Top 7 Best Quiet Air Compressors For Garage And Workshop
For any DIY enthusiast, an air compressor is an essential piece of their kit. But not just any air compressor is fit for this job. The best air compressors will also be quiet.
There are so many activities in the DIY world that require an air compressor, and if the device that you own is very noisy then it can quickly take away the fun of the job.
But this isn’t the only bad thing about a noisy air compressor. In fact, a noisy air compressor can also damage your hearing.
The best quiet air compressor on the market is the Makita MAC210Q Air Compressor. But there are also lots of other great quiet options to choose from.
In this guide we’re taking a look at the top 7 best quiet air compressors for your garage or workshop. Starting with the Makita air MAC210Q.
OUR TOP PICK
The best quiet air compressor on the market is the Makita MAC210Q air compressor.
This air compressor produces very little operating noise at just 60dBA which makes it one of the quietest options that we have looked at.
If this wasn’t enough, this air compressor is also incredibly lightweight as it was designed with the intention of being easily portable.
This combined with the fact that this air compressor is designed to be insanely durable ensures that you will get plenty of years of use out of this device.
So if you want an air compressor that is quiet and will last, this is the one for you.
Pros
- 60dBA operating noise - very quiet design means that you can use this air compressor indoors without the noise damaging your hearing
- Lightweight design - designed to be lightweight and easy to move around so that it is easily portable
- Durable build - built to withstand everyday wear and tear and to last with a lower RPM for longer motor and pump life
Cons
- No notable drawbacks
EDITORS CHOICE
Another great choice is the Bostitch Oil-Free Air Compressor. This device is just categorized as a quiet air compressor as it produces 80dBA of operating noise.
However, a little more noise is a small price to pay for how excellent this air compressor is.
This air compressor is great because it is designed to be oil-free so the maintenance that you will need to complete on it will be minimal.
It is also excellent because it has a lightweight design of just 29 pounds which makes moving this air compressor around a breeze. So if you want an air compressor that comes with a whole kit, this is a great option.
Pros
- Complete kit - includes absolutely everything you need to get started with your air compressor
- Oil Free - means that this air compressor requires very little maintenance allowing you to spend more time DIY ing rather than completing maintenance checks
- Easily Portable - lightweight build of only 29 pounds means that you can easily carry this air compressor to different locations when needed
Cons
- Better for larger spaces - right on the border of a ‘quiet’ air compressor, so it is better to use it in larger workshops and garages
BEST VALUE
We also love the Craftsman 6 gallon air compressor. Not only is this air compressor insanely quiet, but it is also extremely powerful.
It comes with a maximum pressure of 150PSI which is more than enough for all of your power tools. It is also oil-free which means that you will have to complete very little maintenance on this device.
If that wasn’t good enough, this 6 gallon air compressor also comes with quick recovery meaning that even when you push this device to full load, it will not take long for it to bounce back.
So this is an all-round great choice if you want a quiet air compressor.
Pros
- High Pressure - maximum PSI of 150 ensures adequate pressure for all power tools that you might use this device with
- Zero Maintenance - oil-free design means that this air compressor will last for years without you needing to complete regular maintenance checks on it
- Quick Recovery - requires in less than 2.6 seconds meaning that even when you use this device at full capacity it will bounce back quickly
Cons
- Small Capacity - this air compressor does have one of the smaller tank options, but it is still great for providing pressure to your power tools
RUNNER UP
Alternatively, you might find that the California Air Tools 8010 air compressor is the right option for you.
Just like the others that we have looked at, this device is oil-free meaning that the amount of maintenance needed for this 8 gallon machine will be minimal.
It is heavier than the others that we have looked at, but it comes with a wheel kit which ensures that this device is still easily portable.
This combined with the fact that it only produces 60dBA of operating noise ensures that this is a great choice for your garage.
Pros
- Low maintenance - designed to be oil-free which will significantly reduce the amount of regular maintenance that you have to complete on this air compressor
- Includes wheel kit - comes with a wheel kit which ensures this device is easily portable despite its larger design
- Large capacity - has a bigger tank capacity of 8 gallons while still only producing 60dBA of operating noise
Cons
- Heavy design - it is heavier than some of the other options that we have looked at, but it does include a wheel kit to ensure you can still move it about
RUNNER UP
If you trust big brands then the Dewalt 6 gallon air compressor might be the one for you. This device is highly efficient with a motor that is designed to withstand both hot and cold weather, even in the extreme.
It also comes with a console cover which will protect this device against the elements should you wish to use it outdoors.
With all of this, plus the fact that it comes with an operating noise of only 75dBA, it is clear that this is a great addition to your workshop.
Pros
- Highly efficient - the motor of this air compressor is designed to be efficient so that it will start in hot and cold weather
- Low operating noise - produces just 75dBA of operating noise, making it perfect for your workshop
- Includes console cover - built to withstand cold weather with a console cover that will protect the electronics of this device from the rain
Cons
- Not easily portable - this device is heavy which makes it difficult to move around, despite the fact it only has a 6 gallon tank
RUNNER UP
Another great choice is the Porter-Cable 6 gallon air compressor.
This device is very similar to the Dewalt option that we just looked at as it comes with the same oil-free design and also includes a cover to protect the device’s vital components.
Additionally, this device is a great option because it is very stable.
