5+ Best 6 Gallon Air Compressor Reviews {Updated 2024}

6 Gallon air tank compressor is one of the favorite capacities for indoor workers like remodelers, handymen because a 6-gallon capacity is not so small or not a big capacity so this makes the compressor compact, lightweight, and portable so you can easily carry this compressor.

These compressors are quite popular among indoor workers because they are compact and also quiet. Which makes it perfect for operating pneumatic tools for indoor usage.

In this article, we have come up with reviews of all the best 6 gallon air compressors. And all these 6-gallon compressors are not the same some are equipped with powerful motors, some have different designs. So you should choose depending on your needs.

But if you are a beginner and want to smart remodeling business then you can also go through our comprehensive buying guide which will give you a proper idea about the terminologies of compressors. So that you can easily choose the perfect air compressor for yourself.

So without any further delay let’s get straight into it.

List of All the Popular 6-Gallons Air Compressors

Image Name CFM Rating Max Operating PSI Price
  CRAFTSMAN Pancake Air Compressor, 6 Gallon (CMEC6150K) 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI 150 PSI Check Latest Price
  DEWALT Pancake  6 Gallon Air Compressor (DWFP55126) 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI 165 PSI Check Latest Price
  PORTER-CABLE Compressor, Oil-Free (C2002-WK) 2.6 CFM at 90 PSI 150 PSI Check Latest Price
  Metabo HPT “THE TANK” Pancake Air Compressor (EC914S) 4 CFM at 90 PSI 200 PSI Check Latest Price
  Campbell Hausfeld Portable Quiet Air Compressor (DC060500) 2.4 CFM at 90 PSI 125 PSI Check Latest Price
  California Air Tools 6010LFC Air Compressor 3 CFM at 90 PSI 125 PSI Check Latest Price

6 Gallon Air Compressor Reviews

The in-depth reviews with pros and cons help you a lot to choose the perfect 6-gallon compressor for yourself. So let’s start the reviews.

1. CRAFTSMAN Pancake Air Compressor, 6 Gallon (CMEC6150K)

This is the most selling 6-gallon air compressor which comes from the brand Craftsman which has twin pressure gauges to operate precisely. So it’s easy to use and multiple couplers help to increase your productivity.

This small compressor has an oil-free motor that is almost Maintenance-free and quiet. And it can deliver 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI. So you can easily use this compressor for multiple operations.

The pancake design enhances its stability and the small tank makes the air compressor lightweight. It weighs about 33 pounds and the weight distribution is quite good. So you can comfortably carry this compressor wherever you want.

The motor equipped with this compressor is so advanced that it can give you a hassle-free start even in winter and also supports quick recovery to get a hassle-free experience.

The best part about this product is that along with the air compressor will get extra 13 pieces of accessories absolutely free. So if you are a beginner then this complete package is a gold mine for you.

This compressor work with a maximum air pressure of 150 PSI. And also comes with 1 year of comprehensive warranty on the product.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Required less maintenance.
  • Free extra 13 pieces of accessories.
  • Lightweight and easy to carry.
  • High operating pressure.
  • Easy to control.
  • Budget-friendly.

Cons

  • Build quality is not that great.
  • Makes more noise.

Why should you buy this?

So if you are a beginner and you want a 6-gallon air compressor with other necessary accessories on a very minimal budget then this Craftsman compressor is the perfect product for you.


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2. DEWALT Pancake  6 Gallon Air Compressor (DWFP55126)

Dewalt is also one of the most renowned brands for air compressors. And this 6-gallon air compressor also has almost the same specifications as the CRAFTSMAN compressor.

This compressor has a small motor with a capacity of 0.5 Horsepower which is more than enough to work with the maximum air pressure of 165 PSI. Apart from its power, it is built with an oil-free design which makes it almost maintenance-free.

It’s easy to carry because of its small tank and small motor and you can easily carry this compressor wherever you want. And the best part is that it creates only 78.5 dBA of the noise level.

This compressor can deliver 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI which is similar as compared to the above one. But this compressor can recover very quickly which enhances its performance.

This is also easy to use compressor through a high flow regulator with a pressure gauge. So that you can complete your job precisely.

Apart from all those functions, it is also equipped with all types of safety functions like a Ball drain valve for quick & thorough tank draining, an overload protector, etc. And 1 year of comprehensive warranty is also available.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Good Stability.
  • Less noisy.
  • Highly portable.
  • Safe and Easy to control.
  • A warranty is available.
  • Quick recovery for enhanced performance.

Cons

  • No extra free accessories like Craftsman.

Why should you buy this?

So if you want a compressor that is more durable and long-lasting and you do not want extra accessories like Craftsman 6 gallon compressor then this is the perfect option available in the market.


