Best Air Compressors for 2024

Nearly every professional contractor uses an air compressor. Of course, it’s not just a construction tool. Automotive, woodworking, aviation, marine, and many others use a compressor to power air tools. When we got our team together to decide on the best air compressor, we sparked a fierce debate concerning brands, styles, prices, and much more.

Now that the physical and relational bruises have healed, we’re ready to share our expert opinions across a wide range of categories.

Best Air Compressors – Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Metabo HPT EC1315SM 8-gal Portable Air Compressor – Buy on Amazon
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• Best Compact: Metabo HPT EC914SM The Tank Pancake Compressor – Buy on Amazon
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• Quietest: Makita MAC320Q Quiet Series 3-gal Air Compressor – Buy from Amazon
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• Best Cordless: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2840 2-gal Quiet Compressor – Buy from Acme Tools
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• Best Wheelbarrow: Metabo HPT Tank XL Wheelbarrow Compressor – Buy on Amazon
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• Best Shop: Ingersoll Rand 80-gal 5 HP 230V Air Compressor – Buy on Amazon
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• Best Value Portable: Craftsman CMEC6150 6-gal Air Compressor – Buy on Amazon
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• Best Value for the Garage: Kobalt 26-gal Vertical Air Compressor – Buy at Lowe’s
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• Best Brand: Rolair – Shop on Amazon
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• Best Inflator: Milwaukee M18 2848 Inflator – Buy from Acme Tools
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Also in this Article

• Best-Selling Air Compressors
• More Recommendations
• What to Look for When Buying an Air Compressor
• Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Related Content

• How to Use an Air Compressor
• Best Framing Nailer
• How to Use a Roofing Nailer Like a Pro

Best Air Compressor Overall – Our Top Pick

Metabo HPT 8-gallon Portable Air Compressor EC1315SM

Coming off of the success of the Metabo HPT pancake air compressor (also called “The Tank”), the 8-gallon EC1315SM delivers more CFM and capacity. Delivering up to 225 PSI and 5 CFM (at 90 PSI), you can run 3 framing nailers or 4 roofing/siding nailers simultaneously. Running a trim crew? Connect as many as five 15-gauge or 16-gauge finish nailers and get to work! In either of these scenarios, each tool would have plenty of air to drive nails.

At $399, you get a lot of tool in this capable package. Between the wheeled portability and capacity—we find this compressor to be an all-around workhorse.

Best Small Compact Air Compressor

Choosing the best small air compressor typically means a pancake model. These models deliver a smaller amount of volume, but have the advantage of portability. The best models compensate for small volume with airflow rates that deliver plenty of air for roofing, framing, or similar tasks.

Metabo HPT The Tank Pancake Compressor EC914SM

Metabo HPT again delivers outstanding performance with their Tank pancake compressor. With 4 CFM at 90 PSI and 200 PSI Max, it outperforms most other pancakes by a mile. Capable of running 2 framing or roofing nailers continuously, it doesn’t come with a crazy-high premium either. Just $199 takes it home.

With its 6-gallon tank, “The Tank” takes home a couple of accolades. It’s our top choice as the best pancake air compressor and the best 6-gallon air compressor. It also happens to be a 2020 Pro Tool Innovation Award Winner. For around $200, we find it hard to beat.

Best Quiet Air Compressor

Makita Quiet Series 3 Gallon Air Compressor MAC320Q

At 60 decibels, the Makita Quiet Series 3-gallon air compressor is quiet enough to hold a conversation next to it. However, it’s not just the noise level that made it our choice as the best quiet compressor.

The MAC320Q offers better air delivery than most. With up to 2.6 CFM at 90 PSI, it maxes out 135 PSI in its 3-gallon tank. Keeping the noise down by running at 1750 RPM, it still takes just 65 seconds to charge and only requires 8.5 amps to run. You can grab this compressor for around $384.

Best Wheelbarrow Air Compressor

Metabo HPT Tank XL Wheelbarrow Compressor

Metabo HPT shows up once again on our list—but they really seem to be on a roll. They simply nailed the design of their 9-gallon Tank XL wheelbarrow air compressor. Powered by a Honda GX160 engine, it oozes long-term reliability. With a pair of 4.5-gallon tanks, it delivers 9.5 CFM at 90 PSI—dropping only slightly to 9.3 CFM at 100 PSI. We also really like the solid rubber maintenance-free tire for navigating nail-ridden jobsites.

From start to finish, we think the $1299 Metabo HPT has the all-around best wheelbarrow air compressor available.

Best Shop Air Compressor

Ingersoll Rand 80-gal 5 HP 230V Single Phase Air Compressor

Things got heated when we started talking about the best shop compressor. One thing is clear: Ingersoll-Rand, Jet, and Rolair dominate the shop compressor space in the opinion of our review team. Either of those brands represents a solid choice.

