SIDE BY SIDE
See prices, running costs, specifications and trade-offs side by side. Choose two to four products of the same type.
Our pick for a medium room
US model; particle and carbon filter included
$229.99US price, checkedLight, quiet purifier for rooms up to 439 ft², with $44.99 filters every 6 to 9 months
Check price at Blueair for Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max Full review →
Portable air purifier
US 5510, the closest current model to the discontinued 5500-2
$199.99US price, checkedDiscontinued, with the 5510 as the closest current model for rooms near 390 ft²
Check price at Winix for Winix 5500-2 Full review →| Criterion | Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max | Winix 5500-2 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $229.99Checked Oct 13, 2026 · Price details in the review | $199.99Checked Oct 13, 2026 · Price details in the review |
| Three-year ownership estimate | $499.93 Incomplete known subtotal. Not included: energy use. | $349.96 Incomplete known subtotal. Not included: energy use. |
| Choose if | A bedroom or office up to 439 ft² where you want low noise, app control and optional smoke or allergen filters. | A bedroom or living room up to about 390 ft² where you want app control and one filter change a year. |
| Main trade-off | Filters run about $60 to $90 a year, and the three-year warranty depends on registering within 60 days. | It isn't in ENERGY STAR's certified list, and Winix's AHAM and CARB claims couldn't be checked in either registry. |
| Key specifications |
|
|
| Exact variant | US model; particle and carbon filter included | US 5510, the closest current model to the discontinued 5500-2 |
| Dimensions | 19 × 12.5 × 12.5 (height × width × depth). Blueair doesn't give units, but the figures fit inches. It weighs 7.8 lb. | 13.59 × 8.27 × 22.17 in (width × depth × height). It weighs 13.3 lb. The 5500-2 was wider, taller and heavier, at 15 × 8.2 × 23.6 in and 15 lb. |
| Installation | No installation. It has a 360° intake and a top air outlet, and Blueair says you can place it anywhere. Wi-Fi and the Blueair app add schedules, an on/off timer and filter tracking. The product page gives no wall clearance. | No installation. It plugs into a standard 120 V, 60 Hz outlet. Winix's manual says to leave 12 to 18 in from walls, and never less than 12 in while it runs. Leave the same gap from TVs, radios and other electronics. Use it indoors on a hard, flat surface, out of direct sunlight. |
| Materials | A washable fabric pre-filter in four colors (Sand, Stockholm Fog, Moss, Limestone) covers the main filter. The standard Particle + Carbon filter pairs a particle layer with activated carbon that Blueair says traps light household odors. Blueair calls the system HEPASilent and says it combines electrostatic and mechanical filtration. SmokeBlock and AllergenBlock filters fit in place of the standard one. | Four stages: a washable fine mesh pre-filter, an AOC carbon filter made of carbon pellets, a True HEPA filter and PlasmaWave. Winix says the HEPA filter was tested to IEST-RP-CC0007. The manual says the carbon filter can't be washed. Housing materials aren't stated. It's made in Korea. |
| Warranty | One year against defects in material or workmanship. Register within 60 days, in your Blueair account or the app, and it extends to three years. Filters are covered for 30 days. Claims require that you've replaced filters on Blueair's schedule, with proof of purchase. Coverage is for the original owner only, and a unit exchanged during the extended term may be refurbished. If you bought it from another seller, you'll need proof of purchase. Blueair also says warranties aren't available from third-party resellers but doesn't define the term. | Winix gives the 5510 and 5520 a 2-year limited warranty, valid only in the US and Canada. If a part is defective, Winix will repair or replace the part or the unit. You need proof of purchase from an authorized retailer. Independent sellers on Amazon, eBay and similar sites don't count. Non-Winix filters void it, and the filters themselves aren't covered. Claims start with a form in your winixamerica.com account, and you may pay for spare parts or shipping. The manual lists repair services as not available and says no spare parts will be made after the warranty ends. The discontinued 5500-2 is still on Winix's 2-year list. |
| Returns | 30 days from purchase for items bought directly from Blueair, with a prepaid return label. Filters and pre-filters taken out of their plastic wrap can't be returned. The $5 flat shipping charge and any other shipping charges aren't refunded. Processing takes 10 to 14 days. The refund then reaches your original payment method in 3 to 5 business days. | Orders from winixamerica.com can be returned within 30 days of purchase. Returns must be in the original packaging with all filters, manuals and parts. You pay the return shipping, and Winix asks you to mark the return authorization number on the box. If you bought from another retailer, its policy applies. Restocking fees aren't mentioned. |
| Unresolved questions |
|
|
These comparisons use published specifications, not head-to-head tests. Prices and terms are dated. Unknown costs are not zero. Check the exact variant before you buy.