Expert Guide To Battery-Powered Air Compressor

Regarding portability and ease of maneuverability of air compressors, no other category can beat battery-powered air compressors ones. These cordless air compressors can work anytime without requiring diesel, gas, or electricity. This makes them ideal for emergencies, especially when traveling to remote places.

Besides, battery-powered air compressors have several high-tech features that manual or traditional compressors lack. So, without further ado, let’s begin with the discussion: 

What Is a Battery Powered Air Compressor?

Battery-powered air compressors are the ones that run with an installed chargeable battery. These kinds of air compressors are often known as cordless air compressors. They don’t need any gasoline or diesel to run. And unlike corded electric air compressors, they don’t require frequent plugin hassles. Besides, short cord length issues are also neglected with battery-powered air compressors.

They are small in size and lightweight, which is impressive. Most battery-powered air compressors are super handy that allow you to move the device wherever you want. You can carry them in your car for tire inflation in an emergency or use them at home for households. Additionally, the most advanced and high-tech features are found in this category of air compressors. It includes- a digital scream, an auto shutoff option, and more. These are also environment friendly as they don’t produce smoke or harmful gasses while operating. 

Types Of Battery Power Air Compressor 

Battery-powered air compressors are available in various categories. These are as follows- 

1. Tire Inflator

Regarding battery-powered air compressors, tire inflators are the most popular kinds. They are excellent for inflating the tires of bikes, motorcars, RVs, trucks, and more. Thanks to these cordless air compressors’ handy and lightweight feature that allows you to carry them in your car. They will assist you well in an emergency, especially when going on a long trip. 

2. Air Blower 

Air compressors that are mainly used for blowers are known as airflowers. These are used for drying and cleaning. You can use them for the household to blow the leaves from your backyard. Besides, they help you to clean just from stations. The battery-powered feature allows you to operate the device without any hassle of cords or plugins. 

3. Pancake Air Compressor 

Battery-powered air compressors with a round shape fall under the pancake category. These cordless compressors are larger in size compared to the tire inflator and air blowers. They are available in various sizes. Besides, household battery-powered pancake compressors are also used in small to medium industrial usage. 

4. Hot Dog Air Compressor 

The battery-powered air compressor with a long tubular structure is known as a hot dog air compressor. Such a name is given as the shape matches that of a hot dog. These compressors come in vertical and horizontal configurations. They usually have wheels to enhance portability. They are available in a variety of sizes. Try this category if you want a portable battery-powered air compressor that can take heavy workloads. 

Special Features Of Battery-Powered Air Compressors 

Battery-powered air compressors are the most advanced category available in air compressors. They offer several high-tech features not found in traditional or manual compressors. Among these, the most worth-mentioning features are as follows-

• Automatic Shutoff 

The battery-powered air compressors with a shutoff feature can detect the pressure level. In these compressors, you must first set a pressure rating. And when the compressor reaches its desired pressure level, it turns off automatically. 

• Digital Pressure Gauge

You will find a distal display in most battery-powered air compressors. The air pressure inside the air tank is displayed on this screen. So, you can quickly monitor how much pressure your device is providing to the tire of your truck or car. This makes the inflammation task much easier. 

• Pressure Unit Adjustability 

High-take battery-powered air compressors offer you options to choose the unit of pressure. You can get the pressure reading in four to five units, including bar, ATM, Pascal, kiloPascal, and Torr. So, you can select your desired unit to get the pressure ratings. 

• Night Light 

Night lights are one of the unique features available in battery-powered air compressors. These lights allow you to work in the dark effortlessly. For instance, if you must inflate your tire in the middle of a dark road at midnight, this feature will help you. You will not require any additional light source to operate the device. 

• Multifunctionality 

Battery-powered air compressors are suitable for various works. You can use them for blowing leaves from your yard or inflating tires. Besides, these devices can also power nailers, drillers, and aerial spraying. However, your device must be compatible with different attachments to use an air compressor for multi-functional activities. So, check the factor while purchasing the device. 

Application Of Battery Powered Air Compressor

Battery-powered air compressors are applicable for a wide range of usages; these include- 

• Tire inflation
• Blowing dust 
• Drying
• Air bruising
• Painting
• Drilling
• Nailing, etc

Besides, these devices are used as backup devices in manufacturing companies for emergencies.

Advantages Of Battery-Powered Air Compressor

Battery-powered air compressors have many advantages. Among these, the most popular varieties are as follows- 

Portability

Battery-powered air compressors are super light and small in size. Many of them are handheld so you can take them everywhere you go. Battery-powered tire inflators are an excellent example here. You can quickly remove them from your car’s back drawer and use them in an emergency.  

No Hassle of Refilling 

One of the common issues with diesel or gas-powered air compressors is refilling. They frequently run out of fuel and stop working. So, to keep up the performance of these devices, you need to refill the tank. This is also costly, as diesel and gas are expensive. But no worries with a battery-powered air compressor. They don’t require any diesel or gas refilling. You only need to charge the device; it is all set for work. 

