Welcome to our Powermatic PM1250 review, an innovative air purifier that reduces airborne particles by 99.7% within a 680 sq.ft. space.
Ultra-fine dust, especially in a carpentry shop, is not easy to deal with. For this reason, it is worth your while investing in a high-grade micro dust air purifier. The Powermatic PM1250 is one of the more expensive options, it’s also one of the best. You may be wondering if it’s worth those extra dollars. This review will certainly provide some clarity on the matter.
For professional shops, OSHA compliance is always an important consideration. Regulations for dust control change, always requiring a higher quality of the air in the workplace. This makes it worthwhile to stay ahead. If you meet the minimum requirement today, it will mean upgrading your air purifier when standards for air quality become more stringent. Regardless of your legal obligation, it is just good sense to keep the air in your shop clean. Whether it’s a professional or home shop, even a garage where you do your DIY woodworking projects, clean air is important for your health and general comfort.
VIDEO | A Closer Look : Powermatic PM1250
HEPA Filtration
When it comes to air purity, there’s the stuff we see and that which we don’t. Micro dust is the small particles of sawdust, and other contaminants, that go undetected. These are the greatest hazard. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) is the standard whereby the efficiency of an air purifier is measured. There are two requirements for HEPA filtration, the size of the particles removed and the efficiency, or percentage, of particles removed. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) standard for US industry requires a minimum efficiency of 99.7% removal rate for particles of 0.3 micrometers (micron) in diameter. These particles are microscopic, invisible to the naked eye, 1-micron is equivalent to 0.000039 inch.
HEPA filters consist of fiber arranged in a random pattern. As air passes through the fiber, airborne particles are retained within in these fibers. The efficiency of these fiber membrane filters is determined by the thickness of the filter and the fiber diameter.
Workshop Micro Dust Air Purifiers
There are many options for a shop air purifier that meets, often exceeds, minimum HEPA standards. When deciding on the best air purifier for a shop, certain criteria are critical. Some are less important but can improve ease of operation. When reviewing the Powermatic PM1250, I’ll be focusing on the most important attributes, as well as those that can be seen more as a luxury.
Important specs to look for:
- CFM Rate: Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) is the volume of air that fan is able to move. Typically, you’d require 100 CFM for every 250 square feet of floor area.
- Cycle Rate: The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is a measurement that determines how many times the air is cycled in the room. In other words, how times per hour air is replaced with clean air.
Secondary specs to look for:
- Fan Speeds: Air purifiers use a fan to circulate the air. Generally they will have three speed fans.
- Power Consumption: The wattage that an air purifier draws will affect your electricity bill.
- Noise levels: The noise produced by an air purifier can be quite loud. Some can be noticeably louder than a speaking voice, while others can barely audible.
- Remote control: The ability to switch your air purifier on or off from anywhere in the shop can be a great convenience.
While the Powermatic PM1250 can easily be considered the best, there are much cheaper options. I’ll start by providing a basic comparison of the technical specs between the PM1250 and two cheaper rivals, the Jet AFS1000B and the WEN 3415T. Since the WEN air purifier costs less than half of what you’d pay for the Powermatic model, one should look at the whole picture before making a decision. The full Powermatic PM1250 review, to follow, should give you more context.
