Portable air tanks make it much more convenient to store compressed air. They are typically handy and find ready application in filling up tires. They can also be used for extended functions deploying a blow-off tip. These could be the tires of your ATV, car, or bicycles. Portable air tanks work with air compressors. These tanks are designed to be very mobile, so you can readily move them to the site of your project.
In this guide, we will look through the best portable air tanks you can get in the market. Our overall best value pick is the Performance Tool W10005 Hi-viz 5-Gallon Horizontal Portable Air Tank with Tire Air Chuck. It is versatile, easy to use with a premium quality built-in gauge.
These portable air tanks were rigorously tested. They stand out for their portability, power supply, pressure, and material quality. From time to time, we will be reviewing and updating this list to reflect the best quality portable air times currently available in the market.
15 Best Portable Air Tanks Reviews
1. Performance Tool W10005 Hi-viz 5-Gallon Horizontal Portable Air Tank With Tire Air Chuck
No doubt, Performance Tool is some of the best manufacturers in the portable air tank space. It is, therefore, unsurprising to see the Performance Tool W10005 Hi-viz 5-Gallon Horizontal Portable Air Tank coming on top of our list.
This portable air tank boasts a sturdy construction that makes it more tolerant even in the face of rugged use. It has an ultra-lightweight design being made from premium aluminum. This is a 5-gallon tank that gives you that valuable portability.
The Performance Tool W10005 Hi-viz 5-Gallon Horizontal Portable Air Tank is also equipped with strong threads. This doesn’t easily loosen despite the attachment of more significant pressure.
There is also an 11-gallon variant of the Performance Tool W10005 Hi-viz portable air tank if you need more capacity. This air tank is furnished with a humanized handle. This makes it far easier to move the portable air tank around. Who likes stress?
The air hose is durable, with less heating propensity when compared to most hoses. This portable air tank can at most give you 125 PSI. This introduces much-needed speed to your job.
Pros
- The built-in gauge boasts premium quality
- You can choose between two capacities
- It is versatile, being compatible with a broad range of tire valves.
Cons
- The plastic make of the knob makes it more susceptible to breakage
2. Torin Big Red Portable Horizontal Air Tank with 50″ Hose, 11 Gallon Capacity
This is the air tank to run to when you are caught in those ugly situations of bad tires. The Torin Big Red Portable Horizontal Air Tank has an 11-gallon capacity. It has a pretty attractive design.
It is supplied with a 50-inch high-pressure hose. You can trust the efficiency. It is essential to read your pressure gauge correctly. This portable air tank doesn’t disappoint in this regard, coming with an inbuilt pressure release valve that keeps you well safer.
The Torin Big Red Portable Horizontal Air Tank has a sturdy built, which gives you the necessary robustness for long-lasting usage.
Pros
- It features an inbuilt pressure release valve for enhanced safety
- 11-gallon capacity gives you more continuous usage
- The pressure is durable
Cons
- The valve quality needs improvement
- It is more on the high-end for portable air tanks
3. Pro-LifT W-1005 Grey Air Tank – 5 Gallon Capacity
The Pro-LifT W-1005 Grey Air Tank features a sturdy construction with excellent durability. It is more resistant to corrosion and extreme weather conditions, thanks to its adorable enamel finish.
This air tank has a capacity of 5 gallons, weighing less than 18 lbs. This certainly satisfies your need for portability for lighter inflation.
Stability (when placed horizontally in use) is enhanced courtesy of the stand that comes with this tank. Even with this, this air tank is flexible enough for vertical usage. We all agree that leakage is a popular nightmare with portable air tanks.
However, our fears of leakage is well reduced with the Pro-LifT W-1005 Grey Air Tank furnished with an advanced shut-off valve. This excels at keeping compressing air without any of it escaping unduly. The 32-inch hose is a guarantee of non-leakage.
What this implies is that you wouldn’t lack air in those crucial moments of need. You wouldn’t be spending much time in your inflation tasks either as this tank has a 125 psi pressure capacity.
