Air Purifiers / Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) vs Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2)
Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) vs Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2)
Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2)
The best verified CADR per dollar here, if you are comfortable turning PlasmaWave off.
Wins overall by 0.1 points
Quick Verdict
The Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) wins by 0.1 points, which is not enough to settle it. The highest verified CADR here, from a charged-media system you cannot switch to mechanical-only. Pick on the specs that matter to you, not the overall score.
The Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) and Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) are both closely matched air Purifier models, and the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) is $90 cheaper than the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) ($259.99 vs $349.99). On Running Cost, the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) leads (7.0 vs 5.5/10) — filters, pre-filters, cartridges and subscriptions over three years, against the purchase price. Several units here cost more to feed than to buy; a high score means cheap, long-lived, non-proprietary consumables. On Sensor Quality, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) leads (8.5 vs 7.0/10) — whether there is a real laser particle sensor resolving PM1/PM2.5/PM10 with numeric output, a vaguer 'air quality' index, an inference from a cheap VOC element, or no sensor and therefore no auto mode at all. On Filtration Quality, the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) leads (8.5 vs 7.5/10) — what the media is really rated at — sealed H13, True HEPA, HEPA-Type, EPA 12 or charged fabric — whether the whole machine is sealed so air cannot bypass the filter, and how much genuine activated carbon there is for odours and VOCs. Overall, the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) scores 7.8/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.7/10 for the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100), though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) | Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 | $259.99 |
| Release Year | 2023 | 2024 |
| AHAM Verifide CADR (Smoke / Dust / Pollen) (CFM) | AHAM Verifide: smoke 435 / dust 453 / pollen 450 CFM (ahamdir.com, model 3613111100, listed as "Pure Blue 211i Max"). The highest Verifide CADR in this file. Note that AHAM records this model's filter type as "Fabric", not HEPA. | AHAM Verifide: smoke 253 / dust 252 / pollen 247 CFM (ahamdir.com, model 5510; the 5520 and 5530 share the identical certification). Genuinely Verifide — Winix is one of the six consumer brands with current directory entries. |
| AHAM Verifide Room Size (4.8 ACH) (ft²) | 674 ft² (AHAM Verifide suggested room size at 4.8 air changes per hour) — and Blueair publishes exactly 674 ft² at 4.8 ACH on its own page | 392 ft² (AHAM Verifide suggested room size at 4.8 air changes per hour) |
| Coverage Claim & Its Air-Change Basis | Blueair's own product page leads with "674 sq ft" and "4.8 air changes per hour", which is the correct figure correctly labelled. The retail listing title, by contrast, says "Large Rooms up to 3,235 Sq Ft" — that is 674 × 4.8, i.e. the 1-ACH number. Same product, two claims a factor of 4.8 apart. | Winix leads with "AHAM Verifide 392 ft²" and states the 4.8-ACH basis in a visible footnote, then adds "cleans up to 1,882 ft² in 1 hour" as the secondary figure. That ordering is the right way round and almost nobody else here does it. |
| Filter Grade (True HEPA / HEPA-Type / H13) | HEPASilent: a two-part system that electrostatically charges particles before a loosely woven fabric media collects them, plus activated carbon. Blueair claims 99.97% of airborne particles. It is not a mechanical H13 filter and AHAM logs the filter type as "Fabric" — the efficiency comes from the charging stage as much as the media. | 4-stage: washable fine-mesh pre-filter, AOC pelletised activated-carbon filter, True HEPA rated 99.99% (Winix cites KCL report CT24-072905E under a modified SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 method — note that is a Korean test standard, not EN 1822), and PlasmaWave. |
| Pre-Filter (Washable?) | Yes — washable textile pre-filter sleeve, which is also the unit's colour panel. Machine-washable, no recurring cost. | Yes — washable fine-mesh pre-filter, no recurring cost |
| Filter Cost per Year | $79.99–$93.32/yr — Particle & Carbon Filter $69.99 ($59.50 on subscription) with Blueair's RealTrack algorithm calling replacement at up to 9 months, i.e. about 1.33 filters a year. The AllergenBlock variant is $89.99 ($76.50) and SmokeBlock $84.99 ($72.25), pushing it to $100–120/yr. | $55.99–$79.99/yr — Filter Q, part 1712-0123-00, list $79.99 and currently $55.99 direct from Winix, replaced every 12 months. The HEPA and AOC carbon are combined in one part, so that is the whole consumable bill. |
| Ioniser / UV / PCO & CARB Classification | HEPASilent's ion-charging stage is integral to how the unit filters and CANNOT be switched off — unlike the Coway ioniser or Winix PlasmaWave, there is no button. CARB certifies the Blue Pure 211i Max as an ELECTRONIC device (Blueair AB, EO G-23-076, notified 2023-04-19), meaning ozone-capable and tested at or below 0.050 ppm. Blueair's product page makes no ozone statement at all. Every Blueair model in the CARB list is classified Electronic. | Yes — PlasmaWave is a plasma/ion stage. Winix states it "breaks down pollutants at the molecular level without producing harmful ozone" and, to its credit, publishes the measurement: "The 8-hr TWA Ozone for this product is 0.22 ppbv when tested in a 30 m3 chamber." CARB certifies the 5510 as an ELECTRONIC device (EO G-24-234, 2024-10-03) — ozone-capable, tested at or below 0.050 ppm. PlasmaWave has a dedicated on/off control and the unit filters perfectly well with it off. |
