Winix 5500-2 Vs Levoit Core 300 – Trusted Comparison! (2022)

I must say that I do not often compare air purifiers that are drastically different in size. However, given that the Levoit Core 300 is one of the most popular air purifiers and has achieved excellent results in all tests, I think it could be a worthy opponent of the Winix 5500-2 air purifier.

The Winix 5500-2 and Levoit Core 300 use three-stage filtration technology plus the PlasmaWave technology, which is an additional filtration stage on Winix. Essentially, it is an ionizer turned on by default but can be turned off by pressing the PlasmaWave button. What is important to mention is that both air purifiers are CARB-certified.

I would also like to emphasize, which could be important for this comparison, that the Winix 5500-2 covers rooms up to 360 sq. ft., while the Levoit Core 300 covers up to 219 sq. ft. Both devices will clean air 4.8 times in one hour in rooms of the recommended dimensions.

I would still like to touch on the quality of workmanship, which is okay on both devices. Below, you will find a table with compared specifications, features, and test results of these two air purifiers.

Specs: Winix 5500-2 Vs Levoit Core 300

Features Overview

While comparing features owned by Winix 5500-2 and Levoit Core 300, it might seem they’re equal, in terms of numbers. But I find that it’s the quality and functionality that counts. Let’s see how good these competitors are. 

Air Quality Sensor And Air Quality Indicator

Unfortunately, the Levoit Core 300 doesn’t come with a built-in sensor or indicator. However, Winix has both. But, it is important to know that Winix 5500-2 has a built-in air quality sensor that can only detect odors. This means you will get the most out of it if you use it in or near the kitchen space or if you place it in a smoking area. 

Still, the sensor will keep track of real-time pollution and send data to the Air quality indicator. Depending on the pollution level, the Indicator lights up in 3 colors: Blue, Amber Fair, and Red. 

Auto Mode

What Winix air purifier has is a bit restricting Auto mode that relies on an Air quality sensor. But since sensors can only detect odor particles, this feature will suit you best if you like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen or if you are a smoker.

Though it is called Auto Mode, it still needs to be turned ON in order to be used. You can find the button on the Control Panel. 

Filter Reset Indicator

If you feel like keeping track of whether filters are worn out would be too much for you to handle, then you should know both air purifiers have a filter reset indicator.

The indicator will start switching colors, and once it turns red you will have to do the replacement. It takes around 6-8 months before the Levoit Core 300 filter replacement and about 12 months in the case of the Winix 5500-2 air purifier. 

Note: once you replace the Winix filter, you should press the reset button with a needle before you continue using the air purifier again. 

Night Mode

The Night Mode comes as an extended hand of Sleep Mode within Winix 5500-2. If you set the air purifier to Auto mode, the appliance will switch to a super-sensitive machine that detects the level of light in the room. It means that in case the room is very obscure in light or completely dark, the Auto mode will switch the Winix air purifier into Sleep mode. This will make the appliance more than adequate for your sleep. 

The Core 300 doesn’t have this feature, but it does have the Sleep mode. More about it in the following section.

Sleep Mode

Now, here’s a real struggle between Winix 5500-2 and Levoit Core 300 air purifiers. Both devices have a built-in Sleep Mode, and both have a stand-alone fan speed. The best thing is both Levoit and Winix are extremely quiet while in this mode. This means you can use them in your bedroom without being cautious if either one will wake you up. 

There is only one slight difference between these two modes. The minute you set Winix to Sleep Mode, all the lights will turn off immediately, except for the sleep mode indicator. Still, Levoit will not turn off the indicators but set them to the low light setting. 

Display Lock / Display Off

Display Lock is the feature that locks down the panel with a single 3-seconds button press. This way, the air purifier will lock all its functions, except for the power button and display light button in Core 300.

The Display-off feature that the Core 300 has assures a complete blackout of the display. None of the lights will be present if you decide to put this device in your bedroom. 

As you can see, these two features are available only within Levoit Core 300.

Timer

The Timer is one of those features that both Winix 5500-2 and Levoit Core 300 have in common. Once you turn this option ON, you have to set a purifying time interval. Winix allows you to choose between 1h, 4h, or 8h. On the other hand, Levoit gives you 2h, 4h, 6h, or 8 hours of uninterrupted air purifying. 

PlasmaWave Technology

If you take a closer look at the Control panel of Winix 5500-2, you will see a PlasmaWave indicator. PlasmaWave stands for technology used in the air purifying process. Once you turn this option ON all harmful particles will be continuously removed.

Once it is activated, the indicator will light up. No worry for those of you ozone concerned, because Winix is CARB certified, which means the amount of emitted ozone is below the danger line. 

Remote Control

If you decide to buy Winix 5500-2, the remote control comes along. It is small, simple, and easy to navigate, and the best thing is you can use it to control almost every feature on your air purifier. 

There is no remote control for the Core 300.

