Re: Winix 5300, BlueAir 555eb and 455eb.....

A Reader writes:

Hi Ed,

First of all, I really like your website and have learned so much about air purifiers!

I was clueless before and didn't know what brands were good and what features to look for.

I am looking to purchase an air purifier for my small bedroom, which is about 200 sq ft.

I am considering the Winix 5300 which is sold at Costco for $150.

I saw your review for the Winix 5000 and you had a complaint that the replacement filters were sold in a combined cassette (about $90).

The 5300 actually has separate HEPA and carbon filters and a set of 1 HEPA (change annually) and 4 carbon filters (change every 3 months) is sold for $70 at Home Depot.

The 5300 also has 3-stage cleaning instead of the 5-stage that the 5000.

The CADR certified rating is for rooms up to 350sq. ft: Dust 248 / smoke 235 / pollen 251.

A link to the unit is here: Winix 5300 at Costco

I'm wondering what you think of this unit.

Ideally, I'm looking to spend no more than $400.

It seems you get a lot for the money with the Winix 5300.

I'm also considering the BlueAir 215B ($250) with CADR Certified Rating for rooms up to 14' x 12': smoke 115 / dust 116 / pollen 139.

And the BlueAir 455EB ($500) with CADR Certified Rating for rooms up to 365 square feet: smoke 240 / dust 240 / pollen 240.

That 2nd BlueAir unit is more than I'd like to spend, but you think it's a better value in the long run, I might be willing to sacrifice.

I just bought the Honeywell 50250 for the living roombut it really is a bit noisy.

FYI, I have 3 dogs that are in the house a lot and I'm hoping for something to help circulate air and freshen the room.

I'm also considering the RabbitAirs or maybe an Allen pet machine? I'd appreciate your thoughts on this.

Ed's Reply

Hey Reader;

Winix 5300 Plasmawave

I recently bought a Winix Plasmawave 5300.

I was forced to work up a solution to the strong insecticide-like odor coming from the carbon (middle) filter.

The anti-viral carbon impregnated filter smelled, and when the air cleaner ran, the exhaust stream stank of chemicals.

So I pulled the offending not-really-carbon filter and took it outside.

I replaced the filter with a cut-to-fit piece of air conditioner filter cloth from Lowes Home Improvement.

I had a carbon filter bag which was built for a Sharp Plasmacluster, as described in detail in this post;

Do It Yourself $15 Carbon Filter.

There is plenty of room to add additional filtering in the 5300's filter bay, so I stuffed the homemade bag about 80% full with fresh carbon from E.L. Foust Co., and installed it in the Winix.

With that done, I have a very good 3-pound carbon/HEPA 250 CADR automated plasma-ion machine for $166, Wow!

After the initial disappointment, the Winix 5300 is now one of my favorites.

It runs just inches from my knee as I write, its clean breeze blowing in my face.

I run the plasma ions only when out of the room.

After the moddimg, I sniffed the two replacement filters that came with the 5300, the odor was much less, but I doubt I'll ever use them.

Blueair B-Series at Costco and Other Sellers

BlueAir has built specialty models for Costco Wholesale.

They have become the subject of some controversy and speculation.

Since the "EB" series Blueairs were designed for volume purchases by discount warehouses, many suspect that corners were cut to lower price points.

This, by itself, is no big deal.

But apparently there were a few too many produced, and many 555EBs turned up as "special deals on Blueair 550E" at web vendors including www.allergybuyersclub.com and www.greenandmore.com, with somewhat misleading ads.

555EB is noticeably absent from Blueair website.

Some buyers of the special "550E" were outraged to receive instead the 555EB with Costco paperwork inside. Upon discovering the switch, some accused the vendors of improper advertising.

So I called Blueair. Their customer service rep insisted that the 555eb is not inferior to 550e.

Blueair said 555EB is a promotional package with three extra filters, that 3 speeds and auto is the same as 550e, that the 390 CADR is in no way compromised.

So the whole thing was ado-about-semantics, but potential 455eb buyers should know the story.

BlueAir 215B, with CADRs in the low 100's, is not powerful enough for 200 sq. ft.

While AHAM rates the 200 series Blueairs at 175 sq. ft., this is puffing, based on full time high speed operation.

Here is one of the few areas where I agree with Consumer Reports, which refuses to recommend any air cleaner below 150 CADR.

I am on record as liking the Mitsubishi-based RabbitAir Models, the SPA-421 and SPA-582. I recently bought a Rabbit 421 for my oldest son's large bedroom. He loves it.

I assume you meant "Austin" Pet Machine. I like the Austins, and this one is specifically formulated to adsorb urine odors. The drawbacks to the Austins are manual switching and higher noise levels. Users like the ability to simply vacuum the exterior grill rather than dis-assembling the air cleaner when the prefilter is dirty.

Austin also uses a one-piece integrated Carbon/HEPA filter. Users with wet, toxic, or dirty (3 BIG dogs?) environments can have frequent carbon loading, with high combined filter replacement costs despite Austin's filter guarantee.

If you are willing to do a bit of work, you can save money with the Winix, otherwise I think only the Rabbit 421 is under $400.

Best wishes,

Ed