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WEN 3410
- Has delay-start timer
- Fancy remote control
- Dual-filter setup
Powermatic PM1250
- Low noise generation
- Versatile, portable design
- Far-reaching coverage
VIVOSUN
- Easy to assemble
- No filter odors
- Reduce humidity levels
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You could have multiple freestanding dust collection systems with ducts running all over the place but still have poor indoor air quality.
To remove particles from the air, you’ll want to equip your workshop with an air filtration system /dust collector.
These devices serve to purify the air by snatching harmful airborne particles through a powerful suction vortex and keeping them trapped in finer filter meshes.
Today, you’ll see what the best shop air filtration system is out of 23 models we researched in depth.
Best Shop Air Filtration System – WEN 3410
The best shop air filtration system that performs more reliably than over 20 of its peers is the WEN 3410.
This compact shop air filtration system delivers up to 400 CFM to deliver multiple air changes per hour (ACH) in small workshops to improve indoor air quality by quite a lot.
Here’s what the WEB 3410’s key specifications look like—
- 300/350/400 CFM
- 7.5 ACH in 400 square feet
- 5-micron/1-micron Filters
- Programmable Timer
The WEN 3410 works best at eradicating contaminants in roughly 400-square-foot workspaces.
While its double-micron filters catch both big and small airborne particulates, the high-speed fan cleans the air up to 7.5 times per hour to improve both your health and work productivity.
The 3410 comes with its own remote control that lets you send on/off instructions from distances of up to 26 feet away.
This is a super-lightweight tool at just 31 pounds and hooks easily onto ceilings with the four included mounting hooks.
The 3410 offers three different fan speeds of between 300 and 400 CFM to adjust to the size of your room or preferred noise levels.
Pros
- Has delay-start timer
- Fancy remote control
- Dual-filter setup
- Extremely inexpensive
Cons
- Could be quieter
For its cost, you certainly wouldn’t expect as much filtration power and ACH that the WEB 3410 delivers!
Top Shop Air Filtration System Compared
| Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| | Best Overall - WEN 3410 |
| Check Today's Price |
| | Best Premium - Powermtic PM1250 |
| Check Today's Price |
| | Best Budget - VIVOSUN |
| Check Today's Price |
 | JET AFS-1000B |
| Check Today's Price |
 | POWERTEC AF4000 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Shop Fox W1830 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Rikon Power Tools 62-400 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Jet AFS-2000 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | XtremepowerUS |
| Check Today's Price |
 | WEN 3415 |
| Check Today's Price |
Reviews of Shop Air Filtration System
Best Premium - Powermatic PM1250
Key Specifications
- 550/702/1044 CFM
- 5 ACH in 680 square feet
- 0.1-micron Filter
- Portable Fan Design
In need of a quieter air filtration machine? The Powermatic PM1250 could be your best option yet.
While you’re working hard, the fan-style air filtration system works silently in the background while delivering just 50.8 dB on its highest speed mode.
These are noise levels most air filtration systems could only hope to achieve.
The patented Micro-Dust Collection Technology works similarly to a magnet by attracting harmful dust circling in your working space down to 0.1 microns.
The gold standard filter has a max lifespan of up to 3000 hours.
With three different fan speeds and an ACH of 5 times in spacious areas, the PM1250 is a shop air filtration system that would suit any woodworking shop.
Pros
- Low noise generation
- Far-reaching coverage
- Captures 0.1-micron dust
- Versatile, portable design
Cons
- Could weigh less
Mounting the PM1250 can be a problem due to its weight, but its fan design offers portability you won’t find in many air filtration systems.
Best Budget - VIVOSUN
Key Specifications
- 203 CFM
- Triple-Layer Duct
- Intake/Exhaust Carbon Filter
- Noise-Dampening Flow Detector
The VIVOSUN 4-inch Air Filtration Kit comes up with a three-part system.
You can set up this air filtration kit in in four different ways to provide your workshop with optimal air-filtration performance.
The kit allows you to put the fan and filter inside of the grow tent (preferred method), or you can switch it up by keeping the fan inside and moving the filter out or vice versa.
The inline fan spins at a rate of 2,5000 RPM and produces 203 CFM of airflow to remove airborne particles in confined spaces.
Its premium carbon filter is built with an interior and exterior mesh, providing 53% of clean airflow.
The duct uses three layers with a heat-resistant retardant to keep the fan blowing steadily even in extreme temperatures.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- No filter odors
- 4 different setup methods
- Can also reduce humidity levels
Cons
- Could be less noisy
Whether you need a dehumidifier, an air purifier, or both, setting up the VIVOSUN on your shop’s ceiling is the perfect multi-purpose tool for you.
JET AFS-1000B
Key Specifications
- 550/702/1044 CFM
- 20 ACH in 400 square feet
- 5-micron/1-micron Filters
- Air Diffuser
The JET AFS-1000B is a super-fancy air filtration system designed for smaller shops.
