Best Air Compressor Combo Kit: Reviews & Complete Buying Guide
Having the best air compressor combo kit can do wonders in your life. The kit can you do almost everything – from spray paint to tire fixing, and even home renovation. Whether you’re at home or the workplace, it’s the ultimate solution for all creative projects.
But, there’s one problem. There is a large number of different options available on the market. All this variety can make selecting the best one a challenge.
This is why we’ve dedicated this post to air compressor combo kits. Our team has rounded up all the top kits and compiled a detailed buyer’s guide. So let’s dive in to find your perfect pick.
Reviews of the Best Air Compressor Kit
Craftsman Pancake Air Compressor Kit – Best Overall
However, you cannot use it for heavy-duty tasks like filling an 80lbs RV tire. It’s because the 150PSI slows down the process and requires several refills. Nonetheless, all is good if you stick to normal tire inflation, nailing, and other small chores.
You also get a brad nailer and finish nailer with the package. While the brad nailer can drive up to 2-inch nails, the finish one is usable for 2½-inch nails. There is a crown stapler too.
What We Like
- Lightweight & portable
- Sturdy design
- Good capacity
- Supports two tools
- Silent performance
What We Don’t Like
- Takes time to fill heavy tires
Overall, with a 6-gallon capacity and 150 PSI, the Craftsman Pancake Air Compressor Kit is great for home purposes. You will find this kit easy, portable, and highly useful.
Bostitch Air Compressor Combo Kit – Best Speed
It also has a low noise level of 80dBA. Your family members and neighbors won’t get irritated as you work in the garage. What’s more, the kit comes with a brad nailer, straight finish nailer, crown stapler, and even additional air hose fittings.
What We Like
- Fast & reliable
- Powerful motor
- Good tank capacity
- Low noise levels
- 1-year warranty included
What We Don’t Like
- Works best with Bostitch nails only
The Bostitch Air Compressor Kit offers speed and versatility. It makes a good option for people who want to get different home repair chores done quickly and quietly.
DEWALT Air Compressor Combo Kit – Best Maximum Pressure
Additionally, the compressor has a lightweight magnesium body that is not prone to damage. It won’t wear or cause any leaking hazards in even the busiest places like commercial garages. The machine has a low amp motor installed inside that ensures fast startup in cold weather.
You won’t have to deal with jammed equipment. There is also an adjustable belt hook and non-marring nose tip on the compressor for tools storage. So you can always keep the included brad nailer near.
What We Like
- Durable build
- Lightweight & portable
- Starts up easily in winters
- Adjustable tool storage
What We Don’t Like
- Only brad nailer included
All in all, the DEWALT Air Compressor Kit makes your life convenient and simple. Its powerful low-amp motor, lightweight design, and tool storage space are some great features.
Makita MAC100QK1 Quiet Series – Best Portable Air Compressor
It is a small, compact, and lightweight air compressor. You can easily put it in any place, even the car’s trunk. It also has a low RPM motor that pumps longer and faster.
However, since it only has a 1-gallon tank capacity, you can only use it for small tasks. For example, you can air up a low tire but filling up a flat would be a slow process. That said, the ultra-quiet performance of 58dB pretty much makes up for any cons.
What We Like
- Compact & portable
- Long-lasting build
- Ultra-quiet performance
- Connects to standard AC power source
- Requires minimal maintenance
What We Don’t Like
- Cannot use for medium to heavy tasks
Summing it up, the Makita mac100q1 is an amazing option for on-the-go tire fixes. It packs nicely into your trunk and operates quietly. Its roll-cage construction also makes it resistant to most damage.
PORTER-CABLE Air Compressor Kit – Best Premium Buy
The compressor is also very lightweight for portability. You won’t feel tired while shifting it from one hand to another. Inside, there is a powerful motor that draws up to a 10-amp current for efficient performance.
To make things better, the air compressor has a wide pressure range between 90PSI to 150PSI. It can handle up to 30lbs of weight too. So, you can do a lot of different tasks easily.
What We Like
- High-end build
- Powerful performance
- Wide air pressure range
- Carries up to 30lbs weight
- Good air tank capacity
What We Don’t Like
- 3-tools only
From build to functionality, the PORTER-CABLE Air Compressor Kit feels premium in every aspect. But, for the price, it could have included tools other than just the brad nailer, finish nailer, and a crown stapler.
What Does An Air Compressor Kit Do?
An air compressor kit includes more tools than just the compressor. You will find brad nailers, hoses, crown staplers, and even nail guns. All these items allow you to perform a number of tasks.
However, you can only connect it to a pneumatic tool. There is no use for a compressor in other gadgets. Some of the common uses include inflating a tire, spray painting, nailing, and home or auto repairs.
How Do You Maintain the Maintenance of An Air Compressor?
Regular maintenance on your air compressor is essential. Without it, the compressor will become damaged, inefficient, and practically useless. You will find yourself buying a new air compressor more often than you’d like.
Surely, nobody wants to spend that much money and effort. That’s why we have compiled the top ways to maintain your air compressor below.
