Air compressors are one of those tools that sort the snobs and purists from the ordinary (sensible) gardeners; like gas tanks or robot mowers. When you need one you need one.
I’ve always found there are two core types of gardeners; those who love the purity of every day digging, and traditional technique, and those who love gadgets and getting things done efficiently. And then there are those in between.
For purists, shopping around for the best air compressor might seem pointless, but when it comes down to it, a garden is for enjoying, and air compressors save time on maintenance, cleaning, and DIY, which means more time to sit and enjoy.
So before you dismiss the idea of air compressors as being tools solely for contractors, think again.
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Best Air Compressor for 2024
Product | Our Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Unimac ACM-250 24L Portable Direct Drive Air Compressor |  |
Air Compressor Buyers' Guide
What are Air Compressors?
Air compressors are exactly what they say on the tin, they push air from the environment through pressurised pipes at speed, pulling in air from a broad space, and pushing it through a narrow space. That’s the non-scientific version, but it’s the easiest way to explain it.
Using either gas or electric power sources they create a steady supply of pressurised air that is used to quickly pump inflatables, or power pneumatic tools.
In the guide below, we’ll explore the ins and outs of how and why you might need one.
Why Do You Need an Air Compressor?
Air compressors are most commonly used for inflating tires. It’s an obvious use, and even for amateur gardeners and DIY’ers it can come in handy to speed up car and bike tire inflation, or blow up above ground pools in summer.
But there are plenty of other brilliant uses for air compressors that will always come in handy around the house (as well as on site for any professional readers).
Most useful is their use for pneumatic tools, like nail guns, and ground breakers, or even speedy fence painting as they can be attached to spray guns to achieve perfect even finishes on boundary fences and sheds.
My favourite use though? Air compressors can be attached to industrial pressure washers (Be sure check our review on the best pressure washers here). Now I don’t know about you, but I hate scrubbing the decking, and we’ve got all sorts of wildlife here that love to make a mess of our patio.
The wall; behind the pond is constantly covered in algae, and even the best pressure washer won’t budge the worst of the dirt. Unless of course, it’s a pressure washer connected to an air compressor!
Seriously, unless you’ve used a compressed pressure washer, you don’t know what you’re missing out on.
What to Look for When Buying an Air Compressor
There are a couple of key factors to look at when choosing the best compressor, which we’ll discuss below, but one simple thing to look for is size.
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Air compressors are very varied when it comes to weight and size. Basically, bigger air compressors have more power, and hold more air.
Air Compressor Noise Levels
Air compressors can be incredibly loud machines, but regularly checking the oil level will help reduce sound. The noise level of air compressors can be up to 100 decibels (if it’s any louder, don’t buy it) which is the noise level of a chain saw, but the quieter you go, the better.
Air Compressor PSI
Really, the only truly important factor when choosing the best air compressor is its PSI (Pounds per square inch), which measures the pressure of gases, in this case, atmospheric air.
A less powerful air compressor can fill up a tire to the same PSI as a more powerful model, but the higher powered compressor would be faster.
Different Types of Air Compressor
Stationary Air Compressors
Firstly, it’s important to state that stationary air compressors can be moved, but they are much bulkier, and generally better just used around the house. Stationary air compressors are generally much more powerful than portable air compressors.
The down side of stationary air compressors is the noise level as they are running pressurised pistons to generate the pressure that allows us to use a constant supply or high pressure air.
If you have to use a stationary air compressor for a long period of time you should use ear defenders to protect yourself from any hearing damage, but do make sure to check the decibel of any air compressor you buy before purchasing.
Stationary air compressor are usually quite heavy, so if you do plan on keeping it in the garage, that’s ok, but if you’re buying an air compressor to spray walls, fences, or run power tools from in the garden, then look for smaller models that can be easily carried around.
Portable Air Compressors
Portable air compressors are the small air compressors that run from your car battery (either from spark plugs, or cigarette lighters). They’re great tools for an emergency, but usually only run at up to 12V so aren’t nearly powerful enough for running power tools from.
