Air Compressor Pricing

Air compressor pricing can vary greatly from model to model depending on a whole list of factors. Since air compressors come in such a huge range of sizes and models, it is natural that pricing should work out this way. Pricing can and does vary and this guide is only intended to give a general view into what you may expect to spend on air compression products depending on what you buy. Be sure to get a feel for all aspects and tips for buying an compressor.

Home and Personal Use

Homeowners and certain contractors and laborers can usually get by with a machine rated at 1 horsepower or under. These compressors can be found at large home improvement warehouses, and manufacturers often include extras like free finish nailers, hoses or other accessories to entice consumers to buy them. If your needs are small scale, you might be fine just buying a model sold at a store like this. These air compressors are usually under $500, and some are even cheaper depending on the model.

Small Scale Commercial Use

Most businesses that need air compressors in their shops require much more pressure and air flow than what these small portable models can deliver. More common in these applications are reciprocating air compressors delivering around 5 horsepower. These models are the most price efficient at this end of the market. At today's prices they might run between $1500 and $2000, although extras you choose could drive that price higher. Rotary compressors are more expensive at this power level. They get closer to the price of reciprocating models at about 10 horsepower. At this point, both types can run anywhere from around $4000 to $6000 depending on brand and specific features chosen.

Large Scale Commercial Use

Pricing continues to go up for both rotary and reciprocating compressors as horsepower increases. Reciprocating compressors usually only go about as high as 25 horsepower; for these models you might pay somewhere around $10,000 or more. Rotary models with this much power are usually a little less expensive. From here, rotary air compression gets much more expensive. You can spend as much on a 200 horsepower model as you would for a brand new full size SUV. And from this point, centrifugal air compressors come into the picture, with costs that can get into the millions.

Oil free air compressors at any price point will dramatically increase your investment. Most oil free models are around three times as expensive as traditional models of similar brand and size. These are specialty items that are really only worth the extra cost when filters or other methods are not sufficient to remove the oil to the extent desired.

Service and Repairs

Most dealers service the models they sell. This is, of course, a detail to check on before you make any purchase. Make sure you choose a local dealer that's convenient for you to get to, but that also offers its own experienced in house service staff. Some companies do not need this extra service, preferring instead to use their own people to work on their air compressors. Determine what level of service you are looking for in your compressors and make sure your dealer fits that description and is flexible to work with you if you wish to do your own warranty work. You should be able to work something out so that your mechanic can just order the parts from the dealer and do all the work in house if you have the capacity to do so. Make sure you understand the terms of your warranty whether you buy your air compressors new or used from your chosen dealership.