Herbert Miller
20 gallon capacity air compressors can prove to be a man’s best friend because of their versatility and immense utility. Despite however boring the name sounds, 20 gallon capacity air compressors are also quite fun to use for your home DIY projects. From inflating tires and pool toys for your little ones to power tools such as nail guns, these compressors are your one stop solution!
In the world of air compressors, 20 gallon capacity air compressors are a hot favorite because they combine both portability and power in one package. This feature makes them stand out from the rest because the usage becomes much more convenient.
Just like any other purchase, you need to do your homework before getting this beauty home. You should keep in mind the maximum air pressure, CFM rating, motor power, and so on.
In this article, we bring the ten best 20 gallon capacity air compressors that you should consider before making the purchase. Remember, the choice is subjective and depends on the user to user. That being said, keep reading on to find your perfect pick that suits all your needs!
Disclaimer – This article may contain affiliate links, this means that at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission for qualifying purchases.
Best Overall Pick
Industrial Air 20 Gallon Air Compressor
- Quiet
- Extremely safe to use
- Trusted and reliable
- Value for your money
Best Budget Pick
NorthStar Single-Stage Compressor
- Extremely portable
- Excellent value for money
- Fuel efficiency
Along with the cult favorites that are already discussed above, we have listed 7 more 20 compressors for you to give you a variety to choose from. All the products are accompanied with their pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision.
We realize that the decision of buying a 20 gallon capacity air compressor can be quite heavy on the pocket. Thus, we have tried to include every minute detail that might influence your decision.
1. Industrial Air 20-Gallon Air Compressor
Industrial Air 20 gallon capacity air compressor, hands down, is the best of the lot. It is extremely powerful and beats any other oil-free air compressor.
In addition to this, it is also equipped with a twin-cylinder to provide extra power. It is quieter than most of the air compressors and thus creates significantly less noise pollution.
Having a dual voltage type of motor can be used with a 120-volt socket and a 240 bold socket. You don’t put any extra effort in moving it around since it comes with two sturdy wheels in the front. Thus, it its quite portable.
It is quite reliable, quite powerful, and comes at a good deal to sum it up. It is a perfect choice, and we have to say that it takes the crown.
The only downside that we can list is that it might feel like a heavy investment. However, with the facilities it provides, it can be an excellent investment.
Pros
- Twin-cylinder
- Quick set regulator
- Dual voltage
- Portable
- Oil-lubricated
Cons
- Expensive
2. DeWalt DXCMPA1982054 Compressor
Another great buy in this department can be the DeWalt DXCMPA1982054 Compressor. Dewalt has made a name for itself in this industry for making all kinds of tools.
This particular compressor can give you a very impressive, in fact, the best performance. It has up to 155 PSI. It is super easy to set up and even easier to use.
To add on to that, it also has a quick set up a quick-set regular tank. Like the previous compressor, even this compressor comes with a dual voltage motor, converted to a voltage of 240 volts.
Another attractive quality about this compressor is that it is very portable because of the pneumatic tires attached to the compressor’s back. You can carry it anywhere without any difficulty at all.
At 40 PSI, the compressor can give a CFM Rating of exactly 7.0 CFM. Also, at the rate of 90 PSI, it gives a CFm Rating of 5.7 CFM.
As a result, you can use this for almost all applications out there. All you need to do is either use it with the 120-volt or the 240-volt if need be. This can be easily done with the help of a converter.
Being a brand name and providing so many features in one package, this compressor is quite expensive.
Pros
- Dual voltage motor
- Easy to use
- Maximum performance
- 155 PSI
- Portable
- Safe to use
- Reliable
Cons
- Expensive
3. NorthStar Single-Stage 20 gallon air compressor
NorthStar Single-Stage air compressor is known for its portability because of its small size. If you want a compressor that can be easily moved around and taken to different locations, this compressor might turn out to be your best bet, mostly you need to pressurize the air in small tools.
You do not need to be concerned about its longevity because it is guaranteed to run for a long time. Two iron pumps and two cylinders accompany it. It is also oil-lubricated, and so you don’t need to be worried about excessive noise.
