Best Portable Air Compressors: Run Your Air-Powered Tools With Ease

This portable air compressor is an oil-free, maintenance-free option that weighs about 30 pounds. It’s super easy to transport between job sites, to different rooms in your home, or around your workshop. Its space-saving design fits in many cabinets for out-of-the-way storage.

This particular model features a maximum capacity of 150 PSI, making it suitable for a wide variety of applications. It also comes equipped with a 13-piece accessory kit that includes a PVC air hose with coupler and plug pre-assembled, a tire gauge, a blow gun with plug, a blow gun with OSHA safety nozzle, and three inflator adapters.

We appreciate the one-year limited warranty, although it would be nice if it were a bit longer. This unit is also considerably noisier when operating than some others on the market. One other thing to note: be sure to check that the air release valve on the bottom side of the tank is closed on initial start-up, or the unit won’t pressurize properly.

The Quipall 2-.33 1/3 HP 2 Gallon Oil-Free Hotdog Air Compressor is a reliable and well-performing option that won’t break the budget. This unit is an oil-free, maintenance-free air compressor that’s ideal for pumping up car or bike tires or sporting equipment. With a maximum PSI of 90, it’s just strong enough to be used for stapling, nailing, fastening, or hobby painting as well.

Sturdy and grippy suction cup feet provide a stable and secure mount for worry-free operation. It’s also got a mounted flip-up handle for easy transportation and storage. This lightweight unit is equipped with two gauges and a large and easy-to-operate regulator knob. 

It comes with extra nozzles to adapt to various connectors, but it would be better if the unit had an onboard place to store them, so they don’t get lost. Also, keep in mind that this is a very small air compressor and isn’t suited to larger construction or agricultural equipment.

The Viair 90P Portable Compressor has a few features we love. It directly connects to your car’s battery using heavy-duty clamps to inflate tires up to 120 psi. What’s more, it draws very little power and doesn’t drain the battery. And while it lacks an LED display, it has a pressure gauge that notifies you about maximum pressure and the rate of inflation.

The portable air compressor comes with a 5-foot air hose to ensure you move less. Its sand tray minimizes vibration to prevent you from getting uncomfortable as you work. Despite its size, it is a fast inflator that does a great job. The manufacturer provides a storage bag with extra pockets for storing additional valves and couplers.

But this tire inflator has its drawbacks. It cannot inflate tires that exceed 31 inches. It also has an overheating problem and needs about 40 minutes to cool down after each use. Additionally, it doesn’t work with a vehicle cigarette lighter plug.

The RIDGID 6-Gallon Portable Electric Pancake Air Compressor offers 150 PSI that is an excellent option for trim and finish work. It’s equipped with dual universal quick connectors so that multiple workers can use two nailers simultaneously. The connectors accept both 1/4-inch automotive and industrial plugs with an easy single-handed connection.

This unit is also equipped with a super reliable oil-free pump for easy maintenance-free performance. This particular compressor also features a locking regulator knob that helps prevent unwanted pressure changes. We love that this compressor comes backed by an impressive three-year warranty.

However, this particular model is not rated for roof nailing, airbrushing, blow cleaning, bolting or wrenching, or spraying.

The DeWalt 6 Gal. 18-Gauge Brad Nailer and Heavy-Duty Pancake Electric Air Compressor Combo Kit is a great combination tool. This 6-gallon, oil-free pancake compressor includes a precision point 18-gauge 2-1/8-inch brad nailer to give you excellent job site versatility. 

This rugged little unit features a tool-free jam release mechanism that allows for easy nail removal and tool-free depth-of-drive adjustment for the exact setting of nail heads. With a max output of 165 PSI, this compressor can handle a wide range of small to medium tasks.

One drawback to this compressor is that it only has one pressure gauge while it has two air connectors. Also, if you want to use this compressor to inflate bicycle or car tires, you’ll need to purchase a separate adapter kit, as this kit doesn’t come with them included in it.

