A dust collector is a special machine designed for the sole purpose of collecting dust from the location of operation. Having a dedicated dust collector can prevent many long term hazardous effects of woodworking. As these machines are quite popular, there are a bunch of brands that develop them. Therefore, you must consider the following aspects before getting a dust collector for yourself:
- Airflow Capacity: For all sorts of collectors, the airflow capacity is important. The airflow capacity represents the rate of dust collection by a particular machine. In simpler words, it is the speed at which it can clean up the dust.
- Motor Power: The motor power is yet another important property of a dust collector. As the motor power increases, the rate of flow of air also increases. Therefore, the motor power is indirectly related to the speed of cleaning for the machine.
- Filter Capability: As the dust collector deals with a lot of impurities on a daily basis, you should pay attention to the filter located in the dust collector. Any form of impurities can potentially damage the motor and other delicate parts of the machine. Therefore, a proper filter is necessary in a dust collector.
Today, we are providing you detailed information about the best dust collectors available on the market right now. We are also including the necessary Buying Guide that must be referred to before buying a dust collector. Therefore, make sure you read the article to the very end before making a choice.
Best Dust Collector
| Dust Collector | Power rating | Air suction capacity | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shop Fox Dust Collector | 10 amp | 1280 cfm | 2 years | Check the Price |
| Wen Dust Collector | 5.7 amp | 660 cfm | 2 years | Check the Price |
| Powertec Dust Collector | 7 amp | 537 cfm | 1 year | Check the Price |
| Festool Dust Extractor | 10 amp | 130 cfm | 3 years | Check the Price |
| Jet Dc Dust Collector | 5 amp | - | 5 years | Check the Price |
| Grizzly Industrial Dust Collector | 12 amp | 1300 cfm | 1 year | Check the Price |
| Bucktool Dust Collector | 6.5 amp | 550 cfm | - | Check the Price |
7 Best Dust Collector Reviews
1. Shop Fox Dust Collector
Shop Fox is a well-known brand that delivers many durable products. They also make a dust collector that we have mentioned here.
In the 1st position, we have a dust collector from Shop Fx. The W1685 dust collector has a 10 amp motor that runs at 3450 rpm. Therefore, it can maintain the airflow around 1280 cfm. Compared to other dust collectors, this airflow capacity is significantly better. As for the inlet, it has a “Y” shaped fitting that consists of 2 4-inches openings. The impeller size on this dust collector is 12 inches.
There is a safety switch on W1685 that will prevent accidental turn on. As of the filter, it has a 2.5 microns standard bag that is necessary for dust collectors. The overall weight of this machine is 108 lbs, which is moderate in the case of dust collectors. The warranty period on W1685 is 2 years, which is quite decent.
Best Features
- 10 amp motor
- 3450 motor rpm
- 1280 cfm airflow capacity
- “Y” shaped inlet
- 4 inches opening for inlet
- 12 inches impeller
- Safety switch
- 5-micron dust collection bag
- 108 lbs in weight
- 2 years of warranty
Pros
- Long warranty period
- Airflow capacity is great
Cons
- A bit heavier than other options
- Refills are expensive#2) WEN 3401 5.7-Amp 660 CFM Dust Collector with 12-Gallon Bag and Optional Wall Mount
2. Wen Dust Collector
Next up, we have a dust collector from Wen. Wen is a lesser-known brand that produces many affordable products like this dust collector.
We have selected Wen 3401 as our 2nd nomination for the best dust collector. Now, you can keep your garage clean with this 12-gallon dust collector. It houses a 5.7 amp motor that can allow it to absorb 660 cubic feet of air under a minute. The impeller size on this one is 6 inches, and the dust inlet ports are 4 inches wide. It also has a 1 ¾ inches caster lock that prevents unexpected operation.
As Wen is known for their reliability, they are providing 2 years of warranty on Wen 3401 dust collector. It is a very lightweight dust collector as it weighs only 18.6 lbs. Therefore, this can be the best option for you if you are looking for a transportable dust collector. You can also mount this machine on a wall with the help of a built-in wall mounting option. This way, you can keep your workspace free.
Best Features
- 7 amp motor
- 12-gallon capacity
- 660 cfm airflow capacity
- 4 inches opening for inlet
- 6 inches impeller
- 1 ¾ inch caster lock
- 6 lbs in weight
- 2 years of warranty
Pros
- Wall mounting option available
- Affordable price tag
Cons
- Airflow capacity is low
- Comparatively weaker motor
3. Powertec Dust Collector
You must have heard about Powertec as they are quite popular for their affordable products. They make various high rated products, including this dust collector.
