When it comes to home renovations or vehicle repairs, air compressors can help make short work of difficult jobs. Whether you’re nailing up crown molding in your kitchen, rotating your tires in the driveway, or reupholstering an heirloom chair, having a compressor that you can move conveniently will save you time and energy.

The best portable air compressors will help you get the job done quickly while still being light enough to move from the garage to the house with ease. Whether it’s for DIY work or just inflating bike tires on the weekend, portable air compressors can make all the difference.

Air Powered Tools

There are a lot of tools that can run on compressed air, some of which you might not even realize. It doesn’t matter if you’re a carpenter, mechanic, or a regular homeowner, having the ability to run these tools off of compressed air will make your job easier:

Fastening tools: Nail guns, staple guns, rivet guns, ratchets, impact drivers

Cutting tools: Grinders, cut off wheels, reciprocating saws, nippers, and metal shears

Finishing tools: Paint sprayers, buffers, sanders

Portable Air Compressors – What to Know Before You Buy

If you’re in the market for a compressor but you aren’t sure which one that you need, we’re here to help. Let us point you in the right direction on a few things you should know about compressors before you run and grab one off of the shelf.

Size: While it may seem appealing to purchase a massive 80-gallon compressor, the truth is you probably don’t need one that big, and it may actually just become an inconvenience. Compressors that big are meant for heavy-duty shop use, not the portability you’ll need as a homeowner. Small “pancake” style compressors are a better fit for light-duty use around the house.

Durability: Not all portable compressors are created equal. You’ll want a high-quality compressor that will last for thousands of cycles. On a roofing job, for instance, you’ll be using a lot of air each time you shoot a nail. Your compressor will be running constantly to try to keep up with you. If your compressor isn’t built for that type of work, you’ll burn it out quickly.