Woodworking is a beloved hobby for many people. It’s a great way to relax and get in some creative thinking. However, woodworking can also be dirty work. Sawdust and other debris can quickly build up, making the workspace messy and difficult to clean. That’s where a dust collector comes in handy.
Dust collectors are an essential piece of equipment that keeps the air clean and free of sawdust in a woodworking environment. They also help protect your lungs from all the sawdust created when you’re working. However, they are pricey.
If you’re in the market for a dust collector but don’t want to break the bank, this article is for you. In it, we will review seven of the best budget dust collectors available on the market today. So whether you’re just starting in woodworking or are looking for an affordable upgrade, read on!
Best Budget Dust Collector Reviews
1. SHOP FOX 1 HP Dust Collector (W1727)
Looking for a dust collector that can handle your shop’s demands? The SHOP FOX W1727 1 HP dust collector is a great option. With its 1 HP (120V/240V) aluminum finned TEFC motor, this machine can handle sawdust and other debris with ease.
It excels in large-scale and small-scale workshops as a mobile or stationary unit due to its quiet operation and portability. You can move it from one machine to another with ease thanks to its integrated handle and casters.
The SHOP FOX W1727 dust collector sucks in the dirt with a 5.67” static pressure @ 800 CFM. This suction power may not be enough to pull firsts from some machines.
That said, this dust collector features two dust bags, one at the top and another at the bottom. The top dust bag filters wood dust from the collected air down to 2.5 microns, allowing the particles to fall and deposit in the bottom dust collecting bag. On the other hand, the bottom dust bag can hold 2.1 cubic feet of dust and debris. A simple detach clip on it makes emptying it a breeze.
This dust collector comes equipped with a safety paddle switch that uses a removable key to protect against unauthorized use. The paddle switch provides safety in the workshop by eliminating accidental starts and reducing the stress of locating the off button.
To use the machine, all you need to do is slap up the oversize paddle to on and slap it down to turn off. One downside to this machine is that its base is flimsy and may not last long down the line.
Benefits
- This dust collector comes with two bags for collecting dirt up to 2.5 microns.
- It features a powerful 1 HP 120V/240V, single-phase, pre-wired 110V aluminum finned TEFC motor.
- You can use it as a stationary unit or a mobile unit.
- The dust collector oversized paddle switch is safe to use.
Drawbacks
- Its suction power needs improvement.
- The base material is flimsy.
2. POWERTEC Wall Mounted Dust Collector – Best Cheap Dust Collector
The POWERTEC DC5370 wall-mounted dust collector is a professional-grade product that can help you keep your workspace clean and organized. This dust collector comes with a 1HP 120V/240V motor that moves at a speed of 3450 RPM to suck up wood chips or sawdust from your environment.
It works with a 2.5-micron filter reusable bag, so you can be sure that even the smallest particles will be captured. The bag has a built-in window to see dirt level at any interval and a zipper for easy cleaning/dust disposal.
This powerful unit wall-mounting design helps you make the most of your floor space and keep it clutter-free. With a CFM rating of up to 537, it will handle large volumes of sawdust and other debris quickly and efficiently. Its keyed switch provides safety by preventing unauthorized use. When the dust collector is not in use, remove the switch key and lock the switch OFF.
The DC5370 is easy to assemble and operate. It has a 4” inlet port for attaching its hose to any machine. Be informed that you should mount it 50” off the floor. However, this unit tends to clog easily.
Benefits
- It is a wall-mounted dust collector, so it saves space.
- It comes with a 2.5-micron filter reusable bag that has a window to see the dirt level and a zipper for easy cleaning/dust disposal.
- The keyed switch provides safety and prevents accidental starts.
- It offers a CFM rating of up to 537 to handle large volumes of sawdust.
Drawbacks
- It clogs easily.
- Its suction power is not consistent.
3. WEN 3401 660 CFM Portable Dust Collector
Imagine being able to clean up your workspace in minutes with the simple flick of a switch. That’s what you can expect with the WEN 3401 dust collector. It works with a 5.7-amp motor in conjunction with a 6” nylon impeller that sucks 660 cubic feet of air per minute to keep your workspace clean. The motor has easy-access carbon brush caps that make routine maintenance a breeze. However, it has a noisy operation, and the carbon brush has a 200-250 hours life span.
Featuring a 12-gallon 5-micron zippered collection bag, the WEN 3401 can handle even the largest messes. The bag features a built-in carry handle for easy transport, and it’s also machine washable for easy cleanup. With four 1¾” swivel casters and a compact design, you can easily move this dust collector about your workplace and use it with various machinery.