We decided to base our choice on the best single-stage 80-gallon air compressor each brand offers. We realize there are a lot more choices than just this design we narrowed it down to, but we had to make a decision and this seemed like the best all-around.

This Ingersoll-Rand offers 100% duty cycle operation with 17.8 CFM (and models that go up to 24 CFM or more). At $3150, expect to pay for the quality you get with this system.

Editor’s Note: Be sure to also check out our recommendation for the best portable air compressor for your home garage

Best Air Compressor for the Money

Portable: Craftsman CMEC6150 6-gal Air Compressor

Priced around $129, this Craftsman 6-gallon pancake compressor lets you tackle anything from framing to trim tasks. It delivers up to 150 PSI max pressure with an air flow of 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI. The oil-free design should let you use this for many years with little to no maintenance. For those keeping score, the fact that this product is manufacturered in the USA makes it even better.

For the Garage: Kobalt 26-gal Vertical Air Compressor

We reach for Kobalt when looking for an inexpensive but quality compressor in hjust about any form factor. Found at Lowe’s, their larger-capacity 26-gallon vertical compressor offers up to 150 PSI max pressure. The 1.8 hp 4-pole induction motor also produces 4.5 CFM at 90 PSI for supplying plenty of air for many sanding and air tool applications.

This value pick comes in around $339. If you need something larger or with more airflow, check out our shop air compressor pick.

Best Air Compressor Brand

Rolair Air Compressors

When cost is no object and you’re targeting the highest quality across an entire line, more of our Pros turn to Rolair than any other brand. With a history dating back to 1959, the Wisconsin-based manufacturer says it quite simply, “Our goal was simple: Produce the finest compressors known to mankind.”

In our opinion, they still do.

Best Inflator for Tires

Milwaukee M18 2848 Inflator

We’re tool guys. When we hashed out the best inflator, most of us wanted a cordless option rather than a 12V that connects to the car.

After much debate, we chose the $179 Milwaukee M18 inflator. Our justification? It’s faster at filling than most others we’ve tested. We also love the way it takes several rreadings when necessary to ensure a more accurate fill.

Best-Selling Air Compressors

Checking the best-selling air compressors at trusted online retailers gives you an advantage when shopping. These often give you the best value picks as well as less expensive and on-sale models often appear at the top of the list. We dropped links to what was at the front at the time we were writing, but they change often, so be sure to click the buttons to see what’s hot right now.

Amazon

• DeWalt DCC2560T1 Flexvolt 60V Cordless Air Compressor Kit – $388
• Senco PC1010 1-gal Portable Hot Dog Air Compressor – $136
• Metabo HPT EC914S The Tank 6-gal Air Compressor – $199

Best Air Compressors at Acme Tools

• Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2-gal Compact Quiet Compressor (bare) – $379
• DeWalt DCC2520B 20V 2.5-gal Air Compressor (bare) – $199
• Metabo HPT EC914SM The Tank 6-gal Air Compressor – $199

Lowe’s

• Kobalt 6-Gallons Portable 150 PSI Pancake Air Compressor – $99
• Kobalt Quiet Tech 26-gal Portable 150 PSI Vertical Air Compressor – $339
• Craftsman 6-gal Portable 150 PSI Pancake Air Compressor – $129

Home Depot

• Husky 60-gal 3.7HP 1-phase 175 PSI Oil Lubed Belt Compressor – $899
• Ridgid 6 Gal. Portable Electric Pancake Air Compressor – $99
• Ridgid 20 Gal. Vertical Electric-Powered Silent Air Compressor – $349

More Recommendations from Brands We Trust

Best Porter-Cable Compressor

Porter Cable C2002 150 PSI Oil-Free Pancake Compressor
Solid, budget air compressor that supplies enough air for DIY and entry-level pro trim and minimal framing use.

Price: $169

Best Ryobi Compressor

Ryobi 18V 1-gal Cordless Air Compressor Kit
Basic but versatile cordless air compressor with 120 PSI max pressure. Perfect for DIY light-duty use and trim projects.

Price: $215.39

Best Ridgid Compressor

Ridgid 4.5-gal Quiet Air Compressor
This dual-stack electric air compressor provides up to 200 PSI. More importantly, it produces 5.1 SCFM at 90 PSI, making it a great solution for anything from framing to roofing applications and even some sanding applications.

Price: $349

Air Compressor Buying Guide

Power Source

The most common air compressors run on either gas or electric power. Electric models can be either 120V or 240V, depending on the level of performance they have.

Smaller electric compressors are highly portable. They can run on a generator if you don’t have a direct AC power supply nearby. On the other hand, larger units tend to be installed in place and piped to the most convenient locations where you install connectors for your hoses.