| Noise, Lowest to Highest Setting (dB) | 23 dB lowest to 53 dB highest (Blueair published) | 23.5 dB on the slowest of five speeds (Winix published). Winix does not publish a top-speed figure. |
| Air Quality Sensor | Genuine multi-channel particulate sensing: PM1, PM2.5 and PM10, feeding auto mode and the app's history. One of only three units here that resolve PM1. | "Dual Smart Sensors" — a particle/air-quality sensor driving a 3-colour LED and auto mode, plus a light sensor that triggers sleep mode when the room darkens. Winix does not state whether the particle sensor is laser-based. |
| Smart Features & Offline Operation | Wi-Fi and the Blueair app require an account. Fan speed, auto mode and night mode all work from the physical dial with no internet; filter tracking, air-quality history and scheduling do not. | Wi-Fi, the Winix Smart app and Alexa need an account. All five fan speeds, auto mode, sleep mode and the timer work from the top panel with no internet at all — the app is additive, not load-bearing. |
| Power Draw & Annual Energy | 46W (Blueair published); AHAM-measured 44.0W at the smoke-CADR speed and 256 kWh annual energy consumption. That is 435 CFM of smoke CADR for 44W — comfortably the best clean-air-per-watt here. | AHAM-measured 65.0W at the smoke-CADR speed; 323 kWh annual energy consumption per the AHAM listing |
| Warranty Terms & Conditions | 1-year standard, extended to 3 years only if you register the product | 2-year warranty; certifications listed as AHAM / UL / CARB / Prop 65. Manufactured in Korea. |
| Warranty | 12 months | 24 months |
| Colors | Sand, Stockholm Fog, Moss, Limestone | Charcoal Gray |
Category Scores
Coverage-Claim Honesty
The Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on the trap dimension for this category. Almost every brand derives its headline square footage from ONE air change per hour, which does close to nothing for smoke, pollen or wildfire particulate — the useful standard is 4.8 air changes an hour, and it is typically a fifth of the number on the box. A high score means the manufacturer publishes the 4.8-ACH figure prominently and it survives comparison with the AHAM Verifide room size; a low score means a big number with no stated air-change basis, or no CADR at all to derive one from.. If that is what you are buying for, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Verified Clean-Air Delivery
The Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 9.0 — a 0.5-point margin on how much air the unit actually cleans per minute, weighted heavily toward AHAM Verifide smoke CADR over manufacturer-published figures. Self-reported CADR scores below Verifide CADR, and 'no CADR published at all' scores below both. If that is what you are buying for, the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Filtration Quality
The Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on what the media is really rated at — sealed H13, True HEPA, HEPA-Type, EPA 12 or charged fabric — whether the whole machine is sealed so air cannot bypass the filter, and how much genuine activated carbon there is for odours and VOCs. If that is what you are buying for, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Running Cost
The Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) leads clearly here, 7.0 against 5.5 — a 1.5-point margin on filters, pre-filters, cartridges and subscriptions over three years, against the purchase price. Several units here cost more to feed than to buy; a high score means cheap, long-lived, non-proprietary consumables. If that is what you are buying for, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Quietness
The Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) and Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) are level here, at 8.0/10 each. measured decibels at the lowest setting you would run overnight AND at the top speed you need in a smoke event — a purifier is only useful at a speed you can tolerate. Not publishing a figure at either end costs points is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Sensor Quality
The Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-point margin on whether there is a real laser particle sensor resolving PM1/PM2.5/PM10 with numeric output, a vaguer 'air quality' index, an inference from a cheap VOC element, or no sensor and therefore no auto mode at all. If that is what you are buying for, the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Freedom From Ozone & Air Chemistry
The Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 6.0 — a 0.5-point margin on whether the unit adds an ioniser, plasma, UV or photocatalytic stage to the airstream, whether that stage can be switched off, and how CARB classifies the device — 'Mechanical' means filtration only, 'Electronic' means capable of generating ozone and certified only as being at or below 0.050 ppm. If that is what you are buying for, the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Controls & Independence
The Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) and Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) are level here, at 8.0/10 each. whether every mode works from the machine itself with no account or cloud, how good the auto mode is, filter-change access, and whether losing a remote or a login costs you function is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Best For
Choose the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) if…
- • Sensor Quality matters most to you — the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) scores 8.5/10 here (whether there is a real laser particle sensor resolving PM1/PM2.5/PM10 with numeric output, a vaguer 'air quality' index, an inference from a cheap VOC element, or no sensor and therefore no auto mode at all).
- • Verified Clean-Air Delivery matters most to you — the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) scores 9.5/10 here (how much air the unit actually cleans per minute, weighted heavily toward AHAM Verifide smoke CADR over manufacturer-published figures. Self-reported CADR scores below Verifide CADR, and 'no CADR published at all' scores below both).
