An air impact wrench is hungry for air. Its maker lists a CFM figure at a set pressure, and a compressor needs to supply at least that, ideally with tank volume to spare. Tank size and CFM at 90 PSI tell you more than horsepower does.
The six compressors below range from a 4 gallon unit to a 14.5 gallon unit. Tank sizes, CFM and pressure figures come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these compressors ourselves, and none of the listings names impact wrenches directly. Their stated uses are nailers, air drills, tire inflation and blow guns, so compare the numbers with your wrench’s manual before buying.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| CFM at 90 PSI | Compare this with the wrench’s stated air need |
| Tank volume | A bigger tank gives longer bursts before the pump restarts |
| Max pressure | Higher max means more air stored per gallon |
| Noise and weight | Matters for indoor garages and carrying |
Specs at a Glance
| Compressor | Tank and pressure | Air flow | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metabo HPT EC914S | 6 gal; 200 PSI | 4 CFM at 90 PSI | 73 dB; 41 to 42 lb |
| ECOMAX 6 gal | 6 gal; 150 PSI | 3 at 90 PSI (units unclear) | 75 dB; 25 ft hose; 34.17 lb |
| CRAFTSMAN 12 gal | 12 gal; 150 PSI | 5 CFM | 72 dB; 40 lb; wheels |
| BairDplusL 14.5 gal | 14.5 gal; 115 PSI | 8.8 CFM in title; 14.83 in specs | 70 dB; wheels |
| Limodot 8 gal | 8 gal; 120 PSI | 2.8 CFM at 90 PSI; 4 at 40 PSI | 68 dB claimed; 25 ft hose and kit |
| RyanTek 4 gal | 4 gal; 125 PSI | 2.8 CFM at 90 PSI | 64 dB; 36.2 lb |
The 6 Best Air Compressors for Impact Wrenches
1. Metabo HPT Portable Pancake EC914S
A 6 gallon pancake compressor with a 200 PSI maximum, 4 CFM at 90 PSI, 1.3 horsepower and 73 dB noise on the listing. It weighs 41 pounds in the details and 42 in the text, and the max pressure line is mistyped as bar. The text focuses on nailers.
Suits: a higher-pressure pancake unit. Strengths: 4 CFM and 200 PSI. Weaknesses: the listing never mentions impact wrenches. Skip it if you want a larger tank.
View Metabo HPT EC914S 6 Gallon Air Compressor on Amazon
2. ECOMAX 6 Gallon Pancake Air Compressor
An oil-free 6 gallon pancake unit with a 150 PSI maximum, a 25 foot hose, dual gauges, dual quick couplers and a ten-piece accessory kit. Its air flow is shown as 3 cubic inches per minute in the details and as 3 cubic inches at 90 PSI in the text, which is not the usual CFM figure. It weighs 34.17 pounds.
Suits: a light, kit-style set. Strengths: a hose and accessories. Weaknesses: the air flow figure is unclear. Skip it if you need a clear CFM number.
View ECOMAX 6 Gallon Pancake Air Compressor on Amazon
3. CRAFTSMAN 12 Gallon Oil-Free Air Compressor
A vertical 12 gallon, 1.5 horsepower unit with a 150 PSI maximum, 5 CFM, 72 dB noise, a handle and rubber wheels. The listing quotes a tank recovery time of 45 seconds and a weight of 40 pounds.
Suits: a garage with moderate tool use. Strengths: a 12 gallon tank and 5 CFM. Weaknesses: the CFM pressure point is not stated. Skip it if you need an ultra-light unit.
View CRAFTSMAN 12 Gallon Oil-Free Air Compressor on Amazon
4. BairDplusL 14.5 Gallon Air Compressor
The largest here: a 14.5 gallon steel tank, 1.5 horsepower, 115 PSI maximum, 70 dB and wheels. The title says 8.8 CFM while the details say 14.83 cfm, so the real figure is unclear. The text names nail guns, spray guns, air drills and screwdrivers.
Suits: a bigger tank for longer use. Strengths: the largest tank. Weaknesses: conflicting CFM figures. Skip it if you need a verified CFM number.
View BairDplusL 14.5 Gallon Air Compressor on Amazon
5. Limodot 8 Gallon Quiet Air Compressor
An oil-free 8 gallon unit with a 120 PSI maximum, 2.8 CFM at 90 PSI and 4 CFM at 40 PSI, a 68 dB claim, a 25 foot hose and an 11-piece accessory kit. The details table names blow cleaning as its use, while the text lists nailers and an air drill.
Suits: a quiet shop. Strengths: a low dB claim and a kit. Weaknesses: 2.8 CFM at 90 PSI is modest. Skip it if your wrench needs more air.
View Limodot 8 Gallon Air Compressor on Amazon
6. RyanTek 4 Gallon Portable Air Compressor
A 4 gallon, 1.5 horsepower oil-free unit with a 125 PSI maximum, 2.8 CFM at 90 PSI, a 64 dB claim, gauges and a regulator, weighing 36.2 pounds. The text calls it suited to light-duty pneumatic jobs.
Suits: small jobs and portability. Strengths: a regulator and low weight. Weaknesses: the smallest tank. Skip it if you run air tools for long stretches.
View RyanTek 4 Gallon Portable Air Compressor on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Read both the compressor and the wrench manuals before connecting.
- Drain the tank as the maker describes.
- Set the regulator to the wrench’s stated pressure.
- Use hoses and fittings sized for the tool.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing by horsepower instead of CFM at 90 PSI.
- Comparing CFM figures taken at different pressures.
- Skipping the wrench’s own air requirement.
- Overlooking noise in a small garage.
Air Compressor FAQ
Do these list impact wrenches?
No. None of the six listings names them, so check the numbers yourself.
Is a bigger tank always better?
It helps with bursts, but it does not raise CFM, which is the pump’s output.
The Short Version
For 4 CFM and 200 PSI, the Metabo HPT. For a kit-style set, the ECOMAX. For a vertical 12 gallon, the CRAFTSMAN. For the largest tank, the BairDplusL. For a quiet shop, the Limodot. For a small carryable unit, the RyanTek.
