Best Quiet Air Compressor 2023 – Top Picks & Reviews

by Jennifer Porterfield | Last Updated: September 18, 2023
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For those who don’t know what an air compressor is, it is a device that will convert power into energy which is then stored as pressurized air from that. An air compressor will force air into a storage tank for example creating more and more pressure.

Compressed air can be used for many different things, such as inflating things, spray painting, pressure washing, and paintball guns too. They are used a lot by DIY specialists when they need to paint things or perhaps fill up tires with air.

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The issue with air compressors or at least the issue with previous air compressors is that they are known to be quite loud. Luckily for you, we have created a list of the best quiet air compressors so you can avoid that issue altogether.

Over the years air compressors have become much more advanced just like everything else in the world. If you have found that you need to buy yourself a new air compressor for your work and you are not sure which is the best choice or what exactly you should be looking for in an air compressor all of their best features will be listed below.

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Table of Contents

Best Quiet Air Compressor

California Air Tool CAT-1P1060S

California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S Light & Quiet Portable Air...

The California Air Tool is one of the best quiet air compressors that are available on the market today. It will in fact only reach 56 decibels. To put that in perspective for you, if you think your fridge is loud this will also be loud.

It’s extremely lightweight totaling 29.5 pounds this allows the device to be very portable, it even has a handle that you can use to carry it from place to place. It uses a 0.60 horsepower engine which is what is used to power the air compressor.

It uses an oil-free motor which will mean that you won’t really have to do much to keep up good maintenance. It will also last its user around 3000 hours before it starts to wear.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Very quiet in operation
  • Very little maintenance

Cons

  • It may need an extra regulator
California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S Light & Quiet Portable Air...
  • Ultra quiet only 56 Decibels
  • Oil-Free pump for less maintenance & costs
  • Lightweight for easy transporting - 29 lbs
  • 1.0 gallon steel tank

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Bostitch Pancake Air Compressor

Bostitch BTFP02012 6 Gallon Pancake Compressor

This air compressor although being a little louder than the previously mentioned one still will only produce noise at 78.5 decibels. It again is extremely lightweight weighing only 29 lbs; it is also a very portable air compressor and extremely easy to carry.

It has an oil-free motor so you won’t need to maintain it daily. This will also minimize the chance of an oil stain on any of your surfaces. It also has a 6-gallon tank which helps the air compressor produce around 150 PSI and about 2.6 SCFM at a 90 PSI rate.

It also includes a 50-inch rubber and PCV blended hose that will remain extremely flexible in the cold weather, this itself is lighter than normal rubber hoses and it is also abrasion-resistant.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Portable
  • 50-inch rubber hose that is good in all conditions

Cons

  • Although still quiet, not as quiet as previously mentioned.
Sale
Bostitch BTFP02012 6 Gallon Pancake Compressor
7,526 Reviews
Bostitch BTFP02012 6 Gallon Pancake Compressor
  • The portable air compressor has a long-life oil-free, maintenance-free pump for convenient use
  • 150 max PSI 6.0 gallon tank (22.7 L) and 2.6 SCFM* delivered @ 90 PSI pump enable long tool run time...
  • BOSTITCH high efficiency motor of the 6 gallon air compressor is made for easy start up in cold...
  • 78.5 dBA** operational noise level for a quiet work environment

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

DeWalt Pancake Air Compressor

DEWALT Pancake Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, 165 PSI...

This is another perfect air compressor for those who are looking for a quiet one. In fact, it operates at 75.5 decibels so you know for a fact that when you are using it, it won’t make lots of noise.

It weighs in at 30 lbs so it is very lightweight and it also has a handle making it very easy to move around to your preferred location.

The legs of the machine are also protected by rubber covers to help absorb the vibrations that will occur when it is in use, the covers will stop any damage from happening to the surface.

It is equipped with a regulator for high flow and it also has a coupler which helps it to perform to the best of its ability. It will need to be around 12 inches from a wall so nothing will interfere with its airflow.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to move around due to handle
  • Quiet operating level

Cons

  • Been known to leak air
Sale
DEWALT Pancake Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, 165 PSI...
  • 165 max PSI 6.0 gallon tank (22.7 L) and 2.6 SCFM delivered @ 90 PSI pump, enable long tool run time...
  • High efficiency motor of the electric air compressor is made for easy start up in cold weather or...
  • 78.5 dBA noise level of the 6 gallon air compressor is made for a quiet work environment
  • High flow regulator and couplers of DEWALT portable air compressor are designed to maximize air tool...

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Campbell Hausfeld 8-Gallon Portable Air Compressor

Campbell Hausfeld 8 Gallon Portable Quiet Air Compressor...

Another very quiet air compressor actually reaches just 68 decibels unlike some of the other previously mentioned products. This will ensure that during this operation it doesn’t produce any unwanted noise.

However, this air compressor is much heavier than the previously mentioned ones weighing in at 67 lbs, but it does have large wheels so you can move it about and it is portable.

