Collection: Under 5HP Air Compressors

What under 5 HP actually delivers

A 2 HP oil free unit makes roughly 4 to 6 CFM at 90 PSI. A 3 HP two stage piston makes about 10 to 11 CFM at 175 PSI. That is the whole story of this collection, and it is plenty of air for brad and finish nailers, staplers, tire work, blow off, impact wrenches used in bursts, airbrushing and small touch up guns.

Shop by motor size: 2 HP air compressors (115 volt garage and trim units, quiet oil free California Air Tools, Champion R-Series) and 3 HP air compressors (two stage piston, small rotary screw and oil free scroll). The next step up is 5 HP air compressors.

Where this size runs out

Any tool that draws air continuously will beat an under 5 HP machine. Orbital sanders, die grinders, cut off wheels, blast cabinets and HVLP guns run back to back all want 12 to 25 CFM without a pause, and nothing in this collection makes that. If that is your work, go to 5 HP or larger. Buying short here is the one mistake that is expensive to undo.

The other limit is the wall. A 15 amp 115 volt circuit caps you at about 2 HP of real motor, whatever the box says. Anything above that wants 230 volt single phase on a dedicated breaker, so check your panel before you check the price.

The mistake we see most

People buy on tank size. A 30 gallon tank behind a 3 CFM pump is still a 3 CFM compressor. The tank only changes how long you can work before the pump has to catch up. Check what your air tools pull at 90 PSI against our CFM chart, pick the pump that covers your average draw, then worry about the tank. You can add storage, dryers and filtration later. You cannot add CFM to a pump.