Choosing between an air scrubber and an extractor depends on whether you are controlling dust at the tool or in the room. Get this right and exposure drops, clean-up is quicker, and complaints fall away.

What each unit does

• Extractors (on-tool or LEV) capture dust at source through shrouds, hoods, or point extraction.
• Air scrubbers recirculate or exhaust room air through high-efficiency filters to reduce airborne particulate.
• Negative air machines are air scrubbers ducted out to create a pressure differential and contain dust.

Use an extractor when

• Cutting, grinding, sanding, drilling, or chasing where capture at source is possible.
• You can attach the correct shroud and maintain airflow under load appropriate to the tool.
• Collecting debris safely matters; use M-Class as a minimum for silica and wood dust; H-Class for higher-hazard materials as specified.

Use an air scrubber when

• Tasks generate lingering airborne dust, multiple tools run in one space, or sweeping has previously re-suspended dust.
• You need general air cleaning in rooms, corridors, or sealed zones.
• Containment is required: duct out to create negative pressure and manage migration.

Sizing and filter class

• Estimate required air changes by dividing scrubber airflow (m³/h) by room volume; higher-dust tasks may need more frequent changes.
• For fine respirable dusts such as silica or welding fume, select H13/H14 filtration; H14 is often chosen for higher-risk control.
• Use prefilters to extend life; check differential pressure or flow indicators to manage filter loading.

Combine for best results

The most reliable approach is layered: extraction on the tool, an air scrubber to capture what escapes, and disciplined housekeeping with industrial vacuums. This keeps exposure down and shortens clean-up.

Quick decisions

• If you can shroud it, extract it.
• If dust lingers in the air, scrub it.
• If dust must not migrate, run negative air.

Match the method to the task, size correctly, and confirm performance under load. Your team breathes easier and the site runs cleaner.