Cord Length Is Not An Issue

In electric corded air compressors, the length of the wire becomes a major consideration. That is because if the cord is too short, it limits the reach of the working station from the power source. And to solve this problem, you must buy an extra hose to extend the length. This eventually increases your total cost. But with a battery-powered air compressor, you need not worry about cord length, as they are cordless. 

Easy Maintenance & Storage  

Battery-powered air compressors don’t require any oil checkups or gas refilling. Besides, they don’t have many hanging parts that require frequent repairs. So, maintaining these air compressors is super easy. Besides, the small and cordless structure of the devices aids you with convenient storage. They can be kept anywhere in your house or in the back drawer of your car.

Environment Friendly 

Air compressors driven by gas or diesel emit toxic gasses like carbon monoxide. Besides, they also produce black smoke as they operate burning fuels. Battery-powered air compressors don’t produce any smoke or harmful gas, as no oil or gas is used. 

Disadvantages Of Battery-Powered Air Compressor

Battery-powered air compressors have a few disadvantages besides the benefits mentioned above. Let’s check this out.

• The major issue with battery-powered air compressors is lower run time. They run out of battery quickly. So, if you want to work for a long time, a battery-powered air compressor may not be appropriate for you. 
• Battery-powered air compressors require frequent charging. And if you fall into a situation where there is no facility for charging, your device won’t be able to start. 
• The battery of the device may become dead at times. Purchasing another battery can be costly. However, some brands add spare batteries to the packaging. 

Things To Consider Before Purchasing A Battery Powered Air Compressor 

Before purchasing a battery-powered air compressor, there are a few things that you should consider. These are as follows- 

Run Time

Run time means how long your air compressor can run when fully charged. Battery-powered air compressors with short run times require frequent charging, which can be a great headache. So, when purchasing any battery power air compressor, always go for a longer runtime. 

Charging Time

Quick charging means fast operation. If you get a compressor that takes longer to recharge, it will ruin your entire work process. For instance, if the air compressor runs out of battery in the middle of tasking, you must recharge it quickly. In this case, if the device takes too long to charge, it will waste a lot of time to finish the task. That is why check the charging time and purchase the faster charging one. 

Voltage Of The Battery 

The battery’s voltage is a crucial factor to consider for battery-powered air compressors. They determine the potentiality of the device. Usually, battery-powered air compressors have a 12V or 24V DC battery. With these voltages, they can quickly inflate the flat tires of a bicycle to the thick tires of a truck.  

PSI

The capacity of the air compressor to produce air pressure inside the tank is measured in PSI. A higher PSI means the compressor can produce more pressure. For instance, inflating truck tires require a higher PSI rating than inflating bike tires. That is why you must first consider the purpose of purchasing the air compressor and choose the PSI rating accordingly. 

CFM

The airflow capacity of an air compressor is measured in CFM. This term stands for the rate of air flowing in Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM) inside the tank. Usually, battery-powered air compressors have a CFM of 1.5 or 1.6 CFM @ 90 PSI. If you are willing to do heavy work with this device, check the CFM ratings and go for a higher value. 

Multifunctionality

Battery-powered air compressors are suitable for various works. You can use them for blowing leaves from your yard or inflating tires. Besides nailing, drilling and air spraying are also possible with these devices. However, your device must be compatible with different attachments to use an air compressor for multi-functional activities. So, check the factor while purchasing the device. 

Portability

The majority of air compressors powered by batteries are portable. Yet, the ones with small sizing and lightweight features enhance the portability. Besides, you can go for plastic-made devices that are extremely light compared to metal ones. You will also find several handheld battery-powered compressors that are much more convenient. 

Replaceable Batteries 

Going for an air compressor with a replaceable battery is an excellent decision. Often the battery of the compressors becomes dead. In this case, if the compressor doesn’t allow battery replacement, you will be required to purchase an entire device. This can be very costly. Besides, many compressors come with a spare battery in the packaging. Choose these variants. Therefore, you can rapidly swap out your battery for a backup when it runs out of juice. This will also save your charging time, allowing you to complete the task without any major intervals. 

Additional Features 

Battery-powered air compressors have many advanced features like- a digital display, pressure unit changing option, night light, automatic shutoff, and more. These features allow you to operate the compressor easily. The digital display also lets you watch over the tire’s airflow while inflating. So, you must look for these features when purchasing a battery-powered air compressor. 

Weight 

Portability is the primary reason for purchasing a battery-powered air compressor. And you can enhance this by going for a lightweight compressor. The device’s size is an important factor to take into account in this situation as well. It allows you to store the device anywhere and use it anytime. For example, a lightweight tire inflator will allow you to operate it handheld and aid easy storage. 

Warranty 

Warranty is an essential factor to consider while purchasing any electrical device; the same goes for battery-powered ones. Usually, these devices can have a warranty of about 1-3 years. However, it would be best if you looked for a better warranty for the battery as they are more prone to death. 

So, look for this factor while purchasing any battery-powered air compressor. This will help you to choose the ideal one. 

What Is The Best Battery Powered Air Compressor?

