Extensive exposure to dust particles and wood elements can put your respiratory tract at risk, and when you get a low-quality filtration system, you can also put yourself up for mold and bacteria buildup.
If you want to keep your workspace safe and clean, our resident woodworkers are here to share their best woodshop air filtration system that they’ve relied on for years.
Reviews of the Top Woodshop Air Filtration Systems
1. JET AFS-1000B Air Filtration System
If you have a lot going in the workshop, what better way to eliminate airborne contaminants than buying a powerful air filtration system like JET AFS-1000B?
Thanks to its 1/6 HP motor, this dust collector is efficient enough to handle three fan speed settings of 550, 702, and 1044 cubic feet per minute.
Upon our inspection, we also noticed it has a 5-micron outer filter. Unlike regular air filters, it can capture larger dust particles 98% of the time. Besides that, you can also count on its inner pocket filter to trap debris as small as 0.1 microns.
What We Like
- It can reduce airborne particles in massive workspaces
- It comes with two replacement filters
- Heavy-duty and durable metal construction
- Two-filter system for large and small airborne particles
- Easy to clean and highly portable
What We Don't Like
- It includes a complex control panel
- Has a sound
2. Powermatic PM1250 Electrostatic Filter
Although it’s not budget-friendly, many users consider Powermatic PM1250 one of the best woodshop air filtration systems because of how much air it draws per hour. The filtration process cycles five times, allowing the unit to cover an extensive area of up to 680 square feet.
It only weighs around 38.1 pounds, but we don’t doubt it can protect your respiratory system because its filter technology traps 0.1-micron particles from massive power tools.
And with the unit’s included remote control, you can administer the air purification in your shop from a distance.
What We Like
- Best shop air filtration for quiet operations
- Operates quietly even at its highest speed
- It can draw air particles 5x per hour
- Lighter than most workshop air filtration systems
- It can run up to nine hours
What We Don't Like
- More expensive than regular air purifier options
- Not the fastest device to eliminate airborne dust
3. LEVOIT Air Purifier System
On top of cleaning the shop’s air, LEVOIT Air Purifier System has an activated carbon filter that traps foul odor. The outer filter for this model serves as a shield for dust, fibers, lint, or pet fur.
Meanwhile, the inner filter with HEPA features handles smaller debris from bacteria, pollen, and many more.
Despite its smaller size, we listed it higher than other shop air filtration systems because it can cover 219 square feet within 12 minutes. It also produces less noise than regular filtering machines, with only 24dB of operating sound.
What We Like
- Compatible with a wide range of filters
- Best shop air filtration system for capturing VOCs
- Safe and eco-friendly air purifier
- More affordable than other options
What We Don't Like
- It may carry a chemical scent during the operation
- Not the best shop air filtration system for wide spaces
4. WEN 3410 Air Filtration System
The best shop filtration system doesn’t need to be expensive because WEN 3410 can keep the air clean in your workspace without breaking the bank. Like other premium models, this unit includes an inner filter that can catch 1-micron fine dust particles.
It also features an outer filter that can clean air quality from 5-micron or larger particles flying around the area.
You also don’t need to keep tabs on the workshop air filtration system because this unit comes with a remote control. It allows you to handle the air quality around the room even if you’re 26 feet away from its panel.
What We Like
- Best air filtration system for a tight budget
- Lightweight construction and easy-to-replace filter
- The system automatically shuts off when not in use
- It cleans 99% of dust particles from the airflow
What We Don't Like
- The design doesn’t suit tabletops
- Not the best air filtration systems for large shops
5. Shop Fox W1830 Hanging Air Filter
Some may think that Shop Fox W1830 looks like a small air purifier, but this unit has a two-stage filtration system to improve the airflow in a 400 sq ft workshop. It checks all the safety standard boxes because this product is CSA certified [1].
You can also keep the power consumption minimal, as this unit includes a built-in timer. Its running duration can range between one, two, or four hours, depending on how long it’ll take to clean all the air debris.
Newbies won’t experience difficulty cleaning filters from this model since these parts only require minimal dusting. You can even clean it faster with compressed air.
