The Winix 9300 and 9500 home air purifiers are both fine units. In fact, they’re so similar in so many respects it can be hard to choose between them. Let’s take a closer look to see if there’s anything in the details to help decide between them…
Filter System – 5 Stages
The Winix 9300 model is slightly older than the 9500 but even then had pretty much the same fine filter system. This 5-stage system consists of:
Stage 1: Treated pre-filter. This removes large dust particles, pet hair, and much more from the airstream. That lets the filters later in line do a much better job of getting the small stuff. Apart from the usual improvements in quality control of later models, in this case slight to non-existent, there’s really no difference between the two here. Each models’ filter is coated with the same anti-microbial compound.
Stage 2: Washable HEPA filter. Unlike the Winix 5300 the HEPA filter in the 9300 and 9500 is washable. Here again, no difference. Both effectively remove smoke, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, and more.
Stage 3: Nano-silvered anti-microbial mesh filter. The buzzword “nano” aside (essentially meaningless here), this filter really does add value. Silver has the ability to kill a wide range of microorganisms. Here again though there’s no difference between the two models. Any 9300 sold today will carry the same filter as the newer 9500 – unless it happened to have been manufactured a year ago. That’s something to watch for in any case. Filters that sit unwrapped inside the unit will inevitably decay slightly over time. Their effectiveness is reduced by passively absorbing material from the air while still inside the box. It’s slower than ordinary use, but it does reduce the initial filter’s lifetime.
Stage 4: Washable advanced odor control (AOC) carbon filter. Differing from the Stage 1 filter, this is designed to remove smaller particles, including those tiny ones that come in the form of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). That reduces unpleasant odors but also improves room air by reducing noxious compounds. Those are a particular concern of chemically sensitive users – a large portion of the home air purifier market. But in this case, too, the 9300 carries exactly the same filter as the 9500.
Stage 5: PlasmaWave technology. This section holds Winix’s proprietary ionizer. Unlike older methods that use ozone, it generates positive and negative ions that combine with airborne water molecules to create OH ions (hydroxyl radicals). Those degrade airborne pollutants and kill many microorganisms that don’t make their way into the purifier. In this case, there is a slight difference between the two units. The design is the same in each case but Winix has improved on quality control. There are now many fewer buyers who complain about the low crackling noise the older unit use to sometimes emit during operation.
Operation, Performance, and Stats
At last we start to find some significant differences between both Winix air cleaners.
The Clean Air Delivery Rates between the two models show a notable difference. The CADR values for the 9300 are 142/138/145 (Dust/Smoke/Pollen) and 182/183/194 (Dust/Smoke/Pollen) for the 9500. Without going into a long, technical explanation it’s enough to say that the 9500 really outshines the 9300 in this important area. It clears more air faster.
That said, these numbers have to be approached with caution when comparing to other manufacturers’ models. Different brands list these numbers for two, four, or six air changes per hour. Winix lists theirs for two per hour. So, when you see a model with different numbers it may well be because they are measuring for six per hour. That’s good, an indication of a superior model. However, those typically cost two to three times as much. You get what you pay for.
Sometimes you get a little more than you pay for, however. The 9500 covers a larger area (up to 284 square feet) than the 9300 (up to 213 sq ft), and yet costs only a little more. It’s listed as 50 more on the official Winix site but sells for only about 10 more at Amazon, currently.
Part of the difference between the two is no doubt explained by the difference in size. The 9500 is a little bigger – 16.5″ W x 21.9″ H x 8.9″ D vs the 9300’s 13.8″ W x 18.5″ H x 9.1″ D. It’s also moderately heavier, 18.8 lbs (9500) vs 13.7 lbs (9300).
Offsetting that advantage marginally, the 9300 uses a little less electricity on the highest setting – 50 watts vs 70 watts (9500). That tiny difference in monthly running cost won’t sway many buyers, who will happily pay a few cents extra for much cleaner air. That extra juice no doubt drives the Turbo speed a little higher, contributing to those better CADR numbers.
Speaking of costs… when it comes to filter replacement, the 9500 is also a bit more expensive. The 9500 requires the Winix all-in-one filter kit #119110. The 9300 requires the Winix all-in-one filter kit #119010.
Sensors, Indicators, and Controls
The sensors and indicators in the two units are pretty much the same. The replace filter light tells you when to replace the filter unit – on average once every year and a half or so. Whether this is 12 months or 18 months or 2 years or something in between heavily depends on your air quality and hours of operation, of course.
Each houses fine odor and particle detectors, along with a light sensor to automatically downshift the fan speed when you turn off the room light. That sensor/switch also dims the panel lights to allow you to sleep more easily.
Each comes with a remote control to manually adjust the fan speed, if desired. You can also use it to turn off/on the ion generator or the whole unit. Each offers the same array of air quality lights, fan speed indicator, and so on.
Summary
The Winix 9300 is a fine, mid-range home air purifier. If you can pick one up at a steep discount you will probably be quite satisfied. However, for my money, the better numbers (translating into better air quality) on the Winix 9500 make the choice easy. Still, you may prefer a smaller, lighter unit even if it clears a slightly smaller room.