Best Air Compressor for the Money – Review

The best air compressor for the money

The power of compressed air to take care of so many tasks around your home shop makes purchasing an air compressor a necessity. Most people recognize the need for an air compressor in a professional shop, but there are a lot of uses for one in your home shop as well. Determining what’s the best air compressor for your home shop depends upon your needs and your pocketbook. In this article we’re going to compare five home shop air compressors and help you decide which is the best air compressor for the money.

Though you might not need the same power in your home shop that is required by a commercial shop, an air compressor in your home shop still needs to be able to meet certain requirements, especially if you need a good compressor for air tools. Selecting the best portable air compressor, which gives you a great deal more flexibility in using this valuable tool, is another consideration. Let’s look at some of the top rated air compressors now.

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Senco PC1010 1-Horsepower Peak, 1/2 hp running 1-Gallon Compressor

This solid home shop, portable air compressor is a good one to kick off our list. It is ideal for home improvements, remodeling, crafts and hobbies. Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry from one project to another. Its features include:

• 1 gallon capacity
• 1 hp engine
• 4 amps @ 115 v, 120 psi output
• 20 to 44 drives per minute
• Heavy duty steel handle

Pros
• Heavy duty handle
• Lightweight
• Plenty of power

Cons
• Might be slow at running high end air tools
• Won’t power a nail gun and is questionable on a staple gun

Comments

When it comes to choosing the best portable air compressor for your home shop, durability and economics must be a part of the formula. For the money, this air compressor is sufficient for smaller projects, but you might be waiting for it to recharge with higher end tools.

 

See the latest price of Senco PC1010…Click here…

 

 

 

Bostitch BTFP02012 6 Gallon 150 PSI Oil-Free Compressor

Best Air Compressor for the Money

A higher capacity tank and an extra boost in power make this portable air compressor a contender for the top rated air compressors on our list. Let’s take a look at the features of this air compressor:

• 6 gallon capacity
• 2.6 SCFM delivered at 90 PSI pump
• 150 max psi output
• Quieter running engine
• Oil-free pump

Pros
• Higher capacity
• Higher power output
• Quieter running
• Reasonably priced
• Oil-free pump for less maintenance
• Will power a nail gun

Cons
• Give away a little weight (10 lbs) for the added tank capacity
• Plastic handle and compressor components is a little less durable

Comments

Is this the best home shop air compressor on our list? Its quiet operation and higher capacity certainly puts it in the running. The price isn’t overbearing either. A little more steel in the motor and handle to make it a little more durable would make it ideal.

 

See the latest price of Bostitch…Click here…

 

 

 

 

PORTER-CABLE PCFP02003 3.5-Gallon 135 PSI Pancake Compressor

The low profile of this unit makes it a good candidate for fitting into the limited space often found in a home shop. It has a midrange capacity and can put out decent pressure to power some of your tools. This compressor features:

• 3.5 gallon capacity
• 2.0 SCFM delivered at 90 PSI pump
• 135 max psi output
• Quieter running engine
• Oil-free pump

Pros
• Decent power
• Decent capacity
• Not too heavy to move around
• Oil free pump for less maintenance

Cons
• Won’t quite handle a nail gun.
• Its durability is questionable for some users

Comments

One of the problems that might come along with this air compressor is that it seems to have more power than it really does and people attempt to use it to power tools that are beyond its capacity. If you’re looking for a craft and hobby air compressor rather than a good compressor for air tools, then this is a good option.

 

See the latest price of PORTER-CABLE…Click here…

 

 

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Makita MAC700 Big Bore 2.0 HP Air Compressor

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The Makita name is well known for the manufacture of power tools and this tool is no exception. This unit also has the potential to be your best home shop air compressor. The features of this compressor include:

• 2.6 gallon capacity
• 3.3 SCFM delivered at 90 PSI pump
• 130 max psi output
• Quieter running engine
• 2 hp engine
• Heavy duty handle and engine assembly

Pros
• Durability abounds in this unit
• Will power a nail gun and might power a sander
• Quiet running engine

Cons
• This sucker is heavy, more than twice the weight of the others
• It is a little pricey compared to the others

Comments

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You can count on the durability of this machine and it is backed by a good name in power tools. You’re going to be disappointed in the weight if you’re looking for something that is really portable and the price could scare you off as well. However, it is more apt to keep you happy if you need it for running air powered tools.

 

See the latest price of Makita…Click here…

 

 

 

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DEWALT DWFP55126 6-Gallon 165 PSI Pancake Compressor

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Another quality brand in power tools, Dewalt tends to provide a durable and powerful tool, which will get the job done. Though it costs a little more, this is the best air compressor for the money. Its features include:

•  Capacity 6 gallons.

•  2.6 SCFM delivered at 90 PSI pump
•  165 max psi output
•  Quieter running engine
•  Low vertical profile

Pros
• High capacity tank
• Will power a nail gun
• Higher psi capacity means less waiting for power tools to work
• Still affordable

Cons
• Not quite as much SCFM power as the Makita
• Plastic handle and engine assembly

Comments

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For a home shop, this air compressor has a lot of potential. Its weight is decent and its power is in line with most home shop air compressor needs and uses. Because this little Dewalt has a solid name in power tools. Therefore will probably do the job. So with a little more steel around the engine and handle would be ideal.

 

See the latest price of DEWALT…Click here…

 

 

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Best Air Compressor for the Money-Conclusion

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When you come down to asking the question of what’s the best air compressor for your home shop, it will depend upon durability, what tools you’re trying to power and what you budget will allow you to purchase. The Dewalt and Bostitch models are the best air compressor for the money.

 

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