It comes with dual filters—an outer filter that traps up to 98 percent of 5-micron particles and an inner 1-micron filter with 85 efficiency—as well as a programmable timer built into the remote control.
Leaving the AFS-1000B to run for an hour will clean the air 20 times in 400-square-foot spaces.
The AFS-1000B is unique in how the disposable electrostatic outer filter attracts even more dust to further improve indoor air quality.
It offers three different airflow fan speed modes of between 550, 702, and 1044 CFM while also diffusing the air in an even fan across your workshop.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- High-speed fan
- Programmable timer
- Disperses air evenly
Cons
- Remote controller could be easier to use
The JET AFS-1000B works hard at moving air up to 20 times (400-square-foot space) in the background while hardly producing a peep.
POWERTEC AF4000
Key Specifications
- 300/350/400 CFM
- 7.5 ACH in 400 square feet
- 5-micron/1-micron Filter
- Energy-Efficient Timer
The Powertec AF4000 is a remote-controlled air filtration system that comes with many great features.
Despite its amazing air filtration performance, this device is relatively inexpensive and super-simple to use.
It features the standard 5-micron outer filter and 1-micron inner filter setup found in most small-scale shop air filtration systems.
You can choose between three fan speeds that deliver between 300 and 400 CFM.
The handy energy-saving timer lets you set the tool up and forget about it for up to four hours while it purifies the air.
Although it’s a powerful unit with a ⅙ HP, the noise it produces is quieter than most air filtration units you can find.
Pros
- Helpful timer
- Quieter than most
- Vast filtration coverage
- Low cost, high performance
Cons
- Remote control could be easier to use
The Powertec AF400 is an excellent all-around air filtration system for shops, homes, smoking rooms, and anywhere else polluted with airborne contaminants and odors.
Shop Fox W1830
Key Specifications
- 260/362/409 CFM
- 7.7 ACH in 400 square feet
- 5-micron/1-micron Filter
- Tool-Free Filter Changing
The Shop Fox W1830 is a hanging air filtration unit that comes with a ⅛-HP motor with three different fan speed modes.
Using the remote control, you can set up different fan speeds and the timer function to leave the unit running while you’re out.
To replace or clean the filter, you don’t need any tools; simply detach the cover plate withy our hand and get to work.
The 31-pound W1830 uses a double-layer filtering setup that captures 5-micron and 1-micron airborne particles almost 100 percent of the time.
Every hour, this device cleans and redistributes air up to 7.7 times in 400-square-foot spaces.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Pro 1Timer and RC
- Lightweight design
- Decent filtration for size
Cons
- Filters could be more durable
Be wary while cleaning the filters out, as some customers have pointed out that the mesh can break easily with the slightest bit of pressure.
Rikon Power Tools 62-400
Key Specifications
- 300/350/400 CFM
- 7.5 ACH in 400 square feet
- 5-micron/1-micron Filters
- Reusable Inner Filter
The Rikon Power Tools 62-400 isn’t anything too spectacular when compared to the previous shop air filtration models.
It offers the same three fan speeds and ACH rating in 400-square-foot spaces.
Even the dual-filter setup is the same (5-micron pre-filter, 1-micron inner), but you can reuse the inner filter for up to six months by blowing it clean every so often.
This unit mounts easily onto the ceiling with the included eye bolts, and the 31-pound design ensures that it won’t tear your ceiling down.
It produces roughly 60 dB of noise at its highest setting, which can be quite annoying in smaller shops with lower ceilings.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Programmable timer via RC
- Blends well in any environment
- Excellent filtration performance
Cons
- Could be quieter
The 52-400 by Rikon is undoubtedly one of the finer air filtration systems we’ve seen, but it does produce a noticeable buzz in the background.
Jet AFS-2000
Key Specifications
- 800/1200/1700 CFM
- 14 ACH in 400 square feet
- 5-micron/1-micron Filter
- 3-Filter Setup
The JET AFS-2000 is a heavier-duty shop air filtration system that cleans and recirculates air up to 14 times per hour in 400-square-foot places.
Placing it in larger areas will reduce the ACH rating, not it will still outperform many of the models on this list.
It produces as much as 1700 CFM for maximum air suction and filtration, and the electrostatic filter traps more debris, leaving indoor air a lot more breathable after an hour of work.
Instead of the standard 4-hour programmable timer, the AFS-2000 can run for 8 hours undisturbed, ensuring that the air in mid-sized shops are perfectly clean before and after you’ve entered.
The AFS-2000’s tri-filter setup is a must-have for woodworkers around the country.
