Having a portable air compressor may seem unnecessary until something goes wrong. What would you do when your car develops a puncture in the middle of nowhere at night with no help coming? Portable air compressors play a crucial role in different settings in our lives. The type to buy depends on the work you want to power with it.
It is one of the most important equipment you can store in your garage or toss into your car’s trunk. You can use them to power tools and inflate tires among other applications. With so many options available on the market, this guide will help you find the right one for your needs.
1. ONTEL Air Hawk Pro Automatic Cordless Tire Inflator
This cordless inflator quickly and conveniently inflates bike tires, sports equipment, car tires and inflatable toys among others. It features a digital LED pressure gauge that reads and automatically turns off when the desired pressure is achieved. It is simple to use and includes a 5-inch long air hose with a threaded connector for a proper seal with the valves. It runs on a rechargeable battery charged by a 12V adaptor and an 11-inch long car adaptor. The compressor is small enough to fit your glove compartment or roadside emergency bag.
2. PORTER-CABLE C2002-WK Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor
This is a pancake-style compressor with optimal stability, rubber feet, water drain valve, and a 150 PSI tank. Its higher-pressure design provides longer air supply to support tools that require longer periods of pressurized air. It has a quick recovery time and includes an oil-free pump that requires no maintenance. Its low amp 120V motor starts easily, even in cold weather.
It is designed for easy transportation and has a 6-gallon tank capacity. It comes with s one-year limited warranty on the compressor components and the accessory kit. It is convenient to work with and has a 25-foot nylon hose to extend your range of operation.
3. Bostitch BTFP02012 6 Gallon 150 PSI Oil-Free Compressor
Enjoy working with this oil-free and maintenance-free compressor in your shop or around the home. It has a 6-gallon tank capable of containing 150 PSI to give your tools a longer working air supply. The compressor is portable and lightweight so you can work with it in the field conveniently.
Its high-efficiency motor starts easily, even in cold weather or with extension cord application. Its high flow regulators and couplers maximize the performance of the air tools. The universal couplers easily support two users. It weighs only 29 lbs making it very easy to carry to a site or the store.
4. California Air Tools 5510SE Ultra Quiet Air Compressor
If you love working in a quiet environment, then this ultra-quiet air tool is the right one for you. It works at only 60 decibels, but the powerful 1.0 HP motor operates at 1680 RPM creating less noise and wear. It is designed for an increased duty cycle that allows for longer continuous run times. The compressor is designed for durability and high performance. It has a life cycle of more than 3,000 running hours making it very durable and reliable among the products on the market.
5. Kensun AC/DC Rapid Performance Portable Air Compressor
Transcend the function of regular air compressors with this model. Its unique versatility allows it to adapt to home AC socket and the car DC socket. It has digital presets and additional attachments that make this product able to inflate anything. It is designed to achieve the delicate pressure requirements of the smallest beach ball to heavy-duty applications like car tires.
It has a 30-minute continuous working time at 35 psi, LED illumination for working in the dark and two attachment nozzles to fit various inflatable items.
6. DEWALT DWFP55126 6-Gallon 165 PSI Pancake Compressor
The DEWALT DWFP55126 will offer you a high-efficiency motor with easy start in all conditions. Get up to 165 PSI on the 6-gallon tank. The 2.6 SCFM delivered at 90 PSI enables air tools to run for longer due to the quick recovery time. It has a long life oil-free pump that offers maintenance-free operation. It operates quietly at 75.5 decibels and features two universal couplers to support two users.
7. PORTER-CABLE CMB15 150 PSI 1.5 Gallon Oil-Free Compressor
This compressor has an impressive recovery time to support longer run time operations. It has a 150 PSI 1.5 gallon fully shrouded tank that is easy to carry. Its durable oil-free pump makes it a long life pump with no maintenance. Its low amp motor starts easily even in cold weather or with an extension cord. It weighs just 20 pounds and is very portable for use anywhere. It is fully enclosed to protect the user from the hot and moving parts. It comes with a 25-foot coil hose and an eight-piece accessory kit for various inflation tasks.
8. Senco PC1010 1-Horsepower Peak 1-Gallon Compressor
If you are a hobbyist who does a lot of finish and trim work among other crafts, then this air compressor will benefit you. It is an ultra-quiet and lightweight compressor you can use at home, shop or in the field. It is compact and portable and provides adequate pressure for a wide range of pneumatic tools.
It features a direct drive motor for the extra efficient operation to handle a variety of jobs. The aluminum cylinder is very durable and reliable. It fills in just 128 seconds and rests for 35 seconds; you will not waste any of your valuable time.
9. Ryobi P731 One+ Power Inflator/Deflator Cordless Air Compressor
Working with air pumps can be exhausting. This is where the Ryobi 18v Power Inflator/Deflator comes in.It has two hoses, one for high pressure and the other for low pressure with a convenient switch for the change. You can now fill various items with accurate pressure thanks to this high-powered machine pump. No more squeezing the air out of your inflatable items, just use this machine and accomplish tasks faster.
10. Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressor
Now you can handle multiple projects with the Campbell Hausfeld air compressor. It has a 3-gallon tank that makes it perfect for powering nailers, airbrushes, and brad nailers in addition to inflating car and bicycle tires. It has a conveniently placed gauge that is easy to read. The compressor has a compact design and is lightweight hence its excellent portability. It has an oilless pump that requires no maintenance.
Types of air compressors
Each air compressor, from a small portable inflator to a stationary single-stage compressor is tailored for a specific job. The pancake and hot-dog air compressors are excellent or inflating tires and toys, however, to power air tools, you will need something more robust like a single-stage compressor.
Inflators
These come in handy if you experience low tire pressure while on the road. Each vehicle needs its inflator in the trunk to help in emergencies instead of trying to find the nearest gas station.
Pancake air compressors
If you have a small filling task at home, this is the right air compressor. It has a 1-gallon tank and is lightweight at 16 pounds for portability and easy storage. These compressor types are oil-free and have no belts to maintain hence maintenance-free operation. They are good for filling sports balls, bicycle tires, and rafts, but cannot power air tools. Since they are oil-free, they are quite noisy.
Hot dog air compressors
This type of compressor is popular with hobbyists since it has adequate power to run small air tools like staples and airbrushes. Their tanks are slightly bigger and are heavier. These compressors have handles to make transportation easier. They are oil-less and have no belts. Therefore, they require little to no maintenance though they are quite loud.
Twin-stack air compressors
This type has two air tanks to store more air, so it does not have to run as often as the others do. It makes for an excellent choice if you are a DIY enthusiast since it has adequate power to run power tools like nailers, brad guns, and other finish trim tools.
Portable single-stage air compressors
This type of air compressor is popular with carpenters and those who would like to run nail guns frequently. They are excellent for building decks, re-siding your home or framing addition. It has a stronger engine and better compressor pump for the toughest tasks but may cost more though lasts longer than other portable air compressors.
Stationary single-stage air compressors
This type is necessary for a workshop or home use for those who need the occasional affordable air. They are useful for automotive work like rotating tires among other small tasks. They are built to last many years and deliver reliable air.
How to choose the right air compressor
Once you understand a few concepts, it will be easy buying the right air compressor. This will save you time and money in the long run. With this guide, you will be able to select the right product for your needs.
Tool air consumption
For an air tool to work correctly, the compressor should supply enough air flow at the right pressure. When choosing a compressor, the air tool should be the primary concern. Each air tool has a specific air consumption measured in liters per minute or cubic feet per minute. They also operate at specific air pressures measured in bars or pounds per square inch. It is crucial that you consult the tool manufacturer or read the manual to get the requirements before buying an air compressor.
The compressor should deliver enough air pressure to meet the tool air consumption. The volume of air produced is called FAD which is also measured liters per minute. It should relate directly to a tool’s air requirements. If you intend to operate several tools simultaneously, you will have to add up their total air requirements and deliver the total airflow and pressure.
Air pressure and quality
The compressor should deliver air at the right pressure required by the tool. It should have an air pressure regulator for adjusting the pressure for each tool. Excessive pressure can damage tools built for lower air pressure. Compressed air varies in quality; the air can contain dust and oil particles unless filtered out. If your tools require clean air, consider a compressor with particle and moisture filter. The oil-less pumps negate the risk of oil entering the airflow.
Tool usage
The way you intend to use your tools will also determine the type of air compressor to purchase. That which is run continuously will require a greater air volume if it is to operate efficiently. You need to consider the pressure cycle, the re-pressurizing, and cooling of phases. As it produces compressed air, the compressor produces heat that can damage the machine is not properly managed. After reaching the maximum air pressure in the tank, the compressor turns off to allow cooling as the tool consumes the pressurized air. When the tool consumes the stored air too quickly, the compressor will not have adequate time to cool off and can get damaged.
For this, you should consider the duty cycle; the ratio between pressurization and cool down phase. For durable performance, the duty cycle should not be 60% of the time pressurizing, and 40% turned off. If your tool will consume a lot of air continuously, it is crucial that you consider a compressor with a higher FAD or larger storage tank.
Where you want to use the compressor
There are factors to consider based on where you want to use the compressor. Its portability comes in if you will want to use it around. It should be easily movable, and lightweight the more portable you want it. However, this comes at a cost; you will be limited in the size, power, and volume of air produced.
If you want to work outdoors where there is no electricity, then consider a petrol engine. This should never be used in an enclosed space due to the exhaust fumes. A compressor with an electric motor will be cheaper and requires less maintenance compared to a petrol engine. The electric compressor will require 10 to 15 amp electricity or even a 3 phase power supply.
The size of your compressor tank is crucial. A large one is necessary if you have high consuming tools. Larger tanks, however, make the compressor less portable d more suited for shop or home use. If your tool is used in short intermittent bursts, then a small tank will suffice.
Conclusion
When you purchase the right air compressor for your tools, all will be well. It is crucial that you understand your tool’s air consumption needs before choosing a model to buy. It is a long-term investment; therefore it should be done right. With air compressors, you get what you pay for, the higher the quality of construction, the higher the prices and the more durable the product.