Anyone who has spent time on a construction site will know just how dusty they can be. From small jobs such as DIY home improvements to large renovation projects, dust can quickly accumulate once work gets underway.
Dust is a big issue for many people, contributing to allergies and respiratory conditions if inhaled. Dust particles are usually microscopic, making them especially tricky to control – this is particularly challenging on a building site where airborne particles are constantly created and circulated.
While many tradespeople or clients will chalk this up to an occupational hazard or a necessary evil to get the job done, no one should compromise their health to fit that new kitchen or replaster old walls.
Combatting construction dust is much easier than you might imagine. Equipped with the right tool for the job — a powerful air purifier fitted with quality filters — you can eradicate dust quickly. Creating a clean, healthy environment for all on-site.
To find the best air purifiers for construction dust, we use data that we’ve collected through our performance tests to compare the units we own side-by-side. By doing this, we can find which units stand up to the challenge of effectively and efficiently clearing dust from rooms.
- In our home lab of 728 cubic feet, we light an incense stick to generate particle pollution and VOCs.
- We set up our trusted Purpleair Indoor Sensor with the latest Bosch gas sensor to track levels of PM1ug/m3, PM2.5ug/m3 and PM10ug/m3 and VOCs in the air.
- We switch the air purifier to its highest speed and measure how long it takes to get our room air quality down to PM1 level to 0.
- We use an energy meter to measure precisely how much electricity is used when running the unit at the lowest and highest fan speed settings.
- We track sound levels emitted by the air purifier at different fan speeds with the help of a commercial sound meter.
Read more about our testing process, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
With test data, we can compare and contrast each air purifier to find the ideal unit for making construction dust a thing of the past. Our four top air purifiers boast these three key features:
- HEPA Filtration — HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are considered the benchmark of a quality air purifier. Guaranteed to remove at least 99.7% of particles as small as 0.3 micron, these filters offer excellent protection from minute construction dust particles.
- Powerful fans — Construction sites can be laden with dust, meaning your unit will have to be able to circulate a lot of air if it can make a difference. Opting for powerful purifiers with high CADR scores will deliver the best results.
- Portability — Large, cumbersome air purifiers are great if you stay in the same place for a long time, but as various projects are completed, you’ll want a lightweight and convenient unit to take with you on the move.
Staff picks: Top 3 air purifiers for construction dust
For those looking to clean up your construction site quickly, here’s a sneak peek at our top three air purifiers.
| 👑 BEST OVERALL | 💰 FOR TIGHT BUDGETS | 🛋️ FOR LARGE SPACES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlorAir CleanShield HEPA 550 Air Scrubber | Honeywell HPA300 | Levoit Core 600S | |
 |  |  | |
| CADR 👩🔬 | 550 CFM | 300 CFM | 410 CFM |
| FILTER TECHNOLOGY 💨 | MERV 10, HEPA and Activated Carbon filters | Dual Activated Carbon Pre-Filter and True HEPA filter | H13 True HEPA filter with Activated Carbon |
| MAX ROOM SIZE 📏 | 900 sq. ft. | 465 sq. ft. | 465 sq. ft |
| WEIGHT ⚖️ | 39.6 lbs (16.7 kg) | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| PRICE 💵 | $497.00 | Price not available | $249.99 |
Last update on 2024-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Learn more about each of these air purifiers below. I explained. why I picked each one and covered what you need to know before you decide which one is best for you.
1. Best for construction sites: AlorAir CleanShield HEPA 550 Air Scrubber
An air purifier made specifically for dusty environments — see why this unit is the ideal addition to your construction tools.
For any construction worker concerned about the air they breathe while at work, the ALORAIR should be your first port of call. This powerful, robust and straightforward option makes it easy to transform air quality on-site.
Equipped with a MERV 10 filter (traditionally found in commercial units), alongside a HEPA and Activated Carbon filter, this air scrubber will leave no dust particles behind. It’s capable of cleaning 550 cubic feet of dirty air per minute.
