Blueair 211+ Vs Winix 5500-2 – Complex Simplicity (2023)

Even though we’re told not to judge the book by its cover, sometimes all it takes is one good look to see the whole picture. This comparison will be all about confronting the opposites and proving how two appliances can be totally contrasting yet with powerful performances. 

Compared to Winix 5500-2, Blueair 211+ is the minimalistic type of air purifier with basic options. Winix, on the other hand, is quite loaded with advanced features, which gives it a significant advantage.

If you like to keep things and your interior simple, you can’t get any better than a black version of Winix 5500-2. But, if you like to spice up your life every once in a while, Blueair will give you that opportunity. With a plain white color and a color-changing pre-filter, you will easily turn into a true magician. This is one of my favorite options that lets you have the most appealing device of all. 

Having a clear difference in the room coverage, these air purifiers also differ in filter durabilities, which is to be expected. With its Swedish filter technology, Blueair 211+ promises to eliminate various allergens and pollutants, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, mold, etc., before you even notice it’s there. Oppositely, Winix 5500-2 air purifier will help you get rid of plenty of airborne pollutants with a little help from the PlasmaWave technology. 

Without further ado, give this comparison a closer look.

Specs: Blueair 211+ Vs Winix 5500-2

Features Overview

Comparing two opposites has never been an easy task, no matter how easy it sounds. Even more so when you have products such as these two air purifiers, which are diametrically opposed but are still up to the task. 

If you look at the Blueair 211+, you will see a completely minimalistic air purifier, with a Filter Reset Indicator and only one control button. That’s all. However, if you want more out of it, simply connect it to a smart plug, and off you go. 

Winix 5500-2, on the other hand, has loads of advanced features and likes to brag about it. Features like Sleep Mode, Air Quality Sensor, Light Sensor, PlasmaWave, and a Remote Controller, are essential part of this air purifier. You name it, Winix owns it.  

Air Quality Sensor and Indicator

Let us start with the first missing option for Blueair 211+. This is one of those options that elevate the game, and Winix 5500-2 surely gets the advantage in this case. The Air Quality Sensor can detect a real-time amount of VOCs. Although it is highly precise in detecting various gasses, I do mind the incapability to register dust particles. Let’s be honest, we all treat dust as the number one enemy in keeping a clean household. 

You can find this sensor on the right side of the control panel, and depending on the data collected, this sensor/indicator will light up in three colors. If the light turns red, the air quality is poor and you should keep your air purifier ON, for as long as it takes to swap the color into blue. Anything in between is just settling for less. 

Auto Mode

This feature works along with the Air Quality Sensor in the Winix 5500-2 air purifier. Practically, once you set the Auto Mode ON, your air purifier will automatically switch between operating modes based on the current air quality data. 

While Blueair 211+ does not have this option available, its successor does. I am talking about the Blueair 211+ Auto air purifier, which has both the Air Quality Sensor and the Auto Mode, along with many other advanced features. 

Having an alternative is always good and desirable, but if you’re ok with not having this option, then the basic Blueair 211+ will be good enough for you.   

Filter Reset Indicator

In various comparisons, I have stated that having a Filter Reset Indicator is a great and very useful feature. It gives you a warning when filters need to be changed. Both Blueair 211+ and Winix 5500-2 have this option, which is pretty cool.

There are two good reasons why this feature is so good and so handy. First, you don’t have to keep the score of when was the last time you had filters replaced. The second reason, and pretty important in this case, lies within the fact that both Blueair and Winix have long-running filters, and you could easily forget about them if there hadn’t been for the Filter Reset Indicator. 

Timer

With this option, you can set the desired duration of your air purifier’s cleaning process. After that, it shuts down. While Blueair 211+ doesn’t have this option, Winix does, and you can easily set it at 1h, 4h, or 8 hours.

Airflow

You might think that with both air purifiers having a rectangular shape, their airflow is also identical. In fact, it isn’t. 

If you look closely at Blueair 211+ you’ll notice the holes distributed all over the bottom part of the appliance. That way, the air enters through the bottom holes, runs through filters, and releases on the upper side of the air purifier. 

With Winix 5500-2 we have a bit different airflow situation. There are holes distributed frontally, on each side, and at the bottom. After the suction, the air runs through a filtration process and releases through the upper holes. 

Warranty

As far as the warranty goes, these air purifiers have pretty much the same policy, with one tiny difference between them. If you decide to buy the Winix 5500-2, you will get a two-year warranty straight away after purchase. On the other hand, if you buy Blueair 211+, you will get only one year. But, if you register on a Blueair website right after you buy the appliance, the manufacturer will instantly expand the warranty for one more year. 

To some of you, this might sound way too conditionally, but it’s not that big of a deal. There are no more conditions except this one, so it’s quite tolerable. 

Filtration Technology

Having these two air purifiers in a comparative process means a lot of attention must be paid to their filtration systems. With excellent air purifiers such as Blueair 211+ and Winix 5500-2, it’s the details that make the difference. 

