Airbrushes require an air compressor in order to work. There are many options readily available at a wide range of prices and it can be hard to choose the best airbrush compressor. It’s dizzying!
In fact, I went ahead and bought more than $2000 worth of airbrush compressors to ensure I bring you a quality review write-up. Hopefully, I can help you make sense of it all.
The best airbrush compressor is the Badger TC910. This machine is very high quality and will serve you well as a beginner or a professional!
Jump Ahead To:
My Quick List Of The Best Airbrush Compressors
- Badger TC910 (My #1 Best Airbrush Compressor Recommendation)
- Iwata-Medea Studio Series Power Jet Pro Double Piston
- No-Name Master Blaster
- Tooty Airbrush Compressor with air tank. Piston type.
- NO-NAME Brand by SprayGunner
- Master Airbrush Model TC-40T
- Paasche D3000R 1/5 HP Compressor with Tank, Regulator and Moisture Trap
- Paasche Airbrush DC850R Compressor for Airbrush
- Master Airbrush by TCP Global
The rest of the reviews are done below and provide more detail if you are interested.
Important Considerations for Your Airbrush Compressor
If you already have a garage air compressor for your shop, and you don’t have issues with a cacophony of very loud engine noise while it runs, then here’s a great tutorial on how to use your garage shop compressor for airbrushing.
However, most airbrush enthusiasts want to be able to use their airbrush indoors and may have specific requirements for their compressors. It is also quite important to have a quality airbrush! If you are new to airbrushing, here are some key points to be aware of:
What degree of portability do you require?
Are you toting supplies to classes or clubs, using it for clients in nail or tanning salons? Are you super short of storage space and need the smallest airbrush compressor you can find? Do you need lightweight for easy lifting?
Most air brush compressors are made in China or Japan or Taiwan. Quite a few are private label and virtually alike with a hundred dollar price spread for private label. In this case, you are paying for the name that the company puts on their airbrush compressor. P
rivate label airbrush compressors often make up for the higher cost in great customer service or better quality and they rely on their outstanding reputation as long-time providers of airbrushes and compressors. Customer reviews are a great source for helping you decide if the name product is worth the price and hype.
What kind of noise level are you looking for?
Uber quiet so people can sleep, mostly quiet so the neighbors in the next apartment can’t hear it run? Noise is okay?
What level of fine consistent airflow will you require?
What is your tolerance for splatter and blotches?
How long will your painting sessions typically last?
30 minutes or 4 hours or all day?
What degree of versatility do you require?
Just for model painting? Or toggling between airbrushing for multi-purposes?
What is your budget?
Of course you don’t want to overspend, but is price the only driving factor?
Most very inexpensive airbrush compressors are the same manufacturer in China. The private label to different companies and may have a few ‘features’ added, but they are basically the same.
Types of Airbrush Compressors
There are roughly three basic types:
Tank Airbrush Compressor Units
Tank air brush compressors are compressors with a separate tank from the actual compressor.
They are the most popular airbrush compressors for hobbyists and professionals. The engine pumps air into the storage tank and the airbrush draws from the tank as you paint. This has some great benefits.
The units can run incredibly quietly, run for a long time with constant spraying and consistent airflow. They are reliable and do not overheat. The psi levels can be finely controlled for versatility and precise work.
The motor will not turn on each time you spray, only when the air tank begins to lose enough air. They last for a long time without wearing out, if you take care of them.
If you are startled by the noise of an air brush compressor turning on and off by itself, then you’ll need an air tank compressor unit that is quiet.
The only disadvantages are that they are typically larger airbrush compressors, sometimes quite heavy and you must drain the tank manually because of condensation after each use or the internal parts of the air tank will rust out from moisture condensation (unless you cough up the big bucks for aluminum tank units).
Tankless DUAL Pistons Airbrush Compressors
Tankless Dual Piston airbrush compressors are compressors with two pistons that work in tandem.
They cycle on and off so that each motor has a chance to rest, which ideally results in more longevity of the compressor. They do a better job with consistency of airflow than on-demand compressors and typically are made with good parts and craftsmanship.
They can still get fairly hot. Some models are surprisingly quiet.
Their price is comparable to tank airbrush compressors.
On-Demand Airbrush Compressors
On-demand airbrush compressors have no air tank.
You turn them on and they generate pressurized air. You turn them off when you are not using the airbrush. The advantages are that they are not very expensive, they are really lightweight and portable and some are small enough to fit into your pocket. The disadvantages are many.
They are often noisy, they get hot to the touch and turn off, (often after you just start to get into the flow of painting), they vibrate a lot, (some will jiggle right off your table) some may be made of cheap materials or they have inconsistent airflow which may negatively impact your paint application because occasionally the air has a pulsation or burst output.
