Best Fume Extractor For Your DIY Workshop (2020 Review)

While doing a soldering work, the presence of hazardous fumes or smoke circulating the air will be excess in volume than the permitted level. Depending on the nature of work, different types of fumes invade into the air and inhaling it can be deadly harmful to health.

Using mask cannot protect 100% from the hazardous fumes, because certain dangerous materials can penetrate through the filters and can cause health issues. Not only, such fumes can sometimes damage your skin and but may lead to severe health complications.

Selecting the best product online is always a tedious task, as we don’t get enough chance to verify the product physically or to have a demo before confirming the order.

We need to depend on the tall claims solely, and the brand image of the product. For overcoming the evaluation process before buying the best fume extractor, we are presenting 4 top rated fume extractors by assessing its quality, performance, price and users’ reviews.

Generally, there are three types of fume extractors, and they are, the source capture extraction units, engineered systems and protection equipment. Source capture extraction units absorb the soldering/welding toxins/smoke from the source.

In an engineered extraction system, fans and duct vent system are using to absorb toxic air from the workstation, which is generally using in a sizeable industrial environment.

In the case of protection equipment, it usually comprises of face mask, goggles, gloves, which protect the employees from contacting toxic fume/materials.

Before you answer the question, you should analyze the purpose of buying the fume extractor. Based on your requirements you can identify the smoke extractor. If you want to use the fume extractor for your DIY projects, then go for a good smoke extractor suitable for the project, which can place on your work station and also portable.

If you want to use the fume extractor for a large laboratory, where many people are working, then you should go for an industrial fume extractor, which comes with large suction units and various fume extractors.

Yes, it is a crucial factor while selecting a top fume extractor. Filters are the most critical components in a fume extractor. The fume extractor should have activated carbon/charcoal filters, which are highly efficient to absorb flux and smoke. A good filter must be able to absorb sub-micron particles present in the soldering fumes.

During a soldering job, a large volume of toxins and smoke get released to the air due to the chemical reactions. Therefore, you have to buy a fume extractor which has high activated carbon filters. Also, check what the Minimum Efficient Reporting Value (MERV) of the filter, which can confirm the effectiveness of the filter, based on its size and volume of particles it can capture.

Some fume extractor can also use as a cooling fan. Therefore, look for a fume extractor with a robust fan that can use for extended hours.

It is not advisable to use portable fume extractors more than 24 hours continuously. Since most of the fume extractors use small AC motors with a maximum 30W power consumption, if you intend to use it for more than 24 hours, the motor may get damaged due to excess heat.

Fume extractors designed with a brushless fan can perform noiselessly. Therefore, check the fan specification that can offer you a non-acoustic work environment.

Of course, fume extractors mounted on metal frames are better than those mounted on the plastic body. Metal bodied extractors can offer extended service. Depending on your work nature, you can narrow down the type of body material. For people who are looking for a portable unit, look for a fume extractor that has a solid metal body with seamless welding.

Fume extractor mounted on solid steel metal frame can resist any possible damages while moving from one location to another. The structure should have durable wheels if it comes with a wheel and should have break locks. Fume extractor without wheels should have firm stands, which must be able to stay firm on the top of the working station.

Check whether the fume extractor meets ESD standards and use materials that meet the ESD specification. Extractors manufactured by using ESD specification material can resist static shock, which could be fatal at times.

Check whether the extractor has UL/CUL/CCC/CE/TUV/tuvEMC/ROHS certifications, which ensures the safety of the equipment.

A fume extractor with maximum airflow will always be better than a low airflow unit. The unit of measurement to calculate the air flow in cubic feet per minute (CFM). A higher rate of CFM will always be better than a low rate one.

It depends on your usage. If you want to use it on your work station and want to move to a different location, then it is preferable to go for a portable top fume extractor. So, we would recommend you to go for an extractor that is easy to port. Now a day you can find extractors less than 3lb in weight, which would be ideal.

We would recommend you to buy a fume extractor that can do the job in a close range. When a fume extractor does its role within a short distance, it can absorb all the flux and gaseous toxins before it seeps into the air.

A fume extractor with adjustable angles is better than a fixed position unit. The flexible extractor allows you to place the smoke extractor the way how you want to use it. So that it can absorb soldering gas and other toxins quickly.

By checking various fume extractor performances, we could see that horizontal mounting fume extractor offer better absorption capacity than vertical units. Some extractors even show two and half times more absorption powers.

Usually, most of the fume extractors meet North American power standard specifications and work on 120V and consume 20-30W.

You should buy a fume extractor with high airflow and high density of activated carbon filter that meet the US government standards.

Any products priced on a higher scale will have a significant advantage of those priced low. The more top priced product will have better service/replacement options.

However, it would be better to select the equipment depending on the market feedback and your requirements. If you have no regular works and want to use the fume extractor for some small casual jobs, then there is no harm in opting a low budget extractor.

Some fume extractors offer lifetime warranty or up to 50,000 hours use. Generally, you won’t get a guarantee for electrical appliances; hence, look for the type of warranty the company offers and also confirm whether they have service outlets near your location.

Brand reputation is important; however, we don’t consider brand reputation is an essential factor rather than its quality and performance.

Check the market feedbacks and reviews for a pre-purchase evaluation before placing the order. Reading various reviews and customer feedbacks will give a good understanding of the product.

While placing an online order, check the supplier’s delivery service and support service. You can find some online stores offering no question return policies, which gives you an edge to return the goods and ask for a refund if you are not happy with the product. Similarly, some online shoppers offer, pay holidays allowing you to pay after 30-90 days from the date of receipt of the product. In most cases, online stores process their delivery within 24 hours from the date of purchase confirmation. You can check all these factors before you confirm your purchase.

Most of the reputed online stores will have 24×7 customer care services. They will keep on tracking the movement of your consignment and keep you informed about the delivery position. Also, it gives you a window of opportunity to interact with them for knowing the status of the delivery and complaint redressal if any.