Best Quiet Air Compressors (Ultra Quiet & Portable) of 2023 – A Head-To-Head Comparison

If you are looking for an ultra-quiet air compressor for your garage or home use, then you are at the right place.

This best quiet air compressor review features top-quality air compressors from renowned brands like California Air Tools, Senco, Husky, EMAX, Dewalt, and Campbell Hausfeld.

This list features the quietest compressors of various types, such as –

  • Small and Quite portable Air compressors
  • Pancake Air Compressors
  • 1-6 gallon tank capacity air compressors
  • 30, 60, 80 gallons tank capacity air compressors
  • 2 Stage high-performance air compressors

Therefore, we are almost certain that you will find the right one from here.

Our Top Three Picks

Overall

California Air Tools 5510SE is an air compressor capable of providing a lot of awesome features at an affordable price.

If you pick this one you can get almost all the functions you need in an air compressor. And the price is not so high for you as well.

Quality and budget, get the best of both worlds by choosing the 5510SE.

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Budget

If you have a tight budget for your air compressor, choosing the Senco PC1010 will be a good decision. It is one of the quietest compressors at such an amazing price.

Though you won’t get many high-end features, this compressor is capable of getting all the necessary jobs done for you.

Read our in-depth review of this air compressor here.

High-End

If noise is not the only problem you want to fix, and if you want to have all the awesome features you can get from an air compressor, it is best you choose the DEWALT DWFP55130.

Don’t worry about spending a little, as this compressor has it all for you. From less noise to high-end construction, you will get all the cool features you can ask for with this amazing compressor.

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Best Quiet Air Compressors

California Air Tools 5510SE Air Compressor

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Specifications

  • Tank Capacity: 6 Gallons – High air capacity.
  • Noise Level: 60 dB – Lowest noise.
  • Weight: 37.5 Pounds – Very light in weight.
  • Maximum Tank Pressure: 120 PSI – Moderate for high-pressure tools.
  • Power Source: Corded-Electric, 110V – Less than household current.
  • Pump Type: Oil-Free – Easier to maintain.

Review

In the field of air compressors California Air Tools has provided some of the best ones you can ask for. Their creation, the 5510SE air compressor is one of those compressors.

With only 60 decibels of sound, this amazing air compressor produces very low noise, making it more comfortable for you to use it.

In this compressor, the new ultra-quiet SP series air compressor motor is used. This ensures the production of the lowest sound possible.

But you cannot choose an air compressor just because of its sound advantages. You have to be sure of its durability and performance.

Keeping that in mind California Air Tools have included a dual-piston oil-free pump system in their 5510SE Air Compressor.

Though it provides such awesome features, there is a risk of the compressor catching on fire if it is not maintained properly.

Keeping this aside you can get other advantages with this amazing compressor like the lightweight it carries and also the wheels for moving the tool easily. Overall, its features are quite unique for you to love it.

DEWALT DWFP55130 Air Compressor

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Specifications

  • Tank Capacity: 2.5 Gallons – Moderate air capacity.
  • Noise Level: 71.5 dB – Very low noise.
  • Weight: 36 Pounds – Quite lightweight.
  • Maximum Tank Pressure: 200 PSI – Great for high-pressure tools.
  • Power Source: Corded-Electric, 120V – Perfect for household current.
  • Pump Type: Oil-Free – High-maintenance free.

Review

For the past few decades, DEWALT has been manufacturing some of the highest-quality air compressors. The DEWALT DWFP55130, created by them, is a good one for producing less noise.

With only 71.5 decibels, it is very quiet when you run and operate this compressor. You will get about 50% less sound with this amazing air tool.

The DEWALT DWFP55130 also features a roll cage that prevents it from damage. The cage also enhances the durability of the tool.

With the addition of the ball drain valve in the tank, it has become a lot easier for you to drain the unnecessary air after you are done operating.

This amazingly light-weight compressor starts up quickly with the help of an efficient motor that it contains. The motor draws only 12 amps of electricity to start.

One thing you should be aware of is that this compressor may leak some air through the valve. So check the valves carefully before you start the machine.

All in all this air compressor is a complete package to do heavy-duty operations. If you pick this one I am sure you will find comfort using this compressor.