Sometimes pulsation can be minimized with the addition of a long coiled air hose. Often there is no moisture trap, so you’ll need to purchase a separate addition to your kit. They can not output high enough pressures for thicker paints.
They are not intended for extensive paint sessions nor intended to last for decades with daily use.
And if you would like to learn a ton about airbrushes try reading our article on choosing the right airbrush.
My Reviews of The 23 Best Airbrush Compressors for Hobbyists and Professionals
Tank Airbrush Compressors
1. Badger TC910 Airbrush Compressor <<My Number One Recommendation!
Badger airbrush compressors are highly respected and have a loyal following. They have good customer service and reputation is high.
Badger has been releasing new updates and this version has by far included the most improvements. We don’t hand out these ratings on our reviews easily!!
- 1 Gallon (3L) air tank
- Heavy duty metal case
- 1/5 Hp
- Automatic shut-off thermal load protector
- 2 airbrush holders
- 18lbs
- 16.5 x 6.8 x 14.5 inches
- 57 psi
Total ratings: 100%
5 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability although it is heavy
5 out of 5 stars Quiet
5 out of 5 stars Versatility
5 out of 5 stars Vibration free
2. Iwata-Medea Studio Series Power Jet Pro Double Piston Airbrush Compressor
This airbrush compressor is at the top of our price point, but we could hardly leave it off our top recommendations position, despite the super high price because it is so highly rated by consumers and professionals. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, this airbrush compressor is the one to get!
- 1/6 Hp
- 2 L air tank
- Twin air regulators for precise air-pressure adjustment with quick disconnects
- Mounted twin pressure gauges with moisture filters
- Excellent quality
- 2 airbrush holders
- Sturdy metal case
- Auto shut off
- Super quiet
- 22 lbs
- Twin pumps
- top quality construction and engineering
- Highly rated by consumers and professionals
- 1-50 psi
- 7 x 13 x 12.3 inches
Total rating: 96%
5 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability
5 out of 5 stars Quiet
5 out of 5 stars Versatility
4 out of 5 stars Vibration free
3. No-Name Master Blaster
Nearly the same as the Badger above, this airbrush compressor is from a Florida company that hand inspects and tests all their compressors before they ship them out. However, I was surprised to see they don’t have much of any reviews on Amazon. This might be a reason to just go with the Badger or Iwata brand.
- 3 L air tank
- 47 db
- 0-100 psi
- 2 airbrush holders
- Heavy-duty metal case
- Auto-Shutoff at 57 psi ; Auto-Start at 43 psi
- 19 lbs
Total rating: 96%
5 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability although it is heavy
5 out of 5 stars Quiet
4 out of 5 stars Versatility
4 out of 5 stars Vibration free
4. No-Name Tooty
- 1/6 Hp
- 47db
- Powder-coated finish
- Auto-Shutoff at 57 psi, Auto-Start at 43 psi
- 1 year warranty
- Regulator and moisture trap
- Good price point
- 0-100 psi
- 18 Lbs
- Two cooling fans for longer life
- 3 L air tank
Total rating: 96%
5 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
4 out of 5 stars Portability
5 out of 5 stars Quiet
5 out of 5 stars Versatility
5 out of 5 stars Vibration free
5. Master Model TC-40T
- 3 L tank
- 2 airbrush holders
- Regulator and moisture trap
- 5 year warranty
- 11.75 Lbs
- 13.2 x 13.2 x 6 inches
- Auto shut off
- automatic turn on at 43 psi auto off at 57 psi
- Fan cooled motor
- 48 db
- Needs adapters for Paasche and Badger airbrushes
Total rating: 96%
5 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
4 out of 5 stars Portability
5 out of 5 stars Quiet
5 out of 5 stars Versatility
5 out of 5 stars Vibration free
6. Paasche D3000R Airbrush Compressor
Often needs Teflon tape to get a tight fitting on connectors.
- 1/5 Hp
- 20-40 psi
- 47 db
- Adapter for 1/8″BSP hoses
- Regulator and moisture trap
- Auto shut off
Total rating: 92%
5 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
4 out of 5 stars Portability no protective case
5 out of 5 stars Quiet
4 out of 5 stars Versatility
5 out of 5 stars Vibration free
7. Paasche DC850 R
- 3/4 Hp
- 58 db – not exactly ultra quiet, like they claim
- Dual air hose connection with quick connect fittings
- Dual pistons
- 1.6 Gallon aluminum rust free tank
- 41 lbs
- Can run up to 4 airbrushes at once
- auto shut off
- very easy tank drain valve
Total rating: . 89% for having a rust free tank and dual pistons, 72% if you need portability because this one is heavy.
5 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
1 out of 5 stars Portability
3 out of 5 stars Quiet
4 out of 5 stars Versatility
5 out of 5 stars Vibration free
8. Master Airbrush New Compressor
Smaller horsepower than the Master above, and at a lower price point.
