Get Pumped Anywhere! The Top Portable Air Compressors to Power Up Your Adventures (2024)

Our Top Picks

This commercial-duty tool is in Makita's "Big Bore" line of compressors, meaning that the large piston and cylinder can compress more air with each stroke, leading to better airflow rates, less downtime waiting for your compressor to cycle, and an overall better experience. We chose this air compressor as our top choice, as it's ideal for handling typical DIY tasks, such as filling tires, powering nail guns, running impact tools such as impact wrenches, or winterizing small sprinkler setups.

It has a powerful 2.5-horsepower motor that runs two nailing guns simultaneously without hesitation; this air compressor has two air outlets for that purpose. The tank holds 4.2 gallons, which is sufficient for most purposes. Although it is not large enough to power tools that run continuously, such as grinders or sprayers, it's a great air compressor for tools that produce intermittent bursts of power, such as nail guns or impact tools.

You can use it to run a paint sprayer if you are only doing a small project. However, this isn't the right air compressor for painting an entire room or an automobile. It has a maximum of 130 psi. The pressure dials are large and easy to read, and the pressure adjustment is very easily handled with a simple knob. At 90 psi, the air compressor delivers 4.2 scfm (standard cubic feet per minute), and at 40 psi, the scfm is 4.8. That's enough to power many common pneumatic tools.

While air compressors are generally very loud, this one is reasonably quiet at a 79-decibel level when used outdoors, thanks to the oil-lubricated pump. The air compressor has a roll-cage design, which helps protect it from damage when used in rugged environments. Its rubber feet help to minimize vibrations. On the downside, it's fairly heavy at 77 pounds, and it does not have wheels for easy transport, although there is a handle on top. It also requires periodic oil changes.

_{Dimensions in Inches: 19.38 wide x 18.75 deep by 18 high | Tank Size: 4.2 gallons | Max Pressure: 130 psi | Airflow at 90 psi: 4.2 scfm | Weight:77 pounds}

Air compressors can be expensive, but this pancake-shaped offering from Porter-Cable is reasonably priced yet still powerful enough to handle most simple DIY tasks. This includes inflating tires, running low-flow pneumatic tools such as nail guns or inflating rafts and pool floats, holiday decor, and similar projects. At 0.8 horsepower, it isn't the most powerful motor, but it gets the job done.

The 6-gallon tank has two outlets, so you can run two nailers or staplers simultaneously. This tool's maximum pressure is a respectable 150 psi, with airflow of 2.6 scfm at 90 psi and 3.5 scfm at 40 psi. That's not enough to power a spray painter but is enough for many smaller pneumatic tools that only require intermittent bursts of air.

This air compressor does not require oil changes or complicated maintenance, nor do you need to carry out any startup procedures beyond plugging it in and turning it on. At 82 decibels, it's fairly loud (about the sound level of a very busy urban street), but that's typical of air compressors in general. This air compressor only weighs 30 pounds, so it's fairly easy to tote along to your job site, even though it does not have wheels.

_{Dimensions in Inches: 17 wide x 17 deep by 20.38 high | Tank Size: 6 gallons | Max Pressure: 150 psi | Airflow at 90 psi: 2.6 scfm | Weight:30 pounds}

No need to hunt for a nearby electrical outlet with this battery-powered air compressor from Ryobi. It runs off an 18-volt Ryobi battery—sold separately—and can inflate up to nine car tires on one charge. The tank holds 1 gallon of air, and the maximum pressure the compressor can deliver is 120 psi. That gives you air delivery of 0.5 scfm at 90 psi and 0.7 scfm at 40 psi.

This model can power nail guns and staplers or other pneumatic tools that require only very low pressure. It is also useful for inflating tires, pool floats, air mattresses, holiday inflatables, and similar items, but this isn't the air compressor for running tools that need high pressures or continuous airflow to maintain power.

The single coupler requires just a push to connect the hose and can be worked with one hand. This air compressor requires little maintenance beyond charging the battery, no oil changes, and no complicated startup procedures. At 78 decibels, it's not any quieter than corded air compressors, however. The compressor weighs just 14 pounds and has a comfortable molded handle for easy transport.

_{Dimensions in Inches: 10 wide x 13.5 deep by 11.5 high | Tank Size: 1 gallon | Max Pressure: 120 psi | Airflow at 90 psi: 0.5 scfm | Weight:14 pounds}

Underinflated tires cause your car to use more gas, wear your tires out prematurely, and reduce your car's handling and ability to brake quickly. But keep this handy inflator from AstroAI on hand, and you'll easily be able to maintain your tires at the recommended pressure to help keep your vehicle in tip-top condition. It can inflate most common car tires from flat to full in a few minutes.