This air compressor also has a max PSI of 125 which means that it is perfect for a variety of different projects such as stapling, bolting, nailing, fastening, and inflating. Although the air compressor is a 120v 1.0 motor it has a dual-piston pump which will produce around 25% more air in comparison to 1.0 motors with only single pistons.

Pros

  • Dual-piston system
  • Portable
  • Very quiet operating system

Cons

  • Although having wheels and is portable it still is quite heavy.
Campbell Hausfeld 8 Gallon Portable Quiet Air Compressor...
  • Greatly reduced noise: 68 decibel rating allows the user to run compressor in home environments
  • Max 125 PSI
  • Oil-free, maintenance free pump
  • The conveniently placed gauges and regulator allow for easy monitoring of tank and line pressure

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Stealth 4.5-Gallon Air Compressor

Stealth 4.5 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor,1.3 HP...

Again, this is an extremely quiet air compressor making just 65 decibels when being operated. The motor that is used is 2 horsepower and has a lifespan of 1000 hours of usage.

It has a handlebar that is adjustable so is very portable and can be moved to any location that you want to. It also has wheels with rubber which are used so that the machine can handle different terrains.

This again is an oil-free air compressor so requires very little maintenance, it is 20 inches tall and 16 inches wide.

Pros

  • Very quiet operating level
  • Requires very little maintenance because it is oil-free
  • Is very portable

Cons

  • Only a 1000-hour life cycle
Stealth 4.5 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor,1.3 HP...
  • 【Ultra Quiet & 3 Times Long Life】Stealth Innovative Quiet System Air Compressor Have Been Tested...
  • 【Powerful Outputs Maintenance Free】Peak 1.3 Horsepower Induction Motor Drive The Dual Air Pump...
  • 【Cold Weather Start & Quick Recovery】Easy Start Even Under Low Temperature And Low Voltage. Peak...
  • 【Stable Structure& Convenient For Movement】Stable Heavy Duty Housing Use Q235B Steel, 6 Inch...

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Makita MAC2499 2.5 HP Air Compressor

Makita MAC2400 2.5 HP* Big Bore™ Air Compressor

Although not as quiet as the previously mentioned air compressors, the Makita MAC air compressor does only produce a noise of 79 decibels so it is still a very quiet air compressor. It has a 2.5HP motor that will give you 90PSI for an incredibly good performance.

It is made from incredibly tough cast iron which limits any wear and tear and allows it to have a very long lifespan. It is an oil-lubricated pump which again reduces any signs of wear and tear and allows for much cooler temperatures when the machine is running.

It has a low draw AMP which eliminates any cases of tripped breakers during the machine’s start-up as well as a roll cage that will provide compressor protection which is great for different environments on different job sites.

Pros

  • Very durable
  • 2.5 HP motor
  • Low AMP draw 

Cons

  • 79 decibels which isn’t incredibly loud but is one of the louder air compressors on this list.
Sale
Makita MAC2400 2.5 HP* Big Bore™ Air Compressor
  • Cast iron pump with Big Bore cylinder and piston is engineered to provide faster recovery time for...
  • Powerful 2.5 HP 4-Pole motor produces 4.2 CFM at 90 PSI for increased productivity and lower noise
  • Roll-cage construction provides complete protection to withstand extreme jobsite environments
  • Low AMP draw reduces incidences of tripped breakers at start-up

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Metabo HPT Quiet Air Compressor

Metabo HPT Quiet Air Compressor | 125 PSI | 1 Gallon | EC28M

The Metabo air compressor is again an extremely quiet one at that. It reaches just 59 decibels during its operating levels so you know for sure that it won’t be making any infuriating loud noises.

It comes equipped with a handle so that you can move the air compressor from job to job or just anywhere that you would like to really. It is also incredibly lightweight weighing only 25.2 pounds.

Again it is an oil-free pump and will require very little maintenance for you to get the most out of it. It has rubber grip protections and also a steel roll cage which ensures the durability of the product. It really is a very impressive air compressor.

Pros

  • Very lightweight
  • Very quiet when in operation.
  • Requires very little maintenance.

Cons

  • Been known to trip out.
Metabo HPT Quiet Air Compressor | 125 PSI | 1 Gallon | EC28M
  • QUIET: Ultra-quiet operation at only 59 dB's: so quiet that a normal conversation can take place...
  • OIL-FREE: Quiet industrial oil-free pump provides high durability with no maintenance
  • CONTROL PANEL: Integrated control panel protects the gauges and plumbing while centralizing the...
  • GRIP: Steel roll cage with rubber grip protects all critical components and provides comfort during...

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

TC.BL Portable Air Compressor

TC·BL Portable Air Compressor,110V Quiet Small Air...

This Air compressor produces a noise of 75 decibels so although not as quiet as some of the other air compressors on this list it is still an incredibly quiet one. It is also an oil-free motor which means that it requires very little or in this case, zero maintenance to maintain its high levels of performance.

