Under Pressure – Comparison of the different Einhell compressors

Versatile, powerful and flexible in use: Compressors are real all-rounders around the workshop, home and garden. Depending on which accessories you fit your compressor with, you can use it for various different tasks: An air compressor is a real enabler when it comes to grinding, stapling, screwing, painting or simply checking your tyre levels. In the Einhell range you will find a large selection of powerful devices that differ in size, performance and even drive type. Can't make up your mind? In our comparison, we show you the differences and advantages of the various types of compressors.

Inflating, sandblasting, stapling, chiselling – compressors are real all-rounders thanks to a wide range of accessories.

Compressor comparison: Here are the most significant differences

Compressors differ in many ways. For example, you can find models with or without a tank, with oil lubrication or oil-free, with cordless battery power or connected to the mains with a cable, and finally our Silent models, known as whisper-quiet compressors. To make it easier for you to find out which compressor suits your needs, we'll explain the exact differences.

Loud or quiet: Working with whisper-quiet compressors

Compressors produce a lot of pressure – and are not exactly quiet. Especially when working for a long time, for example with compressed air tools, it is recommended to wear hearing protection, because conventional compressed air compressors reach volumes of up to 97 dB (LwA). Human hearing can be damaged from as low as 85 dB. Depending on which accessories are used, the volume will of course increase even more. For example, renovation work with the compressed air chisel hammer can be very noisy. Hearing protection is therefore essential for this work.

Turn it down with the Einhell whisper-quiet compressors. You can spot these models as they include "Silent" in their name. Thanks to their special mode of operation, the Silent compressors achieve noticeably lower noise levels and are significantly quieter than other models, at noise levels of up to 57 dB (LpA). For a better comparison: While a normal compressor with up to 75 dB (LpA) can get as loud as a washing machine during the spin cycle, the quiet compressors only reach the volume of your TV at normal room volume, at around 55 dB (LpA).

The Einhell Silent compressors are whisper-quiet compressors that operate around 40 dB quieter than conventional models.

Different drive types for various locations

With or without power connection: You need the right compressor for where you want to work. Each drive type offers its own advantages.

  • Cordless compressors: The Einhell cordless compressors can be used without a power connection and cable chaos. Combined with a Power X-Change battery, they can be used wherever they are needed. Because the battery-powered models are therefore perfectly suited for mobile use, they tend to be rather compact and equipped with a carrying handle.
  • Hybrid compressor: The Einhell hybrid compressor PRESSITO offers the best of both worlds and combines the advantages of cordless battery power and mains operation: The small, compact compressor is easy to carry and can be operated either with a mains cable connection or with a Power X-Change battery. Thanks to the accessories on adapters and hoses for low-pressure and high-pressure pumping, which are stored in a side compartment and in the housing, the small compressor is also perfect as a mobile companion.
  • Corded compressors: Continuous performance without interruptions is no problem with corded models. If there is a power connection where your compressor is used, you can of course use the conventional compressor with a power cable. These models are particularly suitable for time-consuming, continuous work. They reliably supply the necessary energy, without worrying about battery charge levels.

Oil-free vs. oil-lubricated models

In addition, the various compressor models can be divided into oil-free and oil-lubricated models. The difference is quite simple to explain: In oil-lubricated compressors, the moving parts in the compressor are lubricated so that it does not overheat, even with very powerful applications. Oil-lubricated air compressors therefore have a long service life, are well suited for continuous operation and are extremely powerful. They are recommended for the use of mechanical compressed air tools such as impact wrenches and chisel hammers.

Oil-free compressors have their own advantages: They are usually lighter and more manageable than oil-lubricated models. In addition, apart from draining the condensate, they do not require any additional servicing. This also eliminates the need to dispose of waste oil, which makes the oil-free compressed air compressors cleaner and more environmentally friendly. Due to the lack of oil, these devices also have no problem operating at cold temperatures, as they reliably start up at any outside temperature. Due to the lack of lubrication, oil-free compressors are better suited for less powerful tasks; for example, for pure compressed air work with accessories such as tyre fillers, blow guns, sandblasting guns or paint spray guns. If mechanical compressed air tools are still to be used, it is advisable to connect a lubricator between the compressor and the tool.

Oil-lubricated compressors are better suited for powerful applications, while oil-free models are lighter and more environmentally friendly.

Air reserves: With or without a tank?

In the Einhell range you will also find compressors with and without tank. Working with compressed air tools usually requires more pressure and air volume than the compressor can deliver. The pressure boiler provides a solution for this, as the necessary air is stored there. So, if you want to tackle intensive, endurance tasks with your compressor, you should use a model with a boiler. In the Einhell range you will find models with a tank volume of up to 90 litres. If, on the other hand, you need a handy compressor you can use to inflate car tyres, balls or air mattresses, for example, a model without a tank (inflator) is also suitable.

If you are faced with intensive tasks that require time and effort, a compressor with a tank is recommended.

How to find the right compressor

What is the device needed for?

Before you decide to buy a specific air compressor, you should be aware of what you want to use the device for. If you have tasks ahead of you that require a lot of power – for example, working with a chisel hammer or impact wrench – a corded electric compressor with a pressure boiler is the right choice for you. And remember: The more time-consuming the tasks, the more volume the tank should be able to hold. If you are looking for a mobile compressor that is mainly used for inflating tyres or checking pressure, you can also use a compressor without a boiler.

Our PRESSITO cordless or hybrid models also differ from the other compressors in another respect: They are not equipped with a quick coupling for connecting the various compressed air tools. Instead, the PRESSITO compressors are mobile assistants for high-pressure and low-pressure pumping. Various adapters for wheels, balls, air mattresses, etc. are included in delivery.

The Einhell cordless or hybrid compressor PRESSITO is perfect for mobile use.

Which accessories should be used with it?

Not every compressor is compatible with every accessory, because different air volumes – or output capacities – are required for different applications. To help you find your way around our range, we have developed the Einhell colour guide system. We distinguish between four levels: Compressors without pressure boilers (inflators) and compressors with an output (at operating pressure 7 bar) of less than 75 litres per minute, between 75 and 150 litres per minute and more than 150 litres per minute. This allows you to see whether the accessories you have selected are compatible with your new compressor due to the specific air requirement at a glance.

All Einhell compressors and compressed air accessories have colour coding system marking.

How compressors are used

Compressed air can be used to accomplish a wide range of tasks, and the range of applications for a compressor is just as extensive. We have compiled an overview of what a compressor can do with the right accessories:

  • Inflating
  • Checking pressure
  • Blowing out
  • Grinding
  • Screwing
  • Stapling
  • Nailing
  • Painting
  • Sandblasting

Summary: The right compressor for every task

The selection of compressors is huge. Depending on which tasks you want to tackle at home, for example, you can opt for the most suitable models with a large boiler or without a boiler, oil-lubricated or oil-free models, or larger corded or smaller wireless compressor models. The range of different models is just as broad and extensive as the different fields of application of compressed air compressors. Everyone should be able to find the right device for them!

photo of Tom Weber
Written by Tom Weber
Published on 27.04.2022

Tom Weber is a product specialist at Einhell. In his blog posts, he not only shares his in-depth expertise in using various Einhell devices but also provides inspiration and instructions for DIY projects that every home improvement enthusiast can tackle at home.