Regarding battery-powered air compressors, there are several worth-mentioning brands. You can go for the EPAuto 12v DC portable air compressor among these. It is a small battery-powered air compressor with a 180-watt motor and a 100 PSI inflation rate. With these ratings, EPAuto can quickly inflate the thick tires of a truck. 

The most impressive feature of this compressor is its digital meter showing pressure ratings in different units and its auto-shutoff feature. You can measure the air pressure in four different scales using this device: KPA, PSI, BAR, and KG/CM. Besides, when the device reaches 167 degrees Fahrenheit, it shuts off automatically, preventing overheating. It also comes with a flashlight to work in the dark. So, if you are looking for an efficient battery-powered air compressor, you can check this- EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump Review In 2023.

However, tire inflators are the most common category for battery-powered air compressors. Consider its dimension and lightweight features to keep a compressor in the car for emergency usage. In this regard, the BLACK+DECKER 12V DC Multi-Purpose Inflator is an ideal choice. You can use this for several inflation tasks, including- pool floats, car tires, air mattresses, and more. 

Greenworks 24V Portable Air is another choice for a battery-powered air compressor. It has a maximum air pressure-producing capacity of 160 PSI and can run up to 50 minutes when fully charged. Besides, it is mainly designed to be stored in the back of cars or trucks thanks to its portability. Again, there are many other options for portable battery-powered tire inflators. To get an idea check this- 10 Best Portable Tire Inflators in 2023: Expert Review.

Troubleshooting Battery Powered Air Compressor

While operating a battery-powered air compressor, you may face some common issues. these include- 

1. Battery Runs Out So Fast  

The most common problem with battery-powered air compressors is that they discharge too fast and thus stop in the middle of an operation. Here is the cause of this problem and ways to solve it- 

Causes:

• Overheating of the air compressor
• Excessive power consumption
• Leakage in the air tank
• Bad capacitor
• Clogged valve line 

Solution:

• Check if there’s any air leakage
• Replace the battery if it has flaws
• Consult an electrical if you can’t identify the reason or can’t solve it

2. Sudden Shut Down 

While operating the battery-powered air compressor, you may face the device suddenly stopping functioning. This may be due to several reasons. These reasons, along with the solution, are as follows- 

Causes:

• If the battery is out of charge, it will temporarily shut down. 
• Overload
• Air leakage 
• Engine failure 

Solution:

• Charge the battery
• If the battery is dead, replace it with a new one
• Fix if there is any pressure leak

3. Blank Out Display

The display of the battery-powered air compressor shows you the pressure rating. And if the display blanks out, you can no longer monitor the pressure building inside the tank. This may be due to a few reasons. These are-

Causes:

• When the battery goes out of charge, the display turns off
• If the compressor gets hit or falls from a height, the display may not work
• Broken display

Solution:

• Charge the air compressor
• Restart the compressor
• Go to an electrician if you can’t fix the display

4. Air Leakage 

Like all other air compressors, air leakage is a significant issue with battery-powered ones. Due to air leakage, the air compressor can’t build sufficient pressure inside the tank. This may occur due to many reasons; these are as follows- 

Causes:

• If the air valves are not tightened enough, the device leaks air.
• Hole in the hose or other connections
• Broken switch
• Leakage in air and oil filter

Solution:

• Ensure the valves are tight enough
• Clean the filters regularly and repair them if any leakage is found
• Do soap testing to find air leakage in the hose or the tank and fix it accordingly

The Bottom Line

Battery air compressors are excellent for their portability and cable-free operation. You need not plugin the cord while working with it, so it doesn’t limit your reach. Besides, the maintenance of these compressors is super easy. Charging and regular cleaning is the only thing you need to do. 

However, it would be best if you considered some factors when choosing a battery-powered air compressor. These include- run time, battery power, charging time, PSI, CFM rating, etc. Again there are additional features, like- a digital display, pressure monitoring, and night light, that you must consider. Lastly, remember to check the warranty policies. The battery of such an air compressor may show issues within a short time of use. So, get on with better warranty policies. 

FAQs About Battery-Powered Air Compressors

How long does a battery-powered air compressor last?

Battery-powered air compressors can last for 3 -5 years on average. However, this range largely depends on your usage and maintenance. The life span can be increased to a great extent, maintaining the device properly. 

Are battery-powered air compressors strong enough?

The battery-powered air compressors are strong enough for light-duty works like tire inflation, drilling, nailing, etc. However, they are less potent than heavy-duty compressors used for industrial use. 

How frequently do battery-powered air compressors need charging?

The charging frequency depends on the battery’s usage, power, and quality. For example- an air compressor with a 2000 mAh battery can run for 3 hours when fully charged. 

Can you carry battery-powered air compressors in your car?

Yes, battery-powered air compressors, like- tire inflators, are designed to be carried in your car. They have a small and compact design that aids portability. Additionally, they include a cozy grip system that makes it possible for you to hold them in your hand. 

Are battery-powered air compressors powerful enough for truck tire inflation?

Yes, battery-powered air compressors are powerful enough for truck tire inflation. They can produce pressure inside the thick tires and inflate a truck tire in less than 3/4 minutes.