Airbrushing is the type of painting that requires a flow of air to detail it up. With the advancement of technology, airbrushing has taken paintings to a whole another level. Exercise your work with the best Airbrush compressor for beginners given below to ease you.
It works the same way as to how spray painting works. But it has different pressure and airflow requirements. Various parts of the painting may need different levels of details.
An air compressor intended for airbrushing is so different from any regular air compressor. If you do not have enough idea on the matter, we can fill you in from our buying guide. Also, we reviewed some market-leading airbrush compressors to help you find one quickly.
5 Best Airbrush Air Compressor Reviews
Image | Products | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | TIMBERTECH Airbrush Compressor AS18-2 | Horse Power: 1/6 HP Item Weight: 3.6kg
Voltage: 110-120V/60Hz | |
 | Paasche Airbrush D3000R Compressor | Horse Power: 1/5 HP Capacity: 3/4 gallon
Output: 0.25 CFM | |
 | Master Model TC-77 Airbrush Compressor With Tank | Horsepower: 1/8 HP Capacity: 18 Liters
Sound Level: 47 dB | |
 | AW Pro Twin-Cylinder Airbrush Compressor | Max PSI: 100 Capacity: 1 Gallons
Noise Level: 59 dB | |
 | NO-NAME Tooty Airbrush Compressor | Horse Power: 0.17 HP Item Weight: 18 pounds Noise Level: 47 dB |
01. TIMBERTECH Airbrush Compressor AS18-2
Considering the range of details you may want to put on your frame, the TIMERTECH Airbrush Compressor AS18-2 has a unique and convenient design. Using smooth and fast air, you can tackle a good spray-painting job. It is a perfect item for your studio.
Making it easier to put more details on your paintings, the air compressor has a speed of 1700 speed/min. You will need a smooth airflow for the job. Hence, this machine was made capable of delivering between 20 to 23 L of air/min.
Connect it with a 110/120V electric cord at 60 Hz, and the machine will keep a continuous work for a long time. It is a reciprocating air compressor, which is suitable for light-duty tasks like airbrushing. It operates on the 1/6 HP motor that generates lower than 50 dB.
Like how an airbrush air compressor should, it has an auto start/stop feature. The air will start passing when the machine reaches 43 PSI and stop when it is 58 PSI.
Created with durable steel, copper, and aluminum, this mini airbrush compressor is so lightweight. It is definitely the item you are looking for.
02. Paasche Airbrush D3000R Compressor
If you are an art enthusiast and want to try your hand at airbrushing, you definitely should check the Paasche Airbrush D3000R Compressor. Made to last, this air compressor has multiple features and some impressive unit ratings to offer you a great outcome.
You will need a low air pressure for airbrushing. For that reason, Paasche made the air compressor generate between 1 to 40 PSI. You can easily check and adjust the pressure using the pressure gauge and regulator.
Meanwhile, the compressor comes with a tank. This tank has a 3/4-gallon air capacity. So, you can have a steady flow of air.
To make it more efficient and smoother, the air compressor has an auto-start and stop option. It has a powerful motor that delivers 1/5 HP. The device compresses air through a piston pump. Its hose fitting is ¼ inches NPT, and the hose adaptor is 1/8 inches BPS.
Weighing only 10.67 pounds, you can carry it wherever you want. It makes only 47 dB sound, which you won't even notice. It is completely oil-free.
Getting many positive ratings from the consumers, this compressor is recommended for you.
03. Master Model TC-77 Airbrush Compressor With Tank
Detailing up your arts and paintings has never been easier when you use the Master Airbrush Model TC-77 Compressor. It has one of the most convenient designs that let easy transportation. Also, its small body takes only a little space.
Airbrushing your painting may need a decent amount of air to flow out the nozzle on the painting. This air compressor has 18 Lt/min airflow in that regard. Allowing you to control the entire process, there is a pressure gauge on the front part. Offering a peaceful environment in your studio, the device only has 47 dB noise. Its motor is 1/8 HP.
Its pressure controlling regulator is large and durable. Meanwhile, to let you put your airbrush during an interval, there is a holder. Giving you a good reach, the air hose is 6 feet long. Moreover, it has a moisture filter system to give you the freshest air. It only weighs 4 pounds. Lift it using the durable handle on the top.
It has a tiny tank and auto-stop feature. We recommend taking this item to your studio for its amazingness.
04. AW Pro Twin-Cylinder Airbrush Compressor
The AW Pro Twin-Cylinder Airbrush Compressor gives you a wide range of options when it comes to detailing up your arts. Whether you want the details to be light or deep, this air compressor got them all. Experts found no flaws in this device.
With the power of the 1/3 HP motor, this air compressor can handle any airbrushing need. From airbrushing to decorating your cake, the air compressor performs them using only a 120-volt electric connection.
Its tank can hold up to 3.5 L of air. The auto start/stop feature gives you better control and saves your energy. It has a max pressure of 7 Bar. Only when it reaches 3 Bar, the machine starts. After getting to 4 Bar, it stops. You can carry it yourself as it is 16 pounds in weight and has a handle.