What we really like
What we think could be better
This is the toughest air purifier on this list too. It comes with rotomolded polyethylene (LLDPE) housing, making it able to withstand the demands of any construction site. While the anti-slip feet and stackable design add versatility, allowing you to use multiple units in conjunction for even greater cleaning capability.
| HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★☆ |
| Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 15 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H13 True HEPA filter with Activated Carbon |
| Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour): | 635 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 410 CFM (697 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 12.3 x 12.3 x 23.6 inches (31.3 x 31.3 x 60 cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | Speed 1: 26 dB Speed 2: 26 dB Speed 3: 26 dB Speed 4: 26 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | Speed 1: 26 watts Speed 2: 26 watts Speed 3: 26 watts Speed 4: 26 watts |
| Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $51.51 per year |
| Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM): | $5.10 |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Country of manufacture: |
2. Best budget option: Honeywell HPA300
Small and light with a high cleaning performance — there’s more to this air purifier than its budget price.
Costing just over $200, the Honeywell HPA300 is punching well above its weight. For this price, you’ll get an air purifier with colossal power and long-lasting HEPA filters that will make light work of construction dust.
Despite being an older model, the HPA300 still competes with the latest and greatest air purifiers on the market. Primarily because it’s an out-and-out workhorse. With fans powerful enough to clean 300 cubic meters a minute within a medium to large-sized space, this purifier is an excellent addition to your toolbox.
What we really like
What we think could be better
As well as cutting costs when you initially purchase this purifier, you can also expect to save money on filter replacements. The readily available replacements come in three sets, setting you back just $23 per filter. This saving will come in handy on a building site, where high quantities of construction dust may see you needing to replace your HEPA filters more often than in a domestic setting.
| HouseFresh rating: | ★★★☆☆ |
|---|---|
| Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 26 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | Activated Carbon pre-filter and True HEPA filter |
| Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour): | 465 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | Dust: 320 CFM Smoke: 300 CFM Pollen: 300 CFM |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 20.8L x 10.83W x 22.38H inches (52.8L x 27.5W x 56.8H cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
| Filter life: | HEPA every 12 months, Pre-filters every 3 months |
| Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | Speed 1: 43.6 dB Speed 2: 48.8 dB Speed 3: 53.9 dB Speed 4: 59.5 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | Standby mode: 0 watts Speed 1: 28.35 watts Speed 2: 42.92 watts Speed 3: 55.8 watts Speed 4: 76.2 watts |
| Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $151.22 per year |
| Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM): | $0.84 |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 5 years |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
3. Best for large rooms: Levoit Core 600S
With a massive CADR, smart functions and app connectivity — Levoit reminds us you can’t judge a book by its cover.
The longer construction dust is left to linger in the air, the higher the likelihood of it being inhaled. That’s why it’s vital to act fast and remove particles as quickly as possible. This is where the Levoit Core 600S comes into play; being the fastest air purifier we’ve ever tested, clearing all traces of air pollutants in just 15 minutes.
Levoit has stacked this purifier full of air-cleaning capabilities. From their trademarked VortexAir fans that whip up a storm to the highly efficient H13, medical-grade HEPA filters can capture the tiniest dust particles in a single pass.
What we really like
What we think could be better
The 600S is simple to use and relatively easy to maneuver too. You’ll find an Auto mode that monitors air quality and changes the fan speed accordingly, a Smartphone app that enables remote operation and a lightweight design that simply requires you to pop in a filter and hit the on switch to transform your air quality.
| HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 15 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | 3-Stage Filtration (Pre-filter for large particles, main filter for airborne particles, high-efficiency activated carbon filter for odors and gasses) |
| Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour): | 584 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | Dust: 373 CFM Smoke: 377 CFM Pollen: 437 CFM |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 12.3 x 12.3 x 23.6 inches (31.3 x 31.3 x 60 cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | Speed 1: 40.9 dB Speed 2: 45.9 dB Speed 3: 61.4 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | Standby mode: 1.53 watts Speed 1: 7.92 watts Speed 2: 11.35 watts Speed 3: 21.15 watts Speed 4: 49.27 watts |
| Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $107.29 per year |
| Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM): | $0.80 |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
What to look for in an air purifier for construction dust
When you’re working on construction indoors, all that dust that’s launched into the air when you drill, hammer and saw can really affect your breathing. The CCOHS states that breathing in dust can lead to inflammation of your nose and throat, affect your breathing and even lead to diseases like pneumoconiosis.
