Collection: Air Compressor

A portable air compressor stores compressed air to run air tools, inflate tyres and blow out debris. The specifications that matter are air delivery, tank size and pressure, and what matters most depends on the tools you'll run. A 12v air compressor inflates tyres and runs a nailer; sustained tools like sanders need far more air. For an electric air compressor, work out the air demand of your most demanding tool first, then match the compressor to it.

What compressor specifications matter?

Three figures decide whether a compressor can run your tools:

• Air delivery: the volume of air it can supply continuously, usually in litres per minute. This is the figure that determines whether it keeps up with a tool.
• Tank size: how much air is stored, which buffers demand — a bigger tank means the motor cycles less often for intermittent use.
• Maximum pressure: measured in psi or bar, needing to exceed what your tools require.

How do you match a compressor to your tools?

Air tools have a stated air consumption, and the compressor's continuous delivery needs to meet or exceed the demand of the tool you're running. This is where people get caught out: intermittent tools like nail guns and tyre inflators use small bursts of air, so a modest compressor with a decent tank copes fine. Continuous tools like air sanders, grinders and spray guns consume air constantly and need a far larger compressor to keep up, otherwise the pressure drops and the tool stalls. Check the consumption figure of your most demanding tool before buying.

How do you use a compressor safely?

Compressed air is more dangerous than it looks. Never point an air line at yourself or anyone else — compressed air can penetrate skin and cause serious internal injury, and it should never be used to blow dust off clothing or skin. Wear eye protection when using air tools or blowing out debris. Drain the tank of condensation regularly, since water accumulates inside and corrodes the tank from within, which can weaken it. Don't exceed the rated pressure of hoses, fittings or tools, and check hoses for damage before use. Ear protection matters, as compressors are loud.

Common questions

What size air compressor do I need?
Match the continuous air delivery to your most demanding tool's consumption. Nailers and inflators need little; sanders, grinders and spray guns consume air constantly and need much more.

What does tank size affect?
It buffers demand — a larger tank means the motor cycles less often for intermittent tools. It doesn't increase continuous delivery, which is what matters for sustained tools.

Why drain an air compressor tank?
Moisture condenses inside the tank as air is compressed, and standing water corrodes the tank from within over time, weakening it. Drain it regularly per the instructions.

Is compressed air dangerous?
Yes — it can penetrate skin and cause serious internal injury. Never point an air line at yourself or anyone else, and never use it to blow dust off skin or clothing.

Can I pay for an air compressor with Afterpay?
Yes. You can split it with Afterpay, Zip, Klarna or PayPal Pay in 4. Our air compressors start from $86, which is four fortnightly payments of $21.50.

Complete your workshop

A compressor works with the rest of your kit. Add nailers to run off it, power tools, and wrenches.

A $86 air compressor splits into four fortnightly payments of $21.5 with Afterpay, and Zip, Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4 do the same. Every order ships from our Australian warehouse, dispatched within 1–2 business days, with a 12-month warranty and 30 days to return it. We're a family-run Australian store, going since 2016, rated 4.66 out of 5 across 5,363 reviews.