This powerful dust collector easily attaches to most workshop tools, making cleanup a breeze. It features a 4″ dust port inlet and is also compatible with WEN (model 28200) 10ft and (model 28221) 20ft dust hoses.
Additionally, an optional wall mount is included to convert your dust collector to a stationary unit to maximize your workshop space. Simply take off the wheels and mount it 50” above the ground. The manufacturer, WEN, has a two-year warranty on it.
Note that it is decent for a small workshop/DIY project, but we think it lacks the build and capacity for a full-time project/large workshop.
Benefits
- This is a powerful dust collector.
- It’s a mobile unit but can be converted to a stationary unit with the included wall mounting brackets and removable casters.
- WEN has a two-year warranty on it.
- It has good suction power.
Drawbacks
- This dust collector is loud.
- It is not ideal for a full-time project/large workshop.
4. Jet DC-1100VX-CK 1.5-HP Dust Collector
The Jet DC-1100VX-CK dust collector has a powerful motor that handles even the most demanding jobs. It is a workhorse, and we think it would be a great addition to any workshop. This dust collector features a quiet but powerful 1.5HP (115V) motor that can move up to 1100 cubic feet of air per minute. Its steel impeller produces 10.5” of static pressure, which is more than enough to keep your workshop clean and dust free.
This dust collector comes with a two-micron canister kit that removes 2-micron particles from the air. This is an important feature because it helps to protect your lungs.
Jet fitted with the revolutionary vortex cone, which enhances chip separation and its collector bag packing efficiency while preventing filter clogging. Thus, it achieves high collector performance and long filter life. Thanks to the snap-on features of the bag, it is easy to install and remove for clean-up/dirt disposal.
The Jet DC-1100VX-CK dust collector has a 6” inlet port for one hose and two 4” inlet ports for two hoses. Hence, it can run two machines at once. However, it is quite expensive. This dust collector doesn’t take time to set. It has four casters for maneuverability around the workshop. However, there’s no handle to move it, making mobility stressful.
Benefits
- This dust collector has a 6” inlet port for one hose and two 4” inlet ports for two hoses.
- It comes with a 2-micron canister kit that effectively removes 2-micron particles from the environment.
- It has a lot of power and operates quietly.
- This dust collector features Jet’s patented vortex cone for high collector performance and long filter life.
Drawbacks
- It is a pricey dust collector.
- It has delivery issues.
5. Shop Fox Wall Mount Dust Collector (W1826)
Shop Fox makes our list again, this time around with their wall mount W1826 dust collector. This dust collector is a nice addition to your workshop without taking up too much room. With a 1 HP, 120V/240V (pre-wired 120V) motor and 10″ balanced cast aluminum radial fin impeller, it offers 573 CFM of suction power.
It also comes with a high-efficiency 1-micron canister filter to keep your workshop air clean. Note that it doesn’t perform well for machines 10′ away.
This dust collector has a 2.5-micron bag with a 2 cubic feet capacity, making it an ideal choice for anyone who does a lot of woodworking or carpentry. The bag contains a window that allows you to see how much dust is within, as well as a bottom zipper for dust removal. However, the zipper is short, so you won’t empty dirt without making a mess.
The Shop Fox W1826 wall dust collector is straightforward to set up and use. It comes with all the fittings you need to mount on the wall, and it’s simple enough for even novice DIYers to operate. Make sure you install it 50” above the ground. Also, use a flexible 4” hose to connect to your woodworking machines. Note that it works well for chips/shavings, but it does poorly for fine wood dust.
Benefits
- This unit is a nice addition to a mall shop or garage shop.
- It sucks dirt very well for any machine less than 10ft from it.
- You won’t have any problems installing it in your workshop.
- This is a durable dust collector.
Drawbacks
- The dust bag zipper is short and causes a mess when emptying dirt.
- It doesn’t work well with machines 10′ away from it.
- It doesn’t perform well with machines that produce fine wood dust.
6. RIKON Power Tools Woodworking Dust Collector
RIKON Power Tools portable dust collector is a professional-grade dust collector made for small woodworking workshops. The unit’s compact size allows it to be easily maneuvered in the workshop. It functions with a quiet 1 HP TEFC (115/230V) motor that delivers a 3,400RPM no-load speed to produce sample suction to keep your workshop clean.