The tool's 12-volt motor runs off your car's cigarette lighter, not from an electrical outlet. The power cord is 10 feet long, so you can reach all of your car's tires easily. Of course, you can also use the tool to inflate bike tires, pool floats, balls, and similar items, but the compressor is not meant to run for longer than 15 minutes at a time. Once you set your desired tire pressure, the compressor fills the tire and then automatically shuts off once the set pressure is reached. The backlit screen makes it easy to read the settings even in the dark, plus there's an LED light for even brighter illumination.

Along with the compressor and the power cord, you get several nozzles and attachments for use in inflating balloons, air pillows, and other air-filled items. The air compressor has a 100-psi maximum pressure and delivers a maximum airflow of 35 liters/minute.

_{Dimensions in Inches: 3.7 wide x 8.3 deep by 6.7 high | Tank Size: Not applicable | Max Pressure: 100 psi | Airflow at 90 psi: Not applicable | Weight:2.2 pounds}

This handy mini compressor runs on a built-in lithium-ion battery that can be recharged with the included USB-C cord. It's ideal for keeping your car's tires at a safe level of inflation or for keeping in your automotive emergency kit in case of a flat. With a maximum pressure of 180 psi, you can inflate your car's tires in less than a minute, as well as inflate the tires on SUVs, bicycles, and motorcycles.

You can also use it to quickly blow up pool floats, exercise or sports balls, and similar items, even camping mattresses. Even better, the process is greatly simplified by the device's four presets for the type of item being inflated: car, bicycle, motorcycle, or ball. A fifth setting lets you customize the pressure as needed for the item you want to inflate. The digital display makes it very easy to keep track of inflation levels as well as battery life. It shuts off automatically when it reaches full inflation.

Another useful feature of this tool is the built-in LED light, which is very handy when you need to work on your car in the dark or signal an emergency to passing vehicles. Plus, you can use this mini compressor as a power bank to charge your phone, laptop, or other electronic devices. It comes with several nozzles for inflating different items and a storage bag for keeping everything neatly together in your car's glove box, bicycle bag, or garage drawer.

_{Dimensions in Inches: 2.6 wide x 2.8 deep by 6.7 high | Tank Size: Not applicable | Max Pressure: 180 psi | Airflow at 90 psi: Not applicable | Weight:1.9 pounds}

Depending on the set pressure and airflow, this air compressor from California Air Tools can run continuously for up to an hour, allowing you to use the compressor to power paint sprayers, grinders, various types of sanders, and other tools that need close-to-constant airflow for best performance. With a 2-horsepower motor and oil-free dual-piston pump system, the air compressor is quiet—just 70 decibels (equivalent to a washing machine)—and runs smoothly with little maintenance or downtime. The 10-gallon tank is large enough for almost anything you will likely tackle at home, in your garage, or workshop.

The maximum pressure is 125 psi, with airflow of 5.3 scfm at 90 psi and 6.4 scfm at 40 psi. The compressor takes only two minutes to fill the tank from empty but keeps running continuously, so you are not likely to experience any lag or loss of power in your pneumatic tool as long as you match your tool's airflow and pressure requirements to the compressor.

While this is a heavy compressor at 82.5 pounds, its wheels make it easy to maneuver wherever needed. It has two pressure control gauges and two universal quick-connect couplers so that you can run two tools simultaneously.

_{Dimensions in Inches: 16 wide x 15.1 deep by 35.9 high | Tank Size: 10 gallons | Max Pressure: 125 psi | Airflow at 90 psi: 5.3 scfm | Weight:82.5 pounds}

This handy tool will be your best friend should your car's battery die, your tires need inflating, or your phone or other electronic device lose power away from an electrical outlet. This compressor/jump-starter from Dewalthas 1,600 peak battery amps to jump-start batteries in most 4-, 6-, or 8-cylinder gas or diesel engines. It includes the jumper cables, which will trigger an alarm should you connect them incorrectly. It even has a function to check your car's alternator for proper functioning in case that's the reason the automotive battery won't hold a charge.

Of course, it's not just a jump starter. This handy tool also has a 120 psi digital compressor with a sure-fit nozzle that works with the inflation stems on most types of car or motorcycle tires, balls, pool floats, and similar items. It turns off automatically when full inflation is reached.

A backlit LCD screen makes it easy to monitor the tool's remaining battery life and the progress of inflating items or charging batteries. Plus, it has a bright LED work light and two USB ports—one USB-C and one USB-A—for charging your phone or other electrical items. The device itself requires an extension cord for charging, which should be done at least once a month or right away after use.

