HVLP paint spray gun is one of the best guns available for spray painting but these guns need highly compressed air to operate which means you need a good air compressor that can provide enough airflow to operate these guns properly.
A powerful high-quality air compressor allows you to operate all types of paint spray guns but without having proper knowledge it’s difficult to choose the right air compressor. So in this article, we have selected the top 6 best air compressors for HVLP paint sprayers.
But if you are a beginner or you do have not enough knowledge about air compressors then you can also go through our comprehensive buying guide which will definitely help to choose the right air compressor as per your requirement.
So without any further delay let’s get straight into it.
Table of Contents
Our Best Air Compressors for Spray Painting
| Image | Name | CFM Rating | Tank Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Air Tools 10020C Ultra Quiet Oil-Free Air Compressor | 6.40 CFM at 40 PSI and 5.30 CFM at 90 PSI | 10 Gallons | Check Latest Price | |
| Stealth 12 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor | 4 SCFM at 90 PSI and 5 SCFM at 40 PSI | 12 Gallons | Check Latest Price | |
| WEN 2289 10-Gallon Oil-Free Vertical Air Compressor | 4.0 CFM at 90 PSI and 5.0 CFM at 40 PSI | 10 Gallons | Check Latest Price | |
| Makita MAC2400 2.5 HP* Big Bore™ Air Compressor | 4.2 CFM at 90 PSI | 4.2 Gallons | Check Latest Price | |
| California Air Tools 8010 Steel Tank Air Compressor | 2.20 CFM at 90 PSI and 3.10 CFM at 40 PSI | 8 Gallons | Check Latest Price | |
| DEWALT Pancake Air Compressor (DWFP55126) | 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI | 6 Gallons | Check Latest Price |
Best Air Compressor for HVLP Paint Sprayer Reviews
Here we have prepared a review of all top air compressors with their advantages and disadvantages. This will give you a better idea about the produces and choose the best out of them.
1. California Air Tools 10020C Ultra Quiet Oil-Free Air Compressor
This air compressor is one of the best air compressors available for an HVPL paint spray gun in the market which comes with a powerful 2 HP of oil-free motor which is designed to operate with less speed. This not only enhances the life span but also helps to reduce the noise level of the air compressor.
It has a large 10 gallon of air tank which can withstand the maximum pressure of 125 PSI. And the cast-Aluminum build makes it durable enough for long-lasting operations.
Because of the powerful motor, it can deliver 6.40 CFM at 40 PSI and 5.30 CFM at 90 PSI. Which makes this compressor powerful enough to operate almost all types of paint spray guns.
This compressor includes two pressure gauges with a regulator to maintain the flow rate and pressure of the air. And dual air output valves are also present which helps to enhance your productivity.
The large aluminum tank makes the compressor heavy but the wheels present on this air compressor makes it portable and you can easily carry this air compressor wherever you want.
Lastly, it comes with 1 year of comprehensive warranty on the product.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Required less maintenance.
- Super silent creates only 70 dB of noise.
- Large tank.
- Portable wheels are present.
- Easy control systems.
- Warranty is available.
Cons
- It is a little expensive.
2. Stealth 12 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor
This air compressor is also one of the popular compressors in this category which has a 1.5 HP of powerful oil-free motor which creates only 68 dB of noise. So for indoor also this powerful compressor is the perfect option available in the market.
This is equipped with a huge tank with a capacity of 12 gallons and the tank is capable to withstand the load of 150 PSI. So the larger tank size can store more air into it for a longer tool run time.
The powerful motor can deliver the 4 SCFM at 90 PSI and 5 SCFM at 40 PSI. But at 100 PSI it can provide 50% of the duty cycle. This not only enhances your productivity but also helps to reduce the wear and tear of the air compressor.
With these CFM ratings, you easily operate multiple air tolls apart from paint sprayer like inflation, stapler pinner, finishing nailer, roofing nailer, wrench, drill, etc.
This air compressor is also equipped with two rubber wheels with a foldable handle for convenient moving. And two quick couplers are available that supports multiple tool operations at the time.
It’s easy to control with a regulator knob, multiple pressure gauges, and a drain valve. Apart from all those operations it also comes with 1 year of comprehensive warranty on the product.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large tank for longer usage.
- Used for multiple applications.
- Portable compressor.