It is incredibly user-friendly with its control panel located on the front of the air compressor allowing its user to have full control when choosing what air pressure they would like to be using.

It is also only 20 pounds so is incredibly lightweight and also is very portable as it comes with a handle on the top allowing you to move it from site to site if you have to.

Pros

  • Very light
  • Very portable
  • Very quiet

Cons

  • Doesn’t have a protected cover on the legs so may damage surfaces when vibrating.
TC·BL Portable Air Compressor,110V Quiet Small Air...
  • BRUSHLESS AND OIL FREE MOTOR:More power up to 900 watts, and lifetime maintenance free.
  • PORTABLE AND POWERFUL:The N.W. of the air compressor is only 20LBS,Heavy Duty Double cylinder...
  • ULTRA QUIET:Oil-free motor for maintenance-free operation,the air compressor has high and low speed...
  • INTELLIGENT CONTROL:The air compressor is equipped with a control panel, which can precisely adjust...

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best Quiet Air Compressor Buying Guide

Noise

Noise is an incredibly important factor when it comes to selecting the right air compressor for you. But really it is difficult determining what someone may find loud. Luckily the above-stated air compressors only reach a maximum of 79 decibels.

Lots of the selected products above are much below this number anyway so there is a lot to choose from. Noise can be impacted by lots of things such as the way the feet of the air compressor is constantly hitting the surface if they are not properly protected by things like rubber guards.

It can also be impacted by the size of the motor that is used to power the machine as well. But as stated all of the above products are all very quiet in operation.

So quiet that you would still be able to have a conversation with someone when they are in use. Be sure to note the level of noise that the air compressor that you select makes.

Maintenance

Many of the above-stated products are maintenance-free, so you won’t be trying to fix anything on the air compressor to make it work at its highest levels of performance.

The reason for this is that often they use an oil-free engine which means that you don’t have to worry about changing the oil.

This means that the air compressor can essentially take care of itself because you don’t have to, this means that you spend less money on the air compressor than if it did require oil to get the air compressor to reach its high levels of performance.

Maintenance-free is often the better choice because it leaves you with less to worry about especially considering you may be taken from different sites all the time.

Durability

Durability is again another really important factor when considering what is the best air compressor for you. Obviously, some factors may be more important to you specifically but durability will ensure that the air compressor is around for a long time.

One of the things that can make an air compressor much more durable is the casing that is used to protect the interior components. Cast iron for example will make the product very durable.

Also smaller things though such as protecting the legs of the air compressor with rubber so that it doesn’t create any damage to the surface or in fact the legs themselves.

Portable

This is one of the more important factors when it comes to selecting the right air compressor for you. If it is used in your own personal workshop or garage then the portable nature won’t matter as much to you.

However, if you know that you are often going to be going from site to site and job to job in all different types of environments then it is highly recommended that you select one of the more portable air compressors simply to make your life that much easier.

They often come with a handle to help with the movement of the air compressor but it may be worth looking into an air compressor that comes with big wheels that can handle all sorts of different terrain.

You may find the most useful air compressor that best suits your specific needs. You will also want it to be light to make it easier to move around also.

Weight

The weight of the air compressor is an incredibly important aspect. Obviously, at first look an air compressor may look like it is going to weigh a couple of 100 lbs especially when you factor in all the talk about motors and dual-piston systems, you may think that if you find a lightweight air compressor surely it is missing some of the features that you are looking for.

Luckily that is not the case. Many of the above-stated air compressors are incredibly lightweight due to the materials that are used to make them, for example, aluminum. Aluminum will ensure that the product is both durable but also incredibly lightweight.

You will also need to take this into account when considering if you are going to need to move the air compressor about at any point. As mentioned earlier from different work sites; it’ll be much easier moving it if it weighs 20 pounds instead of 100 pounds.

So before making your decision on what is the best air compressor for you, your needs ensure that you have selected one with a weight that isn’t going to make you struggle every time you need to move it.

Size of Motor

The size of the motor is an important aspect when considering what you are going to be using the air compressor for. For certain tasks, you may need to have a bigger motor with more horsepower to be able to power the specific job that you need to.

It may also have an impact on the overall weight of the air compressor so be sure to research what size motor you should be looking for for the type of work that you do.

The size of the motor can impact things such as how much the air compressor will weigh but those added pounds might be worth it if it handles a job much better than a less powerful air compressor.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is a good volume for an air compressor?

This is dependent on the type of work that you do. If you work in a small workshop or out of your garage then realistically you want to make sure that the air compressor that you choose is not overly loud. Luckily the above-mentioned air compressors will only reach a decibel level of 80 maximum. This will ensure that you can still hear any conversation that may be happening around you but also just not be an annoyingly loud air compressor.

Is the size of the motor important?

The size of the motor is important when determining what you will be using it for. If it is a smaller job you may not need to generate the same kind of pressure and vice versa.

Is weight really an important factor?

Yes, you may be moving it from location to location and the lighter the air compressor is the easier it is to actually do that. You will also want to ensure that it is also a portable air compressor.

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