Best 30 Gallon Air Compressors Reviews In 2024

If you feel your present air compressor is too small to perform your big air project and are determined to buy a 30-gallon air compressor, this guideline is designed to assist you. And you are not going to search anymore; your search is over! the research have done on the behalf of you and picked 5 best 30 gallon air compressors from hundreds of alternatives which confuse you when deciding which one would be the best.

Before we start looking at my top rated air compressors discovered by deep digging, let me clear you why to choose30-gallon air compressors only.

An air compressor with 30 gallon capacity is ideal for any garage or workshop. 30-gallon air compressors are very popular and standard in the industry though they are often used at home as well. Besides, you can operate a wide variety of pneumatic tools like paint sprayers, wrenches, nail guns using 30-gallon air compressors.

Now, let’s read the following 30-gallon air compressor reviews and determine on one which is best suited to your needs.

5 Best 30 gallon air compressor reviews for your money

01. campbell hausfeld 30 gallon air compressor

Campbell-Hausfeld-30-gallon-2-Stage-Air-Compressor-(XC302100

Top 3 Features

  • Generates max. pressure 175 PSI 
  • Can deliver 4.1 SCFM air delivery at 90 PSI
  • Runs on both household 120V and 240V for professionals

If you are a serious contractor or a professional guy and have a variety of air tools to run with a simple but powerful air compressor, Campbell Hausfeld is bound to impress you. Instead of a single-stage, Campbell installed double stage pump that provides unbelievable 5000 hours of life to deal with paint spraying, tire inflation, sanding, grinding, nailing, and many more.

No matter whether you plan to set the compressor into the home garage or industry, it works fine on both 120V household and 240V professional voltage. Since this is an oil-lubricated pump, it runs cool and quiet, making it suitable for the home garage.

Built with sturdy motor and heavy-duty cast iron cylinder, the pump generates 4.1 SCFM airflow at 90 PSI. This unit comes in a fully enclosed metal belt guard to protect itself and the user from the moving parts inside. Last but foremost, the large semi-pneumatic wheels the versatile compressor comes with allow you to move it from one Jobsite to another. 

What I Like

  • Two-stage pump to achieve optimum efficiency
  • Oil-lubricated means less noise and more longevity 
  • The dual voltage motor allows operation for household and professional use
  • Suitable for any projects from small to heavy-duty jobs

What I Don't Like

  • A little louder
  • Comparatively expensive

02. dewalt 30 gallon portable air compressor - dxcmla1983054 Review

DeWalt-DXCMLA1983054-30-Gallon-Portable-Air-Compressor

Top 3 Features

  • Provides 7 CFM at 40 PSI and 5.7 CFM at 90 PSI
  • Can create up to 155 PSI pressure
  • Has a 30 gallon ASME vertical portable tank

Again I have come with DeWalt. As I said earlier, DeWalt is the brand name of quality air compressor with a worldwide reputation. What differs this model from the previous one is the oil-lubrication design. This one is much quieter than the oil-free type. Other than this, there is no big difference.

However, the compressor is very much well built with a piece of cast iron crankcase, thermally stable cast iron cylinder body, automotive-style ball bearing, aluminum head and valve plate, and durable Swedish stainless steel reed valves.

It delivers an operating pressure of 155 PSI to keep your pneumatic tools running for a long time. With 5.7 CFM airflow at 90 PSI, you can handle plenty of air projects, including nail guns, paint sprayers, sanders, and more. A household standard 120V outlet is enough to power this machine. But it can be converted for 240-volt applications when needed.
Moving onto the portability, the vertical tank design and pneumatic wheels make it perfect for plenty of tasks around the house and in the workshop.

What I Like

  • Engineered with 1.9 horsepower motor for maximum performance
  • Dual voltage motor allows for both home and industry use
  • 30-gallon vertical style tank for further portability
  • Offers synthetic oil for optimum performance and longer lifespan

What I Don't Like

  • None

03. campbell hausfeld vt6271 30 gallon 3.7 hp portable air compressor

Air-Compressor,-30-Gallon-Horizontal-Tank,-Portable,-Single-Stage,-10.2CFM,-3.7HP,-1-Phase-(Campbell-Hausfeld-VT6271)

Top 3 Features

  • Boasts up to 10.2 CFM at 90 PSI
  • Can generate max. 135 PSI operating pressure
  • Built with 3.7 horsepower motor

The next one is from Campbell again, and it is campbell hausfeld vt6271 air compressor. Just to let you know, Campbell’s story of producing quality products had begun since 1836. Now the company is offering a complete line of air compressors and all other air tools to make your life easier in dealing with your air projects.

