Husky’s “silent” air compressors sound like a great workshop upgrade, especially their 20-gallon model with a vertical tank.
I have been working with Home Depot and Husky – a ToolGuyd sponsor – on a list of tools I would love to test for review, and their 20-gallon air compressor is close to the top. It has actually been on my wishlist for a while.
Oil-free air compressors are often portable and require little maintenance, but there’s a downside – they’re extremely noisy and obnoxiously so. Not this one!
Husky says that their silent air compressor is 80% quieter than other compressors in its class, thanks to its 73dBA (outdoor) noise rating.
Here’s a quick look at its key features and specs:
- 20-gallon air tank
- 120V AC
- 11A power draw
- 1.5HP motor
- Oil-free pump
- 165 PSI max pressure
- Delivers 4.0 SCFM at 90 PSI
- Delivers 5.0 SCFM at 40 PSI
- 73 dBA (outdoor) noise rating.
- Measures 41.42″ tall x 20.43″ wide x 17.3″ deep]
- Weighs 107 lbs
- 3-Year warranty
It features a reinforced roll cage to protect the motor, 8-inch heavy duty wheels, kick plate for easier mobility, 2x quick-release couplers, a metal control panel with large regulator knob, 2x metal-case pressure gauges.
Husky has a handy chart showing the types of air tools you can expect to power with different sizes of air compressors.
Given its specs, max pressure, and storage capacity, the 20-gallon quiet air compressor should be able to handle inflation and nailing applications without breaking a sweat, as well as medium-duty paint spraying tasks. It should also be able to handle lighter duty automotive air tools with modest expectations.
For heavy-demand and continuous-use tools, such as grinders and impact wrenches, you’ll need to upgrade to something larger.
Why I Think This Might be a Great Upgrade
Ignoring for a moment that this is a “quiet” air compressor, I feel that it’s a great size for my needs right now.
Its air tank has a much larger storage capacity than common pancake-style air compressors, and yet it’s still portable. It has large wheels, and I feel that its weight is still manageable.
I like to use cordless nailers when I need a lot of mobility, but prefer air nailers when I’m in my workshop. Simply put, air nailers are smaller and lighter than cordless models, and without compromises in power or performance. (Do you disagree? Let me know in comments!)
This Husky compressor has a 20-gallon tank, which for my purposes would mean less frequent pump activation cycles. Its 165 PSI max operating pressure means that it can store plenty of air in the tank. And, its quieter motor means lower noise when it does cycle.
I’m not quite ready to equip my garage workshop with a stationary air compressor, or plumb it with rigid airline tubing. I want an air compressor that delivers ample power and air volume, and one I can wheel out of the way between projects.
I hinted to Home Depot that I’m also hankering to try one of their oil-lubricated oil compressors, but I think this 20-gallon “silent” model hits a nice balance between features, performance, and size.
Price: $319
Husky’s Other Silent Air Compressor Sizes
Home Depot has several other models in Husky’s line of “silent” air compressors.
Note: the 1-gallon model is on sale at the time of this posting for $158, and the 4.5 gallon model for $208.
Husky 1-gal Silent Air Compressor ($169) – 60 dBA “ultra-quiet” operation, “perfect for clean-up, inflation, or trim installation.”
Husky 2-gal Silent Air Compressor ($179) – 61 dBA – dual pump design, “perfect for trim finish work and projects needing quiet operation.”
Husky 4.5-gal Silent Air Compressor ($219) – noise level below 65 dBA, delivers 3.0 SCFM at 90 PSI, collapsible handle for easy mobility and storage.
Smaller air compressors are great for powering smaller air nailers or for inflation tasks, and their lighter weight and portability is definitely a plus.
I’ve been meaning to get back into airbrushing, and a 1- or 2-gallon compressor with 60 or 61 dBA noise level would be great for that.
There’s a chance I might back down from the 20-gallon model and go for the 4.5-gallon air compressor. 3.0 SCFM at 90 PSI should be plenty for my immediate needs. However, the 4.5-gallon air compressor has a larger footprint than the 20-gallon model.
The 4.5-gallon model would suit my needs nearly as well as the 20-gallon model, but I feel the 20-gallon will be easier to store out of the way between tasks or projects.
One thing that’s for certain – it’s good to have choices.