Pros
- Easy mobility consequent of the hand facility
- This tank comes with a premium-grade hose
- Relatively more resistant to corrosion and rust compared to most portable steel tanks
Cons
- The bottom has no drain valve, which is a notable handicap
4. Craftsman 9-15200 5 Gallon Horizontal Air Tank with 135 Pounds Per Square-Inch
It is effortless counting the Craftsman 9-15200 5 Gallon Horizontal Air Tank among the best portable air tanks you can get in the market currently. It comes with a pretty capacity of 5 gallons. There is an excellent supply of high pressure thanks to the hose, which has a 3-foot length.
The presence of a handle in this portable air tank makes it easier to move about. There are very few portable air tanks in the market that can give you more pressure than the 135 psi that this Craftsman air tank gives you. The Craftsman 9-15200 5 Gallon Horizontal Air Tank is equipped with standard male threads.
The tire chuck is irremovable if you aren’t taking off the hose. This, we will admit, makes it necessary to procure an extra hose if you intend deploying this air tank for cleaning.
This removal isn’t much of a task, either. All you need to do is unscrew this extant hose and bring on the new hose.
Pros
- 3-foot hose ensures seamless delivery of high pressure
- An ultralight design makes it very portable
- Require minimal technique to use
Cons
- Quite challenging to fit the discharge hose in the tiers
5. Pro-Force FT5 5-Gallon Portable Air Tank
The Pro-Force FT5 5-Gallon Portable Air Tank can accommodate air for more than one tire with its 5-gallon capacity. The tank is made of high-quality brass manifold material. This ensures that your air tank is lasting longer, even in tough applications.
This air tank comes with an air chuck and a sizably long hose. With a pressure supply of 135 psi, we are falling in love with this air tank.
This air tank saves the trouble of assembly. It comes fully preassembled so you can use it at your site right away. Yes, it will delight you that this air task comes with a welded-on handle. This makes mobility a breeze.
The party doesn’t end there. Yes, the Pro-Force FT5 5-Gallon Portable Air Tank is supplied with a more precise pressure gauge. This is important in ensuring appropriate capacity filling. The chuck also is irremovable being inbuilt in the hose.
Such design again necessitates you getting an additional hose if you would be cleaning with your tank. Such replacement works excellently with an airbrush.
Pros
- The high pressure of 135 psi is very rare to find in the market
- We admire the tank construction
- It is portable
- Far less susceptibility to leakage
Cons
- It is relatively expensive for a 5-gallon air tank
6. California Air Tools AUX10 Portable Air Tank, 10 gallon
This air tank allows you to enjoy uninterrupted usage for longer, owing to its capacity of 10 gallons. You can pick between aluminum and steel for the makeup.
The California Air Tools AUX10 Portable Air Tank boasts a quick connect fitting. This eliminates the need for additional fittings when you want to connect your air compressor.
This pressure supply is ample, coming at 125 psi, enough to get your tasks quickly done. Furthermore, this air tank features a gauge and bleeder valve. This makes it less challenging to fill your auxiliary air tank. You would have far less headaches using this air tank because of its exceptional ease of use.
Unlike many air tanks that are a hard battle to use because of the unnerving noise, this air tank has a relatively quiet running. You will also enjoy the versatility of the air hose, as it can take on painting and tire pumping duties.
Despite long periods of storage, it is improbable that this air tank would leak. This is courtesy of the sturdy build of the California Air Tools AUX10 Portable Air Tank.
Pros
- 10-gallon capacity gives you enough supply for extended usage
- It is less noisy
- Easy to use, requiring little to no technical expertise
Cons
- The gauge and shutoff valve are in dire need of improvement
- It is not the most portable air tank you can get
7. Viair 91014 1 Gallon 4-Port Air Reservoir Tank with 1/4″ NPT
The Viair 91014 1 Gallon 4-Port Air Reservoir Tank has a robust construction. This is one of the speediest portable air tanks in the market, coming at a pressure of 150 psi. This air tank features mounting brackets and four 1/4 inch NPT ports.
This air tank boasts an elegant silver finish. Undoubtedly, this goes a long way in increasing its resistance to corrosion. There is more to enjoy with this air tank. Note, it features isolator brushings as well. This reduces the need for buying added accessories.
Overall, this is a long-lasting portable air tank that gets the job very quickly. More than that, there is almost zero safety fears with this air tank. Also, the air tank weighs 9 lbs.
