116130 Replacement Filter H for Winix 5500-2 and AM80 Air Purifier, 2 Set HEPA Filter and Activated Carbon Filter Combo Pack

To be honest every time I have needed to replace the filters in my Winix 5500-2 I have completely looked past 3rd party filters and have been getting the OEM ones. My thought was always “If it costs half the price, how good could they actually be?” Well I took a chance on the PETOX 116130 Replacement Filter H set and overall, I am glad I did. Were they completely perfect? No, but I didn’t expect it to be either.

Let’s start with the good, the HEPA filter appears to be an exact match. Its the same size, fits the 5500-2 perfectly, and appears to give the same great airflow as a brand new OEM filter. My only “gripe” about it was that I would have like to have an indication of airflow besides just the removal tabs (which by the way are actually nicer than the OEM ones).

Unfortunately, the charcoal filter is where the similarities to the OEM filters starts to fade. The PETOX filter appears to have less carbon pellets in the filter and they are not evenly distributed like the OEM filter. There are some “honeycombs” that are filled to the brim with pellets while I actually found a few that were completely empty. Also, on one side of the filter not all of the individual chambers were sealed from mesh to the plastic. Finally, I noticed was that there was some very thin stringy black plastic (looks like from melting the mesh to plastic) around the edges and some running across the filter. I used my vacuum with the brush attachment and it all came off without issue.

TL;DR: Overall, even with the inconsistencies of the charcoal filter, overall I’m happy with my purchase and would by them again

The filter received seems to be an almost perfect replacement filter.

Pro: 1.) Fits just like original in air cleaner.
2.) Seems to have the same amount of filter surface area.
3.) Did not have any smell one unwrapped or installed and air flowing thought it.

Con: 1.) Did not have the normal airflow arrow printed on the top of the filter. Because of the tabs on the
tabs on the top and bottom of the filter it was easy to determine the air flow without the
marking.

Overall no significant issues as an alternative to the high priced original filter. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is a result of the missing marking for air flow direction.

I live in northern Vermont, and today was the first day that I started up my wood stove for the season. After sitting all summer, the first “burn” always gives off a certain smell in the air. I have always assumed that this was from the dust collecting in crevices in the off season, and burning off. I have two Winix 5500 units that I use to keep any indoor smoke particles to a minimum. Before lighting the stove, I switched out the filters with these to start the season with a new set. Within an hour or so, that initial “dust burn” smell completely went away. So, the filters seem to be working just fine, and as comparable to other brands that I have used in the past.
As others have mentioned, the carbon filter has a lot less charcoal pellets than I have seen in other filters. I’m not overly worried about it though, as I mostly am interested in the HEPA filter section doing its job. The white HEPA filter does lack the air flow “directional” arrows that all other filters I have used always have. But both sides look the same, and I got the same airflow trying both directions, so not a big deal. Decent option for a more a less expensive filter set, especially when you go through as many of them as I do.

Picked this up to test it out as I’ve always previously used only OEM filters, but money is a concern these days and I am looking to save some. I’m happy to say that these are pretty much as good as the OEM ones I am used to. First off, the filter fits exactly as it should, no problems there at all. The charcoal pellets seem smaller, but I don’t see that it has affected the filter in any way. The HEPA part looks exactly the same and gives the same airflow. The removal tabs are actually nicer than the OEM tabs, but it is missing the air flow arrow that I am used to seeing. Sure, removal tabs face out so it wasn’t too hard to figure out, I’m just used to seeing the arrow. Overall, it’s seems high quality and saves money. I’m gonna stick with these for now.