The 14 Best Air Compressors for Home Use

With a maximum internal PSI of 165 (the highest on our list) and a maximum output of 90 PSI, this air compressor is perfectly capable of powering two light tools simultaneously – for a while, at least. As long as your tools don’t call for an output higher than 90 PSI, this air pressure differential allows a fair amount of compressed air to be stored even while the motor isn’t running. This makes it a good candidate when only intermittent use is envisaged.

Overall, the DWFP55126 is not a particularly remarkable compressor, falling in the average range for maximum PSI output, maximum CFM, tank size, and noise. That being said, since our list is made up of the best air compressors on today’s market, it is hardly fair to call this a mediocre compressor. It is simply average when placed alongside some great products.

One area where it does stand out is its price. Given that its specifications are fairly run-of-the-mill, you would expect its price to fall somewhere in the median range as well, but this isn’t the case. It means you get above-average qualities at an extremely fair price.

Other Above-Average Qualities

Though it isn’t quite as mobile as the 20-pound, battery-powered DeWALT DCC2560T1, this is still a very portable unit. At only 34 pounds and with a convenient hard plastic carrying handle, most people shouldn’t find it difficult to move this compressor around the work site as needed. Soft rubber feet help keep it in place even when you have to set it on an inclined or slippery surface, making it safer and reducing its tendency to “walk” due to vibration.

A secondary regulator allows you to change the outflowing PSI (and, thus, the CFM) based on the requirements of whichever tool you are using. Multiple nozzle attachments allow you to run two tools simultaneously so that you do not need to bring more than one compressor to a work site manned by two people. That being said, with only 0.9 HP and a max internal PSI of 165, it may be difficult to run high-powered tools simultaneously, so try to keep this multi-use to simple tasks.

Let’s be honest: in terms of performance, the Senco PC1010 doesn’t hold a candle to the Makita MAC5200 Big Bore. It doesn’t even hold one to the Rolair JC10. But people who will be interested in this machine won’t be looking for perfection or even something in the “industrial” range. While most of the machines on our list are geared toward those who are serious about their power tools, we also wanted to include a couple that appeal to the everyday homeowner who wants to take his or her home improvements to the next level.

Though it isn’t the most powerful compressor, this machine’s 0.7 CFM will power most of the basic tools you might use for your home projects. If you decrease the PSI to about 40 you can pull about 3.7 CFM from it for tools that can run on lower pressures. Alternatively, you can increase it to 125 PSI (at a very low CFM) for those specialized tools that need a small supply of highly charged air.

Easy to Carry

The small 1-gallon tank is one reason why this machine so easy to transport from one place to another. Its little 0.5 horsepower motor doesn’t weigh very much either (since all the stuff that makes a motor powerful also makes it heavy) and further contributes to its ease of use and portability. At only 20 pounds total, carrying this unit with you as you move from one area of your home to another should present no difficulty.

Additional Impressive Features

Considering its price, this machine contains a number of impressive features (such as its high PSI output option) which are big selling points. These are a large part of the reason we incorporated this somewhat lackluster machine on our list of top air compressors in the first place.

Its integrated air flow regulator – something not often seen on low-price models such as this one – makes it significantly more versatile. The overload protection system is another notable feature. This turns the machine off before the motor overheats to keep things safe and stop the internal workings of the machine from frying if you try to do too much with it.

At first glance, the MAC700’s stats don’t appear overly impressive. The 3.3CFM rating at 90PSI is only mid-range on our list, and the 80 dBA puts it right on the threshold for hearing damage, meaning that it isn’t quite as safe to use as quieter options. Its 2.6 gallon tank is also slightly smaller than most of the others on this top 14 list.

What, then, makes it a compressor we recommend?

In a word: reliability. Makita air compressors are built with toughness in mind. Countless proud owners expound the durability and longevity of their Makita air compressors. This toughness, in our opinion, is part of what bumps the price of a Makita air compressor up over that of other, apparently similar options. For example, the Campbell Hausfeld DC080500 we have listed here seems very similar to this compressor but costs much less. That’s partly because it doesn’t pack a 2 horsepower motor like the MAC700.

Two Horses of Power

This machine’s sturdy 2-horsepower motor allows it to keep up with some of the most difficult tasks you can throw its way. Though extended use may require the motor to run a little more often and a little harder than some compressors (like the Campbell Hausfeld) can handle, this Makita’s motor should have absolutely no problem keeping up. Overheating will rarely be a problem. What’s more, the motor is built to run at a substantially lower RPM while delivering the same rate of power, a design choice that significantly reduces wear and tear.