WEN 3415T 3-Speed | 556 / 702 / 1044 CFM
Key Factors Summarized
| Powermatic PM1250 | Jet AFS1000B | WEN 3415T | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 441, 567, 754 | 556, 702, 1044 | 556, 702, 1044 | |
| Cycle Rate per Sq. Ft. | 3,400 X per hour | 7,480 X per hour | 7,500 X per hour |
| Filtration particle size | 1 micron | 1 micron | 1 micron |
| Noise Level | 41.3 dB – 50.8 dB | N/A | 63 dB – 68 dB |
| Timer | 1, 2, 4, 8 Hour | 2, 4, 8 Hour | Program minutes |
| Remote Control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 5-Years | 5-Years | 2-Years |
Powermatic PM1250 Jet AFS1000B WEN 3415T
CFM (low, medium, high) 441, 567, 754 556, 702, 1044 556, 702, 1044
Cycle Rate per Sq. Ft 3,400 X per hour 7,480 X per hour 7,500 X per hour
Filtration particle size 1 micron 1 micron 1 micron
Noise Level 41.3dBA – 50.8dBA N/A 63dBA – 68dBA
Timer 1, 2, 4, 8 Hour 2, 4, 8 Hour program minutes
Remote Control Yes Yes Yes
Warranty 5-Years 5-Years 2-Years
A quick glance at the basic specifications may leave you wondering why anyone would want to pay extra for the Powermatic PM1250. It’s not as powerful as the two cheaper options and has very similar features. For a more detailed evaluation, I’m now going to provide a complete review of the Powermatic PM1250
Powermatic PM1250 Review
Features :
- Patented filter technology works like a magnet attracting and capturing the most dangerous dust particles from the air down to 0.1 micron
- Electrostatic filter has a 3000-hour life and easy cleaning accessibility
- Cycles air 5X per hour and proven to reduce airborne particles in a 680 sqft area similar to an oversized 2 car garage
- Patented filter technology works like a magnet attracting and capturing the most dangerous dust particles from the air down to 0.1 micron
- Quieter than normal conversation at 50.8 dB on High and 41.3 dB on Low speed setting
- Easy portability with a convenient carrying handle and includes multiple mounting positions for maximum versatility in the shop
- Radio frequency remote for quick and easy control anywhere
- Filter cleans easily with vacuum
- Intuitive controls featuring multiple speed settings
- Energy Star Rated and Certified to CARB (California Air Resource Board) and Ozone emission standards
Overview —
The Powermatic PM1250 doesn’t look like any of the other shop air purifiers I’ve reviewed. Instead of a bulky, heavy, boxy design, this is a sleek, lightweight machine. The immediate advantage that this brings is wonderful portability. It’s an easy machine to move around the shop and place next to where you’re working. This goes a long way in compensating for the lower than average CFM rate. Cleaning the air at the location where the dust is created, drastically improves efficiency.
Another great advantage to this design is the increased surface area for the pleated fiber filter. This increases the long term efficiency of the filter, extending the lifespan to an unprecedented 3,000 operating hours. The filter is easy to clean and can be reused multiple times. Adjustment knobs at the side make it perfectly simple, and quick, to adjust the angle of the fan.
One thing that really stands out, when comparing the Powermatic PM1250 to any other shop air purifier, is how blissfully quiet it is. Even when the fan is switched to maximum power, you will hardly hear this machine purring in the background. Noise levels range from 41.3dBA to 50.8dBA, depending on the power setting.
Power consumption is another big plus. The Energy Star 120V electric motor is about the most efficient I’ve ever seen. At low power, the fan draws a meager 10.6W (0.13A), when cranked up to full power, you’re still only using 29.7W (0.31A). This means you’re using around five times less electricity than you would for the average shop air purifier. Okay, given that it has about the half the CFM rating, compared to the Jet AFS1000B and WEN 3415T, this isn’t as impressive as it may look. Though, if we take into account the lower air circulation rate, and adjust the power consumption accordingly, you’re looking at a realistic electricity saving of around 200 – 250% for an equivalent CFM rate. This alone, could make up for the higher purchase price over the years that you’ll be using the Powermatic.
In terms of general filtration and ease of use, the Powermatic PM1250 ranks amongst the very best. It removes particles down to 1 micron with clean efficiency. It also has the convenience of a remote control, four timer settings, and a 3-speed fan. Installation is very much plug and play, with several mounting positions, as well as a stand for benchtop use.
I think the advantages to the Powermatic PM1250 speak for themselves. This is probably quietest shop air purifier that you’ll ever find. It is, without a doubt, the most energy efficient. So you will save big time on electricity. The Powermatic PM1250 has all the mod cons and is super easy to install and use. Jet quality and manufacturing standards are of the highest order, and this model is a cut above the already high expectations most of us have for the brand. So this nifty little machine is an investment that’s going to provide you many years of reliable and efficient service. Their 5-year warranty is also one of the best in the business.
Visit the Powermatic site to learn more.
