Two-Stage Air Compressor Buyer's Guide

How To Pick The Perfect Two-Stage Air Compressor

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If you've ever worked in manufacturing or visited your local garage, you might have heard a rattling hum. That's the sound of power.

A two-stage air compressor to be more exact. To pick the perfect two-stage compressor, you've got to know what to look for.

Don't worry-we can help you pick the right 2-stage compressor for the job.

HP (Horsepower)

One Horsepower (hp) is the force needed to lift 550 lbs. one foot in one second. If you ask Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, he'd invariably tell you, "It needs more power." The CFM (cubic feet per minute) the compressor can produce is most important.

Typically though, the more horsepower, the more power the compressor will have and the higher CFM it can produce. This isn't a muscle car so don't shop by horsepower. Shop by CFM needs instead.

CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)

CFM is the most important factor in determining what air compressor works for you. Every air tool has a CFM requirement. The higher the CFM, the more air volume the tool uses.

Many garages will power multiple air tools off one air compressor. Regardless of how many tools you are running simultaneously, you will need to estimate how much CFM you will need to power at any given time.

Total the CFM of tools in use and make sure the compressor can handle the workload. Tools that require constant power, such as grinders or sanders, will require more CFM than tools which need sporadic power, such as nail guns.

Voltage

The main difference in voltage and single vs. three-phase is where you will be using your compressor.

In a residential setting, you will be dealing with single phase.
Make sure you know what type of wiring you are dealing with before buying a compressor. With many different types available, you'll find one to fit your needs.

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Three phase electricity is found mostly in industrial settings. Three phase power is considered more efficient and will result in less wear and tear on your motor. Voltage and phase vary by location so consult your local codes and electrician before purchasing.

Gallons

The size of the tank on a two-stage air compressor is measured in gallons. They can range from 60 - 200 gallons. The size of tank you need is predicated on the how often the compressor is in use.

Start-stop air compressors run until the tank is full of compressed air. As you use air tools, the PSI from the tank is depleted. Once this reaches the low setting, the compressor turns back on and refills. If your compressor is starting and stopping too frequently you run the risk of overheating which can damage the pump.

Constant-run air compressors run 100% of the time but regulate the air output as needed.

Style

Two-stage air compressors come in two styles: horizontal or vertical.

Your space requirements or limitations will determine which style to buy. If you don't have a wide area to run one in, get a vertical compressor.

Likewise, if you are storing the compressor up high and have height limitations, choose a horizontal model. There is no difference in performance and utility of horizontal vs. vertical compressors of equal power. They are the same machines, just built in different styles.

NEXT: Two-Stage Air Compressor Product Selector

Virtual Air Treatment - How to Get Clean, Treated Air

Looking for ways to treat your compressed air? Whether you're using your compressor for applying a smooth coat of paint to an automobile or using it for powering air tools, air treatment is an important part of doing the job right.

Removing water and contaminants from your compressed air can prolong the life of your air tools and keep your paints clean and dry so they apply more smoothly. Browse our virtual air treatment guide for ideas on how you can improve the quality of your compressed air.

View Our Virtual Air Treatment Guide

By Melissa C.

Air Compressor Expert

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Most folks would advise you to buy as much compressor as you can afford. Which is good basic advise.

But first, ask your self some basic questions: how often will you be using your compressor? Daily? For 8 hours a day? Tons of people can get by with a 20 gallon single stage compressor for home use. I do. I've even seen shops run the heck out of one or two of them and get by. For awhile, anyway.

Do I occasionally have to wait for it to build back up? Sure, but I'm old, retired and usually not in a hurry. And truth be told, by then I probably am ready for a rest period myself! So I'll saunter off to the shop fridge for a cold drink and take a break.

Be honest with yourself about your needs and your budget and chose accordingly. If you decide you need a nice big compressor, from reading around on this sight, one of the best vertical 60 gallon compressors is available from Harbor Freight. It has an Italian compressor pump and I think a US made motor or tank. And on sale, it is a screaming deal.

As far as pressure, the higher the pressure stored in the tank is simply more stored energy. Most people run a regulator to keep line pressure at around 100 PSI anyway. So for example, a 60 gallon tank with 175 PSI can be effectively as much work energy as an 80 gallon tank with 100 PSI in it. (For illustrative porpoises only. Not real numbers. Not an engineer, didn't stay at a Holiday Inn)

A ball valve works for me, but I'm in "Its a dry heat" Arizona. The electric ones are nice if you're running the compressor all day long in a humid environment. Inexpensive retrofit units are all over eBay and Amazon.

A magnetic starter usually carries a higher duty rating. But contacts are contacts. Eventually those will wear out just like the contacts on a simple pressure switch. It again comes down to a question of the amount of use/abuse you intend to dish out vs. a cost factor. And keep in mind heavy duty always costs more upfront and also to replace. A magnetic contractor is usually harder to source and more expensive to replace than a generic pressure switch. So, trade offs.

CFM's are harder to explain simply. But in general, a higher CFM will in theory fill a tank faster or power a high volume tool like a bead blaster better. But there is some difference in the working pressures involved. For the same fixed size displacement, a single stage compressor can flow more CFM at certain pressures better because the displacement of both cylinders are available. In a dual stage compressor, one cylinder feeds it output of lower pressure to the other high pressure cylinder so the CFM or flow is ultimately less. (I hope that explains it!)

First, great screen name! Welcome to GJ.Most folks would advise you to buy as much compressor as you can afford. Which is good basic advise.But first, ask your self some basic questions: how often will you be using your compressor? Daily? For 8 hours a day? Tons of people can get by with a 20 gallon single stage compressor for home use. I do. I've even seen shops run the heck out of one or two of them and get by. For awhile, anyway.Do I occasionally have to wait for it to build back up? Sure, but I'm old, retired and usually not in a hurry. And truth be told, by then I probably am ready for a rest period myself!So I'll saunter off to the shop fridge for a cold drink and take a break.Be honest with yourself about your needs and your budget and chose accordingly. If you decide you need a nice big compressor, from reading around on this sight, one of the best vertical 60 gallon compressors is available from Harbor Freight. It has an Italian compressor pump and I think a US made motor or tank. And on sale, it is a screaming deal.As far as pressure, the higher the pressure stored in the tank is simply more stored energy. Most people run a regulator to keep line pressure at around 100 PSI anyway. So for example, a 60 gallon tank with 175 PSI can be effectively as much work energy as an 80 gallon tank with 100 PSI in it. (For illustrative porpoises only. Not real numbers. Not an engineer, didn't stay at a Holiday Inn)A ball valve works for me, but I'm in "Its a dry heat" Arizona. The electric ones are nice if you're running the compressor all day long in a humid environment. Inexpensive retrofit units are all over eBay and Amazon.A magnetic starter usually carries a higher duty rating. But contacts are contacts. Eventually those will wear out just like the contacts on a simple pressure switch. It again comes down to a question of the amount of use/abuse you intend to dish out vs. a cost factor. And keep in mind heavy duty always costs more upfront and also to replace. A magnetic contractor is usually harder to source and more expensive to replace than a generic pressure switch. So, trade offs.CFM's are harder to explain simply. But in general, a higher CFM will in theory fill a tank faster or power a high volume tool like a bead blaster better. But there is some difference in the working pressures involved. For the same fixed size displacement, a single stage compressor can flow more CFM at certain pressures better because the displacement of both cylinders are available. In a dual stage compressor, one cylinder feeds it output of lower pressure to the other high pressure cylinder so the CFM or flow is ultimately less. (I hope that explains it!)

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