This makes it a great choice if your garage floor is uneven, as the device comes with rubber feet that will ensure its stability. So you should definitely consider this if you want a quiet air compressor.
Pros
- Durable design - built to last with an oil-free design which reduces the amount of maintenance needed and increases the lifespan of this machine
- Protects vital components - includes a shroud, handle, and console cover which will protect the vital components of this device
- Very stable - built for stability with rubber feet to ensure that this air compressor does not fall over while you are using it
Cons
- Valves are cheaply made - the valves are constructed using plastic, so you need to handle them with care
RUNNER UP
Finally, we have included the Stealth 20 gallon air compressor.
This device is a great choice, but it does provide an insane amount of power, probably more than you will need for your garage or workshop.
However, if you want a versatile machine that can work with multiple power tools simultaneously, this is the one for you.
We couldn’t exclude this device from this list simply because it is incredible how it is able to provide so much power and also be so quiet.
So if you want a powerful, yet quiet, air compressor, this could be the one for you.
Pros
- Very little operating noise - this device only produces 68dBA of operating noise making it perfect for your workshop
- Extremely versatile - extremely powerful design means that this air compressor can be used with lots of different power tools
- Large capacity - comes with a massive 20 gallon air tank which is the biggest capacity of all the devices on this list
Cons
- Bulky design - large air tank does mean that this air compressor is bulky and a little more difficult to transport
Quiet Air Compressors For Garage and Workshop Buying Guide
The air compressors that we have looked at above are some of the best on the market.
But if you still aren’t sold we’ve put together this quick buyer’s guide full of information to help you come to a decision.
Capacity
The first thing that you need to consider is the capacity that you will need from the air compressor.
Just like any mechanical equipment, air compressors come in a huge variation of sizes which means that you can simply buy the one that fits perfectly to your needs.
As you will expect, when it comes to air compressors the capacity is dependent on the size of the air tank.
The larger the air tank, the more air it will be able to hold and the longer you will be able to run your air compressor for.
Large tanks are great, but they are also very expensive, and often unnecessary.
Unless you plan on running two power tools simultaneously then you don’t need to worry about forking out a lot of money on a large air compressor.
Instead, a medium air compressor will be able to do the job perfectly fine. So consider capacity before you buy.
Operating Noise
Another very important thing that you need to consider before buying an air compressor is the operating noise that it outputs.
As you are reading a guide about the best quiet air compressors, it is likely that you are already aware of this. But let’s just have a quick look at what impacts the quietness of an air compressor.
All air compressors will emit noise while they are in operation. However, some will be significantly louder than others.
A quiet air compressor is always a good choice because it will produce less noise to upset your neighbors and will also provide better protection to your ears.
Generally when it comes to noise levels in air compressors, anything under 79 decibels is considered quiet.
This will reduce noise pollution and also protect your hearing. So if you are going to regularly use your air compressor then it is best to buy a quiet one.
Oil or No Oil
Something else you should think about is whether you want an oil-free or an oil-lubricated air compressor.
Both are great options, but the best for you will generally depend on the amount of maintenance that you want to complete on your air compressor.
In recent years, oil-free air compressors have become the more popular option as these devices require less effort.
The maintenance for an oil-free air compressor is significantly less than the maintenance required for an oil-lubricated air compressor.
The lack of oil also means that oil-free air compressors are generally less messy which is another reason why these tend to be preferred.
Oil-lubricated air compressors will require regular maintenance checks. So generally speaking, an oil-free air compressor is a better choice if you don’t have the time for regular maintenance.
PSI Ratings
Finally, you need to consider the PSI ratings of the air compressor. This is the last thing that we are covering, but it is still one of the most important.
This is a very important thing to think about when buying an air compressor as the PSI ratings will dictate how many pounds per square inch of air that the device will be able to deliver.
So this will directly impact the amount of force that you are able to get out of your air compressor.
As well as this, you should also look at the horsepower that the air compressor operates at and the CFM (Cubic Feet per minute) rating of the device.
Both of these ratings will impact how powerful your air compressor will be, so you need to consider this when you buy.
Other Ways to Quiet your Air Compressor
But even the quietest air compressors will still produce some noise while they are operating.
If your air compressor is quiet then the level of noise that it will produce shouldn’t impact your hearing ability, however it can still be annoying for your neighbors and also for you.
Thankfully, there are some other ways that you can make your air compressor even quieter.
One great way to make your air compressor quieter is to wrap the device in a piece of old carpet or to use a sound deadening mat.
This material will dampen the noise that the air compressor outputs making the amount of noise entering your surroundings significantly quieter.
Alternatively, you might choose to move the air compressor away from your workspace.
This is easy enough to do, but it is a little bit fiddly. To do this you will have to lengthen the intake of the air compressor so that it can still connect to the power tools within your work area without being in there.
When this is completed, you can simply move the air compressor outside your workshop, and the operating noise that you hear will be a lot quieter.
But generally speaking, quiet air compressors will not produce too much operating noise, so it shouldn’t become annoying.
However, if you do still find that it gets on your nerves, try out these home remedies to reduce the noise of your air compressor.
Summary
In short, this has been a complete guide to the 7 best quiet air compressors for garage and workshop.
So if you are considering buying an air compressor, check out this guide to find out everything you need to know before you buy.
