Craftsman has launched a new “Ultra-Quiet” air compressor, model CMXECXA3331241.
The new Craftsman air compressor features a 12 gallon tank, 150 PSI vertical tank, and 1.5 HP max pump.
Recommended uses include “drilling, tire inflation, air brushing, nailing.”
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The Craftsman quiet air compressor features an “SPCC handle” and rubber wheels. It has an “oil-free design that is maintenance-free and works seamlessly in the cold winter months.”
The product listing describes the air compressor as being multi-purpose:
Whether you are in the automobile manufacturing, building construction or machinery manufacturing industry, this air compressor can meet your needs, and it can also be installed with all kinds of pneumatic and air tools, such as nail guns, spray guns, suitable for tire inflation, auto repair, painting, woodworking nails and so on.
- 1.50 HP max
- 12 gallon air tank
- 150 PSI max
- Oil-free pump
- Retractable handle
- “3X longer lifetime”
- 72 dB
- “up to 80% quieter”
- 2 quick connect couplers
Price: $399.99
Discussion
Craftsman used to make certain air compressors in the USA. Shown here is their older 6-gallon pancake air compressor. The new model – as well as a newer 6-gallon pancake air compressor – are listed as being made in China.
I don’t need a quiet air compressor, but I’d like one and have entertained the idea for some time, which is why this new Craftsman release initially caught my attention.
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At this time, there’s a comparably spec’ed Home Depot Husky model with what looks to be the same exact pump and nearly identical user interface for considerably less.
The Craftsman is $400, and the Husky is priced at $329 with free shipping. It’s going to be a bit larger due to the taller air tank.
The Craftsman 12 gallon air compressor looks to be a repaint of the Stealth 12 gallon air compressor that’s also available on Amazon for $400.
There’s also what looks to be a Stealth repaint of the Husky 20 gallon air compressor.
The Craftsman looks interesting, although the price seems way too high. Harbor Freight’s Fortress quiet air compressors and California Air Tool’s remain at the top of my shortlist.
Not only are Harbor Freight Fortress models considerably less expensive, they’re also more powerful and quieter. I’d find the Craftsman more appealing if it was at half the price.
Ben
Stealth is one of the house brands for Alton Industries. I believe they also make / made several air compressors and fans for SBD (DeWalt branded), as well as the DWXAF101 air filtration system and multiple SBD wet/dry vacs (DeWalt, Craftsman, and Black & Decker). They’re also an OEM for other brands, as evidenced by those Husky models.
Irving
That looks a lot like my California Air Tools 10 gallon ultra-quiet compressor, which looks like it shares the same compressor motor with Lowe’s Quiet 20 gallon compressor, as well as most of the controls.
I don’t doubt CAT’s compressors are made in China, but now I’m wondering about who actually owns CAT.
mikedt
It seems like all the “quiet” compressor motors on the market look like CAT’s motor.
FYI, CAT sells refurbed compressor motors on ebay for reasonable money. I’ve been tempted to refit my louder than loud old Craftsman compressor with one.
John
You won’t regret purchasing a quiet compressor. The low purr they emit is much easier on the ears than traditional oil-free compressors and makes them ideal for indoor use. Many quiet compressors have 4-pole motors which are more efficient, operate at lower RPMs and have a much longer service life than traditional 2 or 3-pole motors. Be aware that the dual-piston pump used on most quiet compressors makes them rather heavy. Hand-carry model without wheels can be a bit of pain to carry around the job site.
Patrick T
100%! It’s amazing what a difference a quiet compressor can make.
I don’t have much of a need for air (mainly tires and occasionally blowing something off) and, also don’t have a ton of space. I replaced my ancient Craftsman with a whisper quiet CAT (1P1060S).
The Craftsman must have been around 5-ish gallons (give or take) and could wake the dead. The CAT I got is only a gallon but, is super small and 56 dB. It’s great for my needs and is fine with a nail gun for small projects. I can use it inside with no trouble. There were a couple of times I wished I had something with some more volume but, some battery impacts have squashed that for my needs.
eddiesky
My Craftsman 5Gal can indeed wake the dead. https://i.sears.com/s/i/spin/image/spin_prod_218549001
I need it for nailing (floor, trim, casing, baseboard) and sometimes two nailers attached for finish work.
