If you have any air-related work, an air compressor comes in handy. From inflating your pool toys to sandblasting, they have a wide range of applications. Different designs make them suitable for household, shop, or industrial workplaces.
If you are looking for the best air compressor for your shop, know that you may need one that can surely complete light to mid-range projects. Although it highly depends on your task type. But still, there are some qualities that you must need in a shop air compressor.
Find them out in our buying guide below. But before that, explore our list of the best air compressors for a shop-
4 Best Shop Air Compressor Reviews
01. BOSTITCH BTFP02012 Pancake Air Compressor
Starting the list with a uniquely made pancake air compressor, which is renowned for its ultra-adaptability. Being a pancake air compressor, it provides a much steady set-up with fewer vibrations and noises. Moreover, its control panel is right around your hands.
You will not usually find very much pressure limit in a pancake air compressor. However, this particular item has a 150 max PSI pressure capability. As a result, even aside from the tank filling up, you can still use that spare pressure for high performance.
Feel free to get your hand to mid-demand projects since the air compressor has 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI. For this airflow, the machine also has a quicker recovery.
You can use the device regardless of a cold or hot day. There is a 6-gallon tank. It is reinforced with heavy-duty materials to avoid any damage. Do not worry about the noise, as it only makes 78.5 dB of sound.
Its control panel contains two pressure gauges and a high-flow regulator to control and check the units.
Being oil-free, you get a cheaper maintenance cost. Get your shop this air compressor soon.
02. DeWalt DXCMV5048055 Two-Stage Industrial Air Compressor
If your fields contain some heavy-duty tasks, we have the best air compressor for your shop. The DeWalt DXCMV5048055 Two-Stage Industrial Air Compressor is a flagship among all DeWalt products. It is very effective in every job.
We mentioned that you could use this for any project on high-duty tasks, and we meant it. With the high pressure of 175 PSI at max, it is possible. You just have to set the vertical body and connect everything right.
Meanwhile, the airflow rating of the machine is impressive too. Its application will get 17 SCFM air output at the max pressure setting.
For a shop, this device is perfect since it can run more than one tool together. You can make great use of the 5 HP motor for a long time. You will need a 230 volts connection to add to the machine. The motor can resist high temp and damage.
It has a nozzle with a size of ¾ inches and two connectors. Turn your shop works as simple as a DIY project using the 80-gallon tank. We highly recommend it to you.
03. California Air Tools 8010 Steel Tank Air Compressor
If you are tired of carrying your old heavy air compressor to its right place, you will be happy to see the next product on our list. The California Air Tools 8010 Steel Tank Air Compressor has super durable wheels and handles to provide an easy maneuver.
Most shops usually have light to mid-duty tasks. Hence, the manufacturers gave this air compressor 120 PSI of max pressure. It is ideal for the 8-gallon air tank. Also, you will get a good performance out of it.
For a swift and better result, the machine will provide 2.2 CFM at 90 PSI and 3.1 CFM at 40 PSI. As a result, the machine can repair itself within 30 seconds.
The 8-gallon air tank, which gets filled up in 130 seconds, can deliver a continuous runtime. If you operate it on a standard PSI and CFM, you can get between 30 to 60 min of service. Drawing 8.5 amps, the motor is 1 HP powerful.
With a 60 dBA noise, never disturb any client. Experts think that it is a great air compressor for shops.
04. CRAFTSMAN CMEC6150K Air Compressor
In a shop, you need to get everything done pretty quickly. For that, you need all the different equipment. The CRAFTSMAN CMEC6150K Air Compressor features all the different instruments in the package. Its perfectly compact body makes it survive harsh weather or damages.
This tiny and light air compressor has an accurate 150 PSI pressure range. Use this for optimal performance. On the other hand, it also makes a 2.6 SCFM airflow rating at 90 PSI. So, it can recover from its heated state quickly.
Both the pressure and airflow can be set using the pressure gauge to the front.
It has a large footing to offer much vibration cancellation. To get the ultimate power, the motor is so much capable. It has a noise level of only 71 dB. The amazing thing about this machine is the 13 pieces of accessories that come along.
There is a 25 feet long air hose made of PVC. Also, there is a tire chuck and blowgun to help in your tire inflating and cleaning works. For extra safety, there is also a safety nozzle. Get this complete set of compressed air system today.
How to Choose a Best Shop Air Compressor?
If you have opened a new shop, you must be so excited when buying new products for it. Buying an air compressor that can tackle all your necessities is surely a great thing. But it is only possible if you manage to buy the most suitable one.
Remember that your intended tasks will affect the buying process highly. But some factors are common for all good air compressors for shops. Having a good knowledge of them will make your searching easier than it would be otherwise.
So, let us help you by providing those major points below-
Pressure and Airflow
It does not matter whether the air compressor is for a shop or anywhere else, but you must check the pressure and airflow. First, check the maximum airflow and pressure requirements of your projects.
Your air compressor should exceed them. For light to mid-duty jobs, 120 PSI pressure is enough. But getting more will not hurt. The airflow must be at least 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI.
Noise Level
If you are running a shop, expect many customers to arrive. If your air compressor is running and makes a loud noise, it may not disturb you, but it surely will irritate the customer. Hence, they may try to avoid your shop.
To avoid this bad situation, get an air compressor with low noise. The quieter it is, the better. Note that the products we listed above all runs nigh quietly.
Additional Accessories
While working in a shop, one of the major things you may need is a quicker set-up. Especially if you do not have a helping hand, you must need additional accessories to prepare the air compressor faster.
Some connectors, plugs, couplers, an air hose, and a good control panel can help you get the swift performance you require.
Durability
You can overlook the matter of durability. When used in a shop, the air compressor may need to take dust and messes from the traffic. So, the compressor must have no leakage to let the dirt go in. A compressor with a filtration system may come in handy here. Cast iron and steel are two of the best materials for air compressors.
Size
Depending on your shop space, you should pick a suitable size of air compressor. If it is too big, you may need to move around other stuff to make way. Also, it will be harder to carry it. Meanwhile, based on your task, you may need anywhere between 20 to 80-gallon air compressor.
Conclusion
Your works can get more interesting if you have a quality air compressor in your inventory. A compressor that tackles every trouble it may face can also stop your worries. Moreover, good ones last longer. Thus, they save your money too.
Considering all these facts, we only collected the air compressors that match the important factors for a shop. All of them were praised by professionals. So, picking one from them will be a wise choice. Feel free to check their stats out yourself.
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.