- 1/5 Hp
- Auto-off at 60 psi auto on at 35 psi
- 59 db
- 2 year warranty
- Thermally protected auto-off so no overheating
- 5 – 40 psi working pressures
- Needs adapters for Paasche and Badger brushes
Total ratings: 88%
5 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
4 out of 5 stars Portability
3 out of 5 stars Quiet
5 out of 5 stars Versatility
5 out of 5 stars Vibration free
9. Point Zero Airbrush Compressor
- 1/5 Hp
- 55 db
- 3 L tank
- on-demand operation with preset, automatic turn on and turn off at 58 psi
- Water trap and pressure gauge
- Good price point
- 1/8 inch connectors
- 13.6 x 12.8 x 5.8 inches
- 11.7 lbs
- Highly rated by users
Total rating: 88%
5 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
4 out of 5 stars Portability
3 out of 5 stars Quiet
5 out of 5 stars Versatility
5 out of 5 stars Vibration free
10. Skyline Airbrush Compressor by NO-NAME Brand
While this airbrush compressor does not have the larger tank associated with tank compressors, it does have a 1/3 L tank that is enough to generate consistent airflow for model builders, cake decorators and hobbyists. The price point is great, and it is very portable.
- Regulator Equipped with Filter and Gauge
- Auto shut off at 57 psi auto-start at 43 psi
- 1 year warranty
- Great price point
- Moisture trap
- Airbrush holder
- .3 L small tank enough to help with more consistent airflow
- Thermal protection
- Plastic protective case
- Great price point
- max 30 psi
Total rating: 84%
4 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability
4 out of 5 stars Quiet
3 out of 5 stars Versatility
5 out of 5 stars Vibration free
Dual Piston Compressors
We do like the dual piston compressors but prefer the tank airbrush compressors due to the higher quality and durability factor with the tank airbrush compressors.
11. Sparmax Stormforce TC 2000
- 1/6 Hp
- Strong enough to run two airbrushes at once
- Twin cylinders
- 13.65 pounds
- 12 x 9.9 x 7.8
- Auto on at 40 psi and off at 60 psi
- 10 ft. Cobra coiled airline, a 10 ft. braided airline
- table clamp 2 airbrush holder moisture trap and regulator unit
Total ratings: 96%
5 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability
5 out of 5 stars Quiet
4 out of 5 stars Versatility
5 out of 5 stars Vibration free
12. Paasche DA400R
This dual piston compressor is a little powerhouse and will run continuously to give consistent pressure. If you don’t want a tank compressor for some reason, this is a great choice. Reviewers report that it runs louder than the 50db, but anything under 55 is going to be tolerable for conversation and low annoyance factor.
- 1/4 Hp
- Dual pistons
- Regulator
- Moisture trap
- 13 x 8 x 11.5 inches
- 13.6 pounds
- Auto shut off when not being used
- 1-50 psi
- 1/8BPS adaptor for competitor hoses
- 50db
- Paasche company is USA and has a great reputation since early 1900’s
Total rating: 92%
5 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability
4 out of 5 stars Quiet
4 out of 5 stars Versatility
5 out of 5 stars Vibration free
13. AW Pro 1/3 HP Twin-Cylinder
- 1/3 Hp
- Dual piston
- 3.5 L tank
- Features two power modes to suit any task, Double switch 1: Autostart at 3 bar, Auto-stop at 4bar; Switch 2: Max 7 Bar, Maximum power mode provides up to 100 psi
- 59 db
- Pressure regulator and moisture trap
- 17.6 Lbs
- 16.5 x 15.5 x 7 inches
- Highly rated by owners
- Good price point
Total rating: 88%
5 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
4 out of 5 stars Portability
3 out of 5 stars Quiet
5 out of 5 stars Versatility
5 out of 5 stars Vibration free
On-Demand Compressors
We rate these on-demand airbrush compressors lower because of the above issues with on-demand vs. dual-piston and tank compressors.
