Best Air Compressor Under $500
Are you looking for a quality air compressor under 500? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, I will be sharing with you five of the best air compressors under 500 dollars. When it comes to choosing the best air compressor under $500, it is important to consider a few technical things, such as the PSI, CFM, Duty Cycle and Tank Size requirements – which are all determined by what you want to use the compressor for, e.g. the tools you will be powering. Secondly, there are what I’d call the commercial aspects such as the up-front cost, and making sure the compressor is durable and will last. On that note, you will also want to make sure the compressor has a good warranty so that if there is any issue, you can get it fixed or replaced. I will go into more detail on both the technical and commercial aspects of choosing an air compressor for $500 and under below.
Contents
PSI Requirement
The majority of air tools demand 70 to 90 PSI. 90 PSI can be handled by any light to medium air compressor with ease, but you should always make sure the compressor produces a higher maximum pressure than is required by the tool being used, as the tool won’t function effectively if the air flow is insufficient. For the majority of nail guns, you will need a compressor that can generate pressure of roughly 120 PSI, and maybe even more for the heavier frame guns. If your compressor produces a base pressure of 90 PSI, your air hammer will function well if you also have access to roughly 4 CFM. Depending on the type of the vehicle, the required air pressure for tires is typically between 32 and 35 PSI, and the majority of air compressors can readily deliver this pressure. Although the compressor requirements for air impact wrenches vary greatly from model to model, most can operate with 90 to 100 PSI. Purchasing a compressor that can provide at least 90 PSI is a smart move if you want to use air tools in general.
CFM Requirement
The most crucial feature when purchasing an air compressor is often the CFM rating (also known as SCFM), since a greater CFM allows for more air to be compressed in a given period of time, allowing you to use your compressor more vigorously without having to wait as long for it to refill. Many pneumatic power tools need a CFM of around 5, however this might vary greatly. An air frame nailer could need 2.2 CFM but a pneumatic stapler might just need 0.4 CFM. Tools that are used continuously need more air, which translates to a higher CFM rate. The CFM demand for a constantly rotating sander may be 9 (9 CFM At 90 PSI maybe), yet the CFM demand for a nail gun may be 2.7 since it only serves its function briefly once or twice every few seconds. When doing jobs like pumping water or inflating tyres, a compressor with a high cfm rating is needed to move a lot of air quickly. Using three power tools simultaneously, each with a 5 CFM requirement means you would need a compressor with a minimum output of 15 CFM at 90 PSI rating.
Duty Cycle Requirement
An air compressor‘s duty cycle is the amount of time it can operate at 100 PSI and a normal ambient temperature of 72° F before having to be turned off. With each operational cycle, the air compressor must maintain a constant volume of air flow (CFM) and pressure (PSI). This is an important issue to take into account if you want to use your air compressor for heavy-duty tasks over prolonged period of time, since different compressor models have different duty cycles. Generally speaking, most consumer level compressors operate at a duty cycle of around 60%. Larger compressors may have greater capacity ratings in certain circumstances, sometimes even surpassing 100% for gas-powered systems.
Horsepower Requirement (HP)
The term “horsepower” refers to how much work a motor is capable of doing. Since newer and more efficient compressors can do more with less horsepower, pressure and flow are more important than a powerful motor when determining if your compressor will work for you. You may also save energy and get greater returns throughout the compressor‘s lifespan by doing more with less horsepower.
Tank Size (Gallons)
How long the compressor can produce air before the motor engages to repressurize the tank depends on the size of the compressor‘s tank, which is measured in gallons. The greater the tank size, the longer a continuous level of air pressure may be produced. A single power tool could only need a 4 gallon tank at most, however tanks can range in capacity from 1 gallon to 80 gallons. However, the capacity required is significantly influenced by how many tools will be utilising the tank at once, so if you plan on using your compressor for heavy-duty tasks, consider the size of the tank.
Loudness (Noise Rating)
Think about where it will be used and how it could affect the neighbours before choosing a compressor under $500. Despite being tiny, some compressors make a lot of noise. Oil-free versions in the past used to be noisier than oiled ones. Fortunately, the issue has now been remedied by technology, and you can even get an ultra-quiet air compressor in the $500 and under price range these days.
Oil-Free Pump vs Oil Lubricated Pump
Some air compressors need ongoing lubrication of their moving components since they are oiled. Oiling is essential for both airtight performance and efficient operation. Oil-free compressors are also available though. These compressors feature an oil-free pump and an intercooler in place of an oil chamber. In general, oil-lubricated air compressors are a more reliable option for continuous use, such as in industrial applications, but oil-free compressors are often lighter, cheaper, and need less maintenance, making them perfect for use at home. The vast majority of air compressors under $500 are usually oil-free.
Portability / Size
If you need to move your air compressor about your house, garden or between locations, a portable air compressor is the way to go. For instance, some air compressors are lightweight and easy to pick up and transport, whilst others are hefty but include wheels and are thus more portable. A genuinely portable air compressor (i.e. one you can carry) is usually one that weighs under 70lb or so, depending on the person lifting it of course! For the wheeled varieties, the weight can reach 90lb.
You may make storage easier by selecting an air compressor with a foldable handle. This feature will come in handy even if you need to take the compressor to another location, or sling it in the back of your truck for a weekend away. Generally, for under $500, most units are likely to fall into the portable compressor category.
Durability / Materials
If you want to get your money’s worth out of your $500 air compressor purchase, go for one with a hose housing and a cast iron pump and tank. It will survive a pounding and resist wear while performing heavy-duty tasks in a busy space.