With its 9” steel blower impeller, it delivers 660 CFM @ 4” static pressure, making it a great choice for small to medium workshops. There’s a safety on/off switch to prevent unwanted starts.
RIKON equipped this dust collector with a 2-micron dust bag that holds up to 2.4 cubic feet of dirt. The bag is easy to install and remove, with a built-in zipper that makes it fast and simple to clean. This dust collector has a 9’ long x 4” diameter dust hose with a 360° adjustable pipe extension and a chip collecting funnel (9” x 4¾”) that can be raised high for use with lathes, workbenches, etc.
Thanks to the four casters and handle, it is easy to move around your workshop. Be informed that it accepts only 4” NPT dust ports/hose connection. The manufacturer also includes a wall mounting bracket if you want to hang it on your wall to save space.
Benefits
- This dust collector has a quiet operation.
- Its 360° adjustable pipe extension with a chip-collecting funnel (9” x 4¾”) suits any woodworking machine.
- It is perfect for small shops.
- You can use it as a mobile unit or a stationary unit.
Drawbacks
- It is not ideal for large workshops.
7. Grizzly Industrial 2 HP Dust Collector
The Grizzly Industrial G0548ZP – Polar Bear Series dust collector has a 2HP 240V motor that produces a whooping air suction capacity of 1700 CFM. It features a 12¾” aluminum impeller to produce a max static pressure of 10” for moving wood chips into the collector. This dust collector is designed for use with woodworking and carpentry applications, as well as other DIY projects.
The 1-micron canister filter on the G0548ZP dust collector filter bag has six times the filtering area of standard bag filters. It has a built-in cleaning brush that is easy to use from the outside. If dust cakes on the filter, move the top-mounted handle back and forth to clean the canister. This dust collector uses a 4½” cubic feet clear plastic collection bag with a quick clamp to easily attach and detach the bag for dirt disposal.
The Grizzly Industrial G0548ZP – Polar Bear Series dust collector features a 6” inlet for one machine and three 4” inlets for connecting three tools simultaneously. The included instructions are clear and concise, and the machine itself is very intuitive to operate.
Benefits
- It produces 1700 CFM air suction, making it a powerful dust collector.
- It has a 6” inlet for one machine and three 4” inlets for connecting three tools simultaneously.
- You won’t have any problem setting and using this machine.
- Its 1-micron filter canister has six times the filtering area of standard bag filters.
Drawbacks
- It has shipping issues.
How to Choose the Best Dust Collector?
When it comes to choosing the best dust collector for your business, there are a few factors you need to consider. What type of work will be done with the dust collector? What is the size of your shop? How much money are you willing to spend?
In this section, we will discuss some of the most important factors you need to take into account when making your decision.
What Type of Dust do You Want to Clean with it?
The first factor you need to consider is the type of work that will be done with the dust collector. If you are primarily using the machine for woodworking, then you will need a different model than if you are using it for welding or metal fabrication.
Make sure to choose a dust collector that is specifically designed for the type of work you will be doing.
Shop Size
The size of your shop is also important when choosing a dust collector. You need to make sure that the machine is big enough to handle the amount of debris that will be produced in your workshop.
If your shop is too big, then you may need to consider purchasing two dust collectors – one for each side of the room. Or you may need to go with the heavy-duty models instead of the regular-sized ones.
Cleaning Efficiency
The efficiency of the dust collector is also important to consider. Some machines are able to clean the air more thoroughly than others.
Make sure to choose a machine that will be able to clean the air in your shop as quickly and efficiently as possible. This will help keep your workshop healthy and safe for you and your employees.
Filtration System
The filtration system is also important to consider. Some dust collectors have more advanced filtration systems than others.
Make sure to choose a machine that will be able to filter the air in your shop effectively and keep the dust out of your lungs.
Dust Collector Price
Finally, you need to consider how much money you are willing to spend on a dust collector. The prices of these machines vary significantly, so it is important to find one that fits into your budget.
However, it is important not to sacrifice quality for the price. Make sure to choose a machine that is durable and will last long in your shop.
Final Thoughts
A clean workspace is pleasant and helps reduce the risk of accidents. We’ve gone over seven dust collectors on the market and looked at each in detail. With any of the dust collectors, you won’t find yourself struggling to breathe when you’re sanding or cutting wood in your workshop or garage.
Now, it’s up to you to select the model right for your needs and make a purchase. Remember, these machines range in price, so there is an option for everyone. Thanks for reading!
