So you have a painting project and you need an air compressor to help you with it. There are many different kinds of compressors that are specifically designed for different usages whether it be for a smaller project or large scale one there is an air compressor for that. Below is a list of compressors that we’ve analyzed to help give you a better idea of what you may want to get for your project.
Not all are of the best quality so you know to avoid them if need be. Other’s are of great quality but there may be something wrong with them that might push you away from purchasing them. Whatever compressor is right for you is hard to say and that is why we’ve created this list to host multiple compressors for you to look through to fit your specific needs.
Of course, further research is required to really get an idea of how the product handles itself you at least will be able to see the different pros and cons of each to get a basic idea of how each one runs. Just think of this as the starting point. Other than that, take a look and see which compressor is the perfect choice for your painting needs.
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Top 28 Air Compressor for Painting
Hulk by EMAX
The Hulk is as big as it sounds but still is able to be quiet enough for small business use.
The product comes in a steel cage that properly protects the product during shipping. This ensures that there are no scratches or dents, so you know you’re getting a good quality compressor. This is also evident in its durability.
The only real downside is the price, but if this compressor arrives in a steel cage to control quality, then you can be assured the price is well worth it in the end.
This product is only for indoor use which shouldn’t be a problem is that was your intention the whole time.
Magnum Project Painter Plus Paint Sprayer
The product Is a good basic system to have for small projects. It comes with accessories including spray gun with a reversible tip to prevent clogging.
Unlike the Hulk, this one can be used both indoor and outdoor.
It features and adjustable spray speed to handle different projects.
Serious problems being that it is non-industrial so don’t expect this product to handle large projects that require a lot of paint. Most reviews state that the product leaks so keep this in mind if you’re ever wanting to purchase this compressor.
Control Pro 130 Power Tank Airless Stand Paint Sprayer
This may be a cheaper product on the list and it shows for it.
The good point are that it takes into account overspray which can make your projects look sloppy along with the spray pattern. It tries to be neater than most other paint compressors and in this area, it succeeds.
The bad side of this is that it is small and holds very little paint so don’t be using this for large scale projects. It’s also made of cheaper material so be aware that this may not last long.
Power-Flo Pro 2800 Airless Paint Sprayer
This product is made mainly for latex painting and nothing else. It is able to hold other paints, but you need to be sure of what it can handle before you ruin it.
Spray tips are sold separately and the pressure control may be a blessing or a curse since it is known to lose pressure over time.
This paint compressor is for household use only.
BOSTITCH BTFP02012 6-Gallon Pancake Compressor
This product would otherwise be great if it wasnt’ for the fact that it often comes with lose fittings or other faulty parts. This may be a gamble.
On the strong side, it has a long lifespan with a high efficiency motor which will help it start up quicker in cold weather.
It is lightweight and portable like all pancake compressors so don’t think this can be used for big projects.
California Air Tools 1P1060S
This unit is very small and has an overall average quality according to customers. So if you’re looking for an ok paing compressor that is lightweight, quiet and can get the basics done, then this might be a good deal.
Eastwood 80 Gallon Belt Driven 3.7HP Air Compressor
What this product has on noise levels, it makes up for it with durability and high air pressure to get the job done.
Ingersoll Rand Single-Stage Twin Cylinder Pro Air Compressor
The twin cylinder air compressor is meant to make this product long lasting, but the real problem comes with the poor quality motor that is known to not live up to standards.
Good luck getting a replacement if this becomes a real big issue because customer’s complaints mainly focus around the fact that the customer service on this product range from bad to non-existent.
It is known to overheat
The main good point is that if you ever get it to work properly, which is doable, then you have a durable product than can take a good beating.
DeWALT 3.7 RHP 60 Gallon Vertical Stationary Air Compressor
This product focuses a lot on its oil. Not only does it come with its own synthetic oil which can be of poor quality, but it also features an oil level sight fuel with an easy access oil fill for a convenient oil fill.
This product is known to have some faulty parts so be aware before a purchase.
NorthStar Single-Stage Portable Electric Air Compressor
The main feature on this product is its heat-resistant qualities. It has bearings on both ends of the crankshaft that give it a 20,000 hour life span. The motor is made in a V shaped design to evenly dispurse heat.
It is quiet and portable, but only made for light housework. If you think this product is good for airflow, think again.
CRAFTSMAN Air Compressor
The only real downside to this product is that it is small so again don’t think this can be used for heavy duty projects.
Other than that, it requires little to no maintenance and is portable with a quick recover time. As long as this isn’t used for anything big, then it will make a fine paint compressor.
DEWALT Pancake Air Compressor
This pancake compressor is another small one so it is portable and only for small painting tasks.
It’s been known to have leaks here and there.
On the plus side, it is able to start up well in cold weather and has a rerouted outlet tube for convenience so you don’t have to worry about tripping over the cable when you’re working.
It also has a removable console cover so repairs are easy to do if the product needs extra maintenance.
Industrial Air Contractor
Despite the fact that this product is for industrial use, the customer say that this product is not made to last long.
It needs to be primed manually in order to work well so there’s extra work for you if you want to keep this product in prime condition. This is the only real maintenance issue.
It has a two part cooling system to prevent it from overheating and it is uniquely designed with a unique pontoon look.
Overall with the quality you get from this product, it may be overpriced unless you happen to get it on a sale.
Makita MAC2400 2.5 HP Big Bore Air Compressor
This is another uniquely designed product with a compact Roll-cage design to completely cover and protect this product from any damage.
Big Boar cylandirs are made to provide a faster recovery time to improve the compressor’s performance. It is made of cast iron and easy to remove and maintain.
The compressor may be weak which makes it hard to use for air tools.
There is a slight faulty design to this product in which the oil drain plug is too close to the oil drain which if you’re using a wrench to unplug it, it doesn’t completely turn and rubs up against the site glass which can cause damage if you’re not careful enough.
PORTER CABLE PXCMF220VW 20-Gallon Portable Air Compressor
This product really tries to be convenient for you but in doing so doesn’t add up to overall quality.
It tries to be mobile, quiet, and low-maintanence, but it doing so, it becomes unreliable in other areas. Be warned that this product may not work at times when you really need it.
VIVOHOME 110-120V Professional Airbrushing Paint System
This product is well equipped for multiple painting functions compared with other airbrushing paint systems on the list.
This is for small painting projects only like canvas painting or even cake painting so unless these are your projects for your paint compressor, then it may be a good idea to look for other products on the list.
This product is also known to have an unreliable airbrush attachment so if you’re thinking of getting your own, you may need to invest in a different air brush replacement.
Industrial Air IL1682066.MN 20 Gallon Air Compressor
The price of this product is the only downside and is totally up to you to gauge whether or not this will be a good purchase. There aren’t any other serious problems other than the cost and it makes up for it with a portable design, quiet motor and an automatic shut off feature.
Makita MAC700 2.6 Gallon Portable Air Compressor
This portable air compressor is lightweight and durable, but has not wheels for convenient mobility. This can be more of a nitpick since the product is small and light enough to carry around.
Like most other portable paint compressor’s this one is only for small projects, but it makes up for it by being a decent product that recovers quickly and is built to last.
Bostitch BTFP02012
Another portable product except this one is more noisy compared to other small compressors on the list.
On the plus side, ther’s very little maintenance for this product and it comes with a duel attachment so you can hook up two tools at once. This feature is unique among others on the list that only feature one attachment.
California Air Tools 8010
The product is able to be quickly filled up so you can get to your projects quicker. It is portable and quiet so again, only for smaller projects.
The only real nitpick about this item is that it has poor tire quality to be careful when transporting this product and make sure you invest in some quality tires.
Ingersoll Rand SS5 60 Gallon Single Stage Air Compressor
This heavy duty product is built to last and needs to be bolted to the ground to prevent it from traveling when turned on.
It has a three cylinder single stage pump helps this product to work efficiently and keep up with multiple large projects. It also help it to recover quickly.
The only real problem is that it is hard to access the manual drive valve so unless you don’t want to mess around with that problem, this product is of high quality, good pricing and does its job well.
Rolair JC10 Plus 2.5 Gal Electric Air Compressor
Unlike the most recent product on your list, this one is not built to last. That doesn’t mean its a bad product, you just need to understand that it may not last as long as the other compressors.
It is compact, portable and quiet so it’s perfect for smaller jobs that only require basic painting coverage. If it lasts long enough for them, that is.
Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressor
The only real problem with this one is that it tends to leak. Other than that it has a four cylandir cast iron pump that is built to last up to 10,000 hours. While this may seem like a smaller lifespan compared to the others, there are no other real bad problems beside the small chance of a leak.
High air pressure allows for quality extended us and the product can use a multitude of different tools. This makes the compressor perfect for small shop use or for DIY enthusiasts.
Quincy QT-54 Pro 5-HP 60-Gallon Two-Stage Air Compressor
The main problems with this one is the poor warranty. If there is any problem with this product when you receive it, then don’t expect much help with it.
If it works well then besides the noise level, this product has a heavy duty motor that is built to last and it runs cool so you don’t have to worry about overheating.
