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A Reader writes: What are the differences between the Winix 5300 and the Winix9000/9000s? I am looking to buy a purifier but am unable to find agood definite answer as to which one would be better. Just a little bit of information just in case it makes a difference: I have two dogs, and two small children. One of which has asthma. Thanks so much in advance, A Reader.
Hey Reader; Winix is a Korean brand which has gained a foothold as an economy version of the Asian (Japanese-led) air cleaner marketing thrust. I call this the "Asian invasion." These are good, not perfect, inexpensive air cleaners. See my Winix 5300 review and the carbon bag article linked there for more on 5300, which I own and like after some reworking. But right out of the gate, 5300 gets notice with AHAM-certified CADR ratings at dust 248 / smoke 235 / pollen 251. 9000 is certified at dust 182 / smoke 183/ pollen 194, and 66 fewer square feet room size. 9000s, a smaller version, is even weaker, borderline underpowered. I doubt your entire family and pets reside in 250 sq. ft. so the 5300 gets the nod for particle-only power. While I cannot be certain, it looks like 5300 may have been a 5000 designed-down especially for big box retail at the market setting price point of $150. At that time, the 5000 series carried an inflated MSRP of $299, and wasn't achieving the hoped-for US market penetration. It was big at Costco and Fry's electronics. With only two filters, the low restriction may account for the higher CADR ratings. The current Winix corporate web page shows only 9000 and 5000 models. 9000 has the Nano-silver coated anti-microbial filter which is so popular now that the public has been conditioned for the arrival of a flu epidemic. I do not believe air purifiers can prevent the spread of viral diseases. Many retroviruses are encoded into human DNA and express when the host is stressed or improperly nourished. The infectious flu virus does not linger airborne long enough to be cleared from the air before humans inhale it. It spreads primarily from hands touching and direct sneezing. Since my opinion on flu differs from the media and the "authorities", you should personally decide how much the anti-microbial layer is worth to you. The real difference is in 9000's washable granular carbon chemical (VOC) filter. 5300 is really just a particle filter, which is why the 5000-series filter bay has sooooo much empty space. I like this for my hobby of building low cost add-on carbon filters. I made the bag 3 pounds, but 4 or 5 would probably fit. Again, the additional chemical filtering on 9000 might be worth the money with the asthma in the family. 5300 had one sensor, for odor - an obvious cost cutter. 9000 senses both dust and odor. Winix 9000 appears to be the better selling model now, based on user keyword-search inquiries. Amazon.com lists it for $299 plus shipping, and 6 favorable user reviews are posted there. Some of these are from amazon verified 9000 buyers. Amazon also shows a few 5300's left, with 22 glowing reviews, starting at $149 plus shipping. I had been seeing these marked up over $200 at some vendors for a while. Either of these are "good quality" (not "premium") modern air cleaners. The choice depends on your budget and size of your living space. If you are short on money, and must buy only one air cleaner, I'd install the air cleaner in the sick child's bedroom. I'd run the Plasmawave ionizer, which has no negative-ion only switch, during the day only. While the asthmatic child sleeps, I recommend leaving the plasma-ions off, running just the filters. Also, before installing in the child's room, run-in either new Winix for 48 hours. Carefully examine and sniff each filter individually. Quality control in Korea is much better than China, but there have been issues. With the maybe-disappearing 5300, a second set for filters might be a good idea. It seems like 5000 uses a filter tray that was left off of the cost-cutter 5300. With Sharp Plasmacluster pushing toward $600, the Korean machines are economy models. Would you pay $44K for a Korean-built Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan? I consider my $150 5300 an absolute bargain. 9000, at twice the price, generates a bit less enthusiasm. Note that the Japanese-designed RabbitAir 421a is just $30 higher. Best wishes, Ed End Re: Winix 9000/9000s vs Winix 5300, Return to Emails Air Purifier Reviews | Reviews Air Purifiers
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