On the other hand, this product has quite a few drawbacks. First and foremost, the price is pretty steep for what the compressor offers.
So, paying such a hefty amount for this particular product might pinch you. If portability is your only criteria, you can always look for smaller compressors.
Also, it has a capacity for only limited tools such as an airbrush, impact wrench, air ratchet, etc.
Pros
- Portable
- Long life
- Two cylinders
- Quiet
- Strong and sturdy
- Consumers are guaranteed a four-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Best for small tools
- Drain valve is placed at quite a difficult location
4. Campbell Hausfeld DC200000 20 Gallon Air Compressor
This air compressor is for all the environment lovers out there! It has an oil-free pump. Hence, there is no need to buy extra oil and no hassle of disposing of the oil off. Thus, you kill two birds with one stone on this one.
It is different from the conventional air compressors as it comes in a different shape than many other ones out there. The shape is quite beneficial. It makes it easier to transport and carry it around.
It also comes with a handle to give an extra grip for your hands. Thus, it is an extremely good choice for all your DIY home projects you take up. Moreover, it can be a good fit for commercial shops as well.
Pros
- Suitable for commercial shops
- Environmentally friendly
- Suitable for DIY projects
- Very easy to use
- Mobile
Cons
- Slow
- Expensive
5. California Air Tools 20040DC 20 Gallon Capacity Air Compressor
This 20-gallon air compressor has an excellent CFM if that is what you are looking for in your air compressor. Its power is 10l.6 CFM at the rate of 90 PSI, which ranks it higher than all the other air compressors. It can be used for most types of tools.
It doesn’t produce much noise as it works at a low decibel. This is enabled because of its useful design. It contains a motor/double piston pump system which can disperse lots of air within a limited amount of time.
Its individual 2 HP motors can function at a low 1680 RPM. With the help of these elements, the vibration and noise are reduced to hardly noticeable levels. It has a very long duty cycle and can thus be an investment that gives your service for a long time.
It gives optimal maintenance and performance because of its air-drying mechanism. It removes any excess moisture content from the surroundings and helps in protecting any extra sensitive substances. The compressor equips a dryer and an aftercooler, which helps the air dryer to work perfectly.
For the range of facilities that this product provides, it is quite heavy.
Pros
- Extremely quiet with only 75 decibels
- The tank can be filled up very quickly.
Cons
- Very short warranty
6. Ingersoll Rand P1.5IU-A9 20 Gallon Air Compressor
It is an extremely reliable product and is one of the most trusted among its customers. It is very suitable for homes as well as commercial purposes.
You might find a lot of rip-offs of this product. Many have tried to copy this model simply because of how effective it is.
Thus, you need to be alert and make sure that you are buying the authentic one before making the purchase. Most of these copies come at a lower rate and contain second-grade components.
At 200 pounds, this air compressor might seem like a bulky one. However, the product’s beauty is that it is still very easy to carry around despite its weight.
It is because of the extremely comfortable and large handle provided on this compressor. Thus, moving it around the same location is quite easy.
The safety components of this compressor are quite elaborate. It is very safe to use. It has a belt enclosure that ensures extra protection. The tank is also provided with a pressure gauge, service valve, and relief valve. It also comes with a check valve that ensures that it operates smoothly.
Finally, this product is extremely powerful too.
Though it can be easily moved around when in the same location, you might need an extra pair of hands to move it from one location to another.
Pros
- Long-lasting cylinder as well as cast iron frames
- No noise pollution
- Guaranteed service of more than 2000 hours
- Great duty cycle
Cons
- Not portable
- No conversion to 240 V applications is provided
7. Eagle EA-6500 Silent Series 20 Gallon Air Compressor
No products found.The best part about this compressor is that it is extremely quiet. It is quieter than most of the other compressors.
You don’t at all have to worry about noise pollution. It is also quite reasonable and thus leaves a lighter dent in your pocket. This is because it is oil-free. Hence it is safer for the environment too.
