To operate air tools we need an air compressor. But if work pressure is more on us then we need powerful and big compressor of good quality which can easily accomplish our tasks without any disturbance.
But without the proper knowledge about the air compressor, you can not able to find a good one. So in this article, we have provided the list of all the best air compressors for continuous use with their advantages and disadvantages. So that you can find out the pros and cons of each compressor.
Moreover, if you are a beginner and have no idea about compresses, you can also take a look at our comprehensive buying guide to find the right product for you.
So without any further delay let’s get straight into it.
Table of Contents
List of Top Continuous Use Air Compressors
Buddy if you are in a hurry and you have not enough time to read the whole review then here we have prepared a list of all our top selected compressors with their tank size and PSI and CFM levels.
| Image | Name | Tank Size | CFM & PSI Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Makita MAC5200 3.0 HP Big Bore Air Compressor | 5.2 gallon | 6.5 CFM at 90 PSI | Check Latest Price |
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California Air Tools 10020C Air Compressor | 10 Gallons | 6.40 CFM at 40 PSI & 5.30 CFM at 90 PSI | Check Latest Price |
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Stealth 20 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor | 20 Gallons | 5 CFM at 90 PSI and 6 CFM at 40 PSI | Check Latest Price |
 |
Industrial Air IL1682066.MN 20-Gallon Belt Driven Air Compressor | 20 Gallons | 6. 2 CFM at 40 psi and 5. 3 CFM at 90 PSI | Check Latest Price |
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NorthStar Portable Electric Air Compressor | 30 Gallons | 5.3 CFM at 90 PSI | Check Latest Price |
 |
Quincy QT-54 Splash Lubricated Reciprocating Air Compressor | 60 Gallons | 15.4 CFM at 100 PSI | Check Latest Price |
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Buying Guide to Choose the Best Continuous Use Compressor
If you have any confusion or you are not familiar with the technical terms of the compressor then you can go through this guide.
PSI and CFM
PSI:- Pounds per square inch or PSI is the term that tells about the air pressure that an air compressor can deliver. So as per your requirement you can choose the PSI rating.
CFM:- Cubic feet per minute pr CFM is the air volume which indicates the compressors flow rate. That is how much-compressed air a compressor can produce at a given pressure level.
Tank Size
The larger the tank, the more compressed air it will be able to store. And you will be able to use it for a long time. Due to which there will not be much pressure on the compressor pump and the heating effect will also reduce on the compressor.
Pump/Motor
The pump is also one of the most important parts of the compressor which helps to compress the air. It is of two types:-
Oil-Free Pump:- These pumps are pre-lubricated. So they do not need lubricating oil and require less maintenance.
Oil-Lubricated Pump:- These pumps required lubricating oil. So you need to maintain these pumps frequently. But they are much more efficient than the oil-free pumps.
Portability
If it is not possible to do your work from any one place, then you may have to take a portable compressor. Generally, large portable compressors are equipped with rubber wheels which help to carry here and there easily.
Noise Level
If your work is done exclusively indoors you can try choosing a silent compressor. So that you can do the work easily without any disturbance.
Warranty
If you want a compressor for continuous use then you should choose a compressor with a large tank and those are expensive. So you need to check the warranty period of your selected compressor.
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Best Continuous Use Compressor Reviews
Here we have done in-depth reviews of all types of compressors with their pros and cons so that you can get a better idea about all the products and choose the best out of them.
1. Makita MAC5200 3.0 HP Big Bore Air Compressor
This Makita air compressor is one of the top compressors available in the market which comes with a powerful big bore 3 HP of the pump. And the cast-iron build helps to enhance its durability and also makes it long-lasting.
And the oil-lubricated design of the motor makes it even more efficient. That is why this compressor can deliver high output, it can deliver 6.5 CFM at 90 PSI which is quiet enough for most of the air tools.
This powerful compressor is equipped with a 5.2 gallon of air tank that can sustain the air pressure of 140 PSI. Which is quite amazing. And the roll cage design with all the other features makes it perfect for construction.
