-room True HEPA purifier, marketed as the new generation of the 5500-2 with app support
• Reviewers cite AHAM Verifide CADR of about 253 smoke, 252 dust and 247 pollen
• Rated by Winix for up to about 392 sq ft at the AHAM standard
• Wi-Fi app, air quality sensor and gas sensor; auto mode
• New Filter Q replaces the old Filter A and carbon combination

Best for: people who loved the 5500-2’s balance of price and certified performance and now want auto mode and an app.

Skip if: you want a washable carbon filter, or you are shopping on price alone.

The 5510 is the model most reviewers call the true successor. The CADR is a modest step up in smoke performance, and the room rating rises accordingly. The big changes are not in the numbers but in the controls: an onboard air quality sensor drives an auto mode, and Wi-Fi lets you check and change settings from a phone. If you are replacing a 5500-2 that you ran manually, auto mode is the biggest quality-of-life change.

The trade-off is the filter. The 5500-2 used a washable carbon filter inside a combined Filter H, while the 5510 uses a smaller combined Filter Q whose carbon layer is not washable. Over several years, that means a slightly different running cost. One reviewer also reported a louder top speed than the older model, so if you only ever run it on high you should expect more noise.

If you already own a 5500-2, there is no need to rush. The replacement filter (Filter H, part 116130) is still sold, and the older unit remains a capable purifier for rooms up to about 350 square feet.

Pros

• Same family as the 5500-2
• Auto mode with sensors
• Wi-Fi app control
• CADR slightly higher than the older model

Cons

• Carbon layer is not washable
• Top speed is louder, per reviewers

2. Winix 5520: Best Value in the 5500-2 Family

• Large-room True HEPA air purifier with an air quality monitor
• Listed for up to about 1,882 sq ft at one air change per hour
• Reviewers report the same certified CADR as the 5510
• All-black body with a textured front panel
• Uses the same Filter Q as the 5510

Best for: anyone who wants the 5510’s performance in a black finish that blends with modern furniture.

Skip if: you need Wi-Fi app control, which reviewers associate with the 5510 and 5530 models.

Winix certified the 5510 and 5520 together, so the airflow and CADR are effectively shared. The 5520 is also described by reviewers as slightly lighter at about 13 pounds. The practical difference is cosmetic and in the details of the interface, so it often comes down to which one is in stock and which one is cheaper.

The air quality monitor provides a visual indication of particle levels, which is a useful sanity check when you are trying to learn how often your home needs the purifier on a higher setting. Treat it as a guide, not as laboratory equipment.

Because it uses the same filter as the 5510, the long-term cost is identical.

Pros

• Same certified CADR family
• Clean modern look
• Air quality monitor
• Often easy to find in stock

Cons

• Not different enough from the 5510 to justify a big premium
• App features vary by model

3. Winix 5530: Newest Member of the Family

• Large-room True HEPA purifier, marketed as a new generation of the 5500-2 with app control
• Listed for up to about 1,882 sq ft at one air change per hour
• Reviewers say it is essentially the same purifier as the 5520
• Released in 2026 according to reviewers
• Highest price of the three on the listing

Best for: buyers who want the latest model and app control and do not mind paying a bit more.

Skip if: you are watching the budget; the 5510 and 5520 give you the same CADR profile.

The 5530 shows that Winix is staying with this platform instead of redesigning it. The CADR figures reported for the family are carried over, so there is no certified airflow upgrade over the 5510. What you get is a newer model name, app control and refreshed styling.

Its main reason to exist is availability. When the 5510 goes out of stock, the 5520 and 5530 are the readily available choices. If both are in stock at similar prices, either works; if the price gap is large, buy the cheaper one.

For anyone reading CADR charts, the key takeaway is that all three of these models sit in the 250-class smoke range and the 360 to 390 square foot class.

Pros

• Newest release
• App control
• Same filter system as siblings
• Familiar Winix controls

Cons

• Higher cost than 5510 or 5520
• No certified airflow gain

4. Winix T830: Best for Extra-Large Rooms

• Smart Wi-Fi air purifier for extra-large rooms
• Listed for up to 1,968 sq ft at one air change per hour
• True HEPA filter and air quality monitor
• One reviewer cites a smoke CADR of about 270 cfm, AHAM verified
• Dust and pollen CADR not found in the reviews we read

Best for: open-plan living rooms, basements and large bedrooms where the 5510 is stretched.