Choose the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) if…
- • Running Cost matters most to you — the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) scores 7.0/10 here (filters, pre-filters, cartridges and subscriptions over three years, against the purchase price. Several units here cost more to feed than to buy; a high score means cheap, long-lived, non-proprietary consumables).
- • Filtration Quality matters most to you — the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) scores 8.5/10 here (what the media is really rated at — sealed H13, True HEPA, HEPA-Type, EPA 12 or charged fabric — whether the whole machine is sealed so air cannot bypass the filter, and how much genuine activated carbon there is for odours and VOCs).
- • Coverage-Claim Honesty matters most to you — the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) scores 8.5/10 here (the trap dimension for this category. Almost every brand derives its headline square footage from ONE air change per hour, which does close to nothing for smoke, pollen or wildfire particulate — the useful standard is 4.8 air changes an hour, and it is typically a fifth of the number on the box. A high score means the manufacturer publishes the 4.8-ACH figure prominently and it survives comparison with the AHAM Verifide room size; a low score means a big number with no stated air-change basis, or no CADR at all to derive one from.).
- • You want to spend less — it's $90 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100)
Pros
- +435 CFM AHAM Verifide smoke CADR — the most verified clean air of anything here at any price
- +44W for that output is the best efficiency in this file by a wide margin
- +Blueair's own page leads with the honest 674 ft² at 4.8 ACH, not the 3,235 ft² retail headline
- +23 dB minimum with real PM1/PM2.5/PM10 sensing driving auto mode
- +Washable fabric pre-filter doubles as the colour panel, so it costs nothing to maintain
Cons
- −The HEPASilent ion-charging stage cannot be turned off — CARB classifies the unit as an Electronic (ozone-capable) device and Blueair makes no ozone statement on the page
- −AHAM records the filter type as "Fabric": this is charged-media filtration, not a mechanical H13 element
- −The retail listing's "up to 3,235 Sq Ft" is Blueair's own 674 ft² multiplied by 4.8 — a 1-ACH number
- −1-year warranty unless you register, and even then 3 years is short next to Honeywell's 5
- −$69.99–$89.99 filters at up to 9 months is $80–120/yr, twice the Coway's $54.99
Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2)
Pros
- +AHAM Verifide 253 smoke CADR — verified performance, not a manufacturer number
- +Leads with the 392 ft² 4.8-ACH figure and relegates the 1,882 ft² claim to a footnote
- +Publishes an actual ozone measurement (0.22 ppbv 8-h TWA) rather than just asserting "ozone-free"
- +One $55.99–79.99 part a year covers HEPA and carbon together; the pre-filter is washable
- +Works completely offline — every mode is on the panel, the app only adds remote control
Cons
- −PlasmaWave means CARB certifies it as an Electronic (ozone-capable) device; switch it off unless you want it
- −Winix publishes only the 23.5 dB minimum and never the top-speed noise, which at 65W is not quiet
- −323 kWh/yr on the AHAM listing is the second-highest energy use in this file
- −The 99.99% HEPA claim rests on a Korean KCL test to a modified SPS-KACA method, not EN 1822 or IEST
- −$259.99 direct is well above the street price the outgoing 5500-2 trained buyers to expect
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) or Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Running Cost, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) or the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2)?+
The Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) scores higher on Running Cost (7.0/10 vs 5.5/10) — filters, pre-filters, cartridges and subscriptions over three years, against the purchase price. Several units here cost more to feed than to buy; a high score means cheap, long-lived, non-proprietary consumables.
Which is better for Sensor Quality, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) or the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2)?+
The Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) scores higher on Sensor Quality (8.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — whether there is a real laser particle sensor resolving PM1/PM2.5/PM10 with numeric output, a vaguer 'air quality' index, an inference from a cheap VOC element, or no sensor and therefore no auto mode at all.
Which is better for Filtration Quality, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) or the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2)?+
The Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) scores higher on Filtration Quality (8.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — what the media is really rated at — sealed H13, True HEPA, HEPA-Type, EPA 12 or charged fabric — whether the whole machine is sealed so air cannot bypass the filter, and how much genuine activated carbon there is for odours and VOCs.
Which is better for Coverage-Claim Honesty, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) or the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2)?+
The Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) scores higher on Coverage-Claim Honesty (8.5/10 vs 8.0/10) — the trap dimension for this category. Almost every brand derives its headline square footage from ONE air change per hour, which does close to nothing for smoke, pollen or wildfire particulate — the useful standard is 4.8 air changes an hour, and it is typically a fifth of the number on the box. A high score means the manufacturer publishes the 4.8-ACH figure prominently and it survives comparison with the AHAM Verifide room size; a low score means a big number with no stated air-change basis, or no CADR at all to derive one from..
Is the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) worth the price difference over the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2)?+
The Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) is the cheaper option at $259.99 versus $349.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Running Cost.
What's the warranty on the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) vs the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2)?+
The Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max (3613111100) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) ships with a 24-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Winix 5510 (successor to the 5500-2) — $259.99
Premium Option
Honeywell InSight HEPA Tower HPA180B — $263.48
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.