Winix 5500-2 Discontinued — The Winix 5510 Is Its Smarter Successor

If you are looking for the Winix 5500-2, it has been discontinued on Amazon. The good news: Winix replaced it with the 5510 — a direct upgrade that adds WiFi app control, a real-time air quality monitor, and a stronger 253 CFM CADR, all for $179.99.

What Changed From the 5500-2 to the 5510

The 5510 is quieter on low, more powerful at max, and adds the smart features the 5500-2 always lacked. The trade-off is a louder max speed — 65.7 dB vs. 55.3 dB — but auto mode rarely pushes to max unless air quality drops sharply.

Performance

The 253 CFM CADR is a meaningful upgrade. In a 400 sq. ft. room, the 5510 cycles the air roughly once every 6 minutes — fast enough to handle cooking smoke, pet dander bursts, or a freshly vacuumed room within minutes.

The built-in air quality sensor feeds auto mode, which adjusts fan speed based on real-time particulate readings. This is the single biggest improvement over the 5500-2, which had auto mode but no visible air quality feedback.

The PlasmaWave Feature

The 5510 carries over PlasmaWave technology — a bipolar ionization feature that creates hydroxyl radicals to neutralize viruses, bacteria, and VOCs.

The concern: Ionization can produce ozone. Winix states PlasmaWave produces below 5 ppb — well under the 50 ppb CARB safety threshold.

Our recommendation: If you have ozone sensitivity, turn PlasmaWave off with the dedicated button. The HEPA filter alone delivers excellent particle filtration.

Four-Stage Filtration

1. Washable pre-filter — Catches pet hair and large dust. Wash monthly to extend HEPA life.
2. Washable activated carbon filter — Absorbs odors, smoke, and VOCs. Reusable — no replacement cost.
3. True HEPA filter — Captures 99.99% of particles down to 0.01 microns.
4. PlasmaWave (optional) — Bipolar ionization for additional air treatment.

The washable carbon filter remains the 5510's biggest cost advantage. Competitors charge $15-20 every 3-6 months for carbon replacements.

Running Costs

At roughly $54 per year, the Winix 5510 has the lowest total cost of ownership of any purifier in its class.

WiFi and App Control

The Winix Smart app lets you:

• Monitor air quality remotely with real-time PM2.5 readings
• Adjust fan speed and toggle PlasmaWave from your phone
• Set schedules and timers
• Check filter life remaining

This was the 5500-2's biggest gap, and the 5510 fills it well.

Pros and Cons

Winix 5510 vs. The Competition

The Verdict

After extensive research and analysis, here is the AirQualityNest editorial team's verdict.

If you owned the 5500-2 and need a replacement, the 5510 is the obvious choice. If you are buying your first air purifier and want the best value with smart features, this is it.