Best Air Compressor For Home Garage And Shop

The best air compressor for home garage can save you time you would usually spend in bringing your car to the gas station to inflate its tires.  Having this kind of device in your garage means you won’t be caught with a deflated tire ever again.

But its benefits go beyond inflating your car tires. An air compressor can come in handy for DIY projects as it can power most of your power tools.  If you are a handy man or craftsman who likes taking on projects involving wood or metals, then you can enjoy greater efficiency with the help of an air compressor.

And the best air compressor for home shop isn’t only useful for inflating car tires. It can be used in expediting different tasks like painting car bodies, disassembling of engines, amongst others.

Air compressors for garage use are designed to be portable and easy to store. Handles, wheels and compartments are familiar features. These devices are also not as noisy as their bigger, more powerful industrial-type counterparts.

4 Best Air Compressor For Home Garage And Shop

Still at a lost in which air compressor to get for your home garage? Then look at the list below and see which of these units best fits your needs :

Best Quiet Garage Air Compressor: California Air Tools 10020C

This is an air compressor which is said to be one of the quietest units around, with a noise level  under 70 decibels.  This 2.0 HP air compressor is quiet enough to be used at night without bothering your visitors. With a CFM of 6.40 at 40 PSI and 5.30 at 90 PSI, this air compressor has enough air flow to power typicaltools.

This unit also features an Easy Start Valve for an easier and quicker start up. It releases a minimal amount of air during start-up, resulting into a no-load condition and enabling the motor to spin without resistance. It also requires less amps and thus enables the compressor to start up easily during cold weather.

Moving this unit around should not be a problem at all with its sturdy handle. The 10-gallon steel air tank also has a wheel kit that makes it easier to move it around the garage. Plus, the 86-pound tank is fairly lightweight for its size.

There are other convenient, user-friendly features integrated into this unit. The compressor has a couple of universal, quarter-inch quick connectors.  You simply have to push in the hose fitting so that the connector will hold it tight.  Moreover, the drain valve is easy to close and open with the simple turn of the handle.

Best Portable Air Compressor For Garage: WEN 2202 Vertical Air Compressor

This could be the best portable air compressor for garage right now. Portability is one of its biggest strengths with an onboard handle for quick and easy transportation and storage.

With dimensions of 19.5 x 17.5 x 42 inches and a weight of 86 pounds, this unit is relatively small and thus ideal for use in cramped garages.

The 20-gallon tank has two wheels and rubber-footed legs for superior stability. It’s unlikely that the compressor would tip over during operation thanks to the stable tank. The motor has an output of 15A and working with the tank, provides pressure of up to 135 PSI. This compressor has a 3.8 CFM air flow rate at 90 PSI, and 5 CFM at 40 PSI.

This garage air compressor for car tires also comes with an auto shut-off feature that automatically turns it off once the maximum PSI has been reached. Other noteworthy features are a couple of pressure gauges and a quick coupler outlet for quick and hassle-free hose changes.

Best For Home Shop: Makita MAC5200

This Makita unit can make a case for being the best DIY garage air compressor today. This is a top-rated garage air compressor with a 3.0 horsepower motor capable of producing an air flow rate of 6.5 CFM at 90 PSI.

It has enough power for using several nail gun styles and even grinders.It is a high-quality, portable, and relatively quiet air compressor.

The rugged wheels are built to endure jobsite conditions, so it should last long especially if it is to be used in your garage. It has a folding handle that further makes transport and storage of the unit a lot easier.  Plus, there is an integrated compartment for storing air fittings and other accessories.

With a high CFM, this unit is powerful enough for use in most DIY tasks and even for minor construction and renovation jobs.   This is also a quiet garage air compressor that should not create a lot of noise to distract your neighbors.

DeWalt DXCM271 27 Gal. 200 Psi

Rounding out our list of the top  air compressors for home garage is this portable air compressor from DeWalt. It has an air flow rate of 5.1 CFM at 90 PSI which gives it enough power to take on regular automotive maintenance repairs. It can even be relied upon when spray painting or taking on other large DIY home projects.

The unit features a high flow regulator designed to facilitate maximum air flow and enabling your tool to work with optimal efficiency.

While this is not the best size air compressor for home garage in terms of portability being more than 130 pounds, the DeWalt 27 gallon unit provides decent power of 5.1 CFM at 90 PSI.

Noise level while in operation is quite impressive, too, at less than 80 decibels. It is up to 30 percent quieter than most oil-free and maintenance-free pump. The said pump also makes this unit easy and cheaper to maintain.

Interested in reading more reviews? Take a look at our selection of the Best 12v Portable Air Compressor

How To Choose the Best Type of Air Compressor for Home Garage

Buying an air compressor for home garage use isn’t that simple, though. There are several things that you have to look into such as:

• CFM– this means cubic feet per meter. It is the measurement of the air flow of the air compressor. It is arguably the most important consideration because it can give you an idea on how suited the compressor is for a particular application.  For instance, some tools like pressure washers require high CFM.  Nail guns, on the other hand, might need a short burst of air and thus can be used with an air compressor of lower CFM.  It’s recommended that you get an air compressor with at least 3.8 CFM if you are to use the unit for simple DIY jobs.
• Tank size – the larger the tank, the more air it can hold. It would also let you use more air before the air pressure eventually drops. For an air compressor intended for use in the garage, a tank with a minimum of 20 gallons should suffice.
• Duty cycle– this pertains to the length of time that the air compressor can run before it shuts down to cool.  Look for a unit with at least 50% duty cycle as you can use it for operating tools like saws and grinders.
• Horsepower—represented as HP, this is the measure of the motor output of an air compressor. Air compressors for home garage use typically start at 2 HP.
• Noise level— you’d likely want to get a quiet garage air compressor. Fortunately, small air compressors aren’t that noisy with their noise levels reaching up to 87 decibels. To give you a perspective, the sound can be compared to a small food blender when in operati
• Portability— weight is one factor to consider. The lighter the unit is, the easier it would be to move it around. But weight is not the only factor you must be concerned about. The shape, too, can determine how easy it is to carry the air compressor. Even the handle can affect the ease of moving the unit around.