Air Compressors Pricing Guide
Reciprocating compressors, turnkey compressors, petrol compressors, oilless compressors – there’s no lack of options out there if you’re in the market for an air compressor, but at the end of the day how much does it actually cost to buy one?
Obviously the price will depend upon the size and power of the compressor, and whether you require extras like coolers and silencers, but also bear in mind that the most expensive thing over time will be the energy it uses (whether that be from petrol or electricity).
Reciprocating Compressors
Generally speaking, reciprocating (piston driven) compressors are aimed at the lower end of the market. As an older design of compressor, they are less energy efficient and hence less suitable for long term industrial use. Almost all reciprocating compressors are portable.
Electric
At the lower end of the market, portable electric compressors are best for smaller budgets. They can start as low as £150, although these are usually for domestic use. An entry level compressor for use in a business will cost about £500, and will have a capacity of 10-12 CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute). Something a little larger, capable of 20-25 CFM, should cost about £1000.
Once you start looking at motors above 5 HP, or twin motors, you should expect to pay between £1000 and £3000. Air compressors over 30 CFM and 10 HP will start at about £3000.
Petrol and diesel
Petrol and diesel air compressors are capable of higher performance than their electric counterparts, but are more expensive to boot. In general they will not go below 15 CFM and 5 HP. Petrol compressors range from around £1500 to £3000. As a rough estimate, diesel compressors cost about twice as much, in the £3000 to £5000 bracket.
Rotary Screw Compressors
Rotary screw compressors are better suited to long term industrial use, and are usually static pieces of equipment. Price-wise they pick up where portable compressors leave off, at around the £5000 to £7000 mark. This will buy you a compressor capable of roughly 30 to 40 CFM.
Rotary screw compressors have a much higher range of CFM. As a guideline, a 100 CFM compressor will cost about £10,000 and a 200 CFM compressor will cost £15,000 to £20,000. Above £20,000 you are entering the territory of heavy duty industrial air compressors that can go up to and beyond 1000 CFM.
