Head to head
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier vs Coway Airmega 250
Coway Airmega 250 leads 4 to 1 on the 5 rankable specs, but Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier costs $240 less.
Catalog as of September 1, 2026
Why, in numbers
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Levoit Core 300S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier$149Levoit Core 400S$219Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty$229Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max$229Honeywell HPA300 HEPA Air Purifier$249Levoit Core 600S Smart True HEPA$299Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto$339Coway Airmega 400$549Blueair Protect 7470i$649Alen BreatheSmart 75i Large Room Air Purifier$749Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09$799Buying for
Straight answer
Overall: 1 to 4
Buy the Coway Airmega 250.
- Leads 4 of 5 rankable overall specs; Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier takes 1.
- CADR: 249 CFM vs 232 CFM
- Coverage area: 930 sq ft vs 360 sq ft
- Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier is $240 cheaper. Pay the difference only if cadr matters to you.
At a glance
The handful of numbers that decide most purchases in this category.
CADR
Winix
232 CFM (Smoke), 243 CFM (Dust), 246 CFM (Pollen)
Coway
249 CFM (Smoke), 261 CFM (Dust), 230 CFM (Pollen)
Coverage area
Winix
360 sq ft (5 air changes/hr) / 880 sq ft (2 air changes/hr)
Coway
930 sq ft (2 air changes/hr) / 465 sq ft (4 air changes/hr)
True 3-Year Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
Coway Airmega 250
Room Placement & Bedroom Noise Check
Physical clearance required for airflow, wall placement, and bedroom noise levels.
Wall Clearance Required
Requires 12 in perimeter airflow space
Bottom & dual-side intake: sits flush against back wall
Nighttime Sleep Mode Noise
Standard sleep speed
22 dB sleep mode with auto-dimming LED light sensor
Unit Footprint & Dimensions
Standard room purifier footprint
Modern slim tower (19.7 × 18.5 × 8.3 in; 20.5 lb)
The 90-Day Owner Regret Check
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
Winix: What to watch for
- Maintenance
Requires periodic filter replacements to maintain airflow and odor capture.
Coway: What to watch for
- Maintenance
Requires periodic filter replacements to maintain airflow and odor capture.
Performance
leads 2-0| CADR | 232 CFM (Smoke), 243 CFM (Dust), 246 CFM (Pollen) | 249 CFM (Smoke), 261 CFM (Dust), 230 CFM (Pollen) (wins this row: higher) |
|---|---|---|
| Room size | Bedrooms, nurseries, home offices up to 360 sq ft | Large bedrooms, apartments, living rooms, and open layouts up to 930 sq ft |
| Coverage area | 360 sq ft (5 air changes/hr) / 880 sq ft (2 air changes/hr) | 930 sq ft (2 air changes/hr) / 465 sq ft (4 air changes/hr) (wins this row: higher) |
Filters
2 differences| Filter types | Fine Mesh Pre-Filter + Washable AOC Carbon + True HEPA (99.97%) | EZ-clean Washable Pre-filter + Max2 Green True HEPA and Activated Carbon filter |
|---|---|---|
| Filter life | 12 months (HEPA) / Washable carbon filter | 12 months (Max2 filter) / Washable slide-out pre-filter |
Usability & Smart
leads 1-0| Noise levels | 27.8 dB (Silent) – 54.8 dB (Turbo) | 22 dB (Sleep mode) – 54 dB (Max speed) (wins this row: lower) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy consumption | 70 W max (Energy Star) | 60 W max power consumption (Energy Star Certified) |
| Smart features | Auto Mode + Sleep Mode with Smart Light Sensor (No Wi-Fi) | Smart Auto Mode, Rapid Mode, Eco Mode, and Sleep Mode |
| Air quality sensors | Smart Optical Air Quality Sensor (3-color LED indicator) | Real-time particle sensor with colorful LED air quality indicator |
Design & Ownership
2 differences| Weight | 14.7 lb (6.7 kg) (wins this row: lower) | 20.5 lb (9.3 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty | 2 years | 5 years limited warranty on motor / 1 year electronic parts (wins this row: higher) |
Which one should you buy
Pick this one if
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
Budget favorite with PlasmaWave technology, Washable AOC Carbon Filter, and True HEPA filtration.
- Washable Advanced Odor Control (AOC) carbon filter with real carbon pellets
- PlasmaWave technology breaks down pollutants at molecular level
- Unbeatable performance per dollar in medium rooms
What you give up
- No mobile app connectivity or smart home controls
- Aesthetics and plastic chassis are dated
Pick this one if
Coway Airmega 250
Modern slim aesthetic air purifier with Green True HEPA Max2 filtration, covering up to 930 sq ft, Smart Auto mode, and easy-clean washable pre-filter.
- Green True HEPA filter captures 99.999% of 0.01-micron ultrafine particles and neutralizes odors
- Easy-to-clean EZ-pull front pre-filter slides out from the top without opening the machine
- Covers up to 930 sq ft with Smart Auto Mode and real-time PM2.5 particle sensor LED ring
What you give up
- No Wi-Fi app connectivity on the standard 250 model (app available on 250S variant)
- Substantial 20.5 lb weight
Best for each use
Bedrooms
Tied on bedrooms. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier is cheaper.
Big rooms & allergies
For big rooms & allergies, buy the Coway Airmega 250.
Low running cost
Too close to call on low running cost from the spec sheets. Only warranty is rankable here.
Done deciding?
Open the full standalone spec sheet for either device.
Manufacturer pages: Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier ↗ · Coway Airmega 250 ↗
Common questions
Which is cheaper, the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier or the Coway Airmega 250?
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier costs $240 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier or Coway Airmega 250?
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier has this deal-breaker: no Wi-Fi app. No schedules or remote control from your phone.
Which is better for bedrooms, the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier or the Coway Airmega 250?
Tied on bedrooms. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier is cheaper. The 2 rankable bedrooms specs split 1 to 1. Saves $240 at list price.
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 11 specs tracked here, 6 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.