This compressor has a handle with twin portable wheels which ensure its portability. And you can easily carry this machine wherever you want.
A dual air output valve is also available which helps to increase your productivity and multiple pressure gauges and a regulator are available to maintain the air pressure precisely.
The best thing about Makita is that they come with 30 days of replacement policy and 1 year of complete warranty on their air compressors.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Durable and long-lasting.
- A refund/Replacement policy is available.
- Produces high CFM.
- Powerful motor.
- Good heat dissipation technology.
- Portable.
Cons
- The noise level is quite high.
2. California Air Tools 10020C Air Compressor
This is the top-selling air compressor for continuous use which also comes with a powerful 2HP of oil-free motor. And this motor can operate at very low RPM that means it creates less noise and also reduces wear.
Because the pump is an oil-free pump that does not need lubricating oil for lubrication. So this compressor needs less maintenance as compared to others.
In this pump dual piston is available for faster heat dissipation. Apart from that thermal overload protector is also available which protects the device from overheating.
Because of the powerful motor, it can deliver 6.40 CFM at 40 PSI & 5.30 CFM at 90 PSI which is quiet enough for medium to heavy-duty operations. And the 10 gallon of large air tank is also available to use for the long term.
Dual air output valves are available to operate two air tools at a time. Other than that it also has pressure gauges and a regulator to maintain the air pressure for precise operations.
The compressor is a bit heavy but because of the portable wheels, you can easily carry this machine from one place to another.
This compressor also has 1 year of comprehensive warranty on the product.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Super silent operations.
- Portable.
- Durable and long-lasting.
- Easy to use.
- Fill the tank within 2 min.
- A thermal overload protector is available.
- Good for indoors.
Cons
- The build quality of this compressor is not upto the mark. So it’s not good for outdoor usage.
Read More: Best Air Compressor for Automotive Air Tools
3. Stealth 20 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor
This air compressor is also one of the top compressors available in the market which also comes with the powerful 1.8 HP of the pump and the pump is oil-free which means it does not require lubricating oil so it requires less maintenance.
This powerful pump helps compress the air faster and better and that is why it can deliver 5 CFM at 90 PSI and 6 CFM at 40 PSI. Which is quite high and good for medium to heavy-duty tasks.
The best part is that it is equipped with a large 20 gallon of air tank that can withstand the load of 150 PSI. So the tank capacity is quite large so you can continuously use this machine for a long time.
The best part about this compressor is that it creates less than 70 dB of noise which makes it a super silent continuous use compressor. So you can easily use this huge compressor for indoor also.
Apart from all those things this compressor is also equipped with rubber wheels which makes this compressor portable and you can easily carry this compressor wherever you want.
It also has easy to use control panel which has a pressure gauges regulator and air output valves.
Lately, this compressor also comes with a lifetime limited warranty. Which makes this compressor special and different from other brands.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Good tank size.
- Portable.
- Durable and long-lasting.
- High CFM and PSI levels.
- Powerful pump.
- Required less maintenance.
Cons
- The company claims that it produces 68db of noise but in practice, it’s high than that.
4. Industrial Air IL1682066.MN 20-Gallon Belt Driven Air Compressor
This air compressor from Industrial air is one of the top air compressors available in the market with a powerful motor with the capacity of 1.6 HP and the best thing about the motor is its oil-lubricated which means it is required oil but it makes motor much more efficient.
And the v-shaped design with a dual cylinder helps to dissipate heat much faster. That is why overheating does not occur even after using it for a long time. The motor is also designed to operate in dual voltage which means it can be easily operated 120V as well as 240V so you can conveniently use this compressor.
This air compressor is also equipped with a huge tank with a capacity of 20 gallons which can withstand the maximum load of 135 PSI. And this tank is also attached with pneumatic wheels which enhances its portability.
This huge air compressor is also equipped with dual pressure gauges with a regulator to maintain the air pressure. So the easy-to-use control panel is also available for easy-to-use operation.
