How Do I Choose the Best Silent Compressor?

Choosing the best silent compressor can be challenging, since air compressors come in many shapes, sizes, and capacities. The best method for sifting through the choices is to first determine the application for the compressor, such as whether you would need a compressor in a manufacturing setting or a professional office. Specifications to keep in mind when searching for the best compressor include maximum pressure, acceptable noise level as measured in decibels, initial cost, and maintenance procedures. All compressors will require some maintenance on occasion to keep them running efficiently. Anyone can use a silent compressor, but paying a little extra for a quieter model is something you should expect when shopping for one.

The noise that compressors make is measured in decibels, and the lower the number or rating given to a particular compressor, the quieter it will be. Some compressors are even quieter than a normal human conversation, which can be beneficial in certain situations. This is in stark contrast to some industrial compressors that require or mandate hearing protection in order to comply with safety standards for noise levels, such as those determined by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) in the U.S. The difference in noise level between a silent compressor and one not designed for that purpose can be vast.

Using a silent compressor is virtually the same as using any other compressor. Whether a silent model or not, you turn on most compressors with an ordinary power switch. From that point, almost all compressors are self-regulating, which simply means pressure sensitive valves and controls regulate the amount of air pressure created. The amount of pressure a given compressor can produce is therefore also a factor to consider when choosing the best silent compressor.

For instance, if you plan to use a compressor in some type of manufacturing or production setting, ample capacity may be the primary concern. In contrast, if you need to use the compressor in a professional setting, such as a jeweler's shop or dentist's office, then a noisy compressor is not appropriate. Quiet compressors are gaining popularity in the fight against noise pollution, in support of protecting workers' hearing. Not long ago, it was very hard to find a silent compressor. Fortunately, today there are many different models to choose from and selecting the best silent compressor is simply a matter of finding one that meets most, if not all, of your needs.