The 2 gallon air compressor has become the most popular size for most general household applications as they are almost always small, fairly light and easy to transport, yet still build enough pressure to be useful. In the world of air compressors, bigger usually means more powerful, so these little 2 gallon air compressors are the smallest compressors available that can still do more than inflate tires and inflatable toys or operate an airbrush. Depending on how you intend to use it, this compressor may be the best option available to you.
A 2-gallon air compressor is defined as such because it has a 2-gallon tank, which can be a single tank or a pair of connected one-gallon tanks. The net result is the same whether there’s one or two tanks, so this shouldn’t be a major concern. The tank(s) play two main roles, both of which are very useful and are the reason almost all serious use air compressors have tanks. The first is that they build up a reservoir of compressed air in the tanks and once the tank limits are reached, the compressor stops building any more. This prevents the compressor, or the tool or device that receives the compressed air, from exploding and also allows the motor to rest periodically, allowing it to run longer. Second, the tanks allow the airflow from the outlet to remain constant, despite fluctuations in engine performance.
Although there is a lot of variety, the 2 gallon air compressor is almost always small and easy to move around. In fact, many 2-gallon air compressors sold are specifically sold together with a “kit” that provides all the accessories needed for a particular process. For example, you can purchase a nail gun kit or paint sprayer kit that comes with a nail gun, paint sprayer, and other accessories, as well as a 2-gallon air compressor all bundled together as one item. Even if purchased as a separate unit, most of the time the 2 gallon compressor is designed to operate at least one air tool, so most will generate at least 90 psi (pounds per square inch of pressure) and at least three to seven cfm (cubic feet per minute of airflow).
Most 2-gallon air compressors are designed to plug in and use an electric motor powered through a standard household outlet. There are portable versions available, powered by gas or a battery pack, but they aren’t really practical or common. Although there are 2 gallon oil lubricated compressors available, this again is impractical for such small compressors and is also not very common.
The 2 gallon air compressor is generally designed to be useful and operate at least one serious tool. As such, many people see them as an excellent compromise between the small 12-volt compressors that are too weak to power anything and the larger 6-gallon compressors that are probably too powerful for most people’s home applications. Although there is again a lot of variety, you can generally expect to spend between $150 and $250 for a new 2 gallon compressor, though obviously used and refurbished units will cost less.