DEWALT D55140 Air Compressor

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Specifications

  • Tank Capacity: 1 Gallon – Lowest air capacity.
  • Noise Level: 71 dB – Much lower noise.
  • Weight: 24 Pounds – Amazingly light weighted.
  • Maximum Tank Pressure: 135 PSI – Good for high-pressure tools.
  • Power Source: Electric, 120V – Compatible with household current.
  • Pump Type: Oil-Free – Free of high maintenance.

Review

Another amazing compressor made by DEWALT is the DEWALT D55140. The noise level of this compressor is only 71 decibels making it one of the quietest compressors that you can find on the market.

With only 2.6 amp of draw electricity, this amazing air compressor can start up its motor easily. So you never have to wait for the startup once you get this compressor.

There is a ball drain valve available here as well. This will help you in thorough and quick tank draining.

For durability, the DEWALT D55140 offers a roll cage over it. This cage makes the device safe from wear and tear. It also keeps the device free of accidental damage.

A convenient cord wrap is functional with this air compressor to make it easier for its users to store it. With the addition of a high flow regulator, the performance of this compressor increases a lot.

The only thing you have to be aware of while using this compressor is to check the pressure level constantly. Because it can lose all its pressure instantly with just a little carelessness.

But, overall this compressor is one of the quietest and capable of performing several functions. Surely you can, without any doubt, keep this compressor in your choice list.

California Air Tools 2010A Air Compressor

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Specifications

  • Tank Capacity: 2 Gallons – Reasonable air capacity.
  • Noise Level: 60 dB – Lowest sound.
  • Weight: 35 Pounds – Very light in weight.
  • Maximum Tank Pressure: 120 PSI – Moderate for high-pressure tools.
  • Power Source: Corded-Electric, 110V – Less than household current.
  • Pump Type: Oil-Free – Easier to maintain.

Review

When it comes to air compressors, the first brand we think about is California Air Tools. They have been manufacturing all kinds of air compressors for a long time and the California Air Tools 2010A is one of the quietest ones from them. In fact, this air compressor costs less than $200.

With only 60 decibels of sound produced, this amazing compressor operates smoothly and doesn’t disturb you with unnecessary noise. And the addition of an SP-series ultra-quiet pump helps to turn down the noise as well.

This pump has an RPM of only 1680 but provides 1 hp. This is why the noise is reduced with the compressor.

An oil-free pump is included here to allow a wide temperature range and also to support uneven terrains.

As the raw material of the cylinder, California Air Tools 2010A contains cast aluminum alloy. Fortunately, the tank is only 2 pounds in capacity so it doesn’t add that much weight. But it makes the cylinder rust-free and helps to prevent wear and tear.

To sum it up, the California Air Tools 2010A provides all the functions you require in an air compressor. If you pick this one, we can assure you it will be a wise decision.

Campbell Hausfeld DC060500

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Specifications

  • Tank Capacity: 6 Gallons – High air capacity.
  • Noise Level: 68 dBA – Quieter noise.
  • Weight: 62 Pounds – Heavier than usual.
  • Maximum Tank Pressure: 125 PSI – Good for high-pressure tools.
  • Power Source: Electric, 120V – Perfect for household current.
  • Pump Type: Oil-Free – Maintaining is easier.

Review

Campbell Hausfeld is one of the oldest brands in the market. They are famous for manufacturing power tools and so, it is obvious they make some of the top quality air compressors till now.

The Campbell Hausfeld DC060500 is one of the most amazing air compressors made by Campbell Hausfeld. It is popular in the market for being one of the quietest air compressors.

Amazingly this compressor produces only 68 decibels of sound which is very low for an air compressor. It generates 50% less sound compared to most of the compressors in the market.

Keeping the benefits of noise aside, this pancake compressor includes a steel handle with a soft grip on the top. This helps you to carry it easily from one place to another.

On top of that, the pancake design makes it more durable and easier to maintain as well.

So all in all, you can see this is an awesome air compressor with a lot of benefits for you. We hope this particular quiet compressor review has provided everything you need to know to love this compressor.