Spray down the air on your workpiece using the help from the additional accessories you get. The machine only makes a 59 dB sound.
In case you don't get the mechanism, there is an instruction manual. Certified by CE and ROHS, experts want you to use this air compressor.
05. NO-NAME Tooty Airbrush Compressor
Lastly, we got a powerful and capable airbrush air compressor suited for all your airbrushing tasks. The NO-NAME Tooty Airbrush Compressor fills-up the needs of a quality air compressor using its perfect body. It has multiple features for high efficiency.
Normally, airbrush air compressors do not have air tanks. But having one like the Tooty Airbrush Compressor lets you store more air for a longer work time. It has a capacity of 3 L. The compressor lets you set the air pressure within 0 to 100 PSI. You can easily operate it.
Its auto start/shut feature makes it turn on at 43 PSI and off at 57 PSI. Within that pressure range, your art can get 20 to 23 L airflow/min. Saving your ears the annoy, the device's noise level is only 47 dB.
Aside from airbrushing, you can also use it on fishing lures, illustrations, tattoos, and cake decoration. Its control panel is equipped with a pressure regulator and pressure gauge. Using 110-volt electricity, the motor makes 1/6 HP.
You get a 6-foot power cable in the package. The compressor is totally worth the purchase.
How to Choose The Best Compressor for Your AirBrush
Airbrushing techniques make the arts better and livelier. Performing the task with the utmost care, your skill is only going to take you so far. Getting a high-quality air compressor for airbrushing needs will improve the quality further.
Now a top-tier airbrush air compressor is not just about the airflow or pressure. While they are so important, you also have many other points to view. We have prepared a guide for you to let you make a better pick. In the other-words, you can check air pressure with a gauge.
Pressure and Airflow
Airbrushing has a max and min requirement. Too much airflow and pressure can ruin the painting. If it has a tank to fill up, it may need around 70-100 PSI at max. Meanwhile, you may want an airflow ranging from 20 to 23 L per minute at 43 to 57 PSI. These ratings are standard limits.
Capacity
The tank size of the airbrush air compressor depends on how much longer you want to work. Most of the time, airbrushing a painting doesn't require too much air. As a result, many airbrush compressors do not have a tank. But if you want to work longer, consider a tank of 0.5 to 4 gallon capacity. A too-large tank may make it expensive.
Tip: 20 gallon air compressors buying guide, 30 gallon air compressors review.
Power
All air compressor has a motor or any other similar parts where they produce their power from. Much power means a longer runtime. However, it also comes at an expensive rate. You may need between 1/8 to 1 HP for the machine. Do not forget to check whether the motor is durable enough to resist high heating. Some come with thermal protection, which is a nice feature to improve machine lifespan.
Sound Level
Consider all the other people that may be present in your studio. If you are alone and can tackle a high noise, then it is not an issue. However, if other people are around, you may want a quiet air compressor. Normally most air compressor for airbrushing comes with a low noise level anyway. But you should still check it. It must be below 60 dB. Check out quite air compressor reviews
Auto Start/Shut Feature
As you read the reviews, you may have noticed that many of them have a feature where the air compressor starts and shuts off at certain pressure points. It is a feature to reduce energy-drawing and to avoid the airs to get under too much pressure. A pressure higher than necessary may not be good for the art.
FAQ's
What is the best airbrush for a beginner?
There really is no best airbrush for a beginner. It depends on a lot of factors. They include what you are going to paint, how much time you are going to spend on it. If you are going to do hobby painting just for fun and for yourself, then you can choose an airbrush for $50-$100.
Can I use my shop compressor for airbrush?
Yes, you can use your compressor for airbrush. You need to ensure that the air pressure and air volume can support the airbrush requirements. If the air volume is insufficient, the airbrush may damage the compressor. If the air pressure is too low, the airbrush can not spray the paint properly.
How do I choose an airbrush compressor?
Choose a compressor that has sufficient power for your needs. Airbrushes take in varying amounts of air; usually they do fine with 15 Liters per minute and newer, but models used for coverage work might benefit from 20 Liter or higher compressors.
Conclusion
Airbrushing is a fun and interesting project. You see your painting getting more detailed as you move around the air hose on certain areas. Well, make sure that you have all the knowledge required for airbrushing. You also need to know about the installation process of an airbrush air compressor. Without knowing them properly, do not start your airbrushing projects. While buying the compressor, see how many detailing options it provides. Some come with several sizes of nozzles for different levels of details, like most from our list. They should be your go-to.
Olivia Archer provides in-depth coverage of air compressors, air compressor accessories, tire inflators and all things related to air compressors. She is a mechanical engineer and air compressor expert with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry.
Olivia’s articles are informative, well-researched and provide readers with valuable insights and information to help them make informed decisions when purchasing air compressors and accessories. She is passionate about the industry and is always looking for new ways to share her knowledge and expertise with readers. When she’s not writing for the website, Olivia can be found working on her own DIY projects, experimenting with different tools and techniques, and expanding her knowledge of the industry.