- Super silent operations.
- 50 % duty cycle.
- The long cord makes it more convenient.
Cons
- The 12-gallon capacity makes little heavy( weight approx: 95 pounds)
If you want a large tank compressor here is the list of Best 30 Gallon Air Compressor for Home Garage
3. WEN 2289 10-Gallon Oil-Free Vertical Air Compressor
The Wen 2289 model is the best cheapest compressor for an HVLP spray gun which comes with a huge 10 gallons of air tank with a maximum operating pressure of 150 PSI. And the rubber wheels are equipped under the tank to enhance its portability and the rubber pad is also available to ensure its stability.
A super-powerful motor is available to enhance its performance and the oil-free design ensures no external lubrication so required less maintenance. And because of this powerful motor, it can deliver 4.0 CFM at 90 PSI and 5.0 CFM at 40 PSI.
Dual 250 PSI of pressure gauges, regulator, and a quick drain valve is also available. So anyone can easily operate this air compressor.
Apart from all those things the motor is completely covered with plastic cover. So it’s easy to clean and the black with the combination of orange color enhances the look of the compressor.
The best part about this air compressor is that it comes with 2 years of long warranty on the complete compressor. Which creates a big difference from other compressors.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Portable and silent compressor.
- The drain valve can be easily operated.
- High CFM rating with a large tank.
- Much affordable price range.
- Extra rubber pads are available for stability.
- Required less maintenance.
Cons
- A single coupler is available. So you can use only 1 air tool at a time.
4. Makita MAC2400 2.5 HP* Big Bore™ Air Compressor
Makita is one of the best brands available in the market, And this air compressor is one of the top-selling air compressors which comes with a super powerful 2.5 HP of the big-bore pump. And the best part is that it’s an oil-lubricated pump, which means it required frequent maintenance but on the other hand it also makes the air compressor much more efficient.
Because of this powerful pump, it can deliver 4.2 CFM at 90 PSI which makes it efficient to operate all kinds of spray guns. Other than that you also can be used for multiple tasks.
This air compressor has two air tanks with a capacity of 2.1 gallons each. So has a total capacity of 4.2 gallons/ Which can withstand the load of 130 PSI. So the tank capacity is a bit lesser but the powerful motor has the capability to fill the air tank much faster.
This air compressor is a little heavy in weight but it’s portable so you can easily carry this compressor wherever you want. And the special part is that it comes with a roll cage design which provides complete protection from extreme conditions.
This air compressor also has multiple gauges with a regulator to control the airflow and dual air output valves are also available which helps to increase productivity.
The best part about this compressor is that it comes with 30 days of replacement policy with 1 year of complete warranty on the product.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Highly durable.
- As compared to other oil-lubricated compressors noise level is ok.
- With 1 year of warranty 30 days of replacement, the policy is also available.
- Powerful pump.
- Easy to operate.
Cons
- Required frequent maintenance.
- The compressor weight is approx 81 pounds and you should carry this compressor because it has no wheels.
Read More: Best Air Compressor Under $400
Read More: Best Air Compressor Under $500
5. California Air Tools 8010 Steel Tank Air Compressor
This is also one of the most popular air compressors for paint spray guns with a 1 HP of oil-free motor which can be operated with less RPM which helps to reduce the noise level (it produces only 60 dB of noise).
The pump is powerful enough can fill the air tank within 130 seconds. And apart from that, it has a fast recovery time from 90 to 120 PSI just in 30 seconds.
The best part about this air compressor is that it comes with a huge 8 gallons of air tank which can withstand the load of up to 120 PSI. So the large space can accumulate a large amount of compressed air to run the air tools for a long time.
This air compressor can deliver 2.20 CFM at 90 PSI and 3.10 CFM at 40 PSI so with these CFM ratings you can also operate light to medium duty spray guns.
This air compressor is also equipped with multiple gauges with a regulator so it’s easy to use. And it also comes with 1 year of complete warranty on the product.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Required less maintenance.
- Easy to transport.
- Large tank.
- Super silent.
- Good for indoors.
- Easy to operate.
- Run time 30 to 60 minutes.
Cons
- Not good for heavy-duty spray guns.
6. DEWALT Pancake Air Compressor (DWFP55126)
If you want a small air compressor then this air compressor is the perfect option available in the market and the pancake design also provides better stability during the time of operations.