Husky 30 Gal. 175 PSI High-Performance Quiet Portable Electric Air Compressor

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Specifications

  • Tank Capacity: 30 gallons – good for quick needs of compressed air without starting the compressor.
  • Noise Level: 78dB – lower than compressors with such high performance.
  • Weight: 150 lbs – comparatively lower than the compressor with a high tank capacity.
  • Maximum Tank Pressure: 175 PSI – enough for all home and garage tools.
  • Power Source: Electric 120v – compatible with home supply.
  • Pump Type: Oil-free – less maintenance.

Review

With a high-performance motor and pump, this husky quiet air compressor will surely meet your needs. If you are looking for the quietest 30-gallon air compressor, this is the best one you can get. There are a number of good reasons behind that.

The most amazing thing about this compressor is its noise level. Although it is a high-performance air compressor, it makes only 78dB noise.

The CFM rating of this compressor is insanely high. It comes with a 5.1 SCFM rating at 90 psi. This is one of the highest on our list. Therefore, it is compatible with air tools of high CFM ratings such as air hammers, angle grinders, etc.
Next comes the pressure rating. This one comes with a 175 psi pressure rating. For a quiet oil-free air compressor, this pressure rating is higher than average. This pressure rating is enough for all air tools that you might use in your home or garage.

With the 30-gallon tank, this one can store more compressed air for you. Therefore, when you need some compressed air, you can have it without starting the compressor. This is a great advantage.

As said earlier, this compressor comes with an oil-less pump. Therefore it requires fewer maintenance works, like changing the oil.

Apart from these features, this one also offers some other beneficial features. It takes only 10 minutes to fill the tank at 17g PSI.

It also has two air hose outputs. Because of vertical design, this requires less space to store. Also, there are two wheels attached to the tank. Therefore, this air compressor is portable and you can move it around easily.

If you are looking for a high-performance air compressor with low noise and high air tank capacity, this is the best option for you.

ES05V080I1 by EMAX Compressor

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Specifications

  • Tank Capacity: 80 gallons – largest capacity on this list
  • Noise Level: 25% less noise than the average two-stage air compressor
  • Weight: 715 pounds – higher weight than other
  • Maximum Tank Pressure: 175 psi – enough for all air tools
  • Power Source: 208-230 volt – requires a step-up transformer of
  • Pump Type: oil lubricated – requires maintenance

Review

With 25% less noise, the EMAX ES05V080I1 is the quietest 2-stage air compressor on our list.

Normally 2 two-stage air compressor makes more noise, but EMAX has done a great job in reducing noise in this air compressor. Improvements are made in the air intake, and channel intake for the reduction of noise.

This 2-stage air compressor features a 5 HP motor. The RPM rating of this motor is 1,750. The low rpm rating keeps the noise low but doesn’t affect the CFM rating due to its high power. The voltage rating for this motor is 208-230 volts and lasts longer.

A pump is made of cast iron and has an RPM rating is 800. Life expectancy is also high. As EMAX claims, this will run up to 50,000 hours without any trouble.

With a 19 CFM @ 100 psi air delivery, this one is capable of delivering a high volume of pressurized air. Because of this high CFM rating, you can use this compressor for both home garage and industrial tasks. Having a high CFM rating, this air compressor is compatible with the impact wrench.

With an 80-gallon tank capacity, this one can store more air than all the compressors on this list. There is a drain valve beneath the tank hence, it is easy to drain the tank and keep it free from water.

The pressure rating is 175. This amount of pressure is enough for virtually all types of air tools. For industrial-grade performance, you can rely on this quiet 80-gallon air compressor.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Quietest Air Compressor

Before you buy an air compressor, make sure it meets the user’s requirements. Along with the noise level, the pressure rating, CFM rating, weight, and tank size should be considered while buying a compressor.

Noise Level

quiet air compressor noise level in dB graph

As you are looking for a quiet air compressor, the first thing you should consider is the sound level. From the graph above, you can see that the California Air Tools 5510SE, Rolair JC10, and the California Air Tools 2010A are the quietest. All of them have a sound level of 60dB. Any sound that is greater than 60dB is considered noise. In that sense, these three compressors are certainly quiet. Therefore, any of these will be great as a quiet home air compressor.

Pressure Rating

Pressure rating graph of quiet air compressor - higher is better

The next important thing about a quiet air compressor is the Pressure Rating. For heavy air tools, you need a compressor of high-pressure ratings. If we compare the above graph with the previous one, we can see the pressure rating and noise of these compressors are vice versa. For example, the Dewalt DWFP55130 has a pressure rating of 200 psi but it makes 71.5 dB noise. Therefore you have to compromise a little if you need an air compressor with a high-pressure rating.

