Budget Compressors

I am requesting some advice on budget compressors that do not suck and are simple to operate. I am new to the sport, am leaning heavily towards a springer but want to explore PCPs some more while I am waiting for a good deal on a used air rifle. I am thinking around the $200 mark. I found a lot of good info on the below post but figured there were some new options on the market since 2023. A 12v car battery option would be a plus because I could justify the purchase by throwing it in the quad toolbox at work. Getting a flat with no way to fill several miles from your work truck is the start of a bad day.

 
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I am requesting some advice on budget compressors that do not suck and are simple to operate. I am new to the sport, am leaning heavily towards a springer but want to explore PCPs some more while I am waiting for a good deal on a used air rifle. I am thinking around the $200 mark. I found a lot of good info on the below post but figured there were some new options on the market since 2023. A 12v car battery option would be a plus because I could justify the purchase by throwing it in the quad toolbox at work. Getting a flat with no way to fill several miles from your work truck is the start of a bad day.


I'd recommend the GX CS3, little more expensive than your looking for but well built and durable. I've had mine for close to 8 months with no problems.
 
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Heat is a main enemy of HPA compressors, those addressing it effectively are the best value. Water, fans, low-gearing/slow fill and crankcase oil are popular heat-busting methods. The rectangular box, waterless, oil-less, quick fill, multi power, high-speed fan cooled platforms work but have lost favor with only a 12-18 month lifespan and limited rebuilding success. The GX-CS1/2/3 combine high-speed fan cooling with low gearing/slow fill for less heat generation, the GX-CS 4/5 adding water cooling. The Yong Heng fills faster, utilizing water, fan and crankcase oil cooling, but lacks portability and is much louder. WM
 
The cheap compressors will work fine, especially in the beginning, if you're not sure you're gonna even like the sport. Just fill guns, not bottles and use them in a climate controlled setting to limit the moisture.
I started with a cheap $250 compressor. It was fine for filling my 2 guns at the time.
I realized I was getting into this hobby and getting a large tank was going to need
a compressor upgrade.
 
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I'd highly recommend any of the GX Pump Compressors. Depending upon your needs, they have something in every price range and have a proven reputation for reliability. Not sure if I would categorize them as cheap, but they are affordable! I have a CS-4 that has been my primary compressor for the past 2 years and it's still running strong! I also have a L-3, which is their battery powered CS-3, which is an excellent choice if you do a lot of shooting in the field. And, it uses Makita Batteries, so picking up spares batteries is easy!


If you purchase direct from GX Pumps. use the code GX10OFF to get 10% off your purchase, with free shipping and no sales tax in most states.
 
You'd do better to have a small "pony tank" or " buddy bottle" with the correct schrader fittings to fill a tire than filling from a compressor directly. 30 seconds to do it from a bottle opposed to 30 minutes from a compressor.
That is a REALLY good idea. Especially for the quad. It wouldn't take a big bottle to keep the tire on the bead.