One of the major downfalls of the Bostitch is the screw-style drain. The six- to eight-gallon range tank is the sweet spot for a majority of consumers. That being said, you do need to drain your compressor each time you use it for best results. Make sure your compressor can provide at least that CFM at a minimum. Whether youre using it in a stationary position in a shop, wheeling it around the house or transporting it from jobsite to jobsite, all of its characteristics put it head and shoulders above the rest. Additionally, a compressor capable of higher PSI can perform as though it has a slightly bigger tank than an equal-sized compressor capable of less PSI. All of our reviews are unsponsored, so we earn money by using affiliate links. The CA Air Tools is much quieter than every other product we tested. It is made for heavy-duty and industrial applications. We used a decibel meter positioned five feet from the compressor to measure how loud each one got while the tank filled from empty. Being able to connect two tools at once is convenient if you have two people working or two different tools you dont want to have to keep connecting and disconnecting. Change the oil in the pump every three months. Remove the air filter from the filter base. Husky was founded in 1924, but its rights were transferred to The Home Depot (the largest chain of stores across America) in 1992. Larger compressors, on the other hand, tend to be difficult to move and occupy a large space in a garage or shop. The 60-gallon stationary electric air compressor features a cast iron for durability, oil-lubricated pump for extended life. We like to help other people maintaining their garden and find cool products to write about. If youre running multiple tools at once, the Porter-Cable, Dewalt, Ridgid, and Bostitch all come with two connections for air hoses while the others only had a single connection. But you must check the air compressor pump oil level for all other air compressors. Home Depot mainly markets the product. Despite its extra power, it feels light in the hands due to the smart design of the large, curved handle and provides most of the benefits of the other compressors. For a unit that's 20 pounds heavier than many others, we found it remarkably easy to maneuver. The RIDGID 6-Gallon Pancake Air Compressor has managed to impress reviewers from two reliable and objective sources that conduct their own testing, namely The Spruce and Popular Mechanics. The California Air Tools stands out from the competition with its convenient wheeled design, one-handed hose connection and its low noise output. Six-gallon compressors are capable of running two nail guns at a rapid pace without breaking a sweat, as evidenced by the fairly common two-outlet design of compressors in this class. The Dewalt impressed us on the sander test by running considerably longer than the other compressors. air compressor features a powerful 1.5 HP motor and long life oil-lubricated pump. It is not very easy to store because of its large size. The working hours depend on the model of the air compressor. It did great in its "The 11 Best Portable Air Compressors to Keep Handy" roundup - in fact, it earned its "Best 12V" title, which, on its own, indicates a certain level of quality. Home Depot does not manufacture the products they sell, including Husky air compressors. Its 120 max PSI may be an issue for users expecting the performance of a large stationary compressor, but its more than enough to power the majority of tools youd use with a six-gallon compressor. If youre looking for a compressor that pushes the upper limits of the six-gallon range, this one is it. Users of Husky products are usually satisfied with the products durability and quality, and it has many advantages that will make you choose it. Again, buyers should research the PSI requirements of the tools theyre going to use before choosing a compressor. This avoids the occasional hassle of replacing oil. The Dewalt offers more CFM than any other model in our test. This is obviously down to preference, but theres no denying that flipping a lever is quicker and takes some of the guesswork out of the procedure. Allow the compressor pump to cool by leaving it off for some time. Yes. The hose connections of the Ridgid are the only thing that gives it a true advantage over the Dewalt, but we didnt find this to be as big of a deal in the testing we performed. It's the best choice for both the shop and for job sites. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. That higher PSI also makes this unit a great sprayer for cleaning away worktop dust or other particles. ", in The 11 Best Portable Air Compressors to Keep Handy, in The Best Air Compressors for Pros and DIYers, According to Experts. It is ideal for completing many household inflation jobs, such as bike tires, car tires, sports balls, pool toys, and air mattresses. That being said, one of the most common uses for air compressors of this size is to run a pneumatic nail gun or two. Regardless of the size, a compressor is a useful tool to have on hand for just about everyone. Husky air compressors are long-lasting products; they can be used at home, in garages, or in small workshops. Instead, it focuses on lowering the noise of the unit while incorporating the wheeled horizontal tank design to keep the unit portable. To further prolong the air compressors lifespan, you should also check: How often you should do maintenance on your air compressor differs significantly from your usage. Five of our six compressors are based on a pancake design while only one has the design commonly referred to as hot dog. The pancake is popular because it allows the user to grasp a handle at the top of the compressor and carry it down at the side almost like a suitcase. The Central Pneumatic, California Air Tools, and Ridgid models had convenient connections for the air hose that only require one hand to push the hose in to connect while all the others required two hands, one to insert the hose and the other to draw the sleeve back on the connection. In this blog article, we will further focus on these Husky Air Compressors. 80-gallon 5 HP Two-Stage Air Compressor has rugged cast iron and oil-lubricated pump. Over time it can get dirty or even clog. It has a smaller handle than most of the others but it is still comfortable to carry. It is used for brad nailing, framing nailing, inflation, spraying, etc. Theyre convenient, take up little space, and deliver enough CFM to power nearly any tool you would use outside of a professional setting and we feel confident recommending the California Air Toolsunit for folks looking for something in this size range. We have curated about 4 thousand reviews from users of Husky air compressors. 2022 Your Best Digs - All rights reserved. However, they produce a larger percentage of portable devices since they are easy to move. The Husky air compressor is sold exclusively at Home Depot. The Dewalt has higher PSI and CFM ratings than any of its competitors, allowing you to run demanding tools longer. The Husky Air compressor gives you multiple size options (the small and big models) that will let you get your next job done. The big models are designed to work for 500 hours a month because they are used in large industries, while the small models can work for only 300 hours a month because they are designed for households and small workshops. Two and three-gallon compressors are available at home centers and even department stores. There is one brand that Home Depot sells exclusively, Husky. The other compressors required us to wear hearing protection to prevent hearing loss. We have curated the main questions buyers of Husky Air compressors usually ask if they want to know whether it is the right product. Most of that time was spent on basic repairs and maintenance, with occasional custom modifications and aesthetic changes including structural and finish work. Our chief tester for this article was an experienced woodworker, who spent a week hunting down the top air compressors and subjected them to comparison tests to find the best. Have some crown molding thats starting to droop in the corners? While most compressors in this range use the same tested design and aim for more PSI and a slightly bigger tank, the CA Air Tools breaks away from these priorities. they do not manufacture their air compressors. Mostly all Husky Air Compressors are made of oil-free lubrication, and the portable and non-portable designs are readily available. The air filter cleans the air that the engine uses. As you can see, most of our compressors stick right around this 85-decibel area on the scale. It also only has a connection for one air hose, though it is a one-handed connection which is a nice characteristic of an otherwise unimpressive design. So we set all the regulators for the recommended 90 PSI, let each tank fill to its max capacity, and went to work on some 10 x 11 pine plywood scraps. You can find Air Compressor Pump Oil here. This gave us an idea of the everyday experience of operating a compressor. Additionally, if you keep the compressor in a permanent spot and run lines around your shop, two outlets give you more options. After deciding which products to test and what characteristics to look for, we got to work and used each compressor to give you a detailed breakdown of what to expect. You can extrapolate these results to other tasks: the Dewalt will also provide more consistent delivery for tasks like spraying. This lets you perform nearly any task youd need to without spending a fortune. If youre planning on moving the compressor around a house while installing molding or dragging it out every time the kids bikes need air, this can be a critical factor. If you cannot afford brands like Dewalt and Campbell, a Husky air compressor is a good alternative. However, you will need to regularly drain the air tank on your compressor to keep water vapor from collecting and causing rust. It is portable and not heavy to move around, Users reported some issues with the valve and leakage, Ensure that the compressor is off and disconnected from the power source. This can cause rust, depending on the tank material. A pair of one-handed connections