How to compare air compressors

If your business needs an air compressor, how do you choose which one is the best purchase? There are many different types of air compressors as far as size and power. You'll also need to choose between a gas or electric air compressor, and you have to make sure you get a compressor that can handle the job you need it to do.

There are several factors to consider before purchasing an air compressor, including:

• Whether it's a diesel, electric or gas air compressor
• The PSI (pounds per square inch)
• The CFM (cubic feet per minute)
• The horsepower, often written as HP
• The engine amperage
• The tank size
• Whether the compressor has wheels or is stationary
• What you'll use the air compressor for
• What you may use it for in the future

Features of air compressors

Knowing how you'll use a compressor is one of the most important factors to consider before purchasing one. This can narrow down the other choices you'll need to make about the air compressor. Before you purchase an air compressor you should also consider the uses you may have for it in the future. If your business' budget will allow for the purchase of a more powerful compressor than you actually need at the moment, then you'll have one available for more heavy-duty jobs in the future without another purchase. 

The horsepower and the amperage together will tell you the power of the engine. The engine that runs the compressor is its main power source. But you'll also have to look at the PSI and the CFM to get a good idea of how powerful the compressor is. The PSI and CFM don't refer to the power of the engine but the pressure and rate of flow of the air. All those things combined with the power of the engine will give you the best idea of the equipment's power.

Pneumatic tools and equipment that require air compressors generally have a minimum PSI and CFM requirement. By looking at the equipment you need to power you'll know the minimum ratings you can purchase in an air compressor and still be able to use with those tools. A minimum PSI of 90 and minimum CFM of 4 are usually required for even light-duty applications, and naturally the higher those numbers, the more expensive the compressor usually is. 

Gas or electric air compressor

When choosing between a gas or electric compressor, keep in mind not only how you'll use it but where. If you need to be able to move the compressor around from place to place and there's not always going to be a power source available, gas or diesel is really your only choice. You can use electric compressors with generators but you don't get very good results. Gas and diesel-powered compressors are by far the most powerful, so you may need those to power the most heavy-duty equipment. Always check the numbers and the ratings on the compressor.

But for use solely indoors where a power source is available, an electric-powered air compressor might be your best choice as long as it's strong enough to power your equipment.