9 / 10

When paired with a wet and dry vac, the DeWalt separator is a winning combination when it comes to defeating dust. Because it pairs with a shop vac, there’s no need to be careful about clogging the filter by sucking up non-dust particles. An adaptable port allows for a 1-7/8″ or 2-1/2″ (48 or 64mm) connection, which fits a variety of dust collection hose sizes.

The turbine airflow inside the cone effectively enhances the suction power of the shop vacuums and captures 99.5% of debris from the air stream. This eliminates suction loss and loose dust particles on the floor and in the air.

Pros

• Won’t cause suction loss
• Prevents clogged vacuum filters
• Filters out dust from wood, drywall, concrete, clay, blasting soda, soot and metal shavings

Cons

• Requires a separate wet and dry shop vacuum

10 / 10

This heavy-duty dust collector from Grizzly is best for bigger—or professional—workshops. On the exterior, the canister filter has six times the filtering area of regular bag filters thanks to the one-micron filters included. A built-in cleaning brush operates from the outside, making it so much easier than other collectors in terms of upkeep.

Simultaneously connect up to three four-inch lines using the heavy-duty steel adapter. As a bonus, it can connect directly to band saws, miter saws, planers and other types of saws for instant dust pickup. The unit ships with extra bags, all of which are clear for visibility and easy to replace when full.

Pros

• Heavy-duty steel adapter for connecting extra lines
• Built-in cleaning brush
• Easy to assemble
• Connects directly to saws

Cons

• High noise level

What to Consider When Buying a Dust Collector

Before deciding on a dust collector, it’s important to evaluate what you need. Put simply, your dust collector needs to pull more air (rated in cfm) than your most air-hungry tool (and the ductwork) requires. There are other factors to consider, like the level of air filtration and the collection bag capacity.

Folks new to woodworking (who have minimal capital to invest in large stationary tools) should consider a small portable dust collector. These portable machines are very manageable and easy to move around the shop from tool-to-tool as needed. However, you’ll sacrifice the cyclone system that separates chips and dust, resulting in more dust reaching the pleated filter. This means cleaning the filter more often.

Consider replacing stock bags with felt bags rated at five microns or less. Dust particles under 10 microns are the most harmful for your lungs and standard bags are good at capturing particles of 25 microns or bigger. Also, check the noise output to make sure it’s not too loud.

Types of Dust Collectors

“There are several different types of dust extractors,” says Lockhart. “There are stationary dust collector systems and portable dust extractors. Portable dust extractors are available as canister extractors, backpack extractors and compact extractors. Each extractor comes in a range of tank sizes and has different performance metrics (cfm and static pressure).”

“To choose the right dust extractor, the user must understand the nature of the dust they are creating, where the dust is produced and the volume of dust produced. The user must choose the appropriate dust extractor for their specific job site application based on performance needs, product features desired and any local dust regulations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards 1926.1153 and 1910 offer guidelines for respirable crystalline silica dust and wood dust,” Lockhart notes.

The types of dust collectors are as follows:

• Shop vacs: This is an affordable option, best for smaller tools. It picks up random debris such as screws. The vacuum needs emptying more often and the filter clogs more frequently. The filtering capacity of a shop vac is not nearly as strong as a dust collector, but there are ways to improve it.
• Dust extractors: These collect dust from handheld power tools. Dust extractors, like the Festool HEPA version, can be extraordinarily quiet with a tool-activated switch that turns the extractor on automatically.
• Single-stage dust collectors: Two-bag, single-stage dust collectors work by transporting sawdust and wood chips through an impeller on the way to a collection bag. The heavier particles and debris then settle in the lower bag. It’s a simple design with a higher horsepower output that lets you connect to larger tools like a table saw or planer. They come in various designs: upright, wall-mounted or handheld.
• Cyclonic canister dust collectors: This type has a higher airflow and two-stage dust separation, separating smaller dust particles from larger pieces. As a result, the finer dust particles pass through the impeller and into the filter. The canister filter is excellent at capturing one-micron and two-micron dust particles effectively.

Why You Should Trust Us

As a woodworker, I have years of experience educating and crafting in my home shop. Every piece featured on my site is handmade in my woodworking shop.

Emily Way is an associate shopping editor for Family Handyman with experience researching products and recommending the best designs to consumers. She researched and updated this piece, carefully to ensure price, reviews and quality all speak to the value of each pick and that each selection reflects the quality that we’d want to see in our own workshops.

Way consulted Heather Lockhart, product manager with DeWalt overseeing the vacuum and dust extractor categories. Lockhart develops strategic product plans for the Global Tools and Storage team, including managing product roadmaps and future innovation.

How We Found the Best Dust Collector

As woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts, our goal is to bring you the best of the best when it comes to furnishing your home shop. We looked through the available machines on the market, using our woodworking knowledge to narrow down our list to the top 20 machines. Then, we combed through airflow charts, decibel levels, types of dust collectors and static pressure loss calculations. The result? The 10 best dust collectors, ranked by their best applications.

FAQ

How big of a dust collector do I need?

Cubic feet per minute (cfm) and horsepower are two essential features to consider when understanding how big of a dust collector you need. Horsepower determines how strong the dust collector motor is and the cfm is the amount of airflow the collector generates.

Medium-sized dust collectors are typically around one horsepower and 700 cfm. If your workshop has two or three power tools, then a one-horsepower, 700 cfm dust collector is the smartest choice. Larger shops with multiple stationary power tools should use collectors that are around 1.5 horsepower with 1,200 cfm.

How does a dust collector work?

Dust collectors have high airflow and low suction, which is why the hose picks up lighter sawdust. However, it can’t pick up large pieces like screws. The dust collector’s motor drives an impeller fan that generates a large volume of airflow that moves dust and debris from woodworking tools. There are many types of dust collectors, but they all have a larger hose than shop vacs and a more powerful motor.

Is a dust collector better than a shop vac?

Use a shop vac for general cleanup. It keeps surfaces clear of sawdust—but not the air. If your smaller tool has a two-inch or smaller dust port, a shop vac is adequate. A larger tool like a table saw, jointer or planer creates a large amount of wood chips and quickly overwhelms a shop vac.

Lockhart notes that, “All dust extractors are vacuums, not all shop vacuums are dust extractors. A shop vacuum is more durable than the common household vacuum and is used to handle dust, heavier debris or wet cleaning applications. A dust extractor is designed to handle higher volume dust production than a common shop vacuum.”

“They have higher quality filters, often HEPA filters, and an automatic filter cleaning feature to prevent fine dust build-up and clogging on the filters. To contain the dust, dust extractors can connect directly to the dust port of a specific tool or use a shroud to help contain dust and debris created from the tool.” Those unsure about what type of tool they need should have their needs covered by opting for a dust collector. “Cleaning accessories can be purchased, and dust extractors can be used for cleanup, just like a shop vacuum,” she says.

Dust collectors move higher quantities of air than shop vacs, catching the finer dust particles in the filter, so use them specifically in wood shops. Dust collectors handle significantly more sawdust quicker and experience less drop-off in performance further away from the source because of the greater volume of air it’s moving.

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