Gas units are usually reserved for jobs that require high air delivery when mobility is a priority.

Battery-powered air compressors are becoming more popular with several major power tool brands making them. These are typically lower-power options that are best for finish nailers and other low-supply applications.

CFM and PSI

When you’re shopping for an air compressor, CFM and PSI are the key specs. They tell you the most about the performance you can expect.

CFM (often measured at 90 PSI) lets you know the volume of air the unit can sustain. You can get higher CFM out of the tanks, but the pump won’t be able to replace it as fast as you’re using it. That means you have to take some “breaks”. Some tools, such as finish nailers, require very little CFM to keep up with the pace of the work. Other tools, like air sanders, need much higher CFM values to keep running.

PSI (pounds per square inch) is a measurement of the maximum pressure the pump can put in the tank. The higher the pressure, the greater the amount of air the tank can hold. 125 PSI is a good starting point and 200 PSI gets you into the high end of the spectrum for the most common units.

The reality is that every tool has its own CFM and PSI requirements. Check the package or the manual for the tool you’re considering and make sure the air compressor you’re buying can handle both. To make sure you get the most from your compressor, we recommend going with a model that gives you 50% higher CFM than your highest tool’s needs.

Tank Capacity

Tank capacity is a measure of the amount of air volume your compressor can hold. Each tank has a pressure rating and pairs with a pump. The higher the pressure the pump delivers, the greater the total amount of air the tanks hold. After that, the number of gallons determines the rest of the equation for understanding how long you can work.

Pro Tip: Drain your air compressor after every use. The air that comes in carried moisture with it and can start to rust the tank from the inside, especially around coastal areas.

Even if you find your compressor’s tank capacity is a little low, you can add an additional reserve tank to increase it.

Pro Tip: Every tank has an expiration date. Replace it once you reach that date to ensure the tank doesn’t fail.

Couplers

Most portable air compressors have one or two couplings on board. It’s also possible to add a two or three-way splitter. Just be aware that you’re sharing the air and your system needs to work harder to keep up.

Noise Level

Air compressors can be noisy! Add in a small gas engine and they get loud enough that you’ll want hearing protection.

One way to reduce noise is with the drive style. Belt drive compressors run quieter than direct drive by nature.

If you frequently work indoors, in occupied spaces, or around noise-sensitive campuses, look for a quiet compressor. These can drop down below 60 decibels (though most are more) and operate at a level you can actually hold a conversation next to.

Most quiet models are on the lower air delivery side. That means you’re unlikely to find one that’s good for sanding or roofing.

Duty Cycle

Duty cycle is a rating that tells you the percentage of time your compressor can run. For example, a 50% duty capacity tells you it needs 30 minutes of downtime for every 30 minutes of running.

If you’re looking for the best model in a high-use environment, check the duty cycle rating. Look for a compressor with a 100% duty cycle for high-demand work. For work that doesn’t keep a compressor working to keep up the entire time (most common), a 50% duty cycle is just fine.

Pump Type

Without going into a ton of detail about air compressor pumps, there are two basic types: oiled and oil-free. Oil-free models are much more convenient since you don’t have to worry about oil levels and require less maintenance.

Don’t be afraid of splash-lubricated compressors, though. They don’t require a ton of refilling even though you should keep an eye on the levels frequently. In the end, your best bet is the compressor that meets your tools’ requirements whether it needs oil or not.

Types of Air Compressors

We mention several different types of air compressors above. If you’re shopping for your first one, here’s a breakdown of what we mean:

Pancake Air Compressor

Pancake air compressors use a round, flatter tank style with the motor and pump on top. They’re highly portable and stable with a relatively small footprint. These are a favorite among trim carpenters.

Hot Dog Air Compressor

A “hot dog” air compressor uses a single, longer cylinder-shaped tank with the motor and pump up top. Smaller capacity models are similar in footprint to pancake designs while larger capacities tend to take up more room. Some models may have a wheel system built into the frame.

Twin Stack Air Compressor

Essentially, a twin-stack air compressor features a double hot dog style. The two tanks can be on the base or stacked on top of one another with the motor and pump shifting from the top to the front side. The advantage is primarily additional capacity. Some models will have a wheel and handle system built into the frame.

Wheelbarrow Air Compressor

Take a twin-stack air compressor and feed it some and you get a wheelbarrow compressor. These usually feature two high-capacity tanks on the base with a gas engine for its power plant (there are also electric models). A single wheel between the tanks and handles on the opposite side makes it portable despite its much heavier design.

Vertical Air Compressor

Vertical air compressors use a single high-capacity tank with the motor and pump mounted on top. Smaller models usually have a handle and wheels that you can move around similar to a hand truck. Larger models are designed to be installed and stay in place.

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