C535

I use 5500-2's and C535's (costco's 5300-2 made for them) in all rooms, including the bedrooms. I would look at it more as where do you generate the most dust (human dust - aka skin cells). And that'd be the bedroom during sleep hours. I wouldn't go any smaller than the Winix 5500. The CADR / AHAM room size ratings is tested against max fan speed only. Keep that in mind when sizing the filters and the intended speed you're planning to run them at. Match the filter sizes, its easier. Easier when buying on amazon in bulk packs as well.

I would match all three for ease of filter stocking and replacement. I don't know any of these filters personally except the C545. The C545 is ... wasn't on my recommend list. I own, probably at least 3 across various apts and homes? My issue with it, is it basically was advertised as a replacement for the (now refreshed) Winix 5500-2 - even sporting a similar price point with added smart-wifi features. Except its slightly cheaper feeling, higher pitched wind/fan noise thats harder to block out, and many arrived with misaligned fans that clanked around. All three of my first batch were refurbs for $59 or $69/each and did not suffer from those problems. (Edit: I suspect Winix has a ton of refurbs that were repaired returns). Its been over \~6 years and they're still running great. But I basically only want to get 5500-2's or the costco C535 instead. I can't recommend them purely because there were better options in Winix's own lineup at the time - but if its the one on sale, I can say that my 3 have held up to dog hair and cat hair just fine. (HIGHLY recommend placing one right next to the cat bed - i mean literally on top - it will suck everything instead of letting it linger on the floor and get kicked around). The C545 also has great 3rd party filter availability on amazon - with upgrades available to replace the useless carbon sheet with a slightly less useless carbon pellet pre filter. Again - if you can find the 5300/5500-2 or C535 - go for those instead. And just match the filters. Don't bother getting a different one per room.

Going to provide some more experience with these filters comment, my C535/5500-2/5300-2 (I have all three, multiples of each) are run 24/7 on turbo for over 4-5 years just fine. I want to be explicit - my purifiers are not speed nor power cycled - which should help in wear and tear. I have three C535's specifically between 3 homes and they've held up well. I've only had a failure in the original 5500s (they make a whine on start up for about an hour) and the C545s have a manufacturing QC failure with some loose mounted fans which is why they're almost always available on Winix's USA open box/refurbished site. I've only got them as refurb - and they appear as new on every order. That being said, the C545 sound quality sucks (high pitched and noisy to the ear) compared to its physically larger 5500-2 series filters.

I was one of the contributors to that mega thread. There's really not much to say other than - nobody else is getting tested. The lawsuit effectively means nothing since we have no idea any manufaturer's true performance really. The 5500-2 was a good performer based on user's experiences, and still is. Should it be avoided? Maybe? But for what model? Is that model also potentially not reaching its spec? The 5500-2 was available cheap for many, its been on deal sites for $69 refurb a few times, along with its carbon-pelletless siblings the C535 and 5300-2. If you can get them cheap, they are still one of the better performing filters on the market. Plus, once you change the filter for an aftermarket one - who the heck knows its filtration efficacy. Mine are still in service, and I don't intend on changing given how well these have run for nearly a decade plus, continuously, some at max the entire time. The only failures I've had are in two original 5500's - fans are noisy but they still filter and move air. And these only failed after a decade of use. "Failed". These are simple devices. They're fans with a filter. They're also not well regulated, so who knows what different devices can filter.

I say about 1/3rd of my Winix's have a bit of a smell that dissipates quite quickly.

If you're in north america, use the buying guide and grab whatever is cheapest. I recommend going oversizing twice the AHAM/size rating - as purifiers are rated at max speed and most people are unlikely to run it at that speed. I'm partial to Winix (as they tend to be the cheapest both new and open box from Winix/resellers), but anything on the guide will be fine. If you're going for the bedroom, go as big as you can afford - larger fans typically can be run slower and quieter while providing more airflow than a smaller fan. There's more to sound than volume and size, but its a good starting point since sound quality and levels are poorly documented and are difficult to compare across models. Purification is always the last step - vacuuming, good HVAC (good central air filter), and washing sheets/textiles properly is essential. Do not neglect the other steps first; as they're likely to make more profound impacts than the purifier. I have a dust mite allergy, and no amount of purification would ever compensate for regular sheets washing in hot water (and appropriate detergents, ty r/laundry) and clothes washing.

Thank you for this information. I think the procurement team only approved the Coway AP-1512. you're right that at top speed it'll be too loud at times. I'm thinking of just using a second machine, say a Winix C535 from home, doubling up and running both of medium speed, which would likely give me a total CFM of about 250. I really appreciate your suggestions and efforts on my behalf. They make sense, but they didn't want to spend more money. After doing some research I wanted the AirFanta 3Pro but I don't think they'll go for an unknown. Given how much CFM it moves, even though it's loud at top speed, at about medium speed, it'll still run somewhere in the 300s CFM. Either way, I'll have much more than 67 CFM. The main concern is viruses, COVID, though also the flu and other things. I don't want to get sick for its own sake and for reasons of missing work.

Winix c535 from my local Walmart super center was around $170 out the door and it comes with 2 hepa air filters + 9 carbon filters.

They claim the two filters + carbon filters are good for 2 years total

Credentials : I currently have a Golden and a St. Bernard, before them I had three Great Pyrnees,,,,at the same time. I've also owned 19 vaccuums 😂 I have two Shark robot vaccuums that run on a staggered schedule, constantly. Essentially, they're always "sweeping." I use a silicone broom ,too, and that works way better than I ever expected it to. I also mop with a bissel crosswave every day and swear by it. That takes care of our entire downstairs, which is all LVP flooring.  As for our regular vaccuum, we have a Kenmore Intuition, and I love it for all the carpeted areas. It comes apart just like a Shark- I can do the couch, the stairs, all the nooks and ceannies, etc- except the suction is way better than a Shark (I said what I said.) I don't deal with hair coiling around the brush head all that often so that hasn't been an issue for us.  We also use a silicone broom on all the furniture, in conjunction with a mattress vaccuum, and it works great. We have a Winix air purifier in every single room, I love them. The filters get vaccuumed once a week and we replace them every 6ish months. People always remark that our house doesn't smell like dog, which a huge achievement as a Saint owner lol.  As for the dogs themselves, they get brushed outside every three days, like clockwork. They also get deshedded and groomed regularly at the groomer. Constant brushing and regular grooming really helps with the allergy thing. The bed: duvet covers that get switched out once a week, sheets washed once a week as well. Being a dog owner is just a battlefield of dog hair, the best defense is having a good offense. Between the vaccums, the air purifiers and the grooming, we're doing okay. We may not be winning the war, but by God it feels like we've won some key battles.  Edit for spelling*

I'm on mobile browser so it's hard to link so I'll just tell ya! We have the C535 for all the common areas, and the C610 in all our bedrooms. Then for the bathrooms and pantry we use the LEVOIT Mini Cores (I like these for small areas, but I have to change the filters more frequently.) 

I got a fairly small apartment with 2 bedrooms upstairs and a small basement and I got a Winix T830 in my living room/kitchen area(with my setup basically in-between the 2) a Winix C535 in my kids room a Shark Compact Never change in my room and a Shark Hp100 in the basement. I'd say it's definitely not overkill lol. I've definitely preferred the Winix over Shark