What We Like
- Lightweight and easy to mount on walls
- You can clean it with an air compressor or by dusting
- Easy-to-read and accessible control panels
- Flexible speeds of 260, 362, and 409 CFM
- It includes an infrared remote control
What We Don't Like
- Limited warranty offerings
- The remote control isn’t for extensive proximities
6. Husqvarna A600 Negative Air Scrubber
If a portable shop air cleaner with a HEPA filter is what you seek, the Husqvarna A600 fits all your requirements. During our testing, this unit produces superior air quality that can stand against fine sanding dust often present in wood shops.
Besides its HEPA filter with a 99.99% efficiency rate, this model comes with a compact but durable cabinet. It also includes rubber feet, which means it can stand firm anywhere you intend to place it.
Looking closely, you’ll notice that its HEPA filtration handles the airflow upwards. Thanks to this, the operation doesn’t disturb the dust particles on flat surfaces.
What We Like
- It keeps the shop air clean with HEPA filtration
- Suitable device if you want to save workspace
- Light indicators for clogging and leaking warnings
- It’s also compatible with a carbon filter
What We Don't Like
- Not as affordable as most shop air filter systems
- No remote control inclusions
7. Medify MA-40 Air Filtration System
Another easy option newbies can try instead of a vacuum cleaner is Medify MA-40. Unlike most shop air filtration systems, it has an extensive cleaning coverage of 1,600 square feet within half an hour.
It operates with three-speed settings of 124, 187, and 224 CFM. No need to worry, though. The lowest configuration only produces minimal noise levels as low as 46 dB.
We don’t doubt it’ll fit modern workshops, especially if you look at the model’s touchscreen panel. Overall, it stands out with its sleek and space-saving design.
What We Like
- Carefully tested according to proper safety standards
- Small enough to fit any space or storage
- Filter replacements can last up to 6 months
What We Don't Like
- Not recommended for big wood shops
- No sensors for air quality
What’s an Air Filtration System for Woodshops?
If your workshop lacks proper air filtration, you’ll expose yourself to health risks from harmful debris and particles produced by tools and materials used in woodworking projects. It’s a system you must install to keep the air in the shop clean and safe.
Woodshop Air Filtration System Buyer’s Guide
Woodshop Size
As you can see from our recommendations, we included specific coverages per device. To ensure that you’re buying the best woodshop air filtration system, you must ensure that the unit’s CFM specs align with the workshop’s size.
For example, buying a model with 400 to 450 CFM is recommended if you intend to accommodate a 400 sq ft space. However, if we’re talking about massive workshops ranging around 600 sq ft, the best option is to avoid settling for systems under 1000 CFM.
Filtration System and Motor Size
The air filtration often depends on how fast the fans spin, which only the motor power can determine. You may not know, but motor size significantly influences how much energy it can supply to the filtering process.
What Air Filtration System Size Do You Need?
Small woodshops don’t need massive units with more than 450 CFM. Because of this, we can assure you that you can get by with ⅙ hp to ⅛ hp motor engines.
On the other hand, filtering air in larger spaces should require bigger units with power motors of around ⅓ hp.
Size and Type of the Filter
Since not all filters have the same size, they trap different particles. Some options, like 5-micron filters, are more geared to blocking larger debris. Meanwhile, 1-micron ones are more useful against microscopic particles.
You should also check if the filters are reusable or not. It may surprise you that some of these parts require proper cleaning and maintenance.
Remote Control & Usability
If you’re using a massive filtering device, mounting it is a great way to save space. For such instances, a remote controller comes in handy.
Although infrared remotes offer the same function as radio frequency options, the latter can work even when the device isn’t in its line of sight. Some RF controllers even include recommended distance in their user manuals.
Air Change Per Hour (ACH)
First, we urge you to determine how many airflow units your workshop needs. These devices don’t offer the same number of air cycles, and you’ll need to know if you intend to get a device with the correct CFM rating.
Level of Noise
These are electric-powered tools, so it’s a no-brainer that they will produce noise. However, with today’s technology, you can get a powerful filter system without risking hearing loss. Our team suggests buying units that only go at least 69 dB.
Airflow Rating
This feature often comes in a measurement of cubic feet per minute or CFM. It indicates how fast the air flows from the unit. You can expect faster flow with a higher CFM rating, leading to more air changes per hour.