Best 8-Gallon Air Compressors For The Money
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An 8-gallon air compressor with 2.2 to 2.4 CFM @90 PSI can keep your tires aired-up, and operate all kinds of nail guns needed for your light-duty DIY projects at home as well as airbrush and cleaning tasks for a decent period of time.
If your need fits the description of a 8-gallon air compressor, we have for you here the list of 4 best 8-gallon air compressors for the money.
| Image | Product | Features | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Best For Light-Duty Home Projects Campbell Hausfeld DC080500 |
| |
 | Ultra Quiet For Home Use California Air Tools 8010 |
| |
 | Best For Small Shops NorthStar 53009 |
| |
 | Highest PSI Briggs & Stratton 074025-00 |
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Campbell Hausfeld DC080500Best For Light-Duty Home Projects
Pros
- Surprisingly quiet for its size
- Powerful enough for various tasks
- Lightweight and compact for greater portability
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Wheels are wobble
Let us introduce you to the best 8-gallon air compressor for light-duty home projects, Campbell Hausfeld DC080500. Boasting a max pressure of 125 PSI, this lightweight and compact air compressor is competent in various tasks, from inflating, hobby painting, stapling, to nailing, bolting and fastening.
Some users claim that it is able to even run a 3/8” impact wrench. How cool is that. Moreover, it emits noise of only 68 dbA, much quieter than most of the air compressors of its size on the market, which makes it more than ideal to use indoors. You can even talk to your wife or husband when it is running.
The oil-free pump saves you from the hassle of changing oil and prolongs the motor lifespan. It refills quickly, helping you to finish your projects quicker.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Max PSI | 125 |
| Air Delivery SCFM @ 90PSI | 2.4 |
| Noise Level | 68 dbA |
| Fill Time | 120 seconds |
| Weight (lbs) | 68 |
| Dimensions (in.) | 11 x 23 x 26 |
| Highlight Features | Oil-free pump, Quiet, Durable engine |
Lightweight, quiet, powerful and versatile, Campbell Hausfeld DC080500 air compressor is a perfect machine for both weekend warriors and DIY fanatics.
California Air Tools 8010Ultra Quiet For Home Use
Pros
- Quietest air compressor on the market
- Most affordable on this list
- Lightweight
- Fast recovery
- Pressure regulator is simple to use
- Assembly is a breeze
Cons
- The wheels aren’t very durable
- Taller people may find the short handle inconvenient
Say goodbye to ear protection because this California Air Tools 8010 air compressor is so quiet that you won’t notice it is there. With a noise level of a mere 60 dbA, as quiet as a normal conversation, you don’t even have to stop talking when it runs even if you stand right next to it.
It runs at 2.2 SCFM at 90 PSI, powerful enough for small to medium carpentry, mechanical work, and even for weekend warriors. Nail guns and hobby painting won’t be a problem to it, but you might need another air compressor for larger air tools.
It is super lightweight, and compact for storage, fast to refill and requires little maintenance thanks to the oil-less pump. Moreover, it is also the cheapest model on the list, so yes, this product is as good as perfect for light-duty to medium-duty tasks round the home.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Max PSI | 120 |
| Air Delivery SCFM @ 90PSI | 2.2 |
| Noise Level | 60 dbA |
| Fill Time | 130 seconds |
| Weight (lbs) | 54 |
| Dimensions (in.) | 26 x 14 x 23 |
| Highlight Features | Quietest air compressor, Oil-free dual piston pump system, Fast recovery, Wheel kit included |
Now you can talk to someone when your air compressor kicks on without raising your voice at all thanks to California Air Tools 8010.
NorthStar 53009Best For Small Shops
Pros
- Powerful and versatile for small shops
- Vertical design leaves small footprint
- Large pressure gauges for easy control
- Flat-free wheels and handle make it super portable
- Quick recovery
Cons
- A bit pricier than other models
If you think that an 8-gallon air compressor can’t run impact wrenches, this NorthStar 53009 will make you reconsider. It features 125 max PSI and runs at up to 4 SCFM at 90 PSI, making it one of the most powerful models of its size.
You can operate more air tools with this air compressor, from nailers to grease guns and impact wrenches. If you run a small wood shop or mechanic shop, this air compressor is a perfect match.
As powerful as it is, NorthStar 53009 is fairly quiet with 70 dbA noise level. It comes with two 2” large pressure gauges that make it simpler to control the pressure. It is the one air compressor on the list with a vertical design, saving you a lot of floor space in your tiny storage.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Max PSI | 125 |
| Air Delivery SCFM @ 90PSI | 4 |
| Noise Level | 70 dbA |
| Fill Time | 126 seconds |
| Weight (lbs) | 88 |
| Dimensions (in.) | 14 x 15 x 34 |
| Highlight Features | 70% duty cycle, 2 large 2” pressure gauges, Vertical design |
NorthStar 53009 is a great heavy-duty air compressor for small home shops that is definitely worth the investment.
Briggs & Stratton 074025-00Highest PSI
Pros
- Highest PSI for longest tool runtime
- Can handle heavy-duty air tools
- Most lightweight in the list
- Super portable
- Fast refill
Cons
- Louder than others
Higher PSI doesn’t mean more pressure. Higher PSI means more air in the tank so that you can run your air tools much longer compared to other models with lower PSI. And Briggs & Stratton 074025-00 has what you need here, up to 150 PSI.
It features an extra powerful 1.5 HP induction motor that runs at 3.8 CFM at 90 PSI to deliver more power to handle heavy-duty tasks and refill faster. From framing nailers, finish nailers to impact wrenches, this little beast can handle all.
