Best Air Compressor Oil (Synthetic and Standard) to Use for Efficiency & Performance

For efficient performance and longer life of the air compressor, using the right oil for air compressor pump is a must.

If you have an oil-lubricated air compressor, then you should routinely check the oil level.  It the oil is old and already run out you should refill it with the recommended oil for air compressor pump.

The selection of oil will depend on several things. Such as –

  • Type of oil your air compressor is designed to use – synthetic and standard oil.
  • The oil weight or ISO number (air compressor oil weight) that your air compressor supports – 20 or 30 weight oil.
  • The temperature at which you use your compressor – hot or cold climate.

 The best air compressor oils are –

  • 30 weight: Royal Purple 01513 Synfilm Recip 100 (Click this link to check it on Amazon)
  • 20 Weight: Powermate Px P018-0084SP 100% Full Synthetic Air Compressor Oil (Click this link to check it on Amazon)

Along with these two, we have reviewed some of the other top-performing synthetic and standard air compressor oils of both 20 and 30 weight. These oils are suitable for different weather (temperature) conditions. We are also pretty much sure that this will help you find the suitable oil for your air compressor.

Best Synthetic Air Compressor Oils

Royal Purple 01513 Synfilm Recip 100

Royal Purple 01513 Synfilm Recip 100
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Formulated with Synerlec®additive technology, the Royal Purple 01513 is the best oil for compressor and is highly recommended for reciprocating air compressors (piston type).  It is ISO 100 synthetic compressor oil, which means you can use this oil if your compressor calls for a SEA 30 or non-detergent 30 weight oil.

It has a high film strength. Therefore it can withstand the high temperature of the pump, which results in less corrosion in the air compressor pump.

The high film strength of this air compressor oil also increases the sealing capacity that finally results in higher efficiency of the air compressor.

Because of the high lubrication capacity reduces wear in the piston and piston hole, which increases the efficiency and life of the pump.

Keeps the discharge valve free from carbon deposit. As a result, the compressor requires less maintenance. It also increases the efficiency of the compressor pump.

If you are tired of changing air compressor oil, then this oil is for you. Royal Purple 01513 lasts longer than other oils.

We highly recommend this oil for the smoother, quieter, and efficient operation of your compressor.

DEWALT D55001 Synthetic Compressor Oil

DEWALT D55001 Synthetic Compressor Oil
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If you are having difficulty starting your compressor, then the DEWALT D55001 can be a great help. This 30 weight air compressor oil gives a smooth starting even in low temperature. Therefore, for winter operation, this oil is highly recommended.

The high lubrication capacity of this oil keeps the friction in the pump low. Therefore pump temperature doesn’t rise too high.

You will notice a significant temperature reduction in the pump temperature after using this oil compared to other oils.  Low friction and temperature reduction increase the pump life by resisting the wear. It also increases the efficiency of the compressor.

It also reduced the carbon build up in the discharge valve. As a result, the compressor will take less time to build up the pressure as it increases efficiency.

DEWALT D55001 Synthetic Compressor Oil has a longer life,  about 200 hours. It can also withstand high temperature. Therefore if you need to run your air compressor continuously for a long time, this is the best synthetic air compressor oil to use.

Also Read: How to fix oil leaking from the air compressor

Powermate Px P018-0084SP 100% Full Synthetic Air Compressor Oil

Powermate Px P018-0084SP 100% Full Synthetic Air Compressor Oil
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Powermate Px P018-0084SP is a full synthetic air compressor oil. There are of good reasons to prefer a fully synthetic oil over synthetic blend oils.

As Powermate claims, using this oil can start a compressor in 10 degrees colder than regular blended synthetic oil. It also gives excellent performance at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, it is a perfect air compressor oil to choose when you need to run the compressor outdoor in the winter.

Another fantastic thing about this full synthetic air compressor oil is its flash and pour point. The flashpoint is 460 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore this oil will not burn quickly due to the heat of the pump. The pouring temperature is -40 degrees Fahrenheit. That means the performance of this oil remains the same in the cold.

The lubrication capacity of this compressor is incredible. It gives 25% more protection from wearing. That means it increases pump life and efficiency.

One thing to note that the ISO number of Powermate Px P018-0084SP 46 which means it is a 20 weight air compressor oil. Therefore this is primarily recommended for compressors that support 20 weight oil.

You can also use it in a 30 weight supporting compressor. But this will increase oil consumption, especially if you have an old air compressor because of the lower weight number.

It is free from detergent and any other additives. As a result, there will be less carbon build-up. The sealing capability also increases the efficiency of the compressor.

Therefore we only recommend this oil for 20 weight oil supporting compressors and cold temperature operation. It will surely increase the efficiency and life or your compressor.

All-Season Select Synthetic Lubricant by Ingersoll Rand

All-Season Select Synthetic Lubricant by Ingersoll Rand
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When it comes to high performance and heavy-duty air compressors, its oil, and other parts, you will hardly find anyone better than Ingersoll Rand. The Ingersoll Rand synthetic compressor oil is not any different. See this safety data sheets from their website to get an idea of how much they care about their products.

All Season Select Synthetic Lubricant is a 30 weight air compressor oil which is specially designed to use in the reciprocating air compressors. Because of the all-temperature blend design, it gives excellent performance in a wide range of temperature. It is good for cold start and high ambient temperature up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

This one highly reduces the carbon build up in the compressor rings and valves. If you use this oil, it will need you to change the inner valve after 4000 hours of normal operation when it is 500 hours for any other air compressor oil. It also increases the efficiency of the pump, and hence, air compressor builds pressure quickly.

For longer life or your air compressor and high efficiency, you can rely on this oil from Ingersoll Rand. You will surely notice the difference in your compressor after using this oil.

Standard Air Compressor Oil

Campbell Hausfeld Oil Compressor 16oz MP12

Campbell Hausfeld Oil Compressor 16oz MP12
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Campbell Hausfeld MP12 is a non-synthetic (standard oil) air compressor oil with single viscosity. It is a 30 weight non-detergent air compressor oil that comes with a lower price tag than the synthetic air compressor oil.

The lubrication capacity of this compressor oil is excellent. It is resistant to oxidation and foam build-up.  It also reduces the carbon build up in the compressor valve hence increases the efficiency of the compressor.  It

As said earlier, it is a single viscosity air compressor oil. Single viscosity oil is thinner than higher viscosity. One thing you should know that thin oil doesn’t produce high strength film at high temperature. Therefore, this oil is only recommended for lower temperature condition, not for hot. The reason is, higher temperature will burn more oil due to its thinness. This oil is not recommended for temperature more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The life of Campbell Hausfeld MP12 is also less due to this reason. Therefore you have to change the oil more often than other oil.

We only recommend this one if you aren’t a heavy user and use your compressor at a cold climate region. Otherwise, you should consider buying any from the above.

What oil should you use in your air compressor?

You should always use the manufacturer recommended oil in your air compressor. You can switch between 20 weight to 30 weight oil depending on the temperature condition. There are also some substitutes of air compressor oil that you can use if air compressor oil isn’t available.

But, never use standard motor oil in your air compressor. It will reduce the life of your air compressor pump and its efficiency.

For efficiency, performance and extended pump life, pick up the best air compressor oil and fill your compressor with it regularly.

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