Today, oil compressors are widely used in household and industrial activities. With their help, most tasks are simplified. In particular, paint sprayers, jackhammers, and pneumatic drills operate on the basis of these devices. The main advantage of oil compressors is their durability. They can also withstand long-term continuous operation. In addition, they use more durable parts compared to oil-free ones. However, this model also has a significant drawback. Oil tends to get into the compressed air supplied by the compressor. This factor will not affect the operation of the impact wrench in any way, but can cause serious problems when using a spray gun because the oil mixes with the paint. It is not difficult to imagine the effect of such a connection. These are not all the nuances that need to be taken into account before purchasing an oil compressor. KP contacted for details to the founder of the club and YouTube channel “We paint correctly” Valentin Druzhinin and compiled a rating of the best oil compressors of 2022.
Which brand of air compressor is better to choose?
Compressor units can be screw, piston, oil, or oil-free. Some are good for the garage, others for professional auto repair shops, and others are environmentally friendly. Having decided on the type of device, it is important to choose a manufacturer. The best compressor companies are:
- Fubag is a German brand that produces professional and semi-professional equipment for cars, construction, and welding. The products of this company are famous for their excellent quality. Fubag factories are located in Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy.
- Metabo is a manufacturer with almost a hundred years of history from Germany. Metabo produces electric tools, batteries, and compressors. All development and production are carried out in Nürtingen.
- Caliber is a Russian company founded in 2001. Since then it has been actively developing. The caliber is produced by power tools, garden tools, pumping and battery units.
- Kraton is a manufacturer that began its activities in 1999 with the production of saw blades and cutting wheels for metal. Now it offers modern power tools, automotive products, household air compressors, drilling equipment, and hand tools.
- Denzel is a German brand known for its advanced approach to the production of equipment for construction, repair, automobiles, and garden tools. The entire range has international certificates of conformity.
- F iac is an Italian leader in the production of compressor equipment. Romano Lucchi founded the company in 1977. Now Fiac products are represented in dozens of countries around the world.
- Aurora is a diversified company that produces welding equipment, generators, compressor units, and high-pressure car washes. Aurora products are in greatest demand in European countries and Russia.
- Remeza is a manufacturer of compressor equipment and nitrogen generators. The devices are intended for household and industrial use.
- Wester , a company that began producing burner devices in 1995, has significantly expanded its range. In 2009, Wester put into operation a full-cycle automated plant; work on it is carried out around the clock.
- Fini is an Italian company founded in 1952. At that time, Fini produced electric motors. Now the brand is engaged in the development and production of compressor units.
- A bac is a concern founded in Italy in 1948. Abac produces air compressors. Factories are located in Italy, other European countries, the United States of America, and Southeast Asia.
- Comprag is a German company that has currently opened a plant in the Moscow region. Comprag produces compressor equipment of various designs.
Main settings
The question often arises, which compressor is better to buy. Some of the following characteristics can be found in the device passport, the rest during operation:
- Performance. In such a situation, not only the speed at which the car’s tires are inflated plays a key role. When fully inflating a deflated device, you may encounter the fact that an insufficiently efficient device is not able to compensate for air leakage.
- Type of connection. In a productive device, engine power plays a key role. In this regard, energy consumption increases, so you should be skeptical about products that are plugged into the cigarette lighter socket or the indicated power on the packaging does not correspond to reality (it is often necessary to constantly change blown fuses). Connecting the car device with “crocodiles” directly to the battery is the best solution, but only when the car has open access to the terminals.
- Cable length. Often the disadvantage of the products in question is the fact that the cord will not be long enough to reach the rear of the car. In addition to the length of the cable, you should evaluate its rigidity - with strong stretching, a hard wire pulls the plug out of place. In this regard, it is advisable to look for products with a regular type of cord.
- Characteristics of the pressure gauge. It is difficult to assess the accuracy of readings without a high-quality pressure gauge; therefore, one should, first of all, focus on the pressure gauge scale. On small devices, the arrow easily overlaps the divisions. You should not strive to purchase devices with double digitization: the need to set the pressure in pounds per 1 square meter. an inch is missing, and therefore the additional ruler is in the way.
- Duration of continuous operation. This indicator is assessed in conjunction with power. For example, when an SUV or crossover has high-profile tires, the poor performance of the device will pump the wheels for a long time and create overheating.
Air Compressor Rating
Air compressors have a wide range of applications, as well as a wide variety of models that differ in design. Analyzing devices according to all parameters is not an easy task, but by highlighting a number of main characteristics, a rating of units was compiled. So, the comparison took into account:
- Power;
- Performance;
- Maximum pressure;
- Compressor type;
- Pressure gauge type;
- Receiver;
- Durability;
- Price.
During the study, screw units, oil piston units, and oil-free piston units were examined. In each category, leaders are identified based on a set of indicators.
The best car compressors
Equipment options for various fields of activity
Today there are many types of equipment that are suitable for different types of activities. In this case, it is recommended to focus on the following tips:
- For domestic use, a piston oil compressor can be used from time to time. Now there are many ready-made stations on sale that supply pressure up to 8 bar. Such kits include a receiver with a volume of 6-100 liters. Experts advise using a container of at least 50 liters. Such devices can operate for 20 minutes every hour.
- Semi-professional compressor stations are based on oil piston compressors, which have a coaxial or belt drive. Their kit includes a receiver with a minimum volume of 50 liters. The devices also cannot be used constantly. However, effective operating parameters are up to 40 minutes for every hour. Average pressure readings reach 16 bar.
- Industrial equipment that belongs to the professional category does not have clear parameters. Its typical feature is the impressive size of its receivers. They reach 1 cubic meter. Such stations may feature continuous operation. At the same time, you can buy devices that fit any needs.
For one-time garage work, you can assemble the compressor yourself. To do this, it is recommended to buy oil and moisture traps and pressure switches. It is also necessary to prepare an empty gas cylinder. In this case, it is permissible to use a compressor from a refrigerator as a supercharger. Such elements will help to obtain a piston oil device.
For simple one-time work, you can assemble the device yourself
Compressors for spray guns differ in design features and can be used to solve different problems. This allows each user to choose the best option based on their needs. Experts advise considering the price-quality ratio.
Best Screw Air Compressors
Units of this type pump air through compression as a result of rotation of the screw pair. This technology is more efficient than piston technology, but more energy-consuming. You need to be careful about the cooling of a screw air compressor, as they get hotter than other types of appliances.
Fini Plus 16-10 (IE3)
The industrial device Fini Plus 16-10 (IE3) is suitable for medium-sized production. Output capacity – 2050 liters. The required supply voltage is 380 V. Device power – 15 kW, pressure – 10 bar. There is no receiver provided. The unit can be controlled through the Easytronic Micro II controller, which supports the compressor in operating mode, shows performance characteristics, tracks operating hours, and if problems occur, the controller will report an error and, if necessary, turn off the device.
Advantages
- Good performance;
- Easy to install;
- Manufacturer's warranty;
- Reasonable price.
Flaws
- Heavy weight;
- Large dimensions.
Like all Fini products, this device does not fail in operation. In case of problems, you can contact service center specialists.
Abac Spinn 3 10/200
The stationary Italian compressor unit Abac Spinn 3 10/200 has an output capacity of 320 liters. Receiver volume – 200 liters. A pressure gauge is built into the small design. It's convenient; you don't need to purchase additional equipment. The device operates quietly.
Advantages
- Performance;
- Low energy consumption;
- Multifunctional use;
- High quality build.
Flaws
- High price.
Many entrepreneurs prefer the Abac brand. The products, although expensive, are worth it. And there are no problems with the work of warranty and service departments.
Comprag ARD-1508
The Comprag ARD-1508 unit is a modern industrial compressor unit. Capacity – 2300 liters per minute. Receiver volume – 270 liters. Pressure – 8 bar. Power – 15 kW. Built-in air dryer. The device is equipped with a noise-insulating casing, which ensures quiet operation, which allows you to operate the Comprag ARD-1508 close to the workplace.
Advantages
- High efficiency;
- Large receiver volume;
- Low noise level;
- Durability.
Flaws
- Very high price.
Working with this unit requires careful preliminary study of the operating recommendations. Safety precautions must be strictly followed.
comparison table
The following table contains the main technical characteristics of the models reviewed. It will be useful to those buyers who have not yet decided which 220V air compressor is best to buy.