I can’t see replacing all my nailers with cordless till they fail and cost-prohibitive. Having a light pneumatic still feels better than a heavier cordless for hours of work.
But to have a 5 gallon, 125PSI compressor that would be quiet, sign me up.
Note: Craftsman crap AI image of workers using coil nailer on cement? Weird platform behind them too.
I suggest better rubber feet on bottom as those cheap strips will be gone on first use.
Fabrik8
Rolair has a new oil-less folding/wheeled unit, FCOL22LS6, 66dB rated, 5cfm@90, 5.5 gallon, and 175 psi it looks like. I don’t own that one. Will be a fair bit pricier than a Craftsman unit.
I do currently own a few other Rolair units though:
JC10PLUS, which is really quiet, oil-less, 60dB rated, 2.5 gal tank, and is my go-to for small stuff. No wheels, but it’s fine just carrying around by the handle.
…and also own the small but mighty 4.2 gal VT20ST, the near twin of the VT20TB. The -TB has a 3.2 gal tank but has wheels. Same motor/pump combo for both; oiled with continuous duty motors that are 74dB rated. I’ve been using the VT20ST for framing projects, and never have to worry about duty cycle.
Tdot77
You can always add volume to a compressor by adding an additional storage tank to the system. Buy a cheap 5 or 7 gal storage tank then swap out the hose with a quick connect + T etc.
Check Utube for videos explaining the process much better. They sell dedicated “pig tanks” online that have multiple threaded bungs for hoses both in & out. Used for like a roofing crew type of situation where gas compressor is down on ground hooked by single (larger diameter hose ½” usually) hose going to tank supplying the multiple nail gun ¼” hoses on the roof from pig tank so they all get even pressure & more volume versus just T-ing off multiple hoses on one supply line.
Skfarmer
150 hp?
Impressive
Tdot77
Ikr! I wonder if we can add a tuner and get some more HP out of it? 😉
Stuart
Oops. Thanks, *fixed*
Michael F
I’ve owned the smaller Husky Quiet compressor and it was great. My only compressor now is a small California Air tool and it’s an awesome compressor for small jobs. I would argue that the Craftsman seems to be priced with the tariffs in mind. $399 seems outrageous compared to similar models, so I imagine they’re betting the tariffs are here to stay and have no plans on moving production out of China. We’ll see how that works out for them.
Joe E.
Their AI generated shop is embarrassing. Wtf is that?
Stuart
I posted about this more than 2 weeks ago. Craftsman said the images on some of their Amazon listings don’t comply with their brand standards and are in the process of being taken down. But they’re still up, and so that’s what was available for a post.
Dave
I remember that post and I’m not sure if this is the same image or even worse. That black “tool” just right of center on the pegboard is certainly… something.
Stuart
This image is the replacement for the one I posted about 2 weeks ago.
Dave
Got the Husky a couple of years ago to replace my ancient USA Craftsman pancake mainly because of tank size – the pancake wasn’t cutting it for jobs like running a texture hopper. Wow, what a difference in noise, I’d have paid more and dealt with the bigger size even for small jobs like installing base (though I’ve since moved to battery power for most nailing tasks) just for the decibel reduction alone.
Agree the pricing on this one is less than compelling, the Husky for capacity or an M18 for size/portability both come in cheaper…
Steven Phillips
I have the Husky. That pump/motor is on lots of compressors and it’s pretty good, I like it. Same OEM seems to be pumping these out for lots of brands.
Hoser
The most important spec is not mentioned anywhere. CFM.
They go on and on about the steel handle, multipurpose uses, etc., etc., but not a single mention of CFM. Who would ever consider buying a compressor without knowing the CFMs??
Maybe I missed it, but looked over both the listing and this post twice and saw no mention of CFM.
Stuart
Nope! I looked prior to posting but couldn’t find any airflow volume specs. They have a number printed on the user control panel (looks like 4 CFM at 50 PSI), but that’d be half the story. Seeing as how the same images show the bottom support not welded to the air tank, I’m not willing to trust what could be a placeholder label on renderings.