Filter for this model is "pain in the a" expensive
Different model and also came with 2 years of filters. Best to wait for that deal again for extra filters and Costco warranty, let alone the $99 price.
This is one of the better ones of this price range.
* low power consumption relative to air it can purify.
* good seal between filter means air isn't slipping by unfiltered.
* actual hepa filter. Not hepa-style.
* carbon filter isn't that useless mesh. It's actual carbon pellets with lots of surface area so it will remove more VOC's.
If you get one, make sure to use real filters. Lots of filters out there of unknown quality. Anyone can claim their paper is a hepa filter. At least the winix ones have been tested to actually work. It's pretty pointless to buy something like this then buy a cheap filter and hope it does something.
Should last at least a year with a filter. If you vaccum it out, and don't smoke or live in California wildfire areas, more like 18-24 months.
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Filter for this model is "pain in the a" expensive
The 5500 replacement filter is currently $20 more than the 535 filter on amazon, for a filter that needs annual replacement. Don't think most would consider that an issue.
I have two of those. The charcoal filter is not washable. I am not able to find an original Winix replacement charcoal filter by itself . I only found ones that come as a package with the hepa filter. So one hepa filter and four charcoal filters. You replace charcoal every three months
For your information this air purifier is compatible with Filter I (116131 Anti-Microbial Coating) which is for Costco model C555. For the 550-2 the black model that uses Filter H (116130). I called Winix and I asked them and they said both machines are compatible with Filter H and I and are interchangeable. The vendor is from Fette Filter and the H model cost $20 currently. The Filter I cost $30. Also the PRE-FILTER is NOT SOLD ANYWHERE except for Winix own site and it cost $15 free shipping. I asked Winix what happens after the 2 year warranty is over and they said you have to call us and if it is the pre-filter then you will pay $15 and it is FREE Shipping. I hope this helps if anyone is going to buy filter replacement for this machine.
Anybody else having trouble trying to order this using their RedCard? I keep getting constant errors trying to checkout ("please re-enter your pin" "can't process card" etc.)
This is one of the better ones of this price range.
* low power consumption relative to air it can purify.
* good seal between filter means air isn't slipping by unfiltered.
* actual hepa filter. Not hepa-style.
* carbon filter isn't that useless mesh. It's actual carbon pellets with lots of surface area so it will remove more VOC's.
If you get one, make sure to use real filters. Lots of filters out there of unknown quality. Anyone can claim their paper is a hepa filter. At least the winix ones have been tested to actually work. It's pretty pointless to buy something like this then buy a cheap filter and hope it does something.
Should last at least a year with a filter. If you vaccum it out, and don't smoke or live in California wildfire areas, more like 18-24 months.
Not sure why you would be vacuuming hepa filters when your other comments express concern about efficacy. Vacuuming can stress and damage the fibers of the filter. Much better to buy a new one if you want optimal results.
Hepa filter technology isn't rocket science. Third party ones are probably made in the same factories as the branded ones. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a third party filter myself unless there is real evidence they are inferior and not just supposition.
Anybody else having trouble trying to order this using their RedCard? I keep getting constant errors trying to checkout ("please re-enter your pin" "can't process card" etc.)
Just order one with red card and target circle, $118 after tax.
No this does not have the Wifi. The Costco model C545 has the Wifi but then a lot of people say that the Wifi model is not stable.
The only wifi issue I have had is there is sometimes a delayed response in the app registering a selection, but other than that the wifi has worked fine and it doesn't affect how well the filter actually works. Overall I find the wifi connectivity to be convenient and a nice feature. It also provides you a real time monitor of your air quality via a graph which is nice so you can see how air quality changed at various times of the day.
FWIW I've had four operating in my home total (one is in the garage). The filter lasted just about 1 year (picked up not too long after the pandemic and WFH started):
My use case: First 3-6 months I had the three machines running on medium daily. I eventually turned it to auto mode. Just a month ago now the red light turned on notifying me to change the filter on all three models. The caveat is I ordered new filters directly a while ago and it is taking its sweet time to get to me...The one in the garage is still fine as I ordered it last of the bunch.
