An air compressor spec sheet lists CFM, tank size, PSI, and duty cycle — and CFM, matched to your tools, decides which compressor is right.
For the full breakdown, see our best Air Compressor Air Line guide.
Shopping for an air compressor usually stalls at the same point: someone hands you an air compressor comparison chart, and the rows read like a different language. The fastest route through it is to ignore the marketing labels and check four numbers, in order — CFM, tank capacity, maximum PSI, and duty cycle.
CFM, cubic feet per minute, decides whether the compressor can actually run your tools. Horsepower gets the attention, but it’s the least consistent spec across brands.
What A Comparison Chart Puts In Each Row
Spec charts aren’t universal, and that’s by design. They’re built per product class: tire inflators, jobsite portables, and stationary two-stage shop compressors each hang weight on different fields.
Vehicle and tire-inflator charts focus on duty cycle, amps, and pressure ratings. VIAIR’s compressor comparison chart, for example, lists model, tank, max tire size, duty cycle, CFM at 0 PSI, max amps, work pressure, volts, IP rating, and max dB — details you rarely see on a shop compressor.
Shop and industrial catalogs flip the emphasis. Ferguson’s air compressor catalog filters stationary machines by voltage, electrical phase, maximum operating pressure, CFM, horsepower, fuel type, and tank capacity in gallons. A chart built for a 60-gallon workshop unit simply looks different from an inflator chart.
Here’s what each field in those charts is really telling you:
| Chart field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| CFM | Volume of air the pump delivers; the primary number to size against your tools. |
| Tank capacity | Reserve air stored between pump cycles; useful for high-use tasks. |
| Max PSI | Highest pressure the unit reaches; above 150 PSI handles nearly every common tool. |
| Duty cycle | How long the pump can run before it needs a cool-down. |
| Horsepower | A rough motor rating that isn’t comparable across brands. |
| Voltage & phase | 120V keeps a unit portable; 230V or three-phase suits stationary installs. |
| Weight & noise | How easy the unit is to move and how loud it will be in a workshop. |
How Much CFM Do You Actually Need?
Size from the tool with the highest air demand. Most air tools list their required CFM at 90 PSI, and the compressor’s rating at that same pressure is the number that counts.
Then add headroom. Champion Pneumatic’s sizing guide recommends multiplying your required CFM by 1.25 before choosing a compressor, so a 10 CFM tool load really calls for roughly 12.5 CFM.
Tank size, duty cycle, PSI, and voltage matter, but only after CFM is matched. If your job is inflating tires rather than running tools, the inflator-focused fields above — max tire size, work pressure, amps, IP rating, and max dB — matter more than tank size.
What Current Prices Look Like
Prices cluster by class, not by brand.
- Bostitch BTFP02012 — $100–$120
- DeWalt DWFP55126 — $170–$190
- California Air Tools CAT-8010 — $200–$230
- Makita MAC2400 — $250–$280
- Stealth SAQ-11215 — $250–$280
- Metabo HPT 36DA4 — $300+
- Rolair V5180K30 — $1,200+, up to the 8422HK30-0128 at $2,500+
Stationary machines run higher. National Compressed Air lists a Quincy QT-54 at $2,824 with 16.2 ACFM at 175 PSIG and 5 HP on 230V single phase; Ferguson shows a QT-54 Pro in the same class at $2,199. Dealer spread like that is normal, so compare quotes rather than list prices.
Industrial-grade units reach four figures fast. The same dealer lists a 7.5 HP Quincy near $4,724 and a 15 HP model at $9,699, while Ferguson’s EMAX 10 HP 120-gallon unit runs $6,697. Many of those need three-phase power, and the largest are 575-volt only — check your shop’s voltage and phase before you even look at price.
Most compressors also ship without a hose. If yours is one of them, our best air compressor air line picks are worth reading before checkout.
FAQs
How Do I Match A Compressor To My Tools?
Find the tool with the highest CFM requirement, usually listed at 90 PSI, and size the compressor to that number. Then multiply it by roughly 1.25 for headroom, so the pump isn’t running at full capacity constantly. Tank size, PSI, duty cycle, and voltage become tiebreakers only after CFM fits the job.
Is Horsepower Worth Comparing?
Horsepower is a rough motor indicator, but it isn’t standardized across brands, so it’s the least useful spec when comparing different manufacturers. Two compressors with similar horsepower can deliver very different CFM. Compare CFM at a fixed working pressure, typically 90 PSI, instead of relying on the HP rating printed on the box.
Should I Trust Prices On A Comparison Chart?
Generally no, treat chart prices as starting estimates. Most brand comparison charts list specs only, and third-party prices change quickly, plus dealer pricing varies for the same model. The same Quincy 5 HP unit appears at $2,199 and $2,824 on different dealer sites, so confirm the actual quote before ordering.
References & Sources
- VIAIR. “Compressor Comparison Chart.” Source for the inflator-chart fields listed above, including duty cycle, CFM, amps, work pressure, IP rating, and max dB.