If you want a strong and durable portable air compressor that’s suitable for most garage and industrial scenarios, the Husky 20-Gallon Vertical Electric-Powered Silent Air Compressor is right up your alley. This compressor delivers 4.0 SCFM at 90 PSI and has a maximum capacity of 200 PSI. 

One of its greatest selling points is that it operates at a noise level below 73 decibels, making it up to 57 percent quieter than many other models of the same capacity. It’s got a space-saving vertical design with rugged rubber wheels for easy maneuvering around the shop or job site. Weighing in at more than 100 pounds, though, it’s certainly not the lightest model on our list.

With two metal case gauges and two quick-connect couplers, you can easily run two tools simultaneously. While this is a super versatile machine, it’s not suited to sanding, spraying, or surface prep. You’ll also need to purchase an adapter kit separately.

Riding the line of what can be considered portable is the Makita 5.2 Gal. 3.0 HP Electric Single Tank Air Compressor. While it weighs 88 pounds, it comes equipped with a folding handle, low-profile design, and rugged wheels. This unit is one of the most powerful on our list, with a 3HP motor that produces 6.5 CFM at 90 PSI. It’s got a max PSI of 140.

Unlike many other options, this air compressor has a cast iron pump with a big bore cylinder and piston designed for faster recovery time and greater performance. It features a built-in storage compartment and tool hangers for easy access to accessories. Unfortunately, you have to buy accessory adapters separately.

This is not an oil-free model, so it will require more maintenance than others on our list, but that’s the trade-off for more power. It does have a convenient oil drain at the front of the pump for easier access. This particular model is best suited for framing and roofing jobs.

From California Air Tools comes a super compact, super lightweight, and super quiet portable air compressor that’s ideal for small jobs around your garage or home workshop. With a noise level of only 60 decibels, it’s definitely one of the quietest air compressors of its kind on the market. 

This battery-operated 2-gallon air compressor weighs only 36 pounds, making it one of the most portable on our list. It’s got a maximum pressure of 120 PSI with an airpower of 3.1 CFM at 40 PSI. It’s got a quick recovery time from empty to full of only 50 seconds. This model is great for small projects like air-brushing, light carpentry work, filling tires, and more.

We recommend purchasing a male 1/4-inch quick-connector and air hose if you don’t already have one. Unfortunately, this compressor is JUST a compressor and doesn’t come with any accessories.

Another excellent combo kit is the BOSTITCH BTFP3KIT Compressor Combo Kit. This portable air compressor kit includes an 18-gauge brad nailer that can use nails from 5/8 to 2 inches for a wide variety of projects. You also get a straight finish nailer that accommodates 16-gauge finish nails with a drive depth of 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches and a heavy-duty 3/8-inch crown stapler with a drive depth of 1/4 to 9/16 inches.

This unit weighs a mere 45 pounds and is a super-compact pancake compressor that can easily go anywhere. It’s got a maximum power of 150 PSI, with air delivery of 2.6 SCFM, which makes it great for smaller jobs around your garage or workshop. An oil-free, maintenance-free pump is par for the course. 

Dual couplers and dual gauges allow you to operate two tools at the same time, giving you plenty of options for getting the job done. However, this model is not suited to larger jobs, like roofing or framing.

The WEN 20-gallon Portable Vertical Air Compressor is a durable, middle-of-the-road option that’s also pretty budget-friendly. This unit features a 15-amp motor that provides a max pressure of 135 PSI. You get airflow rates of 3.8 CFM at 90 PSI and 5.0 CFM at 40 PSI.

The compressor is equipped with an onboard handle, two rugged wheels, and two rubber-footed legs that make it easy to move the 86-pound unit around the shop. It comes backed by a two-year warranty to guard against any manufacturer’s defects. Unlike most others on our list, this unit is an oil-lubricated pump, which requires more care and maintenance than oil-free ones.

This unit also doesn’t come equipped with any quick adapters or an air hose, so be prepared to purchase them separately if you don’t already have them. This compressor is ideally suited to finishing and hobby work but can also easily handle roof nailing, sanding, spraying, and surface prep.