Skip if: you only need to clean a small or medium room.

The T830 plays in a bigger class. A smoke CADR of about 270 is not a huge jump from the 5510’s 253, but a modest increase matters when your room is near the limit of a smaller model. The smart controls and air quality monitor follow the same philosophy as the rest of the family.

Because we could not confirm the dust and pollen CADR from the sources we read, we mark them as not listed. Before buying, check the AHAM Verifide directory entry for the exact model, since certificates sometimes differ by variant.

If you have a living room around 400 square feet or more, this or a Blueair is the sensible next step up from the 5510.

Pros

• Higher smoke CADR than the 5510 family
• Smart Wi-Fi
• Air quality monitor
• Large room coverage

Cons

• Dust and pollen CADR not confirmed
• Costs more than the 5510

5. Levoit Vital 200S-P: Best Non-Winix Alternative

• Smart air purifier for large rooms, listed up to 1,875 sq ft at one air change per hour
• AHAM Verifide, with reviewers citing roughly 250 smoke, 254 dust and 289 pollen
• 27 dB low setting according to the listing
• Air quality sensor and app
• Often compared with the Blueair 311i Max

Best for: quiet bedrooms and living rooms where noise matters.

Skip if: you want to avoid ongoing filter costs.

The Levoit Vital 200S-P is the model that independent reviewers most often compare with the Winix 5510. The smoke CADR is almost identical, but the pollen figure is noticeably higher. Pollen is a large particle, so most HEPA purifiers handle it well, and the extra pollen number matters most if you want a purifier chosen for seasonal allergies.

The listing highlights a very quiet low setting. Noise claims come from the brand under its own conditions, so treat them as a comparison guide rather than a guarantee of silence.

The long-term cost depends on replacement filters, which differ in price from Winix’s. Check both before you decide.

Pros

• AHAM Verifide
• Very quiet low mode on the listing
• Smart sensor and app
• Strong pollen CADR

Cons

• Replacement filter cost
• Not a Winix, so filters are not interchangeable

6. Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max: Best High-Output Option

• Air purifier listed for up to 2,107 sq ft at one air change per hour
• AHAM Verifide, with reviewers citing roughly 283 smoke, 314 dust and 365 pollen
• Wi-Fi and auto mode
• Quiet 23 dB low setting on the listing
• Washable fabric pre-filter design

Best for: larger rooms where you want the highest certified airflow in this guide.

Skip if: you prefer a traditional box design or the lowest purchase price.

The 311i Max has the highest CADR in this guide, and by the two-thirds rule that translates to a room of about 425 square feet. The jump in dust and pollen CADR over the Winix 5510 is large.

Blueair designs its purifiers around simple controls and a fabric pre-filter, and the Max is built to be quiet at low speed. If you want something that blends into a living room and keeps pace with a bigger space, it is the strongest option here.

The price is higher than the Winix models, so it makes sense if you truly need the airflow.

Pros

• Highest CADR here
• Wi-Fi and auto mode
• Quiet low setting on the listing
• Large coverage

Cons

• Higher price
• Fabric pre-filter needs occasional cleaning

Also Consider

Winix A230

A smaller bedroom purifier listed for up to 1,110 sq ft at one air change per hour, with an air quality monitor. CADR not listed here.

Winix AT40

An extra-large room model that ships with two years of filters on the listing.

Winix 9800

An older four-stage model with Wi-Fi and PlasmaWave, positioned for a single large room.

Replacement Filter H 116130

If you already own a 5500-2, the genuine Winix replacement filter is still sold, and compatible multi-packs are widely listed.

How We Chose

This guide is research-based. We read the Winix and AHAM material as cited by independent reviewers, plus manufacturer pages and the listing details for each model. We did not personally use any of the purifiers. Where reviewers disagreed on a figure, such as room size, we quote the manufacturer figure and flag the rule-of-thumb figure separately. Where we could not confirm a number, we say not listed.