You can buy air compressors with built-in batteries, but make sure you check the battery life before you buy an air compressor. Old-fashioned compressors will run from full-charge to empty in a matter of minutes, so check if it has a modern lithium-ion battery.
How to Use an Air Compressor
Depending on the type of air compressor you have, the guidance can vary, so make sure to consult the directions supplied with your model, but there are a few general principles that should be followed:
- Ensure the air compressor is always on flat, stable ground and stored upright, when in use, it should remain stable, and any cables should have enough excess that they trail on the floor to prevent tripping or knocking the compressor while in operation.
- Air compressors should have their oil level clearly displayed. If the oil level is below, or neat to minimum, refill the oil. Oil is essential for the operation of the pistons that power compression.
- If there is a drain valve on your air compressor, close it before use.
- Turn the compressor on, and let it run until it reaches full pressure (PSI).
- Set the value to the minimum PSI of the tool you plan to use, or to the PSI of the tire you are about to inflate.
- Connect the hose from the compressor to the tool / inlet valve, and turn it on.
- Most modern air compressors will stop pumping when the set PSI is reached, but keep an eye on the gauge and disconnect the hose and switch off the machine if it exceeds maximum PSI.
- When finished with the tool, store it safely and upright away from moisture.
Air Compressor Review
1. Unimac ACM-250 24L Portable Direct Drive Air Compressor
Unimac ACM-250
The huge tank on this air compressor makes it one of the most capable portable air compressors on the market. With a speedy refill time it’s great for painting, and even better thanks to its quiet operation.
The Unimac air compressor runs at roughly the same volume of normal conversation, so is safe for long periods of use.
It’s really the space efficiency of this model that helps it stand out, with a tank late enough for most bog jobs, but not so big that you can’t get it up and down stairs.
Pros
Cons
Air Compressor Frequently Asked Questions
How do air compressors work?
All air compressors have slightly different methods of pressurising air. Some air compressors work by pumping air through piston chambers which fill and empty at pace in a series of chambers.
This allows constant flow and circulation of gas, but uses more power. Other air compressors fill a pressurised tank and push air evenly through the hose. These are the best for steady tools like paint sprayers.
What size air compressor do I need?
Pneumatic nail guns require short bursts of power, so do not need a tank, and will work perfectly well on passive flows of compressed air, but for most tools, a tank is the best option as it gives a steady and constant stream of pressurised air.
Each tool should have a guide for the tank capacity required to run it efficiently.
What is a good size air compressor for home use?
For decorating, including painting walls and fences, you’ll need an air compressor with a tank, rather than a passive flow, so make sure you’re looking for air compressors with at least 5-6 CFM, otherwise you’ll be waiting for the pressure to refill every few minutes.
How much PSI do I need for air tools?
Most air tools need a PSI of around 70-90 PSI from the air compressor that powers them, which is usually in the range of any budget air compressor.
It might still be worth a mid-range compressor for these tasks though, as the compressor should have a higher capacity than the flow needed for the tool.
Other buying guides you may be interested in:
Time to Get Your Own Air Compressor
There’s no such thing as a right way or a wrong way to garden, but I think we can all agree that the best methods are those that allow us to spend the most time enjoying our outdoor spaces, and relaxing in them.
Air compressors might seem excessive to domestic gardeners, but they certainly speed up those long laborious maintenance jobs around the garden.
For commercial gardeners and professional landscapers though, finding the best air compressors is essential, as you’ll need maximum capacity and high PSI to give you the option of using any tool you need around your clients’ gardens.
Published on February 21, 2022 by Gary Clarke
Last Updated on September 21, 2024
Hi Gary
thanks for the review of these compressors. I am currently looking at buying a compact compressor for garden and small nailing jobs. I have read other good reviews of both the Bostitch and Craftsman compressors but note that both are shipped from the USA by Amazon, are these units safe for operation in Australia and do they need a step down converter to allow them to run on Australian 240V? Cheers… Howard
Hi Howard,
They won’t need a converter but will need a socket adapter to run on Australian sockets. The Bostich and Crafstman compressors are sold with Australian plugs at most retailers too, but for the price of a plug adapter, they’re considerably cheaper online.
Best Regards,
Gary Clarke