- Tighten the Screws: The screws, bolts, and nuts are what keep the air compressor together. You should make sure these parts are always tight. Otherwise, the machine could fall apart and cause severe damage.
- Wash & Unclog the Intake Valve: An intake valve or vent is the passage through which the compressor takes in the air. Since there are dust particles present in the atmosphere, the valves will eventually become clogged and dirty. It’s best to clean them thoroughly every 3 months.
- Check on the Air Hose: The air hose is a robust and flexible pipe that takes air from the compressor to an endpoint. It carries different air pressures, which causes wear over time. Examine the hose routinely and replace it if worn out.
- Drain the Condensate Buildup: Moisture can build up and collect at the base of the air compressor tank. While this may be harmless to the machine’s performance, it can damage the structure. Metal and water react to cause rusting – something we don’t want. Always drain the condensate after every usage. To do so, locate the main drain valve in the tank. Then, open it and tilt the tank to remove all the buildup.
- Replace the Filters: The purpose of air filters in the compressor is to collect dust and debris. They’ll inevitably get dirty. However, ignoring this situation can lead to problems. For example, dust-containing air can make paint blotchy while spraypainting. You should consider replacing the filters at least once a year.
How Long Do Air Compressors Last?
Air compressors are robust and durable tools that last 10 to 15 years. But, most air compressor owners hardly do regular maintenance. Considering that, the standard air compressor will last anywhere from 5 to 10 years.
What Is a Daily Maintenance Routine for Air Compressors?
The daily maintenance routine for air compressors depends on how much time and effort you have at your disposal. If possible, go through all the components to ensure they are functioning well. Otherwise, you should perform only two important maintenance tasks daily.
First, examine the lubricant level inside and add more if required. Lubrication is crucial in an air compressor because of ball bearings. Without it, there would be too much friction, heat, and damage.
Second, you should drain the collected water in the tank. It is considering you use the machine daily. You may also want to tighten the screws and nuts.
Air Compressor Daily Maintenance Checklist
Here’s a checklist of air compressor maintenance to help you take better care of your equipment:
- Visually examine all parts of the compressor
- Tighten the screws and nuts
- Check lubricant level
- Drain the condensate in the tank
How We Choose
Finding the right air compressor is a challenging task with so much variety. You will come across thousands of air compressors. But don’t worry, you can make the buying process easier by keeping these factors in mind:
Type of Air Compressor
There is a type of air compressor available for almost every task. Usually, you will come across stationary, hot dogs, twin-stacks, and even a pancake air compressor. Here’s what makes them different:
- Stationary Air Compressor – Best for professional use
- Twin-Stack Air Compressor – Best for filling tires, inflating, and powering nail guns
- Hot Dog Air Compressor – Best for lightweight projects
- Pancake Air Compressor – Best for daily maintenance and repair tasks
Noise Level
Air compressors can be quite noisy, which can disturb you and others in your surroundings. It’s important to check the noise level before purchase. You will find it measured in dBA.
The standard range in all compressors is 40 to 92dBA. It’s recommended to pick one whose operational noise level is below 80dBA. Or else the noise will get unbearable.
Air Pressure
The main objective of using a compressor is to generate more or less pressure for your pneumatic tools. So you should pay special attention to this feature. Look for an air compressor that offers a wide range of pressure.
Its minimum value should be 90PSI (pounds per square inch) since that’s what most tools require. As for maximum pressure, there’s no definite recommendation. Go for the highest one possible to ensure versatility in application.
CFM
Another important factor to consider is the CFM, which stands for cubic feet per minute. It means how much air the compressor can offer in one cubic foot per minute. Generally, people use the compressor for light to medium operations like nailing. So a 2.5 to 3-CFM is sufficient. But do not hesitate aim higher if you plan on using it for heavy-duty tasks.
Combo Kit Tools
An air compressor combo kit can contain a wide variety of additional tools. These include a brad nailer, finish nailers, crown stapler, extra air hose, and more.
If you want to get an even more detailed look into buying air compressors, give this article a read!
What’s a Good Size Air Compressor for Home Use?
The ideal size of an air compressor tank for home use is 3 to 6 gallons. That’s because the tasks you do at home are usually light-duty and small, like using a nail gun. You don’t need a high-capacity tank to do that.
Plus, the small size allows you to easily carry the compressor from one place to another. Its weight won’t limit you while you work on larger projects around the house.
FAQS
What is a good horsepower for an air compressor?
Most air compressors have a 1.5 to 6.5 horsepower rating. But, you may find larger-sized compressors with 15+ horsepower. People who are using a standard power source should choose 2HP or less.
Which brand of air compressors is the best?
There are countless great air compressor brands, and naming them all would be impossible. However, to give you an idea, some of the best brands are Bostitch, DEWALT, and Craftsman.
Wrap Up
All in all, there’s no denying that an air compressor combo kit is one of the most powerful and useful tools. You can make all of your professional and DIY projects super fun with just this one kit. Hopefully, we’ve helped you find your perfect pick.