Best Dust Collector for a Small Shop 2022 – Buying Guide

With a plethora of dust collection systems for small shops out there, it can be exceedingly difficult to find the right one. This is why our editors have worked hard to track down the best dust collector for a small shop.

So these are the best of the best, and cover a range of different budgets. These will ensure that the shop they are placed in are going to be relatively dust-free. They are all small enough to ensure that they can be kept ‘out of the way’ while they are not in use.

So we will regularly update this website. We are always on the lookout for better dust collection products, so if we find something that exceeds the quality of the seven on this list (highly unlikely), it is guaranteed that we are going to include it for everybody to see. After all, the best dust collection system for small shop is going to make life a whole lot easier.

Top 7 Best Dust Collection Systems for a Small Shop

So what follows is what our editors genuinely believe are the best dust collection systems for a small shop. We have gone to great lengths to look at the plethora of different products on the market, and we are confident that any small workshop owner will be happy with any of the seven found on this list, although do bear in mind that each of them have been constructed for an ever so slightly different purpose.

1. SHOP FOX W1727 Dust Collector

Fox have a reputation in the machinery industry for constructing products which not only function to an incredibly high standard, but come in at an affordable price too. While this is a product which is likely going to be best-suited to the larger ‘small’ shops out there, it is easily going to be able to clear dust from the air anywhere with ease. In fact, using something like this will offer the cleanest possible workshop.

Despite being of a larger size, it has been designed to be portable. It can easily be moved from one machine to another in the workshop. So there is no need to have a complicated dust extraction system set up. It will take minutes to move from one of your tools to another. In fact, it is probably one of the most portable dust collector systems on the market.

As a result the bag is incredibly big too, which means that it should be in use for weeks and weeks without a need to empty the bags. And it holds a whopping 2.1 cubic feet.

2. SHOP FOX W1826 Wall Dust Collector

This is a dust collector for those who are seriously lacking in space. So it easily mounts to the wall, which means that it barely takes up any real estate, ensuring collection without huge bulky bits of gear hanging about the workshop.

The dust collection bag is fantastic too. There is a small window which will allow a person to always see how much dust is in the bag. Which negates the constant need to remove the bag to check. So it could cause dust to fly about everywhere. Since the bag is capable of holding up to 2.1 cubic feet of dust, it is unlikely that it will need to be emptied too often either.

So the only real downside to this wall dust collector is that it is not portable. Once it is in place, that is it. This means that the equipment that is being used with it will always need to be moved into position. As a result it is probably not best for people who want to use one dust collection unit for several different pieces of equipment.

With a height of just 44 inches when it is fully inflated, this is probably the smallest ‘proper’ dust collection unit on the market right now.

3. Rousseau 5000 Solution Miter Silver

This dust collection system will need to be combined with a vacuum cleaner of some sort, but it is still worthy of a place on this list. This is because it is able to pick up a lot of dust with the minimum amount of effort.

So it has been designed for use with mitre saws only. The idea is that the ‘tent’ wraps around the back of the miter saw. That’s why this will direct all the wood shavings into the tent, and ultimately the vacuum cleaner you have installed will scoop it all up. This is highly beneficial, as there is no dust extractor which is able to collect every single piece of dust that is flying about, so this is something which make sure that the vast majority of it is collected.

Of course, since this is tent, it is going to be very portable. When it is not in use, it can easily be folded down and kept to one side. However, do bear in mind that it can only be used in combination with miter saws, so if it is required to be used with other bits of machinery, then this is probably not going to be the best purchase.

So?

However, for miter saws, paired with a decent dust extractor, there is not going to be anything better out there. If the dust extraction system you have paired up with this does not collect all the dust, it will still fall into the tent, which is going to be make it incredibly simple to clean up at the end of the day.

4. Bosch 9 Gallon Dust Extractor with Auto Filter

When people hear the name ‘Bosch’, they know it is going to be of an incredibly high quality, and this Bosch 9 Gallon Dust Extractor is no exception to that rule. In fact, it is often regarded as one of the best dust extractors on the market for use in a professional environment.

