Shopfox W1830 Hanging Air Filter Review [REVISITED]

Last updated on July 27th, 2022 at 05:04 pm

Let’s talk about air filters that last and can withstand even the harshest conditions. We will be reviewing the ShopFox W1830 Hanging Air Filter.

Equipped with a 5-micron outer filter and 1-micron inner filter, the Shop Fox W1830—Hanging air filter eliminates most fine wood dust particles up to 1 micron from the air. Cleaning the filters is as easy as shaking the dust off in a trash bag. You can also clean the inner filter with water to remove the remaining dust and then left to air dry. 

Pros 

• Has an efficient dust collection system
• The air filter is capable of recirculating the air in a room.
• Multiple units can be used in concert for larger shops.
• It comes with a timer
• Is affordable to purchase

Cons

• It May be quite pricey to repair and maintain 

Specifications and Features

• Motor: 1/8 HP, 120V, 1A
• Airflow: 260, 362, 409 CFM
• Timer settings: 1, 2, 4 hours
• Outer filter: 5 micron
• Inner filter: 1 micron
• The infrared remote control system adjusts speeds, timer, and ON/OFF.
• Easy to replace filters, no tools required.
• The inner filter can be washed or blown out with compressed air.
• Includes eye-hooks and chains for hanging from the ceiling, or you can set it on a workbench.
• ETL listed
• Approximate shipping weight: 34 lbs.
• Power Cord Length: Approximately 72″

Quick tips for choosing an air purifier

• Figure out where you want to place your air purifier so you can choose the right size for your space.
• Look for an air purifier that’s good at filtering out pollutants specific to your home or health needs.
• Compare CADR ratings, which show how effectively an air purifier filters specific pollutants.
• Choose a device that uses a HEPA filter, the gold standard for indoor air purifiers.
• Look at noise levels (listed in decibels) in product specs. Depending on using your air purifier, you may want a quieter device.
• Calculate the air purifier’s ongoing maintenance and electricity costs so you can budget beyond your initial purchase.
• Skip the bonus features, such as app integration, unless money is no object.

Specific reasons for air filters

Allergies: If you have allergies, you should choose an air purifier designed for allergy relief. They typically have multiple filters, including HEPA filters, to remove indoor allergens. 

Asthma: If you have asthma or your symptoms are triggered by odor and chemical pollutants, you’ll want to consider an asthma air purifier or an odor and chemical air purifier. These air purifiers contain added odor and chemical filtration and HEPA filters for allergen particle removal.

Smoke: Smoke air purifiers are specifically designed to remove smoke, fireplace soot, and other associated fumes that could aggravate existing respiratory conditions or cause unpleasant odors in your environment.

Pets: Select air purifiers are designed specifically for handling pets–they remove pet dander, odors, and hair. 

Chemical Sensitivities: You might consider an air purifier for multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) if you are extremely sensitive to chemicals. These models contain even more odor and chemical filtration and are often manufactured with materials that will not off-gas chemicals into the air and aggravate your symptoms.

Choosing the right air purifier for your room size

The first step to filtering out air purifiers is figuring out how much space you want your device to clean. Small desktop devices aren’t effective in large living spaces, while larger, heavy-duty air purifiers may be overkill in a kid’s bedroom. 

One way to find the best fit is to look at “air changes per hour.” You may include this metric in your air purifier’s specs. It can help you understand how filtration works in practice, as a smaller air purifier could turn over the air in a 350 square foot room eight times in an hour but manage just four air changes per hour in a 700 square foot room.

You can also compare clean air delivery rates (CADR). If you’re not sure how much space you need to clean, it’s probably better to get a larger air purifier than what you think you’ll need, as long as it’s within your budget.

Terms to Know

MERV. Many whole-house filters list a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV), developed by ASHRAE (formerly the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers). The higher the number, the finer the filtration. The top performers in our tests typically have a MERV higher than 10.

MPR. This is the Microparticle Performance Rating, developed by 3M. It rates the filters on the ability to capture airborne particles smaller than 1 micron. The best filters have an MPR between 1,500 and 1,900.

FPR. Home Depot uses its rating system, on a scale of 1 to 10, called the Filter Performance Rating. The higher the number, the better it filters.

HEPA. Fitting a furnace with an electrostatic filter, which uses an electrical charge to help trap particles, or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can reduce the amount of dust blown through the heating system. That might help people with asthma and other chronic lung diseases, but there’s little evidence that other people need such filtration.

Our Verdict

We would recommend the ShopFox W1830 for small shops. The truth is that air purifiers aren’t a panacea for improving indoor air quality, but the right one may still help you breathe a little better. Your indoor air is often more polluted than the air outside. 

Since we spend most of our time indoors, our exposure to poor indoor air quality puts us at risk for several ailments. Using an air purifier will help create cleaner, healthier air in your home or office to enjoy better indoor air quality. By now I’m sure you know which one to buy.