California Air Tools 8010A Aluminum Tank Air Compressor | Ultra Quiet, Oil-Free, 1.0 hp, 8 gal

This is my second California Air compressor, the first was smaller and had a steel tank. Ive passed the smaller one to my son and he uses it with an air brush and as a general purpose compressor, he loves it. As stated its very quiet and delivers all the air I need for an air nailer and general purpose. I blow dust from computers and will eventually use it for a Laser engraver air assist. I highly recommend California Air.

I carry the aluminum compressor around with one hand by the handle, I don’t even roll it. Not because I’m strong but it is light enough that it’s the easiest way to carry it, I don’t have to bend over to roll it or pick it up. I thought people were exaggerating on how quiet this thing was. No exaggeration, this compressor is truly quiet. Very impressed and happy with purchase.

Replaced my pancake compressor. That thing was so loud. Unpacked it in the living room and turned it on. Wife was asleep in the room above. It never woke her up, I give it two thumbs up.

Its quiet, but already showing issues of not keeping up. Purchased to run as the air assist for my laser cutter, kept up with air demand perfectly to start, but 2 months later it takes forever to fill and no longer keeps up with the laser.

My wife and I are renovating a mid-1960s house, ultimately planning to live here full-time. My 27gal compressor back home was sorta-portable (wheels & stood vertically) but not easily transportable between the two houses. While researching for a small, quiet compressor for the reno my original compressor violently self-destructed. (:- Portability became much more important. The 8010 is small enough and light enough to strong-arm into a car trunk. Tank capacity is completely adequate for my needs (air gun, light sandblasting, minor cut-off work.) At this level its ideal. BUT--I also needed a relatively-quiet unit. My original was not, and as my wife has offices at both locations Im particularly careful about how much noise I generate. This California Air Tools compressor is billed as ultra-quiet, and thats an excellent description. This is easily the quietest compressor Ive every used, and that includes the little carry-along tire compressors one carries in a car trunk. I have a cousin who has a home-shop in which she makes things for her business. I learned they needed a compressor for some airbrushing they need to do. As noise in her shop is also a big consideration, I was able to recommend this compressor without reservation. Id buy it again, for sure. And yes, I did buy it. I have never accepted compensation for anything I review.

so far it is exactly what I was expecting

Don’t believe any reviews to the contrary, this is as quiet, or quieter, than advertised. I needed something I could run in the house without damaging my children’s hearing and this fits the bill. It’s orders of magnitude quieter than the 6 gallon porter cable I used to use. The only down sides are the aluminum tank, while lighter than the steel porter cable, is not as light as hoped. Also, the handle for pulling it on the wheels is to short to be almost useless for someone who is 5’10” tall. Also, they say it’s made in San Diego California, but the box says made in China. Not good.

I really like the noise level; its just perfectly quiet just like they said. It doesnt take too long to fill the tank and its very compact and easily portable. It does build up a lot of heat while running but not to the point of being extreme. The instructions were fairly good. The unit I received had one issue that for me, was easier to fix than return. The pressure regulator was not screwed on tightly and had a very slow leak. I had to take the cap off the regulator remove the engine wires and the air supply line so I could remove the regulator. I put some Teflon pipe tape on the big pipe and replaced all the reverse order. It wasnt a big job but you need some mechanical aptitude and some tools to accomplish. I would have given it a 5 star if not for the regulator issue. If you are not mechanically inclined, send it back for a replacement.

Everything worked as expected right out of the box. It fills the tank in just over 2 minutes. I replaced the quick couple at the tank with my own 25 foot hose with quick coupler on the end. I turned the pump off and was gone for over two weeks and when I came back the pressure was exactly where I left it (no leaks). The compressor is pleasantly quiet as that was a primary objective for me in replacing my old unit. A little more expensive than some units but as long as it holds up over time I feel it will be worth it.

This is very quiet for a compressor. I was impressed, runs great and the aluminum tank is nice since I usually leave it Ill of air all the time. Holds pressure very well it has been holding steady for a few weeks now.