10 Best Air Compressors for Cleaning

One thing that everybody hates is dust. It gets everywhere, and in those really awkward places it can be nearly impossible to remove, even with a vacuum cleaner.

This can be really frustrating especially when the rest of your home is clean, as dust collects more dust and multiplies quickly, which will mean your home won’t stay dust free for long.

While vacuum cleaners can do some of the work, what you really need if you want to dislodge stubborn dust is a powerful air compressor that can remove even the most long standing and most engrained layers of dust in every forgotten corner or unreachable nook.

Air compressors are great because they are versatile and there are many different types available depending on what you need. You can even use an air compressor for cleaning PC.

There are some which are highly portable and ideal for home use, while there are others which are a bit more flexible and have more uses and work great in a garage or workshop while also allowing you to use them for painting or other DIY projects.

Finding the right air compressor for your cleaning needs is no easy task however, and there are a range of considerations to be aware of when choosing a new air compressor.

These devices often come with a range of various features that can make finding the right one for you nearly impossible and can leave you without the equipment you need to get your home clean as conveniently and quickly as possible.

To help remedy this we’ve compiled a guide on air compressors for cleaning, featuring 10 of the best air compressors currently available that feature tons of amazing features that will help solve your problem swiftly and easily

We’ve reviewed each one and provided pros and cons for each of them, and have also included a buyers guide and FAQ to provide you with all the information and advice you need to make an informed decision about your next air compressor, as well as answers to common questions about their use.

But let’s take a look at the compressors themselves and what they have to offer.

Table of Contents

• 10 Best Air Compressors for Cleaning
  • MECO High Pressure Air Duster
  • SIN SHINE – Compressed Air 3.0
  • Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressor
  • Electric Air Duster
  • Kensun AC/DC Portable Air Compressor
  • Craftsman Air Compressor
  • Compucleaner 2.0
  • Air Duster – Compressed Cordless
  • DEWALT Air Compressor
  • KOTTO Multi-Use Electric Duster
• Buyers Guide
  • Size
  • Capacity
  • Usability and Portability
  • Power Source
  • Accessories
• Frequently Asked Questions

10 Best Air Compressors for Cleaning

MECO High Pressure Air Duster

This hand held air compressor is a superb choice for anyone who is tired of using canned air to clean their computer, keyboard, or desk and wants a more long term option with great power, ergonomics and efficiency.

This compressor is very lightweight and has several power settings making it easy to control and even easier to direct the air how you want to.

The only drawback is that there is a cord, so while it can reach quite far and is convenient it does require a power outlet to use which may limit your convenience somewhat.

Pros

• High pressure
• 8 additional Nozzles included
• Easily adjustable power settings
• Light and portable
• Ergonomic grip

Cons

• Wired connection, so not totally portable

SIN SHINE – Compressed Air 3.0

This compressor for SIN SHINE is a powerful option for cleaning around the home and removing stubborn layers of dust from hard to reach areas.

This unit is powerful, light and comes with various nozzle attachments for very convenient control of airflow and dust collection. There is also a built-in torch for excellent visibility in those hard to reach places helping to make sure you’ve not missed a single speck of dust!

There are several speed settings, and the only drawback to this unit is that it’s corded, which makes it a little less convenient than some battery powered options.

Pros

• Powerful
• Lightweight
• Various attachments included
• Built in torch for excellent visibility while cleaning
• Several settings

Cons

• Wired, not totally portable

Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressor

If you need something a little more powerful, this compressor from Campbell Hausfeld is a great choice for workshops and garages, as well as for use on cars and for pumping up tyres or other items.

This compressor is great as it’s both powerful and surprisingly portable, with a high capacity and several included accessories.

The monitoring gauges are quality and help you make sure you’re using the compressor properly, and it’s a very reliable choice for garage based use.

The drawback is that this may be too powerful for use on some items like computers and keyboards, and may not be the most convenient for use around the house due to its heavier weight.

Pros

• Very powerful
• High capacity
• Several accessories and nozzles
• Quality gauges for monitoring
• Reliable

Cons

• A little too powerful for some uses
• Not as portable as handheld options

Electric Air Duster

This highly convenient hand held duster is great for use around the home, and is lightweight and cordless, using a rechargeable battery to provide surprising power wherever you need it most.

It’s also fast charging and comes with a USB, however this unit isn’t as powerful as some other options and doesn’t include any additional nozzle accessories so it may not be as versatile for cleaning as some other options.

It’s a great budget option however.

Pros

• Battery powered
• Very portable and light
• Fast charging
• USB cable included for use when on low power or for charging
• 1 year warranty

Cons

• Not as powerful as some other units
• No nozzle accessories included

Kensun AC/DC Portable Air Compressor

This option is a great compromise and provides good power and portability, perfect for use on DIY projects, in the garage or around the home.

The variable power settings make it suitable for use at very high PSI for pumping up tyres or blasting workbenches, but can also be swapped to a low pressure mode for use on more sensitive areas like keyboards.

There are two additional nozzles included and a car power adapter for use on the go, making this option a superb compromise from a reliable and well known brand.

Pros

• Good power
• Good portability
• Variable power settings
• Two nozzles included
• Car power adapter

Cons

• A little heavier than some handheld options

Craftsman Air Compressor

This option from Craftsman is a very powerful high capacity compressor that’s definitely geared towards workshop use.

It is reliable and low maintenance, with quick recovery times and a range of very practical nozzle adapters included.

While this option isn’t the most portable and is probably not suited to use around the home, for use in the garage there are few better options in terms of power and raw performance!

