Air Compressor Buyers Guide: Top Brands & Affordable Picks

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An air compressor can be a godsend at home, in the garage, or on a job site. While portable cordless tools are valuable, air tools tend to cost less than their battery-powered counterparts. While they're limited by things like compressor portability and hose length, there's a reason nearly every auto shop and construction crew has some version of a compressor on site — they're rugged, reliable, and, in some cases, irreplaceable.

There are several factors to consider when shopping for an air compressor. A reliable brand name is important to some, although several lesser-known companies specialize in compressors. Tank size can be a big deal depending on the job at hand, and the maximum PSI that tank can hold is equally crucial.

Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) or Standard Cubic Feet per Minute (SCFM) are also important metrics that measure the rate at which air flows in and out of the compressor tank. The higher the CFM or SCFM, the more tools you can use at once, or the higher the duty cycle you can get out of those tools. For the sake of keeping things comparable, the compressors on our list are mostly designed for airing up some tires or running a finishing nailer or two rather than running an entire shop full of auto repair air tools.

We considered these metrics and came up with this list of affordable air compressors made by some of the top brands in the industry.

Noise is often an issue with air compressors, especially when used indoors. Some of the larger units can be nearly deafening — as the unlucky guy who was set up next to the compressor in my last auto shop, I can attest to having had to wear ear protection all day, every day. Even smaller portable compressors like the ones we are listing today can produce some pretty impressive sounds, with many hitting over 80 decibels. For comparison, that's about as loud as a freight train!

One of the better-rated compressor brands in terms of noise is California Air Tools. Buyers note the compressors' reliability as well as the relatively quiet operating volume. The company markets several of its compressors as "ultra quiet," and while that's a relative term, it does apply in this case. The California Air Tools 8010A, for example, produces about 60 decibels, comparable to a busy restaurant. Its aluminum tank reduces the risk of rust and makes the unit more lightweight than a traditional steel tank.

For $222 on Amazon, this wheeled oil-free compressor has a capacity of eight gallons, maxes out at 120 PSI, and it's oil-free for those of us who forget to oil up our tools regularly. It's under 40 pounds, making it fairly easy to move around as the job requires, and many online reviewers point out that one can't even hear the compressor running in a garage when they head indoors.

When we talk about top brands, DeWalt is always going to make the list. The "yellow brand" of tools has been around since the 1920s, with many of its tools (including the compressor we'll discuss here) assembled here in the United States. It's another brand owned by Stanley Black+Decker, but daily tool users recognize the DeWalt brand as its own beast, a reliable and durable toolmaker.

DeWalt's most popular pancake compressor on Amazon, the DWFP55126, is a great balance of performance and price. It's specifically designed to work well in cold weather, which is a common problem among compressors. It features two built-in universal couplers, allowing for tag team action or dual wielding of air tools right out of the box. The pump is maintenance-free, and the six-gallon tank can handle a whopping 165 max PSI, although it only produces 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI, which is in line with many of the other compressors on our list.

And while 78.5 decibels isn't the quietest compressor on our list, it is average for this size of compressor. At $199 on Amazon, this compressor is definitely one of the more solid, average options on our list, albeit one with a surprising air pressure capacity.

This German toolmaker might be one of the lesser-known companies on our list, but Metabo has been around since the 1920s. SlashGear has mentioned Metabo in our listing of the top-rated tool combo kits available at Lowe's, and the company even won a Pro Tool Innovation Award in 2020 for its pancake compressor, dubbed "The Tank."

The Metabo EC914SM is a tough-looking little compressor, earning the nickname "The Tank," and the specs on this tool make it one of the best on our list. Its maximum tank capacity of 200 PSI is at the top end of our list, and its 4 CFM at 90 PSI is enough to power two framing nailers at once or even more heavy-duty tools like a half-inch air ratchet. The metal handle and large protective casing over the compressor motor make this compressor a rugged, durable choice.

This long list of great features, with a price tag under $200 at Lowe's, makes this one of the best choices for a user who needs to get a lot of power out of a small package.

One of America's best tool brands by any metric, Milwaukee's bright red products have been exceeding customers' demands for nearly a century. While Milwaukee's price tags are higher than the competition, online brand loyalists often call out the company's better "feel," wide variety of industry-specialized tools for tradespeople, and rugged reliability as justification for that higher cost.

Milwaukee makes a wide variety of products, from hand tools to lawn care equipment. And while Milwaukee makes several smaller tire inflators, the wide adoption of its M18 Fuel battery system makes us want to focus on this 2 Gallon Compact Quiet Compressor. It runs quieter than most comparable battery-powered compressors at 68 decibels. It's easy to move around, with an integrated roll cage that doubles as a built-in handle, making it durable enough to be tossed into a truck bed after use.

At 1.2 SCFM, it's mostly appropriate for lower-power tools like a single nailer, but it can fire up to 1,600 nails on a single battery charge. As part of the M18 FUEL line, its batteries are compatible with over 250 other Milwaukee tools, including these standouts. It'll cost shoppers $379 at Home Depot, but that's perfectly reasonable for a Milwaukee product, especially if one has already invested in other tools that use the same battery packs.

Stark USA imports a number of good compressors that balance power output with noise. While the company has only been around for a little over a decade, its compressors have already proven popular among pro reviewers and shoppers.

The Stark USA 65151 is a lemon-yellow 10-gallon compressor that can hold up to 125 PSI and features automatic shutoff. With a rating of 3.5 CFM at 90 PSI, the use of more heavy-duty tools isn't out of the question, and its 65-decibel noise rating puts it on the low end of our compressor spectrum. The cast-iron cylinder is stable and durable, with large rubber feet on the front end and large wheels on the back for easy transport.

Amazon reviews note that a recent redesign by Stark led to the replacement of the cheap plastic handle the unit used to feature; it's since been fitted with a sturdier metal one. However, it is worth noting that Stark USA is not in the manufacturing business, as its tools are imported and rebranded. But at $210 on Amazon for a well-reviewed compressor featuring a tank with 10 times the capacity of many of our other choices, Stark is a brand worth considering as its compressor packs a lot of power in a small, affordable package.