Winix 5000 and C Series: Which True-HEPA Purifier Fits Your Smoke-Odour Budget?
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The short answer: The C545 is our top pick: it pairs 4-stage filtration with a 360 sq ft coverage rating and 27 dB noise for $129.99, $70 less than the 5510 and 5520. Choose the 5510 or 5520 if you want 392 sq ft coverage and five fan speeds, or the C909 if you need the largest room at 522 sq ft.
- Best overall: C545 — 4-stage filtration, 360 sq ft coverage and 27 dB operation at $129.99, $70 below the 5510 and 5520. See price at winixamerica.com
- Best value: C535 — At $109.99 it is the lowest-priced pick here, with 370 sq ft coverage and 27 dB noise. See price at winixamerica.com
- Best premium: 5510 — 392 sq ft coverage and five fan speeds with 4-stage filtration for $199.99, the same price as the 5520. See price at winixamerica.com
- Best for large rooms: C909 — 522 sq ft coverage, the largest in the family, with 4-stage filtration and 26.2 dB noise for $274.99. See price at winixamerica.com
| Product | coverage sqft | weight | dimensions | model name | number of fan speeds | stages of filtration | Price now | 90-day low | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5510 | 392 sq ft | 13.3 lb | 13.59 × 8.27 × 22.17 | 5510 | 5 | 4 -Stage | $199.99 | $199.99 | — | winixamerica.com |
| 5520 | 392 sq ft | 13.3 lb | 13.59 × 8.27 × 22.17 | 5520 | 5 | 4 -Stage | $199.99 | $199.99 | — | winixamerica.com |
| C535 | 370 sq ft | 14.7 lb | 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 | C535 | 5 | 3 -Stage | $109.99 | $109.99 | — | winixamerica.com |
| C545 | 360 sq ft | 11 lb | 13.7 x 8.4 x 20.5 | C545 | 5 | 4 -Stage | $129.99 | $129.99 | — | winixamerica.com |
| C610 | 4.8 | 8.3 lb | 10.42 / 10.42 / 18.54 | C610 | 5 | 4 -Stage | $129.99 | $129.99 | — | winixamerica.com |
| C909 | 522 sq ft | 17.2 lb | 16.5 x 11.3 x 23.2 | C909 | 5 | 4 -Stage | $274.99 | $274.99 | — | winixamerica.com |
5510
Pros
- 4-stage filtration with a carbon filter for smoke odour
- 392 sq ft coverage, the largest among the C-series models listed
- 5 fan speeds and an LED air quality indicator
- Priced at its 90-day low of $199.99, flat over the last 90 days
Cons
- 2-year warranty
- Costs $90.00 more than the C535 and $70.00 more than the C545 or C610
Who it's for: Buyers who want a true-HEPA, 4-stage purifier with carbon filtration for smoke odour and the largest coverage here, and will pay $199.99 for it.
5520
C535
Pros
- 3-stage filtration with a carbon filter for smoke odour
- 370 sq ft coverage
- 27 dB noise rating and 5 fan speeds
- $109.99, the lowest price in the lineup and $20 below the C545 and C610
Cons
- 3-stage filtration is one stage fewer than the 4-stage 5510, 5520, C545, C610 and C909
- 14.7 lb, heavier than the C545 at 11 lb and C610 at 8.3 lb
Who it's for: Smoke-sensitive buyers on a mid budget who want true-HEPA plus carbon filtration in a quiet 370 sq ft unit at the lineup's lowest price.
C545
Pros
- 4-stage filtration with a carbon stage for smoke odour
- 360 sq ft coverage from a compact 11 lb, 13.7 x 8.4 x 20.5 body
- 27 dB noise rating and 5 fan speeds
- $129.99, at its 90-day low and $70 less than the 5510/5520
Cons
- Smallest coverage in the family at 360 sq ft
- Only 2-year warranty
Who it's for: Buyers wanting true-HEPA plus carbon smoke-odour filtration at a mid price in a small, quiet unit.
C610
C909
Pros
- 522 sq ft coverage, the largest in the lineup
- 4-stage filtration with 5 fan speeds
- Quiet at 26.2 dB
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- At $274.99 it's the priciest option, $75 more than the 5510 and $145 more than the C545
- Heaviest at 17.2 lb
Who it's for: Buyers who need to cover a large room and want four-stage filtration with quiet operation, and are willing to pay the lineup's top price.
How we chose
We started with filtration. For smoke odour, we favoured the 4-stage models — the 5510, 5520, C545, C610 and C909 — over the 3-stage C535. We then compared coverage ratings across the family: 360 sq ft for the C545, 370 sq ft for the C535, 392 sq ft for the 5510 and 5520, and 522 sq ft for the C909.
Noise was the next filter. The C610 is rated at 22 dB, the C909 at 26.2 dB, and the C535 and C545 at 27 dB. We also looked at fan speeds, where every model in the family lists 5.
Finally, price. The C535 is $109.99, the C545 and C610 are both $129.99, the 5510 and 5520 are both $199.99, and the C909 is $274.99. The C545 costs $20.00 more than the C535; the 5510 costs $70.00 more than the C545 and $90.00 more than the C535; the C909 costs $145.00 more than the C545 and $165.00 more than the C535. Each of these prices is at its 90-day low.
Who should skip these
If you need to clean a room larger than 522 sq ft, none of these models is rated for it. The C909 is the largest here at 522 sq ft, and the 5510 and 5520 are rated for 392 sq ft.
If a documented noise rating matters to you, note that the 5510 and 5520 list no noise figure, while the C535 and C545 are rated at 27 dB, the C610 at 22 dB, and the C909 at 26.2 dB.
On price, the 5510 and 5520 are the most expensive of the smaller units at $199.99 each, $70.00 more than the C545 and C610 and $90.00 more than the C535. The C909 is $274.99, $75.00 more than the 5510 or 5520 and $145.00 more than the C545 or C610.
How to choose the right one
Start with the room. Coverage ratings in this lineup run from 360 sq ft on the C545 to 522 sq ft on the C909. The 5510 and 5520 are rated at 392 sq ft, and the C535 at 370 sq ft. Match the rating to the space you actually want to clean, and size up rather than down if the room is open to a hallway.
Then check the filtration. The C545, 5510, 5520, C610 and C909 are all listed as 4-stage, and the C535 as 3-stage. If smoke odour is the reason you're buying, confirm the stage count includes carbon before you commit.
Finally, weigh the price steps against the extra square footage. The C535 is $109.99 and the C545 is $20.00 more. The 5510 and 5520 cost the same as each other at $199.99, which is $70.00 more than the C545 and $90.00 more than the C535. The C909 is $274.99, $145.00 more than the C545 and $165.00 more than the C535. Each step buys coverage; decide how much of it you need.
Questions readers ask
Which of these purifiers covers the most space?
The C909 covers the most at 522 sq ft, followed by the 5510 and 5520 at 392 sq ft each.
How much more does the 5510 cost than the C535?
The 5510 costs $90.00 more than the C535, and the 5520 costs the same $90.00 more.
Do the C545 and C610 cost the same?
Yes, both are $129.99, which is $20.00 more than the C535.
Which models have a 4-stage filtration system?
The 5510, 5520, C545, C610 and C909 all list 4-stage filtration, while the C535 lists 3-stage.
How quiet are the C series models?
The C610 is rated at 22 dB, and the C535 and C545 are each rated at 27 dB.
Update history
- — Prices and availability refreshed
- — First published
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