The 3 Best Cyclone Dust Collectors For Your Shop [Updated for 2022]
One of the most important tools for any workshop is its dust collection system. Having a good dust collector can keep your workshop cleaner and easier to manage. More importantly, having a great dust collection system can keep you, and anyone working with you, healthy.
Too much dust of any kind can be harmful. Sawdust, metal dust, and other small particulate debris in your workshop can be even worse.
Cyclone dust collectors are some of the best options available when it comes to high-capacity dust collection. They also have a higher capacity on average than other models, which makes them more suitable for your workshop since they can contain more dust faster, and can grow with your workshop as the scale of your projects grows.
All of these dust collectors are designed for professional workshops, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a good option for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts either. In fact, these professional models are a great choice because they’ll work better if your hobby grows into a profession.
This dust collector is designed to work for medium to large-sized workshops and has the capacity and power to back up that design. Its large 30-gallon canister can hold quite a bit of dust and debris and collects a wide range of particle sizes as well.
That means cleaner air for you, and that you won’t have to empty the dust collection system too often.
This dust collector is also designed to help protect the filtration system so you won’t need to replace the filter quite as often either. The vacuum system helps direct larger pieces of debris into the collection drum before the air is pulled through your filter.
That design will help prevent your filter from being damaged, which will keep the filter intact and working effectively for longer. It’s also an important feature to make sure small particulate dust doesn’t get through.
The Jet JCDC-2 Cyclone Dust Collector also comes with a radio frequency remote control that works from up to 50 ft away. That way you can trigger the dust collection system easily whenever needed.
The cleaning system makes filter maintenance simple, and also works to extend the life of the filter. You’ll still need to manually clean the filter, but it shouldn’t be difficult.
This design is also able to filter all dust particles that are 2 microns in size or bigger. That’s an impressive level of filtration. The filter only promises to catch 99% of those particles but repeated filtration will remove almost everything from the air.
Pros
- Highly effective filtration
- Long-lasting filters
- Durable design
- Remote control included
- Easy maintenance
- Canister is easy to empty
Cons
- Only has a 30-gallon capacity
- Slightly higher power consumption
- Remote control and its tiny buttons could be improved
- Caster wheels are comparatively smaller that small materials such as wood chips could stop movement
Our Verdict
This effective design is meant to be easy to use, perfect for most workshops, and to need as little maintenance as possible. You can count on this filter to remove all but the smallest particles, keeping your workshop air as safe and healthy as possible.
Our Rating
This single-phase cyclone dust collector offers impressive HEPA-approved air filtration for your workshop. It’s designed to have the best possible filter system for a large amount of air, helping keep the entire room clean instead of just the areas closest to the cyclone dust collector.
This dust collector is also designed with your comfort in mind. It’s easy to use and clean out, and the casing’s design is well insulated. Acoustic linings are designed to help keep the dust collector quiet while it’s working, so it won’t add much to the overall noise level in your workshop.
That makes this model a good option for professionals who want to be able to use their dust collector while they are working in their workshop instead of after.
Using the dust collector while you’re working can help to make sure the air is clean and healthy. It’s a good addition to your normal dust mask and is suitable for workshops of almost any size or purpose.
The LED light indicators on the dust collector also make it easy to tell when the dust canister needs to be emptied or the filters need to be changed. Since this is a HEPA approved device that dust canister may fill quickly the first few times you use it as it helps to scrub any dust and particulate that have already collected in the air.
The dust collection drum is also designed to have lower pressure compared to the rest of the system. That helps draw large particulates into the drum and also keeps the plastic bag lining in place, preventing it from going up into the tubing.
Pros
- Acoustic dampening foam
- LED lights tell you when the unit needs maintenance.
- Effective HEPA approved air filtration
- Helps hold collection bag in place
- Good for workshops of most sizes
- Removes all kinds of dust including sawdust and other common particulates
Cons
- Tricky to assemble
- Hoses may hang in the way of accessing the bin
- Instruction manual could be improved such that it's easier to understand
Our Verdict
This model is a great option if you’re looking for a dust collection system that isn’t too loud for your workshop. It’s designed to be incredibly efficient and notifies you (with an LED on the canister) when the filter needs to be changed or the canister emptied. Those features make this one of the healthiest options for craftspeople.
Our Rating
This high-pressure design is designed to pull the most possible dust particulate out of the air. Its design uses different levels of high and low pressure to help make sure dust is pulled from the air and into the holding canister, even before that dust reaches the HEPA filter.
Between pressure filtration and the HEPA filter itself, this model is designed to pull up to 99% of all dust particulate, .3 microns, and bigger from the air. Since the separator actually pulls most of the dust out before it reaches the filter system, these filters are also long-lasting and incredibly easy to clean and maintain.
