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Test of Strength

Picking the Perfect Residential Air Compressor

Let’s be realistic.

You’re buying an air compressor to run air tools. If the tools don’t work, then the air compressor is worthless.

So how do you pick the perfect air compressor for your garage?

The answer is simple if you use the right acronym.

The Wrong Acronyms

~~Horse Power (HP)~~
In the past, most people measured an air compressor by horsepower (HP). The concept is simple, but it has a major flaw.

Consider two race cars. One car has a 100-HP engine. The other has a 120-HP engine. The car with the more powerful engine doesn’t always go the fastest. There are numerous other factors influencing how fast the car will go.

The same goes with air compressors. A 6-HP air compressor isn’t guaranteed to perform better than a 5-HP air compressor. In fact, a recent class-action lawsuit recently forced several manufacturers to change how they promote their products.

~~Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI)~~
Another consideration when purchasing a new air compressor is pounds-per-square inch (PSI). The vast majority of air tools require 90 PSI to operate. Most air compressors produce at least 90 PSI. The extra pressure does little to improve the machine’s performance.

The Right Acronym

CFM is the best way to measure an air compressor

An air tool requires air flow to work.

Think of a windmill. A slight breeze lacks the power to turn the blades. However, a hurricane-force wind can generate substantial power.

Some air tools consume more air than others. Nailers and staplers require a puff of air. Sandblasters and sanders need massive gusts.

So, you basically want to know how fast the air comes out of the compressor. The air flow is measured in Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM). The greater the flow -- the greater the power.

You simply select an air compressor that exceeds the CFM of your most powerful air tool. If the flow isn’t strong enough, the air tool simply won’t perform properly.

The chart below quickly summarizes the average CFM rating for the most popular air tools. For example, if you want to use a sander, you’ll need an air compressor that produces AT LEAST 6-13 CFM.

Remember this is just a guide. You should always check the CFM rating of your air tools first. If you don’t own any yet, you can always see the CFM ratings on every air tool that we offer.

Average Air Consumption of Popular Air Tools