If you require a quick answer, the best air compressor is the Black+Decker 227/50 NK. It’s the brand’s flagship model that’s powered by a 2 HP motor that delivers an air displacement rate of 7.8 CFM and maximum pressure of 145 PSI. However, if you need a large tank capacity, the Hyundai HY30100V is the best alternative with a 100 litre capacity.
To rate the air compressors within this article, we based our recommendations upon our own experience of using various models, plenty of research and multiple factors. Some of the factors that we considered included the air displacement, maximum pressure, electric motor, construction, portability, supplied accessories, warranty and value for money.
Best Air Compressor Overview
- Best Overall: Black+Decker 227/50V
- Best Budget: VonHaus 24L
- Best Small: Sealey SAC5020E
- Best 100 Litre: Hyundai HY30100V
- Best Silent: ORAZIO 241184
- Best Portable: COBRA 2.5
If you are purchasing an air compressor in order to use air tools, you’ll firstly want to find out the air supply required by the tools. Based upon the maximum PSI and CFM rating required, you can then choose a suitable air compressor.
Below is a list of the best air compressors that are ideal for a home garage and available in multiple tank sizes.
The Best Air Compressors
1. Best Overall: Black+Decker 227/50V Upright Compressor
Black+Decker produce a wide range of air compressors but the 227/50V NK is their flagship model. It’s a portable 50 litre air compressor that stands upright and features large wheels and an ergonomic handle for easy transportation.
In terms of the compressor, the brand state that it’s completely maintenance-free due to the fact that it uses an oil free aluminium die-casting pump. It also provides 2 HP, which is more than enough power for home garage use.
- Medium size 50 litre tank
- Powered by a 2 HP compressor
- Maximum pressure output of 145 PSI
- Air displacement rated at 7.8 CFM
- Large wheels and ergonomic handle for transportation
- Clear barometers located on top of the compressor
- Loud when the compressor is running
To conclude, the Black+Decker 227/50V NK is the perfect air compressor for home garage use. This is because it’s compact, affordable and offers plenty of power for inflating tyres or using air tools. If your budget doesn’t stretch to this model, the brand also offer smaller compressors that include 12 or 6 litre tank capacities to best suit your requirements
2. Best Budget: VonHaus 24L Air Compressor
If you want the best bang for your buck, the VonHaus 24 litre air compressor is an excellent option. It features a 2.5 HP motor that produces an impressive air displacement rate of 9.6 CFM and it also comes with a range of accessories.
Although it’s one of the cheapest, the brand offer a full manufacturers warranty of 2 years for complete peace of mind
- 2.5 HP motor
- Air displacement rate of 9.6 CFM
- Maximum pressure rated at 120 PSI
- Large wheels and handle for transportation
- Supplied with a blow gun, tyre inflator and other accessories
- Backed by an impressive two year manufacturers warranty
- 24 litre tank capacity may be too small for certain garages
Overall, the VonHaus air compressor offers outstanding value for the money and performs better than most of the premium alternatives. It’s by far the best value air compressor in the UK that provides more than enough performance for working on cars and a wide range of air tools.
3. Best Small: Sealey SAC5020E 50 Litre Air Compressor
Sealey are a reputable tools brand in the UK that are well known for their high quality products. This 50 litre air compressor (known as the SAC5020E) is a great example of that reputation and it’s one of the best on the market.
Certain features that make it standout from the crowd include the heavy induction motor that’s designed to reduce noise output quite significantly. It’s also packed full of intuitive features and built to a very high standard too.
- Air displacement of 6.8 CFM (193 litres per minute)
- Maximum pressure rated at 116 PSI
- Maximum free air delivery of 4.6 CFM (130 litres per minute)
- Powered by a 2 HP motor
- Aluminium cylinder head and cast iron cylinder
- Complies with the latest European standards
- Fully automatic pressure cut-out switch
- Twin gauges for clear readings
- Relatively expensive when compared to similar sized air compressors
Overall, the Sealey SAC5020E is a well-made 50 litre air compressor that offers great performance for home garage use. The only drawback is the premium price tag but it’s a worthwhile investment that certainly won’t disappoint.
4. Best 100 Litre: Hyundai HY30100V Garage Air Compressor
The Hyundai HY30100V is a high performing air compressor that features a 100 litre tank capacity that’s ideal for air tools and spray guns. It’s powered by a direct drive 3 HP motor and offers an air displacement rate of 14 CFM.
Supplied with this model is a 5 piece air tool kit, which includes a spray gun, air duster, degreaser gun and tyre inflator.
- 100 litre tank capacity
- 3 HP twin direct drive electric compressor
- Maximum air displacement rated at 14 CFM
- Twin Euro quick release connectors
- Comes as a complete kit
- Maximum pressure of 116 PSI
- Backed by a two year Hyundai warranty
- Quite loud at 93dB when running
If you require a large tank capacity without paying thousands, the Hyundai HY30100V is the perfect solution. It delivers great performance and includes quick-release connectors, which is ideal for switching between air tools or spray guns.
5. Best Silent: ORAZIO 241184 Air Compressor
The ORAZIO 241184 is an air compressor that’s designed to run silently with a noise output of just 65 dB. Compared to similar priced alternatives, it’s far quieter and this makes it ideal for home garages that are located within built-up areas.
Although quiet, it still packs plenty of performance with a maximum pressure output of 116 PSI and air supply of 3.2 CFM.
- Max pressure of 116 PSI
- Air displacement rate of 3.2 CFM
- Oil-free compressor
- CE approved
- Easy to transport thanks to its handle and large wheels
- Only a 24 litre tank capacity, which may be too small for some garages
If you require an air compressor that runs silently and without any “harsh” noises, the Orazio 241184 is an excellent option. The brand also offer a 50 litre tank alternative but you’ll have to pay a premium price for the larger size.
6. Best Portable: COBRA 2.5 Air Compressor
The Cobra Air Compressor is an affordable 50 litre option that provides great performance for its budget price. In terms of the performance, the 2.5 HP motor delivers a maximum pressure of 116 PSI and an air displacement rate of 9.5 CFM.
- 50 litre tank capacity
- Robust metal handle for portability
- Twin pressure gauges and working regulator
- Complies with the latest European standards
- Fully automatic pressure cut-out switch
- Powered by a 2.5 HP compressor
- Supplied with a 5 piece tool kit
- Quite loud when the compressor is running
Overall, it’s an excellent all-round air compressor for home garage use and it won’t disappoint. It’s affordable yet delivers plenty of performance and it even comes with a 5 piece tool kit for extra bang for your buck.
How We Rated The Compressors
Air compressors are a great bit of kit that can be used with a range of accessories. Whether you are inflating your tyres or using it as a blow gun, they have so many uses when it comes to working with cars. Over the years, we’ve had a couple of compressors but we recently settled upon the Hyundai Kit as shown in the image and recommend above. The performance along with all of the supplied accessories means that it can tackle any job with ease.
As well as our experience of using multiple air compressors, we also based our recommendations upon hours of research and multiple factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the air displacement, maximum pressure, electric motor, construction, portability, supplied accessories, warranty and value for money.
Conclusion
Upgrading your home garage with one of the air compressors above is a step in the right direction. They are a versatile tool that allows you to not only inflate your tyres but also use a range of air tools or spray guns.
All of our recommendations are suited to a wide range of budgets and include air compressors of all shapes and sizes. To avoid disappointment, we advise that you check the minimum required CFM rate of your air tools and choose the most suitable air compressor for your requirements.