Powerful as it is, this Briggs & Stratton 074025-00 is surprisingly the most lightweight on the list. With just 50 lbs, 2 rugged wheels and a collapsible handle, moving this air compressor around is never easier.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Max PSI | 150 |
| Air Delivery SCFM @ 90PSI | 3.7 |
| Noise Level | 87 dbA |
| Fill Time | N/A |
| Weight (lbs) | 50.7 |
| Dimensions (in.) | 25 x 20 x 11 |
| Highlight Features | Fully shrouded pump and motor, Refill quickly, Most lightweight |
High PSI and CFM, this Briggs & Stratton 074025-00 has more to offer than its small weight and compact size appear to have.
How To Choose The Best 8-Gallon Air Compressor (Buying Guide)
SCFM ( Standard Cubic Feet Per Minute)
This is the most important factor to consider when choosing the best air compressor for your needs. SCFM is the amount of air an air compressor can generate at a certain PSI. This number is used to measure the air compressor’s capacity to run certain air tools.
When comparing the pressure rate of air compressors, look at the “SCFM at 90psi” number. Small tools need 0.5 to 1 SCFM while power-demanding tools require more SCFM.
If you want to determine the minimum SCFM rating of your compressor, check the SCFM requirements of the tools you want to operate, then take the highest number and multiply it by 1.5. There you go, the minimum SCFM rating your air compressor should have.
If you want to run multiple air tools at the same time, just add up the SCFM requirements of all of them to get the minimum SCFM compressor rating.
PSI (Per Square Inch)
PSI of an air compressor is the amount of air delivered to run air tools. Higher PSI doesn’t mean that more power is generated. A higher max PSI allows smaller tanks to pack as much air as and perform like larger tanks. For example, a 6-gallon air compressor tank at 150 PSI can store as much air as a 10-gallon one at 120 PSI.
A light-duty air compressor usually generates a max PSI of 90-120, which is enough for pneumatic tools for quick tasks around the home. While more demanding needs require more powerful air compressors with 150 PSI or more.
Noise Level
Generally speaking, loud noise tag along with air compressors. The more powerful they are, the more noise they generate. Air compressors for job sites require users to wear ear protection and use outdoors.
For light-duty household needs, luckily, some manufacturers, like Campbell Hausfeld and California Air Tools have successfully produced quieter air compressors, which is as noisy as a normal conversation.
So if you don’t want your neighbors to give you a knock at the door and for the sake of your ears, then you may consider quiet air compressors.
Portablity
We are sure that you’re not standing at one place for your projects. That’s why a lightweight and compact air compressor should be on your shopping list. If you have to go for a more powerful model that may be heavier, remember to choose the one with wheels and handles for greater maneuverability.
Kits & Accessories
Not all air compressors come with a hose and inflation kit, so if you don’t want to spend extra money, look for a product with accessories for extra value.
FAQs
Most 8-gallon air compressors have enough power for inflating, nailing, stapling, fastening, bolting and hobby painting. There are also a few more powerful models like NorthStar 53009 and Briggs & Stratton 074025-00, which can be used to operate more heavy-duty tools such as impact wrenches and ratchets.
The answer depends on your need. Higher CFM means more air is delivered and the higher CFM an air compressor has, the more heavy-duty the tasks it can handle. Look at the SCFM at 90 PSI when you want to compare among models.
If you need to operate air tools like impact wrenches and sanders, an air compressor with high CFM will come in handy.
A low-end air compressor, if well-maintained and properly used, can boast a lifespan of up to 200 hours. A high-end model can last 10 times longer, 2000 hours.
Remember this rule of thumb: Drain your air compressor after each use. You don’t want the moisture left inside the tank corrode and rupture the tank.
Whether you store your air compressor for a few days or the whole season, it is important to know how to care for it while it is put away. Improper storage is the cause of rust and damaged parts and the decrease in the overall performance of your air compressor.
If you want to maintain the efficiency and power of your air compressor while it is in storage, follow these tips.
Plan ahead
It is crucial that you find a dry and clean place to store your air compressor. Never store it outdoors unless you are sure that your tool has proper insulation and stable temperature. You should also avoid basements (risks of flooding) and uninsulated storage sheds.
To protect the air compressor from the moisture or condensation from the ground, place it on a pallet. And remember to ask for others’ help if the air compressor is not so lightweight.
Drain your air compressor
Don’t leave the air compressor plug in when you don’t use it. Reduce the pressure and when it hits zero, unplug your air compressor. Then drain it. Draining is a crucial step not only before you put your air compressor in storage for a long time but also after each use.
If you don’t drain the remaining air inside the tank, the residual liquids will rust and rupture the tank. The drain valve is usually located under the air compressor. Put a drainage pan right beneath the valve and open the valve half-way for the liquid to exit.
If your air compressor is oil-lubricated, make sure that you dust it before storing since the dust can stick to the lubricants and wear out the motor.
Control the storage’s environment
Once in a while, take a look at your storage space to see if it is dry and clean and out of direct sunlight. 59°F is a perfect temperature for your storage area. Sweep the dust frequently to prevent it from entering into the ải compressor’s filters and intakes.
Inspect your air compressor
To make sure that your air compressor can keep up with your projects after a long time of being stored, regularly check its tank, relief valve, air filter and piping and replace or fix if there is any damage.
Conclusion
Thank you so much for reading until the end. We hope you have chosen your best 8-gallon air compressor for your next projects at home and garage. Believe us, for weekend warriors and casual DIY-ers, an 8-gallon air compressor is a perfect match.
Happy shopping and let us know if you have any questions. See you in the next post!