When building a project in a workshop, it is expected that you will make plenty of noise– especially if you need to use a large power saw. However, just because building the project requires making plenty of noise does not mean that all of the other tasks and cleanup need to be just as noisy.
While one of the quieter ways to clean up a workshop after building a project is an old-fashioned shop broom, that takes time, energy, and may throw as much dust in the air as it cleans. A more convenient and effective solution is using a dust collector, but there you run into the issue of noise again.
That is why we put together a list of the 5 best quiet dust collector reviews of 2020, highlighting what each one does best. We also provide a helpful buyer’s guide and answer some of the more pressing questions regarding quiet dust collectors so your next cleanup is as easy and unobtrusive as possible.
Best Quiet Dust Collector Reviews
Best Seller: SHOP FOX W1727 1 HP Dust Collector
- Motor: 1 HP, 120V/240V, single-phase, prewired 110V
- Motor amp draw: 9A/4.5A
- Air suction capacity: 800 CFM
Shop Fox is actually a brand owned by Woodstock International Inc and the company has only been around a little over 30 years with Shop Fox existed for a little under two decades. However, Shop Fox is noted as a professional brand of power tools focused on the high-end consumer-grade line of power tools in general.
This works out well for the SHOP FOX W1727 dust collector in general but can cause some issues in the volume department as this is the second-loudest option we reviewed. At 79 to 81 decibels, this dust collector is about as loud as your average alarm clock, so it will not go unnoticed.
Thankfully, this model hangs its hat on performance over quietness and is still reasonably quiet given how well it performs. A perfect example of this is the 1 hp motor that is not only totally enclosed and uses aluminum fins but tops our list in virtually every relevant spec related to suction power.
For starters, you do not have to worry about dust in any regard as the SHOP FOX W1727 dust collector boasts the best airflow we found at 800 cfm. Of course, any heavy-duty dust collector also needs to be able to pick up larger pieces of debris and this option comes out on top once again with 5 ⅔” static pressure.
Thankfully, you do not have to worry about the different types of messes intermingling and creating issues in maintenance thanks to the dual-bag system employed. Even better, you do not have to worry about all of that suction power kicking the dust back into the air because the SHOP FOX W1727 dust collector also boasts the second-best filtration on our list at 2 ½ microns. Keeping in line with topping our list, this dust collector also ties for the largest capacity we reviewed at 15 ⅔ gallons. One of the more surprising aspects of the SHOP FOX W1727 dust collector is that it is one of the lighter and more portable options on our list despite also being the most powerful.
Features
- Works at a quiet 79 to 81 dB
- Filters down to a tiny 2 ½ microns
- Offers a great airflow of up to 800 cfm
- Provides powerful suction of up to 5 ⅔” static pressure
- Holds a generous 15 ⅔ ga of both dust and chips
Verdict
The SHOP FOX W1727 dust collector is easily one of the better options for professionals but falls a tad short in the quietness department, generating between 79 to 81 dB. Granted, it performs better than most of its competition with the most airflow, static pressure, and tied for the largest capacity.
Pros
- Has excellent suction
- Has excellent filtration
- Has a Aluminum finned TEFC Motor
- Holds 15 ⅔ ga
Cons
- Not the quietest
- Not the easiest assembly
Top Pick: Delta Power Equipment 50-723T2 1 hp Dust Collector, Black
- Standard 2 micron filtration bag keeps your shop safer and cleaner
- Sewn in, snap-in filter bag ring is faster, easier and eliminates the need for cam-over-lock style Clamps
- Powerful TEFC induction motor for long-lasting, smooth performance with protection from damaging dust
Delta is another company designed for light commercial and professional consumer-grade use but is one of the more experienced companies we reviewed with a history that stretches back over a century. With some of the most iconic power tools that stand the test of time, Delta is our top pick for its combination of volume and specs.
In terms of noise generated, the Delta Power Equipment 50-723T2 dust collector is the second-quietest model on our list, generating only 75 dB. There is a combination of factors that go into this including the fully-enclosed design as well as the use of a brushless induction motor.
In terms of raw performance, the Delta Power Equipment 50-723T2 dust collector is the second-most powerful option in pretty much every meaningful way. For starters, this dust collector boasts the second-best airflow we found at 750 cfm, almost certainly due in part to the 9 ½” impeller opening.
