10 Best Air Compressors in 2021

Air compressors can be used for a whole variety of things, and you don’t have to be a pro in DIY to be able to use one, in fact, it can even be your first time. There are a whole variety of things that air compressors can be used for, for instance, they can make spray painting easy for you or if you use a nail gun then you will need an air compressor unless it is battery run.

However, they don’t just have to be used for things around the house, as you can also use them on your car as well, in fact, if you want to change a fuel filter then you will need an air compressor to do this. Therefore we’ve put together a list of the best air compressors around, to make it easier for you to decide if you need to purchase one.

Looking for big, industrial compressors? Try a 20 Gallon Air Compressor.

View the Best Air Compressor For The Money, Below.

• Bostitch BTFP02012 Oil-Free Compressor
• Makita MAC2400 Big Bore 2.5 HP
• PORTER-CABLE C2002 Pancake Compressor
• California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S
• DEWALT DWFP55126 Pancake Compressor
• California Air Tools 8010 Ultra Quiet
• Makita MAC700 Big Bore 2.0 HP
• Campbell Hausfeld DC060500 Pancake Compressor
• Makita AC001 Compact Air Compressor
• DEWALT DWFP55130 Heavy Duty

1. Bostitch BTFP02012 Oil-Free Compressor

This air compressor has a whole load of unique features, which makes it extra special, for instance, it has a high-efficiency motor that enables it to start even if the weather outside is very cold. This makes it ideal for any area that you may live in, not only this, but it is also oil-free, maintenance free and it is guaranteed to have a long life.

You may find that some air compressors can be quite noisy, but with this one you’ll be in for a treat because it actually has a 78.5* dBA operational noise level, making it very quiet. It also has a high flow regulator that enables it always to provide its maximum performance.

We liked this product because you are able to use it in any weather condition and it is also very quiet, so the neighbors won’t complain.

2. Makita MAC2400 Big Bore 2.5 HP

This air compressor may be a little more expensive compared to others, but it is totally worth the price that you invest in. There are a lot of benefits that come with this air compressor one is that it is exceptionally quiet, so it benefits you and everyone else that is around you. Plus, it is also very ideal to use with nail guns for major jobs that you may have on and smaller jobs as well, making it practical for any occasion.

Not only this, but it will last you a lifetime, and you won't have to buy another air compressor for decades if you purchase this one.

We liked this product because it is actually a very powerful compressor and it will last you years and years so you won’t need to replace it.

3. PORTER-CABLE C2002 Pancake Compressor

If you want a compressor that is easy to use then, this will definitely be perfect for you. Not only this, but it is also exceptionally strong, and even if you drop a ton of bricks on top of it it will still withstand, meaning it’s built from very sturdy and strong materials, which make it extra reliable.

Another plus about this compressor is that you can easily transport it around, making it easy to use anywhere you want to go with it. Not only this, but it is also very economical for the price that you pay because it will easily do the job without any problems and it won’t cost you a fortune.

We liked this product because you can easily take it around wherever you desire to go, and it is still very reliable.

4. California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S

This air compressor is actually oil-free, which will make a lot less mess for you when you want to use it, and it will also be a lot cheaper to run as well as being less maintenance. Not only this, but the compressor has a very useful handle attached to it, which makes it really easy to carry and transport around with you so you can use it wherever you desire. Even though it is only small it still has a lot of power, plus, it is very quiet and will only generate noise of up to 56 decibels.

We liked this product because of how convenient and cheap it is to run, making it very cost effective but also reliable.

5. DEWALT DWFP55126 Pancake Compressor

There are two different ways that you are able to use this air compressor, you can easily start it with its own motor (this also works really well in cold weather too), or you can use the extension cord to start it. It also has a high flow regulator and couplers, which enables a maximum air tool performance.

Not only this, but it is very quiet to use so it shouldn’t disturb anyone if you plan to use it at home or if it’s going to be used at work then it won’t disturb other colleagues.

