Within this article, we will be reviewing some of the best 120-volt portable air compressors on the market. But we won’t dig straight into it. We’ll be providing you with a buyer’s guide first.
The guide will help you familiarize yourself with what you should keep in mind while buying the portable air compressor. In the end, we have also attached a handy FAQ section to answer most of your questions. So, make sure that you read the full article and understand everything fully!
Table of Contents
- Portable Air Compressor Buying Guide
- List Of The Best 120-Volt Portable Air Compressors
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How does an air compressor work?
- How does runtime affect compressor usage?
- What is L/min?
- Can portable compressors be powered using a car battery?
- Can the portable compressors inflate a car tire?
- Does the compressor need different attachments?
- Conclusion
- Related posts:
Portable Air Compressor Buying Guide
Some features and characteristics must be present in a portable air compressor to make it worthwhile. Here are some of the traits you should look for before buying:
The compressor should have sufficient runtime. Runtime is the most extended amount of time for which it can continuously pump air. If the compressor can only run for a short time, inflating a large item can become a tedious job.
The portable air compressor should be multi-functional. Multi-functionality means that it should be able to inflate a wide range of items safely. Usually, all of the portable air compressors have a PSI set feature, which helps it out in this task.
Make sure that the portable air compressor can run off of your car’s battery. This information is essential if you are buying it to inflate your car’s tires in an on-road emergency.
One of the most critical aspects of an air processor is its capability to pump air. You can judge this by seeing and comparing the HP or L/min of the compressor.
HP stands for the Horse Power of the motor, and L/min stands for Litre per minute, which denotes the amount of air it pumps per minute. Both of them are directly related. Therefore you can judge the compressor even if you know only one of them.
The last thing to keep in mind is the dimensions, and the weight of the portable air compressor fits with your idea or portability or not. If you can, try to match the compressor’s size with the space you wish to keep it.
Keeping these points in mind, we can hop on to the review section to carefully choose some of the best portable air compressors from Amazon!
List Of The Best 120-Volt Portable Air Compressors
1. LKNJLL 120v & 12v Portable Air Compressor
The LKNJLL is one of the cleanest and minimal looking air compressors on this list. It has a compact design with high ergonomics; thereby, it required low storage space. Despite its tiny body, it includes a 120v/12v motor that can inflate anything up to 120PSI. It can quickly inflate your car tires within 5 minutes and therefore is a perfect fit for it.
The compressor also has an inbuilt LED light, which will help you if you’re stuck outside at night in the dark. The best part is that you can control all of its features using the LCD attached to the processor’s body.
Pros:
- It has adjustable PSI levels for safely inflating a wide range of items.
- There is an included LCD to precisely control the PSI and runtime.
- The compressor can run for 10 minutes continuously, meaning it can inflate roughly two car tires in one go.
- It has a small, compact, stylish, and highly portable design.
2. Piston Type Compressor, Low Noise Single Cylinder Portable 120V Air Compressor
The Piston Type Compressor exists to keep your items safe while inflating using its intelligent and automated safety features.
It can automatically detect if the target PSI is achieved and stop to protect the item. The compressor can also start itself when it detects a low PSI as well.
Furthermore, to assess the pressure correctly, the compressor also comes with a diaphragm pressure regulator and an air pressure gauge. It also has an inbuilt water collection chamber and filter.
This chamber processes the air to make it dry and clean, making sure unwanted particles do not get sucked into whatever you’re inflating.
Pros:
- The compressor is highly safe and, therefore, can inflate fragile items without any risk.
- This compressor has a unique water filter, which ensures the item is filled with dry air only.
- The covered design and rubber feet make for vibration-free and quiet operation.
Cons:
- The compressor has a low PSI, which translates to higher inflation time.
3. Portable External Thread Air Compressor
The Portable External Thread G1/8in is one of our list’s most rigid air compressors. It has a robust design that is coupled with high-quality materials to provide excellent longevity.
The body and the motor are made from aluminum, red copper, and iron, making it premium and durable. Furthermore, the engine can operate up to a maximum of 57PSI with 1-6 horsepower.
The best part is that it can output this power at 120 volts making it highly energy-efficient. This compressor also has a long runtime, which prevents the motor from getting burnt.
Pros:
- A long runtime keeps the motor safe and keeps you free from headaches.
- The compressor has a changeable PSI range for safe and efficient inflation of items.
- This compressor uses high-quality materials for its construction, making it highly durable.
- The 6HP motor provides an ample amount of power to inflate most household items.
4. Low Noise 120-V Portable Black Air Compressor
The Low Noise Black Air Compressor is one of the more sleek and tough-looking compressors out of the bunch.