for your air hoses is a convenient feature that separates it from the competition. Compressors this size are also small enough to stow away when not in use and are easy to move around. You could nail a few baseboards with a two-gallon compressor, but if youre moving along with any kind of quickness, you may find yourself waiting for the tank to fill or firing a nail that doesnt hit the desired depth. You can find Air Compressor Air filter here. 225 PSI High Performance Crew Electric Portable Air Compressor. This usually doesnt require a compressor with a gigantic tank, but six gallons is about the minimum youll want if youre on a time limit and need consistent performance. If both models exceed their respective hours, it could lead to overheating and other technical faults in the valves or oil pumps. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The Porter-Cable model has a noticeably cheaper feel to it than most of its competitors: from the plastic of the motor housing, the connections for the air hoses, and the welding on the tank. Some models are noisy, and they should not be used for long periods continuously. The Dewalt is a solid choice with a time-tested design. For folks looking for a six-gallon size, we recommend the California Air Tools 5510SE as the best air compressor overall. These retailers provide plenty of online reviews which helped narrow down the options. 200 PSI Oil Free Portable Vertical Electric Air Compressor, 30 Gal. Donning earplugs or hearing protection every time you use the compressor is an option, but, even so, do you want to fire up something as loud as a lawnmower when youre leaving early in the morning for work or a bicycle ride and need to fill up a tire? Drain the water from the air compressor tank, Check for more than usual vibrations or strange noises, If you have a gas air compressor, give the engine its yearly maintenance. Each time you fill the tank of your compressor with air, theres a chance some of the moisture will also enter the tank. The CA Air Tools is built around its low noise output, meaning you won't need to worry about wearing ear plugs with this one. Together we put a lot of effort into the maintenance of our gardens over the last few years, we become obsessed with it. This includes inflating tires or recreational equipment as well as using compressed air to clean tough-to-reach places (like a grungy keyboard). However, the compressors overall weight, as well as the ergonomics of the tank and motor housing, make some compressors more of a chore to move than others. Overall, the Dewalt is a solid choice in this range. Pro Tool Reviews features in-depth, hands-on reviews of a wide variety of tools and professional equipment. At 5.5 gallons, the CA Air Tools holds a half-gallon less than the others, but this is a small price to pay since you wont mind the noise when it switches on to refill. Theyre also much more expensive and can take up a considerable amount of space. Larger than six-gallon tanks start to make the compressor unwieldy if you expect to move it around at all. The Central Pneumatic and Porter-Cable handles felt cheap and uncomfortable by comparison. An outlet on each side can keep you from getting two hoses tangled or dragging the compressor when a hose gets caught because you and your partners are working on opposite sides of the room. Our consultant focuses on furniture building with two years of owning a custom furniture business also with some work in larger carpentry projects like built-in cabinets. We made identical patterns on each piece of plywood with a pencil to create a visual record of how long the sander ran, as well as using a stopwatch to time how long it took before the sander slowed from its required operating speed. The portability and relatively low prices also prove to be tremendous assets for any user. Are home depot husky air compressors any good? The compressor features a height-adjustable handle and rubber wheels for easy mobility. You may encounter a problem with the wheels sometimes, The tank capacity and power generation is effective. A few seconds with a nail gun can have it looking like a professional repaired it. Youll want to ensure your compressor is capable of producing more than the minimum PSI required for your most demanding tool. All of the compressors we chose are equipped with a drain valve that allows the compressor to go from full to empty in less than a minute, but the two different styles we encountered (screw-style as well as lever-operated ball valves) can give the user fairly different experiences that can lead to aggravation or a simple, easy experience. Portable Electric Air Compressor with Extra Value Kit, 2 Gal. We even came across questions someone new to crafts like woodworking would have about finding a compressor that would meet their needs. Like most users, he has to carefully plan out the space usage in his shop, making a giant compressor tankless of a priority. Regular maintenance of machines is usually recommended to ensure that they last long. Remove the air filter top cover so you can reach the air filter itself. Beyond that, the