We prioritized models with an independent AHAM Verifide certification, kept to one product per model family and included both the direct Winix successors and the closest non-Winix competitors.

Buying Guide

Use smoke CADR to size the room

Take the smoke CADR and multiply by 1.5 to get the room size the purifier can really handle for the AHAM standard, with 8-foot ceilings. For rooms with higher ceilings, subtract about 10 percent per extra foot. A 250 CADR purifier is a good match for a bedroom up to roughly 375 square feet; a 500 square foot room needs a CADR of about 330 or two smaller units.

Check all three CADR values

If you mainly care about smoke from cooking or wildfire, focus on the smoke number. If you have pollen allergies, look at the pollen figure, and if you have a dusty home, check the dust figure. A purifier with balanced values, like the Winix family, is a safe choice for general use.

Filter cost and availability

Replacement filters are the main running cost. Compare the price and the stated life of each filter set, and confirm the filter is still sold. Winix lists genuine filters for both the 5500-2 and the newer models, and compatible versions are widely sold, though quality varies.

Noise and sleep use

Manufacturers quote the quietest setting, but the number that matters at night is the speed that gives you enough airflow. Reviewers reported that the Winix 5510 produced about 125 CFM while staying below 45 dBA, which is a lot lower than the 253 CFM headline. Plan on running the purifier on a moderate speed for most of the day, not on top speed.

Features you may or may not need

Wi-Fi, auto mode and air quality sensors are conveniences, not requirements. Auto mode is helpful if you do not want to adjust speeds manually. A light sensor can dim the display in the dark. PlasmaWave on Winix models is a feature that some people turn off; check the settings and read the manual.

Common Mistakes

• Using the ‘square feet per hour’ number from the box as the real room size.
• Comparing only the smoke number and ignoring pollen or dust when allergies are the reason you are buying.
• Forgetting to budget for replacement filters.
• Placing the purifier in a corner with its intake blocked; leave a few inches of clearance.
• Running it only when the air looks bad instead of keeping it on a low, steady setting.
• Assuming a purifier can substitute for source control such as cleaning, ventilation or fixing a smoky stove.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Winix 5500-2 CADR?

The AHAM Verifide CADR for the Winix 5500-2 is 232 for smoke, 243 for dust and 246 for pollen, which supports about 360 square feet according to the AHAM rating.

Is the Winix 5500-2 discontinued?

Independent reviewers report that Winix retired it in 2025. The 5510, 5520 and 5530 are described as its successors, and replacement filters are still sold.

Which Winix is closest to the 5500-2?

The Winix 5510 is the closest, with a CADR of about 253 smoke, 252 dust and 247 pollen, plus Wi-Fi and a sensor.

What does AHAM Verifide mean?

It means the CADR figures were independently confirmed through the AHAM program rather than self-reported by the manufacturer.

Is a higher CADR always better?

Higher CADR means more clean air per minute, but you also need a room size that matches, and noise rises with fan speed.

How often should I replace the filters?

Follow the manufacturer’s schedule, usually around a year for Winix filters. Heavy smoke or pet use may shorten it.

Will an air purifier remove smoke from a room?

A purifier with a good smoke CADR can reduce airborne smoke particles, but it cannot remove all odors or smoke residue. If you have health concerns, talk to a doctor.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you are replacing a 5500-2, buy the Winix 5510, or the 5520 if it is cheaper. Choose the 5530 only if it is the one in stock at a sensible price. For rooms above about 400 square feet, move up to the Winix T830 or the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max. If quiet and pollen are your top concerns, look at the Levoit Vital 200S-P.

Whatever you buy, check the AHAM Verifide directory entry for the exact model, size the room using the smoke CADR, and plan your filter costs before you commit.

Sources

• AHAM Verifide directory and AHAM CADR explanation
• Winix manufacturer pages for the 5500-2, 5510, 5520, 5530 and T830
• HouseFresh: Winix 5500-2 and Winix air purifier reviews
• Air Purifier First: Winix 5510 vs 5500-2 comparison
• Levoit and Blueair manufacturer pages

Last updated: October 2026