I ordered originally from Amazon. In total, ordered six models from there (two went to my parents' home). This is certainly a nice deal and I've been meaning to pickup one more for the home. Ty OP! I placed one in the kitchen, one in my bedroom, and two will be running in the adjoined living/family room. One will remain in the garage.
Now that I've gone about a month without the machines running, has my QOL dropped? Hard to say. (FWIW, the machines were running in a 1500 sq. ft. home with one occupant.) Do I miss them? Yeah. Hell, I might pickup two more and have one dedicated to my work room.
Edit:
FWIW the air purifier was nice to have during the summer evenings when it is still hot and humid here. It does help cool the space a bit.
Edit 2:
Aesthetically, I sort of like the industrial look of the all black model. There's a lot of air purifiers on the market. I found this guy's review on YT to be the most helpful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An1viLvI8Xw
Edit 3:
Regarding cleaning, I tried to clean every three months. Not consistently so, not sure how much life I got out of the first set. I vacuum regularly. Just follow the user manual: vacuum up the machine, vacuum the pre-filter, wash the carbon filter every three months and change at about one year, and for me I left the HEPA filter alone.
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* low power consumption relative to air it can purify.
* good seal between filter means air isn't slipping by unfiltered.
* actual hepa filter. Not hepa-style.
* carbon filter isn't that useless mesh. It's actual carbon pellets with lots of surface area so it will remove more VOC's.
If you get one, make sure to use real filters. Lots of filters out there of unknown quality. Anyone can claim their paper is a hepa filter. At least the winix ones have been tested to actually work. It's pretty pointless to buy something like this then buy a cheap filter and hope it does something.
Should last at least a year with a filter. If you vaccum it out, and don't smoke or live in California wildfire areas, more like 18-24 months.
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I have two of those. The charcoal filter is not washable. I am not able to find an original Winix replacement charcoal filter by itself . I only found ones that come as a package with the hepa filter. So one hepa filter and four charcoal filters. You replace charcoal every three months
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* low power consumption relative to air it can purify.
* good seal between filter means air isn't slipping by unfiltered.
* actual hepa filter. Not hepa-style.
* carbon filter isn't that useless mesh. It's actual carbon pellets with lots of surface area so it will remove more VOC's.
If you get one, make sure to use real filters. Lots of filters out there of unknown quality. Anyone can claim their paper is a hepa filter. At least the winix ones have been tested to actually work. It's pretty pointless to buy something like this then buy a cheap filter and hope it does something.
Should last at least a year with a filter. If you vaccum it out, and don't smoke or live in California wildfire areas, more like 18-24 months.
Hepa filter technology isn't rocket science. Third party ones are probably made in the same factories as the branded ones. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a third party filter myself unless there is real evidence they are inferior and not just supposition.
Just order one with red card and target circle, $118 after tax.
Hmm. I've tried through both the desktop website and mobile app, and I keep getting the same errors. Haven't had this happen before.
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FWIW I've had four operating in my home total (one is in the garage). The filter lasted just about 1 year (picked up not too long after the pandemic and WFH started):
I ordered originally from Amazon. In total, ordered six models from there (two went to my parents' home). This is certainly a nice deal and I've been meaning to pickup one more for the home. Ty OP! I placed one in the kitchen, one in my bedroom, and two will be running in the adjoined living/family room. One will remain in the garage.
Now that I've gone about a month without the machines running, has my QOL dropped? Hard to say. (FWIW, the machines were running in a 1500 sq. ft. home with one occupant.) Do I miss them? Yeah. Hell, I might pickup two more and have one dedicated to my work room.
Edit:
FWIW the air purifier was nice to have during the summer evenings when it is still hot and humid here. It does help cool the space a bit.
Edit 2:
Aesthetically, I sort of like the industrial look of the all black model. There's a lot of air purifiers on the market. I found this guy's review on YT to be the most helpful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An1viLv
Edit 3:
Regarding cleaning, I tried to clean every three months. Not consistently so, not sure how much life I got out of the first set. I vacuum regularly. Just follow the user manual: vacuum up the machine, vacuum the pre-filter, wash the carbon filter every three months and change at about one year, and for me I left the HEPA filter alone.