This compressor also comes with 0.5 Hp of small oil-free motor which is capable to deliver 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI which means it’s good for an air compressor for light-duty paint guns.
The pancake-style of large 6 gallons of air tank is also available which can withstand the maximum load of 150 PSI which enables long tool run time and also enhances its efficiency too.
This small air compressor is also equipped with pressure gauges with a regulator to maintain the air pressure. And 2 universal couplers are also available which allows multiple users at a time.
Despite having a small motor, this compressor almost makes 78 dB of noise which is quite high as compared to its size. And the best part is that it’s a small compressor so it’s easy to carry wherever you want.
This air compressor also comes with 1 year of comprehensive warranty on the product.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Small and lightweight.
- Warranty is available.
- Good for light-duty operations.
- Operate 2 users at a time.
- Easy start.
- Highly durable.
Cons
- It’s a bit noisy.
- Not good for heavy-duty guns.
Buying Guide to Choose Best Air Compressor for HVLP
If you are a beginner or you do have not enough knowledge about air compressors then here we have discussed all crucial factors which you should consider during your purchasing process.
PSI and CFM
When it comes to an air compressor then PSI and CFM ratings are the most important factors to selecting the right device for the right spray guns.
PSI or Pounds Per Square Inch are the air pressure that an air compressor can deliver. So the higher PSI rating does not tell us about the air compressor performance. Because most of the compressor has the capability to deliver 120 to 150 PSI of air pressure.
But CFM or Cubic Feet Per Minute is more important than PSI because it tells us about how much volume of air an air compressor can throw. And if a compressor has higher CFM ratings that means that the compressor is powerful.
So before buying an air compressor always see how much CFM rating is required for your spray gun.
Air Tank
Air Tank is used for storing compressed air in the tank. So the large tank can store more compressed air in the tank which helps to run the air tools much longer as compared to a shorter tank.
So if you have continuous operations or painting tasks then you need to go with a larger tank capacity. But small tank compressors are more compact and lightweight so its easy to carry and these are the best options for DIYs.
Horsepower(HP)
It tells about the power of the pump. So higher HP pumps are more powerful and compress the air faster. But for spray painting 1 to 2 HP of pump/motor is good enough.
Oil-Free Vs Oil-Lubricated Pump
Oil-Free pumps are pre-lubricated pumps so they do not need frequent lubrication that is why they required less maintenance than oil-lubricated pumps. But they only come with small compressors because their efficiency is also less.
Oil-Lubricated pumps required lubrication on regular basis, so they required more maintenance. But they are much more efficient than an oil-free motor and mostly they are equipped with large compressors.
Portability
Most DIYs need a compressor those are portable so that they can easily carry this compressor wherever you want. Small tank compressors are compact and easy to carry but if you want to go with large compressors with a large tank capacity then you need to consider that compressors should be equipped with portable wheels so that you can easily carry those huge devices too.
Noise Levels
Spray painting is an indoor process so we need to be careful about the noise level of the compressor because air compressors are noisy equipment so you should choose those compressors which create less than 80 dB of noise.
Warranty
Warranty is necessary for every mechanical or electrical device because those are expensive and if needed then you can get the free service from brands.
FAQs for Best Air Compressors for HVLP Painting
1. What size air compressor do I need for HVLP?
HVLP means High Volume Low Pressure, So to operate an HVLP spray gun you need an air compressor that can capable to deliver low pressure at higher volume. To operate an HVLP spray gun it needs almost 3 to 6 CFM rated air compressor.
2. Do HVLP paint sprayers need an air compressor?
HVLP paint sprayer needs compared air to operate. And an air compressor can deliver high airflow. So yes, HVLP paint sprayers need an air compressor.
3. Will a 6-gallon air compressor run a paint gun?
It depends on your tasks load and your paint gun. If you have a light to medium-duty paint gun and you have no continuous task then yes, 6-gallon capacity is enough for you.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Air Compressor for HVLP Gun
In This article, we have included everything so that you will select the best air compressor for the HVLP paint sprayer 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 compressor for a paint sprayer then you can also choose our top picks:-
For Light to Medium Duty Compressor:- California Air Tools 8010 Steel Tank Air Compressor
For Medium to Heavy Duty:- California Air Tools 10020C
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