_{Dimensions in Inches: 10.8 wide x 5.6 deep by 12.3 high | Tank Size: Not applicable | Max Pressure: 120 psi | Airflow at 90 psi: Not applicable | Weight:17 pounds}

Here's a powerful air compressor that can run up to five 18-gauge nail guns at a time. This is a sturdy tool that's designed for rugged job sites and holds up to rough conditions, yet it requires little maintenance. It has a 1.3-horsepower engine and a 6-gallon pancake tank that has a maximum pressure of 200 psi.

At 90 psi, the airflow is 4 scfm, and at 40 psi, the airflow is 5.1 scfm, so you can run various pneumatic tools often called on in carpentry projects, including sprayers, grinders, nail guns, and impact tools. There are two couplers for attaching your tool hoses.

This air compressor weighs 41 pounds but has no wheels, so it must be lifted and carried from worksite to worksite. While ideal for roofing or other carpentry or woodworking projects that require extensive use of a nail gun, you can certainly use this air compressor to inflate tires and on many other DIY projects. And it's reasonably priced, making it an even better choice for DIYers who take their projects seriously.

_{Dimensions in Inches: 16 wide x 18.5 deep by 16 high | Tank Size: 6 gallons | Max Pressure: 200 psi | Airflow at 90 psi: 4 scfm | Weight:41 pounds}

This oil-free, no-maintenance pancake compressor from Craftsman comes with a 13-piece accessory kit that includes a tire gauge and chuck, a 25-foot 1/4-inch air hose with coupler and plug, two blow-gun adapters, and various nozzles for inflation uses. The 0.8-horsepower engine keeps the air compressor humming, and the 6-gallon tank is a great size for the average home handyperson.

The maximum pressure is 150 psi, with airflow of 2.6 scfm at 90 psi and 3.5 scfm at 40 psi. This is adequate for powering nail guns, staplers, and some other low-pressure pneumatic tools. It's also ideal for inflating tires, balls, or pool toys and blowing away dust.

On the downside, this is a noisy air compressor, with a stated decibel level of 82 (comparable to a food blender running), although it can be even louder. It weighs 30 pounds and has a handle for transport. The rubber feet help minimize vibration, but there are no wheels. With a very reasonable price, this is a great addition to your garage workshop that will be useful for many different projects.

_{Dimensions in Inches: 16.5 wide x 16.5 deep by 17.9 high | Tank Size: 6 gallons | Max Pressure: 150 psi | Airflow at 90 psi: 2.6 scfm | Weight:30 pounds}

Final Verdict

If you want a sturdy, powerful air compressor that can easily run nail guns and similar pneumatic tools that don’t need high levels of pressure, then our top pick, the Makita MAC2400 Portable Air Compressor, is our recommendation. This 4.2-gallon air compressor provides airflow of 4.2 scfm at 90 psi. But if price is a concern, then the Porter-Cable C2002-ECOM Pancake Air Compressor, while not as powerful, is still a fine choice for running low-pressure tools. It has an airflow of 2.6 scfm at 90 psi.

FAQ

• Are portable air compressors worth the money?

  A portable air compressor isn’t a necessary tool for every DIYer or handyperson. But if you like to use pneumatic (air-powered) tools, then you’ll have to have an air compressor to run them. And a small air compressor is very useful for inflating tires, sporting or exercise balls, pool floats, and other air-filled household items.

• How does a portable air compressor work?

  Portable air compressors work by pulling air into the compressor and gradually reducing the space the air is trapped in, thus increasing the air pressure. The air is then forced through an output into a storage tank, where it is kept at a high air pressure level. The compressor will turn off when the storage tank reaches its maximum air pressure. The stored air can be used to power pneumatic tools, inflate a tire, or simply clean dust and other debris. After using some of the stored air, the compressor will turn on to pull in more air and increase the pressure in the tank to the maximum before shutting off again.

• How long do portable air compressors last?

  Aaron Barnett, landscaper, carpenter, and owner of DIY website Banging Toolbox, says, “Most air compressors last for a lifetime with care, but some maintenance and lubrication may be required. Check that all the connections are clean and tight before each use. And consider an oil-less piston system for less maintenance down the road.”

• What type of accessories does an air compressor need?

  The accessories you’ll need depend on how you’ll use your portable air compressor, but as a general rule, you’ll always need an air hose that’s long enough and large enough in diameter to fit both your air compressor and your tools. An air-line filter, which keeps moisture and other contaminants from entering your tools can also be very useful. And while the air compressor itself will have an airflow regulator, it can be useful to have an inline regulator as well, which can save you trips back and forth to the air compressor when using a long air hose.

  Along with those items, various inflation nozzles, connectors, adapters, and plugs can be helpful for inflating different items, as well as connecting various air-powered tools.

The 8 Best Home Generators of 2024