Head to head
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier vs Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max
Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max leads 4 to 0 on the 4 rankable specs, but Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier costs $70 less. Most of the 11 attributes tracked here are descriptive rather than numeric.
Catalog as of September 1, 2026
Why, in numbers
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Levoit Core 300S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier$149Levoit Core 400S$219Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty$229Honeywell HPA300 HEPA Air Purifier$249Levoit Core 600S Smart True HEPA$299Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto$339Coway Airmega 250$399Coway Airmega 400$549Blueair Protect 7470i$649Alen BreatheSmart 75i Large Room Air Purifier$749Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09$799Buying for
Straight answer
Overall: 0 to 4
Buy the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max.
- Leads 4 of 4 rankable overall specs.
- CADR: 250 CFM vs 232 CFM
- Coverage area: 387 sq ft vs 360 sq ft
- Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier is $70 cheaper. Pay the difference only if cadr matters to you.
At a glance
The handful of numbers that decide most purchases in this category.
CADR
Winix
232 CFM (Smoke), 243 CFM (Dust), 246 CFM (Pollen)
Blueair
250 CFM (Smoke), 250 CFM (Dust), 250 CFM (Pollen)
Coverage area
Winix
360 sq ft (5 air changes/hr) / 880 sq ft (2 air changes/hr)
Blueair
387 sq ft (4.8 air changes/hr) / 929 sq ft (2 air changes/hr)
True 3-Year Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max
Room Placement & Bedroom Noise Check
Physical clearance required for airflow, wall placement, and bedroom noise levels.
Wall Clearance Required
Requires 12 in perimeter airflow space
360° fabric pre-filter intake (needs 12 in wall space)
Nighttime Sleep Mode Noise
Standard sleep speed
23 dB lowest speed setting
Unit Footprint & Dimensions
Standard room purifier footprint
Cylindrical aesthetic (12.4 × 12.4 × 18.9 in; 7.8 lb)
The 90-Day Owner Regret Check
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
Winix: What to watch for
- Maintenance
Requires periodic filter replacements to maintain airflow and odor capture.
Blueair: What to watch for
- Maintenance
Outer fabric pre-filter attracts visible pet fur and lint.
Performance
leads 2-0| CADR | 232 CFM (Smoke), 243 CFM (Dust), 246 CFM (Pollen) | 250 CFM (Smoke), 250 CFM (Dust), 250 CFM (Pollen) (wins this row: higher) |
|---|---|---|
| Room size | Bedrooms, nurseries, home offices up to 360 sq ft | Medium to large bedrooms, living rooms, and open offices up to 387 sq ft (4.8 ACH) / 929 sq ft (2 ACH) |
| Coverage area | 360 sq ft (5 air changes/hr) / 880 sq ft (2 air changes/hr) | 387 sq ft (4.8 air changes/hr) / 929 sq ft (2 air changes/hr) (wins this row: higher) |
Filters
2 differences| Filter types | Fine Mesh Pre-Filter + Washable AOC Carbon + True HEPA (99.97%) | HEPASilent Main Particle + Carbon filter with customizable machine-washable fabric pre-filter |
|---|---|---|
| Filter life | 12 months (HEPA) / Washable carbon filter | 6 to 9 months (tracked by RealTrack algorithm in app) |
Usability & Smart
leads 1-0| Noise levels | 27.8 dB (Silent) – 54.8 dB (Turbo) | 23 dB (Night mode) – 50 dB (Max boost) (wins this row: lower) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy consumption | 70 W max (Energy Star) | 38 W max power consumption (Energy Star Most Efficient) |
| Smart features | Auto Mode + Sleep Mode with Smart Light Sensor (No Wi-Fi) | Blueair App (iOS/Android), voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, geofencing Welcome Home feature |
| Air quality sensors | Smart Optical Air Quality Sensor (3-color LED indicator) | Laser particle sensor with 5-color LED air quality indicator ring (PM1, PM2.5, PM10) |
Design & Ownership
leads 1-0| Weight | 14.7 lb (6.7 kg) | 7.8 lb (3.5 kg) (wins this row: lower) |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years limited warranty (extendable to 3 years with product registration) |
Which one should you buy
Pick this one if
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
Budget favorite with PlasmaWave technology, Washable AOC Carbon Filter, and True HEPA filtration.
- Washable Advanced Odor Control (AOC) carbon filter with real carbon pellets
- PlasmaWave technology breaks down pollutants at molecular level
- Unbeatable performance per dollar in medium rooms
What you give up
- No mobile app connectivity or smart home controls
- Aesthetics and plastic chassis are dated
Pick this one if
Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max
Smart air purifier with HEPASilent dual filtration technology, cleaning up to 929 sq ft in 30 minutes, 23dB whisper quiet operation, and Blueair app control.
- HEPASilent dual filtration combines electrostatic and mechanical filtration for faster airflow at lower noise
- Cleans up to 387 sq ft in 12.5 minutes (4.8 ACH) / up to 929 sq ft in 30 minutes (2 ACH)
- Ultra-quiet 23dB Night Mode with Energy Star certified low electricity draw
What you give up
- Fabric pre-filter covers the exterior and requires periodic vacuuming/washing
- Filter replacements needed every 6 to 9 months
Best for each use
Bedrooms
For bedrooms, buy the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max.
Big rooms & allergies
For big rooms & allergies, buy the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max.
Low running cost
Too close to call on low running cost from the spec sheets.
Done deciding?
Open the full standalone spec sheet for either device.
Manufacturer pages: Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier ↗ · Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max ↗
Common questions
Which is cheaper, the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier or the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max?
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier costs $70 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier or Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max?
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier has this deal-breaker: no Wi-Fi app. No schedules or remote control from your phone.
Which is better for bedrooms, the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier or the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max?
For bedrooms, buy the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max. Leads 2 of 2 rankable bedrooms specs. Noise levels: 23 dB vs 27.8 dB
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 11 specs tracked here, 7 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.