Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Auto

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 9 Best Air Compressors in 2022

By
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2 Gallon Compact Quiet Compressor
Milwaukee

Companies have made amazing strides in battery technology. Modern battery-powered tools are more powerful than ever before and can run longer than before. There are hundreds of good things to say about battery-powered tools, but if you’ve ever tried to remove a crankshaft bolt with a battery-powered impact gun, you know that they lack that oomph. The firepower is missing. Removing crankshaft bolts and rusty lug nuts is an easier task if you have an air compressor and an air impact wrench. Air compressors can also be used to inflate tires, wash your car with a pressure washer, and quickly remove loads of bolts with an air ratchet.

Beyond being useful for automotive work, air compressors can be used around the house for DIY tasks. While expensive, air compressors are a must-have for any auto enthusiast that works on their vehicle and has access to some kind of storage or garage. There are a variety of air compressors on the market, including ones that run on gas, have wheels for extra portability, and that operate quietly.

Recommended Videos

If you’re looking to get an air compressor, these are the nine best options on the market.

Related

Best Small Air Compressor: Metabo HPT “The Tank”

Metabo HPT The Tank
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Called “The Tank,” probably because of its stubby design, the six-gallon Metabo HPT pancake air compressor is the best small compressor you can buy. Its design means that it’s lightweight, tipping the scales at just 41 pounds. Despite its small stature, The Tank can operate at 200 PSI and is capable of handling five 18-gauge brad nailers simultaneously. As far as pancake compressors go, The Tank wipes the floor with the competition.

Best Cordless Air Compressor: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2-Gallon Quiet Compressor 2840

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2-Gallon Quiet Compressor 2840
Image used with permission by copyright holder

One of the best aspects of battery-powered tools is their flexibility. While everyone would love to work out of a spot-free garage, breakdowns can happen anywhere. And for car owners that live in apartment complexes and don’t have the need for a massive air compressor or tons of wall outlets to plug into, a battery-operated compressor like the Milwaukee M 18 Quiet Compressor is an excellent option.

Not only is the battery-powered M18 Quiet Compressor supremely portable, it’s also quiet. The company claims it operates at 65 dB. That’s quieter than a lawnmower or a vacuum cleaner. Depending on what kind of work you need to get done, you’re going to have to invest in some serious batteries, as Milwaukee claims the best battery in its arsenal can provide up to 1,600 brad nails per charge. When it comes to maximum portability and versatility, nothing quite matches this battery-powered air compressor.

Best Shop Air Compressor: Ingersoll Rand SS5L5

Ingersoll Rand SS5L5
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Ingersoll Rand SS5L5 is for professionals. If you spend countless hours in your garage working on cars until the wee hours of the morning, then this is the air compressor for you. Be warned, it’s insanely expensive. But you’re getting a 5 horsepower, 60-gallon tank, a maximum pressure of 135 PSI, a cast-iron design, and a recovery rate of 18.1 CFM at 90 PSI. At 310 pounds, this air compressor is massive and should remain in one spot after it’s been plopped down. For DIYers that only want the best, this is the compressor to have.

Best Overall Air Compressor: Rolair VT25Big Air Compressor

Rolair VT25Big Air Compressor
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Usually, consumers like to get one thing that can wear many hats. If you’re in a similar boat where you’re looking to find one air compressor that can do it all, the Rolair VT25BIG air compressor is an excellent do-it-all option. It has a 5.3-gallon tank and a maximum of 90 PSI. With two wheels and a nifty fold-out handle, the compressor is easy to handle. The one downside with Rolair’s air compressor is that it has a splash lubricated design, so you’ll have to keep a watchful eye on its oil levels.

Best Portable Air Compressor: Viair Portable Air Compressor

Viair Portable Air Compressor
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re looking for a highly portable air compressor that you’ll primarily use to fill up your car’s tires, the Viair 88P is a good option to keep in the garage. It comes with two alligator clamps to run on your car’s battery and has a 16-foot hose to ensure you’ll be able to reach all of your tires. If you plan to go off-roading, this is the kind of air compressor you’ll want to bring along when you’re finished hitting the trails and need to get your tires back up to the right pressure again.

Best Wheelbarrow Air Compressor: Campbell Hausfeld DC080500 Air Compressor

Campbell Hausfeld DC080500 Air Compressor
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Campbell Hausfeld air compressor has a useful wheelbarrow design that lets you lug it everywhere you want to go. It’s got a large eight-gallon tank and a maximum 125 PSI rating. The compressor’s design makes it 50% quieter than the majority of other similarly sized compressors on the market. Apparently, this compressor is only 68 dB loud when it’s running. Additionally, because of its oil-free pump and induction motor, you won’t have to worry about constant maintenance.

