Best air mover and carpet dryer for water damage restoration and clean up

After a flood, pipe leak or other mishap leave water damage in their wake, drying carpets and wet floors is the first order of business. Carpet cleaners, construction workers and professional workers that deal with water damage restoration and remediation turn to air movers or carpet dryers to dry out waterlogged carpet and porous material before mold growth makes things significantly worse.

The best air movers and carpet dryers listed below are recommended for the high air flow produced by their powerful motors, flexible application to various jobs, tough industrial construction and easy mobility when moving between job sites.

Recommended air mover and carpet dryer models 

ALORAIR ZEUS EXTREME AXIAL AIR MOVER, FLOOR FAN AND CARPET DRYER

Designed for professional use, the Zeus Extreme from AlorAir air mover and carpet dryer has a flexible design that allows it to be used in 5 different drying positions including a tilt-back position to achieve laminar flow. It’s compact size makes it a great choice for mold remediation, ventilation and climate control in both crawl spaces and open areas. 

Editor Note: The AlorAir Extreme is our best air mover pick as it has a generous 10 year warranty and proven experience in water damage restorationcarpet drying and construction.

Powered by a 1/3 hp motor, this air mover carpet dryer unit achieves up to 3000 CFM on the higher of its two speed settings. When used in water damaged areas, its focused air flow makes it a great choice for drying carpets and floors. It also has a run-time meter for companies who charge by the hour or rent. For larger jobs, daisy chain up to 6 units using the two GFCI outlets on each unit. 

Both the air inlet and outlet are ductile for long distance work, cooling, extraction or ventilation. A built in circuit breaker protector and convenient carry handle round out its long list of features.

The Zeus Extreme scores high points for its features, unmatched warranty, durable construction, portability and storage making it our top pick for best air mover.

Features

  • Rating:
  • Airflow: 3000 CFM
  • Fan Motor: 1/3 horsepower
  • Type: Axial, Drum fan
  • Best Use: Water Damage Restoration, Carpet Cleaning, Home Renovation
  • Power Cord Length: 20 feet
  • Daisy Chain Capable: Yes
  • GFCI Outlet: Yes
  • Fan Speed Settings: 2
  • Noise: 70 dBA
  • Weight: 35.9 lb
  • Dimensions: 19.3 × 19.3 × 15.2 inches
  • Stackable: Yes
  • Carry Handle: Yes
  • Wheels: No
  • Warranty: 10 Years

Related: Check out our picks for home and office air purifiers for mold and commercial air scrubber units.


XPOWER Pro Series CENTRIFUGAL Air Mover and Carpet Dryer

We’re not recommending one model, but the XPOWER P-series as a whole. The series we think worthy of the top spot for commercial use includes a number of XPOWER air mover models includes the current Pro (the P is for Pro) models with a Pro X or Pro P designation. This series is known for its reliable capability when drying floors and carpets.

Which model makes the most sense depends on the specific commercial use, but there is definitely an air mover or carpet dryer for just about any situation in this series. Our favorite models have powerful motors of 3/4 hp or better, built-in power outlets and multiple speed settings.

Portability on these models varies between a roto-molded handle at the minimum and telescoping handle. Models which have a telescoping handle (and even rear wheels) are the larger air movers. All are encased in thick, durable cases ready to stand up to the rigors of demanding use.

Features

  • Rating:
  • Airflow: 1600 to 3600 CFM
  • Fan Motor: 1/4 horsepower to 1 horsepower
  • Type: Centrifugal fan
  • Best Use: Air Mover, Drying Carpets
  • Power Cord Length: 20-25 feet
  • Daisy Chain Capable: Yes
  • GFCI Outlet: Yes
  • Fan Speeds: 3
  • Weight: 17 to 35.2 lb
  • Dimensions: variable size
  • Stackable: Yes
  • Carry Handle: Yes
  • Wheels: Yes (larger air mover models)
  • Warranty: 1 year / 5 year on housing

K TOOL INTERNATIONAL 42

K Tool’s 42″ belt-drive drum fan is the most traditional fan on our list as far as appearance goes. We actually picked the KT177743 for its unmatched airflow capability and versatility. Here’s how the manufacture describes the unit:

“The concentrated high powered fan can be used for cooling down on a hot day, drying out water damaged areas, ventilating air and much more!”