The only downside to this unit’s rugged construction is the extra weight it adds. At 52 pounds, it’s still possible to move around, but not necessarily easy considering the lack of wheels.

Though it may not technically be the very quietest air compressor on the market today, this is in our opinion the quietest high-quality air compressor you will find. As you can imagine, none of the compressors on this page made it here without passing our strict selection criteria. All of the compressors you see here are top-quality, and this product just happens to be one of only two with a noise rating of 60 decibels or less.

With the maximum sound intensity considered safe being somewhere around 85 decibels, a rating of 60 decibels puts this machine well into the green zone. Most of the other compressors on our list also don’t require ear protection, but are still noisy enough to make it difficult to concentrate or hold a conversation while you work. Since 60 decibels is the same noise level as a normal conversation, the sound of this compressor should cause minimal disruption even in office environments. You should even be able to add enjoyment to your work by listening to music.

The other compressor with a 60-decibel noise level we’ve selected is the Rolair JC10. Though it is also a high-quality machine, it doesn’t quite live up to the standards set by this model. Let’s look at some of this compressor’s other specifications.

A Handful of Good Stats

At its 37.5 pounds, many other companies would deem this light enough to carry around at will (for example, the DeWALT DWFP55126 weighs 34 pounds and comes with a carry handle). California Air Tools, on the other hand, caters to people of all strength levels and understands that this compressor’s overall size and bulk can make it uncomfortable to move, so they’ve included convenient wheels and a pull handle.

An average CFM of 3.1 is decent enough, especially when considering the fair price of this unit. The 5.5 gallon tank isn’t the largest available, but it is a perfect middle-of-the-road option for people who don’t need something all that potent.

On most job sites, it’s normal to struggle sometimes to hear what others are saying. This isn’t just an annoyance – it can also be a safety hazard. Thankfully, registering in at only 60dBA, this Rolair compressor won’t add to your noise problems. Trying to hear someone over the noise this unit makes is like trying to hear them over the sound of someone else’s conversation – it will require some attention on your part, but not strain.

Aside from the safety issues involving not being able to hear other people, loud machinery can also cause hearing damage. The threshold for safe hearing is somewhere around the 80dBA to 85dBA mark. Again, at 60 dBA, the Rolair JC10 gives you nothing to worry about. In fact, it is tied with the California 5510SE for the quietest compressor on our list.

A Second Runner Up

You may wonder why we awarded the title of “Quietest Air Compressor” to the California Air Tools machine instead of this one. Good question. The truth is that, although this one is almost on par with the other one, the manufacturer doesn’t go out of its way to publish important specifications like the maximum PSI. There may be a variety of reasons for this, but when trying to compare the top models available today, a lack of information does make us a little wary.

Another way it falls short is in terms of air capacity. Where the other one has a 5.5 gallon tank, this one only holds 2.2 gallons. The ability to store more air means that the California compressor will have an easier time keeping up with jobs that require a lot of power in a short amount of time. Overall, though, if these factors aren’t dealbreaking concerns, you may want to consider saving a couple dollars and picking this one over the California option.

It’s hard to believe that you’re getting more than just a compressor for this extremely affordable price, but you are. Unlike every other compressor on this list, this one comes with a reasonably complete accessory kit. Let’s jump right into an overview of what’s included before getting into the the specifications of the machine itself.

Designed to meet the needs of the at-home handyman and the mobile professional alike, the accessory kit includes a nylon hose, blow gun, tire chuck, tire gauge, “quick coupler,” attachments for the blow gun, and plugs. It’s OK if you don’t need some of this stuff; it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy the machine.

To keep things simple, a hose is an important part of any compressor kit. If your compressor doesn’t come with one, you’ll need to purchase one separately before you can start using it. You’ll have everything you need to change and inflate tires. The blow gun attaches to various small instruments, such as the pressure gauge, and takes a basic air compressor to the next level without the need for purchasing additional tools. That being said, there are still many important extras you’ll probably have to purchase based on your particular goals.

Not interested in the accessories? Already have drawers full of them from your old compressor or simply see no use for them in your life? Don’t worry – you can also purchase this air compressor without them (see here on Amazon).