Pros
- This air tank is equipped with isolator brushings
- It is robust and durable
- Very high pressure supply
Cons
- You would need a pressure release valve and drain cock to work with this air tank
8. JEGS 81001 5 gal. Horizontal Portable Aluminum Air Tank, 19″ L x 9″ Dia
JEGS 81001 5 gal. Horizontal Portable Aluminum Air Tank is made of aluminum, giving it extra portability without sacrificing its sturdiness. It has a tank capacity of 5 gallons. This makes it easier to move your air tank to your worksite and back.
This air tank has a satin finish, which enhances its resistance to extreme weather conditions and corrosion. Aside from this corrosion resistance that comes with the satin finish, we will not forget to acknowledge the aesthetic grandeur that the satin finish furnishes this air tank with. Don’t you like it beautiful?
When it comes to pressure supply, the JEGS 81001 5 gal. Horizontal Portable Aluminum Air Tank does fairly well, with a 125 psi maximum pressure. For those who have been battling breaking valves, you agree that this air tank is a valuable addition considering its long-lasting hose of 36 inches.
Pros
- Has a beautiful satin finish that also increases the corrosion resistance
- Refilling is a seamless process
- The air hose is amply long
Cons
- There is a need to improve the finish on the stand
9. CRAFTSMAN Air Compressor, 6 gallon, Pancake, Oil-Free with 13 Piece Accessory Kit (CMEC6150K)
The CRAFTSMAN 6 Gallon Pancake Air Compressor stands out for quality and durability. For those doing larger tasks, this is one air compressor you should be considering. This air compressor features a 2.6 SCFM motor with a maximum pressure of 90 psi.
As you can readily infer, the tank size is 6 gallons. It is worth mentioning as well that this air compressor comes with 13 pieces of accessory kits. This saves the need to go buying them with your hard-earned money.
Notably, this accessory kit contains an OSHA safety nozzle. This typifies this air compressor from the commonality you will see in the market.
The galore goes on! This Craftsman air compressor is equipped with oil-free pump with a strong build. Cold weather? No problem. This air compressor has no issue starting in cold conditions. So you need not be scared of your winter jobs. Doesn’t this sound exciting?
The portability of this air tank makes it less challenging to move this air tank along long distances. You wouldn’t have to struggle with all that customary mess. You can check the quantity of the oil that has been exhausted through the window.
Nonetheless, for all this marvel that the CRAFTSMAN 6 Gallon Pancake Air Compressor appears to be lavished with, we admit that this air compressor is relatively expensive.
Pros
- The air compressor has no safety concerns in usage
- It has a robust construction, making it durable
- It comes with 13 accessory kits
- It is quick and can get heavy jobs done easily
Cons
- It can be quite noisy with a sound capacity of 70 dBA when in operation
- It is not very affordable
10. Metabo HPT UA3810AB 10 gallon Reserve Air Tank
The Metabo HPT UA3810AB 10 gallon Reserve Air Tank is outfitted with valuable features that bring joy to the heart of the handyman. This air tank features an industrial valve which helps in filling functions.
This air tank is stocked with 5 quick connect couplers, including one regulated and four unregulated. This makes it possible to achieve to connect the splitters or hoses easily. One thing we love about this Metabo air tank is the continuity in brings to your jobs.
With a tank capacity of 10 gallons, this air tank has all the pressure you need even to power 5 nailers simultaneously. There are instances that you need the pressure regulated or suppressed for a nailer when on site.
This air tank features a sizable knob regulator that enables you to get the precise amount of pressure as specific for the application or task on your hand.
Pros
- It features 5 quick connect couplers
- 10 gallons gives you continuous usage even with multiple nailers
- Comes with industrial valve
Cons
- The quality of the pressure regulator needs to be improved
- We don’t like the way the pressure gages were scaled
11. Briggs & Stratton 1-Gallon Air Compressor, Hotdog 074061-00
The Briggs & Stratton 1-Gallon Air Compressor features an air tank of 1 gallon. It has impressive volumetric flow with 0.3 CFM (cubic feet per minute) at 90 PSI and 0.5 CFM at 40 PSI. Overall, this air compressor has a maximum pressure of 100 PSI. This can be attributed to its motor of 1/5 horsepower.