This dust collector is also designed to work with several different sizes of collection bins, which gives you more flexibility to choose the size that works best with your workshop. Smaller bins are great for small workspaces, while the large bins are a good option for professional workshops with several people working in them at once.
The dust collector is also designed to be used as a mobile unit with the 14-gallon canister option. That means this is a good option for craftsmen on the go who still need some kind of air filtering when they are working on a job site.
The Supercell High-Pressure Dust Collector also has a wide variety of quality of life enhancements. Its bin-viewing window makes check the level of dust easy, along with a bin level sensor that can help alert you as soon as the collection system is full.
The wireless remote and pulse filter cleaner both make the dust collector much easier to use and maintain.
Pros
- Efficient design
- Easy to maintain
- Lots of sensors to keep the dust collector working at peak efficiency.
- Compatible with up to 100ft of ductwork
- Compact design saves space
- HEPA approved filter
- Pressure filtration helps protect the filter for longer effectiveness.
Cons
- Slightly at a higher price range
Our Verdict
This effective design gives you a ton of flexibility without sacrificing the quality of air filtration. Its efficient variable pressure design is meant to help make sure all of the dust in your workshop ends up in the collection canister. Its mobile flexibility is a great addition for craftsmen who have to work on the go.
Our Rating
Cyclone Dust Collector Buyer’s Guide
Now that you’ve got three fantastic models to choose from, let’s take a look at the features that matter most when it comes to a great workshop dust collector.
Airflow
Airflow is one of the most important factors for dust collection. This is the single factor that determines how much air your collection system will collect. It’s also a good indicator of how much space your dust collector can safely manage, and how much duct it can support.
All of those factor into whether or not a given dust collector is a suitable option for your workshop.
In general the better the airflow on your collector the better. Airflow should be measured in cubic feet per minute, and your dust collection system should be able to cycle through all the air in your workshop in a relatively short amount of time. The lower your airflow the longer the dust collector will need to run to be effective, and the smaller space it can handle. The higher your airflow, the bigger space it can manage and the less time it will need to fully filter your air.
Filter Quality
HEPA filters are the standard in air filtration for dust collection systems, vacuums, air scrubbers, and almost any other filter system. A good HEPA filter is even more important in a workshop setting since a lot of the dust and small particulates in the air can be hazardous.
You should consider this filter a supplement to air masks and other protective equipment. No centralized dust collection system is good enough to keep you healthy on its own.
Some dust collection systems don’t have a HEPA air filter but instead, use a slightly less-fine filter system. These systems can still work, but you’ll need higher quality protective equipment in addition to these filters. You’ll also need to deep clean your workshop slightly more often with those filters.
Hose Diameter/Length
The hose diameter and length can make a big difference in what equipment your dust collection system is compatible with, and where you can place the filter in your workshop.
Generally wider hoses provide better airflow and a more efficient design, as well.
The most important factor here is to make sure your dust collection system is compatible with any other hardware or tools in your workshop. Check the measurements of any ductwork you want to attach to, as well as measuring between that equipment and the place you’d like to put your dust collector.
Of course, you can often replace the hoses on your dust collector if necessary, but it’s better to avoid that cost if you can.
Canister Size
Canister size is pretty self-explanatory. Dust canisters are usually measured in gallon sizes. The larger your canister the larger a space it can handle. Large canisters usually need less maintenance as well since you won’t need to empty them as often.
Maintenance
Maintenance is usually things like cleaning and replacing filters, emptying the canisters, and checking to make sure you have a good connection to any ducts and air systems in your workshop.
You won’t need to spend a ton of time on maintenance regardless of your dust collector, but having a system that reduces the maintenance gives you a little more time for your other projects.
Portable or Fixed Installation
It’s also critical to consider whether you want a portable dust collection system. If you tend to take your job on the road and work in a lot of different spaces
The Takeaway
All of these dust collection systems offer advanced suction designed to take care of a large workshop space and have the power and efficiency professional craftspeople really need in their shop. These designs all have slightly different pros and cons, so it’s important to look at the different features in detail before you decide which one is the right option for your shop.
However, the JET JCDC-2 Cyclone Dust Collector is one of the most flexible options in addition to having impressive filtration, high airflow, and good quality of life features to help keep the filter in the best possible working order.
We’re confident that the different canister sizes and both permanent and portable installation styles will work for the vast majority of professionals.
That said, any of the three dust collection systems highlighted in this article are an excellent and highly efficient choice.
I have an unhealthy obsession with contracting and renovation. I’ve been a contractor for over 15 years and I love tackling challenging projects to make them look amazing.