We liked this air compressor because it is very economical to use, you don't have to pay too much for it, and it will do whatever job you need to get done.

6. California Air Tools 8010 Ultra Quiet

If you're looking for an air compressor that is extremely quiet, then this one will be ideal for you because it only creates 60 decibels of noise, plus it has a low amp draw. It is very simple to use because it is actually oil-free making it a lot cheaper to use and a lot less maintenance as well, because of this you are able to use in a range of temperatures.

Plus, it also doesn’t entirely matter if you place it on uneven ground. The life cycle of this air compressor is roughly 3000 plus hours, compared to other air compressors this lasts a very long time.

We liked this product because you can pretty much use it anywhere you want as it can be used of uneven terrain, plus, because it’s oil free it creates a lot less mess.

7. Makita MAC700 Big Bore 2.0 HP

If you need an air compressor that is really powerful, then this is the one for you. It has a cast iron pump and a big bore cylinder that is able to provide you with a very good performance. The air compressor is also very quiet, meaning you won't have to hear anyone complaining about the noise that it makes.

The pump inside is oil-lubricated meaning it has cooler running temperatures. Not only this, but it also has a handle attached to it making it easier to transport around, so you can use it wherever you choose to.

We liked this product because when you use it, you are able to feel how powerful it is, plus it is made from very sturdy materials.

8. Campbell Hausfeld DC060500 Pancake Compressor

This air compressor is very cheap and even cheaper to run because it is actually oil-free as well as maintenance free because it has a universal pump that actually provides a better tool operation for your job. This air compressor is also able to start easily in cold weather making it ideal for any conditions that you may have to face.

Not only this, but it’s perfect if you’re planning to use it in old buildings or in places that don’t tend to have a high voltage. This is because the 6-gallon tank has a low voltage startup.

We liked this product because it is very ideal if you want to work in older types of buildings as it can easily adapt to the voltage.

9. Makita AC001 Compact Air Compressor

This air compressor is extremely lightweight, which makes it very easy to carry around with you so you can transport it to any destination you need to be in. It is also perfect if you want to use it inside, as it doesn't create very much noise at all. It has a very easy to use lever handle, which actually improves the maintenance of the air compressor because it allows the air tank to be released easier.

Not only this, but it also comes with extra protection as it has a roll cage construction that protects the pump and motor assembly.

We liked this air compressor because of the extra protection that comes with it, so you don’t need to worry if it accidentally gets damaged.

10. DEWALT DWFP55130 Heavy Duty

If you're looking for something very easy, simple and basic to use then, this is completely ideal for you. It is actually more suitable if you need to work on lighter projects, as it works very well indoors as well as outdoors. When you start using it, you will notice that it is actually very quiet and it really doesn't create much noise at all.

It is a very reliable machine, and it is also portable so you can take it on any jobs where you may require it, and if you do need to transport it somewhere else, you will soon notice just how light it is.

We liked this product because it is very reliable to use and it never let us down, plus, it is very easy to use and is not complicated at all.

Buyer’s Guide

Air compressors are a very handy tool to use, and they can be used for multiple purposes, whether you need to inflate a paddling pool or change a fuel filter in your car, it can be used for both. They are becoming more and more popular and a lot more portable as well, making them easy to use in your garage or around the house. Plus, a lot of them are becoming a lot quieter, preventing your family or maybe even colleagues complaining about the noise.

However, you may be in a huge dilemma over what air compressor you need to buy for the tool that you need to use, and that’s why we’re here to help. In our buyers guide there a whole load of aspects that you need to look out for before you purchase an air compressor.

Oil-Free

You may notice that some of the air compressors in the list above are oil-free while some are not. The oil-free ones are a lot less maintenance and a lot less mess, which makes them a bit easier for you to use. Not only this, but they are also a lot more cost effective because you won’t have to buy oil or dispose of it at all. Oil in an air compressor can also cause you to have to replace the air dryers, which can also be costly. Also, they have a better impact on the environment.