Unlike the previous one, however, the company engineered it with a single-stage pump that makes the compressor look neat and great. Although this unit creates little lower pressure (135 PSI max.) than former one from Campbell, still enough to get most jobs done.

But when it comes to air delivery, you are going to be astonished to know that it unbelievably boasts 10.2 CFM at 90 PSI, making it suitable for high demand air tools. Similar to other models from Campbell, the product life is up to 5000 hours.

Surprisingly, such a powerful air compressor is easy to transport from one place to another because it’s equipped with a pair of large wheels and a handle. This unit is recommended for those who want to finish projects faster and easier with Campbell Hausfeld.

What I Like

  • High airflow capacity to power a variety of high demand air tools
  • Oil-lubricated pump for quiet operation
  • Ideal for storage in a small shop and garage environment
  • Reliable structure for maximum durability

What I Don't Like

  • Relatively low air pressure delivery 

04. powermate 30 gallon air compressor

Powermate-Vx-PLA1683066-30-Gallon-Portable-Twin-Cylinder-Cast-Iron-Air-Compressor

Top 3 Features

  • Provides 5.3 CFM at 90 PSI
  • Maximum air delivery 155 PSI
  • 30-gallon vertical tank 

If you are looking for a small compact design air compressor that can fit to narrow space and deliver plenty of air, you have no options other than Powermate Vx PLA1683066. And it’s going to be a worth investment. You are assured of having a quality product since Powermate is well-known for quality components and is one of the world’s leading brands of portable and stationary air compressors.

This one provides more airflow than average air compressors for its size. Despite the compact design, it possesses all features that an ideal air compressor should have. While the oil-lubrication feature ensures quieter operation and long life service, aluminum head and valve plate dissipate heat to keep the engine cool.

The unique feature of this unit, which I like most, is oil level sight glass. This helps you have an easy view of oil level and accessible oil fill. In addition to these, the pump features dual voltage induction motor, manual thermal overload protection, a one-piece cast iron crankcase, cast iron cylinder body, automotive-style ball bearing, and so on.

What I Like

  • The on-board controls allow easy access to on/off switch, tank pressure gauge, and quick set regulator
  • Dual voltage option for trouble-free operation
  • Suitable for a quiet environment
  • Wheels and small footprint for easy mobility

What I Don't Like

  • Extra maintenance involved because of oil-lube design

05. Industrial Air ILA188354 ILA1883054 30-Gallon Belt Driven Air Compressor

Industrial-Air-ILA188354-ILA1883054-30-Gallon-Belt-Driven-Air-Compressor

Top 3 Features

  • Provides 155 PSI max. pressure
  • Delivers 5.7 CFM at 90 PSI
  • 1.9 horsepower motor

Industrial Air ILA188354 ILA1883054 30-Gallon air compressor is made from sturdy cast iron materials for heavy-duty needs. Because Industrial Air built this model with heavy-duty components, it will please anyone needing to perform the toughest and higher air demanding jobs.
The best thing about Industrial Air ILA188354 ILA1883054 is its quiet operation. You will not get as much quiet as this one in this range. Boosted with 1.9 horsepower motor which runs on a 120V and is convertible to 240-Volt applications, the pump can reach up to 155 PSI with an airflow of 5.7 CFM at 90 PSI.

The compressor is easy to operate thanks to easy and quick access to the on-board controls which consist of set regulator, tank and working pressure gauges, and off/on switch. This is an oil-lubricated air compressor and shipped with synthetic oil for long-lasting and smooth operation. The vertical tank design, pneumatic wheels, small footprint, front handle, all this makes it more portable.

What I Like

  • Cast iron construction for added durability
  • Heavy-duty induction motor for optimum performance and efficiency
  • Equipped with on/off switch and pressure gauge to ensure smooth operating
  • Comes with synthetic oil for highest performance and long life service 

What I Don't Like

  • It struggles in cold weather

Things to know before buying 30 gallon air compressors

When you say 30-gallon air compressors, you mean an air compressor with a tank that can store 30-gallon compressed air inside it, right? But aside from this, there are still many factors you must know to make sure that the air compressor you are going to purchase is a quality one that can meet your needs.

If you don’t have an idea about other facts determining a good quality compressor, even a 120-gallon capacity air compressor will not work for you. Here are things to consider when choosing a 30-gallon air compressor.

Airflow rating

Tank size never determines the flow rating. Whether it’s 30-gallon or more or less, the CFM might still be the same. So there is no scope of expecting a 30-gallon compressor would have higher CFM. Different models deliver different amounts of air. Therefore, it’s quite essential to check CFM before making the final purchase decision.

