Winix
Winix 5520
$199.99Cheaper
Released 2022
Best Air Purifiers · head-to-head
Winix 5520 vs Alen BreatheSmart 75i
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Winix 5520 is cheaper at $199.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Alen
Alen BreatheSmart 75i
$799
Which is better: the Winix 5520 or Alen BreatheSmart 75i?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Winix 5520 is the cheaper at $199.99.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Winix 5520 | Alen BreatheSmart 75i |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $199.99 | $799 |
| Brand | Winix | Alen |
| Released | 2022 | — |
| Cadr smoke (CFM) | 253 | — |
| Coverage (sq ft) | 392 | 1400 |
| Hepa | Yes | Yes |
| Filter type | Fine Mesh Pre-filter + AOC Carbon + True HEPA + PlasmaWave (4-stage) | Advanced Particle filter + Medical-grade True HEPA (H13) + Ionizer (switchable); optional Carbon layer (Fresh/Ultimate filters) |
| Noise db min | 23.5 | 25 |
| Smart | Yes | Yes |
| Energy star | No | Yes |
| Release | 2022 | — |
Sources — Winix 5520: winixamerica.com (verified 2026-06-15). Alen BreatheSmart 75i: alen.com (verified 2026-07-07).
What's the difference between the Winix 5520 and Alen BreatheSmart 75i?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Coverage (sq ft): Winix 5520 392 vs Alen BreatheSmart 75i 1400
- Filter type: Winix 5520 Fine Mesh Pre-filter + AOC Carbon + True HEPA + PlasmaWave (4-stage) vs Alen BreatheSmart 75i Advanced Particle filter + Medical-grade True HEPA (H13) + Ionizer (switchable); optional Carbon layer (Fresh/Ultimate filters)
- Noise db min: Winix 5520 23.5 vs Alen BreatheSmart 75i 25
- Energy star: Winix 5520 false vs Alen BreatheSmart 75i true
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Winix 5520
Only one whitelisted tester (Wirecutter) hands-on tested the exact Winix 5520, and only in its dismissed-competition section: a capable purifier that tested worse and louder than Coway's Mighty 2, with a dark, monolithic form that stands out in most rooms, a display that shuts off only on the lowest and least effective fan speed, and an ionizer that reactivates on every power-on. No lab numbers were published for this model. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Capable air-cleaning performance.
Flagged: Tested worse than, and louder than, Coway's Mighty 2; Display only shuts off on the lowest, least effective fan speed; Reverts to its ionizing function on every power-on.
Alen BreatheSmart 75i
Two whitelisted hands-on reviews (TechHive 2023, TechRadar 2024) cover this exact model. Both are qualitative with no lab-measured numbers. Both praise the powerful airflow for very large rooms (up to ~1,300 sq ft), the swappable colored front panels, and simple onboard controls that work without the app. Both flag the high price, being overkill for small spaces, loud higher/auto fan speeds, bulk, and an app that is hard to find or unintuitive. They split sharply on setup and framing. (2 sourced reviews.)
Praised: Powerful airflow suited to very large rooms (up to ~1,300 sq ft); Swappable colored front panels to match decor; Simple onboard controls, usable without the app.
Flagged: Very expensive and overkill for small spaces; Gets loud at higher/auto fan speeds; Large, bulky footprint.