The Winix PlasmaWave Series WAC5500 is an efficient ion based air purifier that removes dust, pollen, allergens and other indoor pollutants from your house, allowing you to breathe clean and fresh air. It uses an ionizer to electrically charge small particles of dust and makes it easier for the filter to absorb them.
Performance
This air purification system is effective and removes many indoor pollutants, like dust, allergens, hair and bad odors. It eliminates pollutants at a molecular level to neutralize bacteria, viruses, chemical vapors, and odors without harming the environment. However, the fact that it uses ions in the functioning process may be harmful to your lungs because free-floating charged particles may affect sensitive lungs. A shortcoming of the air purifier is that it is loud when set at its highest capacity, which makes it hardly suitable for bedrooms, nurseries, and other quiet areas. It is an Energy Star qualified appliance that helps you save money in the long run.
Specifications Sheet
| Specs | PlasmaWave Series WAC5500 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 21.7” x 16.3” x 8.5” |
| Weight | 15.7 Lbs |
| Area Coverage | 350 Square Feet |
| Noise Level | N/A |
| Power | 120V, 60Hz |
| CADR Rating for Smoke | 236 |
| CADR Rating for Pollen | 252 |
| CADR Rating for Dust | 248 |
| Fan Speeds | 4 |
| Filter Type | True HEPA |
| Odor Reducing Filter | Yes |
| Control Panel | Electronic |
| Timer Function | No |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Design
It is a medium category air purifier, weighing almost 16 pounds and it is 21 inches tall. It has a digital display and an elegant control board and LED that let you know which feature you have used and how the air purifier is set.
Features
This air purifier is equipped with a filter monitor that lets you know when to replace the filters.
The fans are adjusted by an air-quality sensor that estimates how many pollutants are in the air when the machine is set in auto mode. It starts the purification process by pulling the air through a carbon pre-filter which removes large particles, like hair, and reduces bad odors. After that, the HEPA filter captures the smaller particles like dust and allergens and the ionizer charges particles as they leave the air purifier so that they will be able to attract other particles, making them larger and easier to capture the next time they pass through the filters.
Ease of use
The Winix PlasmaWave Series WAC5500 comes with a one-year warranty against damages, which is a shorter warranty than in other purifiers, while the Smart Sensor with Auto-Mode adjusts your air cleaner settings automatically to adapt to the needs of your environment, which makes it very easy to use. The air purifier comes with a washable HEPA filter and the filter monitor lets you know when the filters need to be changed, which is a great advantage of the device. It is very easy to use thanks to the remote control it comes with. However, a big flaw is represented by the lack of an operation schedule that would allow you to set the device to work at a certain time, and of the sleeping mode feature that forces you to monitor the device and change its settings if you do not want it to run continuously.
Pros
✓ HEPA filter can capture the smallest of particles from the air
✓ Energy Star qualified
✓ Intuitive controls and elegant digital display
✓ Filter monitors announce you when maintenance work is due
✓ Air quality sensor adjusts the speed of the fan according to the specific needs at that moment
✓ Effective overall operation
Cons
✗ Uses ions – might affect people with sensitive lungs
✗ Loud operation when it is set on the highest speed
✗ Warranty length of only 1 year
✗ Cannot set it to start running at a certain hour
Final Thoughts
As any true top of the line air purifier, it uses HEPA filtration to eliminate the vast majority of airborne particles that lurk in the air you breathe, even the smallest of them. What adds to the magnificent performance of this model is the fact that it features the PlasmaWave technology as well, a technology that ensures pollutants like viruses, germs, and bacteria will be completely removed from the air by attacking them at a molecular level. Therefore, the Winix PlasmaWave Series WAC5500 air purifier is an amazing choice to go with if you or any of your loved ones suffer from allergies or asthma, allowing you to breathe the air indoors without fearing that it might harm your health in any way. If this is not enough to convince you that you should invest in this model, know that it is Energy Star certified for its low operational costs, so it won’t consume much at all despite the fact that it boasts an amazing performance.
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I have this air purifier in my home for more than 3 months. What I can say about it is that it’s incredibly good at its job, eliminating unpleasant odors and leaving the air a lot cleaner than before. On the downside, it does indeed tend to make a lot of noise when it’s on the high speed setting, this being the reason why I avoid to use it in the bedroom during the night.
How often should I wash and replace the HEPA filter?
The HEPA filter of this model should be replaced once every three years. During this period of time, it’s recommended that you wash it once every six months in order to ensure a peak performance.
Thanks for the info!
What’s the price tag for this model?
The Winix PlasmaWave Series WAC5500 costs approximately $210. This makes it one of the more affordable air filters on the market.
Thank you for your help! I was asking because I want an air purifier that has a good performance and that costs under $300 as well. This model caught my eye, and I wanted to make sure that it would fit my budget.
We’re glad that we could help you! If you have any other questions, we will gladly respond to them.
If you get passed the bulky design, it’s actually a decent air cleansing appliance. I have it in my office and I’m very pleased with the air quality since I’ve been using it. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that it actually consumes little energy as I haven’t actually seen a big spike in the bills, which is perfect considering the fact that I spend about 9-10 hours in the office daily with the purifier turned on.
Does it come with a timer feature or not?
Unfortunately, it does not feature a timer, so you cannot set the duration of its operation as you like and have it automatically turn off when the time passes, but rather turn it off manually when you want to.
Does it consume a lot of power?
Considering that it is Energy Star certified for its low power consumption, it is more than safe to say that you can confidently buy this air purifier without worrying about the electric bills.