Some of the better air compressors are right in that 200 - 300 dollar range and I thought that doing a little research into which ones (under $300) were best would make a great article and could shed some light on some of the different air compressors out there.
I compiled some of the best air compressors under the $300 mark into this article and listed them below to help out anyone who may be looking at one for themselves. I hope it helps. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
* Pricing legend located at bottom of table
IMAGE | MODEL | FEATURES | PRICE | USER FEEDBACK (ONLINE RATINGS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | MAC700 | * 12.4 amps * 2 HP * 3.3 CFM @ 90 psi * 3.8 CFM @ 40 psi * 130 psi (max.) * 2.6 gallon tank * Single air connection * 80 dBA * 52.0 lbs. * Oil-Lubricated * 1 yr. warranty | $ | (1030+ Ratings)   4.6/5 |
 | DCSS2560T1 | * N/A amps (cordless) * 0.4 HP * 1.2 CFM @ 90 psi * 1.5 CFM @ 40 psi * 135 psi (max.) * 2.5 gallon tank * Single air connection * 79 dBA * 21.5 lbs. * Oil-Free * 3 yr. warranty | $$$$ | (200+ Ratings) 4.5/5 |
 | MAC2400 | * 12.3 amps * 2.5 HP * 4.2 CFM @ 90 psi * 4.8 CFM @ 40 psi * 130 psi (max.) * 4.2 gallon tank * Dual air connections * 79 dBA * 77 lbs. * Oil-Lubricated * 1 yr. warranty | $$$$ | (920+ Ratings) 4.5/5 |
 | CAT-4610AC | * 8.5 amps * 2.0 HP * 2.2 CFM @ 90 psi * 3.1 CFM @ 40 psi * 120 psi (max.) * 4.6 gallon tank * Dual air connections * 60 dBA * 45.5 lbs. * Oil-Free * 1 yr. warranty | $$ | (150+ Ratings) 4.5/5 |
 | DWFP55130 | * 12 amps * 1.1 HP * 3.0 CFM @ 90 psi * 4.0 CFM @ 40 psi * 200 psi (max.) * 2.5 gallon tank * Dual air connections * 72 dBA * 36 lbs. * Oil-Free * 1 yr. warranty | $ | (390+ Ratings) 4.4/5 |
 | P1IU-A9 | * 15 amps * 2.0 HP * 4.3 CFM @ 90 psi * 4.5 CFM @ 40 psi * 135 psi (max.) * 4.0 gallon tank * Dual air connections * 85 dBA * 77 lbs. * Oil-Lubricated * 1 yr. warranty | $$$$ | (130+ Ratings) 4.5/5 |
 | FC2002 | * 13.8 amps * 2.0 HP * 4.1 CFM @ 90 psi * 5.4 CFM @ 40 psi * 125 psi (max.) * 4.3 gallon tank * Single air connection * 79 dBA * 62 lbs. * Oil-Lubricated * 1 yr. warranty | $$$ | (70+ Ratings) 4.1/5 |
 | CAT-4620 | * 14 amps * 2.0 HP * 5.3 CFM @ 90 psi * 6.4 CFM @ 40 psi * 125 psi (max.) * 4.6 gallon tank * Dual air connections * 79 dBA * 67.2 lbs. * Oil-Free * 1 yr. warranty | $$$$ | (150+ Ratings) 4.5/5 |
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$200 - $224
$225 - $249
$250 - $274
$275 - $300
1. Makita's MAC700 - The Highest Rated Compressor Under The $300 Mark!
Reviews: The Makita (MAC700) compressor was the highest rated compressor in the $200 - $300 category with more than 1,000 ratings left on Amazon, Home Depot, Northern Tool, CPO and other online retailers websites.
Price: The MAC700 was one of the most affordable compressors in the lineup (next to the DeWalt DWFP55130) and was right around $210 (at the time). Amazon and Home Depot had the MAC700 listed at very similar prices and only differed by about $2 - $3 when I compared the two.
Other retailers were pricing the MAC700 at a significantly higher price, up to $40 more than Home Depot or Amazon.
Availability: Amazon had Makita's MAC700 in stock (at the time) and it was a Prime item, so the two day shipping was possible for Prime members interested in the MAC700. I checked my local Home Depot (for the MAC700) and it was NOT in stock there or at any surrounding stores. It would have taken 1 - 2 weeks to ship it to my local HD store and roughly 2 - 3 days to ship it to my house (or business).
1030+ Total Reviews:
820+ Reviews:
200+ Reviews:
15+ Reviews:
39+ Reviews:
PROS
CONS
2. DeWalt's DCC2560T1 - A Cordless Compressor That Redefines Portability...
The DeWalt DCC2560T1 was the only cordless compressor that made "the list", even though there were only one other available (at the time) made by Ridgid.
The DCC2560T1 had the lowest CFM out of all of the other compressors, a maximum of 1.2 CFM @ 90 psi. so it is intended more for interior work like using a finish or brad nailer.
The DCC2560T1 was the lightest compressor though, (weighing in at around 21.5 lbs)being around 20 - 50 lbs. lighter than the other models we looked at.
