Another one of the top-selling portable air compressors on today’s market is the 8010 model by California Air Tools. It edges the Porter Cable C2002 and DeWalt DWFP55126 in some aspects but then again, it is in a slightly different class, both pricewise and sizewise. The most important feature of this compressor, which made it vastly popular is the level of the operating sounds. It is perhaps the quietest air compressor on the market, and that is why a lot of people who work in noise sensitive environments prefer it over the rest.
The true reason behind the low operating noise is the 1700 RPM motor on the inside. While this is considerably lower than most compressors, it also helps in another aspect. The fewer rounds per minute a motor does, the less damage it takes over time. This is why this air compressor is not only durable but with an exceptionally long life as well. This is something which greatly raises its stock price in the eyes of many professionals. The oil-free characteristic of the unit helps all that longevity and durability as well.
The size of the air tank here isn’t much different than the one of the C2002. In fact, it is half a gallon less, but still around 2 gallons more than the Makita MAC700, which has one of the smallest air tanks out of all the units we reviewed. It also has a smaller output of 120 PSI (compared to the 160 of the C2002). Another aspect where the 8010 falls short is the weight. It weights at around 52 pounds which is some 20 pounds above the average for this class. Don’t worry about that weight, though, as there are wheels attached to the compressor, which will make carrying it around fairly easy.
A few numbers that might make you look away are the 3.1 CFM at 40 psi and 2.2 SCFM at 90 psi. This is considerably lower than other compressors in this range, and using it with a colleague of yours will probably be a waste of time at this point. The main selling point of this unit is that is super quiet and it works good enough for a single person. Furthermore, it is durable and the motor lasts longer than other motors.
If you are not sure how to get started with your new compressor and want to know which are the first steps for new users, head out to our Buyer’s Guide where you will find tons of useful information on the matter.
If you are looking for a super quiet air compressor that will be by your side for quite some time, then this is a great choice for you. Sure it comes short in a few aspects, such as weight and multi-usage but if you are working alone in a noise-sensitive environment, there is no better alternative. The wheels will help you move it around and it won’t require recharges too often if used for medium grade air tools. Have in mind that this is the steel version we are talking about here. If you want something lighter that will be even easier to carry around, go for the aluminum one. We gave this model a four and a half out of five stars rating.