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The best air compressors

• Don't get caught short at the side of the road by a flat tyre.
• Parkers take a closer look at some of the best air compressors on the market right now.
• Many other uses around the home and garage

Written by Alex Boyd Updated: 29 October 2024

Adjusting the pressures of your vehicle’s tyres using an air compressor is just one of the many tasks these versatile machines can perform. It sometimes seems like a bit of a pity to consign them to such a seemingly mundane (but vitally important) task when some can provide pneumatic power for tools like impact wrenches, air ratchets, pneumatic sanders, spray guns, and nail guns.

There are smaller compressors designed specifically as tyre inflators, but having a more substantial air compressor at home or in the garage can help expand the range of DIY tasks you can undertake on your car and can also be useful for general home improvement projects.

There is a huge range of air compressors available, from 12v units that will run from your car battery to heavy-duty beasts that will operate just about any pneumatic tool. Some air compressors can be quite noisy, so if you’re working in a residential area, this might be something you need to consider.

The best air compressors at a glance:

Editor’s choice: Hyundai Low Noise Electric Air Compressor – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for light duties: Amazon Basics Portable Air Compressor – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for heavy-duty use: Wolf 100L Air Compressor Dakota 100 Portable – Buy now from Amazon UK

The size of the tank can affect the types of tools you can operate – a larger tank allows longer tool use before the compressor cycles back on to refill the tank. So, with that in mind, here are a few air compressors to consider.

The best air compressors:

This Hyundai is the ideal compressor for home garages or smaller workshops. It's compact and quiet, so it won't cause too much of a disturbance. It is ideal for topping up tyre pressures but packing enough punch for lots of other power tools. It's been designed for those who might not need to use an air compressor daily but enjoy the flexibility it offers, and due to its weight being fairly light and its compact size, it is easy to store when not in use.

Pros

  • Quiet
  • Compact

Cons

  • Relatively short use cycle
Power: 230v
Tank Capacity: 8 litre
Airflow: 110 litres per minute
Noise level: ‎60 dB
Maximum pressure: 10 psi
Weight: 15 kg
Best for light duties
Perfect for keeping handy in the car or caravan for making light work of a multitude of jobs. The most obvious use is for topping up those tyre pressures which this Amazon Basics unit will tackle with ease. If you take campervan or caravan holidays you can use it to add air to inflatable mattresses, pool toys, footballs and
The unit is powered directly from your car battery via the two alligator battery clamps. It comes with a ball-inflation needle, 2 rubber blow tips, and a carrying case.

Pros

  • Comes with a storage case
  • Sturdy construction

Cons

  • Not so good for heavier-duty jobs
Power: 12v
Tank Capacity: 50 litre
Airflow: N/A
Noise level: N/A
Maximum pressure: N/A
Weight: 3.29kg
Best basic workshop compressor
Price: $346.68
This mains-powered Einhell will happily deliver a maximum operating pressure of up to 8 bar and is ideal for a whole host of applications from tyre inflation to paint sprayers and nail guns. There is a single 24-litre tank, which will give you plenty of air in reserve, and the operating pressure can be quickly and easily controlled and monitored via the easy-to-read analogue pressure gauge. The convenient, easy-release valve makes changing tools a doddle, and the non-return and safety valves provide additional peace of mind as you work.

Pros

  • Mains powered
  • Great for the workshop

Cons

  • Heavy
Power: 230v
Tank Capacity: 24 litres
Airflow: 180 litres per minute
Noise level: 96.4 dB
Maximum pressure: 116 psi
Weight: 16 kg
Best cordless compressor
Price: $303.99
This is another product from the Ryobi 18V ONE+ system of tools for the home and garden. This bare tool gives you the convenience of a cordless, compact and lightweight tool, and its integrated 4L tank delivers air up to 120PSI, ideal for on-the-go tyre inflation or transforming pneumatic nailers into cordless tools. Output pressure is controlled by the locking regulator, while the metal air hose wrap provides convenient on-board hose storage.

Pros

  • No cables
  • Lightweight and compact

Cons

  • Short battery life
Power: 18v
Tank Capacity: 4 litres
Airflow: 20 litres per minute
Noise level: 54 dB
Maximum pressure: 120 psi
Best heavy-duty compressor
If you're looking for something to take on those heavy-duty tasks, the Wolf delivers in spades. The 3HP 230V single-phase motor delivers up to 10 Bar (about 150 psi) to keep the 100-litre tank supplied to facilitate the two 1/4 inch BSP Uni Hi Flow quick-release air outlets. This compressor is ideal for car body refinishing, maintenance departments, engineering workshops etc. and will handle a wide variety of air tools as well as paint-spraying equipment.

Pros

  • High performance
  • Good build quality

Cons

  • Requires high current mains power source
Power: 230v
Tank Capacity: 100 Litre
Airflow: 400 litres per minute
Noise level: 97 dB
Maximum pressure: 145 psi
Weight: 69 kg
Best home garage compressor
If you are looking for a compact and portable air compressor suitable for everyday home and garage jobs, you can't go far wrong with the Draper 6L Oil-Free Air Compressor. It is powered by a 1.2kW motor and has a 6L tank, providing enough power and capacity for most jobs. The compressor is oil-free, which means that it is maintenance-free and produces less noise and emissions than oil-lubricated compressors.

Pros

  • Low maintenance
  • Portable

Cons

  • A bit noisy
Power: 230v
Tank Capacity: 6 litres
Airflow: N/A
Noise level: N/A
Maximum pressure: 116 psi
Weight: 8.78 kg

FAQs

What can I use an air compressor for?

An air compressor in a domestic setting can be incredibly versatile. Here are some common uses:

Powering Pneumatic Tools:

  • Impact Wrenches: Removing wheel nuts or bolts quickly.
  • Air Ratchets: Tightening or loosening bolts in tight spaces.
  • Pneumatic Sanders: Sanding surfaces for cutting compounds, paint or finishing work.
  • Spray Guns: Painting cars, furniture, or walls efficiently.
  • Air Hammers/Chisels: Cutting through metal or concrete.

Tyre Inflation:

  • Inflating car tires, bike tires, sports equipment, and inflatable toys quickly and efficiently.

Cleaning:

  • Air Blow Guns: Clearing debris, dust, or dirt from surfaces, machinery, or hard-to-reach areas.

Home Improvement:

  • Nail Guns: Using pneumatic nailers for carpentry or construction projects.
  • Air Staplers: Upholstery work or attaching materials.

Hobby and DIY Projects:

  • Airbrushing: Painting models, artwork, or crafts.
  • Air-powered Grinders or Drills: Precision work on metal or wood.
  • Air-powered Vacuum or Suction Devices: Creating suction for certain DIY tasks.

Other Uses:

  • Inflating Air Mattresses, Pool Toys, and Sports Equipment: Using appropriate attachments.
  • Pressure Washing: Some air compressors can be adapted to work with pressure washers for light cleaning tasks.

The versatility of air compressors lies in their ability to power a wide range of pneumatic tools and facilitate various tasks around the home, garage, or workshop.

Alex Boyd is a Commercial Content Writer for Parkers, specialising in power tools and pressure washers. In his spare time, he enjoys DIY, travel, gardening and music.

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