Compressor Stats

Of course, the accessories aren’t the only reason this machine made it onto our list. Though it only packs 0.8 horsepower, this compressor has an impressive maximum CFM output of 3.5 and gives 2.6 CFM at 90 PSI. Its large 6 gallon tank helps it keep up with your demand without wearing out its somewhat weak motor.

Unsurprisingly, when looking at the specs on any selection of air compressors, you’ll find that those with the most power also tend to be those with the highest noise rating. For example, with a formidable 3 horsepower (the highest on our list), the Makita MAC5200 is also the loudest at 90 dBA. Meanwhile, the Makita MAC700, a 2 horsepower machine like this one, ranks at 80 dBA (meaning half as loud as 90, due to the way dBA is measured). This air compressor, however, is the exception to this rule.

Relatively Quiet Compressor

With a better-than-adequate 2 horsepower, this machine’s noise level is only 70 dBA. While the 80 dBA offered up by the Makita just about falls within the acceptable range for ear safety, it’s best to stick with something between 50 and 70 dBA if you plan on maintaining any sort of conversation. Communication is key on dangerous or complex jobs, so the noise rating of this machine alone puts it ahead of many others on our list.

Of course, we’ve found air compressors that are quieter, each with their own set of benefits that earned them a spot here on our website. For example, the California 5510SE, Rolair JC10, and Campbell Hausfeld DC080500 all have lower noise levels than this one, but none of them are nearly as capable.

At two horsepower, this compressor packs twice the power of these models. In other words, while almost as quiet as the others, it can run longer, handle heavier loads, and power stronger tools. This is why, while maintaining the same PSI output of 90, this machine can generate a continuous air flow of 5.3 CFM while the others all hover around the 2.2 to 2.4 range. Anyone with experience using air-powered tools knows that the jump from 2.2 to 5.3 CFM is more like a leap. It’s a game-changing difference that allows you to use a much wider variety of air tools.

A Few Important Extras

At 91 pounds, this is by far the heaviest compressor on our list. Luckily, California Air Tools built the unit tall instead of stout to save space, and put it on wheels so that you can move it around when needed.

The extra weight mostly sits in its powerful 2hp motor. All of our high-end compressors (such as the Makita MAC5200 and Ingersoll Rand P1IU-A9) tend to tip the scales – to pack more power into a motor, you have no choice but to increase its weight. The increased difficulty in handling will hardly be a sacrifice, though, for those who need a machine that can handle high-power tools for longer periods of time.

It should go without saying that high-power air tools require a high-performance compressor. The problem a lot of people run into, though, when it comes to air compressors, is that they aren’t really sure what numbers they should be looking at – CFM, PSI, horsepower or perhaps something else. Let’s keep things simple: this is the machine you want if you often use high-power tools like grinders, sanders, and chisels.

So, what sets it apart from all the others? Two things – its high CFM rating and its incredibly strong 3 horsepower motor. The higher the CFM rating at the typical PSI level of 90, the more power an air compressor lends to your tools.

Impressive CFM / PSI Ratings

Supplying up to 6.5 CFM at 90 PSI, this Makita compressor is, by far, the most powerful on our list. For comparison’s sake, consider for a moment that the next most powerful option: the (California Air Tools 10020C) only offers 5.3 CFM at 90 PSI.

This unit not only gives your tools the most oomph, it also packs the most powerful motor. None of the other high-quality, top-selling compressors on our list have a 3 horsepower motor. In fact, it is quite difficult to find a home and small shop unit with that much power.

What’s the big deal about a 3 horsepower motor?

In a word – longevity. You can run it for hours and hours without worrying that it will overheat and break down on you.

A Possible Downside

Some people may see the oil-filled air pump and get concerned. They don’t want to fuss around with changing the oil from time to time to keep the motor functioning well. While that hassle is part and parcel of owning an oil-filled pump, this design also has its advantages, especially when it comes to high-power tools. Specifically, since you’ll often be pulling a ton of power from your compressor, you really want an oil-filled pump because it keeps things better lubricated and stops the pump and motor from overheating during intensive use.

With two rugged, large wheels for moving and a tall handle that’s high enough to grasp without bending over, this machine is clearly created with your portability needs in mind. Even people with bad backs who want to tackle home renovations will be able to use this compressor without straining.

Simply pull the handle toward yourself to tilt the compressor back over the wheels, cart it to your desired location, then allow it to sit upright where the rubber stoppers on the front part of the machine will hold it in place. For storage, simply tuck the handle out of the way by collapsing it downward.

