I recently helped a friend move, and as payment he gave me some air-powered tools and high-impact sockets to use with them. Now I need an Air Compressor for home use. Using the internet, I searched through industry blogs, expert opinions, and customer/product reviews to determine what i think is the Best Air Compressor under $200.

It occurred to me that there would most likely be lots of people out there that are in the same position that i am in and that all of my research would be of great interest, lets face it who wouldn't want a capable, cheap air compressor for their home garage.

Before we dive into what i found through my research I thought it might be nice to have a quick recap of air compressor basics.

Air Compressor

According to Wikipedia, an Air Compressor is defined as a device that converts power from an electric motor or a combustion engine into potential energy stored in pressurized air. Air compressors are used by professionals and homeowners alike. Common uses for air compressors include blowing dust and dirt out of filters and machinery, inflating tires, driving nails with a nail gun, running air wrenches/tools, and painting with a spray gun.

How an Air Compressor Works

Most air compressors use an electric motor to run the compressor unit, which uses pistons to compress air into a storage tank. Air from the tank then runs through a hose to the tool or accessory you wish to use. A pressure switch turns the motor off when a certain pressure is reached for safety. This same switch turns the motor back on when a lower pressure is reached to keep the air pressure within an operating range.

Engine-Powered Compressors are useful in locations where there is no electricity available. Professional mechanics often have an engine-powered Air Compressor mounted on the back of their work vehicles so they can use air tools no matter where they are. The power and speed of air-powered tools can drastically shorten time it takes to complete a job, which increases productivity and profits.

Shop or Industrial Air Compressors are usually very large. Due to their size, they are permanently attached to a fixed point. Piping is then run around the inside walls of the shop space with connectors spread out intermittently to connect hoses for use.

There are two safety considerations to remember here. First, always install a shutoff valve at every point of connection. Air pressure is very powerful, and connecting hoses to a pressurized connector can result in injury. Second, never use PVC pipe to transfer air. All piping should be approved for air service use. Pressurizing PVC pipe with air creates a bomb, and failures in both pipe and fittings can be fatal.

An industry leader in shop and industrial air compressors is Ingersoll Rand. They have been in business since 1905, and make some of the best industrial air compressors. Costs to install a shop or industrial air compressor, including piping and fittings, can be quite high. This is not the type of Air Compressor I am looking to buy.

Portable Air Compressors are small enough that you can move them around. Larger ones come with wheels so you can roll them where you need. Smaller ones can be lifted easily with one arm. You simply plug the compressor into a standard electrical outlet, and it’s ready to go.

This is the type of Air Compressor that I need. I definitely do not want to run an engine inside of my garage and get carbon monoxide poisoning. I figure I need the air compressor mostly for air tools and a little painting. So how do you figure out which is the best electric air compressor? I don’t know, but I’m about to find out.

Air Compressor Purchase Criteria

When I started my search for the best portable Air Compressor, I identified four factors to consider before making the purchase:

Price

Most buying decisions involve price to a great degree. Buyers usually have a price range in their head before they start shopping for a product. Everyone wants to get the best value for their money. Before I started shopping for a best Air Compressor, I decided that I was going to spend $200 or less.

Tank size and Max PSI

Another important factor to consider with air compressors is the size of the storage tank and the maximum pressure it can make in pounds per square inch or PSI. Higher pressures mean more power, and higher volume of air results in more torque. Air tools such as large nail guns and impact wrenches require more air volume to operate properly. Spray guns require high pressure to work right. Compressors with smaller tanks will cycle, or turn on and off, more frequently.

Quality of Construction/Durability

Carefully consider the materials used for the construction of the compressor. Avoid plastic parts that can break over time as much as you can. Established brands are usually constructed better than cheap brands. Try to determine if the compressor is going to last you for a long while. A cheap compressor is only a good deal if it performs over the long haul. This is an area where customer reviews can be very helpful. The length of the warranty can also indicate durability. Do your homework.

Accessories Included

Does the compressor come with a hose, connectors, or other accessories you need to use it? Try to buy a compressor that comes with everything. If you have to go out and buy all the stuff you need in addition to the compressor, the price can be misleading.

