Air compressors

What Really Matters when Choosing the right Compressor?

Posted on by Lisa Hodgkinson

If this is the first time you’ve thought about buying a compressor, it can feel a little scary! After all, it’s important to get the right one for your needs and not overspending on a huge compressor with all the bells & whistles if you’re just going to be inflating your tyres and blowing away debris! 

Plain grey background showing lots of different types od air compressors including portable, stationary, vertical and screw compressors

The most important thing to understand when buying a compressor are the different measurements of power and air, and we’ll be straight with you – it can get very confusing!   

Jargon-free Guide to Compressed air Measurements 

Firstly, we’d just like to say that you can skip this blog entirely and just give us a call on: 01932 348777 and we’ll recommend the exact compressor you need based on what you’ll be using it for, the space you’ll be using it and your budget. 

However, it’s always useful to know and understand the different measurements in compressed air, so here we explain it in a (hopefully!) jargon-free way!

Understanding CFM: The Breath of Your Compressor

Ever wondered what CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) is all about? Think of it as the ‘breath’ of your compressor. Just like you wouldn’t want to run out of breath during a jog, you definitely don’t want your compressor running out of CFM when powering your tools. CFM measures how much air your compressor can deliver, ensuring your tools never go gasping for air. So, let’s breathe easy and keep those tools running smoothly!

Image graphic showing the outline of a human breathing and an air compressor. The wording says: CFM: Cubic feet per minute - CFM is your compressor’s breath—run out, and your tools gasp for air.

PSI: The Driving Force Behind Your Compressor 

Think of PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) like the water pressure in a garden hose. Just as higher water pressure helps you spray further and clean more effectively, higher PSI allows your compressor to deliver more power and tackle tougher tasks. The more PSI, the more force your compressor can deliver, so more PSI is required for heavy duty tasks. 

PSI explained - there is a written blurb 'PSI is the force behind your tools—the higher it is, the more power you’ve got for tougher tasks' with an illustration of 3 arrows resembling force, an air compressor and the figure of a man air spraying.

HP (Horsepower): The Engine Behind Your Compressor’s Oomph 

When we talk about horsepower (HP), think of it as the engine under a car bonnet. Just like a car with more horsepower can accelerate faster and haul heavier loads, a compressor with more HP can drive more demanding tools and applications. It’s the muscle that ensures your compressor has the power to get the job done, no matter how big or small. So, when it comes to horsepower, think of it as the heart and soul of your compressor! 

Horsepower (HP) explained with a blurb: Horsepower is the muscle—more HP means your compressor can handle bigger, tougher jobs with ease. and a diagram of an arm with strong muscle and a compressor.

How to decide on your Compressor in a Nutshell 

Now that we’ve broken down CFM, PSI, HP, and bar, let’s put it all together. When buying an air compressor, think about the tasks you’ll be using it for. 

  • CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) is like your compressor’s lung capacity. Higher CFM means more airflow, which is essential for tools like spray guns or sanders that need a continuous supply. 
  • PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) is the force behind that airflow. Just like a strong water hose can clean better, higher PSI allows your compressor to power more demanding tools. 
  • Horsepower (HP) is the engine driving it all. More HP means the compressor can generate higher PSI and CFM, but don’t be fooled—bigger isn’t always better unless your tools require it. 
  • Bar is just another way to measure pressure, commonly used outside the U.S. If you see specifications in bars, just know that 1 bar equals roughly 14.5 PSI. 

When picking a compressor, check what your tools require. High-CFM tools like sanders and paint sprayers need more airflow, while nail guns work fine with lower CFM but require quick bursts of PSI. It’s all about finding the right balance for the jobs you’ll be tackling.

A selection of lots of different types of compressor from small to large, portable, screw, belt driven and direct drive.

Ready to choose your Air Compressor? 

Like we say, we’d much rather you get in touch with us before purchasing a compressor – just so that we can help make sure you are getting one powerful enough or indeed, not too powerful and spending more than you need to. 

Feel free to browse our air compressor sales page and let us know if you need any help. As a general rule of thumb, if you are looking for a compressor for your home garage and for general tasks like DIY and inflating tyres, then a Direct drive compressor will probably be enough.  

If you’re looking for something with a bit more guts, the belt driven compressors from Nuair or Abac are powerful and trustworthy.