compressor expands your capabilities for DIY in a tremendous way. These compressors also focus on convenience and ease of use because theyre targeted at more casual users. The California Air Tools was so quiet that you can maintain a conversation even standing only five feet away from it. It is not portable, challenging to move around. The air compressor is suitable for numerous DIY tasks around the house or workshops, including light-duty automotive work, medium-duty nailing as well as all of your inflation needs. It did great in their roundups - it earned the "Best Budget" title from The Spruce, and "BEST VALUE" from Popular Mechanics, which marks it as a product that's worth considering. Tank size:As we mentioned above, two and three-gallon tanks are sufficient if you plan on only driving a few nails on a rare occasion or filling up a bicycle tire. Ensure the compressor is on a flat surface and let it settle for a few mins. It has a better valve system to drain the tank, but the fact that the valve protrudes from the tank in such a way that it can get caught on the person carrying it adds to how unpleasant it is to carry around. For these compressors, the design of the handle is critical. The Ridgid, Dewalt, and Bostitch all had ergonomic handles that made them comfortable to carry. These are the two most demanding tasks for this type of air compressor, but there are several more that the average homeowner may have. As with many Dewalt tools, the quality and attention to detail separate it from less expensive alternatives. This may not seem like a big deal, but the vibration was enough that the unit itself moved freely across a concrete floor while the motor was running. Our analysis from more than four thousand reviews shows that they are reliable, easy to use and Home Depot has good customer care. California Air Tools makes it a focal point of their advertising just how quiet their air compressors are. Additional CFM capabilities will keep you working long before the tank needs to start refilling, but meeting the minimum requirements is most important. Check the oil in the crankcase assembly and look for any dirt. The Husky Air Compressor is good in terms of budget and reliability. Additionally, using a splitter to run two tools with these tiny compressors will drain them fast, leading to a tremendous amount of downtime while the tank fills. The additional PSI can give you that little bit of extra capacity for those jobs where the other six gallons cant keep up. Replace the filter if it is in bad shape. It delivers excellent performance while in operation. The drain valve is easy to find in the center of the tank and only requires a quick turn of the handle to open fully. This leads to easy to access drains and no oil changes. The few decibels difference we found from our noise test were noticeable to the testers, but the motor is still loud enough that ear plugs or hearing protection is recommended. The California Air Tools unit powered the sander for the shortest time, highlighting the difference those few max PSI can make. We also read up on users experiences via Subreddits like /r/woodworking and /r/DIY. Like any other mechanical device, it is essential to perform routine maintenance: If your compressor is oil-free, this part of the maintenance is not needed. They are powerful tools but face fewer technical issues compared to other brands of similar compressors. They deliver good performance, and there is a replacement guarantee of your old husky device within the warranty. Pressure Washer motor stops running while in use, what to do? Reconnect filter top to the base and secure filter. The wheels are well-designed and made it easy to pull around the test course. A six-gallon tank is more convenient for nearly everything else. Nail guns are commonly used for furniture making, repairs or installing molding or baseboards in your home. In the most extreme cases, the tank can even rupture if it is damaged by long-term exposure to moisture, rust, and corrosion, causing very serious (potentially even fatal) safety concerns. Six gallons also works if you plan on running two nail guns at once. We wanted to really pushour compressors to their limits by giving them a task we knew they werent equipped for: running a pneumatic sander. 175 PSI Oil Lubed Belt Drive Portable Vertical Electric Air Compressor, 4.5 Gal. Larger compressors arent as readily available as their smaller counterparts. Six-gallon air compressors fulfill the needs of most homeowners and avid DIYers. Pounds per square inch (PSI):This is the max pressure the air compressor can produce. This also eliminates the need for hearing protection. Remove the screm on the top of the filter cover by turning (generally) counter-clockwise. Inventory for the 5.5-gallon model is very spotty on Amazon and Home Depot so weve replaced links throughout the article with their the larger 8-gallon model is and around the same and sometimes even lower price. As for the Husky 12/120 Volt Auto and Home Inflator - it impressed reviewers at The Spruce, a trustworthy source that conducts solid hands-on testing. Warning: Disconnect the power source and then release all pressure from the system before starting with any maintenance. That being said, if you need that additional power, wed recommend looking into larger stationary compressors as even the additional PSI wont completely make up for the tank size. Our sanding test showed the Dewalt is a powerhouse, but still too small to run air hogging tools. 