In this case, we have a 3-stage filtration process at both air purifiers, and it involves a pre-filter, a carbon filter, and a particle filter. Let’s get to it one by one.

The good thing with pre-filters, in both cases, is that it is washable. This is by far the best thing you can do to your air purifier. To wash its filter. That is if you want to make it last longer. The only difference is that a pre-filter in Blueair is a simple cloth that can be washed, while in Winix you get a metal grid, almost like a mosquito net, that is also easy to wash.

The particle filter takes the second position in Blueair 211+ air purifier’s filtration system. Winix 5500-2 has an activated carbon filter on the second level, which is also washable. Although it contains carbon pellets, this filter is not fibrous-based like in Blueair’s case. This fact makes Winix even more efficient in gas filtration than Blueair. 

The third place in the Blueair purifier belongs to the fibrous carbon filter, but for the Winix this stage belongs to a True HEPA filter. A True HEPA filter is actually the most important filter in creating tremendous performances by the Winix. 

Another important thing to say is that Winix also has an additional fourth filtration stage. The company calls it the PlasmaWave technology, but it is actually the Ionizer. With that being said, I must point out that this air purifier is CARB certified, which means it is safe to use as it doesn’t produce the overflowed ozone quantity. 

How To Replace Filter On Both These Devices?

As previously mentioned, the Blueair 211+ is evidently bigger than the Winix 5500-2 air purifier. This can only mean that the filters installed also have noticeable differences. Regardless of the fact that pre-filters in both air purifiers are washable, they still need to be replaced accordingly. Blueair’s filters have to be replaced twice a year, while Winix’s only once. 

In my opinion, Winix did a better job with filters in terms of quality. Even though both air purifiers have carbon filters, only the one in Winix can be washable. Also, the fact that Winix has a True HEPA filter adds up to the overall quality of this air purifier. 

As far as the maintenance and filter replacement goes, the process is very easy to do. No need for some special equipment or skills. 

An extra tip for those of you proud pet owners is to clean the pre-filter regularly, if not even more often than by the producer’s instructions. Use the fact that pre-filters are washable and give your air purifier proper care if you want to make it last. 

Noise Test

There is an obvious difference between these two air purifiers regarding speed levels. With the Blueair 211+, you only get 3 fan speeds, while with Winix 5500-2 you are able to use 4-speed levels and an extra Sleep mode.

I noticed that both air purifiers are pleasant and with a barely-there level of noise while working at the lowest speeds. That is not the case for any of these devices while working at the top speed level. The amount of noise that they edit is almost unbearable. It makes it difficult for the user to spend time in the same room with each of these air purifiers. Not to mention leaving it in the bedroom while sleeping. 

Considering that any air purifier works its best while on top speed, where the airflow is at its maximum, you can turn the device ON and leave it working for some time. Take a walk or pretend like you have better things to do outside, and simply leave your air purifier working on its own. By the time you get back, you will be satisfied and calm. 

But, if you prefer having an air purifier that will be bedroom friendly, just use the Sleep Mode in Winix air purifier, and I promise, you won’t even notice it’s there. 

Performance Test

It is not just the obvious difference in sizes, it is also the room coverage that these two air purifiers are each on their own. The Blueair 211+ can cover and clean up to 540 sq. ft. of space, while the Winix 5500-2 covers up to 330 sq. ft. 

As for the overall performance, both air purifiers showed great results, as I expected. Both are of excellent quality, invested in a lot by their manufacturers. 

Blueair has a larger CADR compared to Winix, but at the same time, I noticed a bit lower performance in gas filtration. If this is important to you, then you should pay attention while buying. I can’t guarantee it will be as satisfying as you’d expect. 

320 sq. ft. Room Tests

I had these air purifiers both tested in a 320 sq. ft. room to see how they perform. The final result was more than expected. Even more so, amazing. I had them working on top speed for an hour, and by the end of the testing, both Blueair 211+ and Winix 5500-2 showed the same results. The air quality was improved by 96%. 

Other Tests

I also wanted to check how will Blueair perform in a 560 sq. ft. room, as it was designed for approximately the same room size. The test result was also outstanding, with 92% purified air.

Operating Costs

The Blueair 211+ uses a 61W motor, while the Winix 5500-2 uses a slightly larger 70W motor. So, we can say that these two air purifiers have approximately the same power. As you can see, there isn’t much difference in filter prices as well. But there’s a catch.

Remember when I said that Blueair’s filters need to be replaced twice a year, as opposed to Winix’s one-time replacement? This is exactly what makes a difference. Plus, if you consider monthly costs, which are 4.3$ for the Blueair and 5$ for the Winix, you can sum up the annual cost, which goes in favor of Winix. 

Bearing in mind all costs, Winix 5500-2 is definitely more affordable and easier to maintain.