Perfectly suited for use in a garage, shop or warehouse, the ½ horsepower motor is capable of an incredible 14800 CFM (cubic feet per minute) when set at its highest speed setting. It has a wider range of use cases than the more specialized units we’ve included. But, it is important to note that it doesn’t achieve the same focused air flow the competing units on this list are capable of.

While commercial water damage and carpet cleaning operations would likely opt for one of the more specialized air mover and carpet dryer units we’ve chosen, K Tool’s drum fan is likely a better choice for a warehouse or construction environment with occasional use removing moisture from carpets or floors, displacing air and fumes, or other general, high-velocity fan use.

Features

  • Rating:
  • Airflow: 14,800 CFM
  • Fan Motor: 1/2 horsepower
  • Type: Axial, Drum fan
  • Best Use: Air Mover, Carpet Dryer, Shop Fan
  • Power Cord Length: 6 feet
  • Daisy Chain Capable: No
  • GFCI Outlet: No
  • Fan Speeds: 2
  • Weight: 98 lb
  • Dimensions: 44 x 43 x 19 inches
  • Stackable: No
  • Carry Handle: Yes
  • Wheels: Yes
  • Warranty: 1 Year

ODORSTOP OS2800 HEAVY DUTY AIR MOVER FAN AND CARPET DRYER, 3/4 HP, 3-SPEED SETTINGS

The OS2800 has impressive features: A powerful motor (3/4 HP), three speed settings, 2 GFCI-protected outlets and a long, 25 foot power cord with a light end. It also has something we didn’t see on any other unit: a built-in carpet clamp for fast drying without removing carpet. 

Moving from its lowest setting up to its highest speed setting yields 2,800 CFM of high velocity carpet drying capability. Like its XPOWER carpet dryer fan peers, the unit can be placed in a variety of angles to achieve the optimal drying air flow.

This unit is also our choice for best value air mover. 

Features

  • Rating:
  • Airflow: 2,800 CFM
  • Fan Motor: 3/4 horsepower
  • Type: Centrifugal fan
  • Best Use: Air Mover, Drying Carpets
  • Power Cord Length: 25 feet
  • Daisy Chain Capable: Yes
  • GFCI Outlet: Yes
  • Fan Speeds: 3
  • Weight: 32 lb
  • Dimensions: 19 x 18 x 16 inches
  • Stackable: Yes
  • Carry Handle: Yes
  • Wheels: No
  • Warranty: 1 year / 5 years housing

B-AIR GRIZZLY 1 HP AIR MOVER / CARPET DRYER / FLOOR FAN

This air mover is a beast (see what we did there). Kidding aside, the B-Air Grizzly is a highly capable air mover and drying solution for carpeting and hard floors. If you’re not familiar with B-Air, the manufacture several products for the commercial remediation industry including air scrubbers and dehumidifiers as well as consumer air purifiers for mold.

With the Grizzly, B-Air makes our list for not only the largest air dry unit, but the one with the highest motor power: 1 HP. Inside its tough root-molded casing, the Grizzly’s features include three speeds and up to 3550 CFM. The case design plus a 4.5″ kickstand mean the Grizzly can be used with three different angles of air flow: horizontal, vertical and 45 degrees).

For portability, the unit has a handle (but not wheels). We wish the Grizzly had GFCI outlets but with its price-to-performance ratio and features, we definitely include this air mover carpet dryer combination on our list.

Features

  • Rating:
  • Airflow: 3550 CFM
  • Fan Motor: 1 horsepower
  • Type: Centrifugal fan
  • Best Use: Air Mover, Drying Carpets
  • Power Cord Length: 25 feet
  • Daisy Chain Capable: No
  • GFCI Outlet: No
  • Fan Speeds: 3
  • Weight: 39 lb
  • Dimensions: 19 x 18 x 19.5 inches
  • Stackable: Yes
  • Carry Handle: Yes
  • Wheels: No
  • Warranty: 1 year / 5 years housing

Buying guide: Important features of commercial air mover and carpet dryer units

What is an air mover?