However, there are also some advantages with oil-lubricated air compressors, because these can actually be a lot quieter and will last you a lot longer than an oil-free compressor. Therefore if you need to use an air compressor a lot and it is more for serious DIY jobs then an oil lubricated one may be better for you.

Horsepower

One thing you need to look at before you purchase an air compressor is how much horsepower it has because this will determine how powerful it is. The only problem is that a lot of air compressors do tend to over exaggerate how much horsepower they have. There is one way that you can check if it is a real horsepower, which is by looking at how much electrical power it uses when it is running.

For instance is the air compressor states it has a 5 horsepower motor then it could draw up to 24 amps on a single phase power (220 volts). For more power, see these air compressors with a much larger capacity.

Air Pressure

You may notice on the air compressor there is PSI this stands for air pressure and usually, each tool will need 90 PSI to be able to work. You should be able to see on the product description how much air pressure the air compressor you want has. Air compressors also tend to have two stages, and the first stage builds up to 90 PSI while in the second stage the air compressor can build up to as much as 175 PSI.

Before you use it, you should always check that that there are no obstacles that are restricting the hose in the air compressor, because this can stop the air pressure from working to its maximum.

Tank size

This isn’t actually too much of a big deal, as an air compressor only stores the air and then you’re more than likely going to be using it straight away, so different tank sizes do not limit how much you are able to use the air compressor. The only difference between different tank sizes tends to be the price of them, and ones that have bigger tanks do tend to be a bit more expensive.

There is only one situation that you will need a bigger size tank, and this is if you want your tool to run steady, because it will be able to quickly produce as much air as the tool needs to run at this pace.  The only reason you will need a bigger tank is that smaller air compressors do sometimes have the habit of stopping and starting, so with a bigger tank you won’t have this problem.

How to use an Air Compressor?

Before you use an air compressor, you will need to set it up. To do this, you may need to check the oil levels if it isn’t oil free. You will then need to fix the hose onto the regulator valve. Once you have done this the next step you need to do is attach your power tool to the hose and then you need to plug the main plug into a power socket.

This is then set up for you to use, but before you actually use it you will need to look at the tool you’re planning to use to see how much pressure it needs, and then you can adjust the settings by using the regulator knob. You will also have wait patiently for the air compressor to pressurize before you use it.

What Size Air Compressor do I Need?

This really depends on what you need to use it for; on the tool, you’re planning to use it should say the amount of air pressure that it needs to be able to work. Once you have figured this out, you just need to look at the descriptions of the air compressors and see which one would work with your tool.

How Does an Air Compressor Work?

Air compressors are becoming more and more popular because they are very handy to use for multiple things and you can easily transport them around. They actually only have one motor, and it is able to easily convert electrical energy into kinetic energy. It does this by simply taking air that is all around us, and after it has done this, it compresses it down and then stores it. This air can then be used to work a nail gun for instance, because when the pressure of the air is released, it is able to push nails into a wall.

Conclusion

Overall there are hundreds of air compressors all over the internet and found in DIY shops, but you really need to know what you need to use it for before you buy one. This is because you need to find out if you need a stationary one, which tends to be used for bigger projects or a portable one that can be used for simpler things like putting nails into walls and changing car filters. Not only this, but many of the air compressors that we have listed above come with different features, for instance, some are oil-free which can create a lot less maintenance for you.

Therefore it’s really down to what you need the compressor for that’s when you will know what one you need, but it’s important that you use it the correct way and follow the directions on both the compressor and the tool you’re using.

Expert Tip

After you’ve finished using an air compressor, it is always best to drain the leftover air that is inside it. This is because if you leave the air inside there, then it could actually weaken the compressor.

Did you know?

There are two different types of air compressors a portable one and a stationary one. Stationary air compressors tend to be a lot larger than portable ones.