Are DeWalt Air Compressors Any Good? What You Need to Know

If you’re looking for a new compressor, or perhaps even your first one, you probably have a list of brands in mind. There are several well-known names in the business of making and selling air compressors. But just because a brand is well known doesn’t mean it’s good. And to take it a step further, even if a brand is good, it doesn’t mean that they have a compressor that will fit your needs. To help you decide which compressor is right for you, we’re tackling the DeWalt brand in this article. Read on to learn what you need to know about DeWalt compressors, and if they’re any good. 

Table of Contents

• Are DeWalt Air Compressors Any Good?
• Who Makes DeWalt Air Compressors?
  • DeWalt Company Information
• Where Are DeWalt Air Compressors Made?
• DeWalt Warranty Information 
  • Do DeWalt Compressors Have a Lifetime Warranty?
• Types and Sizes of DeWalt Air Compressors
  • Small and Portable
  • Medium
  • Large
• What We Like and Don’t Like About DeWalt Air Compressors
  • What We Like: DeWalt Pros
  • What We Don’t Like: DeWalt Cons
• Best DeWalt Air Compressor for Home Use
• DeWalt Air Compressors FAQ’s

Are DeWalt Air Compressors Any Good?

DeWalt is a brand trusted by many, and their air compressors are certainly top sellers. When it comes to quality and performance, they are above average. Since they’re owned by Black & Decker, you can expect their machines to be similar to other brands under the company name, such as Porter-Cable and Craftsman. 

If you’re looking for a solid compressor backed by a well-known company, you can rest easy knowing DeWalt is a good option. 

Who Makes DeWalt Air Compressors?

As mentioned above, DeWalt is owned by parent company Stanley Black & Decker. So you could say that Black & Decker “makes” DeWalt air compressors. But if you’re trying to determine what factory they’re made at, the answer is not so simple. It’s hard to tell who actually makes DeWalt compressors. 

Like many other air compressors that you see for sale at big box stores, it seems that DeWalt doesn’t make their own compressors. That is, they likely outsource the parts manufacturing to third-party organizations around the world and then assemble them in the US. This is pretty common for other compressors under the Black & Decker parent company. 

But, keep in mind that this is all conjecture. There’s just not a lot of information volunteered about who exactly makes DeWalt compressors. Many of them say something like “Assembled in the USA from Global Materials.” But this tells you little about where these global parts were made, and who did the making. 

DeWalt Company Information

DeWalt is an American-based company that was founded after Raymond DeWalt designed and built a woodworking machine in 1922. Raymond DeWalt is credited with inventing the radial arm saw, and his company’s first major product was the “Wonder-Worker,” which was a woodworking machine that could be configured in nine different ways. 

This Pennsylvania-based company saw expansion in the 1940s as they made products for the war effort. In 1960, Black & Decker bought DeWalt. The company made a name for itself over the decades, and launched a line of portable power tools in 1992 as a rebranding effort to position DeWalt as a seller of hand tools for contractors. In 2000, DeWalt purchased the Emglo Compressor Company. 

Where Are DeWalt Air Compressors Made?

DeWalt air compressors don’t have a country of origin you can point to with certainty. Like many other compressors made under parent company Stanley Black & Decker, DeWalt compressors are usually assembled in the USA using materials manufactured in other parts of the world. 

While it’s hard to say for certain, these manufacturing plants are likely located in China or Mexico. China is the most likely place where these “global materials” are made. Wherever they come from, they’re generally shipped to the USA and assembled into the final product you see on the store’s shelves.  

That’s said, there are seven places here in the US where some DeWalt tools are assembled. It’s important to keep in mind that not every DeWalt product, including their air compressors, is made in the USA with global materials. Only those packages/descriptions that specify this are assembled in the USA. 

DeWalt Warranty Information

DeWalt offers two different standard warranties on their air compressors. One is a 1-year limited warranty that also includes 1 year of free service, and a 90-day money-back guarantee. The other is a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service, and a 90-day money-back guarantee. 

Do DeWalt Compressors Have a Lifetime Warranty?

DeWalt does not offer a limited lifetime warranty on any of their compressors. However, the 3-year limited warranty is pretty good compared to the standard 1-year warranty that other comparable compressors have.

Since there are two different standard compressors, it’s important that you verify the warranty on the specific compressor you want. If a 3-year warranty is important to you, make sure that the compressor you’re considering does feature this longer warranty instead of the shorter one. 