On top of that, you should not have any issues with the Delta Power Equipment 50-723T2 dust collector dealing with larger bits of debris either thanks to its 5 ½” static pressure rating. It is worth noting that for such a powerful dust collector, this model has a somewhat smaller total capacity at 12 ⅔ gallons.
That said, if you have dust allergies or otherwise need as clean of air as possible, the Delta Power Equipment 50-723T2 dust collector has you covered thanks to a filter that eliminates particulates down to 2 microns. Like many of the other high-end dust collectors, this entry also provides a dual-bag system to separate out the dust from the debris.
On top of that, it is significantly easier to use this dust collector thanks to the snap-in filter which does not rely on cam-lock clamps to. Of course, if you want top-tier specs in most of the important factors, you have to pay for it, and the Delta Power Equipment 50-723T2 dust collector is an expensive model.
Features
- Works at a quieter 75 dB
- Filters down to a miniscule 2 microns
- Offers a great airflow of up to 750 cfm
- Provides powerful suction of up to 5 ½” static pressure
- Holds a generous 12 ⅔ ga of both dust and chips
Verdict
The Delta Power Equipment 50-723T2 dust collector walks the fine line between a serious model that manages to produce less noise than most at 75 dB. While it is somewhat expensive and less mobile than others, it provides excellent suction, airflow, and filtration for the best all-around performance.
Pros
- Generates 75 dB
- Has excellent suction
- Has a TEFC induction motor
- Has excellent filtration
Cons
- Is more expensive
- Is heavier than most
Best Value: WEN 3401 5.7-Amp 660 CFM Dust Collector with 12-Gallon Bag and Optional Wall Mount
- 5.7-amp brushed motor combined with the 6-inch impeller moves over 660 cubic feet of air per minute
- 4-inch dust port allows for connection to your favorite woodworking tools
- Compact design includes an onboard carrying handle for easy storage and transportation
WEN is an interesting company in that it has been around for over half a century but does not demand the kind of prestige that some of its competitors do. Part of this may be due to the fact that it sits squarely in the consumer-grade market and also makes products outside the power tool category.
However, if you need the quietest dust collector out there, the WEN 3401 is likely your best bet as it only generates a low 71 dB of noise. What is even more surprising is that this dust collector does not even boast some of the more advanced design features that reduce the amount of noise generated.
On the other hand, the reason that the WEN 3401 dust collector is still so quiet comes down to a reduction in the size of the motor altogether. To be fair, this dust collector still offers reasonably good airflow at an impressive 660 cfm despite the fact that its motor only pushes 5.7 amps.
However, this is not the dust collector for people who need to clean up bigger pieces of scrap and debris as its static pressure rating is the lowest on our list. It also does not help that the WEN 3401 dust collector contains the smallest capacity that we reviewed as well, though, at 12 gallons, it is more than functional.
While this dust collector may not be ideal for a larger, professional workshop, it is still a great option for a hobbyist or a more confined space. For starters, the WEN 3401 dust collector is the lightest and most compact model on our list, but it is also the only entry we found that can be mounted to the wall.
As another bonus, the WEN 3401 dust collector is an inexpensive option while still meeting some solid standards that should work for most people. That said, if you have a dust allergy or otherwise need extremely clean air, this may not be the dust collector for you as it only filters down to 35 microns.
Features
- Works at the quietest 71 dB
- Filters down to 35 microns
- Offers a good airflow of up 660 cfm
- Is easier to move around at 34 ¼” x 13 x 14 ⅕” and 18 ½ lbs
- Has convenient positioning on the base or wall-mounted
Verdict
The WEN 3401 dust collector is better-suited for shops that do not possess the space for a larger option, but it also only generates a quiet 71 dB. It does not hurt that this is an expensive option with a surprising amount of airflow and positional versatility, even if it does not come with the best filtration.
