If you have a passion for laser engraving, are looking to pick up a new hobby, or want to start a laser engraving business, you must have the best fume extractors for laser engravers to keep you safe.
Finding the perfect fume extractor can be complicated since there are so many options offering various features and designs.
To help you choose the best product for your engraving endeavors, we created a list of the top five options available and provided tons of useful information and tips to help you decide which will work best for you.
What Is a Fume Extractor for Laser Engravers?
A fume extractor for a laser engraver and laser cutter is a product that cleanses the air while you are cutting or engraving various materials with a laser machine.
A laser engraver uses powerful laser beams to vaporize wood, metal, plastic, etc., to etch designs, texts, and other details into them.
During the vaporization process, each material will emanate various fumes from chemical reactions, many of them toxic.
While engraving a product, you would set a fume extractor up next to your bench and keep it running the entire time you are working.
Why Are Fume Extractors Important to Have?
As mentioned, the chemical reactions during the engraving process vary depending on the materials you work with. Many of these chemicals release hazardous fumes that can cause significant danger to your health and your machine.
While not all fumes are life-threatening, most of them come with unpleasant side effects if inhaled for long periods.
Health complications from laser engraving fumes include:
- Exposure to toxic carcinogens linked to various cancers throughout the body.
- Throat, eye, and mouth irritation
- Allergies and asthma flare-ups
- Stomach discomfort, nausea, and vomiting
- Liver, kidney, and heart complications
- Respiratory distress and lung problems
When you have a laser fume extractor set up in your workspace, you can eliminate these harmful toxins before you breathe them in. Another reason it is vital to eliminate these fumes immediately is to keep your laser engraver working efficiently and effectively and reduce the chances of damage to any of the critical parts.
What Should You Look for When Choosing The Best Fume Extractors for Laser Engravers?
When you are ready to purchase a laser engraver fume extractor, there are various features to watch for. The product you choose should be based on what you plan to use your laser engraver for the most and what you want it to do.
Filters
First and foremost, you should always look for a fume extractor with high-quality (preferably HEPA-grade) filters. The filters are an essential part of the machine since they are what the fumes filter through and are responsible for catching and holding onto particles.
Second, you want to check for filter layering. The more layers, the better, with the ideal number being at least three. Having at least three high-grade filters will ensure that 99.9% of cancer-causing dust, debris, and fumes are removed from the air.
Ease of Use
To have an air filter you can count on, you have to be able to use it properly, and that requires understanding how it works.
If you are looking at a fume extractor and it seems like a giant science project, move on. If you like the product, you better be ready to read the entire owner’s manual before using it.
Noise and Odor Control
For some people, noise and odor are not an issue. For others, this can be the deciding factor. Some fume extractors are much quieter than others and have noise-reduction components. Remember that these specific features are not installed in all systems and will probably add to the price tag.
Flexibility
Many users like moving their fume extractor from one area to another. In industrial settings, heavy-duty, permanent fixtures are often preferred. When shopping around for your air cleansing unit, determine how you envision it when setting it up.
You should also map out your space to ensure the unit you buy comfortably fits in with your other tools and equipment. If you want to place it on top of your desk or table, you also want to keep the dimensions and weight in mind.
Extraction Type
A fume extractor removes toxic particles and fumes from the air by sucking them up with extremely high-pressure tubes and pushing them through filters. Not all products are alike, and the extraction system will vary depending on the brand and its intended use.
- Source extraction: This is the most common machine for laser engraving. It is a cylinder-shaped nozzle placed right where the engraving is taking place. This eliminates the fumes before they can spread throughout the room.
- Downdraft: This is a dual-purpose fume extraction type. With a downdraft table, the harmful fumes are sucked down into the filters directly underneath the bench. This is beneficial because it grabs the fumes before they can rise.
- Cabinet: A fume cabinet is a partially enclosed unit that ventilates the entire area, eliminating toxins quickly. Typically, this type of hazardous fume extraction system isn’t common for laser engraving.
Each of these options has unique benefits; choosing which makes you feel the most comfortable is key.
The Top 5 Best Fume Extractors for Laser Engravers
Now that you know how to choose from a large market of fume extractors, it is time to check out the various options Amazon offers.
With such an extensive list of fume extractors, choosing the right one can be difficult and even stressful. That is why we wanted to do the hard work for you and come up with a great list of the best options for every situation. We tested these units and found them to be the best.
So, without further ado, here is a list of five great fume extractors for laser engraving to consider before starting on your next project.
1. OMTech XF-180 Fume Extractor with 3 Stage Air Filter: Best for Ease of Use
The OMTech XF-180 Fume Extractor has a great design, with the entire model sitting on four durable wheels, making it easy to move anywhere you need it to go.
The large hose can be positioned overhead or right next to your workspace, ensuring the fumes are vacuumed before they disperse into the air. It provides a powerful 106 CFM air flow with a three-stage filter design. Together these features provide a safe and efficient fume extraction system.