Filtration Technology

Probably one of the best yet basic filter combinations is when you have a pre-filter, a True HEPA filter, and a carbon filter. Well, these two air purifiers have it, each in its own way. The Winix 5500-2 has the AOC carbon filter as the second filter in a row. As it turns out, this filter schedule works just fine for Winix. A pre-filter looks more like a mosquito net that prevents all of the large particles from penetrating deeper into the device. Now, it would be nice of you to clean it at least once every two weeks, and you can do it either by washing it or by gently vacuuming. 

As for the AOC carbon filter I mentioned before, you have to know this is an extraordinary filter. It is pellet-based, which means it can trap so many more particles than a fibrous filter. Plus, it is a great odor-neutralizer. Whether you like to cook or smoke a lot, this filter will be your best friend. Before you replace it, which happens at least once a year, try to wash it occasionally. 

The third-in-a-row filter, a True HEPA filter, is like a gentleman amongst filters. It catches all those tiny and mischievous particles that are the main cause of allergies and respiratory problems. 

The Levoit Core 300 has this 3-in-1 combination too with a carbon and a True HEPA filter in reversed order. The carbon filter is a pellet-based activated carbon filter, which is also a great ally in neutralizing unpleasant odors. One of the advantages and great deals Core 300 can offer you are additional filter packages, created for more specific customers’ needs. I am talking about Pet allergy, Toxin absorber, and Mold bacteria filter packages. More details on packages in Levoit Core 300 individual review. 

How To Replace Filters On Both Devices? 

Replacing filters, whether Winix 5500-2 or Levoit Core 300, should not take more than 5-10 minutes. You simply remove the old filter and replace it with a new one. Levoit has an even easier replacement since all filters are a part of a single pack. You will probably need to do this process every 6-8 months, depending on how often you use the Core 300 air purifier. 

A Winix owner will have a little more time before the filter replacement. That means about a year. 

Since both appliances have filter replacement indicators, you won’t have to keep track of time. 

A reminder: often vacuuming and a good shower (if washable) will definitely prolong the life of your filter, hence the air purifier.  

Noise Tests

Many times, the overall noise that air purifiers produce is related to the number of fan speeds. In this case, Levoit Core 300 has 4 fan speeds, while Winix 5500-2 has 5 of them. Both, include Sleep Mode as a separate fan speed. I have to admit I am amazed by how the sleep mode runs in both air purifiers. You can’t even notice you have an air purifier in the room. This makes them a perfect fit for the bedroom. 

Speeding up the fan won’t make much difference with Winix, because the noise is quite tolerable and within limits. However, Levoit gets louder as it speeds up. Both air purifiers have produced quite a lot of noise while running at top speed. Winix was even louder thanks to the Turbo mode. 

I understand that the highest speed level means higher airflow, but I would still prefer less noise. This test has proven that Winix produces far less noise than Levoit, even though Levoit isn’t that bad. 

Performance Tests

If you have been reading this article from the first lines, you probably have some assumptions regarding their size and power, hence the performance. Winix 5500-2 has a 360 sq. ft. room coverage, while Levoit Core 300 can cover up to 219 sq. ft.

Putting aside the regular 5-speed levels, there is also the PlasmaWave technology that gives a pinch of extra power to the Winix air purifier.

So, for this comparison I decided to do two separate tests, both in 1-hour intervals, leaving the air purifiers running at top speed. 

194 sq. ft. Room Test

Given that it’s a smaller room size than the recommended one, you may assume that Levoit Core 300 did an impeccable job. The air improvement rate is around 93%. This was no surprise at all, but rather a confirmation. 

320 sq. ft. Room Tests

Since Winix 5500-2 is a powerful appliance, I didn’t want to waste its potential on rooms that are too small. At the same time, I wanted to give Levoit a chance to stand out. As expected, Winix did a great job, with a 96% air quality improvement. However, Levoit also did a great job with 92%. 

Of course, so many factors impact the overall performance, and Winix 5500-2 is, for sure, a stronger air purifier that can give much more than Levoit. But, if I were you, I wouldn’t dismiss Levoit so easily. This device has so much potential and can be equally satisfying. 

Operation Costs

First of all, I have to point out a more than obvious price difference between Winix 5500-2 and Levoit Core 300. Winix is almost three times more expensive than Levoit, which is also applicable to the filter price of both air purifiers. This is a significant cost you have to keep in mind before purchasing. Still, it is kind of expected considering the features and overall quality that Winix has as opposed to the Levoit. 

Let’s say you leave both air purifiers operating for a whole month, day and night, and at maximum speed level. By the end of the month, the electricity bill is what really counts, in the long term. With a 70W power motor that Winix has, the amount of electricity spent will cost you approximately 5$. If you do the same thing with Levoit, you will end up with a 3.8$ bill to pay. 

As you can see the difference in monthly bills is not that big. Regarding the proportions and the power of both air purifiers, you can spot a certain ratio. All these factors make this cost comparison a win-win situation.