It is very less maintenance and thus doesn’t require much care. The life expectancy of this 20 gallon capacity air compressor is also attractive. It has quite a low amp draw. This increases its life by as much as four times its original life span.
No products found.
Pros
- Four times life expectancy
- Portable
- Less maintenance
- Oil-free
- More economical
Cons
- Less power
8. WEN 2202 Vertical 20 Gallon Air Compressor
This is another excellent option among the range of 20 gallon capacity air compressors. The compressor comes with a two-year warranty. So, if you face any issue with it, you will get it replaced for free.
This compressor is very simple and is easily used. It creates absolutely no hassle for you. This is because of the presence of a very easy to reach quick drain valve. To add on to that, we are also given a quick coupler and two pressure gauges.
For a better grip, this compressor is also provided with a comfortable handle and two wheels on the front. Thus, this makes it significantly easier to transport it around at work or at home.
Pros
- 135 PSI
- Two pressure gauges
- Two-year warranty
- Portable
- Quick drain valve
Cons
- Produces a lot of noise
9. NorthStar Portable Gas-Powered 20 Gallon Capacity Air Compressor
This is a horizontal counterpart of the previous North Horizontal model that has been stated earlier. It takes more space than the other model.
Whether you should invest in a horizontal one or vertical one depends on how much space you have. If space is scarce, the vertical standing air compressor is undoubtedly the superior choice.
This air compressor is provided with a double cylindrical pump with an iron cast. Thus, there is a very less probability of the transfer of heat between both cylinders.
There is a drive pump that comes with adequate oil lubrication. This ensures that the compressor doesn’t produce much noise and also has a long life period. 5000+ hours life can be expected before there is a need for change out.
It is essential to mention that this 20 gallon air conditioner has a low regulator flow.
Pros
- Ergonomic handlebar makes it more mobile
- Metal belt guard
- Quiet
- Efficient and fast pressure filling-up
Cons
- Regular flow is quite unsatisfactory
10. Husky Quiet 20 Gallon Portable Air Compressor
Last but not least, we will be talking about the Husky Quiet Portable Air Compressor. The motor quality of this 20-gallon capacity air compressor is of extremely good quality. Thus, you don’t need to worry about its performance.
Additionally, it has a very long life expectancy. This air compressor will run for a long time. It has an 80% longer running time than any other 20-gallon capacity air compressor.
Another great quality of this air compressor is that it is very quiet. Thus, it is home-friendly. The volume only goes up to 83 decibels and won’t ever create a problem for you.
It can be easily transported from one location to another because it has wheels attached to it. Thus, the wheels can come very handy when you need to displace this compressor.
Pros
- Portable
- Runs for a very long time
- Suitable for big jobs as well as little jobs
- Good quality materials
- Quiet
Cons
- Expensive
A Detailed Buyer’s Guide
Before buying your perfect 20 gallon capacity air compressor, you must make a list of a few factors that might be important for you to be present in the compressors. We understand it can be quite a tedious and cumbersome process.
To laymen, most of the compressors seem the same. On the other hand, for a better performance, you need to compare the different air compressors and keep a check on the additional feature. With the right information, you can buy the air compressor of your dreams at a good deal!
Check for PSI
It is very important to be aware of the pounds per square inch or PSI of each 20-gallon capacity air compressor. This is a definite indicator of the power of the air compressor while it is running.
Go for Oil-free Compressor
Look for an oil-free compressor. Some air compressors have oil-lubrication, while others claim to be oil-free. Oil-free air compressors have some advantages. It will cost you less to run because you won’t have to keep buying oil, and you won’t have to be disposing of it.
Prefer a Large Tank
It’s always recommended to have larger tank for your air compressor. With a larger tank, the compressor will be able to hold much more air. Hence, look for a larger tank.
To Sum Up
The above-mentioned are a few major points which determine the better quality of a compressor. There are many more points to be kept in mind; however, these might be your priority.
We hope this article has given you quite an insight into the world of 20-gallon capacity air compressors and helps you find the perfect air compressor for you.
