By Martin Harris. Updated 2026-08-13.
Shop Fox Dust Collectors Reviewed
Rating: 6.9 out of 10
Shop Fox's 2 HP bag collector moves a lot of air for the money, which makes it a reasonable pick if raw chip removal is the job and fine dust is a secondary concern.
| Measured CFM at tool | Mfr. claimed CFM | Static pressure | Noise at 8 ft | Fine dust capture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 585cfm | 1550cfm | 4.0in. w.c. | 85.5dBA | 95.2% |
Performance
Shop Fox claims 1550 CFM off the box, matching the top of the 2 HP class on paper. Run that number through a realistic hose and fitting setup and the measured delivered figure lands at 585CFM, still one of the stronger figures among the bag-style collectors in this comparison set. If chip volume off a planer or jointer is your main worry, this is where Shop Fox earns its keep.
The tradeoff shows up in the filter. At a measured 95.2 percent fine dust capture, this bag setup gives up real ground to canister-style collectors, which routinely land in the high 90s. Static pressure comes in at 4.0 in. w.c., unremarkable for the class, and noise at a measured85.5 dBA measured at 8 feet puts it on the louder end of the collectors covered here. None of this is a defect, it is the standard bag-collector compromise: more flow, less fine filtration.
Build quality and setup
At a 42 gallon capacity, plan for a similar floor footprint to the other 2 HP collectors in this comparison, roughly 3 to 4 square feet once the bag and impeller housing are in place. Bag-style collectors in this class generally go together faster than a canister unit since there is one fewer major component to seat and seal, with published setup times in the 20 to 40 minute range for most owners.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Yes measured delivered CFM among the highest of the collectors covered on this site
- Yes large 42 gallon capacity keeps bin changes infrequent on a big job
- Yes lower price than most 2 HP canister competitors in this set
Cons
- No measured 95.2 percent fine dust capture trails canister-filter competitors by a meaningful margin
- No measured 85.5 dBA is loud even by 2 HP collector standards
Shop Fox and Grizzly
Shop Fox and Grizzly are sold by the same parent company, and buyers cross-shop these two constantly, so it is worth addressing directly. On the current figures, Grizzly's 2 HP canister unit delivers a comparable 610 CFM against Shop Fox's 585 CFM, but pulls well ahead on fine dust capture at a measured 98.7 percent versus 95.2 percent here, the difference between a bag filter and a canister filter. If fine dust control matters more to you than sticker price, read the full Grizzly review before you decide between the two.
See also: Grizzly Dust Collector Review, Best Dust Collection System for Small Shops.
Amazon
$550
Price last checked 2026-08-13.