When you have a woodshop, having a good air filtration system is a must. Woodshops naturally collect dust and pollutants, not only because of the woodwork itself but also because if it’s a commercial shop, you’ll likely have customers coming in all day bringing their own dust with them. In other words, woodshops continually collect dust that is practically impossible to remove, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t do something about it.
A good filtration system definitely helps, but as with other products, these systems are not all alike. Finding the best woodshop air filtration system involves first knowing just what you’re looking for, and that’s what this article will help you do. Inside air filtration devices usually have working motors and fans that rotate and create a suction in the air. This suction pulls in dust and other pollution in order to help the air stay clean.
At a Glance – Best Filtration System for Woodshops
1. WEN 3410 3-Speed Remote-Controlled Air Filtration System
The WEN 3410 air filtration system is exceptional and affordable, and it has the advantage of double filters that actually work together to provide you with the best type of air purification possible. There is a pre-filter of 5 microns and a filter of 1 micron that combine to get rid of everything from tiny little pollen molecules to the largest dust particles, and these particulates are captured quickly before they have time to roam around and pollute your air.
This air filtration system covers rooms up to around 400 square feet in size, and it costs just $135. In fact, if your woodshop is extra large, this system is affordable enough simply to buy two of them to accommodate your needs. It not only helps you breathe better, but it also helps you feel a lot fresher throughout the day. It comes with a remote control that allows you to change it to one of the airflow speeds it offers, which include 300 CFM, 350 CFM, and 400 CFM.
Even better, the remote control allows you to operate the system even if you’re 25 feet away from it. The noise level is no more than 60 dB, and it requires standard electricity to operate it. The WEN 3410 is easy to operate, extremely effective, and very affordable. It also takes up little room due to its size, which runs 17” x 20.5” x 10”. And if you’re interested, the system is available in an industrial-strength size for those who have extra-large shops.
What We Like:
- Affordable
- Replaceable filters
- Programmable timer
What We Don’t Like
- Nope, we love this one!
2. POWERTEC AF4000 3-Speed Shop Air Cleaning System
Priced at around $240, this lightweight air filtration system boasts a 5-micron filter on the outside and a 1-micron filter on the inside. The former catches all of the large dust particles floating around in your shop, while the latter will filter out fine dust particles and also keep all particulates from clogging up the system. In fact, between these two filters, roughly 99% of the dust in the shop will be eliminated, making it easier for everyone to breathe a lot more easily.
You also get three different speed levels on the fan — 1200, 1400, and 1750 RPM — and you get a handy remote control to keep all of the settings where you want them. The remote control also works through infrared waves, which means you get a very flexible line of operation. It can even sync with the filtering system from all of the different room angles.
This applies even if you’re not standing in its direct path. You also get a timer that allows you to operate the system in increments of one, two, and four hours in case you choose not to turn it on and leave it on all day long.
The POWERTEC AF4000 air filtration system offers three airflow rates: 300 CFM, 350 CFM, and 400 CFM. It weighs only 34 pounds and is therefore easy to move from one area to another, but you can also mount it so that it stays in place because it has all of the hardware you need to do just that.
What We Like:
- 3 different air flow speed variations
- Affordable
- Lightweight
What We Don’t Like
- Not as durable as our top pick
3. JET 708620B AFS-1000B Air Filtration System for Woodshops
So far, we’ve mentioned systems that have dual filters to soak up and eliminate unhealthy particles, and that’s what you need for your woodshop. With the Jet AFS-1000B air filtration system, the 5-micron filter eliminates 98% of all particles, and the 1-micron filter eliminates 85% of them, making for a very efficient air filtration system. But you also get an electrostatic filter attached to the body of the system, which is washable and therefore can be used over and over again.
In fact, the outer filter catches the bulky particles that were trying to make their way into your shop. Because of this, the internal filters don’t have to work as hard, meaning the system lasts longer than many other types of air filtration systems. In addition to all of this, you get three-speed levels that include 556 CFM, 702 CFM, and 1044 CFM.
There is a remote control that allows you to adjust numerous functions on the system, as well as a timer that allows the system to shut off automatically after two, four, or eight hours. This air filtration system costs around $520, but once you learn how powerful it is and how convenient it is to operate it, you’ll understand why.
It has rubber feet at the bottom to prevent scratched surfaces, and you can also hang it from the ceiling by using the four-eye bolts on the body of the machine. The motor is super strong and has a special overload protection function, and it is easy to operate even if you are not tech-savvy. This is a durable and efficient air filtration system that you’ll love.