Best Quiet Performance: California Air Tools 8010 Air Compressor

California Air Tools 8010 Air Compressor
Image used with permission by copyright holder

One of the worst things about air compressors is how they loud they are. Even if you live in a rural area, some neighbors won’t like the fact that you’re using a compressor on the weekends. If noise is a major factor for you, California Air Tools’ 8010 Ultra Quiet air compressor is the best option. The company claims the air compressor is only 60 dB loud when it’s running, which means you’ll be able to hold a normal conversation or work inside your garage when it’s on. It’s also super quick, as it only takes 130 seconds to fill the eight-gallon tank from empty and has a recovery time of 30 seconds to go from 90 PSI to 120 PSI.

Best Wheeled Air Compressor: Dewalt D55146 Air Compressor

Dewalt D55146 Air Compressor
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sticking wheels to an air compressor greatly improves its mobility. While some compressors come with wheels, not all of them are built equally. The Dewalt D55146 air compressor has relatively massive, 10-inch non-flat foam tires to handle rigorous trips from one garage to another. The compressor also has a collapsible handle and vertical stand for ease of use. Max PSI is rated at 225 and the design of the compressor is oil-free, which drastically reduces maintenance.

Best Gas-Operated Air Compressor: Industrial Air Contractor CTA5090412

Industrial Air Contractor CTA5090412
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If power outlets and batteries are in short supply, gasoline is the only power source you can really count on. When it comes to trusty gas-powered air compressors, Industrial Air Contractor’s is a good option. It features a 5-horsepower Honda motor and an oil-free direct-drive pump for little maintenance. The pontoon-style design of the two-gallon tank makes it easy to store in a garage, too.

Editors’ Recommendations

Joel Patel
Joel Patel
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Joel Patel is a former contributor for The Manual. His work has also been featured on Autoweek, Digital Trends, Autoblog…
The 9 best electric cars to buy in 2024
Looking for the best electric cars for 2024? Here's our list
ev charging in sunny weather

A lot has changed in the autoverse in the last couple of decades. Looking forward to new cars meant high-horsepower, V-8 speed machines like the mind-bendingly fast Chevy Corvette Z06 or the captivating BMW Z8. Even a decade ago, the concept of a fast and exciting hybrid like Bimmer's enigmatic i8 was at the forefront of technological wonderment. But with the dawn of 2024, we have since readjusted our expectations to the current automotive climate. Our pulse still quickens at the idea of massive power, no matter how it is produced. However, with the onset of the electric revolution, a car's range has become a number that is almost, if not more, exciting. The following are what we think are the nine best electric cars on the market in 2024.

 9. Chevrolet Bolt
In terms of excitement, being cost-effective isn't precisely exhilarating... except when paying that monthly car note. So, while the 2024 Chevy Bolt's main feature is its ability to allow you to drive to the grocery store and buy groceries, it also happens to be aesthetically appealing. With a base price of just $27,495, the Bolt offers total electric transportation with an EPA-estimated range of up to 259 miles. If space is more of a priority than range, then the crossover Bolt SUV may be preferred. In either case, Chevy's low-cost EV is one worth keeping an eye on in 2024.

Read more
The best tire chains for every vehicle (for when snow tires aren’t enough)
These are the best tire chains for cars, trucks, and SUVs
Tire chain in the winter

For most drivers, snow tires are more than enough to get through a snowstorm. For others who live in areas of the country that get pummeled by more than a few feet of snow every year, snow tires may not be enough. Some states get battered with snow in the winter and some drivers live in remote places where snowplows can't reach. In these areas, tire chains are a necessity.

Tire chains, which are also called snow chains, aren’t legal everywhere. Certain states have strict requirements on where and when tire chains can be used. Before you start searching for a set of snow chains for your car, it’s best to do some research on whether they’re allowed in your state and when they can be used.

Read more
Chamberlain’s, Chemical Guys, and more: Treat your ride to the best car leather cleaners (so you don’t ruin your car’s interior)
Get your ride (and your furniture) looking and smelling showroom-new again with the right leather protection
Closeup of a hand wiping the inside of a car door with a leather care product.

Leather seats were once the gold standard for elite luxury vehicles. Until recently, only high-end rides came with real leather upholstery that was buttery soft, attractive, and comfortable. Now, you can find leather upholstery on a wide range of vehicles, including some budget-friendly options, but they're still seen as a luxurious touch over cloth or synthetic leather upholstery. But unlike those "lesser options" (no judgment), leather seats do require regular maintenance if you want them to remain supple and looking good for years.

Without proper maintenance, leather seats can crack, wrinkle, and harden over time. Park your car in the sun and your leather seats can fade because of the exposure to sunlight. In addition to making your car look old, these imperfections can also make leather seats uncomfortable. Don’t let these issues scare you away from getting leather seats in your car. Using a high-quality cleaner and conditioner to care for your leather upholstery is an easy way to ensure your seats feel and look new for years, even decades.

Read more