Air Compressor Reviews

Using these four considerations and my $200 price limit, I narrowed the field down to the following top ten portable electric air compressors:

Top 10 Best Air Compressors

Below you will find all of the information that I have found to help me make my decision on which is the best air compressor for under $200, I have put together 10 contenders to choice from.

#1 Porter-Cable C2002-WK

Porter-Cable has been in the tool-making business for a long time. I’ve got a porta-band saw made by them in the 80’s that still works great. List price for this compressor is about $340, but you can get it online for around $140. It has a 6-gallon tank and a maximum pressure of 150 PSI.

Key features:

• Water drain valve.
• Rubber feet to prevent slipping.
• Oil-free pump.
• Easy-carry handle.
• A 13-piece accessory kit that includes a hose, quick couplers, common attachments, and Teflon tape.

Browsing through user reviews, I discovered that most people who bought this compressor were very happy with it. They liked its price, light weight, good storage volume, and quick recovery time. Negatives were that the included accessories seemed cheap, and a few people complained that it was too noisy. This compressor seems like a good performer for the price.

Check Latest Price.

#2 Campbell Hausfeld FP209499AV

This compressor from Campbell Hausfeld lists for around $130. I found it online for about $75. This is a small, compact air compressor. Tank size is three gallons, and maximum pressure is 110 PSI.

Key features:

• Air pressure gauge
• One-year warranty
• An accessory kit that includes a 25-ft. hose, Common attachments, and Teflon tape.

My initial thought was that this compressor is too small. User reviews proved me right. Customers said this compressor was fine for shooting staples or brads, or inflating tires. Anything else was too much for this compressor. This is a nice compact best Air Compressor for a homeowner that needs to inflate stuff or blow stuff off.

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#3 Porter-Cable CMB15

This is Porter-Cable’s more compact product offering. List price is $189. Average price online is around $110. The tank on this one is 1.5 gallons, and maximum pressure is 150 PSI.

Key features:

• Tank drain valve.
• Light weight 20 lbs.
• Low-noise motor.
• 25-ft. hose.
• Eight-piece accessory kit.
• One year warranty.

People who bought this are pretty happy with it. People like its performance for inflating things and cleaning. The small tank size limits the number of uses it has. This Air Compressor is ideal for indoor painting and nailing trim.

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#4 DeWalt DWFP55126

This is a pancake style Air Compressor from DeWalt, a trusted manufacturer of quality tools. This best Air Compressor has a 6-gallon tank and an impressive 165 PSI maximum pressure. List price is about $180, and online prices average about $150.

Key features:

• Two couplers for two users.
• Ball drain valve.
• Rubber leg covers.
• Convenient cord wrap for storage.
• Three-year warranty.
• No accessories are included with this compressor.

People who used this Air Compressor are overwhelmingly happy with it, giving it 5/5 star ratings 80 percent of the time. Positives included its quick fill rate and quiet operating volume. Some users complained that the DeWalt came with factory-installed air leaks that had to be repaired. This style is very popular with carpenters, painters, and roofers on residential job sites.

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#5 Bostitch BTFP02012-WPK

This is another pancake style Air Compressor, but from Bostitch. List price is $335, and internet prices average $170. The storage tank is six-gallon capacity, and maximum pressure is 150 PSI.

Key features:

• 78.5-decibel noise level.
• High-flow regulator.
• Light weight 29 lbs.
• Narrow tank diameter for ease in storage.
• It is made in the USA.
• One year warranty.
• No accessories are included.

Users rated this compressor 4.7 out of 5 stars. Many people compared this Air Compressor to the DeWalt pancake style compressor and stated that construction quality of the Bostitch is superior. They also like the quick refill speed and quiet operation. Negative reviews said this compressor is under-powered, but didn’t explain what they were trying to do with it. This one seems solid.

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#6 DeWalt DWFP55130

This is a smaller, more compact, but more powerful compressor by DeWalt. The tank is only 2.5 gallons, but it maxes out at a whopping 200 PSI. Online prices average $280, and list price is about $450.

Key features:

• Can be operated standing up or laying flat.
• Has two couplers for two users.
• Has a low amp/low noise motor.
• Weighs 36 lbs.
• Ball valve drain.
• The unit is encased in a roll cage for protection.
• One year warranty.