An air purifier can eliminate those harmful contaminants from your air, but it has have certain specifications to do the job effectively.
When looking to buy an air purifier for construction dust, you have to ask yourself some questions so that you choose the right air purifier for your needs.
1. Does your chosen air purifier utilize HEPA filters?
When it comes to construction dust, particles range in size between 0.5 and 10.0 microns, so to remove them from the air you breathe, you’ll need filters that can capture minuscule particles efficiently.
Yale University recommends HEPA filters for eradicating dust. These filters are certified to capture at least 99.7% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, making them highly effective control measures. Some units may not use the word HEPA, like the Levoit Core 600S, but they still contain high-grade, quality filters capable of removing these tiny particles.
2. How large is the construction space you’ll be using the purifier on?
Air purifiers are designed to work at their optimum in a specific-sized space. Some units cater to larger, open-plan spaces and others aimed toward smaller rooms.
It’s paramount that you measure your space before you buy an air purifier so that you know what specifications to need from a unit. That’s why we built our CFM Calculator that will show you what clean air delivery rate (CADR) you will need to look for in an air purifier.
3. Do you move to various spaces throughout the day?
Those of you who move around while on the site to complete different parts of a project will require an air purifier that is easy to move and simple to set up.
While larger air purifiers may be helpful if working in an open-plan space, they are awkward to carry. This is where smaller units, such as the Honeywell HPA300 or Levoit Core 300, are more efficient, providing targeted protection in specific rooms or tighter spaces.
Be sure to check out the dimensions and weight of any purifier, as listed in our purifier specification table, to understand better how easy it is to transport.
4. Do you require protection for other airborne pollutants other than construction dust?
Construction sites are known to be dust magnets but are also a hotbed for other airborne pollutants that arise on the job. Solvents, adhesives, paints and cleaning supplies emit harmful gasses known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which can result in serious health complications if exposed regularly.
To combat VOCs and construction dust, you must look for a purifier that utilizes Activated Carbon filters alongside your trusted HEPA.
Common questions about construction dust
Air purifiers are an incredibly effective way of eliminating construction dust from your space. Using a fan, air purifiers pull in air (including its contaminants) through filters that trap dust particles, removing them and leaving you with fresh clean air to breathe.
Want to know more? Check out our full blog post on Does an Air Purifier Help With Dust?
The best filter for removing any airborne pollutants like pollen, mold, bacteria and dust is a HEPA filter. These high efficiency filters use tightly woven fibers to form a maze that trap contaminants as they pass through.
The EPA backs us up stating that a HEPA filter is capable of removing 99.97% of dust from your air.
Drywall dust is larger and denser than normal household dust, so when you’re using an air purifier I would recommend a unit with a thick, removable pre-filter. Depending on how much drywall dust becomes airborne, it’s good practice to clean the pre-filter regularly with a damp cloth and/or vacuum to make sure it doesn’t become blocked.
There are a few methods to get rid of construction dust when you’re done.
- Remove any airborne dust by running your air purifier at its highest fan speed
- Get as much ventilation as possible by opening windows and doors
- Use a vacuum cleaner that contains a HEPA filter
- Wash any fabrics that were not covered
Wrapping up
Construction dust is one of the most prevalent sources affecting air quality around the world. Fine particles that accumulate from an array of construction processes become suspended in the air and can enter your respiratory system, contributing to health problems if left unchecked.
Cleaning the air and eradicating dust particles is simpler than you may think. A well-powered air purifier that uses quality HEPA filters will capture the vast quantities of particulate matter and help create a healthier environment for you to live or work in.
Last update on 2024-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
