Air compressors are a very useful and important part of every handyman’s garage. If you are a DIY enthusiast, you would also need the best air compressors that are available as they help you run air tools. Although most air compressors are rather noisy, the quietest 20-gallon air compressors in 2024 have refined designs that allow for a noiseless operation. It can be tough to make your pick from the numerous products out there, and so we have the best and quietest ones reviewed and compared in this article.
In a hurry? The best and a quietest 20-gallon air compressor on the market is the DEWALT 20 Gallon Portable Air Compressor. It’s a powerful tool and can handle even tough tasks. Briggs & Stratton 20 Gallon Air Compressor is another great choice that is durable and operates quietly.
Read also: Best Quiet Airbrush Compressor 2024.
Quiet 20-Gallon Air Compressor: Quick Comparison
Best Rated  |
DEWALT 20 Gallon Portable Air Compressor
| Check Price |
Runner Up  |
Briggs & Stratton 20 Gallon Air Compressor
| Check Price |
  |
NorthStar Single Stage 20 Gallon Air Compressor
| Check Price |
  |
WEN 2202 20 Gallon Air Compressor
| Check Price |
  |
Industrial Air 20 Gallon Air Compressor
| Check Price |
Quietest 20-Gallon Air Compressor 2024: Reviews
1. DEWALT 20 Gallon Portable Air Compressor
Best Rated
The name ‘DEWALT’ is a household name, thanks to the great performances of their products, this air compressor is one of their top-performing products and it has a 1.9 HP motor.
This makes it fill up quickly and easily so that you can get your tasks completed faster.
Its twin-cylinder pump is of cast iron, with an aluminum head to ensure that the head is dissipated quickly.
The regulator is high flow and allows greater torque for tough projects. All controls are easy to reach, making the compressor easy to use.
Pneumatic wheels are included in the design and they are very handy as they aid portability and mobility of the machine. At 155 PSI, you have enough pressure to carry out most of the tasks you have at hand.
Pros
- 155 maximum PSI
- Quiet operation
- Easy to operate
- Easy to move thanks to pneumatic wheels
- Durable air compressor
Cons
- The handle is not the most durable
2. Briggs & Stratton 20 Gallon Air Compressor
Runner Up
This Briggs & Stratton 20 Gallon Air Compressor is another great choice for those who need high performance and quiet air compressor.
Its compact design plus wheels make storage and mobility easy, so you can take it with you to the site of your task.
The tough wheels are so designed to make maneuvering on-site easy.
The 1.5 HP induction motor is powerful enough to carry out most tasks you need to do around the house. Its CFM rating of 4.8 at 40 PSI and 3.7 CFM at 90 PSI make it the ideal air compressor for most tasks as well.
Being an oil-free machine, maintenance is easy, making its use even easier for those who are not too experienced in this area. So if you are new to the world of air compressors, this quiet one will also be a good starting point for you.
Pros
- Easy maintenance
- 1.5 HP motor
- 150 Maximum PSI
- Reinforced frame for durability
- Tough wheels for easy movement
- Silent operation
Cons
- Can take quite a while to fill up
3. NorthStar Single Stage 20 Gallon Air Compressor
Silent Operation
This NorthStar air compressor is a durable product that comes with a twin iron pump with two cylinders.
It’s an oiled air compressor, so it operates with very little noise and is virtually silent.
By this, you can use it at home and other residential areas without fear of causing a disturbance to those around you.
Since you may have to move the air compressor around as you do your job, it’s made to withstand such wear and tear using extra-strong materials in the construction.
This air compressor is capable of powering a wide number of tools including an air ratchet, impact wrench, and airbrush. It’s powerful enough for both commercial and domestic applications, making it the right tool for most jobs that require air compressors.
The smooth-rolling steel ball-bearing wheels aid with the maneuverability of this product, so that you can conveniently position it next to your work station and get your tasks completed. Thanks to its vertical design, it takes up little space.
Pros
- Quiet 20-gallon air compressor
- Strong and sturdy construction
- Durable product
- Portable unit
- 135 maximum PSI
Cons
- The regulator is a bit restrictive
4. WEN 2202 20 Gallon Air Compressor
Portable Budget Quiet Air Compressor
This WEN air compressor is a great product that offers both great performance and affordability.
So if you are on a budget and need a quiet 20-gallon air compressor that does the job, this is a great choice.
Even though it’s cheap compared to most products under the same category, it gives you great value for your money.
You get a 1.5 HP motor, together with a 135 PSI tank. The CFM rating at 40 PSI is 5.0 which is quite decent. Its valve drain is easy to reach, and the inclusion of wheels makes it easy to be moved around.
All of these features are what make this air compressor a great choice for your domestic tasks and low-duty jobs. Being a quiet machine, you can use it in your neighborhood without causing too much disturbance to those around you.