Warranty
A warranty provides you piece of mind since you know you can contact someone if anything goes wrong. The majority of high-quality air tool compressors come with a comprehensive guarantee, while the rest usually come with a limited warranty. When it comes to the details, you will see certain differences. Some companies provide common periods like 10 years, 7 years, and 3 years to cover certain air compressor parts, whereas the majority of lower priced compressors will offer a 1 year limited warranty. Buying from a 3rd party retailer such as Amazon is a good idea, as you can usually just deal with Amazon directly if there are any issues in the short term, and they are often great at accepting returns. For issues in the longer term, they will pass you to the manufacturer.
Cost
Compressed air is not free, even if air is. How much are you willing to spend? That is the question. The capacity, power, and the other above-mentioned parameters will affect the cost of the air compressor. Additionally however, compared to centrifugal and rotary screw air compressors, reciprocating types are often more economical. For a budget of $500 however, you should be able to buy a very decent air compressor for home use, and even for light shop work. $500 is not considered a cheap air compressor these days – as half decent ones for simple tasks like inflating car tires can even be picked up for $150, but some really powerful air compressors are available for under $500 too.
Reviews
Manufacturer’s own descriptions of things such as CFM and noise can sometimes be exaggerated to make a product seem better – so that’s where we come in! At Air Compressor Compare, we can read through the marketing material claims, and we will identify anything untrue via our own testing. Without further ado, let’s take a look at five of the best air compressors under 500 dollars!
Top 5 Air Compressors Under $500
1. Makita MAC2400 2.5 HP* Big Bore™ Air Compressor
(Our #1 Best Air Compressor for under $500)
Specifications
Product Dimensions (inches): 20 x 18 x 18.75 inches
Weight: 80.8 pounds
Oiled / Oil-Free: Oiled
Capacity: 4.2 gallons
Power Source: Electric (AC)
HP (Horsepower): 2.5 HP
Max. PSI (Air Pressure): 130 PSI / 40PSI (4.8 CFM) and 90 PSI (4.2 CFM)
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute): 4.8 CFM
Noise Rating: 79 dB
Package Includes: 1 Air Compressor
Warranty: 1-year parts & labor
Pros
- Quiet considering the power
- Quick recovery time
- Heavy-duty but still portable
- Really high build quality
Cons
- Heavier than others
2. California Air Tools 10020C Ultra Quiet Oil-Free and Powerful Air Compressor, 2 HP
(Our #1 Quiet Air Compressor for under $500)
Specifications
Product Dimensions (inches): 16 x 15.1 x 35.9 inches
Weight: 82.5 pounds
Oiled / Oil-Free: Oil-Free
Capacity: 10 gallons
Power Source: Electric (AC)
HP (Horsepower): 2 HP
Max. PSI (Air Pressure): 125 PSI / 40 PSI at 6.40 CFM & 90 PSI at 5.30 CFM
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute): 6.40 CFM
Noise Rating: 70 dB
Package Includes: 1 Air Compressor
Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
Pros
- Extremely quiet for a 2 HP unit
- On wheels for easy portability
- High CFM rating
- Big air tank
- Oil-free for easy maintenance
Cons
- Some customers reported quality control issues with welds and connectors
3. DEWALT Air Compressor, 225-PSI Max, Hand Carry with Wheels, 4-1/2 Gallon (D55146)
Specifications
Product Dimensions (inches): 33.5 x 23 x 15 inches
Weight: 80 pounds
Oiled / Oil-Free: Oil-Free
Capacity: 4.5 gallons
Power Source: Electric (AC)
HP (Horsepower): 1.6 HP
Max. PSI (Air Pressure): 225 PSI / 90 PSI at 5.00 CFM
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute): 5 CFM
Noise Rating: 78 dB
Package Includes: 1 Air Compressor
Warranty: One Year Free Service Contract, One Year Warranty
Pros
- High PSI & CFM
- On wheels for easy portability
- Rugged build quality
- Oil-free for easy maintenance
Cons
- Tank could be bigger
- Not as quiet as most
4. CALIFORNIA AIR TOOLS CAT-4620AC 4GAL 2HP Twin Compressor
(Our #2 Quiet Air Compressor for under $500)
Specifications
Product Dimensions (inches): 20.7 x 18 x 21 inches
Weight: 68 pounds
Oiled / Oil-Free: Oil-Free
Capacity: 4.6 gallons
Power Source: Electric (AC)
HP (Horsepower): 2 HP
Max. PSI (Air Pressure): 125 PSI / 90 PSI at 5 CFM
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute): 6.4 CFM
Noise Rating: 70 dB
Package Includes: 1 Air Compressor
Warranty: 1 Year Limited Warranty
Pros
- Very high CFM
- Great balance between noise, power & weight
- Oil-free for easy maintenance
Cons
- Some owners reported quality control issues in the past, but it seems as though CAT have improved the design since then
- Not quite as quiet as CAT would have you believe!
5. Campbell Hausfeld DC200000 Air Compressor, Portable, Horizontal, 20 Gallon, Oil-Free, 4 CFM @ 90 PSI, 150 PSI,Blue
(Our #1 Best Value For Money Compresser)
Specifications
Product Dimensions (inches): 31.5 x 14.9 x 30.3 inches
Weight: 92 pounds
Oiled / Oil-Free: Oil-Free
Capacity: 20 gallons
Power Source: Electric (AC)
HP (Horsepower): 1.3 HP
Max. PSI (Air Pressure): 150 PSI / 90 PSI at 4 CFM
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute): 5 CFM
Noise Rating: 88 dB
Package Includes: 1 Air Compressor
Warranty: 1 Year Limited Warranty
Pros
- Huge air tank
- High PSI
- Great value considering the above
Cons
- Some owners reported quality control issues
- Not a quiet compressor by any stretch
