I am sort of in the market for a small air compressor for hobby use. Probably around the 1-2 gallon size. Basically something that will be used mostly for things like blowing off sanding and paint dust and whatnot. Not really a daily or heavy use thing.

I am in a apartment and will most likely have it out on my deck for most of the time it is in use so small and easy to stash and hopefully "quiet"....lol for a compressor anyway

I am looking at the 18v battery operated one from Ryobi but I have also found a couple at a local hardware store that are a lot cheaper. The Ryobi being $130 without the battery and $160 with, and the others being in the $50ish range but corded.

The battery vs corded I really have no preference.

I have this corded pancake one from lowes, it's 6 gallon, oil less and actually relatively quiet as far as air compressors go. I think Harbor Freight sells the same one for around $50, it's corded and actually keeps up with most items.


Edited to add: Mine is the red Porter Cable one.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jimmy123x,

Buy once, cry once. The DeWalt 60V would be perfect for your needs. Must say that if you don't care if it's corded Viair on Amazon has multiple choices you would be happy with. Much cheaper too

I have a California Air Products 1 gal compressor. Very quiet, just purrs. I have had the compressor for two years no issues. It sits under my reloading bench. Also used for airbrush.

I just went on their site and the smallest compressor was 2 gal. Link below:

https://www.ccinetwork.com/p-6...-air-compressor.aspx

I bought a small Craftsman pancake compressor with a finish nail gun package about 20 years ago.

Basically the same needs as you, fill the tires, blow off stuff, etc...

The compressor is still running strong.

Thanks.
I forgot I have a Lowes around here

They have a Kobalt QUIET TECH 2-Gallon on sale for $139.

I was actually looking at the California Air ones. They have them on Amazon. $119 for the one gallon and $205 for the 2 gallon. Hmmm

quote:

Originally posted by Vanwall:
I have a California Air Products 1 gal compressor. Very quiet, just purrs. I have had the compressor for two years no issues. It sits under my reloading bench. Also used for airbrush.

I just went on their site and the smallest compressor was 2 gal. Link below:

https://www.ccinetwork.com/p-6...-air-compressor.aspx

If you want quiet, California Air Tools is the one. You can have a conversation while it's running. My 33gal upright in the garage is 'leave the area' loud.
The 1gal is handy as a "portable' air tank to air up a @#$%# mower tire that went flat on the other side of the yard...
I can't imagine that a battery powered one will be powerful or last very long in use, you're going to lose something on that limited power. Think inflating a tire in a minute or 2, not blowing dust/dirt away for 30sec-1min.

From what I've been reading, California Air Tools' compressors are pretty decent.

I'm with snidera: I cannot imagine a battery-powered air compressor would have much oomph.

Hadn't really considered a small compressor for the man cave for blowing stuff off. <Added to List...>

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
From what I've been reading, California Air Tools' compressors are pretty decent.

I'm with snidera: I cannot imagine a battery-powered air compressor would have much oomph.

Hadn't really considered a small compressor for the man cave for blowing stuff off. <Added to List...>

That happens to me as well. I don't realize I "need" something until I see it mentioned. Often times mentioned here lol

I bought a Porter Cable pancake compressor several years ago and it has never failed me.

But after moving into this house and finally having a proper work space, I bought a Husky (Home Depot) 33 Gal.
Added a 25' retractable hose the kids got me for Xmas a few years ago.






Put a proper drain on the bottom and use it more than I ever thought I would.
From blowing out the garage floor (instead of sweeping), airing up a tire (rarely), to blowing out excess cleaner out of my firearms.
A few neighbors know I have it so they come to me to air up a tire when I'm home..

Pancake compressor gets used in the house (nailers etc.), or yard, and mobile projects.

One to two gallon tank will give you a pretty short "blow" before air pressure drops too low to move any dust. It all depends on what you expect out of it.

I have a Makita small air compressor. Very quiet off the shelf compared to the noisy Porter Cable..

Add a muffler thing from Grainger and it gets even quieter.

Rolair Air Buddy Plus, one gallon, electric, quiet. Or a Rolair JC10Plus, a two gallon. I got one of those for trim work in a new house.

I just bought a 6 gal. pancake Bostitch for RV tire inflation duties. So far so good.

quote:

Originally posted by gocatgo:
Rolair Air Buddy Plus, one gallon, electric, quiet. Or a Rolair JC10Plus, a two gallon. I got one of those for trim work in a new house.

Rolair, definitely, for quiet

If your are in the California Air camp for their quiet units then look at the new Fortress line from Harbor Freight.
Not a lot of models yet but seems to be a good line and much cheaper.

Another satisfied California Air Tools owner here. I have the 2 gallon unit. It's awesome! I've tried several other "quiet" compressors, but they were all pretty much murder on my ears.

Thanks.
I have the California Air 2 gallon on my Amazon list. But I also have a Harbor Freight....I will check out the Fortress also

You might consider a portable air tank too. Charge it with your compressor when you need air someplace your compressor can’t reach.

A update if interested

I took a drive out to Lowes to look at the Kobalt compressor. Looked ok but holy heck was it heavy

I also ran over to Harbor Freight to check out the Fortress compressor. $200 for the two gallon. Looked darn near identical to the California Air Tools one. Ended up buying it.

It is most definitely quiet I think I might grab a piece of rubber or something from work to set it on tho. It is on rubber feet but it does still vibrate a tad on the wood deck, but nowhere near as bad as I thought it would. I did get "talked into" the extra year warranty for $20 but for a $200 thing, if it craps out in a year, I get the free replacement. Normally I wouldn't waste the money on the warranty but...oh well

Thanks for the recommendations. I will keep the California Air one in my Amazon list "just in case" tho