Head-to-Head Comparison
Levoit Core 300 vs Winix 5500-2: Budget vs Mid-Range Air Purifier Showdown
The Levoit Core 300 wins on price at $100 for small bedrooms under 220 sq ft, while the Winix 5500-2 at $160 delivers significantly more coverage (360 sq ft), better CADR, auto mode, and a washable carbon filter for better long-term value.
Winner
Winix
5500-2
8.0
$160VS
Levoit
Core 300
8.1
$100R3 Research Verdict
The Levoit Core 300 wins on price at $100 for small bedrooms under 220 sq ft, while the Winix 5500-2 at $160 delivers significantly more coverage (360 sq ft), better CADR, auto mode, and a washable carbon filter for better long-term value.
Updated Jan 29, 20268 attributes comparedBy R3 Research Team
Match the Purifier to Your Room Size
Research-backed recommendation
The Levoit Core 300 makes sense for one specific use case: small bedrooms under 220 sq ft where you want effective HEPA filtration at the lowest possible cost. For a child's bedroom or small home office, $100 for genuine H13 HEPA is hard to beat.
The Winix 5500-2 makes sense for everything else. At $60 more, you get 60% more coverage, 60% higher CADR, auto mode that actually adjusts to air quality, and a washable carbon filter that reduces long-term costs. For medium bedrooms, living rooms, or any space over 220 sq ft, the Winix is worth the step-up.
Important Winix note: Disable PlasmaWave for true zero-ozone operation.
Pros & Cons at a Glance
Quick summary of each product's strengths and weaknesses
Winix
5500-2
Winner
Pros
- Better Price
- Better Filter Annual Cost
Cons
- Loses on Coverage Area
- Loses on CADR Smoke
- Loses on Auto Mode
Levoit
Core 300
Pros
- Better Coverage Area
- Better CADR Smoke
- Better Auto Mode
- Better Air Quality Sensor
Cons
- Loses on Price
- Loses on Filter Annual Cost
Who Wins Each Category?
A quick breakdown of how these products compare head-to-head
Price
Winix
Win
Levoit is significantly cheaper upfront
Coverage Area
Levoit
Win
Winix covers 60% more space
Cadr Smoke
Levoit
Win
Winix moves 60% more air per minute
Auto Mode
Levoit
Win
Winix adjusts automatically to air quality
Air Quality Sensor
Levoit
Win
Winix monitors and displays air quality
Carbon Filter
Levoit
Win
Winix carbon is reusable, reducing long-term cost
Smart Features
Levoit
Win
Winix includes remote for convenience
Filter Annual Cost
Winix
Win
Similar but Levoit slightly cheaper
Winner
Tie
Which One Is Right For You?
Personalized recommendations based on your priorities
Buy Winix If You...Winner
- Small bedrooms under 220 sq ft
- First-time buyers testing air purification
- Absolute budget priority under $100
- Simple manual operation preferred
Buy Levoit If You...
- Medium rooms 220-360 sq ft
- Buyers who want set-it-and-forget-it auto mode
- Long-term value with washable carbon filter
- Anyone needing remote control convenience
Head-to-Head Comparison
Detailed attribute-by-attribute breakdown
Winix
vs2
Levoit
6
| Attribute | Winix | Levoit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Levoit is significantly cheaper upfront | $100 | $160 | Winix |
| Coverage Area Winix covers 60% more space | 219 sq ft | 360 sq ft | Levoit |
| CADR Smoke Winix moves 60% more air per minute | 145 CFM | 232 CFM | Levoit |
| Auto Mode Winix adjusts automatically to air quality | No | Yes | Levoit |
| Air Quality Sensor Winix monitors and displays air quality | No | Yes | Levoit |
| Carbon Filter Winix carbon is reusable, reducing long-term cost | Disposable | Washable | Levoit |
| Smart Features Winix includes remote for convenience | None | Remote Control | Levoit |
| Filter Annual Cost Similar but Levoit slightly cheaper | $50 | $60 | Winix |
Winix
2 Wins
Levoit
6 Wins
Price
Winix
$100
$160
Levoit is significantly cheaper upfront
Coverage Area
Levoit
219 sq ft
360 sq ft
Winix covers 60% more space
CADR Smoke
Levoit
145 CFM
232 CFM
Winix moves 60% more air per minute
Auto Mode
Levoit
No
Yes
Winix adjusts automatically to air quality
Air Quality Sensor
Levoit
No
Yes
Winix monitors and displays air quality
Carbon Filter
Levoit
Disposable
Washable
Winix carbon is reusable, reducing long-term cost
Smart Features
Levoit
None
Remote Control
Winix includes remote for convenience
Filter Annual Cost
Winix
$50
$60
Similar but Levoit slightly cheaper
$Price Analysis
The Levoit Core 300 at $100 is the better value for small rooms only. For medium rooms, the Winix 5500-2 at $160 delivers better cost-per-square-foot coverage. The washable Winix carbon filter also reduces long-term costs.
Best Time to Buy
Buy the Levoit if your room is under 220 sq ft and budget is tight. Buy the Winix if you have a medium room, want auto mode, or value the long-term savings of washable carbon.
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Independent Research
No sponsored placements. Data-driven verdicts.
1,000+ data points
Updated January 29, 2026
R
R3 Research Team
•Evidence-Based Review BoardOur multidisciplinary team of researchers, parents, and medical advisors dedicated to finding the safest products for your family.
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