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 air compressor by DeWALT is one of the lightest compressors we reviewed. 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 portable compressor we reviewed (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 bring your generator and string up extension cords around your workspace that 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 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.
- A rugged external roll cage allows it to take a beating without harm.
- Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry from place to place.
- Rechargeable batteries are available, so that you never have to be tethered down with an electrical cord.
- Its weak 0.4 horsepower engine means that this compressor probably won't stand up to hours upon hours of use.
- Near the top end of our price range, this compressor's undeniable convenience may not be enough to justify the additional expense.