This compressor has a heavy-duty piston and high-quality motor that can pump air up to a pressure of 57PSI. Furthermore, a pressure gauge is included, which lets you predefine the maximum PSI anywhere from 0 to 57PSI.
The motor itself is housed within a tough metal cover that protects it from dust and damage. Moreover, underneath the engine’s rubber feet, makes sure that it does not skid away while in use, increasing its safety.
Pros:
- Minimal design and build can fit into tight spaces easily.
- Adjustable pressure makes sure that your items do not rupture or burst.
- Auto switches off and on function for added safety even when you do not fully concentrate on it.
- The rubber feet make way for low vibration and noise while operating.
Cons:
- The compressor is a bit heavy at around 11 pounds.
5. 120 V Portable Air Compressor, 1450 – 1750 RPM Piston Type Compressor
This compressor is distinct because of its use of high quality, long-lasting materials both inside and on the outside body.
The motor has special adaptive copper coils, these coils make the engine last longer, and its design makes them vibrate less. This feature means that overall there will be low vibration and low ware and tare.
The compressor also has excellent air pressure sensing and controlling capabilities due to the inbuilt diaphragm regulator. This capability helps it to auto-start and stop at predefined a PSI.
The compressor is not too power-hungry running at about 120 Volts, and can quickly run off your home’s power supply or car’s battery.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty copper coils make way for a long-lasting motor.
- A Diaphragm air pressure regulator provides extra safety.
- It has an auto-start and stop function.
- It has a dustproof rugged exterior panel for increased work life.
6. Piston Type Durable 20-23L Portable Air Compressors
The Piston Type Compressor is a heavy-duty 120-volt portable compressor that is best suited for pneumatic cylinders/equipment and industrial supplies.
But because of the high-pressure sensitivity, it can be set at a lower PSI to inflate household items quickly and safely.
The Piston Type Compressor can pump about 25L/min, which is more than enough for inflating household things quite fast, depending upon its size.
Pros:
- A powerful compressor that can go up to 57PSI, the best part is achieving this at 120 volts only.
- High air pumping capacity at 25L/min
- Diaphragm inflator for high-pressure sensitivity and control.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an air compressor work?
Usually, the air compressors have a tank in which a piston forces the air. After that, the pressure is released through an opening using a pipe.
How does runtime affect compressor usage?
The runtime of a compressor is the period for which it can work continuously without any breaks. The runtime will essentially affect how long it takes you to inflate any item.
If you have a large item to inflate, it might take a long time if the compressor has a low runtime. You’ll need to switch it off in between, let it rest, and then continue again.
To compensate for this issue, some manufacturers pack in powerful motors coupled with large cylinders. These can pump out large amounts of air and inflate your item quickly.
Therefore when picking up a compressor, don’t worry if it has a low runtime; check its PSI and L/min to ensure the performance.
What is L/min?
L/min is the abbreviation for Litre per minute. This is a unit that denotes the amount of air that the compressor can pump in a minute. The higher the L/min, the faster the compressor can inflate things.
This mainly depends upon two things: the cylinder size and the piston speeds. The larger the cylinder, the higher is the air intake and pressurizing capacity of the compressor.
Can portable compressors be powered using a car battery?
Yes, it can be powered using a car battery, but there is a catch. Usually, the portable compressors run off 120 volts of power.
If your battery can provide that much power, then the compressor will run without any hiccups. Keep in mind that most compressors offer two methods of connection with the car battery.
The most popular method is through the cigarette lighter, and the second method is through cables. At times the cigarette lighter does not provide 120 volts of power, causing the compressor not to start.
In that case, you might try to connect directly with the car battery.
Can the portable compressors inflate a car tire?
This mainly depends upon the PSI of both the car tire and the compressor. Usually, small cars recommend a pressure of 30 – 35PSI in the tires. As the car/tires become more extensive, the recommended PSI increases as well.
The portable compressors can usually reach a maximum PSI of 57PSI. This means that if you have a small car, you should inflate its tire without any issue.
On the other hand, if the tire requires a higher PSI, the compressor might not inflate it properly. Running your car on an underinflated tire might cause hard to both the tire and the wheels.
Does the compressor need different attachments?
If you intend to inflate different household items with the compressor, you might need the air hose attachments. Each item has a unique airtight opening to facilitate inflation; if the compressor cannot adapt to it, it cannot inflate the object correctly.
Conclusion
Portable inflators are a blessing in disguise. Whether you’re having a pool party or stuck in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire, portable compressors can save you within a few minutes.
Just go through our buyer’s guide, understand what you need, and pick the best-suited compressor out of the given bunch. You can’t go wrong with these selections!
