We had to lean heavily on personal experiences and preferences to come up with a list of compressors we think best suit the average home garage. The Craftsman 20-Gallon Air Compressor may not be the biggest, most impressive model on the market, but we still think it to be the best choice for the average home garage. Every air compressor is going to give you some specs surrounding CFM and PSI. For example, the Craftsman 20-Gallon Air Compressor can supply 5.0 SCFM at 40 PSI or 4.0 SCFM at 90 PSI. These are the first details to look at if you’re running pneumatic tools because they tell you if the compressor is capable of supplying them with the air that they need.
When operating a finish nailer, you don’t need a ton of airflow or CFM. However, if you want the best air compressor for your home garage, you might want to support the use of air tools like impact drivers, pneumatic ratchets, and air sanders. If all of those seem too large and you have no use for high-demand tools, then keeping a 4-6 gallon portable hot dog or pancake-style air compressor in your home garage might be the best solution for you. Our pick for the best home garage air compressor overall combines performance, air supply, and value.
Even though brands such as Makita, Craftsman, and DeWalt get all the attention, California Air Tools makes some of the best home garage air compressors in the business. Large, easy to read gauges and an easy start motor that requires no fuel make this an one of the best shop air compressors. 4 – California Air Tools 8010 8-Gallon Air Compressor California Air Tools compressors are highly underrated and this 8 gallon compressor has a lot of features that make it the perfect choice for home shops.
This model holds 20 gallons of air and has a 4.0-scfm rating at 90 psi. The 1.8-hp motor can do 4 scfm at 90 psi, and rubber wheels allow it to be moved easily. It’s a 6-gallon job with 150 max psi and 2.6 scfm at 90 psi.
Air compressors designed for professional shops and contractors are not the same compressors you need to have in your home garage. The California Air Tools 8010 Air Compressor is one of the best air compressors for a home garage out there that is also suitable for consumers. For most homeowners, we recommend the California Air Tools 8010 Air Compressor as the best air compressor for your home garage.
Air compressors can drive power tools, like an air hammer, impact driver, brad nailer, or reversible drill. Tools like impact drivers and grinders are typically restricted to larger, more powerful air compressors and you can’t efficiently drive them with a typical 6-gallon home compressor. Home buyers who are new to air compressors usually buy them because they have a specific purpose in mind, like needing a nail gun for an upcoming project or because they want to outfit a garage workshop.
Air compressors in your home garage are used to inflate tires, blow the dust off the driveway, and power small air tools such as a ratchet, an impact wrench, or a pneumatic nail gun. After extensive research of the best air compressors for home garage, we realized that even though air tools share several features, some units are simply outstanding. Some of the above air compressors can be part of a garage air compressor system.
Cons On the louder side at 84db. Best “Quiet” Air Compressor Makita Mac320Q air compressor. Best Portable Air Compressor Ingersoll-Rand Garage Mate 20g. A major limitation of the three first compressors is the lack of power for big consumers, like sanders and spray paint guns. The best way to determine the right air compressor for your garage is to select a model capable of handling the most demanding tool you use.
best size air compressor for garage Related Question:
What size air compressor do I need for my garage?
For your home garage, a compressor size in the 2.6-gallon to 20-gallon range should do nicely. Sizing your compressor really depends on the type and number of air tools you intend to use.
What is a good size air compressor for home shop?
For best results, use a compressor with a capacity of 5-6 CFM. Because you’ll be spraying nearly constantly, a larger, 10-gallon tank will keep you from waiting for the compressor to refill every few minutes.
What is a good size air compressor to run air tools?
Air tools made for general use with portable air compressors typically require 0 to 5 cubic feet per minute (cfm) at 70 to 90 pounds per square inch (psi), whereas with larger tools connected to stationary systems, the requirements usually exceed 10 cfm at 100 to 120 psi.
Does tank size matter air compressor?
Tank size matters—sometimes The compressors we chose have tanks ranging from 1 to 6 gallons. A larger tank holds more air and will allow you to use more air before the pressure drops and the motor kicks on to refill the tank. That might let you avoid stopping work while the compressor refills the tank.
Is a 6-gallon air compressor enough?
Air Compressor Tank Size Tools that require only quick bursts of air, like pneumatic brad nail guns and finish nail guns, drain the air tank much more slowly. For these tasks, 2- to 6-gallon tanks are sufficient.
What is a 6 gallon air compressor good for?
As for a 6-gallon air compressor, it is best to use with short tasks of grease gun, roofing and framing nailer, etc. since the machine can’t maintain an extended operation. Other than that, auto tire inflation, gauge finish nailer, and the like are what this small-size air compressor can finish with ease.
Is 150 psi air compressor good?
You’d only need maximums beyond 150 PSI for jobs such as automotive repairs and industrial purposes. Air compressors that do not reach a max of 90 PSI will struggle to power pneumatic tools. But they do a great job inflating sports equipment, bicycle tires, and car tires.4 days ago
How do you size a compressor?
The general formula used to calculate this is expressed as compressor time on/ (time on + time off) = Duty Cycle percentage. For example, if a compressor is said to use a 100% duty cycle, that would mean that the compressor provides 25 CFM and 125 PSI for 100% of the time it is in use.
How big of an air compressor do I need to run an impact wrench?
The average size air compressor you need is a 4-5 CFM @90 PSI for a ½” impact wrench. For instance, an impact wrench with a 1″ drive will need a 10 CFM @90 PSI, a ½” drive will need a 4 CFM @90 PSI, and ⅜” will need a 3 CFM @90 PSI.
What is a good PSI for an air compressor?
Most air tools require between 70 and 90 PSI. Any light-to-medium-duty air compressor can easily handle 90 PSI, but you always want the compressor to supply more flow than needed. Pro Tip: Always respect a PSI rating. If you don’t supply enough air volume, the tool won’t operate correctly.
How do I choose an air compressor?
Determine which one requires the highest CFM at the highest PSI. Add 50% to the required CFM for a margin of safety, and look for a compressor that meets the requirement. For example, if a tool requires 3 CFM at 90 PSI, select a compressor that delivers at least 4.5 CFM at 90 PSI.
What is better single stage or two stage air compressor?
In general, two-stage air compressors are more efficient, run cooler and deliver more CFM than their single-stage counterparts. While that may seem like a convincing argument against single-stage models, it’s important to realize that they have advantages as well.
Is a bigger air compressor better?
For example, with load/unload-controlled compressors, doubling the equipment size from a 50-hp to a 100-hp unit could increase operating costs by about 70%, even though the same amount of air is being produced. Consequently, in terms of air compressors, bigger is not usually better.
Are bigger compressors better?
For jobs that require more continuous flow, such as spray painting and sanding or impact wrenches, a bigger tank size is better. Single-stage compressors build pressure up to a shut-off around 135 PSI and are suitable for smaller air tools.
How big of a compressor tank do I need?
How large should I size my air tank? It is recommended to have a minimum of 2 gallons of storage per every CFM and we highly recommend having 4 gallons of storage per CFM.
