When you’re willing to work with power drills or you’re trying to inflate the tires of your motorbike, you need an air compressor to get that job done perfectly. Air compressors are basically made for power tool works and they are most often found in a workshop.
But there are compressors that are specially made for indoor use. Whether you’re buying it for your home, personal use, or for your workshop, the best 5-gallon air compressor will fit everywhere.
When you’re turning a limitation of a 5-gallon tank, you’ll be missing higher capacity facilities. Hence, our job is to confirm that you’re getting the best one when you’re headed to buy.
According to our ranking, the best 5-gallon air compressor on market right now is the Makita MAC5200 Big Bore 3.0 HP Air Compressor. It comes up with a 5.2-gallon compressor tank. It also features a 3 HP motor and the delivery capacity of this compressor is 5 CFM (Huge, isn’t it?).
We also have 4 more compressors on our list. Those are:
- Makita MAC5200 Big Bore 3.0 HP Air Compressor
- Pulsar PCE6050T Twin Tank Electrical Air Compressor
- Mi-T-M Work Pro Series Electric Air Compressor
- California Air Tools CAT-4710SQ Quiet Compressor
- EMAX 1.5 HP Quiet Portable Air Compressor
In this article, we’re going to review the best air compressors that come up with a 5-gallon tank and have everything you need from an air compressor. Price is also a fact. So, we’ll try to keep everything on a budget.
Let’s start from here!
1. Makita MAC5200 Big Bore 3.0 HP Air Compressor
The Makita MAC5200 Big Bore 3.0 HP Air Compressor is a corded electric air compressor that comes up with great motor power. It has everything you need as it gives you access to high delivery capacity on a short budget. However, it operates with 120 Volts electricity.
It comes up with a cast iron pump. The pistons of this compressor are designed to give you a quick and faster recovery time. The Big bore cylinder is accurate and holds the perfect amount. The motor of this compressor is great and it can give you 6.5 CFM max when needed at 90 Psi. This also increases your productivity.
The Makita 5 gallon air compressor also comes up with a self-lubrication feature in order to reduce any unwanted wear and increase the lifespan. It requires no additional repairs as well. The folding handle and the rugged wheels are plus points for portability from Jobsite to Jobsite.
The compressor comes up with a built-in thermal overload. This protects the motor of your compressor and makes it pretty durable. The cooling time of this compressor is pretty low and it’s easy to work with this one.
However, this compressor isn’t that much light if you compare it to other lightweight compressors. The weight of this compressor is 75 pounds. It comes up with 1/4 “ quick couplers for any quick hose adjustments.
If you’re searching for the best overall compressor that comes up with a 5-gallon tank and has a decent price tag on it, you can undoubtedly go for this one.
The pros
- Cast iron pump, corrosion-resistant
- Corded electric machine, requires 120 V
- Powerful 3 HP motor for fast delivery
- Air delivery capacity 5 CFM
- 5 CFM delivery capacity at 90 Psi
- ¼” universal couplers
- Built-in thermal protection
The cons
- The compressor is a bit heavy, requires wheel using
2. Pulsar PCE6050T Twin Tank Electrical Air Compressor
This one comes from the brand Called Pulsar. It’s usually a compressor that comes up with a twin tank. The outlook of this compressor is pretty cool and it also has a 5-gallon tank that meets your requirement. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly one or you’re running short at money, you can try this one.
Just like the previous one, this one is also a corded electric air compressor and it also requires 120v of electricity. However, it’s a bit lighter than the previous one and it weighs only 61 pounds. The maximum power of this air compressor is 3.5 HP. This power rating increases the productivity and your regular work speed.
The maximum air pressure you can get from this compressor is 115 Psi. The 3.5 HP motor can easily deal with that without any overheating or noise issues. This compressor is low noise and it works just fine under pressure. The delivery capacity for this air compressor is 5.2 CFM for 40 Psi and 4.2 CFM for 90 Psi.
The compressor is totally oil-lubricated which reduces corrosion and any kind of uneven wear. It’s a durable compressor overall and it comes up with 2 quick couplers for attaching hoses. The dual Easy read pressure gauges are simple and easy to understand.
The compact design made it portable and it also comes up with a carrying handle for comfort. If you’re taking it with you to a Jobsite, make sure there’s an electric outlet as it operates with electricity.
