A compressor attached to a paint-sprayer is a wonderful thing. They can make all the tedious and time-consuming paint jobs a quick and easy affair. Depending on the sprayer you’re using, the ability to atomize and spray will leave you with unmatched consistency and quality of finish.
Furthermore, a compressor is far more than just the power behind a spray gun.
Don’t have time to read our full review right now? No worries! Here are our top 3 picks off the Best Porter & Cable accessories you just might have;
- 150 psi compressor
- Single tank charge
- 3/8-Inch Crown Stapler
- Innovative shroud
- 1.6 HP induction motor
- Semi pneumatic wheels
- 72 decibels
- Iron V-twin pump
- Durable oil free pump
- Easy to carry
- Drain valve
- Low Amp 120V motor
Top 5 Best Porter-Cable Compressor
The compressors worth investing in are meant to attach to anything from air blowers to nail guns and industrial staplers. Thus, it’s important to consider that buying a compressor means buying the motor behind countless pieces of air-powered equipment.
Porter-Cable is one of the most popular compressor brands available. What follows are 5 of our favorite Porter Cable Air Compressors reviews
1. Porter-Cable PCFP02003 Pancake Compressor
The PCFP02003 Porter Cable Pancake compressor grabs our attention as one of our smallest options but it still packs a decent amount of power. It’s a great compressor that is designed almost entirely for home-use and small to medium projects. With a 120 V low amp motor, it’s capable of 2.0 SCFM at 90 PSI and has a max output of 135 PSI.
The horsepower only measures up to .8 but the amp draw is also low at just 10. This means that while it’s certainly on the low end of power, at least it won’t overwhelm your circuit breaker. Moreover, it works via an oil-free pump which will keep the system running maintenance-free or a long time.
It comes with a 3.5-gallon tank that is just enough to avoid frequent, long recovery times. There is one factory-installed quick connect coupler for easy access to regulated airflow. It weighs only 26 lbs. so it’s incredibly lightweight when compared to other similar compressors on the market.
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Pros
- It’s small and lightweight making it easier to transport before, after, and during a project.
- It does not need a ton of power to operate.
- No frills or extras but does exactly what it’s designed to do.
Cons
- It’s pretty underpowered. For anything beyond inflation, small paint jobs, and simple nailing and roofing work, you will need more.
- At 82 dBa it’s loud for such a small machine and is known to suffer from a lot of feedback and vibration.
- There’s no real handle to lift it and it comes without a protective cage.
2. Porter-Cable C2002 Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor
This Porter Cable c2002 review is another Pancake compressor and is a slightly bigger and more powerful compressor then its closely-related sibling. It’s designed to be just a step above the PCFP02003 in terms of power and ability. However, it remains a compressor best suited for DIY household work rather than bigger or more professional projects.
It also comes with a 120 V low amp motor but with 2.6 SCFM at 90 psi, it can hit a maximum of 150 psi. This is a nice increase from the previous model and allows for some more versatility. A good Porter Cable 150 psi air compressor.
It also runs with an oil-free pump for durability and low maintenance. Combined with the 6-gallon tank, tools can be expected to have longer runs without too much recovery time.
Furthermore, thanks to greater capacity and power, this unit has two quick-connect couplers that can support two users at once. With 1 HP and drawing only 10 amps, it’s still very efficient when it comes to power and electrical use.
It’s just 34 lbs. and remains a portable, lightweight machine while also including a handle, shroud and console cover for protective storage.
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Pros
- The price is unbeatable for what you get.
- This model comes with a small tool kit for cleanliness and general upkeep that would otherwise be an expensive add-on.
- It’s an ideal compressor for those with DIY work around the house that need just a little bit more than the PCFP02003 without sacrificing the portability.
- The double-quick connect coupler means two tools can be used together.
Cons
- Like its sibling, the C2002 is loud at 82 dBa and is known for vibrating and moving a lot during use.
- The included accessory toolkit is a thoughtful touch but is low quality and may require a replacement.
- The manual is not helpful and seriously lacks the necessary details. In order to master this compressor, you will need to look for instructions elsewhere.
3. Porter-Cable CMB15 Oil-Free Compressor Kit
The CMB15 is the most modern Porter Cable compressor on this list of Porter Cable compressor reviews in terms of design, look and feel. It’s by far the weakest unit but is also the most portable and easy to use. The CMB15 is a great machine for those looking for a simple inflator and small painting projects.
With a low amp 120V motor, 2.0 SCFM at 90 PSI with a maximum of 150 PSI, .8 HP, and an oil-free pump, it’s not all that different than the previous options. What limits it, however, is the 1.5-gallon storage tank. Recovery time is thus a problem for anything outside of small-scale projects.