3. PORTER-CABLE Compressor, Oil-Free (C2002-WK)

This device is also one of the best-selling products from Porter-Cable because with this 6-gallon compressor also you get 13 pieces of extra accessories. But as compared to Craftsman 6 gallon compressor this is costlier.

The tank can sustain up to the max air pressure of 150 PSI and because of the oil-free motor it requires less maintenance and can deliver 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI. Which is quite enough for almost all types of light-duty operations.

Apart from its features, this compressor is also easy to use, and with the help of twin pressure gauges with a regulator, you can easily control it according to your requirement.

This is also a super light compressor with a small tank size of 6 gallons. So you can easily carry this compressor. And it has twin universal couplers which help you to connect two air tools at a time for increased productivity.

This air compressor got 1 year of complete warranty from Porter-Cable. Which makes it more trustworthy.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Required less maintenance.
  • Quick recovery time.
  • Easily portable.
  • Extra 13 pieces of accessories are available.
  • A warranty is available.
  • Provide better stability.
  • Support cold weather start.

Cons

  • Expensive as compared to its competitors.

Why should you buy this?

This air compressor is also best for beginners because with this device you will also get 13 pieces of extra accessories absolutely for free, which helps you start your work right there.


4. Metabo HPT “THE TANK” Pancake Air Compressor EC914S)

This 6-gallon air compressor is also one of the top air compressors which have a 1.3 Horsepower of the powerful oil-free pump. And because of this oil-free build, it needs almost no maintenance. So you do not have to check the oil level on regular basis.

The best part about this compressor is that it can be operated with the maximum operating pressure of 200 PSI which is almost 25% higher compared to a normal pancake compressor. And other than that this compressor can deliver the maximum air outflow of 4 CFM at 90 PSI which is quiet enough to operate most of the air tools.

This air compressor also has pressure gauges with a regulator to maintain the right pressure levels. And this compressor also has dual universal couplers which help to operate multiple air tools at a time to increase your productivity.

The pancake design enhances its stability and because of the lightweight, you can easily carry this compressor wherever you want. Apart from that, it requires also a negligible amount of space because it’s super compact.

So this compressor can provide 25% greater PSI, 30% more airflow, and almost 22% lighter as compared to other pancake air compressors.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • High air pressure and airflow.
  • Durable and long-lasting.
  • Maintenance-free pump.
  • Operate multiple air tools at a time.
  • Easy to use.
  • Great recovery rate.

Cons

  • Powerful but a little expensive.

Why should you buy this?

So if you want the most efficient 6-gallon air compressor which can deliver high CFM and PSI ratings then this air compressor is the perfect option available in the market. And you should choose this one.


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5. Campbell Hausfeld Portable Quiet Air Compressor (DC060500)

This Campbell Hausfeld 6 gallon air compressor is the 5th air compressor on this list which is equipped with 1 Horsepower of the oil-free motor so It won’t take much time to maintain it. And it’s also one of the silent motors available in the pancake compressor and creates only 68 dB of noise.

This air compressor is designed to operate with the maximum air pressure of 125 PSI and can deliver the max airflow rate of 2.4 CFM at 90 PSI. So as compared to its price CFM rating is not good according to me but the build quality of this air compressor is amazing.

This compressor also has multiple gauges with a flow control regulator. So that you can easily control this air compressor. Apart from that, it has only one air output valve so you can operate a single air tool at a time.

This compressed is a compact compressor and super lightweight so you can carry it easily and also not required much space.

So this 120 V air compressor comes has got 1 year of comprehensive warranty on their product which makes it more trustworthy.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Supe quiet compressor.
  • Maintenance-free.
  • A warranty is available.
  • Convenient easy to carry.
  • Good for presided operations.
  • Provides good stability during any operations.

Cons

  • Not as powerful as the other pancake compressor.
  • Expensive.

Why should you buy this?

So if you want the best silent 6-gallon pancake-style air compressor then you can choose this air compressor because this air compressor can create more noise as compared to other compressors.


6. California Air Tools 6010LFC Air Compressor

This is a little different style 6-gallon air compressor from California air tools. This air compressor also has 1 HP of powerful oil-free pump which creates only 60 dB of noise which makes it the most silent 6-gallon air compressor on this list.

This air compressor can be operated with the max air pressure of 125 PSI and it can deliver 4 CFM at 40 PSI and 3 CFM at 90 PSI. So with this compressor, you can operate multiple air tools which range from light to medium duty air tools.

Because this compressor has a hot dog-style air tank which makes the air compressor bulky as compared to pancake-style compressors. That is why this compressor is equipped with 2 portable wheels which makes it more convenient to move from one place to another.

This 6-gallon hot dog compressor also has the same control system so it’s easy to use and the cast Aluminum build enhances its durability for longer life.

