Quietest Air Compressor For Garage

What is Considered Loud for an Air Compressor?

The decibel rating of an air compressor is used to quantify its loudness (dB). The higher the rating, the more noisy the air compressor.

• 60 dB & under – This is considered ultra quiet for an air compressor, and it’s actually rare to find them a long way under this Db rating. Hearing protection is probably a good idea for extended use. 
• Up to 70 dB – This is considered quiet for an air compressor. You might want to consider wearing hearing protection around these levels and over.
• Over 70 decibels – This is the level a lot of compressors are at, and it is a level of noise which may be harmful if exposed for an extended length of time. Hearing protection is strongly advised. 

Most standard air compressors fall in between the 3rd bracket, over 80 Db.

Why Are Air Compressors Loud?

Most air compressors operate at high speeds. When operating at full speed, the compressor may generate up to 100 decibels (dB), depending on the size of the unit. For comparison, a lawn mower running at low speed generates only 10 dB.

Are Screw Compressors Loud?

Screw compressors are usually louder than reciprocating compressors. A screw compressor uses a rotating metal screw to push air into a cylinder. As the screw turns, it pushes the air out of the cylinder. Because the screw is turning continuously, there is no pause between strokes. This means that the noise level is constant throughout the entire cycle.

Belt Drive vs Reciprocating Compressors

A belt drive compressor has a pulley attached to one end of a belt looped around a sprocket. The other end of the belt goes over a second pulley mounted on the shaft of the compressor. The rotation of the belt causes the shaft to turn. Belt drives are generally quieter than reciprocating compressors because they do not require a crank arm to rotate the shaft. However, if the compressor does not have a built-in clutch, then the belt must slip against the shaft during start-up and shut-down.

Rotary Screw vs Piston Compressors

In a rotary screw compressor, a helical blade on a rotor cuts a spiral path in the fluid being pumped. Rotor blades are made of steel, aluminum, or plastic. Plastic blades are lighter and cheaper but wear faster. Steel blades last longer but are heavier. Aluminum blades are somewhere in between.

How Loud Is A Pancake Air Compressor?

A pancake air compressor is a smaller version of a reciprocating compressor. It operates similarly to a reciprocating compressor except that it has fewer moving parts. It is designed to fit under cabinets or desks. These units are commonly found in restaurants, bakeries, and food processing plants.

Factors to Bear in Mind When Choosing a Quiet Air Compressor

The choice of an air compressor is not always easy. The noise level produced by the machine can be quite high, and this may have an impact on your work environment and health.

If you are looking for a quiet air compressor, we recommend that you take into account the factors below before making your purchase:

Noise level (DB)

The first factor to consider when looking for a quiet air compressor for your garage is obviously the noise level of the compressor! During operation, all air compressors produce noise, but the degree of noise varies based on the model. Some versions are quite quiet, while others are extremely loud – a typical household air compressor can be as loud as 80 dB(A) at full power (depending on the model). This means that it’s not uncommon for people to hear the noise of an air compressor from a distance of several hundred meters.

Also, its not necessarily true that the larger and more powerful it is, the louder it’ll be. Many smaller, cheaper compressors are loud because it’s actually more costly for the manufacturer to produce a quieter machine. Therefore, we’ve given a pretty broad range of prices in our top 5.

If you’re concerned about hearing damage, then you should use your compressor in a well-ventilated area and use ear defenders at all times.

Horsepower (HP)

The engine capacity of the machine is another key thing to consider when selecting a quiet air compressor. If you want to make sure your air compressor lasts a long time, choose one with a high horsepower rating. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on an air compressor, you may always go with a lesser horse power rating.

The acronym for horsepower is HP. 746 watts is the equal to one horsepower. To get the horsepower required, multiply the CFM rate by 1.8. For example, multiply 17.6 x 1.8 29.52 hp to find the horsepower needed for a compressor that produces 17.6 CFM.

Air pressure (PSI)

The PSI requirement of your air compressor depends on what you want to power with it. However, most jobs can be accomplished with 90 to 120 PSI, which is what the majority of compressors for garage use will provide. This will offer you enough power to effortlessly and swiftly complete the majority of your tasks.

Air flow (CFM)

CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute – which is the amount of air the compressor can move. The most taxing task in terms of air volume in a home garage situation is probably inflating tires, so as a result, a compressor must be capable of producing enough air flow to inflate a tyre. Divide the PSI rating by 3.7 to get the quantity of air required to inflate a tire. For instance, if the PSI rating is 50, the needed CFM is 17.6 CFM.

For more information on CFM requirements, see our guide What is Air Compressor CFM?.

Tank Capacity (Gallons)

The majority of air compressors come with tanks that store between 2 and 20 litres of air. Larger tanks are more expensive, but they can hold more air. Smaller tanks may be less expensive, but they only contain a limited quantity of air. For home garage usage, we suggest at least a 6 gallon tank.

Weight

When it comes to selecting the best quiet air compressor for your garage, you must always consider its weight, since the lighter the air compressor, the simpler it will be to move about – which is probable because most people will want to put their compressor away after using it.

So, what does this mean? Assume you want to use your air compressor to work on your loft. If the air compressor weighs less than 5 pounds, it will be easy to take up the ladder.

However, if the air compressor weighs more than 40 pounds, you would most likely struggle to move it.

Upfront Cost

Due to the aforementioned technological improvements in recent years, you can buy a quiet air compressor for anywhere between $100-$500. The price will depend on the size, power, and features, and of course how quiet it really is.

Corded or Cordless?

The next step is to pick whether you want a cordless or a corded model. Cordless versions are simpler to store and use, but they are ineffective for heavy-duty chores due to a lack of power. Corded versions, on the other hand, provide greater power and can handle even the most difficult loads, but they take up more space and need a power supply.

How Portable is it?

A portable air compressor is easier to move around. It is usually smaller and lighter, and therefore ideal for home projects.

However, portable doesn’t always mean small or underpowered. The best thing about portable air compressors is that they are easy to move about – so even the larger ones come on wheels meaning you can just wheel them around your home or garage.

Most quiet air compressors also tend to be pretty portable, as they’re intended more for home shop use.

How Durable is it?

If you plan to use the air compressor frequently, then durability is important. An air compressor that lasts longer will save you money over time.

The best quiet air compressors are those with a warranty and a manufacturer’s guarantee. This means that if anything goes wrong, they will repair or replace it for free.

You can also find an air compressor that has been tested by independent third-party organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). These tests ensure that the product meets industry standards.

Oiled Or Oil Free?

Oiled air compressors work best for heavy duty uses as they can run for longer, and historically they tended to run cooler and quieter than their oil-less alternatives.

Oil free compressors are generally great for light duty tasks, but they had a reputation for running hot and for being loud. However, advancements in technology means that oil-free air compressors are now no longer noisier, and you’ll find the majority of compressors for home shop use are in fact oil-free these days.

For more information, see our guide on Oiled Vs Oil-Free Air Compressors.