Air compressors are multi-functional equipment useful for contractors, handymen, and DIY-enthusiasts. They ease one’s job whether for jackhammering, pumping tires, and other maintenance duties. They are an easily maneuvered source of energy for air-powered tools.

Manual tools can be taxing even for the most experienced contractor. Air compressors allow them to easily and quickly finish jobs such as bolt tightening and roof painting. It also helps in cleaning debris and leaves around your home. Basically, it provides you the usefulness of air to aid in various household chores and other handyman work.

Best Air Compressors Comparison & Rating

Air Compressors

Features

CRAFTSMAN Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, Pancake, Oil-Free with 13 Piece Accessory Kit (CMEC6150K)
  • has a 13-piece accessory kit
  • good max of 150 psi
  • lightweight at 30 pounds
AstroAI Air Compressor Tire Inflator Portable Air Pump for Car Tires 12V DC Auto Tire Pump with Digital Pressure Gauge, 100PSI with Emergency LED Light for Car, Bicycle, Balloons and Other Inflatables
  • pressure units can be changed to psi, kPa, BAR, and KG/CM
  • 100 psi
  • very portable
DEWALT Pancake Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, 165 PSI (DWFP55126)
  • 165 psi
  • 75.5 dBA noise level
  • ball drain valve for tank draining
BOSTITCH Pancake Air Compressor, Oil-Free, 6 Gallon, 150 PSI (BTFP02012)
  • high-quality flow regulator
  • 29 pounds
  • oil-free design
PORTER-CABLE C2002-WK Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor with Pressure Gauge
  • comes with quality accessory kit
  • rubber-tipped legs
  • low amp 120-volt electric motor

1. CRAFTSMAN Air Compressor

CRAFTSMAN Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, Pancake, Oil-Free with 13 Piece Accessory Kit (CMEC6150K)
Specifications:
91% Overall

Dimensions

16.5 x 16.5 x 17.88 inches

Capacity

6 gallons

Weight

32.5 pounds

Max psi

150 psi

90%
ease of use
90%
noise level
94%
portability
90%
value for money
Pros:
  • Maintenance-free, thanks to its oil-free feature.
  • Comes with a 13-piece accessory kit.
  • Has a good max of 150 psi for more taxing tasks.
  • The bang for the buck is good for this air compressor.
  • Easy to handle at about 30 pounds.
Cons:
  • The air compressor is not as quiet as expected, but performs incredibly well at only 150 psi.
  • Accessories are not made in the US but are still durable.
Final Take:

This air compressor is a great deal for the price. You get a good accessory kit that makes using the compressor for different applications a breeze. It has a 25' x 1/4inches PVC air hose with coupler and plug assembled, tire chuck with plug, blow gun with plug, tire gauge, blow gun with OSHA safety nozzle, rubber tip, and three inflator adaptors. What made this even better is that you know you’re getting quality because it is made in the US. The oil-free construction also ensures longevity and reliability. And considering that it only weighs 32.5 pounds within its 16.5 x 16.5 x 17.88 inches stature, it can be easily maneuvered and used whenever and wherever you need it. For a high-quality durable air compressor at a great price, this is the best choice.

2. AstroAI Air Compressor

AstroAI Air Compressor Tire Inflator Portable Air Pump for Car Tires 12V DC Auto Tire Pump with Digital Pressure Gauge, 100PSI with Emergency LED Light for Car, Bicycle, Balloons and Other Inflatables
Specifications:
91% Overall

Dimensions

8.4 x 6.8 x 3.9 inches

Capacity

No Tank

Weight

2.2 pounds

Max psi

100 psi

90%
ease of use
88%
noise level
94%
portability
92%
value for money
Pros:
  • Very portable because it has no tank.
  • Can be easily stored in small spaces.
  • Pressure units can be easily changed between psi, kPa, BAR, and KG/CM.
  • The small form factor doesn’t compromise the max psi (100 psi).
Cons:
  • This air compressor cannot do as well as one that has a tank, however,  you get great portability with this model.
Final Take:

This tiny but mighty air compressor might not have a tank but it still packs a punch. Sporting a max psi of 100, you get good pressure with great portability. It is also very budget-friendly compared to the rest on the list, costing about 15% less than air compressors that have tanks. It also is great for people from countries that don’t use psi because you can easily change the pressure units to either psi, kPa, BAR, and KG/CM with one click. If you want maximum portability and don’t want to break the bank, the AstroAI is for you.

3. DEWALT Pancake Air Compressor

DEWALT Pancake Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, 165 PSI (DWFP55126)
Specifications:
89% Overall

Dimensions

17.2 x 16.6 x 20.1 inches

Capacity

6 gallons

Weight

30 pounds

Max psi

165 psi

90%
ease of use
86%
noise level
90%
portability
90%
value for money
Pros:
  • Has the highest max psi on the list with 165 psi.
  • Has a ball drain valve for efficient and thorough tank draining.
  • Built to last, thanks to its oil-free feature.
  • favorable at 75.5 dBA noise level, which is not as noisy as other models on the market.
  • Not cumbersome to maneuver at only about 30 pounds.
Cons:
  • A bit pricey compared to other models but you will get a great and reliable compressor for the price.
  • No additional accessories
Final Take:

DeWalt is known for being durable, efficient, and reliable. This air compressor lives up to the quality you expect. You get the highest max psi on the list with 165. It also has a high-quality ball drain valve that ensures all air is emptied from the tank. You also get a low noise rating of 75.5 dBA. This air compressor is a solid investment that will serve you for years to come.