All types of major safety features are available on this compressor and the quick drain valve makes draining the tank easier and also reduces the moisture content in the tank.

This air compressor also gets 1 year of comprehensive warranty on their product.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Portable compressor.
  • Hot dog compressor.
  • Durable and long-lasting.
  • Faster recovery time.
  • Maintenance-free compressor.
  • Super silent.

Cons

  • It feels bulky as compared to a 6-gallon pancake compressor.

Why should you buy this?

So if you want the perfect 6-gallon hot dog air compressor then this California air tool compressor is the best option available in the market with all the required functions.


Buying Guide to Choose the Perfect 6 Gallon Air Compressor

Buying Guide to Choose the best 6 gallon air compressor
Buyers Guide to Choose 6 Gallon Compressor

Air compressor is a mechanical device so it is necessary to have the right knowledge about the technicals. So if you are a beginner and do not have the right knowledge then this comprehensive buying guide can help you to choose the right air compressor.

PSI and CFM Rating

PSI and CFM ratings play a major role to choose an air compressor. So PSI is the air pressure and CFM is the airflow that an air compressor can deliver. So to operate the air tools you need to choose the right airflow at the right PSI levels so that the air tool can provide you the optimum performance and you can do the tasks much easier. 

Most of the 6-gallon air compressors can deliver 2.4 CFM at 90 PSI which is good to operate light-duty air tools but if you want a powerful 6-gallon compressor then go with Metabo HPT Pancake Air Compressor (EC914S) which can deliver the max airflow of 4 CFM at 90 PSI.

Horsepower

Horsepower(HP) is the unit of power. And it really tells how powerful the motor is in the air compressor. 

Obviously, 6-gallon capacity compressors are small compressors so they have a small capacity of a motor with low HP ratings from 0.5 HP to 1.3 HP. So as per your requirement you can choose one of them.

Extra Accessories

With Craftsman and Porter Cable 6 gallon pancake compressor you will get free 13 pieces of extra accessories which induce a PVC air hose with coupler, tire chuck with plug, blow gun with plug, tire gauge, blow gun with OSHA safety nozzle, rubber tip, three inflator adaptors.

So if you are a beginner then these are the perfect option for you just invest in one solution. Because if you do not have the right accessories then purchasing those accessories can be costlier.

Portability

So 6-gallon compressors are small compressors that weigh from 30 Pounds to 55 pounds. So you can easily these compressors. Especially pancake design compressors are more compact in design so they required less space but Hotdog style 6-gallon compressors feels bulky so they are equipped with rubber wheels.

So the bottom line is that all the 6 gallons compressors are portable.

Noise Level

6-gallon compressors are small compressors that can be used for indoor operations. So it’s necessary to check the noise levels because if a compressor creates more noise then it can hinder your work and you can be disturbed.

Easily Operated

An Air compressor is a technical device so it’s very necessary to have all the necessary equipment like pressure gauges, regulator, and coupler which helps to operate an air compressor with ease. So we recommend choosing an air compressor which is equipped with all the necessary equipment.

Other than that air compressor has trouble starting in winter so you need to care about the fact that your chosen compressor has the features that help to start the compressor quickly even in winter.

Durability and Warranty

Durability is also one of the main concerns because the air compressor is an expensive piece of equipment you do not want to change your compressor on a very frequent basis. So to avoid that situation you need to choose a compressor that is durable and also has a warranty of at least 1 year.

Cost

6 Gallons compressors come within the range between 140$ to 350$. So as per your requirement and budget, you can choose one of them all are good in their price segment.


FAQs for Best 6 Gallon Compressor

FAQs for Best 6 Gallon Compressor
FAQs

Is a 6-gallon air compressor good for a nail gun?

Nailing is a kind of light-duty operation that can be used mainly done and does not require continuous airflow that is why the 6-gallon capacity of the air tank is perfect for these types of operations.

Will a 6-gallon air compressor run an impact wrench?

Impact wrenches required 2 to 5 CFM of airflow. So obviously some low CFM impact wrenches can be run through a 6-gallon air compressor but because of the small tank capacity, you can’t operate it for long.

Conclusion

In This article, we have included everything so that you will select the best 6 gallon air compressor that you can choose according to your requirements. 

So Which six-gallon air compressor can fulfill your requirements? Let me know in the comment box.

Still, if you are facing a problem with finding the best portable 6 gallons air compressor then you can also choose our top picks:-

Metabo HPT “THE TANK” Pancake Air Compressor (EC914S)

So guys If you liked this post don’t forget to share.

By the way, thanks for visiting.

Hi. This is Subhadip. I am a Mechanical Engineer and I have been working in mechanical Industries for more than 3 years. I have expertise in several kinds of Mechanical Devices and Air Compressor is one of them. So I am here to help you find the best air compressor for your desired need.

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