Customer Reviews for California Air Tools 20 Gal. 2.0 HP Ultra Quiet and Oil-Free Electric Air Compressor

I own 2 CAT compressors. They are very quiet and generally well-built. The plumbing design uses a connector tube that goes from the tank to the distribution regulator/manifold that is too small and restricts the air flow out of the tank. The 20 gallon unit will run air nailers and small paint sprayers just fine. Impact tools or cutters will not have enough air to achieve full power. The compressor motor does run well so I have found workarounds to make my tools operate properly.

I have had several air compressors in my lifetime. This is the quietest air compressor I have ever owned or used. You barely hear it running. I use in my basement woodshop. It is extremely quiet. If I replace my compressor in the garage, it will be another California Air Tool compressor.

It is a quiet and functional air compressor. I am very satisfied with what it does. 3 minor but annoying things that can make this perfect 5 stars are; 1. add cover to the pump so that users don't burn their hands by accidentally touching the pipes connecting 2 pumps. It should be safety items, 2 move the drain valve close to the edge of cylindet for easy access, 3. add hook caddies for hose and wire. These are all included in a cheaper Fortress air compressor at Harbour Freight. If that compressor was 2 HP with 5.4 CFM like California Air Tools, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. That had a bigger tank and higher working pressure to boot.

I like the low pressure when ever it has to recharge. At first it was a rocky purchase. When I received the compressor, looked like it had been re-boxed. The inside box was open and it was suppose to be stapled shut. After unboxing, plug in and it started right away. Tried turning it off and the knob didn't do anything. So I opened the pressure switch box and the stem that goes into the knob was missing!! Because I couldn't turn it off, I used it and I heard air leaking. The manifold for the gauges were leaking, so I tried to silicon tape the threads, bought new guages still leaked. So phone call 2!! I noticed the pressure relief valve, which it brass was all green with mold. Also then changing the gauges, the insides were all rusty and had some moisture. I was very upset to get a used compressor!!! When I called California Air Tools, the first time, he was so surprised that the stem was missing from the pressure switch, he'd never heard of that!!! But he sent me the part, I was expecting only the plastic piece, they sent me a whole new pressure switch!!! Wow!!! The second person I spoke with, sent me the new manifold. I was expecting only the manifold, expecting to re-assemble the gauges, but he also sent me the entire thing!! Wow! Wow!! They even offered to do a complete new return for another one, but I told them it wasn't fair HD is selling used equipment and they having to cover the exchanges of new equipment. I told them, that if these two parts didn't fix the problems I would contact them again. I am very impressed with Cal Air Tools customer service, TOP NOTCH!!!! Very good, no hassles!!!!

after years of having to go outside if I was talking to someone when the air compressor came on I can finally just ignore it. It is so quiet you really do not know it fired up, recharge time is super fast making using air tools faster. I had read reviews that complained about the packaging and shipping methods used by Calair but I have no complaints about either as it arrived in good condition and was easy to assemble. I recommend this compressor 100%

The 20 gal. w hp. Compressor is good, the support from California Air Tools is very good and very helpful. I talked to Eddie a few times and he helped me adjust to run better for my use.

Very quiet, easy to use, easy to drain.

Beautiful, super quite.

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

Went from a 5g to 20 gallon. California continues to impress

Quite. 4 mins to fill. 1 min recovery. Quite.

The quietest air compressor I have ever used outside of a rotary compressor. For the price, you can’t beat the sound and the volume of air created by this compressor. I have my own dryer so I didn’t opt for the one with the dryer as part of it. I would recommend that if you don’t have a dryer already.

So far so good, the unit works great also the level noise is reduced by half. I'm very happy with my buy, I will recommend it to anyone that is thinking of buying a new air compressor, you won't regret it.

I just replaced a VERY noisy Craftsman compressor that was about a week old. You couldn't hear yourself think with it running. The California compressor is so quiet you can stand next to it while it's running and carry on a conversation. I was a bit concerned that one review said it wouldn't run a 1/2 Inch impact gun, not true, it works fine. Maybe that person had a small tank compressor, but I can say for certain the 20 gal tank keeps up fine. If you have a small shop, the extra money you may pay for this compressor is worth it to save a bit of your hearing. I guess the only thing now is to see how it holds up to normal use.

Super quiet, so far used it with a framing nailer and no problem keeping up.

Much quieter than the one it replaces. Easy to assemble. Works great!

Excellent air compressor. Very quiet and keeps a good constant pressure even during heavy use.

Works just as advertised. Glad I gave this product a chance. Highly recommend!

This is the quietest air compressor! So impressed!

This really is a sweet Air compressor and veeerrrryyyyy quiet which is why I bought it. Plus it's just the right size to wheel around the garage or property for projects.

Picked up at my local HD, no shipping damage at all and the compressor is excellent, very quiet and no leaks. Perfect for my small workshop.

Very quiet, cant keep up over extended use.

super quiet, lots of capacity. Originally bought the 8 Gallon because of the smaller footprint, but it just didn't have enough oomph for what I needed. Going to buy another one go these for my other shop.

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

its just as quiet as the ad says. only problem was the first one came with a bunch of parts missing. home depot took it back and ordered another one which came with all the parts and works fine.

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

Not a lot of storage capacity and does not recharge until it gets down to 90#. Could not fill a tire to 90#.