Levoit vs Winix air purifier: Core 400S vs Winix 5500-2
Both are rated for a roughly 360 ft² room at 4.8 air changes an hour. One is an app-connected tower, the other a button-driven box with a washable carbon filter.
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Levoit and Winix make two of the most popular mid-size air purifiers in the US: the Levoit Core 400S and the Winix 5500-2. On paper they cover almost the same room, so the choice depends on smart features, filter costs, shape and whether you want Winix’s optional PlasmaWave ionizer. For bedrooms and offices we also compare the smaller Levoit Core 300S and Winix A231.
Short answer
The two are closely matched on clean air: Levoit lists 231 CFM for the Core 400S and Winix lists 232 CFM smoke / 243 dust / 246 pollen for the 5500-2. Choose the Levoit Core 400S for Wi-Fi app control, a laser PM2.5 sensor, a smaller footprint and lower rated power (38W vs 70W). Choose the Winix 5500-2 if you want no app, a washable carbon filter instead of a disposable one, and separate CADR figures for smoke, dust and pollen.
Check Levoit Core 400S price (opens in a new tab)Check Winix 5500-2 price (opens in a new tab)
Levoit Core 400S vs Winix 5500-2: specs side by side
| Spec | Levoit Core 400S | Winix 5500-2 |
|---|---|---|
| CADR | 231 CFM (current product page)† | 232 smoke / 243 dust / 246 pollen CFM |
| Rated room size (4.8 ACH) | 358 ft² | 360 ft²‡ |
| Filtration | Pre-filter, True HEPA, activated carbon (single combined filter) | True HEPA plus washable AOC carbon filter (Filter H, 116130); fine-mesh pre-filter |
| Ionizer | None | PlasmaWave, can be switched off |
| Fan speeds | Not detailed in our sources | 5 (including Sleep and Turbo) |
| Lowest noise | 22 dB | 27 dB |
| Rated power | 38W | 70W |
| Air quality sensing | Laser PM2.5 sensor | Air quality sensor with color indicator; auto mode |
| Smart features | Wi-Fi app control | No Wi-Fi |
| Filter life | See Levoit filter guidance | HEPA and carbon filter rated for up to 12 months |
| Dimensions | 10.8 × 10.8 × 20.5 in (tower) | 15 × 8.2 × 23.6 in |
| Weight | 11 lb | 14.8 lb‡ |
| Warranty | See Levoit | 2 years |
Pros and cons
Levoit Core 400S: pros
- App control and schedules over Wi-Fi
- Laser PM2.5 sensor for auto mode
- Lower rated power (38W vs 70W)
- Quieter lowest setting on paper (22 dB)
- No ionizer stage
Levoit Core 400S: cons
- Levoit’s own documents disagree on CADR (see note)
- Combined filter means replacing carbon and HEPA together
- Smart features need the app
Winix 5500-2: pros
- Separate smoke, dust and pollen CADR ratings
- Washable carbon filter; HEPA and carbon rated for up to 12 months
- 5 fan speeds plus auto mode and sleep mode
- No app or Wi-Fi needed
- 2-year warranty
Winix 5500-2: cons
- Higher rated power (70W)
- Taller and heavier (23.6 in, about 15 lb)
- PlasmaWave ionizer, if you prefer to avoid one (it can be switched off)
- No remote control from your phone
Who should buy which
For a living room or large bedroom around 300–360 ft², either purifier is correctly sized on manufacturer ratings. Get the Levoit Core 400S if you want an app, scheduling and an air-quality readout in a tower that takes up less floor space. Get the Winix 5500-2 if you want a simple, physical-button purifier with a long-life filter set and detailed CADR disclosure. Owner reviews for both commonly mention easy setup; Winix owners often point to filter cost as a plus.
† Levoit’s current Core 400S-P product page lists 231 CFM and 358 ft² at 4.8 ACH; an older Core 400S manual lists 260 CFM. ‡ Winix’s product page lists 360 ft² and 14.8 lb; some Winix materials list 370 ft² and the manual lists 15 lb.
Choose the Levoit Core 400S if…
- You want app control or schedules
- You care about power draw for 24/7 running
- Floor space is tight
- You want no ionizer at all
Choose the Winix 5500-2 if…
- You don’t want Wi-Fi or an app
- You want a washable carbon filter
- You value smoke, dust and pollen CADR shown separately
- You want a 2-year warranty
For bedrooms: Levoit Core 300S vs Winix A231
For a bedroom, nursery or home office, step down to the smaller models.
| Spec | Levoit Core 300S | Winix A231 |
|---|---|---|
| CADR | 141 CFM | 147 smoke / 149 dust / 154 pollen CFM |
| Rated room size | 219 ft² at 4.8 ACH | 246 ft² at 4.8 ACH |
| Filtration | Pre-filter, H13 True HEPA, activated carbon | Pre-filter, True HEPA, carbon (Filter O); PlasmaWave optional |
| Lowest noise | 22 dB | 25 dB |
| Fan speeds | See Levoit | 4 |
| Rated power | 23W§ | 55W |
| Smart features | Wi-Fi app control | No app |
| Dimensions | 8.7 × 8.7 × 14.2 in | 9.5 × 9.5 × 14.6 in |
| Weight | 5.95 lb§ | 6.75 lb |
The A231 has the slightly higher rating on paper (246 vs 219 ft²). The Core 300S is smaller, draws less power and adds app control.
§ Levoit’s Core 300S manual lists 39W and 7.48 lb, which differ from the product-page figures shown.
What is PlasmaWave, and should you turn it off?
PlasmaWave is Winix’s name for an ionizing stage that sits after the mechanical filters. Winix says it can be switched on or off from the control panel. The purifier still filters air through its True HEPA and carbon filters with PlasmaWave off. If you prefer to avoid ionizers, leave it off, or choose a Levoit Core model, which uses mechanical filtration only.
Running costs: power and filters
At top speed the 5500-2 is rated at 70W and the Core 400S at 38W. Most of the time a purifier runs on a lower auto or sleep speed, so real use is lower than these maximums. For filters, Winix rates the 5500-2’s True HEPA filter and washable carbon filter for up to 12 months. Levoit sells replacement filters for the Core 400S in several versions. Check current filter prices before you buy, since they change often.
Frequently asked questions
Is Levoit or Winix better for allergies?
Both use True HEPA filters and have similar CADR ratings at this size. Winix publishes a separate pollen CADR (246 CFM for the 5500-2), which makes allergy sizing easier. Pick the size that matches your room at about 4.8 air changes per hour.
Is the Winix 5500-2 quiet enough for a bedroom?
Winix lists 27 dB on its lowest setting and includes a sleep mode. The Levoit Core 400S lists 22 dB at its lowest setting.
Can you wash the Winix carbon filter?
Winix describes the 5500-2’s AOC carbon filter as washable. The True HEPA filter is not washable. Winix rates both for up to 12 months.
Does the Winix 5500-2 have an app?
No. The 5500-2 is controlled from its panel and remote. Winix sells other models with Wi-Fi; the Levoit Core 400S has app control.
Did you test these purifiers?
No. This comparison uses Levoit and Winix product pages and manuals, plus aggregated owner reviews. See how we research.
Sources
Specifications were checked against the manufacturer pages, manuals and spec sheets below in October 2026. Makers revise specs and sell regional variants, so confirm the exact model number before you buy. We do not list prices because they change daily; use the retailer link to see the current price.
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