Pros
- Oil-lubricated air compressor
- Portable
- Quiet
- 3.8 CFM rating at 90 PSI
- Maximum pressure of 135 PSI
- The presence of wheels and handle make movement easier
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Not the quietest on the list
5. Industrial Air 20 Gallon Air Compressor
Last but not least on our list of quietest 20-gallon air compressors in 2024 is this Industrial Air 20 Gallon Air Compressor.
It’s also an oil-lubricated pump, making it very quiet and fit for use in residential areas without worrying about the noise.
For long life, the pump is made of cast iron and a twin-cylinder for quick heat dissipation.
The motor is heavy duty and able to provide high performance so that you can complete your task without any trouble.
All controls are easy to access, making the operation smooth. Pneumatic wheels are also included so that you can easily move your air compressor about as you do your work. The front handle comes in handy as well for mobility.
Pros
- 1.6 HP motor
- 135 maximum PSI
- Durable cast iron tank
- 2 years limited warranty
Cons
- Might require a drain extension as the drain here is located under the tank
Best 20 Gallon Air Compressor Buying Guide
Low Noise Level
Being that the noise level of your air compressor is an important factor in your purchase, you should definitely check for this.
Different air compressors have different noise levels depending on the model and design, and so you should check for the decibel rating. If there is none, you can try testing the machine and be sure that you are satisfied with the output.
Power
The motor power of your air compressor is also important as it determines just how useful your air compressor would be. The tank motor stores air in the tank and this process can be time-consuming since the tank capacity is large.
With a powerful motor, however, this process is less time-consuming and can fill the tank much faster. You may also want to read our articles about Best Quiet Air Compressor 2024 and Best Most Quiet 30 Gallon Air Compressor
Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM)
CFM is short for Cubic Feet Per Minute. It’s a measure of the amount of air the air compressor gives out in a minute. This measure is important as different pneumatic tools have different CFM requirements. And so depending on the CFM requirement of your tool, choose the CFM rating of your air compressor accordingly.
The CFM of air compressors isn’t a constant as it differs at different PSI levels. CFM is higher when the PSI is low, and vice versa. When purchasing an air compressor for your tools, it’s wise that you go for one that gives 20% more airflow than what the tool requires.
Size
The tank size you go for depends on the task you intend to use it for and the tools you intend to power up. 20-gallon tanks are not large-capacity tanks, and so are best for running low load air tools.
These are your best choices if you intend to do small jobs around the house. For more serious jobs, bigger tanks are recommended.
Max Air Pressure
The maximum air pressure rating tells you the amount of pressure your air compressor can handle inside the tank. It’s important as different tools have different pressure requirements and can only function well if the pressure that is supplied to them is what they need.
PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) is the unit for measuring maximum pressure. It’s different for different models and the advantage of having a machine with high PSI is that it can power up multiple tools simultaneously.
Source of Power
They are two types of air compressors based on the power source;
Gas Powered Compressors
Gas-powered air compressors aren’t attached to a cord and are the best options for those who need a portable machine. They are useful in places with no electricity, making them flexible. Their downside however is the emission of fumes, making them bad for indoor use.
Electric Air Compressors
Electric-powered air compressors can be used indoors as well as outdoors, but they require an electrical outlet. They are quieter than the gas-powered types of air compressors and are also usually less expensive. They are however limited to areas with electricity and are not suitable for heavy-duty jobs.
Oil-Free or Oil Filling
Oil-free air compressors have Teflon coating in the inner compartments. This allows them last for as long as 2000 hours of use. they are cheaper, easy to maintain, and weigh less.
Oiled compressors are however less noisy than oil-free air compressors. And so they are the best to be used in residential areas to avoid causing so much disturbance to your neighbors.
Oiled air compressors can also withstand pressure from heavy-duty usage. Note that oiled compressors are not as easy to maintain.
So when making a choice, note that oil-free air compressors are the best option for you if you require something lightweight with less maintenance.
Oiled compressors on the other hand are the best for you if you would be working for long time as they are more durable and quieter.
Final Thoughts About Top Rated Quietest Air Compressors 20 Gal On the Market
Air compressors are important additions to every garage as they drive several tools and can be used to carry out various tasks. The quietest 20-gallon air compressors reviewed and compared here are among the best quietest ones you would find on the market in 2024.
The highly rated DEWALT 20 Gallon Portable Air Compressor the winner. Apart from its quiet operation, it’s also easy to move and operate.
Briggs & Stratton Quiet 20 Gallon Air Compressor is a durable product with ease of maintenance. NorthStar Single Stage 20 Gallon Air Compressor is a another great option as it offers you great performance with very little noise as well.
Dave Pearson is a Canadian musician, sound editor, and audiophile. He is also the founder and owner of the website SoundProofGeek. On SoundProofGeek, Pearson offers advice and resources on audio equipment, including how to assess and improve audio quality, how to troubleshoot and repair audio equipment, and how to improve the music listening experience.
Table of Contents
Comments are closed.