At the 3rd position in our best dust collectors list, we have enlisted Powertec DC5370. It has many positive features that make it one of the best options from the market. Unlike many other dust collectors, you have the option to collect dust from the wall instead of the floor with DC5370. It is powered by a 7 amp motor that runs at a minimum of 120-volt input. It can provide 537 cfm airflow capacity that is good enough for home applications
It comes with a 2.5-micron standard dust bag having a transparent visual indicator. Because of this, you can easily keep a track of filter quality and clean whenever required. It is a very compact dust collector that weighs only 44.2 lbs that makes it easier for transportation as well as installation. You will get a 1 year warranty period on Powertec DC5370.
Best Features
- Wall dust collector
- 7 amp motor
- 120-volt input
- 537 cfm airflow capacity
- 5-micron transparent window bag
- 2 lbs in weight
- 1 year of warranty
Pros
- Wall cleaning possible
- Visual indicator for the dust bag
Cons
- Airflow capacity is quite low
- The warranty period is comparatively less
4. Festool Dust Extractor
Festool is rather a fresh brand that has quite a positive response from their customers. They make a lot of high rated power equipment, including this dust collector.
Festool 574837 is probably the most unique and advanced dust collector from our list. This is a bulky dust collector that is still easy to carry around because of its large-sized wheels. There are quite a few advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity, remote control, touch operation, etc. that will make it a perfect dust collector for your home.
It has an 11 ½ foot long hose that can be used to collect dust from even distant locations from the machine. You can adjust the speed of operation with the help of a speed adjustment dial. Even with the big form factor, it only weighs 19.2 lbs that make it the most lightweight option from our list. It houses a 10 amp motor that will provide you 130 cfm of air suction capacity. The container available in this collector has a 3.9-gallon capacity. Festool 574837 is backed by a long 3 years of the warranty period.
Best Features
- 10 amp motor
- 130 cfm airflow capacity
- 9-gallon container capacity
- 11 ½ foot long hose
- Speed adjustment dial
- Remote Bluetooth control
- Touch operation
- Safety features available
- 2 lbs in weight
- 3 years of warranty
Pros
- Long warranty period
- Lightweight dust collector
Cons
- Very expensive price tag
- Air suction capacity is low
5. Jet Dc Dust Collector
Jet is a reliable brand that makes many durable power appliances. Along with many other products, they make a reliable dust collector too.
Jet DC-1100VX-5m is the most reliable option from our picks of best dust collectors as it comes with a long 5 years of the warranty period. Therefore, you can get free repairs for damages or even replacement in case of faulty parts for 5 years after the purchase. It has a 5 amp 115-volt motor that can provide considerable air suction capacity. The motor has a built-in cooling system that will prevent it from overheating.
As it weighs only 8 lbs, it is one of the most lightweight options from our list. Therefore, it’s quite easy to move it all around the house or workplace. The suction bag that comes with this dust collector is 5 microns that is thicker than other options. The unique feature of this dust collector is the vortex cone technology that allows better cleaning.
Best Features
- 5 amp motor
- 115-volt input
- Built-in motor cooling system
- Safety switch
- 5-micron bag
- 8 lbs in weight
- Vortex cone technology
- 5 years of warranty
Pros
- Long warranty period
- Vortex technology for better cleaning
Cons
- Airflow capacity is not mentioned
- Bit noisier than other dust collectors
6. Grizzly Industrial Dust Collector
Grizzly is yet another brand that is known for its heavy-duty products. They make a lot of professional powered tools, including this dust collector.
Grizzly industrial G1028Z2 is the most powerful dust collector from our list of best dust collectors. It has a 12 amp powerful motor that rotates at a fast 3450 rpm. With this powerful motor, Grizzly industrial G1028Z2 is capable of a massive 1300 cfm air suction capacity. With this much power, you can rest assured that your workplace will be completely cleaned. It also has a 6 inches wide “Y” shaped inlet that has two different 4 inches openings.
The impeller size on this dust collector is 12 ¾ inches, and the dust bag capacity is 5.7 cubic feet. The bag is a standard 2.5-micron bag that is essential for dust collection. As expected, this heavy-duty dust collector packs a lot of weight. It weighs 107.8 lbs that make it difficult for transportation and installation. With Grizzly industrial G1028Z2, you will get only 1 year of warranty period that is lower than many other dust collectors.
Best Features
- 12 amp motor
- 3450 motor rpm
- 1300 cfm airflow capacity
- 6 inches“Y” shaped inlet
- 2 4-inches opening for inlet
- 12 ¾ inches impeller
- 5-micron bag
- 107 lbs in weight
- 1 year of warranty
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Airflow capacity is best in class
Cons
- Warranty period is short
- Heavy dust collector
7. Bucktool Dust Collector
At last, we have a dust collector from Bucktool. You must have heard about Bucktool before as they are quite famous for their budget-friendly products.