Pros

• Reliable and Low maintenance
• Extremely powerful
• Quick recovery time
• Quite portable despite high capacity
• Various nozzles and accessories included

Cons

• Not as portable as some other options

Compucleaner 2.0

Another handheld option, the Compucleaner 2.0 is a great and convenient option for home use and comes with variable speeds, various included nozzle attachments and decent working pressures to handle most dusty keyboards and shelves very easily.

The only drawbacks are the cord which make it a little less portable than battery powered options, and the slightly lower pressure compared to high capacity compressors.

Pros

• Good pressure
• Lightweight and very portable
• Variable speeds
• Several attachments perfect for cleaning

Cons

• Corded
• Not as powerful as some high capacity compressors

Air Duster – Compressed Cordless

This handheld and cordless compressor is a great choice for home use and comes with an array of great features such as precise and effective power, rechargeable batteries for maximum convenience, alternative brushes nozzle for dust collection and removing stubborn grime, and an included charging cable.

There is also an included torch built in to provide good visibility in hard to reach places, making this a great option for use with computers as well as around the home.

The only drawback is that it may not be quite as powerful as some other compressors, particularly when the battery life begins to lower.

Pros

• Battery powered and rechargeable
• Very convenient and lightweight
• Good power and pressure
• Alternative brushed nozzle included
• Charging cable included
• Torch for better visibility while cleaning

Cons

• Not as powerful as some other options

DEWALT Air Compressor

DEWALT is one of the most famous and reliable brands in the DIY world, and their air compressor is one of the best and most versatile for home or garage use, with various power settings, high capacity, alongside good portability and a low maintenance motor.

There’s also a one year warranty so quality is assured, and the only drawback is that a great brand like DEWALT commands a slightly higher price for their renowned reliability and performance.

Pros

• Very powerful
• Decent capacity
• Portable
• Low maintenance
• One year warranty included

Cons

• A little more expensive

KOTTO Multi-Use Electric Duster

A great budget option, the KOTTO multi-use duster is a great choice for use in bedrooms and on electronics such as keyboards, with its various included nozzles, variable speeds and extremely portable size.

The only drawback is its lack of very high power and the short cord which makes it a little hard to reach some places.

Pros

• Great value
• Lightweight
• Several nozzles included
• Multiple speeds

Cons

• Short cord
• Not very powerful – but fine for electronics and simple cleaning tasks

Buyers Guide

In this buyers guide we’re going to highlight the key features and qualities to look out for in a good air compressor, to help you find the right one for you and your needs.

It’s important to remember that these devices cover many different applications, and some won’t be as versatile as others.

All these different attributes are key to making sure you’re getting an air compressor that will be able to clean effectively, depending on your intended use.

If you have further questions please feel free to check out the FAQ below where you may find answers to some of the most common queries people have regarding air compressors and their use.

Size

One of the first things to consider when looking for an air compressor is the size of the device.

The size of your compressor has a range of implications on its functionality and usability, and will make a huge difference on how convenient it is for cleaning.

There are many great handheld and highly portable compressors which are small and designed for home use, such as cleaning bookcases, desks, shelves, and even computers and keyboards.

These devices are very easy to carry around but are of course a little less versatile and aren’t as powerful as the larger compressors, and have a much smaller capacity.

On the other hand, there are larger options that are still somewhat portable, and even workshop/workstation compressors which have excellent capacity and power but are of course a little less convenient for in home use and are better for clearing wood dust, chippings and other applications such as painting.

However there are many different sizes as well as some excellent compromises, so you may be able to find a perfect go between for both in home use and more practical DIY/workstation use.

Capacity

The capacity of your air compressor determines the power of your compressor and how effectively it can maintain a strong current of air. Typically capacity will have a huge impact on the actual pressure or PSI your compressor is capable of.

Generally speaking, around 70 to 90 PSI is considered a good level for home use compressors which need to be able to remove dust and debris, while some more powerful workshop compressors with a wider range of uses typically produce 100 to 130 PSI depending on its performance and the size of the air tank.

Crucially, while PSI can make a huge difference to the performance of your compressor, you can make a smaller PSI compressor more powerful by choosing the correct accessories and nozzles, so make sure to keep this in mind before deciding to get something really high powered.

When looking for these tools it’s best to keep a use case in mind, how do you intend to use your compressor most regularly, and what are your goals for using it? This will help you determine whether you want a larger or smaller compressor capacity.

Usability and Portability

The usability and portability of your compressor is a huge factor in determining how much value you get out of your device.

Handheld air compressors are super convenient and allow easy use for home cleaning, however they can’t really be repurposed for larger tasks such as painting, for example.

The semi portable or stationary compressors are a little less easy to use around the home on a daily basis, but provide greater versatility and value in the long run, particularly if you have a workshop or intend to paint using your compressor.

Typically, the portability of compressors is inversely proportional to the power it’s capable of, so it’s a trade off to consider carefully before you make a decision.

Power Source

The power source your compressor uses will have an enormous impact on its power and portability.

While hand held or battery powered compressors can still provide an excellent amount of power and will easily handle most cleaning tasks, they won’t be as powerful as compressors which use a main power outlet.

But the great thing about battery powered handheld compressors is their ability to get into hard to reach places, making them perfect for cleaning bookshelves, the interior of computers and sensitive or hard to reach places such as these.

If you want the cleanest and most powerful compressor however, a stationary unit may be the best choice for you.

Accessories

Getting the best use possible out of your compressor will often require a few additional accessories to make sure you’re able to direct your airflow as precisely as possible.

This will help to make the best use of the air pressure but also help prevent damaging delicate objects around the area you’re cleaning.

Some units come with various additional nozzles and attachments, while some come with very few, if any, alternative accessories so keep an eye out for this when looking at your options and make sure you’re getting the best value possible before you make a decision.

If however you do have a particular compressor in mind you can always get accessories separately at a later time and there are many different options available if you decide to take this approach.

Frequently Asked Questions