The pros
- 5-gallon twin tank
- Great for any kind of indoor and outdoor jobs
- 5 HP powerful motor
- Oil lubrication for great lifespan
- Maximum pressure 115 Psi
- Delivery capacity 5.2 CFM at 40 Psi, 4/2 CFM at 90 Psi
- Quick connecting couplers
- Carrying handle for portability
The cons
- The wheel kit is a bit low quality
3. Mi-T-M Work Pro Series Electric Air Compressor
The next one comes from the brand called Mi T M. This one is a pro series compressor and it’s designed for professionals who are willing to work outdoor, working with different power tools, spray paints, going from this job site to that job site. For betterment, this one comes up with a carrying handle. This makes the compressor pretty portable.
The design of the compressor is pretty great and it’s black. Just like the previous one, this one is also a corded electric air compressor and it works great with 120 v of electricity. So, it’s essential to ensure that, wherever you take this, you must have an electrical outlet. However, the weight of this compressor is not impressive as it weighs almost 70 pounds. That’s a bit heavy.
The delivery capacity of this compressor is 4.2 CFM at its maximum. The motor power is mid-range. It’s 2 HP. That’s pretty decent overall. The copper line discharge hose makes attachments easier and real quick. Besides, there are 2 gauges in the compressor. One for the tank and the other one is for the outlet pressure. This air compressor can be your choice if you’re looking for a mid-range compressor that has decent power and that can work with almost everything, you can choose this one.
The pros
- 2 HP motor compressor
- 5-gallon tank capacity
- Oil lubricated for low maintenance
- 120 V electric air compressor
- Easily readable gauges
- Copper line discharge hose
The cons
- The bolts are a bit tricky and require attention
4. California Air Tools CAT-4710SQ Quiet Compressor
The California Air Tools CAT-4710SQ Quiet Compressor is the lightest compressor on this list. This one from the brand California Air tools is one of their best compressors and it runs with electricity. The air capacity for this one is a bit lower. It has a 4.7 gallon of air capacity and it operates with 110 v electricity.
Being lightweight is a plus point for this most popular air compressor and it weighs only 43 pounds that plays a significant role in terms of portability. The main material used for this compressor is metal and it’s an oil-lubricated air compressor that requires low maintenance.
The motor power is a bit lower for this compressor as it can give you 1 HP at its maximum. The delivery capacity of this air compressor is lower than the others on this list. It can deliver you with 2 CFM at 90 psi. The cooling down time of this compressor is pretty low and it can work continuously.
The compressor is extremely quiet and it’s designed for places where you have to work making the minimum noise possible. The dual-piston pump works pretty fast and in an efficient way. If you’re looking for the lightest and quietest compressor on a short budget, you can rely on this one and go for it undoubtedly.
The pros
- Extremely light and weighs only 43 pounds
- Corded electric, works with 110v current
- 2 CFM delivery capacity at 90 Psi
- The motor power is 1 Horsepower
- Extremely quiet and pretty efficient
- Two cylinders for a quick cool down
- 7-gallon tank
The cons
- The motor power is a bit low
5. EMAX 1.5 HP Quiet Portable Air Compressor
The last one on our list is the EMAX 1.5 HP Quiet Portable Air Compressor. The features it has, portability, and noise reduction facility made it one of the best 5-gallon compressors available right now. If you have scrolled down the whole article and didn’t find any of the compressors interesting enough, take a look at this one.
It also comes up with a 5-gallon tank. The tank is enough to work with any kind of power tools such as drills and other things. The output pressure is a bit high for this one. It can give you a max output of 125 Psi. This output pressure is pretty huge for a 5-gallon air compressor. The biggest benefit of this air compressor is it’s pretty silent. It’s made for places where noise is an issue.
The EMAX air compressor is also a corded electric air compressor and it works with 115 V electric power. The weight of this air compressor is 52.91 pounds which’s pretty light. It’s ideal for portability and professionals. However, the motor of this compressor is less powerful than others compared to this list. It can give you 1.5 Horsepower at its maximum. It’s good for indoor tasks.
The delivery rate of this compressor is enough. It can deliver you 3.24 CFM at 90Psi. The oil-free feature is great and makes the air pollution-free. The two-cylinder pump cools down pretty fast and makes the compressor pretty efficient. The most tempting feature of this compressor is it comes up with a limited two-year warranty so you have a backup.