One of the brilliant features of this dust extractor is that it is relatively maintenance free. So this unit has been designed to automatically clean the filter every fifteen seconds. This means that it is able to constantly perform to the best of its abilities.

The flow rate is fantastic too. It is able to deal with around 150 cubic feet of air per minute. So no matter what tool it is paired with, this is something that it is going to maintain.

It should be able to suck up the majority of the dust in a small workshop too. In fact, it makes the claim that it is able to collect 99.97% of dust in the workshop. It is on wheels too, which makes it incredibly easy to wheel from location to location within the workshop.

Enough?

If this was not enough, it comes with the famed 3-year Bosch warranty, which means that a person can be sure that if something does go wrong with the dust collector, it is able to be repaired quickly and easily. Bosch also keep spare parts ‘to hand’ for years after a model is discontinued, which means it can always be repaired.

5. Fein Turbo

Fein are perhaps best-known for their multitools, but there is so much more in their range, and all of it has been built to an incredibly high standard to boot. The Fein Turbo Vacuum cleaner is one such product.

It has a whopping 5.8 gallons capacity, which means that it is going to take a while before this needs to be emptied, although as with all dust extractors, it is probably worth emptying the dust collection every so often as it will help to maintain suction.

Everything required to use this is included in the package. One of the wonderful things about this unit is just how portable it actually is. It can easily be stored, with everything included easily being stored ‘on board’ the dust extractor.

It has a lengthy hose, which should be compatible with every large piece of machinery out there, although adapters can, of course, be purchased if there is a weird and unique piece of machinery which it does not work with.

6. Festool 57267 Dust Extractor

There are a lot of people who will instantly dismiss Festool products as they believe them to be a little bit too expensive. Granted, Festool products are not the cheapest on the market, but there is a reason for this. They are brilliant products. Always constructed to a high standard. When one of these is used as a dust extractor, it is certain that it is going to be picking up every bit of dust that is floating about.

This is a seriously good looking dust extractor. It is going to look fantastic sitting around a small workshop. Of course, looks are not everything, and it performs to an incredibly high standard too. It is able to whip away the vast majority of dust. It is relatively quiet too.

There are several features built into this which make it easier to use. This includes a ‘self-cleaning’ functionality, which means that the lifespan is preserved. The filter does not get clogged that easily, which ensures it is able to maintain suction.

One of the interesting things about this is that it has bluetooth capabilities. It does need to be retrofitted to have them, but it is there. This allows the user to control the dust extractor using their phone or tablet.

However!

However, honestly, there is a reason why other dust extractors do not have bluetooth capabilities. It is something which is simply not needed.

7. Makita XCV07ZX Filter Dry Dust Extractor

The final dust extractor on this list is a cordless dust extractor. This means that it is ideal for the vast majority of people who want stuff which are portable. You can even use this in workshops which have little to no power supply too.

It is able to collect just as much dust as the others on this list, although do bear in mind that the battery capabilities mean that it has limited use before it needs to be charged. That being said, the battery lasts an incredibly long amount of time. This is because it has a brushless motor set-up, which really helps to increase the lifespan of the battery.

Makita, a Japanese company, is well-known for making exceedingly good tools too, and it comes complete with a decent warranty to ensure that it is able to last as long as possible.

The only real downside to this Makita XCV072ZX is that it does not come with the batteries. It needs two to run it too. This is probably only going to be ideal for those people who have Makita 18v tools already.

Buying Guide

Buying the best dust collection system for a small shop does not need to be difficult, and this section will show some of the things that need to be considered.

Portability

Any unit needs to be incredibly portable. When running a small shop, the equipment needs to be small. This way people are not tripping over absolutely everything, which can end up causing serious issues.

All the dust collection systems on this page are portable. While they are not all that small, because there still needs to be ample amounts of space to actually store dust, they can be stored easily, taking up a limited amount of space.