Pros
- Generates 71 dB
- Can be wall-mounted
- Holds 12 gal
- Is less expensive
Cons
- Not the best suction
- Not the best filtration
Runner Up: Rikon 60-100 1 HP Dust Collector
- 1 HP Motor Powerful TEFC (Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled) motor keeps the dust out for safety
- Casters for Mobility Sturdy steel base with four casters for storage and mobility
- Safety Lock Toggle Switch Prevents accidental or unauthorized use
Rikon is easily the newest and least experienced company on our list with plenty of room to grow, though it still offers a reasonable standard. Rikon specializes in professional consumer-grade and light commercial power tools with good, not great, price to performance ratios.
This balance shows up clearly on our list as the Rikon 60-100 dust collector sits squarely in the middle of the pack, generating under 78 dB of noise. While this dust collector might use some of the more refined design techniques to reduce the volume, it still employs a totally enclosed motor chassis.
For performance, the Rikon 60-100 dust collector is good in some areas and average in others with a decent performance that does not wow but is adequate. For example, this dust collector offers an airflow of 624 cfm which is surprisingly low given its 1 hp motor but not too far off of the average.
On the other hand, the Rikon 60-100 dust collector also sits in the middle in terms of its ability to suck up larger scraps and debris with a static pressure of 3 ½”. You also do not have to worry about emptying this dust collector’s bags nearly as often as some of its competitors’ thanks to a list tying 15 ⅔ gallons.
Like other professional-grade dust collectors, the Rikon 60-100 employs a dual-bag system to make sure it collects the dust and debris separately. Finding its way into the middle of the pack once again, the Rikon 60-100 dust collector is not terrible for allergy sufferers thanks to a filtration that removes down to 5 microns.
While all of these features may not seem that bad, the Rikon 60-100 dust collector makes a misstep in terms of pricing as it is an expensive model that should perform significantly better than it does given its cost. At least this dust collector uses steel for most of its metal components, so you do not have to worry too much about durability.
Features
- Works at a quieter 77 dB
- Filters down to a small 5 microns
- Offers a good airflow of up to 624 cfm
- Provides powerful suction of up to 3 ¼” static pressure
- Holds a generous 15 ⅔ ga of both dust and chips
Verdict
The Rikon 60-100 dust collector is reasonably quiet, falling somewhere in the middle while generating 77 dB of noise, though it filters a bit better than some of the other options we saw. On top of that, it also holds more debris than most, though it is a bit underpowered given how much you have to pay for it.
Pros
- Generates 77 dB
- Has a TEFC motor
- Has good filtration
- Holds 15 ⅔ ga
Cons
- Is more expensive
- Not the best suction
Also Consider: Grizzly Industrial G8027 – 1 HP Dust Collector
- A great little workhorse at an incredible price. This is a great machine for sanders router tables shapers and other work
- It's also very portable so you can take it to the job site where it can handle the big jobs a regular shop vacuum can't handle
- Motor: 1 HP 110V single phase Motor Amp Draw: 8A Number of 4-Inch Intake
Grizzly is an odd company that started out with a good reputation that has slowly been surpassed by competitors over its more than 3 ½ decade history. Granted, part of the issue is likely that the professional and light commercial power tool market is more competitive than it has ever been.
For our purposes, the biggest issue comes in the form of noise generation where the Grizzly Industrial G8027 dust collector fares the worst on our list making 83 dB of noise. This is especially surprising given that this dust collector employs the more relevant noise-reducing design features.
For example, the Grizzly Industrial G8027 dust collector fully encloses its motor to reduce noise while also providing a brushless induction motor to reduce friction. While the noise generation is bad enough, it also does not help that this dust collector does not even provide a superior performance in place of it.
In terms of total suction, the Grizzly Industrial G8027 dust collector is arguably the weakest entry on our list despite the fact that it has a comparable motor pushing 1 hp. In terms of airflow, this dust collector is easily the weakest with only 500 cfm, but it is also the second weakest when sucking up scraps and debris with a static pressure of 2 ¾”.
Granted, there is a reason that the Grizzly Industrial G8027 dust collector sits at the bottom of our list, and continues this trend with a subpar filtration system. Much like a consumer-grade dust collector, this option is not ideal for people with dust allergies or breathing issues as it only filters dust down to 30 microns.
Thankfully, the Grizzly Industrial G8027 dust collector still offers a dual-bag system to keep the mess separate and comes with a steel base with caster wheels for easier portability. On top of that, this dust collector is not a terribly expensive option, though it should likely be less expensive given its specs.