The pros
- 125 Psi output pressure at max
- 5-gallon air tank
- Great for silent activities
- Two-cylinder for more efficiency
- 24 CFM Delivery capacity at 90 Psi
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Lightweight and portable air compressor
- Weighs 52.91 pounds only
The cons
- The power is a bit lower
Things to Consider When Buying the Best 5 Gallon Air Compressor: Buying guide
Buying an air compressor is a bit complicated thing to deal with. When you’re on the market and you’re comparing different compressors, there will be features that’ll be coming over and over repeatedly. You might get confused easily. Besides, there will be exceptions.
To make your purchase more specific and to help you a little, we came up with the idea of a buying guide. In this section, we’ll share the most common facts and features you need to consider while you’re buying a 5-gallon air compressor.
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Motor power
This is an issue to choose the motor power. This feature will depend on you and your tasks. If you want to do heavy jobs, you need higher motor power. Motor power increases the efficiency of your works.
On average, if you go for a 3 HP or 2 HP motor, it’ll do all kinds of jobs perfectly. Price is an issue while powerful motors are costly.
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Tank size
There’s no point in talking about the tank size when you’re determined that you’ll buy a compressor with a 5-gallon tank. But in terms of portability, the lighter the tank, the lighter the compressor usually. If you think that lower air capacity will do, you can go for a lower tank size.
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Output pressure
Output pressure is an issue. It determines what kind of jobs can be done with your air compressor. Now, if you’re willing to buy an air compressor that’ll do hard jobs or multiple jobs at the same time, you need to go for higher pressure output. For quick easy jobs, lower air pressure is pretty enough.
For a 5-gallon air compressor, our recommendation is to go for an air compressor that comes up with a 125 Psi of pressure output.
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Oil-free motor
If you’re thinking about durability and willing to take the hesitation of taking care of your compressor or maintaining the compressor on a regular basis, you can buy a compressor that’s oil lubricated. Otherwise, our suggestion is to go for an oil-free compressor that suits your needs.
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Delivery Capacity
The delivery capacity is an important factor for air compressors. Go for a compressor that can deliver at least 3 CFM at 90 Psi. That’s Ideal. However, if you can afford higher and you need a higher one, you can go for a higher one. Our recommendation is 3 SCFM.
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Accessories and Design
Make sure your compressor comes up with a decent cord and cord holder. Having a handle or wheels are plus points. 2 cylinder compressors are good in terms of cooling the compressor down. Lastly, buy a compressor that comes up with a beautiful design and outlook.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
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Which brand of air compressor is best?
According to our ranking, the brand Makita makes good quality air compressors when you’re settling down for a 5-gallon tank. You can try CAT or EMAX as well.
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What is the best small air compressor to buy?
In this list, the California Air Tools CAT-4710SQ Quiet Compressor is the best small air compressor to buy. It’s pretty quiet and the tank size is a bit lower that makes it smaller and lighter at the same time. You can go for this one undoubtedly.
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Is a 150 psi air compressor good?
150 Psi is enough for any kind of power tool job or spray painting jobs. Besides, this is good for light jobs like tire or sport ball inflation. You can go for lower as well. For a 5-gallon air compressor, the ideal power output will be 125 Psi.
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Which is better oil or oilless air compressor?
Oil-lubricated compressors are good in terms of durability. But the problem is, they require constant maintenance. On the other hand, oil-free compressors are cheap, lighter, low maintenance. Oil-free compressors are made for home-based indoor jobs while oil-lubricated compressors are made for industrial or commercial jobs.
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How do I choose an air compressor?
You need to go through a few facts. Make sure it’s made of good material like anti-corrosion metal, it comes up with a great pressure output of at least 125 Psi, it has a great delivery capacity, and it works well under pressure with a powerful motor.
For a better understanding, jump to our buying guide section in this article.
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Is a two-stage air compressor better than a single-stage?
A two-stage air compressor is a little better than a single-stage air compressor, it’s true. Two-stage air compressors are usually more efficient than a single-stage air compressor. Besides, two-stage air compressors require less time while cooling down the compressor. The duty cycle is great for two-stage compressors.
Conclusion
So, these are our best 5-gallon air compressors that come up with a decent price tag and have everything you’ll be needing from them. The best one is the Makita 5 gallon air compressor, you can go for this one undoubtedly. Besides, you can choose the Pulsar air compressor at the same time.
All these compressors in this list are tested and they are good enough. Comment here or contact us directly for any queries.
As a mechanical engineer, it’s easy for Jack to explain the functionality of the tool. Richer test most of the tools before writing a review. its help him to learn something new and suggest the best product for you.