Portable air compressors, while built without tanks, can also work in the same principle as a piston one but they can be carried around where they would need to be used. Their major advantage is that they can provide continuous air pressure while producing very minimal footprint, making them suitable for light use in households and other non-heavy duty applications. Just like piston industrial air compressors, portable units also rely on increasing air pressure with more use. However, the key difference is that piston compressors come with a tank, making them not portable and have to be placed in one permanent location.
Moreover, the tank of piston air compressor necessitates more maintenance to keep them functioning optimally. They are more ideal for high-end, industrial applications than their portable counterparts. They are available in two major classifications: single-stage and two-stage compressors. Single-stage industrial air compressors utilizes only one piston to compress the air and can reach as high as 150 psi.
On the other hand, two-stage units use two pistons and can go up to 200 psi, making them suitable for industrial purposes that need continuous air pressure. Interestingly though, single-stage compressors need higher CFM ratings than their two-stage counterparts. This is because their motor draws in and compresses air at the same rotation. So, which one would you need? You can contact us for further help you need in deciding which compressor best suits your application.