Best Shop Air Filtration System Reviews and Guide
Introduction
It is critical to keep the air clean in a workshop. How much is your health worth? Fortunately, air filtering devices are now relatively affordable. We have compiled a list of the best Shop Air Filtration System in this article.
A workplace contains numerous safety dangers that necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of those who work there. The importance of air quality is often underestimated since it does not represent an immediate hazard. Still, there are health ramifications that extend beyond the comfort of those who work in the store. We’ll discuss these health concerns in greater depth later in the text.
Portable air filters are effective and extremely convenient for clearing the air in any room you desire in a simple and straightforward manner. They’ve recently gained popularity, and there are many to choose from, so today we’ll look at my personal picks for the best shop air filtration systems available.
These units have everything from high-quality construction to powerful motors, effective filtering, and modern features that set them apart from the competition. Let’s get started on finding the perfect one for you!
All types of dust and pollutants are removed from the air by a shop air filtration system. However, because there are various shop air filtration systems available, you should consider the following before purchasing one:
Air Flow
The most important factor to consider is the airflow provided by any given shop air filtration system.
It indicates the rate at which a given filtration system can clean the air, which is 400 CFM in most models and 1000 CFM in high-end models.
Motor Speed
You can also assess the performance of a filtration system by measuring its motor speed.
While some motors operate at 1500 RPM, better models may operate at 2000 RPM for improved airflow and performance.
Warranty
If you want to use your filtration system for a long time without having to replace it, choose one with a long warranty period.
Most options include a 2-year warranty, with better options including a 5-year warranty period.
Today, we’ll look at some of the best shop air filtration systems, as well as their key features and differences.
This article’s detailed “Buying Guide” contains various factors and aspects of these filtration systems so that you can buy one after reading it all the way through.
Best Shop Air Filtration System 2023
Wen Air Filtration System
Jet Air Filtration System
Powertec Air Filtration System
Powermatic Air Filtration System
Grizzly Air Filter
Shop Fox W1830
Husqvarna 600 Negative Air Scrubber with HEPA Filtration
WEN is a well-known power tool company that is known for producing inexpensive and value-for-money items.
Due to its low cost, its shop air filtration system is fairly affordable.
The WEN 3410 shop air filtering system is ranked first in this article because it is the most affordable alternative.
Despite its low price, it provides a wide range of features as well as adequate performance.
As a result, you can expect to get a good deal on this shop air filtration system.
According to its name, this machine has three-speed choices for its airflow rating.
This speed can be adjusted using either the provided remote controller or the unit itself.
In terms of airflow rating, it provides a total of three options: 300, 350, and 400 CFM, which is fairly good for the price.
Despite its low price, this shop air filtration system includes a 1-micron filter and a 5-micron pre-fill right out of the box.
You also get a 2-year warranty, which is amazing at this price point.
However, the build quality of this shop air filtering system might have been far higher.
Jet is a power tool brand known for producing high-end power tool models, such as its powerful shop air filtration system.
The most powerful choice in this piece is Jet’s 708620B AFS-1000B shop air filtering system.
This is because it has three airflow speeds, which are significantly higher than any other model on the market.
It supports 550 CFM, 702 CFM, and even 1044 CFM airflow, which is more than enough for heavy-duty and industrial use.
It can achieve these high ratings despite the fact that it comes standard with a highly effective 1-micron filter and 5 micros per filter.
While this shop air filtration system is on the pricey side, it includes a number of features that you would expect at that price.
It comes with a 5-year warranty, which is always a plus.
When combined with its excellent build quality, you can expect this unit to last for a long time with no problems.
This air filtration system unit’s included remote controller has an inbuilt timer with three-time settings.
Powermatic is known for producing a wide range of power tools that are dependable and long-lasting, such as its shop air filtration system unit.
The Powermatic AF4000 shop air filtration system is the most sturdy and dependable solution in this article, and it will easily survive for a long period.
This is due to the fact that it comes with a 5-year warranty and excellent build quality.
It is comparable to far more expensive options while costing significantly less.
In other words, this store air filtering system offers excellent value for money.
Its overall dimensions are also quite compact, so it will not take up much space in your store.
In terms of performance, it has a maximum airflow rating of up to 400 CFM.
This airflow runs from 300 CFM to 400 CFM and is simply adjustable in three-step increments.
You can change it directly from the air filtration unit or with the remote controller that comes with it.
Its remote also has three timer modes for added convenience and automation when using this shop air filtration system.
Powermatic produces high-quality power tools in a variety of categories.
The brand’s air filtration system has a 3000-hour lifespan and is easily cleaned.
The system includes Micro-Dust Collection Technology, which removes dust by thoroughly cycling the air and reduces airborne particles by 99.7% in a typical 680 sq. ft. area.
The unique filtration technology attracts and catches hazardous airborne dust particles.
It reduces particle size to 0.1 microns, ensuring a safe working environment.
The filtration system produces 50.8 dB of noise at high speed and 41.3 dB at low speed, ensuring a quiet and peaceful working environment.
This energy-efficient filtration system looks great in your workshop.
You can hang it from the ceiling or place it on any table with ease.