With the OMTech 11″ x 11″ x 17″ inch design, you can place it nearly anywhere in your workshop and keep it from getting in the way. It fits nicely under a desk or table or rolls easily into a corner or against a wall.
The entire design is sturdy and sealed, ensuring all toxic materials captured stay in place until removed and the filter is tossed.
What we like:
- Easy to move
- Three-stage filter design
- Low noise
- Flexible
- Highly sealed for safety
What we don’t like:
- None
2. FumeClear Laser Fume Extractor Multilayer Filtration: Best Compact
The FumeClear laser fume extractor is a popular option for those with smaller workspaces. This product is 16”x9.8”x16” in size and weighs a little under fifty pounds.
The FumeClear has a three-layer filter setup, a prefilter, a medium heap filter, and a primary carbon filter. Each filter has a specific purpose, ensuring that all particles and gas from engraving become entrapped.
With two wind-absorbing pipes, you can have two stations going simultaneously. However, you don’t have to use both pipes if it isn’t necessary; block the second one with a large object, providing more powerful suction to the remaining inlet.
Along with the dual pipes, this fume extractor is also quiet, coming in at only 53 dB, and it provides an alarm that alerts the user if the system isn’t functioning correctly.
What we like:
- Dual pipes for more productivity
- Alarm to alert product failure
- Three-stage filter design
- Lightweight and flexible
- 99.97% purification rate
What we don’t like:
- None
3. KNOKOO 350W Smoke Purifier Laser Cutting Fume Extractor FES350: Best for Heavy-Duty Work
If you are into laser engraving as more than just a hobby, investing in this industrial KNOKOO fume extractor is definitely worth the money.
It is an extremely powerful, rapid purification fume extractor designed with fourfold multi-filtration. These filters are made from carbon and cotton, which are great for filtering out harmful fumes and annoying odors.
It is a quiet machine that will ensure your workstation is peaceful, and the filter efficiency of 99.97% offers peace of mind. All harmful gasses are suctioned out of the air before you breathe them in.
While this fume extractor is relatively expensive (especially compared to other products on this list), it offers features that many others do not. One of our favorite features on the KNOKOO 350W is the easy-to-see LCD screen and the wireless remote for reliable control.
What we like:
- Microcomputer chip for controlling the digital display
- Four-stage filter design
- Noise-reducing
- 99.97% purification rate
- Split-flow design
What we don’t like:
- Very pricey
- Short power cord
4. KNOKOO Fume Extractor 100W: Best Portable
The Knokoo fume extractor is a durable fume extractor removing smoke, debris, and particles from the air as you work.
It is portable and lightweight, only coming in at 16 lbs. This size makes it very easy to transport and move from one workstation to the next.
The filter system is designed to utilize an three filters, Pre-filter, medium filter and high efficiency filter. The primary, medium, and major filter elements can be changed individually, extending the service life and lowering the usage cost.
Although this isn’t ideal for laser engraving materials that can create highly toxic fumes for prolonged periods, it is perfect for anyone who engraves with a small diode laser or small fiber laser engraver.
What we like:
- Lightweight and portable
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- High-power brushless DC motor that is durable and compact
What we don’t like:
- Not suitable for large jobs or large lasers
5. Nopwer Fume Extractor: Best Price
The NOPWER fume extractor is a small yet powerful air-purifying machine. It has a three layer filtration system with powerful suction.
The simple-to-use fume absorber is well-built and made to last. It is easy to carry around with you, weighing only 23 lbs. and measuring 18.31 x 14.09 x 12.52”.
The portable machine is easy to use with a tube length of 80cm length which can be adjusted 360 degrees. Free positioning without external support and very easy to install.
This is a very affordable fume extractor with a cost effective price tag that is generous no matter your budget.
The NOPWER fume remover is ideal for beginners starting with basic skills and materials or for anyone who wants a portable product.
What we like:
- Easy to transport and use
- Durable and made to last
- Affordable
- Fits in smaller spaces
What we don’t like:
- Is only suitable for use with small lasers
How We Chose Which Fume Extractors Made the List
While we did pay attention to ratings and reviews when deciding which units we wanted to test. Those were not the only things that helped us determine which fume extractors were the best options for our readers.
When determining which product we liked, we tested the list of essential features and what features would be important depending on the projects you could use them for.
We decided to look at products in different categories according to size, where you could use them, how you could use them, and the different materials you could use with them. We also looked at products in different price ranges to offer an option for every budget.
Whether you own a workshop where you spend most of your day laser engraving for a living or want to start up a new hobby, an excellent fume extractor is a necessity, and these are all great options.
Final Thoughts
No matter what you plan on using your laser engraver for, the list above offers some of the best fume extractors to keep your workspace safe from toxic fumes and unpleasant gasses.
Before purchasing any product, take some time to discover what you want and need in a fume extractor and choose a product that will be the most beneficial for your specific tasks.
