Your workshop is your domain. There in your space, you can create and build projects for your home and your friends. In your studio, it’s just you and your tools. You can spend hours in your shop and only hear a whirling power drill and the sharp buzz of a saw. It is your domain and you have full control over what happens in there. Your tools are hung neatly on the wall-mounted rack, and your tabletops are cluttered with the projects you have envisioned to add to your home or car. You even have a small refrigerator to keep various snacks and beers within arm’s reach, in case you’re hungry, or you have friends over.
But your workshop is not complete. You may have been thinking about purchasing an air compressor, but your unanswered questions stop you. What will I use it for? Do I need it? Is it versatile enough to assist me in my various projects? Which is the right one for me? In this handy in-depth guide, we have created, we will layout the multiple reasons why an air compressor should be in your workshop. Then, we have added an easy purchasing guide to make decision making easier for you. So, keep reading and start clearing a space for your new compressor.
Reasons you need an air compressor in your workshop.
In this section, you’ll find several reasons why you need an air compressor in your workshop.
- Ditch the mechanic – maintain your car
If you own a car, then you will eventually have to deal with maintenance such as low air pressure in tires. Now, low air pressure doesn’t mean that the tire leaks. Low pressure happens as you drive your car around for months. If you notice that you must refill the tires with air very often, then that could mean your tires are leaking.
With an air compressor, you don’t have to go to the gas station and fill up your tires. You can now do it from the comfort of your own home. And you can help your friends out as well if they come over and have low pressure in their tires.
- No more paint splashed and dirty brushes – spray painting is the new way
Painting is a hassle. You must buy brushes, painting tape, and tarps for protection. After you are finished, you must soak and wash all of your equipment in a bucket without getting dirty as well. If you choose to spray paint with an air compressor, you won’t have any of these problems. Spray painting is easy and can be done quickly. You won’t have to worry about paint running down to the floor. Clean up is almost nonexistent.
- Clean the dust-off dirty gears and machines
We all have gadgets and devices in our homes that are so dirty; we don’t even try to clean them. We know that the dust will get everywhere, and if we try to wipe them down with a damp cloth, the dust will streak and bunch up.
If you have an air compressor, you have a quick and easy way to remove dust. You can use the air to spray small areas that have many wires, a laptop with crumbs underneath the keys, or a horrific air filter that is too expensive to replace, but no one wants to clean it. The air is pressurized enough that it acts like a stream of water, but without the water.
Best Air Compressor Reviews
Best air compressor for less than $50
- EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump, Digital Tire Inflator:
This travel-sized air compressor pump may be small, but it packs a real punch. With over 10,000 reviews on Amazon, this machine can deliver the top-rate performance that it promises. It has an easy to read display. As a plus, it will prevent over-inflation with its auto-shutoff protection. It will also prevent itself from being damaged by overheating with its overheat protection shutoff setting. It’s small enough to fit in your trunk so that you can take it anywhere, and at only 1lb, it is lightweight enough to carry anywhere. To power, it, just plug it into the cigarette lighter socket of your vehicle while the engine is running.
The best air compressor that is quiet and noiseless
- California Air Tools 10020C Ultra Quiet Oil-Free and Powerful Air Compressor
If you have a small workshop that echoes noise into the house, then this air compressor is for you. The max number of decibels this machine can reach is 70 decibels, which is less the noise a vacuum cleaner makes. And as a bonus, you don’t have to power it with oil. A piston pump powers it. It has an extended life of over 3000 hours, while many other compressors limit their lifespan at 500 hours before needed repairs. It is 82 pounds, so choose wisely about the space you decide to place it.
Best air compressor for spray painting
- Rolair JC10 Plus 1 HP Oil-Less Compressor
If you’re looking to get creative after you are finished building and sand, spray paint will allow you to release your color-filled vision onto your builds. At only 43lbs it is easy to move around your workshop. It doesn’t use oil and has a 2.5-gallon air tank, so you can work on your painting for extended periods with having to stop and wait for the air to refill.
Best compact air compressors:
- Porter-Cable C2002-WKR Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor
If you are looking for an air compressor that won’t take up much space, this compressor is perfect for you. With a pancake-style tank and dimensional width at only 20x18x18.5 inches, it is an ideal machine to place under a table or in a corner. It doesn’t use oil, which will increase its lifespan and cut down on repairs. It only weighs 34lbs, so you can carry it a bit or use a dolly for longer distances.
Aside from the units mentioned above, this review from our friends of All the Stuff will give a more in-depth look at other great air compressors: Best Air Compressor Reviews 2022 – Professionalize your DIY review will give a more in-depth look at other great air compressors.
Hopefully, we have convinced you of the beautiful reasons you can use an air compressor in your workshop. With the help of an air compressor, you can take your projects and your workshop above and beyond what you thought was possible with your price range. So, check out your local hardware store or shop online to find the air compressor that was meant for you.