This air compressor doesn’t lack the essential features to get your job seamlessly done. It is outfitted with an oil-free pump. Don’t worry about noise; the motor is fully housed, which reduces the emanating noise while doing a more beautiful job of protecting the motor.
This air compressor comes with a quick-connect coupler. With this facility, it is much more convenient to swap out the tools for your job.
Pros
- It is less noisy
- Presence of a quick-connect coupler
- Has impressive portability
Cons
- It would be helpful if the compressor was bigger
- Pressure supply dwindles quickly with time
- Compressor fails too often
12. VIAIR 2.5 Gallon Tank (91025)
Here comes Viair Corporation with another fantastic air tank with a rust-free steel construction (thanks to its external and internal coating). One thing we cherish about Viair tanks is their ruggedness. This one surely falls in line with adequate toughness to be used even in the most extremes of weather conditions.
This air tank is very portable, with a size of 2.5 gallons. This air tank weighs about 18 lbs. It is pretty versatile and can take on industrial tasks as well as those on and off the road. It boasts top performance, having a rare maximum pressure of 150 psi.
Wouldn’t you be excited to learn that this Viair tank is equipped with 6 NPT ports? Each of these ports is about a quarter of an inch. Also, this air tank is supplied with mounting hardware and isolator brushings. This Viair tank has a temperature rating of +176°F to -40°F.
Pros
- It is rust free with an all-round coating
- Features 6 NPT ports
- Very rugged
- Portable build
- High pressure supply
Cons
- The bottom lacks ports which help place a drain especially when the tank is mounted sideways
13. PORTER-CABLE C2002 Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor
This air compressor is designed in the form of a pancake to improve its stability. Also, it is equipped with a water drain valve, with a pressure supply of 150 psi.
The PORTER-CABLE C2002 Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor is also outfitted with rubber feet and an inductor motor. This goes a long way in improving the durability of the air compressor.
The 150 PSI means that this air compressor will run longer. Interestingly, this air compressor has a recovery time of 2.6 SCFM when operating at 90 PSI. It is girded with a low-amp 120V motor enhanced with an extension cord.
The console casing comes with an upgraded shroud which upgrades the motor protection. You would also be saving more with this air compressor, thanks to its oil-free pump, which needs almost no maintenance.
Typically, this air compressor is used for filling your tires and also for firing nailers. While many compressors are famed for their messy operation, this Portable cable saves you that headache be deploying superior circuits.
The PORTER-CABLE C2002 Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor has a weight of 34 lbs, coming with 2 air couplers regulators. It is worth noting as well that this compressor is integrated with auto-thermal overload protection.
However, we must say that when in operation, the vibration can be unnerving. This makes this air compressor more suited to usage in reserved or isolated work sites.
Also, the 3′ power cord that comes with this air compressor is far too short. For compressors of this mold, they do better with 8’ power cords.
Pros
- Impressive pressure supply
- It is far less messy in operation
- It is much more stable, thanks to its pancake structure
- Requires less maintenance and is easy to use
- Features 2 air couplers regulators
- Supplied with rubber feet and water drain-valve
Cons
- The vibration is disturbing
- Power cords should have been longer
14. California Air Tools, 4610AC, Air Compressor, Ultra Quiet, 1.0 HP
This is another California air tool that is worth gracing this honorable list. This air tool features an oil-free pump, which significantly reduces your maintenance expenditures.
The California Air Tools 4610AC is an eminent air compressor with an impressive storage tank. While we have mentioned that some air compressors have rattling, hellish noises when in use, we are pleased to tell you that this air compressor is not too loud.
Coming with a sound capacity of 60 decibels, this air compressor ensures you can peacefully complete your jobs. This is the air compressor for those intimidating jobs. It comes with a maximum speed of 1680 RPM.
It is made from light grade aluminum and has remarkable resistance to rust. The tank capacity doesn’t let us down either, coming at 4.6 gallons.
However, we admit that portability is not a selling point of this air compressor. With a weight of 45 pounds, we struggled to move this air compressor around.