Model | Capacity, l/min | power, kWt | Pressure, bar | Weight, kg | Average price, rub. |
ELITECH KPM 200/50 | 198 | 1.5 | 8 | 35 | 13 340 |
VORTEX KMP-300/50 | 300 | 2 | 20 | 13 290 | |
Fubag OL 231/50 CM2 | 230 | 1.5 | 33 | 16 020 | |
Metabo Basic 250-50 W OF | 220 | 29 | 17 099 | ||
Denzel PC 2/50-350 | 350 | 2.2 | 35 | 20 100 | |
Hyundai HYC 3050S | 300 | 2 | 36.5 | 21 650 | |
PATRIOT PTR 50-450A | 450 | 2.2 | 10 | 66 | 27 790 |
Aurora GALE-50 | 412 | 8 | 48 | 23 900 | |
BISON ZKPM-440-50-R-2.2 | 440 | 10 | 47.2 | 35 670 | |
Remeza SB4 S 50.LB30 A | 420 | 71 | 36 933 |
Which air compressor is best to buy?
You can choose an air compressor by answering the question for what purpose it is needed. The simplest models make everyday life easier; they are suitable for inflating tires or painting a fence. More powerful ones will be effective both in personal and industrial use; they will help paint a car and be useful in repairs. Professional units are suitable for performing large volumes of work.
The leaders among each type of compressor were the following models:
- Abac Spinn 3 10/200 – the most efficient, reliable industrial compressor system;
- Remeza SB4/F-500.LB75 is an expensive but durable device;
- Fubag Handy Master Kit is a universal budget household model that can inflate tires, boats, balls, etc.
Everyone decides which air compressor to choose based on the required functionality of the unit. It is important to follow the operating rules and, in case of problems, contact service offices in a timely manner.
Service
To achieve a long and productive service life of your equipment, immediately start following a number of recommendations:
- Check the oil level regularly, replenishing the oil sump as needed.
- From time to time, drain the condensate from a special tap at the bottom of the receiver.
- Check the condition and clean the air inlet filter regularly. If it is necessary to change it, a cheap part guarantees the safety of the consumer mechanisms.
During maintenance, be sure to disconnect the device from the network to prevent accidental startup.
Sibrteh KK-2200/50, 50 l, 2.2 kW
Weight : 35.8 kg.
Price : 16,250 rub.
High performance, long service life and low weight make the device Sibrteh KK-2200/50 , 50 l, 2.2 kW one of the best among its analogues. Users have noted a number of advantages of this device: it is compact, and most importantly, powerful.
A special casing protects Sibrteh KK-2200/50 , 50 l, 2.2 kW from accidental damage (none of us are insured against them), as well as from dust and dirt. A high-performance device for pumping compressed air into pneumatic tools, it is widely used in construction, garages or workshops. For user convenience, it has wheels and a transport handle.
Garage ST 24.F220/1.3, 24 l, 1.3 kW
Weight : 24 kg.
Price : RUR 8,249
A compact compressor for home use will be a good buy for you! Garage ST 24.F220/1.3 , 24 l, 1.3 kW is convenient to store in the garage, but you shouldn’t expect anything grandiose from it. All characteristics in the description are correct.
For its price, the compressor is good and receives a lot of praise from customers. Suitable for undemanding tasks. Productivity is about 50 liters per minute. In order for it to serve for a long time, the most important thing is to periodically give it a rest, for example, 10 minutes of work and the same amount of rest.
Zitrek Z3K440/50, 50 l, 2.2 kW
Weight : 52 kg.
Price : RUR 19,490
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time choosing a compressor, then you can easily choose Zitrek Z3K440/50 , 50 l, 2.2 kW. According to buyers, you won’t regret the purchase at all, and neither will they. This compressor pumps powerfully, has excellent filters, and is very quiet in operation.
The air compressor is designed to provide compressed atmospheric air to pneumatic equipment and tools. Using Zitrek Z3K440/50 , 50 l, 2.2 kW allows you to significantly save energy and also improve operating efficiency. The oil type of lubrication of the device extends its service life.
8. FoxWeld Aero 5962 380/100, 100 l, 2.2 kW
Weight : 64.2 kg.
Price : 30,400 rub.
For transportation, FoxWeld Aero 5962 380/100 , 100 l, 2.2 kW has wheels, which is very convenient when moving. The device weighs 64.2 kg. It will be difficult to lift even for an athlete! The piston compressor has received good ratings from buyers, are you ready to trust them?
FoxWeld Aero 5962 380/100 device can perform a number of tasks: it helps in applying paint and varnish coatings, blowing and cleaning radiators, filters and other devices, inflating tires and inflatable products. The compressor will be a great helper for you in the garage! The presence of oil lubrication allows you to extend the life of the compressor.