Types and Sizes of DeWalt Air Compressors

DeWalt offers a wide range of air compressors. They have many available, so the chances are you’ll be able to find one that fits your needs under the DeWalt brand. Here’s a broad overview of the different types and sizes of DeWalt compressors available. 

Small and Portable

DeWalt offers seven different small and portable air compressors. These range in size from 1 gallon up to 4.5 gallons. The smallest among them delivers 0.57 SCFM @ 90 PSI, and has a peak HP of 0.3. It also has a max PSI of 135. The largest of these small and portable compressors is capable of delivering 5.0 SCFM @ 90 PSI, which is pretty good for a 4.5-gallon compressor. It has a 1.6 HP motor and a max PSI of 225. The other compressors offer capabilities in between these two. 

Medium

The five medium compressors DeWalt offers are also made with wheels, so they’re somewhat portable. These range in size from 6 gallons up to 15 gallons. The smallest medium compressors on this list are capable of delivering 2.6 SCFM @ 90 PSI with a max pressure of 195 PSI. The largest of DeWalt’s medium compressors are capable of 5.0 SCFM @ 90 PSI and feature a max pressure of 225 PSI.  

Large

The larger compressors come in a variety of sizes ranging from 20 gallons up to 120 gallons. Some of these come with wheels, so they’re not strictly stationary. The larger ones on the list are stationary. They’re capable of delivering between 5.7 and 35 SCFM @ 90 PSI. Their peak HP ranges from 1.6 to 10. And they’re available in oil-lubed and oil-free models. 

What We Like and Don’t Like About DeWalt Air Compressors

Now let’s cover some of the pros and cons of DeWalt air compressors. Read on to find out what we like and what we don’t like about these air compressors. 

What We Like: DeWalt Pros

• Powerful – DeWalt makes many small but powerful air compressors, which is something lacking from other comparable companies. And while not everyone needs one of these, the fact that they’re available is a definite plus and a testament to the DeWalt brand. 
• Low Noise Levels – As a whole, DeWalt compressors are quieter than some other brands. There are some specific models that are designed for quiet operation, but even those that aren’t specifically designed this way operate at a lower decibel level than those of comparable price, size, and capability. 
• Lightweight and Durable – DeWalt’s compressors are a good mixture of lightweight and durable. Too light can mean poor quality in an air compressor, but DeWalt seems to strike a balance between the two, delivering machines that last long but aren’t overly heavy. 
• Quick Recharge – DeWalt air compressors are known for their quick recharge times. If you often use air tools that require a constant flow of air, a DeWalt compressor can provide fast recharge times so you don’t have to put up with too much downtime. 
• Good Warranties – Many DeWalt compressors come with 3-year warranties, which is great for air compressors of this price range. They also come with 1 year of free service and a 90-day money-back guarantee. 

What We Don’t Like: DeWalt Cons

• Air Leaks – The most common complaint among users of DeWalt air compressors seems to be air leakage after the compressor has been used for a while. This is often reported after a few years of use, and is only common among a small percentage. 
• Customer Support – Dealing with DeWalt’s customer support is not the most pleasant experience. It can be frustrating, according to some. They make good on their warranties, but it often takes some time to get things sorted out. 
• Price – DeWalt compressors have a slightly higher price point than others you’ll find at big box stores. But this could be due to the 3-year warranty that some air compressors come with. 

Best DeWalt Air Compressor for Home Use

After careful consideration, we’ve decided to recommend this top-rated DeWalt air compressor for all-around home use. It’s a 6-Gallon DeWalt Pancake Compressor that has a max PSI of 165 and delivers 2.6 SCFM @ 90 PSI. It features a long run time and a quick recovery so your work isn’t interrupted. It’s relatively quiet for a pancake compressor and features an oil-free pump so you don’t have to worry about pump maintenance. It’s highly portable and is ideal for use on roofs, in small spaces, in the garage, or in the home shop. 

Bestseller

Features

• 2.6 SCFM @ 90 PSI
• Long Run Time and Quick Recovery Time
• High-Efficiency Motor for Easy Startup in Cold Weather
• 78.5 dBA Noise Level
• 2 Universal Couplers
• Oil-Free Pump
• Lightweight at Only 30 Pounds
• Ball Drain Valve
• 3-Year Limited Warranty
• 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Check Current Price

DeWalt Air Compressors FAQ’s