Senco PC1010 Air Compressor Review

Let’s be honest: in terms of performance, the Senco PC1010 doesn’t hold a candle to something like the MAC200 Big Bore.

However, 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 compressors we reviewed are geared toward those who are serious about their power tools, we also wanted to include a couple of air compressors that appeal to the everyday homeowner who wants to take his or her home improvements to the next level.

Powerful Enough for your Air Tools

Though it isn’t the most powerful compressor, this 1-gallon air compressor delivers 0.7 CFM at 90 PSI to power all 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.

So basically, you can use it to power every air tool you may have in your garage. Staplers and nail guns like a brad nailer and framing nailer will get all the airflow they need, while you can regulate the airflow and PSI numbers to any specific needs you might have.

Easy to Carry

The small 1-gallon tank is one reason why this machine is so easy to transport from one place to another. Its little 0.5 horsepower motor doesn’t weigh very much either and further contributes to its ease of use and portability.

At only 20 pounds total, carrying this air compressor with you as you move from one area of your home to another should present no difficulty.

Impressive Features

Its integrated airflow 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.

Very Quiet

The 1/2 HP running power (1 HP peak) is delivered by a direct drive induction motor, which makes it a relatively quiet air compressor compared to the other compressors we reviewed.

All compressor make noise, of course, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you turn the machine on. Most of the noise will come from the air tools you’re working with.

Lots of Value for your Money

Another area where the Senco PC1010 air compressor stands 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 good qualities at an extremely fair price, backed by a one-year manufacturer warranty.

Here’s a video from Senco where they explain the capabilities of its comparable but slightly younger (and more expensive) little brother, the Senco PC1010N:

Considering its price, this machine contains a number of impressive features. The airflow regulator and its high PSI output option are big selling points, and a large part of the reason we incorporated this somewhat lackluster machine on our list of top air compressors in the first place.