Versatile

The best collection systems are going to be those that are compatible with plenty of different pieces of equipment. There is nothing worse, especially when running a small shop, than having several different dust extraction systems.

The hose needs to be replaced at the minimum. Well, it needs to be easy to change the attachments at the end of the hose. Makes it easier to deal with.

Well-Constructed

Dust extractors are really going to be put through their paces, which means they need to be built to last.

Some of the best dust extractors on the market will have auto cleaning filters, which helps to reduce the need to maintain them and constantly keep the filter cleaned. However, to be honest, it is still important to try and clean them up as much as possible. It helps to extend the overall life span.

Dust Collection Capabilities

The filter on the dust extractor needs to be good. It needs to be able to collect even the finest particles of dust. This means that the suction capabilities need to be good too. The better the suction, the better the product.

Special Tips to Purchase Dust Collection System for Small Shop

There are several things that need to be considered when purchasing a dust collection for a small shop.

Check Bag Size

Always check the size of the bag. The larger the capacity, the better.

Check how portable It Is

Always check how portable the unit is, or at least how it can be transported around. Being on wheels is the best, as it will negate the need to constantly move larger pieces of machinery around the workshop.

Does it come with everything that is required?

The best dust extraction units will have everything included inside of the box. This means hoses, and all relevant attachments. The filter should be in there too. In fact, the best units tend to have the best filters in there.

Is it compatible with your machinery?

If you have a decent piece of machinery, then it is highly likely that the dust collector will be compatible with it. If you have a cheaper brand, then there may be issues unless extra attachments are purchased.

How to Use Dust Collection for Small Shop?

This incredibly simple. Just follow below these steps to do the simple job:

Best Brands of Best Dust Collection System for Small Shop

While there are several different brands on the market, there are some which are going to be a cut above the rest out there. These are some of the best of them.

Fox

Fox are well-known for producing some amazing machinery. In fact, that is all they do. This means that it stands to reason that they are also going to produce some fantastic dust extractors too.

The dust extractors will pick up every single bit of dust, and because Fox only make machinery, you can be sure that whatever is purchased is going to work with the bulk of gear found in a small workshop. If it is not compatible, it shouldn’t take too long to find an adapter which will work.

Makita

For cordless dust extractors, there is nothing better on the market than Makita. Although, do bear in mind that their dust extractors are quite power hungry, which means that it will need to be combined with two batteries, which can really add to the cost.

Just like Fox, Makita dust extractors can be paired with the majority of units on the market.

Fein

Finally; Fein. Also makers of fantastic tools, and since a lot of their tools produce a lot of dust, they are made to an incredibly high-standard. You can be sure that your Fein tool will be picking up every micron of dust.

FAQ

Here are some common frequently asked questions with answers that you can check and read to know some common issues on dust collector system for your shop. But if you have still any other question, feel free to ask us in the below comment section. Our experts can give you the solution.

Q1. Can a dust extractor collect all dust?

Answer: No. There is no dust extractor on the market which is able to collect every single speck of dust, but many of them should be able to collect most dust. Well, at least if a decent unit is purchased.

Q2. How often should the filter be cleaned?

Answer: Ideally once every couple of days. This applies to the units with self-cleaning filters too.

Q3. Will dust extractors be compatible with every tool?

Answer: If a decent dust extractor is purchased, although it is important to note that there may be a need to purchase additional attachments for the dust extractor if the tool is slightly older or comes from a lesser-known manufacturer.

Q4. How often should the bag be emptied?

Answer: Try to empty it once a day, if you can, even if it is not full. This means that there will be no stopping of work in the middle of a project to empty a full bag.

Summary

These are, without a doubt, the best dust collection units for small shops on the market. This list will be kept ‘up to date’ with any brilliant products we end up finding. This way a person can always be sure that whether they are looking for the best budget dust collector or something else, it can always be found here.