On the other hand, this comes with major benefits since the machine is both very small and lightweight at just 20 lbs. It’s also fully shrouded which makes storage simpler as the body is thin and the delicate parts are covered.
The package includes a 25-foot hose which is plenty for most small projects as well as an 8-piece accessory kit geared towards inflation-related tasks.
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Pros
- For such a small unit, it packs a lot of power. Despite its small tank, it will still handle most light work.
- Both its design and user manual make the machine very easy to set-up and use.
- It’s the most storage-friendly compressor on this list
Cons:
- Reports from users have stated that it has an awkward center of balance and will frequently tip over.
- At 79 dBa is technically quieter than other models but not by much. This will still have an obnoxious noise level, especially indoors.
- That small tank means versatility is very limited.
4. Porter-Cable PCFP12234 3-Tool Combo Kit
The Combo Kit is a good option for those looking to get the most bang for their buck in terms of building up an arsenal of tools. The compressor itself is virtually the same as the PCFP02003.
Knowing this, what you are actually paying for are the discounted tools it comes with. These include a 16-gauge 2-1/12-inch Finish Nailer, 18-gauge 2-inch Brad Nailer with a shroud for protection and portability, a heavy-duty 3/8-inch Crown Stapler, and a 25-foot ¼-inch air hose with a coupler and plug.
While the focus of this article is Porter Cable Air Compressors reviews, it’s worth stating that the tools in this kit come well-reviewed in their own right. For the sake of this review then it’s more about whether you just need a compressor or a whole toolbox to go along with it.
The compressor, as we have already stated, is great for DIY work and small to medium projects around the house. Adding the Combo Kit simply means you can go beyond basic painting projects without having to spend a fortune on new tools.
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Pros
- It’s a decently powered compressor that can handle most household jobs while also being small and affordable.
- The combo kit is an incredible value. For less than $100 more you can have a small collection of air-powered tools that will last. You can quickly go beyond DIY paint spraying work.
- The tools themselves feature maintenance-free motors, depth of drive adjustments, and tool-free jam release.
Cons
- It’s still the same compressor that runs with a noise level of 82 dBA with a lot of feedback and vibration.
- For those who just need a basic set up for inflation and paint-spraying, the Combo Kit is pointless.
- It will be a lot to store when the compressor is already a little cumbersome.
5. Porter-Cable PXCM202 Portable Belt Drive 20-Gallon Air Compressor
Another for a porter cable air compressor review on the list is the heavy-duty option. The Porter Cable 20 gallon air compressorPXCM202 is a powerful machine with a cast iron V-twin pump that is capable of 135 psi with 6.2 SCFM at 40 psi and 5.3 SCFM at 90 psi. It’s powered by a 1.6 HP induction motor.
Unlike the other options, it’s belt-driven and oil-lubricated. The oil is easy to monitor with a sight glass and the belt is protected by a metal guard. The entire system is durable and packs plenty of power for most DIY projects and even semi-professional work.
The 20-gallon tank gives you plenty of space in-between recovery times and is perfect for long work. Furthermore, despite the large tank and a weight of 154 lbs., it can be used and stored either horizontally or vertically for convenience. It also comes with 9.5-inch semi-pneumatic wheels so it’s easy to lug around despite the large weight.
All in all, the PXCM202 is the compressor you want if you have some large-scale paint spraying to do as well as any major project involving air-power. It’s a compressor for those who have serious and varied work on their hands.
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Pros
- Tons of power and exceptional tank capacity makes this the strongest and most versatile option on this list.
- Easy to store and move around despite being over 150 lbs.
- At only 72 dBA, it’s significantly quieter than the other options on this list.
Cons
- Oil-lubrication means it will require more maintenance and attention than other models.
- If all you are dealing with is paint-spraying and other small-scale projects, it won’t be worth the money or effort.
- It’s significantly more expensive at well over $400.
Conclusion:
As one of the most popular brands on the market, Porter-Cable offers a plethora of options for those seeking a high-quality compressor, which the manufacturer who makes Porter Cable air compressors constantly achieve and strive to better. Every option on this list is a great choice for people in need of a motor for their air-powered paint sprayers. However, in choosing what is right for you, consider everything a compressor can be outside of paint-spraying.
If all you need is a fresh coat on a few cabinets then one of the small stand-alone models will serve you well. However, if paint-spraying is only the beginning of all your air-powered work, then the Combo Kit or PXCM202 will help you get started. Either way, Porter-Cable will have your back.