Air movers, also called carpet drying fans or carpet dryers, are specialized fans which are primarily used for ventilation and drying. For water cleanup work, they are used to remove moisture from carpet, flooring, walls and other pourus material following water leaks and floods.

In construction and industrial settings they are also used to displace dust and harmful fumes to protect workers from harmful exposure.

What is the difference between an air mover, air purifier and an air scrubber?

While air movers, air scrubbers and air purifiers share a great deal in common, they have one standout difference: Air movers focus on displacing air from one place to another or assisting in drying flooring or other material. In contrast, air scrubbers and air purifiers remove contaminants from the air using one or more methods of filtration.

How long can an air mover be run for?

All of the air mover models recommended above are heavy-duty models designed for constant use over long periods of time. Of course, any air mover or carpet dryer should be periodically examined and cleaned to increase its service life.

Check the product manual before using any air mover for more than a few hours to ensure proper use in accordance with the manufacturer’s safe-use guidelines.

New to commercial air movers? Use the buying guide and tips below to find the best air mover for flood restoration projects.

Most important features to look for in an air mover/carpet dryer 

Air Movers, carpet dryers & Carpet fans vs Regular Fans

There are a few critical differences between air movers, carpet dryers and normal consumer fans. First, air movers, carpet dryers and carpet fans are intended to withstand the demands of constant use in a wide variety of heavy-duty environments. Second, these units are specifically designed with powerful blower motors to enhance water drying capability. Finally, commercial models have many features not necessary for regular fans. 

Examples include circuit breakers, built-in outlets, high horsepower motors, and construction intended for easy storage and portability.

Airflow/Airflow Rating

How efficiently an air mover or carpet dryer performs is dictated by how much air it can move in a given period of time. Units with a better airflow rating, measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute), move air at a higher velocity reducing the it takes to dry wet surfaces.

Motor power

Electric motor power ratings are provided in horsepower. The higher the horsepower, the more power the motor delivers. That power spins the fans inside the unit.

Tip: Some companies’ air mover warranties make a distinction between commercial and consumer use. Be sure to check the specifics of the warranty when making a purchase.

Centrifugal air mover vs Axial air movers

There are two main types of fans used in air movers and carpet fans: axial fan and centrifugal fan. In an axial fan, air is moved parallel to the axis, or driveshaft, the fan’s motor is connected to. Centrifugal fans take a different approach, pushing air outwards by blowing air at 90 degree angles from the fan’s intake.

Between the two approaches, centrifugal air movers exhibit greater efficiency than their axial counterparts.

Portability and storage

Commercial carpet cleaners, mold removal specialists and water damage restoration experts use several heavy duty air scrubbers, air movers, carpet fans and dehumidifiers on each job site. Storing and moving multiple units can be taxing on workers. Look for models with wheels, a carry handle or both. And, to reduce necessary storage space, lean toward durable, stackable units when possible.

Electrical safety and flexibility

When using several air movers or air movers with other water damage restoration equipment, it’s helpful when you can daisy chain multiple fans. Daisy chaining frees up other electrical outlets to be used for other tools and equipment. If total reach is important, such as when working from a generator or single power source, look for models with a long power cord.

Commercial air movers have powerful motor units that put a higher load on electrical circuits than any regular fan would. For this reason, many units also include an onboard circuit breaker preventing a trip to the electrical junction box when there is an electrical issue.

Design

There are a few different designs for air movers. First is the snail shell. This is the most popular form factor and its name comes from the fact that it shares its profile with the shell of a snail. The blower fans in these units use the centrifugal design mentioned above. Second are a low-profile, flatter design which places the spinning air dryer parallel to carpets or other flooring material. These are sometimes called air mover carpet dryer units. Third is the axial or drum design where airflow travels in the same manner as a typical fan would. These units are usually paired with ducting to redirect air to another location.

Finally, there are other models which take cues from those above ending up with an altogether unique design.

Warranty

Air movers are intended for heavy duty use. And, while all the recommended units are known to be durable, time-tested units, having a comprehensive warranty is the best peace of mind you can have.