What We Like:
- Remote control
- Easy to clean
- Can be mounted at ceiling
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
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4. Shop Fox W1830 Hanging Woodshop Air Filter
The Shop Fox W1830 air filtration system is white, lightweight, and sells for around $225. It is made to be mounted on the wall or on any other type of raised platform, and it has three different airflow capacities: 260 CFM, 362 CFM, and 409 CFM. These allow the pollution in the air to be eliminated so that overall air quality is greatly improved. The motor itself runs at three different speeds — 1200, 1400, and 1750 RPM — which makes it one of the fastest fans found in air filtration systems on the market today.
Weighing only around 30 pounds and at a size of 20” x 17” x 10”, this is a portable air filtration system that is easy to maneuver should you ever have to transport it from one area to another. When you have to remove the filters, you can both remove them and install new ones by yourself without the use of any tools. Like many other air filtration systems, this one has a 5-micron filter on the outside and a 1-micron filter on the inside, both of which are washable with just water.
Rooms up to 20’ x 20’ x 8’ in size can be accommodated by this air filtration system, as it cleans the air thoroughly roughly 8 times every single hour. You also get a remote control that makes operating it a piece of cake, as well as a control panel that is easy to read. There is a timer that you can set to shut off the system in one, two, or four hours, and best of all, the filters work together to eliminate both tiny particles and large chunks of dust, plus everything in between.
What We Like:
- Hanging
- 3 Speeds
- Affordable
What We Don’t Like
- Shipping issues
5. Powermatic PM1200 Air Cleaning System
Finally, we have an air filtration system that is made for bigger-than-usual workshops. The unit itself is 25” x 33” x 10” in size and weighs a whopping 48 pounds, but it has features that the smaller units don’t have, including the ability to eliminate particulates from the air in very spacious workshops. You can set up the system and even replace the filters quickly and without any special tools, and even better, you can run the unit for up to nine continuous hours if you like.
With this unit, you also get a remote control that lets you sync easily with the unit, regardless of any obstructions that are nearby or where you are in relation to it. You still get the reliable dual-filter system like you do with a lot of other devices, which means particles as small as 1 micron in size will be eliminated. For even more convenience, there is a small light that will beam at you when it’s time for you to change any of the filters. This usually happens at around 200 hours of filtration.
You also get three very powerful airflow speeds — 547 CFM, 706 CFM, and 1196 CFM — and while it costs a little more than $700, you’ll need this type of power if you have a large workshop. It comes with everything you need to set it up and begin using it immediately, and it eliminates 99% of 5-micron particulates and 85% of 1-micron particulates. If you have a very big, active workshop, you’ll need an air filtration system that is this big and reliable.
What We Like:
- Timer
- Remote control
- Easy-to-read LCD screen
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
- Qaulity control issues
Why Have an Air Filtration System for Your Workshop?
Air filtration systems are a must for your woodshop for numerous reasons. Not only do the systems remove toxic particles invisible to the naked eye, but this alone means that your lungs are protected and therefore it’s less likely you’ll suffer from mild or even serious health problems in the future.
Air filters are also good for people who have skin issues, including sensitive or dry skin and even allergies. Even better, keep in mind that air filtration systems work 24/7 and even have timers, which means that they work even when you’re not there.
Air filtration systems are also easy to set up and user-friendly, so whether you’re tech-savvy or not, you should be able to get yours set up in no time.
Using a woodshop without a proper air filtration system is risky for many reasons, making one of these systems a must-have item whether your woodshop is there for personal or commercial use.
What Should You Look for in an Air Filtration System for Your Workshop?
If you’re unsure what type of air filtration system to purchase for your workshop, pay special attention to the following features:
- The CFM value. Bigger CFM numbers simply mean the system is able to handle bigger rooms. In general, you should look for CFM numbers of 300 to 450 for domestic or small commercial workshops, and 1000 to 1700 CFM for large-scale industrial workshops.
- The noise level. All air filtration systems have decibel levels printed on the box, and you should stick with 25 to 35 dB for smaller shops and no more than 70 dB for the large-scale workshops.
- The motor strength. Air filtration systems need strong motors to operate properly, so take a look at the horsepower (HP) strength of the motor before you buy one. Smaller workshops need a motor that is either 1/3 or 1/5 HP. For large-scale or industrial workshops, look for a motor that is 1/6 or 1/8 HP instead.
- The number of filters. It is best if the air filtration system you choose has two filters, with one on the inside of the unit and one on the outside. Some units also have a third filter, called an electrostatic filter, attached to the body of the unit.
This should give you some idea of what type of air filtration system you should get for your workshop, but it should start with measuring the size of your workshop so that you can determine your specific needs. Only then will you feel confident that you bought the right system for your workshop.
Final Thoughts
Finding a good air filtration system for your workshop is a necessity, but finding the one that’s right for you doesn’t have to be complicated. By determining your workshop needs and researching various units before you decide on the right one, you can be certain that you made the right decision in the end.
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