The small tank/high-pressure performance of this compressor make it an ideal machine for painting applications. 74% of user reviews were rated excellent. People liked the high pressure and portability of this compressor. Some users were disappointed with the actual pressures they achieved, which was more like 150 PSI. This is a good unit overall.

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#7 Senco PC1010

Senco is a brand that was at the forefront of nailgun technology, and they still are. This compressor lists for $149, but you can get it online for about $115. Maximum PSI is 120, and the tank size is one gallon.

Key features:

• Light weight 20 lb.
• Rubber feet.
• Foam hand grip.
• Tank drain.
• One year warranty.
• No accessories are included.

This unit looks like it is very well built for the price, but the compressor seems a little small for most people, and users confirm this. As far as painting goes, this Air Compressor won’t run anything bigger than an airbrush. People loved it for small trim nailing jobs, and they liked how quiet it is. Complaints were that it takes a long time to refill, and it does not hold up well over time.

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#8 Makita MAC700

Makita’s contender in the portable air compressor market is the MAC700. Storage tank capacity is 2.6 gallons, and the maximum pressure is 130 PSI. List price is $325. Online prices average about $244.

Key features:

• Low-noise pump.
• Ball valve tank drain.
• Tank and regulator gauges.
• Rubber feet, and foam hand grip.
• Weighs 60 pounds, so its portability is limited.
• A one-year parts and labor warranty is standard.

Buyers report up to three years of use with no problems. This is an oil-lubricated compressor, so users have to remember to keep lubrication levels up to snuff. Complaints about this compressor were mainly due to shipping damage. This is a solid, durable best Air Compressor.

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#9 California Air Tools 8010

This Air Compressor has a 8-gallon storage tank, and maxes out at 120 PSI. List price is about $250, but online prices are about $208.

Key features:

• An ultra-quiet one horsepower electric motor.
• Ball valve drain.
• A wheel kit so you can roll it around.
• Weighs 48 lbs.
• No accessories come with this Air Compressor.

Customers were excited at how quiet this unit operates, and that it is from a San Diego, California company. Negative comments were about lower air volume compared to a traditional compressor, and packaging issues that led to shipping damage.

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#10 Bostitch CAP1512-OF

This Air Compressor is another one from Bostitch, but it’s in a more compact design. The storage tank is 1.2 gallon, and maximum pressure is 150 PSI. List price is around $250, and online prices are about $200.

Key features:

• 1.5hp 12 amp motor.
• Onboard tool and hose storage.
• built-in cord wrap.
• Roll cage for protection on the job site.
• Very light, weighing in at a mere 23.5 lbs.
• One nice feature is the LED on/off switch to let you know when the compressor is on.

The design here is simple, user-friendly, and very rugged looking. So what do people who bought this Air Compressor say? They love its quiet operation, fast recovery, and light weight. Reports say this Air Compressor will run 100 PSI air tools all day long, no problem. The only complaints I found were that this Bostitch won’t run a large framing nail gun, but that’s not what it is designed to do. This is a very nice unit.

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Compressor Final Verdict

After countless hours of research, I had to pick one of these ten compressors as the winner. Factoring in price, tank size, maximum pressure, durability according to product users, and included accessories, I have selected a champion. The winner is the Bostitch CAP1512-OF Air Compressor.

I love its compact, rugged design. It won’t take up much space in the garage, and it will put out a bunch of high-pressure air. The lighted power switch is great to recognize when the compressor is on. Since they aren’t included, I’ll just secure some Air Compressor accessories at Home Depot. Since I don’t have any large air tools or nail guns, it should do everything I need it to just fine.

Check Latest Price on Bostitch CAP1512-OF Air Compressor.

If though you are just starting out and would like an air compressor that comes with a good quality starting kit then for you my recommendation would be the Bostitch BTFP02012-WPK Air Compressor. Not only do get some basic air tools to start you out but you also get a nice length of air hose which is an additional cost that is nice to avoid if you can.

Check Latest Price on Bostitch BTFP02012-WPK Air Compressor.

More Resources

We hope you found our article helpful, if you would like to read some more of our articles then we think these below may be interesting for you.

• What is an Air Compressor.

• How To Make an Air Compressor Quiet.

• How to Drain Air Compressor.

• How to Change Air Compressor Oil.

• Top 7 Best Portable Air Tanks.