Features
- Works at a quiet 83 dB
- Filters down to 30 microns
- Offers a decent airflow of up to 500 cfm
- Provides powerful suction of up to 2 ¾” static pressure
- Holds a generous 15 ga of both dust and chips
Verdict
The Grizzly Industrial G8027 dust collector may not be the quietest model we encountered, but at 83 dB, it is still quieter than your average shop vac and comes at a low cost. That said, this entry falls to the bottom of our list for a couple of reasons as it also has the lowest airflow and suction we reviewed.
Pros
- Has a TEFC induction motor
- Has dual-bag filtration
- Holds 15 ga
- Is less expensive
Cons
- Not the quietest
- Not the best suction
Best Quiet Dust Collector Buying Guide
Volume
Though this article may be focused on the best quiet dust collectors, it should be noted that the amount of noise generated may not be the most important factor to consider. A big part of this centers on the fact that you still need a dust collector powerful enough to handle the cleanup in your workspace– regardless of how quiet it is.
This means you should make sure that the dust collector can handle the amount of debris you tend to make first, then look for the model that is the quietest within that group. Thankful, we made sure to include a wide range of different types of dust collectors, so there is sure to be one that suits your needs.
That said, if you require a commercial or industrial dust collector, you should not expect it to be terribly quiet as that kind of power can only be muffled so much. However, if your needs lean more toward the consumer-grade (which most people do), things like brushless motors or enclosures can go a long way to muffling the noise generated.
Power
While we made it a point to stress getting a dust collector that is powerful enough to handle your messes, it is still a bit of a tightrope walk to skirt the line with noise generation. However, this should not be as big of an issue since the majority of quiet dust collectors tend to hover around 1 hp in power.
Granted, you can easily use a dust collector with less power, especially if your workshop is not large enough for a more powerful model. Still, few dust collectors with motors exceeding 1 hp are going to truly be that quiet, but you might also want to consider the different power levels given the voltage.
While not universally applicable, some of the more powerful dust collectors can function on both 110V to 130V or 200V to 240V. Depending on the voltage of the outlet, the motor will run at higher or lower amps, but the main advantage is that the dust collector is less likely to flip the circuit breaker.
Airflow
For the overwhelming majority of you mess, the airflow will be the more important suction spec to consider as this refers more to the sheer amount of air the motor can suck into the collector. This aspect is measured in cubic feet per minute and will impact the amount of dust and other small particles that the dust collector can suck up.
Granted, the suction can be influenced by other qualities as well, but one of the more important aspects to look at is the size of the impeller port. Unfortunately, this does not necessarily determine how much airflow the dust collector offers, but getting a model with too small of an impeller opening can severely restrict the airflow.
Keep in mind, the impeller opening is different from the vacuum port, though that too can influence how much airflow the dust collector generates. However, dust collector vacuum ports are generally 4” in diameter as this is the standard size with the ability to add adapters to adjust the size if you need to.
Pressure
The pressure or static pressure of a dust collector technically refers to the amount of standing liquid that a motor can draw, but most dust collectors are not designed to handle liquid. Instead, this is a good shorthand way of determining the size and strength of the dust collector’s suction when applied to larger pieces of debris.
This means it can get a bit tricky to figure out what a given static pressure means as it is measured in depth of inches but the debris it applies to will often be scraps of wood. It is worth noting that while the airflow functions more as a product of the motor and its openings, the static pressure operates more on the principles of the filter and ducts of the dust collector.
For this reason, it is important to look for a dust collector with rounded curves to the dust intake port if possible. However, there are some models able to get by with dust ports at right angles without losing any suction, though they tend to maximize the airflow to make up for this design.
Filtration
The whole point of the dust collector in the first place is to not only make cleaning up your workspace much easier but to ensure that you do not breathe in all of the dust. This is especially important if you have a smaller workspace without adequate ventilation to prevent dust from polluting the area’s air quality.
While a dust collector, in general, will help improve the air quality of your workspace, making sure that the collector keeps even the smallest particles is an important factor– especially for people who have allergies to dust. To figure this out, you should look for how small of particles the dust collector can filter out, measured in microns with the smaller the better.