DEWALT® 1.1 HP 3.2 CFM 120 V 60 Hz 14 A 3400 RPM 100 PSI Hand Carry Twin Tank Air Compressor
Despite being louder than most other small compressors on the list, the product has cast iron cylinders that are built to last.
It has a high flow regulator so you know you’re using the right amount of paint for your projects.
It has an oil lubricated pump and is portable so there are plenty of good things about this compressor that may be worth all the noise.
Power-Flo Pro 2800 Airless Paint Sprayer
This product is perfect for any household projects and a good thing too since due to its electrical units, it needs to be kept indoors to prevent any damage.
It comes with a chrome painted spray gun and if any parts are missing or broken then replacements are readily available. This is a good thing since most customer reviews tend to imply that this product is unreliable. Whether this is because of faulty parts or its just a bad quality product is hard to say so be warned when you’re buying this compressor that it may not live up to good standards.
Control Pro 170 Cart Paint Sprayer
The only real problem with this one is the missing parts which seems to be a common problem among customers.
Despite being portable, this unit is very large so it may be a chore to move around all the time. It does have a convenient storage option, but its up to you to decide if that is a good enough reason for the large and clunky design.
EMAX Silent Industrial Plus
This product really wants to be the quietest product on the list and it does succeed in that regard. The only problem is that all the work going into keeping the product quiet, it moved the cost up quite a bit.
If you don’t mind paying extra for a quiet unit then it may be worth it.
FAQ
What compressor is right for me?
That all depends on you, but the list is designed to have multiple different compressor for you to look over and decide for yourself what you need.
Are all compressor durable
Most compressor are built to last, but there are a few that don’t live up to that kind of quality. Check the list to make sure.
What about portability?
There are plenty of products that are portable although, keep in mind that most portable products are only for small project use.
How costly do these get?
Some products are very expensive, however they tend to make up for it in good quality. This pros and cons section will usually give you a good idea of how well the product performs and if its cost justifies its price.
Conclusion
You have specific needs that only certain air compressors can achieve. This list is designed to go through multiple compressors to give you an idea of what you may want.
While most of the unites on this list are reliable enough for basic usage, there are always some that don’t make the cut whether it be for unreliability or price. Make sure you do extra research into a product before you buy to make sure you are getting the best deal for your needs.
Maybe you need something portable, or do you perhaps need one for your shop? The list will have a certain specific compressor for that so you don’t have to worry about not finding it on the list. When you do find it, you’ll see just how well the product performs to make an educated purchase. Or not.
That being said, there are plenty of compressors on this list that are good quality and the ends justify the means. A high price may not be so bad if the quality of the product justifies it. Make sure you look through this list thoroughly to be able to choose the right product.
List of the Top Air Compressor for Painting (Summary)
- Hulk by EMAX
- Magnum Project Painter Plus Paint Sprayer
- Control Pro 130 Power Tank Airless Stand Paint Sprayer
- Power-Flo Pro 2800 Airless Paint Sprayer
- BOSTITCH BTFP02012 6-Gallon Pancake Compressor
- California Air Tools 1P1060S
- Eastwood 60 Gallon Belt Driven 3.7HP Air Compressor
- Ingersoll Rand Single-Stage Twin Cylinder Pro Air Compressor
- DeWALT 3.7 RHP 60 Gallon Vertical Stationary Air Compressor
- NorthStar Single-Stage Portable Electric Air Compressor
- CRAFTSMAN Air Compressor
- DEWALT Pancake Air Compressor
- Industrial Air Contractor
- Makita MAC2400 2.5 HP Big Bore Air Compressor
- PORTER CABLE PXCMF220VW 20-Gallon Portable Air Compressor
- VIVOHOME 110-120V Professional Airbrushing Paint System
- Industrial Air IL1682066.MN 20 Gallon Air Compressor
- Makita MAC700 2.6 Gallon Portable Air Compressor
- Bostitch BTFP02012
- California Air Tools 8010
- Ingersoll Rand SS5 60 Gallon Single Stage Air Compressor
- Rolair JC10 Plus 2.5 Gal Electric Air Compressor
- Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressor
- Quincy QT-54 Pro 5-HP 60-Gallon Two-Stage Air Compressor
- DEWALT® 1.1 HP 3.2 CFM 120 V 60 Hz 14 A 3400 RPM 100 PSI Hand Carry Twin Tank Air Compressor
- Power-Flo Pro 2800 Airless Paint Sprayer
- Control Pro 170 Cart Paint Sprayer
- EMAX Silent Industrial Plus
