The reliability of the Campbell Hausfeld DC080500 air compressor, along with its relatively silent performance, wins its position as our top choice. Here are our favorite air compressors in a variety of categories. A good, useful air compressor is one that will get the job done whenever you need it. You don’t necessarily need a lot of bells and whistles, or extra features that you won’t use. What you do need, however, is reliability. The electric Campbell Hausfeld DC080500 fits this position perfectly. With an 8-gallon tank and 125 max psi rating, it is capable of holding and flowing air almost immediately; no waiting around for the tank to fill. Large wheels and a rubber grip also make the compressor portable if you want to move it around the garage or outside. One of the best features of this compressor is its durability. Campbell Hausfeld has designed this thing to last, with several key components lasting up to four times longer than the competition, according to the manufacturer. It is also up to 50 percent quieter than other compressors, meaning you can use this one around the house or in the evening without bothering your neighbors—that’s a big deal if you know how noisy many air compressors can be. With its large tank and reliable build, you can confidently use this air compressor for projects requiring repetitive tasks like inflation, painting, or power nailing and stapling. Price at time of publish: $358 The kit includes a 6-gallon compressor, 18-gauge brad nailer, 3/8-inch crown stapler, and 16-gauge finish nailer. The compressor’s oil-free electric motor is rated for a maximum of 150 psi and durable enough to last a long time. Our tester found that all of the included nailers were effective, useful tools that greatly reduced the time and effort required to drive multiple fasteners in a large project, such as building a deck. If you’re staring down a big outdoor project, this kit really shines. The high-efficiency air compressor motor is designed to easily start up even in cold weather. The included 15-foot air hose also makes it easy to use outdoors around the yard. At 29 pounds, this compressor is also one of the lightest options on this list, so you can tote it to your worksite without straining your back. Price at time of publish: $530 The electric motor is designed to operate at lower speeds, which create less noise and wear during long, continuous running times, but without any loss of power or efficiency. The 8.0-gallon tank is large enough to handle most DIYers’ needs around the home, yard, or workshop, yet the air compressor is a relatively lightweight 54 pounds, and has two wheels that make it easy to position the air compressor right where you need it. Price at time of publish: $224 The 3-gallon tank is rated for a maximum of 155 psi, and the rear suction-cup foot mounts keep the air compressor stable and steady during use. The oil-free pump means you won’t need to worry about a lot of maintenance, and the high-performance electric motor keeps on running like a champion. Plus, it boasts relatively quiet performance for an air compressor; these tools can be loud. Price at time of publish: $264 The twin-cylinder pump is built with cast-iron components. Oil changes are simple with an easy-to-access oil fill and convenient oil gauge. The 60-gallon, 155-max-psi air tank dwarfs anything else on this list. A large tank and powerful motor means this can compress a lot of air quickly. For projects that require continuous running times, the tank will continue to supply air long after others have run out. Price at time of publish: $1,285 The 12-volt, 120-max-psi motor is perfect for inflating tires with a width up to 33 inches, which covers most bike, ATV, and car tires. A 16-foot hose and three-piece inflation kit will ensure you are prepared for a variety of projects or emergencies. Two alligator clamps are included so you can connect it directly to a car or ATV battery when you are out on the road. Price at time of publish: $90 This air compressor has a 4.5 gallon tank. The oil-free pump and sturdy construction mean you won’t have to worry about a lot of maintenance, and the 10-inch foam tires make it easy to wheel the air compressor to wherever you want to use it. It’s reasonably quiet for an air compressor, as well, and the reliable performance can’t be beat. Price at time of publish: $419 For off-site jobs, the pontoon style tank design is a great option. This uses two separate 2-gallon tanks that can be individually set up, or disassembled for maximum portability. Together, these tanks are rated for a maximum of 155 psi, so more air will fit into the smaller tanks. This is a sturdy and reliable tool that can handle a wide range of projects easily and efficiently, but as with any gas-powered tool, you’ll have to tolerate some smelly fumes. Price at time of publish: $1,216 Portable air compressors are much more versatile and more common for residential use since they can be moved easily. These products are an excellent option for home painting projects, fencing, decking, and even roofing, where you can use the air compressor to power a nail gun, greatly increasing your productivity instead of having to swing a hammer all day long.

Power Source

Air compressors can be powered by either gas or electricity, though electric models are more common. Electric air compressors require less maintenance, are quieter, and are suitable for indoor use, making them ideal for powering pneumatic paint sprayers. Gas-powered models should not be used indoors because the burning gas produces fumes that can build up inside an enclosed space and put you and your family at risk. Use powerful gas air compressors outside to handle tasks like building a new fence or repairing the deck.

Tank Size

The size of the tank is a key consideration because this is where the excess compressed air will be stored for later use. Small tanks can rapidly run out of air, causing you to start and stop as you work, making them a poor choice for painting projects, though these smaller tanks are suitable for tools that are used intermittently, like nail guns. For typical DIY purposes, an air compressor with a 4- to 6-gallon tank is big enough to handle most common tasks, but you could need a larger tank if you’ll be using a powerful tool for an extended period of time—for example, painting the exterior of your home. Larger tanks are better suited to continuous DIY projects, like painting a room, or even for powering more than one pneumatic tool at a time. These air compressor tanks are most common for large-scale projects or commercial use. The most important factor to consider, however, is the airflow requirement, which is measured in standard cubic feet per minute (scfm). Your air compressor needs to be able to meet and surpass the airflow requirements, which can vary a great deal between different pneumatic tools. For example, when the air compressor is set at 90 psi, the average pneumatic framing nailer or tire inflator only requires around 2 scfm to operate, while an angle grinder needs 5-8 scfm, and a random orbital sander might need more than 10 scfm.  For a rough guideline when determining how much airflow you’ll need, check the required scfm ratings of all the tools you plan on using with the air compressor. Multiply the highest scfm rating by 1.5; for example, if you’ll be using a paint sprayer that requires 5 scfm, multiply 5 by 1.5, which gives you a needed scfm of 7.5. The higher the scfm, the larger the air compressor.  Another number to consider is the pressure generated inside the air compressor, which is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). As a general rule, smaller tools, such as nailers and inflators, only require around 90 psi, while more powerful tools, such as grinders and sanders, might need as much as 150 psi to operate effectively.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs. For this roundup, she considered dozens of air compressors, taking into account features, brand name, reliability, performance, and reviews from professional and DIY owners. You should also consider the length of the air compressor’s hose. Kyle Shirley, owner of Sol Vista Roofing, advises, “Pairing your air compressor with the right air hoses and attachments (like nail guns) can unlock unlimited potential uses for this powerful tool. Make sure your hose is long and sturdy enough for the project!” Coleman Cosby, project manager and landscape design specialist at Yardzen, adds, “Prior to storing an air compressor, make sure to empty any remaining air from the tank, and tip it so the release valve is pointed down. This helps release any moisture from the tank.” Additional research for this article comes from Timothy Dale, a home improvement expert specializing in a number of topics, including plumbing, construction, and product recommendations. He has more than 10 years of experience in home restoration. Kyle Shirley, owner of Sol Vista Roofing, and Coleman Cosby, project manager and landscape design specialist at Yardzen, provided further input.