Of course, dust is not the only thing that your dust collector should be able to handle as you almost certainly need it to pick up larger pieces of debris as well. That is why you should not only look at a dust collector with excellent filtration but one that can separate the larger debris into a different bag than the dust in a dual-bag system.
Capacity
This factor is generally not the most important, but it can weigh a bit heavier if you are a professional woodworker or are looking for a dust collector in a light commercial setting. More often than not, most dust collectors provide anywhere from 12 to 15 gallons which comes out to around 2 cu ft.
However, dust collectors often need to be able to clean scraps and debris as well, so you should look for a model that offers a dual-bag design that separates the different messes based on size. The only potential issue with this arrangement is you are liable to need to empty the bags at separate times since they likely will not fill equally.
Portability
Considering that even most smaller workshops have a couple of spaces used for different types of tools, there is a good chance that you may need your dust collector to move around a bit. Granted, you likely do not need to transport the dust collector off-site, but the ability to move it around the workshop is extremely convenient.
While you could always get a longer vacuum tube, this will come at the expense of suction power, so a better solution is to make sure that the dust collector comes with a stand on wheels. That said, if you do need a dust collector you can take off-site, look for an option that comes with larger wheels than your standard caster models.
FAQ’s
What Makes a Dust Collector Quiet?
By their very nature, dust collectors tend to be somewhat noisy but often not nearly as loud as many of the other power tools used in a workshop. However, there are plenty of different qualities and features that can further reduce the amount of noise that a dust collector generates– though it is a bit of a balancing act.
For starters, the dust collector needs to find a balance in its suction which is primarily determined by the size and power of the motor. However, the larger and more powerful the motor, the more noise the motor generates– though this can be mitigated somewhat depending on the design.
A great example of this is the enclosure of the motor within some kind of chassis, generally metal but lesser models may use plastic. That said, one of the best ways to reduce the amount of noise a dust collector makes is by using an induction motor as these do not employ brushes whose friction otherwise increases the volume.
How Much Power Do You Need?
Given that the volume of a dust collector roughly scales with the amount of power it provides, figuring out how much is the proper amount of power you need becomes paramount. Thankfully, there are far more design features that can increase the relative suction power of a dust collector without necessarily requiring a larger motor.
That said, you still want to make sure that the motor is large enough to generate plenty of suction power without being so large that unduly increases the amount of noise generated. In this instance, you should not get a dust collector with more than 1 hp or so, though getting a model with less than 1 hp will limit the amount of suction the dust collector generates.
Another aspect to consider with the power is the size of the dust port and impeller with a standard dust port measuring 4” in diameter and a solid motor impeller measuring around 9” in diameter. Finally, the design of the various port channels also impacts the suction power with rounded channels generating more suction power than squared channels.
What to Look For?
A big part of what to look for in a dust collector comes down to your specific workshop with larger shops requiring a larger and more powerful dust collector than smaller ones. Keep in mind, a smaller shop may very well favor a compact size overpower if it cannot accommodate a large dust collector at all.
In this instance, it is not a bad idea to get a dust collector you can mount on the wall, though most dust collectors at least come with a decent stand. Speaking of the stand, dust collectors often need to move from one part of the workshop to the next, so having a stand with wheels, especially caster wheels, improves local portability.
Given that part of the point of using a dust collector in the first place is to reduce the amount of dust in the air, looking for a model that can filter out the finest particles possible is always nice. Of course, anyone cutting wood in a workshop likely has to deal with larger pieces of wood debris as well, so a dust collector with dual compartments works much better than those with just one.
Conclusion
Ultimately, dust collectors are not quite as difficult to choose from as some of the other quiet products on our list as there tends to be a couple of winners that stand above the rest. If you are looking for the quietest dust collector we could find, the WEN 3401 is not much louder than your average vacuum cleaner.
Granted, the WEN 3401 dust collector is not the most powerful model, but it is an inexpensive and compact option for someone on a budget or with a smaller workshop. Of course, if you have the space, the Delta Power Equipment 50-723T2 dust collector walks the fine line between plenty of suction power without generating too much noise.
On the other hand, some workshops simply require as much power as they can get, though you still want to be mindful of how much noise they generate. In this instance, the SHOP FOX W1727 dust collector is easily our most heavy-duty model with more power and a larger capacity than any other entry we reviewed.