The DCC2560T1 also had the best warranty (3 year) in the lineup and comes in a kit (everything included is shown in picture) which was really close to that $300 "top-out" mark we were looking for. All-in-all, the DCC2560T1 is a good (light-duty) pick and the most portable compressor under $300 out there today!
200+ Total Reviews:
34+ Reviews:
166+ Reviews:
4+ Reviews:
PROS
CONS
3. Makita's MAC2400 - The Best Compressor (Overall) Under $300
The MAC2400 (by Makita) was the second highest rated compressor in the $200 - $300 range (next to the MAC700) but was much more expensive, about $300, at the time.
Unlike the MAC700 though, the MAC2400 had a much higher CFM output, at both 90 psi and 40 psi (nearly 1 CFM more). The MAC2400 was one of the better (higher priced) compressors and is what I would deem to be the "best available" compressor in the price category.
The MAC2400 has a good CFM range to power light-duty - medium-duty air tools and has Makita's quality assurance (backed by avid users), a generous tank size and has more than 900 reviews backing it up, making it my choice for the "best available" compressor under $300.
920+ Total Reviews:
539+ Reviews:
241+ Reviews:
23+ Reviews:
PROS
CONS
4. The CAT-4610AC - One Of The Quietest Models:
The 4610AC (by California Air Tools) stood out from the rest of the other compressors because of how quiet it is, in comparison (putting out a mere 60 dBA).
The 4610AC also had the largest tank size out of all of the compressors, (at 4.6 gallons) shared only by the other California Air Tools compressor on the list (the CAT-4620).
The CFM on the 4610AC was quite low and only the Dewalt DCSS2560T1 had a lower capacity but is cordless, the 4610AC had the lowest CFM out of all of the corded models.
The CA Air Tools 4610AC is a good choice for lighter-duty air tools and is the best choice if you want a quieter compressor. Other than the decibel level, all other specs are pretty straight across the board and comparable, except for the lower CFM output, which should be a major consideration as far as compressors are concerned.
150+ Total Reviews:
54+ Reviews:
89+ Reviews:
1+ Reviews:
1+ Reviews:
PROS
CONS
5. DeWalt's DWFP55130 - A Lightweight, Highly Rated Compressor For Light-Duty Tasks...
Dewalt's DWFP55130 stood out for a couple of reasons, first off it is the lightest (corded) model in the lineup, next to DeWalt's cordless compressor. Another selling point for me on the DWFP55130 was the impressive CFM output (3.0 CFM @ 90 psi) to weight ratio.
The DWFP55130 also had the highest maximum psi of all the generators in the price range but (to be honest) that metric doesn't matter too much when it comes to "important" compressor specs.
Overall, this DeWalt DWFP55130 is a good choice if you want a lightweight, portable compressor with a decent CFM output. The DWFP55130 was also closer to the $200 price mark, making it one of the most affordable models in the lineup.
390+ Total Reviews:
250+ Reviews:
100+ Reviews:
2+ Reviews:
10+ Reviews:
PROS
CONS
6. An Ingersoll Rand Compressor (P1IU-A9) - A Long Time Compressor Manufacturer Make The List!
The Ingersoll Rand P1IU-A9 is a decent compressor and it was at the higher end of the pricing spectrum (closer to that $300 mark) and a decent performer, as far as specs go.
The P1IU-A9 is pretty portable (due to the design primarily) but is close to 80 lbs. which isn't too bad but is on the heavier side for some people (reported in online reviews a few times). The CFM output is very nice and one of the highest in the category next to the CAT-4620.
All-in all, the P1IU-A9 is a good competitor for compressors in the $200 - $300 range and has the second highest CFM output out of all of the other compressors I looked at.
130+ Total Reviews:
77+ Reviews:
27+ Reviews:
31+ Reviews:
1+ Reviews:
PROS
CONS
7. Rolair's FC2002 Is Up Next - Another Contender Worth Looking At...
The Rolair FC2002 was another choice in the $200 - $300 range of air compressors and was a fair price at the time, coming in at around $250, so "middle of the road".
The Rolair FC2002 has a decent sized tank on it (one of the larger tanks) and uses stainless steel ball valves, due to some quality issues that came up with the old style (according to reviewers).
The FC2002 is a "middle of the road" compressor, compared to some of the other models and is why I have it farther down the list. It is still a great compressor that fits into the $300 and under price range and it has a slightly higher CFM output than the average model on the list.
70+ Total Reviews:
70+ Reviews:
PROS
CONS
8. Finally, The CAT-4620 - The Highest CFM Output On The List:
The CAT-4620 (from California Air Tools) had the highest CFM output, out of all of the compressors I looked at which was an impressive 5.3 CFM @ 90 psi!
All of the other specs were pretty average, like the weight (nearly 70 lbs.), max psi capacity and decibel output. The CAT-4620 also shared the largest tank size, having a 4.6 gallon capacity with the other California Air Tools compressor (4610-AC).
The 4620-AC also had a decent amount of reviews online (more than 150, at the time) which always helps in the research process.
150+ Total Reviews:
65+ Reviews:
74+ Reviews:
4+ Reviews:
1+ Reviews:
