How to choose an air compressor: ranking of the best models

The air compressor is an extremely useful unit. He has a place in the garage, and at a construction site, and in production, and just in everyday life. How to choose a compressor and which 7 air compressors are worthy of the title of the best, read in this material.

What is an air compressor and why is it needed

An air compressor is, at its core, a pump, only designed specifically to compress and pump air. Actually, the word "compressor" itself is translated into Russian as "squeezer".

There are a lot of applications for such a useful device. Many motorists carry the simplest and low-power electric compressors with them in the trunk: such devices are used to inflate the wheels of cars, bicycle tires, air mattresses and other household items. Apparatus more complicated and more powerful are used for painting and whitewashing; pneumatic tools and car washes are powered from them. The most powerful devices have found themselves in metallurgy, petrochemistry, mechanical engineering and other industries.

In general, air compressors are needed everywhere, from lifebuoys to submarines. And everywhere we need compressors of our own, special type. How they differ from each other, we will talk below.

What compressors are

By the principle of action compressors are divided into volumetric and dynamic.

Positive displacement compressors pump air in small fixed portions. Accordingly, the more volumes the compressor moves per unit of time, the higher its performance. The main types of positive displacement compressors:

• reciprocating - they work very much like conventional two-stroke engines: air intake and exhaust ensures the movement of the piston in the cylinder;
• spiral - these compressors are more interesting: here the air movement is provided by two spirals, one of which does not move, and the second one is eccentrically displaced;
• rotary - unlike reciprocating and scroll compressors, they are based on rotation. Rotary compressors include:
• cam rotors - here two cam rotors rotate synchronously in a special-shaped casing, due to which air is injected;
• screw - asymmetrical screw rotors rotate synchronously in an oval body;
• vane - they are also called lamellar: the operation of these machines is based on rotation in a cylindrical body of an eccentrically located rotor with vane (plates). Vane devices are considered the most durable and reliable type of rotary compressors: for example, the resource of a vane compressor is four times higher than that of a screw compressor.

Dynamic compressors the air is pumped not in portions, but in a continuous flow - a spatula machine is responsible for this. The obvious advantage of dynamic compressors over volumetric ones is a constant and uniform air supply. Dynamic compressors can be:

• centrifugal (radial) - here the movement of air is created by centrifugal force, and the flow itself changes the direction of movement;
• axial - here the flow moves along the rotor axis
• radial-axial (diagonal) - they combine the features of centrifugal and axial dynamic compressors.

Based on the use of grease compressors can be oil and oil-free:

• oil-free compressors do not require additional lubrication, since they use materials with a low coefficient of friction. They are relatively light and cheap, do not require additional maintenance, but not very powerful and productive. Their capabilities are enough for everyday use: for example, to quickly pump up the tires of a car. But such a machine can work on the strength of 10-15 minutes per hour, after which it begins to overheat, and therefore break down.
• in oil compressors you need to periodically top up the compressor oil. Devices of this type will not work without lubrication, but they are powerful and durable machines that have a place in industry and professional use.

By type of drive emit electric, diesel, gas and even steam compressors. Compressors with an electric motor are used both in everyday life and in production - in places where there is constant access to electricity. At construction sites, in remote areas and in general in places without power supply, compressors with an internal combustion engine are actively used.

To size compressors are portable and stationary - the latter are placed on the foundation.

By scope air compressors can be refrigeration, automobile, chemical and others.

By cooling method air and liquid-cooled compressors are distinguished.

End pressure compressors are divided into:

- vacuum compressors - operate under pressure conditions from 0.1 to 1-2 atmospheres;
- low pressure compressors inject gas with a pressure of 1.5 to 10 atmospheres;
- medium pressure - from 10 to 100 atmospheres;
- high pressure - up to 1000 atmospheres;
- ultra-high pressure - from 1000 atmospheres and above.

Leading compressor manufacturers

Metabo - this is an abbreviation for the German Metallbohrdreher, that is, drill for metal. This company produces not only drills: among their products there is a wide variety of professional power tools and other equipment. Compressors Metabo can hardly be called cheap, but neat design and high quality compensate for a rather high price.

Fubag Is another German manufacturer of first-class professional equipment for construction and renovation. Fubag compressors are sold all over the world, including Russia. Moreover, thanks to an extensive network of representative offices and service centers, the company can find spare parts and components for their compressors, and provide them with repair and maintenance is not a problem.

There are many other good air compressor companies in the world. Especially worth noting are Italian ABAC and COMARO, Polish AIRPOL, Chinese DALI (Dali), Belarusian REMEZA. In our latitudes, there are also worthy manufacturers of air compressors.

Elitech - a domestic brand that has existed since 2008 and produces tools, equipment and consumables for construction and repair: both household and professional level. Their compressors are easy to maintain, highly reliable and have a very modest price tag.

Wester Is a Russian brand owned by the Impulse group of companies. Under it they sell reliable and high-quality equipment for a wide variety of purposes. Wester air compressors are moderately priced but outperform many foreign competitors in terms of capabilities.

These, of course, are not all worthy Russian brands. Our top 7 air compressors, in particular, include devices from the brands Vikhr, Caliber and Aggressor. Let's take a closer look at them and their competitors.

7 best compressors

Best Oil-Free Air Compressors

1. Metabo Basic 250-24 W OF

Oil-free piston-type air compressor with a price of about 10,000 rubles. Powered by electricity: connects to a regular household network with a voltage of 220 volts. With a power of 1500 watts, it is capable of delivering a pressure of 8 atmospheres with an output capacity of 120 liters per minute. There is a built-in pressure gauge and safety valve, as well as pressure regulation and overheating protection functions. The structure does not weigh too much - 24 kilograms, so it is not difficult to transport the compressor using a handle and two rubberized wheels. Noisy at work - 82 decibels - but reliable, cheap and unpretentious. A good model for a garage or home workshop.

Price: ₽ 9 890

Metabo Basic 250-24 W OF

2. Fubag Smart Air

This compressor can also be used where: in the garage, and just at home. Moreover, for less than 10,000 rubles, we are offered not just a compressor, but a whole set with a paint sprayer, a hose, a blower nozzle and a tire inflation gun. The compressor itself is a piston, oil-free. Powered by a 220 volt household power supply. Power of 1100 watts is enough to deliver 8 bar of pressure with a capacity of 180 liters per minute. The device is quite compact and with a weight of 9 kilograms it costs one handle, without wheels. Nice versatile device.

Price: ₽ 8 320

Fubag Smart Air

Best Oil Lubricated Air Compressors

3. Wester W 006-075 OLC

Inexpensive oil model from a domestic brand. The electric piston engine operates on a 220 volt current and produces 750 watts of power at 2850 rpm, which is enough for a capacity of 126 liters per minute with a pressure of 8 atmospheres. There is a pressure regulation function. Safety valve, oil level indicator and pressure gauge are included. The device is quite compact and weighs a little less than 16.5 kilograms, so it did not get wheels - only a carrying handle. For all its advantages, the compressor has a rather modest price tag: the machine costs only 8,000 rubles.

Price: ₽ 7 999

Wester W 006-075 OLC

4. VORTEX KMP-210/10

Oil-type electric piston compressor. It costs even less than the previous model - only about 6,000 rubles - but it can even do more. The single-cylinder unit produces 1600 watts of power at 2850 rpm. Inlet capacity - 210 liters per minute and 8 atmospheres of maximum pressure. The horizontal 10-liter receiver fills up instantly. The machine weighs only 13 kilograms, so it is quite convenient to carry it with a special handle (replaceable wheels are included). Pressure regulation and overheating protection functions are provided.

Price: ₽ 5 990

VORTEX KMP-210-10

Best piston compressors for painting

5. ELITECH KPM 200/50

Reciprocating compressor with electric motor (supply voltage - 220 volts). The engine requires lubrication, so don't forget the compressor oil. The power of the unit is 1500 watts, the pressure is 8 atmospheres, the output capacity is 198 liters per minute. Equipped with pressure gauge, safety valve and horizontal 50-liter air reservoir - ideal for painting. There is a pressure regulation function. The device is quite bulky - it weighs 35 kilograms - so equipping it with transport wheels and a carrying handle is very useful. 8,000 rubles for such a useful unit looks like a very reasonable offer.

Price: ₽ 6 699

ELITECH KPM 200 50

6. CALIBER KMK-1600 / 24U

Electric compressor with oil-type single-cylinder piston engine. The power of the structure is 1600 watts, the maximum number of revolutions per minute is 2850. At a pressure of 8 atmospheres, the productivity is 198 liters per minute. A 24-liter receiver is enough for painting needs. The weight of the device is 18 kilograms. Two wheels and a handle are provided for transportation. Protection against overheating and overpressure is provided. A high-quality and inexpensive model with a price of about 6,500 rubles, which is suitable for painting and for powering pneumatic tools, but for industrial needs its capabilities are perhaps not enough.

Price: ₽ 5 660

CALIBER KMK-1600

Best Automotive Compressor

7. Aggressor AGR-40 Digital

This compressor costs less than 5,000 rubles and with a low weight - about 2.2 kilograms - it offers not so little. The 160-watt piston engine with a capacity of 35 liters per minute produces a maximum pressure of 10 atmospheres. The device is powered by a car cigarette lighter with a voltage of 12 volts and consumes a current of 15 amperes. The 3 meter long wire and 70 cm air hose will reach anywhere, even in a large car. The compressor is capable of continuous operation for 30 minutes. Digital pressure gauge. In addition to pumping and checking the pressure, the device is capable of testing the generator and the battery. The compressor is taught to automatically shutdown and is protected against short circuits. Includes ball adapter, mattress adapter, storage bag, boat adapter and lantern.

Price: ₽ 4 250

Aggressor AGR-40 Digital

Popular questions:

What type of compressor is preferable for painting a car?
For painting a car, an oil piston compressor with an operating pressure of 6-8 atmospheres with air cooling and a receiver of 25-50 liters is best suited. It is most convenient if the compressor will operate from a 220 volt mains supply.

Are there any fundamental differences between domestic models of compressors and imported ones?
There are no principal ones. The laws of physics are the same in all countries, and the quality standards, in general, are the same, so the equipment differs only slightly. Is that domestic compressors are often cheaper than imported ones with the same quality.

conclusions

An air compressor is an air pumping apparatus. They are used almost everywhere: in everyday life, in construction, in almost all industries. Compressors can be electric and diesel, volumetric and dynamic, oil and oil-free - each type of machine has its advantages. The main thing is to choose a device for your personal needs. We hope our material could help you with this.
Read also:

Which compressor is better: oil or oil-free?