Grizzly is a smaller brand of air filtration system units for putting in a shop to clean the air when compared to the other options presented here.
This Grizzly G0738 shop air filtration system unit is a bit pricey, so it is not the greatest solution for those on a tight budget.
Despite its strong hardware, it ensures that the air in your shop is thoroughly cleaned.
It has a 12 HP electric motor with a maximum motor speed of 2000 RPM.
Because it is quite high in comparison to other options, this shop air filtration system unit can easily reach an airflow rating of 400 CFM for properly cleaning the air.
In terms of build quality, it provides a sturdy and durable construction that feels solid and should easily last a long time.
Unfortunately, it only comes with a 2-year warranty, which will disappoint many users, especially given the price.
This filtration system, like the majority of the other alternatives in this post, has a total of three-speed settings for precise control over the air in your shop.
It even has a timed option for automating this shop air filtering system based on your preferences or needs.
The Shop Fox is in the same league as the other two less expensive options and is a tough little machine in a tough steel housing.
It performs similarly to the other two, albeit with a somewhat less powerful 0.125HP motor.
It has an airflow of 260 CFM at low speed, 362 CFM at medium speed, and 409 CFM at high speed.
With a 5-micron outer filter and a 1-micron inner filter, the filters function in the same way.
The Shop Fox W1830 weighs 34 pounds and is 17″ X 20″ X 10″.
It comes with a remote control with timer options of 1, 2, or 4 hours.
Like the others, it has hanging hooks and a carrying handle.
Changing or cleaning the filters is just as simple as any other, and replacement filters are also readily available.
Overall, it’s a machine that’s very similar to the WEN and Powertec equivalents.
It comes with a 2-year warranty, which is the same as the WEN and better than Powertec’s 1-year warranty.
Husqvarna offers a wide range of items, from highly efficient heavy gear to practical compact-sized tools.
The filtration system employs two-stage air filters with per-separation for maximum efficiency.
First, the air travels through a polyester pre-fill that traps big dust particles.
The air then passes through the HEPA H13 filter, which filters 99.99% of dust down to 0.3 microns.
This effective HEPA filter is protected by a metal mesh, allowing you to vacuum it whenever you want.
This long-lasting filter weighs only 45 pounds.
You can take it about as needed with very little effort.
It has a high-quality aluminum frame and metal locking casters, which contribute to its long-lasting design.
The system has two light indicators: yellow indicates that the filter is clogged, and red indicates that there is filter leakage.
Buying Guide for the Best Shop Air Filtration Systems
Dust in the air is unavoidable in a workshop that uses cutting, grinding, and sanding equipment.
This is especially frequent in woodworking shops, where we discharge a lot of sawdust and wood chips into the air while we work.
Stone shops face a greater challenge because many stone items emit minute particles containing crystalline silicon, and the health implications of breathing silicates are particularly hazardous.
This is also true for contractors that perform on-site masonry and stone cutting.
The main consequence of dust or sawdust in the air is that it damages the respiratory system due to particles accumulating in the lungs. These particles might be so minute that they are not expelled by our lungs during normal breathing. Breathing in any amount of dust for an extended period of time can cause irreversible harm to your lungs. Other health issues include eye scratching and, in some circumstances, skin discomfort.
Most woodworking shops will utilize dust extraction systems that are linked to the machine, which are typically dust collection bags hooked to a vacuum system. These systems are quite good at removing a large portion of the wood chips and sawdust produced by the tools we employ. However, dust is always present that is not collected by a standard dust extraction system. Small particles of 5 microns or less easily become airborne, and these are the most dangerous, causing the most damage to our lungs.
They are too little to observe and will pass unnoticed until in enormous numbers. This results in a thin mist in the air. Because most fine dust is not captured by standard dust extraction systems, a secondary air filtering system is critical.
We also do various treatments that do not require the use of a dust extraction device, such as hand sanding.
Particles in the air not only cause health problems, but they can also have an adverse effect when applying finishes and paint to the final product.
Indoor air quality rules are a legal obligation for companies in two states in the United States: New Jersey and California. In all other states, the workshop owner has complete control over the quality of the air that their employees breathe. Despite the lack of federal legislation governing workplace air quality, labor law states that all employees have the right to a safe and healthy working environment.
By default, this means that if the air in your workplace poses a health risk to your employees, you are breaking the law – regardless of state laws.
Clean air is essential in any workshop, whether it is at home or in a professional setting. As a result, any workshop that generates dust requires an air filtration system capable of eliminating harmful particles from the air. This implies it must have the appropriate filters, which often remove particles as small as one micron in size. To give you an idea, 1 micron is 0.001mm or 0.00004″. That’s very small – we can’t see particles smaller than 50 microns.
A 1-micron filtering system is adequate for solid matter particles in most shops. When using hazardous or poisonous ingredients, such as solvents used in sealers and paint, a higher level of filtration is required.
A High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filtration system should be used to remove toxic materials from the air. A HEPA filtration system can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Installing and Maintaining an Air Filtration System
It is not difficult to install an air filtering system. You’ll put it in the most convenient location and connect it to a standard wall socket. Larger units may necessitate a 240V circuit as well as heavier mountings due to their weight.