Other Things to Think About

Aside from all the regular stats you are by now used to hearing about (like the 1 horsepower motor, the 125 internal PSI, and the 2.4 CFM output ratings), let’s look at some of the aspects that make this Briggs and Stratton stand out.

The oversized regulator knob is a definite plus, especially compared to trying to turn a small knob while wearing work gloves. In addition, with its long handle and its large regulator knob, this is a great machine for people with arthritis who don’t allow a little pain or difficulty hold them back.

Also, Briggs & Stratton advertises this machine as being very quiet. According to them, the QPT motor (Quiet Power Technology) is 80% quieter than compressors with conventional induction motors. Customer experiences tend to back up this statement, but since the manufacturer fails to commit to a noise rating (in dBA), this remains in doubt. Our choice for a quiet compressor remains the California Air Tools 5510SE.

If the work you do around your home or in your workplace requires you to move around a lot, you’ll understand the importance – sometimes, the necessity – of having a highly portable air compressor unit. Whether you’re a painter or a roofer, you probably want to be able to move around with ease, without being tied down by an electrical cord, a long nozzle hose, or a heavy air compressor.

Lightweight + Battery = Great Portability

Weighing in at a mere 21.5 pounds (excluding battery), this compressor by DeWALT is one of the lightest options on our list. Only the Senco PC1010 and PORTER-CABLE CMB15 (both of which weigh 20 pounds) are really comparable. What’s nice, though, is that this compressor’s tank holds 1 to 1.5 gallons more air than the other two, with only a 1.5-pound increase in its overall weight.

Weight isn’t the only thing to consider when discussing portability, though. Unlike every other high-quality compressor on our list (including the Senco and the Porter-Cable), this one runs on a rechargeable battery. When you already have an air hose to wrestle with, a power cord is often a headache you don’t really need, a problem this machine does away with. Simply plug it in when you are not using it to charge up the battery, then unplug it and carry it (and perhaps a spare battery) with you as you walk or drive from one work location to another.

Such portability even allows you to use it in places without an electrical supply. You will no longer need to string up extension cords around your workspace and create a tripping hazard for everyone around you. Nor will you be forced to use an extended hose and accept all the drawbacks this entails.

Other Notable Specs

The rugged design of this unit adds to the portability of this machine. Its roll cage design allows you to take it onto some of the most difficult work sites without worrying too much about its well-being. Knock it over or drop it (by accident, of course) and watch as it stands strong.

A patented, easy-to-read pressure regulator lets you select the best pressure level for your particular project. Whereas most of the other compressors on this list require you to slowly turn a knob while watching a pressure gauge until you find the pressure you want, this one has numbers written around the knob so that you can simply turn it to your desired pressure level and start working.

You may notice at the first glance that this compressor doesn’t look like the others. “Where’s the tank?”, you might ask. Hidden beneath the hard plastic encasement, the tank sits protected from as many outside elements as possible. It’s isolated from moisture, so that it won’t rust easily. It’s also resistant to puncture and denting. This extra level of protection allows you to use this machine on a busy work site without too much worry that it will be damaged if small accidents occur.

Competitive on Many Levels

The CMB15 is also one of the least expensive compressors on our list – placed squarely within the budget of even our most money-conscious readers. Its 135 internal PSI, 2.0 CFM output, and 79 dBA are all pretty acceptable, even when compared to other high-quality machines.

As it weighs only 20 pounds, carrying this Porter-Cable compressor around will be about as easy as carrying a bag of groceries. In fact, the ergonomics are probably better thanks to the thick, hard plastic handle attached to the top. On our list, only the Senco PC1010 is as light.

Overall, this is a great compressor to keep with you in your car to adjust tire pressure, on camping trips to inflate air mattresses, around your property for many different tasks, or take to work sites for occasional use with basic pneumatic tools.

In case you’ve ever found yourself wondering: “What is a pancake air compressor?”, one look at the picture of this one should explain it. The type of design, also found in the DeWALT DWFP55126, just means that the air tank is round and stout instead of long and cylindrical. For the most part, this makes no difference to the overall functioning of the compressor, but it does have an effect in terms of convenience.

Short, round compressors like these have all of their working parts on the top, where they are easily accessible if you need to do any sort of work on them. The shape also lends itself to cord storage, since you can simply wrap the cord around the superstructure.