This is a good option if you are looking for a wall-mounted dust collector in a moderate price range. It has 13 gallons of dust collection capacity. Therefore, you won’t have to clean or change the dust bag repeatedly. The hose size on this dust collector is 4 inches that can carry around a good amount of dust towards the dust bag.
It has a 5.5 amp motor that can create a suction pressure of 550 cfm. Even if the suction capacity is a bit less, it might be good enough for general domestic purposes. Bucktool provides a 3.1 cubic feet dust collection filter bag that is 2 microns thin. As it is a moderately powered dust collector, it weighs only 47.5 lbs. Therefore, it can be a good option for using it in multiple locations.
Best Features
- 5 amp motor
- 550 cfm airflow capacity
- 4 inches hose
- 2-micron filter bag
- 5 lbs in weight
Pros
- Lightweight dust collector
- Moderate price tag
Cons
- Warranty information is not available
- Air suction capacity is low
Buying Guide for the Best Dust Collector
There are a few more important details that you should be paying attention to before making the purchase. Therefore, we are presenting a detailed buying guide below. Here, you will find all you need to know about dust collectors in general. You can analyze and compare these options regarding your application and make the best choice for yourself. Make sure you read the buying guide until the very end for proper understanding.
1. Airflow capacity
As airflow is the only medium of dust collection, you should always pay attention to the air suction capacity of the dust collector. Generally, the dust collectors that have a higher rate of suction are the ones that can clean up faster.
The airflow capacity is measured in “CFM” that stands for cubic feet per minute. So basically, it represents how much cubic feet of air will be absorbed by the collector in a minute. In our article, you will find the airflow varying from 130 cfm to 1300 cfm.
2. Filter efficiency
This is a very important aspect as filters determine the size of dust that can be collected in the dust bag. Therefore, the dust collector that has a smaller micron rating can collect finer dust. In the case of woodwork, the finer is more harmful than the thicker dust. You will find various filters in the dust collectors that can vary from 5 microns to as small as 2 microns. Although having a smaller micron rating on your filter will cause you to spend a couple of extra bucks.
3. Portability
This factor highly affects your application. For example, a heavy-duty bulky dust collector will be a bad choice as an indoor appliance as it can’t be moved around easily. Similarly, compact devices will be comparatively weaker that cannot deliver satisfactory performance at a professional workplace. Therefore, you should always consider the weight, size, and mounting method of the dust collector before making your purchase.
4. Motor Power
As the dust collectors are driven by motors, you should check out the power rating of the motor installed in it. A powerful motor can provide a higher air suction capacity that is needed for continuous heavy usage of the dust collector.
But, a powerful motor will also require higher current input that may not be available. In this article, you will find a wide range of motors having capacity from 5 amp up to 12 amp. You can also find a moderately powered machine that can turn out to be the best option for you.
5. Noise of operation
Whichever power tool you are using, you are going to deal with a certain level of noise while operating. As it goes without saying, dust collectors also make a significant amount of noise while running.
It is not just the motor that runs at a high rpm, but also the air getting sucked at a high pressure that makes the sound. As the air pressure is more with the high powered machines, you will get more noise output from them. Similarly, weaker options are a bit quieter.
6. Warranty
Warranty is a very important aspect of any power tool. It represents the reliability of the tool as well as confirms the durability of the tool body.
If there’s a warranty period defined by the manufacturer, you can stay relaxed while using the machine as you will get a free repair or even replacement if there is any internal damage. But if there is no warranty, you need to take a lot of precautions while using the dust collector.
Conclusion
A dust collector is basically a dust cleaning device for professional as well as hobbyist woodworkers. If you have worked on wood before, you must know that machining a wooden piece creates a lot of dust that can be harmful to the operator in many ways. Therefore, having a dust collector by your side might save you a lot of trouble in the future. In this article, we have provided a list of best dust collectors available along with a focused buying guide for a clearer perception. Still, if you are unable to make a choice, take a look at our recommendations below:
- Wen dust collector can be the best option for you if you are on a tight budget. You will get a 5.7 amp motor along with the airflow capacity of 660 cfm. These features are quite decent, according to its cheap price tag.
- Secondly, we would recommend Festool dust collector if you are looking for a modern style dust collector. It has a remote wireless control option that makes it unique from the list. This Bluetooth dust collector comes with various advanced features that make it perfect for a permanent home appliance.
- Lastly, we will recommend Grizzly industrial dust collector as it is the most powerful option in this article. It has an immense 1300 cfm airflow capacity that is powered by a 12 amp motor. So, if you are looking for a dust collector for your workshop, Grizzly industrial dust collector should be your pick.
Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments section. You can also post any questions down there if you have any!
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