Maximum pressure 

Another critical parameter you must consider when buying an air compressor is how much pressure it can generate maximum. It is expressed in PSI which stands for pressure per square inch. The higher the PSI, the more powerful the compressor is, and many more air tools the compressor can operate.

Portability

When the compressor you plan to buy will be used for home or industry, it should be easily transportable. You may need to move your compressor constantly from one Jobsite to another. That’s why it’s always advisable that you take the portability into consideration. Modern air compressors come with pneumatic wheels, small footprint, and front handle for easy transportation. In addition to that, compact design and materials used in construction contribute to making an air compressor portable.

Metal components

Usually, 30-gallon air compressors are intended for heavy-duty and toughest work in the industry, though they have a lot of applications at home and around. You have to make sure your compressor is durable enough and withstands extreme job conditions. A reliable air compressor is made from sturdy materials like cast iron and aluminum.

Besides the factors mentioned above, you should have little concept about following things. Knowing about this will make your money worthiest investment you have ever made. 

Direct drive VS Belt drive

Maybe you noticed that I had used the term “direct drive and belt drive” while reviewing above. Here is what direct drive or belt drive means.
The motor of most rotary screw air compressor is either direct driven or belt-driven. Although both options are efficient and beneficial for any user, they are quite different mechanisms. While direct driven compressors have the motor directly connected to the crankshaft, the belt-driven models use a belt that connects the motor to the compressor’s pulley.

Because of direct connection, direct driven models run as same speed as the motor. But they have lower rpm than belt-driven counterparts. These are comparatively portable but are quieter, expensive, and difficult to maintain. That’s why they are perfect for carpenters and low-temperature environments.

Belt driven types, on the other hand, run smoother thanks to the lubricated belt system, making them both quiet and efficient. They are easy to maintain and adjust flow and pressure when necessary. The only downside is that the belts cause wear and tear, requiring extra maintenance. That’s why experts suggest not using them in harsh conditions and high temperatures.

120 VS 240 Volts

Air compressors usually run on both 120 volts and 240 volts. As a result, potential buyers get confused and cannot make their choice. The difference isn’t that large. Whether you use 120 volts or 240 volts, your compressor will consume the same amount of power. Even there isn’t a difference in the overall performance of your compressor running on 120 volts or 240 volts. Then what is the advantage of using 120 volts over 240 volts?

Here is the point. Any kind of electrical machine requires additional power while starting up. The machine takes longer to power on at lower voltage. At a lower voltage, you may have a problem with starting the pump properly. This creates stress and strain on the engine, reducing the lifetime of the motor. It’s always better to have high voltage for smooth starting because motors don’t like voltage drop.

But the disadvantage of using 120 volts motors is they need a special outlet which isn’t available. And installing this specific outlet by yourself is not easy. Since they are rarely used and are difficult to install, many go with 120 volts for an easy option. But, of course, 240 volts motors last longer than one with 120 volts.

If you have available 240 volts outlet in your working area, I must recommend you to go with that. But if not and your compressor is not specified for either voltage by the manufacturer, 120 volts home outlet should work fine.

FAQ's


What is a 30 gallon air compressor good for?

30 gallon air compressors are ideal for use in both residential and commercial settings. Capable of powering up multiple tools such as paint sprayers, rock drills, atomizers, nail guns, wrenches and several others.

How many CFM is a 30 gallon air compressor?

30 gallon air compressor is approximately the size of a coffee maker and uses a ½ horsepower motor. It has a CFM of 10.2 and a SCFM of 4. If you need to run tools like nail guns, grinders, and other air consuming tools, then you must get a ½ horsepower motor.

Can you paint a car with a 30 gallon air compressor?

Most air compressors with tanks of 30 gallons or more can usually handle painting a car. If you're trying to paint a classic or other full-size vehicle in one go, though, be sure to have approximately a 60-gallon tank or larger to ensure that it's adequately covered from tip-to-tail.

Bottom Line

To be honest, all products I have reviewed are of good quality because I did more than that you would do to find the best one for yourself. So you can rely on any of my top-rated air compressors. All 30-gallon air compressors store the same amount of compressed air in their tanks. The main difference is in the pressure and airflow they deliver.

After determining on a 30-gallon air compressor, all that you need to do is to consider CFM, PSI, HP, portability, noise level, and portability. If you need higher CFM to operate a variety of air tools, Campbell Hausfeld VT6271 is the best option. And If your concern is reliability and noise rather than CFM for toughest projects, then Industrial Air ILA188354 ILA1883054 30-Gallon Belt Driven Air Compressor is one you should go with.

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