Most people prefer to hang the air filtration system from the ceiling, and most smaller models have eyes or hooks to facilitate this. This is the most convenient option because it is out of the way and you are less likely to be directly drafted by the fan. It doesn’t matter whether you stand the machine or hang it as long as the air intake or outlet isn’t obstructed.
The airflow will be obstructed if the filtration system is placed too close to a wall or workbench.
You don’t want to blow the air straight into an impediment, and you want the air to enter the filters freely.
Ideally, place the air filtration system about a third of the way down the longest wall, about 6-12″ from the wall. This will ensure the best possible air circulation throughout the room.
It is vital to maintain your air filters in order for the system to function effectively. The filters gather all of the particles in the air, which accumulate to the point where airflow is restricted and the system fails to function properly. Because there’s no telling how much matter accumulates in the filters, it’s best to clean them on a regular basis. Filters in air filtration systems are designed for cleaning and are usually relatively accessible and simple to remove and replace.
After a long day’s work, it is recommended that you clean the exterior filter. This can be accomplished with pressurized air or a vacuum cleaner. Because the pre-fill collects the majority of the particles, the inner filter does not need to be cleaned as frequently (the outer filter). Check these filters to see how often they need to be cleaned, perhaps every third work session. Cleaning a filter more frequently than necessary will not take up much of your time, so do it as often as possible.
A filter can be cleaned many times before it needs to be replaced. Outer pre-fills must be updated more frequently. After a while, the fibers of the filters will begin to deteriorate, and this is when they must be replaced. Air filters are typically inexpensive and readily available. If you buy a reputable brand of air filtration system, you should never have trouble finding replacement filters.
Things to Consider
Air Flow
Checking the airflow rating of a certain shop air filtration system is one of the most significant but easy ways to identify between the various shop air filtration systems. As you might think, this simply indicates how much air a certain filtration system can clean each minute. This airflow rating is reported in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
Airflow ratings of 300 CFM, 400 CFM, or even 1000 CFM are available in various filtration systems. The greater 1000 CFM rate enables significantly better airflow for swiftly cleansing the air and removing any particulates. Most shop air filtration systems allow you to adjust the airflow speed using the inbuilt controls, which you will see later in this buying guide.
Motor Speed and Power
You can also look at the motor speed and power of a given shop air filtration system to get an idea of how well it performs. The motor speed indicates the number of times the motor spins per minute.
Thus, the motor speed of an air filtration system is specified as 1500 RPM or 2000 RPM, with the higher value being superior and providing better performance. In the same way, motor power indicates the performance of a filtering system. It has options such as 12 HP or 1 HP motors, with the latter being the better option.
Power Consumption
These shop air filtration systems, as you might expect, use electricity to power their motors and clean the air.
However, because you are cleaning a large amount of air at once, these motors are generally quite large and may consume a lot of air.
As a result, before purchasing a shop air filtration system, you should also consider its power consumption.
This power consumption is given in watts as 1000 watts or 2000 watts, just like any other electric power tool or appliance, with the lower rating being better as you get a lower power consumption.
Controls
After reading through the various shop air filtration systems presented in this article, you should be aware that they all have a variety of features. Controlling these aspects, as well as the motor speed of your shop air filtration system, is critical. As a result, the controls provided by your shop air filtration system must be carefully examined.
While all models feature buttons and controls on the filtration system unit itself, certain variants also include remote controllers for added convenience. A shop air filtration system’s controls should provide precise control over all aspects while remaining simple to use.
Size and Noise
Another key consideration when purchasing a shop air filtration system is its size. This is because installing a large filtration system unit can be problematic. Aside from that, smaller units are also easier to install and service in the future.
Before purchasing a shop air filtration system, you should also investigate its noise emissions. It is critical that you obtain a silent unit for your store so that you may work in peace without interruptions produced by a loud unit.
Warranty
Different shop air filtration systems provide the user with different warranty periods. While most models have a 2-year warranty, better and more reliable models have a 5-year warranty.
While the filters in your shop air filtration system can be replaced once they’ve been used, the mechanical portions of a filtration system unit cannot. As a result, the guarantee provided by a shop air filtering system means that you can use a unit for an extended period of time with peace of mind.
Conclusion
One of the most crucial things that a shop air filtering system can help with is breathing clean air. As stated in the best shop air filtration systems listed above, these clean and filter the air. Apart from that, you should be familiar with their features, as we have discussed many of them. This article’s detailed buying guide walks you through the various aspects and factors of these filtration systems. However, before purchasing one, you should consider the following suggestions:
Because of its high airflow rate of up to 1044 CFM, the JET 708620B AFS-1000B is the finest-performing shop air filtering system in this study. It also has a high build quality and a 5-year warranty for the user’s piece of mind.
However, if all you need is a dependable and long-lasting shop air filtration system, the Powertec AF4000 is a good choice. Apart from a 5-year warranty, it also includes a number of features for which there is no additional charge.
If you’re on a tight budget, the WEN 3410 shop air filtration system is a good option. Even though it is the cheapest option here, it has a 400 CFM airflow rating and a 2-year warranty, making it a good value for money.