4. BOSTITCH Pancake Air Compressor

BOSTITCH Pancake Air Compressor, Oil-Free, 6 Gallon, 150 PSI (BTFP02012)
Specifications:
89% Overall

Dimensions

17 x 17 x 19.25 inches

Capacity

6 gallons

Weight

29 pounds

Max psi

150 psi

92%
ease of use
80%
noise level
92%
portability
92%
value for money
Pros:
  • Its oil-free design makes this air compressor very durable.
  • Weighs in at only 29 pounds which makes it easier to maneuver compared to the other compressor with a tank on the list.
  • 1-year limited warranty
  • Has two universal couplers that support two users.
  • Has a BOSTITCH high-quality flow regulator.
Cons:
  • Doesn't come with a hose and gun.
  • Has a noise rating of about 78.5 dBA, which is a bit higher than other compressors on the list.
Final Take:

This air compressor is good for the price as it trades blows with other compressors that cost more with ease. It has a max psi of 150, two factory-installed couplers that allow for two users. You also have rubber-tipped feet that keep the compressor where you want it. For half the price of the DeWalt, this air compressor is a good choice if the other compressors with a tank are too pricey for you.

5. PORTER-CABLE C2002-WK Pancake Compressor

PORTER-CABLE C2002-WK Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor with Pressure Gauge
Specifications:
87% Overall

Dimensions

18.3 x 18 x 19 inches

Capacity

6 gallons

Weight

30 pounds

Max psi

150 psi

90%
ease of use
80%
noise level
88%
portability
90%
value for money
Pros:
  • Package includes a quality accessory kit.
  • It has rubber-tipped legs to prevent slipping and movement.
  • Offers two factory-installed high-quality air couplers.
  • The low amp 120-volt electric motor can start easily in cold climates.
  • Comes with a nice matching tire pressure gauge.
Cons:
  • Not as quiet as the other air compressors on the list.
  • The air compressor produces a lot of vibration which can cause it to move around.
Final Take:

This PORTER-CABLE air compressor is a great deal even though it is not the cheapest on the list. It has a great low amp 120-volt electric motor that starts easily in the cold. The motor is also oil-free which means you don’t have to do any maintenance. You get an accessory set and a matching tire gauge which makes this a great air compressor for your garage.

Best Air Compressors - Buyer's Guide

Horsepower

Horsepower is not the same for gas-powered air compressors and electric ones. A 10 HP gas engine air compressor will not pump as much air as a 5 HP industrial electric air compressor. Make sure to choose the right power air compressor for the job. Don’t use a 1 HP 6 gallon compressor to paint your car. For jobs like that, you will need a 5 to 6 HP 60-gallon compressor.

psi

Most power tools need a constant pressure of 90 psi. 2 stage air compressors are the best option because they maintain good pressure before shut off. The pressure builds to 90 psi in the first stage and 175 psi in the second. Most hobby air compressors have a max psi of 120 to 150. This is good for pumping up your tires but not enough for continuous use like power tools. This is because they usually need the compressor to have about 100 psi. Restrictions and leaks might mean you don’t have enough pressure on the tool.

tank

There is very little to gain getting a large tank. The main reason to get a large tank is when you need air continuously but when the compressor is powerful enough you will not run out of air. The only time to get a large tank is when you have a small motor and are using a tool intermittently. Having a large tank will let the motor build up pressure for when you need it. If you have a small tank the downtime will be longer.

single or two-stage

For most applications, a quality single-stage compressor is more than enough. Two-stage compressors are ideal for when you need high pressure like industrial work. Most applications don’t need high pressure. Two-stage does not mean better quality, it is made for more taxing applications.

oil

Air compressors that are splash oil lubricated are much more durable than their oil-less counterpart. Most oil-lubed compressors have a working life of 100 to 15000 hours with proper maintenance and regular oil changes. The recommended time between changes is 200 to 500 hours depending on the oil. Oil-less air compressors have a working life of 200 hours with high-end units pushing 2000.

Best Air Compressors - FAQs

How does an air compressor work?

An air compressor is powered by an electric motor that runs a piston, rotary vane, or a screw, scroll element that compresses air in a chamber which in turn produces pressure. This pressure is then released and converted to usable power. Some examples of applications that use pressurized air are impact wrenches, nail guns, and riveting guns.

How do I drain the water from my tank?

The water can be drained manually or you can purchase an automatic drain valve that removes the water automatically. If the water becomes a major issue, consider investing in a high-quality air dryer.

What is the right type of hose for my air compressor?

It all depends on your air compressor The standard sizes that most compressors use are 1/4” or 3/8” hose.

What Is the correct voltage for my air compressor?

What most small compressors use is around 110 volts. Larger industrial compressors can use as much as 460 volts.

Author

Jimmy Black started his career as a construction and carpenter foreman. After years of hard work, he decided to go on his own. Now, Jimmy is one of the trusted experts at SolidSmack who knows at first glance whether your hammer would do a great job or not. He still involves himself in various construction projects and works for individual clients. Behind formalities, he enjoys being a father to two lovely kids who keep on asking him why they can’t quit school and travel the world like Dora The Explorer.