Pros
- Easy-to-use R
- Heavy-duty system
- Triple-filtration action
- 8-hour programmable timer
Cons
- Filters could be easier to find
The AFS-2000 uses special filters that you won’t find in most retail stores. Your only choice is to find replacement filters online.
XtremepowerUS
Key Specifications
- 300/350/400 CFM
- 7.5 ACH in 400 square feet
- 5-micron/1-micron Filters
- Tool-Free Filter Changing
We have yet another cookie-cutter shop air filtration system—the XtremepowerUS.
In terms of performance, it’s up there with the likes of the WEN 3410 and JET AFS-1000B.
In fact, you won’t find any unique features in this unit; the only thing buyers need to consider is where they like the dark-colored exterior.
The double-layer filter is super-easy to remove; simply unhook the latch and pull the filters out in order to give them a quick blast after a week on nonstop filtration.
You can set the XtremepowerUS to work for up to 4 hours continuously before it automatically shuts off.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Not too noisy
- Double-layered filter
- Conforms to UL and ESL standards
Cons
- Could vibrate less
The XtremepowerUS is great for small-sized shops and other confined spaces like office hallways and smoking rooms.
WEN 3415
Key Specifications
- 556/702/1044 CFM
- 23 ACH in 400 square feet
- 5-micron/1-micron Filters
- Delayed-Start Feature
We started with a WEN and we’ll end with a WEN. The WEN 3415 is a lot more powerful than most products on this list.
It offers three powerful fan speeds of between 556 and 1044 CFM to filter and distribute air up to 23 times in 400-square-foot rooms.
You can tell immediately by its looks that the WEN 3415 was made for industrial-grade air filtration.
It’s also incredibly easy to mount, comes with a handy remote control, and has a delayed-start feature to clean the air before and after anyone comes into the shop.
Pros
- Heavy-duty filtration system
- Simple setup and maintenance
- Made for medium and large spaces
- More programmable features than most
Cons
- Could be less noisy
- Con 2
If you want to clean a 1,000-square-foot room using a single air filtration system, then you need to be prepared to live with the loud fan and motor noises.
How Do You Size a Shop Air Filtration System?
It’s crucial that you determine correctly size the air filtration system relative to your workshop.
Choosing a slightly lower CFM rating can mean inefficient filtration and pose health risks to you and your coworkers.
If you’re not sure what the best size is, it’s safer to go with a higher CFM model than a smaller one.
However, there is a simple mathematical equation you can use to determine the correct size shop air filtration system.
First, find the air volume of your shop by multiplying its length, width, and height (in feet).
Then, multiply it by how many air changes per hour (ACH) you want (ideally between 6 and 8). Finally, divide the product by 60 (minutes in every hour).
Simply put, the ideal size for your air filtration system is equal to volume × cycles / 60.
Here’s a quick example:
Shop = 20L × 20W × 8H (feet) = 3,200 cubic feet
3,200 × (6 or 8) = between 19,200 and 25,600
Divided by 60 minutes = 320 and 426.66 CFM
So, for your 400-square-foot workshop that stands 8 feet high, you’ll need an air filtration system of between 320 and 430 (rounded up) CFM to reach the ideal 6 to 8-ACH rating.
The ACH can be any high as you like, but choosing inputting a higher ACH number means you’ll have to find a larger, costlier system than you actually need.
FAQ’s
Below, you’ll find our answers to the questions people ask most about air filtration systems
The advantage of using an air purifier is that it can come with a True HEPA Filter. However, the main issue is that air purifiers are delicate devices made to tackle common indoor air pollution, in which sawdust is not one of them. You could potentially ruin your air purifier’s filter and motor by placing it in extremely polluted rooms like your workshop. Stick to the right tools for your shop and get an air filtration system instead.
If you want to see for yourself, choose one of the models listed above and let it run in your shop for 24 hours. You’ll be amazed by how much airborne dust it picks up that a central dust collection system fails to remove. The models mentioned on this list have received praise from their customers for being high-quality, super-durable products that remove tons of dust per hour.
Shop air filtration systems can be found in any commercial building and homes. Many smokers rely on the high-speed performance of shop air filtration systems to remove cigarette and cigar odors from their homes much more quickly than an HVAC return vent. However, their constant buzzing can be annoying at times, so you should either place it in rarely inhabited rooms or keep it in your workshop where the sounds of power tools will drown out the sounds.
When in doubt. It’s much safer to choose a high-CFM air filtration system than a lower one, though you will have to think about energy costs and noise output. The method of calculating the ideal CFM rating for 6 to 8 ACH is pretty simple, so use that as a guide to determine which system to get.
Summary
In this guide, we showed you what the overall best shop air filtration system is (WEN 3410).
We’d also like for you to take notice that the largest air filtration system—the 3415—is also a WEN production.
If you want us to calculate the ideal CFM rating for your shop, leave the shop’s dimensions in the comment section and we’ll input the numbers.
