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Air compressors can come in handy for lots of reasons, whether the air in your vehicle’s tires is low, your wheelbarrow has a flat or you want to run a tool like a nail gun that requires compressed air. These devices come in a range of sizes and price points, so do your research before settling on the best fit for your needs.
Name | Average price | Weight (pounds) | Maximum pounds per square inch | Capacity (gallons) | Power source | Purchase |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DeWalt DCC2560T1 FLEXVOLT![]() | $265 | 5 | 135 | 2.5 | Battery | Buy now |
DeWalt DWFP55126![]() | $130 | 2 | 165 | 6 | Electric | Buy now |
Ryobi P731 One+![]() | $55 | 23 | 35 | N/A | Battery | Buy now |
Kensun AC/DC Rapid Performance![]() | $63 | 5 | 35 | N/A | Electric | Buy now |
Bostitch BTFP02012![]() | $100 | 31 | 150 | 6 | Electric | Buy now |
Porter-Cable C2002![]() | $100 | 34 | 150 | 6 | Electric | Buy now |
An air compressor uses an electric-, gas- or diesel-powered motor to compress air. The energy stored in that air can then be used in a variety of ways, like:
Portable 12-volt air compressors are the most common, and are designed to be powered straight from your car’s battery. Popular with off-road enthusiasts, they usually attach to your car’s battery using alligator clips.
Some models can also be powered from your car’s 12-volt sockets or cigarette lighter. There are also some battery-powered or cordless air compressors that use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
Why get a portable air compressor? There are a few important reasons:
But there’s also a good reason why you might decide you don’t need an air compressor:
Before you start shopping around for a portable air compressor, take a moment to think about how often you plan on using it. If you head out on a four-wheeling adventure every other weekend with a camper trailer in tow, for example, you’ll want a compressor capable of fast inflation and long running time.
Once you know exactly what you need from a portable compressor, you can start comparing the features of different products. Below are the key factors you’ll want to consider when comparing portable 12-volt air compressors:
Having a portable air compressor around is handy for a lot of reasons, but you’ll want to do some research before jumping right into your purchase. Get started comparing today to ensure you get the best deal for what you need.
To choose our list of the best portable air compressors, we conducted online research to determine some of the most popular models currently available. We compared the size, hose length, maximum pounds per square inch, price and extra features, also taking into consideration third-party product reviews.
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