Pros
- Comes with oil-free pump
- It is quiet with a sound capacity of 60 decibels
- Very easy to use
Cons
- It is relatively heavy, making it challenging to transport
15. ARKSEN 20 Gallon Portable Waste Oil Drain Tank Air Operated Drainage Adjustable Funnel Height w/Wheel, Red
This is the last air tank on our list and is definitely worth our recommendation. One unique feature of this air tank is the adjustability of its height. This is a massive addition to its portability, as you can regulate the height from 45 inches to 72.5 inches.
You will rarely have issues moving this air tank along to your work site. It comes with 2 fixed wheels enhanced with 2 swill casters. This makes it more portable. Draining oil out of your car is a seamless process as well.
You will agree with this, given that the ARKSEN 20 Gallon Portable Waste Oil Drain Tank Air features a diameter funnel of 15 inches. It is also easier to manage the balance on the drain, thanks to the ARKSEN 20 Gallon Portable Waste Oil Drain Tank Air and regulator.
Nonetheless, we weren’t too convenient with the assembly process. It doesn’t come fully preassembled. It took quite a while for us to get it going and a bit of technical experience as well.
Pros
- This air tank is one of the most versatile air tanks we have seen due to its adjustable height
- It is easy to use
- It is easy to drain the tank
- Swill casters and wheels make this air tank easy to move
Cons
- The assembly process takes quite a while
Thing to Consider Before Buy
There are several things to consider when buying portable air tanks. These factors would guide your ultimate choice or purchase of air tanks. Wouldn’t you like us to examine these valuable considerations?
Tank Size
The size of the tank is crucial to consider. The volume of the tank would determine the duration air tools can smoothly operate before your compressor gets on back.
These tank sizes are usually calibrated in gallons. Depending on the application, we have portable air tanks of 1 gallon, and even portable air tanks of 80 gallons.
Of course, if you want continuous usage, which is typically the case for tools that need sizable air volume, you would be better suited to bigger portable air tanks. On the contrary, if you would be using the tool intermittently, you can go with smaller portable air tanks.
Finish nailers, pneumatic brad nailers (and the generality of tools that need quick bursts of air) have a more gradual rate of exhausting the tank. For such air tools, a tank size of anywhere from 2-5 gallons would do the job perfectly.
So in all, the longer or more continuous the application is, the larger the size of your air tank should be. It is suitable if your portable air tank is sufficiently big and combined with a compressor pump that is more than the air tool’s SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute) needs. With this combination, the compressor has ample time tine to cool before the next cycle.
Material
The material makeup of your air tank goes a long way in determining its longevity and portability. Your portable air tank must be made from high-quality material. The conventional materials deployed in the production of portable air tanks include steel and aluminum.
Tanks made from aluminum are lighter than those made from steel. However, steel portable air tanks boast more durability when compared to aluminum tanks.
In addition to their enhanced lightness, aluminum tanks are more resistant to rust and corrosion. With this in mind, you will agree that the area of deployment of your portable air tank will determine the type of material make you go for.
PSI
PSI – otherwise known as Pounds per Square Inch – is a measure of the power of your air tank. This typifies the air pressure produced inside the tank by the air compressor. Usually, a tank with higher PSI gets your tire more quickly inflated. This makes your job easier and faster.
For pneumatic tools that are commonly used for quick household functions, you can make do with 90 psi. This is readily provided by light-duty compressors generally. If you have more powerful compressors, you should be looking at 150 psi.
Power Supply
The power supply of your portable air tank is a huge decision you can’t afford to get wrong. The power supply is also tied to the portability of your air tank. Commonly, we have air tanks that run with electric power or those with gasoline.
If you are very keen on portability, you should go with gas-powered air tanks. Most tanks running on electric power lack portability and could be challenging moving to the site of application.
Portability
Portability is another critical consideration when choosing air tanks. This portability, as you would understand, measures how easily mobile or transportable your air tank is.
Typically, you should go for lightweight air tanks, which are far easier to carry with your hand move to your job site in the trunk of your car.
While more massive tanks tend to be more durable, you should aim for the right balance of portability and sturdiness. Therefore, always check the weight of your tank before buying.
The good news is that most contemporary air tanks are designed to be easily carried in your car’s boot or the back of your SUV and truck.
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Mike Zhang. Founder of FamilyLifeShare