150 Internal PSI

One of the errors many people make when buying their first compressor is to think only of the PSI output. Certainly, the PSI output is an important aspect of the overall performance of a machine: combined with the CFM rating, it tells you which sorts of tools you can use with the machine. The internal PSI is important as well, though, but is often ignored or neglected.

A high internal PSI of 150 means that this machine is designed to maintain a PSI of up to 150 in the tank during normal use. With an output of about 90 PSI, this differential means that your compressor has an extra reserve to keep up with the demand from your tools.

Two is Better Than One

Two couplers (or hookups) are included to allow you and someone else to work simultaneously with the same machine, or let a single person switch between tools without messing around with connections. Not all compressors have this feature, although five others on this list also have twin couplers.

It’s important to remember that the machine won’t run quite as well with two tools pulling 90 PSI at the same time. If both are drawing a lot of air, the motor will have to run continuously to keep up with the demand. That being said, the high internal PSI rating will help it keep up with the demand better than many other compressors, at least if the connected tools are used only intermittently.

The owner’s manual doesn’t state the horsepower of this motor, although, if asked, the manufacturer will tell you it’s 0.8 hp. This is fine for hobbyist use, but can’t be expected to last long if used for hours on end. Still, our thorough review of consumer opinions leads us to believe that this machine is more than capable of standing up to your home needs.

With a maximum internal pressure that’s the same as its maximum delivery PSI of 135, this unit has the highest PSI output of any of the options on our list. Why does this matter?

Since there is a trade-off between CFM and PSI (CFM generally goes down as PSI goes up), the high PSI rating on this machine does not imply a high flow rate. In fact, both the Makita MAC5200 Big Bore and the California Air Tools 10020C have higher CFM ratings at 90 PSI.

What is cool about the high PSI rating, though, is that some tools need a machine with a higher PSI output than 90 (which is kind of a standard, and the maximum of most of the others on this list). Only the Senco PC1010 and DEWALT DCC252560T1 also offer PSI outputs over 90.

An Oil-Filled Air Pump

If you aren’t familiar with the difference between oil-filled and oil-less air pumps, it is important that you take some time to learn about the extra maintenance requirements and think carefully before you choose an option such as this one. Some tools (most notably airbrushing tools and some woodworking tools) are not compatible with oil-filled air pumps. Tiny droplets of oil can escape the pump and make its way into the tool, potentially damaging it or the ruining the finish you are trying to achieve.

We don’t tell you this to scare you away from oil-filled options like the Makita and this one, though. If you use your air compressor for regular building and mechanical tasks, the fact that it is oil-filled should only bother you if you hate the idea of cleaning and maintaining it.

As it happens, there are a couple of major upsides to owning a compressor with an oil-filled pump. First, it won’t overheat as easily as an oil-less option. Secondly, due to the better lubrication it will last much longer, increasing the overall longevity of the machine.

Two Tanks, One Stage

Don’t be fooled by the fact that this compressor has two tanks – it is only a single-stage system. Though the air is held in both tanks, it doesn’t move through two stages of compression like in dual-stage compressors from California Air Tools. Instead, the dual-tank design just seems to be a way of increasing the air capacity without making the unit too bulky to carry.

It’s hard to find an air compressor with a tank this large which is made for home rather than industrial use. It’s especially hard to find one that additionally has decent CFM and PSI outputs and an acceptably noise of 68 dBA. Of all the compressors we’ve chosen to review, this one’s tank is the second largest, taking a back seat only to the massive 10-gallon tank attached to the California Air Tools 10020C.

A large tank implies that more air can be stored, which means that it will take longer to drain the pressure to the point where tools will no longer function correctly. Essentially, this means that the motor won’t have to run as often, wear out as quickly, or be the limiting factor when it comes to your productivity.

What really makes this compressor an attractive option, though, is the price. It’s about 1/3 the price of the California Air Tools model and not that much smaller. Of course, you have to give something to get something, and those savings do come at a price. In this case, you’ll be missing out on the high CFM rating @ 90 PSI that makes the California air compressor so attractive for framing and similarly air-draining jobs. The CFM for this machine is only 2.4, while the California machine can handle 5.3. If you’re not going to need that kind of capability, though, the cheaper option is almost certainly the better choice.

More Options for More Needs

If 8 gallons is a little more than you need, or if you just want to maximize your savings while still committing to a quality machine such as this one, you will be happy to hear that the 8-gallon option isn’t the only choice. A 6 gallon and 4.6 gallon version of this very same compressor also exist, both stacking up well as far as pricing is concerned.