Apart from all the functions Industrial air also provides 2 years of long warranty on this compressor.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Industrial grade compressor.
- Super powerful and durable.
- Large tank.
- Long warranty.
- Powerful motor.
- Good heat dissipation.
- Supports dual voltage.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Creates more noise.
5. NorthStar Portable Electric Air Compressor
This Northstar is also one of the top air compressors for continuous use with lots of features and this compressor is also equipped with a powerful oil lubricated 1.6 HP of a pump and the V shape dual cylinder not only compressors the air faster but also reduces the heating on the compressor.
The oil-lubricated pump enhances its efficiency and the cast iron build enhances its durability for long-lasting operations.
The best part about this compressor is that it comes with huge 30 gallons of ASME-certified air tank which can sustain the maximum pressure of 150 PSI. So you can use it continuously for a long time.
Because of the powerful V-shaped design pump, this compressor can deliver 5.3 CFM at 90 PSI So the large air tank with a high CFM rating makes this compressor enough for medium to heavy-duty air tools.
Because the huge tank makes the compressor bulky and heavy but the pneumatic wheels are also present in this compressor which makes this huge compressor portable and you can easily carry this compressor wherever you want.
Despite the compressor being very heavy, it is very easy to operate due to the regulator and pressure gauge in it. So with the help of these, you can easily maintain the right pressure levels for the right operations.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large tank.
- Good for continuous use.
- Deliver high-pressure air with large CFM.
- Supports dual voltage.
- Portable.
- ASME certified air tank.
- Durable and efficient.
Cons
- Makes more noise.
- Expensive.
6. Quincy QT-54 Splash Lubricated Reciprocating Air Compressor
This is the best continuous duty air compressor which is equipped with a super powerful 5 HP pump. And the best thing about the pump is that it’s a two-stage pump so it can compress the air in two stages which means as compared to a normal air compressor this compressor can compressors the air much better.
Because of the highly powerful pump, this compressor can deliver the 15.4 CFM at 100 PSI which makes the compressor good for heavy-duty operations. And the best part is that it’s a 100% duty cycle compressor.
The spacious 60-gallon air tank can withstand a load of 145 to 175 PSI and ensures it can last for hours without worrying about heating. And this tank is also certified by ASME which ensures its durability and longer life.
The huge tank makes the compressor super heavy so it has no portable wheels you have to fix this compressor in one place only. So if you want a portable compressor then this compressor is not for you.
This compressor is also equipped with pressure gauges with a regulator to maintain the right air pressure and it’s easy to use.
This also comes with 2 years of long warranty on the product and 3 years of long warranty on the pump from the brand Quincy. Which makes the compressor trustworthy.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High CFM and PSI rating.
- 100% duty cycle compressor.
- Long warranty.
- Super heavy.
- Good for heavy-duty tasks and continuous use.
- Thermal overload protector.
Cons
- Super expensive.
- Not a portable compressor.
FAQs for Best Compressors for Continuous Use
1. What is a continuous-duty air compressor?
Continuous duty compressors are those compressors that are designed to run for longer periods. They are suitable for those operations where frequent compressed air is required.
Continuous duty compressors are equipped with a powerful motor with a large air tank.
2. Which tank size of air compressor is best?
It depends on your tasks and which type of tasks you have if you have those tasks which required frequent airflow then you need to choose a large tank compressor of 30 or 60 gallons or more. Otherwise, you can choose fewer tank sizes too.
Conclusion: Top Continuous Duty Air Compressor
In This article, we have included everything so that you will select the best air compressor for continuous use so that you can choose according to your requirements.
So Which air compressor can fulfill your requirements? Let me know in the comment box.
Still, if you are facing a problem with finding the best continuous duty air compressor then you can also choose our top picks:-
For Light Duty Compressor:- California Air Tools 10020C Air Compressor
For Medium to Heavy Duty:- Quincy QT-54 Splash Lubricated Reciprocating Air Compressor
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By the way, thanks for visiting.