CFM Rating

CFM rating of quiet air compressor

The CFM rating of air tools differs by the power of that tool and size. Normally large air tools need more CFM. If your compressor CFM is less than the CFM rating of air tools, the tools will not work properly. The Dewalt DWFP55130 has the highest CFM rating, as the graph shows. But considering both the CFM rating and noise level, the Rolair JC10 Plus is the best.

But with such CFM it still can’t run an impact wrench. For the impact wrench, you will need more CFM in your air compressor. To learn more you can read our guide on air compressors for an impact wrench.

Weight

Weight of best quiet air compressor

When you are looking for the best quiet portable air compressor, the first thing you should ensure is low weight. The lower the weight, the better the portability of the compressor. But CFM rating and tank size decrease with the decrement of weight. Therefore, while selecting a portable quiet air compressor, you should also take this thing into consideration.

Tank Size

Tank size chart of quiet air compressor in gallons

Quiet air compressors are run by an electric motor because a gasoline engine makes a lot of noise. Therefore you can’t run these compressors without electricity. So if you need compressed air in such places where there is no electricity, the size of the tanks should be more.  So you should buy one with more air tank capacity.

FAQ

How many decibels is an air compressor?

Generally, the decibel rating ranges from 40dB to 90dB in an air compressor. If a compressor has a decibel rating below 75dB, it is considered a quiet air compressor. On the other hand, a decibel rating of 40dB or lower is considered a silent air compressor. An air compressor with a decibel rating above 75 dB is considered noisy.

What is the quietest air compressor?

A sound lower than 60dB is considered quiet. Therefore, any compressor that has a decibel rating lower than 60 is quiet. There are a number of contestants for the quietest air compressor. They are –

  • California Air Tools 5510SE
  • Hitachi EC28M
  • California Air Tools 2010A
  • California Air Tools 1P1060S
  • Rolair JC10 Plus

Why is my compressor so loud?

Air compressors can be loud because of many reasons. There are a number of moving parts in a compressor and they are the primary source of the noise. Loudness in a compressor can be due to the air intake, air exhaust, and vibrational noise.

How to quiet an air compressor?

There are a number of ways to quiet an air compressor. The way of reducing the noise in an air compressor depends on the source of the noise. You can quit an air compressor by installing an intake silencer, providing rubber padding beneath it, or keeping it inside an air compressor silencer box.

What is the quietest portable air compressor?

With 37.6 lbs. weight, the California Air Tools 5510SE is the quietest portable air compressor. It gives the best performance with low noise. It has two wheels which makes it portable. You can move this anywhere easily.

What is the best quiet air compressor?

Considering pressure (psi) rating, CFM, tank size, and weight, the Dewalt DWFP55130 is the best one that you can get right now. This has the highest configuration and makes very low noise. Therefore this is perfect for every home or garage job.

Who makes the quietest air compressor?

California Air Tools makes the quietest air compressor. Most of the air compressors they make have a decibel rating of 6dB. They also make air compressors with a noise level lower than 60 dB.

When Noise is an Important Fact about Air Compressor

Before we start our quiet portable air compressor reviews, you should know why less noise from an air compressor is important.

Actually, it is very common for an air compressor to produce noise. A completely noiseless air compressor has not yet been manufactured.

The noise from an air compressor can be disturbing sometimes. If your compressor makes too much noise, it will not only bother you, it will also disturb the ones around you.

Also, the noise of an air compressor won’t let you clearly concentrate on your job.

Moreover, working in such a noisy environment can affect your hearing ability as well. Excess noise may make you deaf eventually. You don’t want that to happen, do you?

So, what can you do to prevent all these problems? Also, as there are no fully noiseless air compressors available, can you even prevent these?

Fortunately, you can. If you pick the right air compressor, all these problems can be prevented.

Even though you cannot find an air compressor with zero noise, you can surely find the one with the least sound produced. Some manufacturers have been working hard to create air compressors with very low noise.

Such compressors are very helpful, as they don’t disturb you or anyone around you. Also, they are not going to take away your concentration while working. And so, here in this review, we have gathered all those air compressors for you.

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