14. Iwata-Medea Studio Series Smart Jet Airbrush Compressor
- 1/8 Hp
- 1-35 psi
- Pressure gauge
- moisture trap
- Bleed valve airflow adjustment to lower air pressure
- Auto turn off when not in use
- Airbrush holder
- 50db
- 1 year warranty
- 10 x 7 x 6 in
- 9 lbs
Total rating: 80% but we’re lowering the % for the high retail cost to a rating of 75%
3 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability
4 out of 5 stars Quiet
4 out of 5 stars Versatility
4 out of 5 stars Vibration free
15. Sparmax Arism AC 66X
- Has proprietary Silver Bullet moisture trap
- Airbrush holder
- Pressure gauge
- Airbrush bleed valve
- 2 year warranty from a company with a great reputation
- Auto shut-off for durability at 35 psi, on at 25 psi
- 7.5 lbs
- 10.3 x 9 x 7.6 inches
Total rating: 76%
3 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability
3 out of 5 stars Quiet
3 out of 5 stars Versatility
5 out of 5 stars Vibration free
16. Grex AC1810-A
- 1/8 Hp motor
- Set and lock regulator with moisture trap
- Auto shut off when not spraying
- 55 db
- Air brush holder
- 10.9 Lbs
- 10.1 x 6.3 x 12 inches
- 1 year limited warranty from a highly respected company
- As it gets warm, some customers report moisture getting past the airtrap, so may need an inline moisture trap additionally
Total rating: 78 %
4 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability
4 out of 5 stars Quiet
4 out of 5 stars Versatility
2 out of 5 stars Vibration free
17. No-Name Galaxy Airbrush Compressor
- 1/6 Hp motor
- Auto-Shutoff at 57 psi Auto-Start at 43 psi
- 1 year warranty
- Airbrush holder
- Pressure gauge
- Moisture trap
- Protective metal shell case
- 10 lbs
Total rating: 76%
3 out of 5 stars Consistent Pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability
4 out of 5 stars Quiet
3 out of 5 stars Versatility
4 out of 5 stars Vibration free
17. Rooty Tooty No-Name
- Two cooling fans
- Low price point
- 1 year warranty
- 1/6 Hp
- 40 db
- Filter and Gauge
- Auto-Shutoff at 57 psi
- Needs a coiled air hose to compensate for pulsations
- 9 lbs
Total rating: 76% mostly because of the great price point
2 out of 5 stars Consistent air pressure
4 out of 5 stars Portability
5 out of 5 stars Quiet
4 out of 5 stars Versatility
4 out of 5 stars Vibration free
18. Sparmax AC27
- Includes both pressure adjustment knob and pressure gauge
- Airbrush holder
- 6 x 6 x 7 inches
- 6.6 lbs
- to 45 psi
- 1/8 Hp
- 54 db
- Do not use with an extension cord or it may overheat
- No moisture trap
Total rating: 72%
3 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability
3 out of 5 stars Quiet
3 out of 5 stars Versatility
4 out of 5 stars Vibration free
19. Iwata Silver Jet
- 1-18 psi
- 6.10 x 6.10 x 6.89
- 4.7 lbs
- Airbrush holder
- 30 min use before shut off
- 50-57db
- No automatic shut off when not spraying
- No moisture trap
- Built in pressure gauge
- 1/10 Hp
Total rating: 72%
3 out of 5 stars Consistent Pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability
3 out of 5 stars Quiet
3 out of 5 stars Versatility
4 out of 5 stars Vibration free
20. Master Airbrush Compressor High Performance
- 1/5 Hp
- Auto on and off
- 12.7 x 6.9 x 14.8 inches
- 8.4 lbs
- Pressure regulator
- Air moisture trap
- Great price point
- 2 year warranty
- 59 db
- max psi 40
- Mixed customer reviews from excellent to very poor
Total rating: 68%
3 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
4 out of 5 stars Portability
2 out of 5 stars Quiet
4 out of 5 stars Versatility
4 out of 5 stars Vibration free
21. Iwata Neo Air Mini
- Super portable and small for travel
- 3 speed selection
- 1-15 psi
- Weighs in at less than 1 lb.
- Surprisingly quiet
- Not intended for longevity and daily use
Total rating: We’re docking this a few points for not practical for long term use 70%
3 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability
4 out of 5 stars Quiet
2 out of 5 stars Versatility
5 out of 5 stars Vibration free
- Small size, very portable
- Air brush holder
- Auto-Off function: start at 21 psi stop at 29 psi
- 1 year warranty
- 4 inches x 6 inches
- dial air regulator
- not intended for long time use
Total rating: 56%
2 out of 5 stars Consistent air pressure
5 out of 5 stars Portability
2 out of 5 stars Quiet – high pitched sound
2 out of 5 stars Versatility
3 out of 5 stars Vibration free
23. Iwata-Medea Studio Series Ninja Jet
- 6.2 x 8.7 x 2.2 inches
- 6.6 lbs
- Pressure dial but no readout what the level is
- Limited pressures of 5-18 psi
- 1/12 Hp
- airbrush holder
- not intended for use longer than 20 minutes
- No moisture trap
Total rating: 52%
3 out of 5 stars Consistent pressure (please note it is intended for low-pressure use)
5 out of 5 stars Portability
2 out of 5 stars Quiet
1 out of 5 stars Versatility
2 out of 5 stars Vibration free
My Conclusion Of The Best Airbrush Compressor
After all my reviews and testing, the best airbrush compressor is the Badger TC910.
Here at VeryCreate, we hope we’ve helped to clear the muddy waters a bit to help you decipher all the choices and features.
Whatever you select, remember these machines are machines and prone to breakage from time to time. A great choice like the Badger TC910 may give you years of service.