120 PSI is enough for most uses, but double-check any equipment you might be running just in case. It has the highest capacity of the bunch meaning more time between tank refills. They deliver a powerful performance, make work more comfortable while in operation, and thus, the slogan for their products is The Toughest Name in Tools.. You can spend all afternoon bent over driving nails with a hammer. Due to the nature of sanding, the test pieces looked fairly similar, but the stopwatch told the real story. This indicates theyre only a few decibels quieter than your average lawnmower. It depends on the type of work. We picked the compressors up, carried (or wheeled) them around in a 20 ft by 20 ft square, set them down, inserted an air hose, unwrapped the cord, plugged it in, started the compressor to fill the tank, unplugged the cord and stowed it and then drained the compressor. All that said, most tasks like running a nail gun, using air for clean up and inflating equipment, will barely benefit from a few extra PSI in the tank. All Rights Reserved. This ensures you get the most air-delivery possible in this class. If you are not happy with the way your Husky Air compressor is operating, you can take it back to the local Home Depot for a full refund since their accessories are covered with the 90 days return policy. Lastly, most compressors above about eight gallons are far from portable. Any other task may prove to be too much for the compressor. The Husky 10 Gal. If you use it daily, you have to check things more often than if you only use your machine sparsly. Needless to say, draining the compressor tank is critical and you want it to be as convenient and painless as possible. Weight/Portability:In this class, all of the compressors are intended to be portable. The majority of our compressors averaged in the mid-80 decibel range measured from five feet away. When outside of the kitchen, he enjoys woodworking, photography, videography and figuring out how to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. This is because Home Depot does not manufacture any air compressor. It is used for stapling, airbrushing, drilling, inflation, sanding, bolting, framing nailing, roof nailing, etc. Theyre convenient for the average homeowner just looking to inflate a few tires. Noise:If youve never heard an air compressor before, you may not understand how loud they can be. The Bostitch does the things you expect of a compressor in this category. Husky Air compressors are durable and reliable air compressors that work effectively while in operation. If you have tried to search for Home Depot Air Compressors online, you must have noticed that you could not find any air compressors labeled with Home Depot. Why? It efficiently handles brad and finishes nailers etc. The smart design of the handle makes the Dewalt easy to carry and feel lighter than it is. 2000-2022 Home Depot. We found these differences made for a better compressor than a few more PSI or an extra outlet for a second air hose. None of the others had this issue. If you're considering buying a Air Compressor in the $70 range, we encourage you to take a look at some other options. The California Air Tools once again distinguished itself with the hot dog design and a pair of wheels. Even the average homeowner will find uses for it to replace more annoying tools like bike pumps and hammers. Compressors are pretty low maintenance items these days. Small differences like this can be critical to the user experience with items like compressors. Replacing your white picket fence? Our testing involved running each compressor in a controlled space to measure how loud each one was with a decibel meter, as well as going through the common tasks a person would perform with a compressor. 200 PSI Oil Free Portable Vertical Electric Air Compressor, 1 Gal. Screw-style valves require you to keep turning the plug until you hit a positive stop, which, on the Bostitch takes a surprisingly long time. It features a high-performance pump and motor that delivers 175 maximum psi. The drain valve is convenient and well-placed so as to avoid damage or getting caught on anything. This unit features two air outlets, and the drain valve is conveniently located. Vertical Electric-Powered Silent Air Compressor, 20 Gal. The difference seems minor at first glance, but the screw-style requires you to grasp the small plug for the drain and unscrew it while air shoots out at the piece youre unscrewing. Litter-Robot 3 Connect Review (Testing a $549+ Automatic Litter Box), The 17 Best Tesla Model Y & Model 3 Accessories. The Dewalt holds its own in the competition as well, just barely beating out the Ridgid due to a higher PSI rating and a little less noise.