Harbor Freight launched another Fortress Ultra-Quiet air compressor (FT6150UQ), this time a 6-gallon pancake-style model with 66 dBA noise rating.
HF says their new air compressor is up to 80% quieter. They also say that it’s up to 20% lighter than others in its class, thanks to an aluminum air tank.
Another benefit to aluminum tanks is that they won’t rust, but you still have to drain the condensate regularly as per the user manual.
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The new Fortress air compressor features a maintenance-free oil-free pump, roll bar, large easy-read 2-inch pressure gauges, and 2 universal brass couplers (one on the control panel, one behind it on the right side).
The air compressor has a 6-gallon air tank and delivers up to 150 PSI max pressure and 2.7 SCFM (at 90 PSI) air flow.
HF’s spec sheet says that the compressor draws 7.8A and weighs 43.1 lbs.
Price: $230
Discussion
How can one say no to a regulator face like this?
Quiet air compressors are great for common nailing and blowing tasks, but are also much-appreciated in hobby settings, such as for airbrushing.
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Different types of equipment outside of woodworking, construction, and automotive applications require the use of an air compressor, and noise reduction is appreciated or even required.
Air compressors – especially oil-free – tend to be loud and shrilly. 66 dBA is a decently low noise rating, in my opinion.
I have not tested this model, and can’t guarantee it’s easy on the ears, but I’m optimistic about the noise level rating.
At 66 dBA, this air compressor might be quiet enough to use in workshop or room without the need for hearing protection, although that might also depend on the tool(s) being used.
$230 is about 2.3X the price of a traditional 6-gallon pancake-style air compressor with steel air tank, at least during holiday promotional seasons.
(At the time of this year-end posting, Home Depot has a Ridgid 6-gallon air compressor for $90.)
I’m not familiar with the Campbell Hausfeld DC060500 that Harbor Freight lists as the “compare-to” model.
Looking around, California Air Tools doesn’t seem to have a pancake-style quiet air compressor, nor does Stealth air compressors or Husky.
The CH model is $269. But, based on specs and appearances, the Harbor Freight Fortress has it beat on specs (max pressure and air flow), and features (control panel, rubber feet). The HF Fortress is also lighter and quieter by 2 dBA.
The difference in specs varies from slight to meaningful – 150 vs 125 PSI, 2.7 vs 2.4 CFM at 90 PSI, 66 vs 68 dBA – but the Fortress air compressor looks far more user-friendly than the Campbell Hausfeld.
Did Harbor Freight just launch a best-in-class 6-gallon quiet air compressor?! That’s certainly what it looks like.
Compared to other form factors, the pancake-style air tank gives it a reasonable compact footprint.
The product listing and user manual don’t make any mention of a UL-rating, which I’d like to see on equipment like this.
Here’s the user manual in PDF format.
I realize that the 90-day warranty period helps with price management, but I’d like to see a longer term. The industry standard seems to be 1 year.
Here’s what I’m seeing here – Harbor Freight launched a new ultra-quiet air compressor in a space with limited competition, and they outclassed the only directly competing model with better specs and features.
This isn’t the quietest air compressor on the market, the most compact, or the most powerful, but it does look to offer a compelling balance.
It seems that Harbor Freight has been increasingly making good on the first part of their “quality tools, lowest prices” tagline.
In no uncertain terms – this looks great.
However, I would spend a few dollars more for a UL rating. While Harbor Freight stores sell extended service protection plans, I’d still like to see a warranty period longer than 90 days.
Joe Hurst
With respect for HF, for those looking for a quiet compressor, I’d suggest looking at California Air. Trim carpenters might consider their 1-gallon, 56 dB model; for misc. chores, check out the 8-gal. tank with wheels. I tested them out a few years back and can attest that they are quiet operators.
Steve L
Stuart recommended the California air tools 1 gallon when it was on sale (Thank you)
I bought one. .At 60 DB it is quieter than my radio
Steve L
* 56 db
Michael F
I have this exact air compressor. I’ve upgraded to cordless nailers at this point so my compressor is used for blowing and hopefully in the future hobby airbrushing. The 1 gallon California air is incredibly quiet. I love using it.
Derek Howe
Yup, my Cali Air 8 gallon is great, have had it for several years, still runs nice and quite.
Robert
I have the California air tools 8 gallon unit. Best compressor I’ve ever owned. Super quiet with a quick cycle time. Takes 90 seconds to fill the whole tank. I bought it eight years ago, on sale at HD for $130. I think it’s close to $300 now.
Stuart
What if someone wants a bigger air tank (e.g. 6 gallon) but a more compact footprint?
That’s why this especially caught my attention – HF has a lot of copycat tools, but this one seems to lean more towards being a “solution for specific needs.”
Tiffany Stagner
The fortress is super quiet and easy to use. I love ours!
Mark M.
Getting rid of my loud, oversized (for my needs) compressor was one of the best upgrades I’ve ever made in my garage. With cordless tech being what it is, I just have no need to drive high CFM air tools. Airing up tires, running trim nail guns, blowing off work surfaces, that is all I need compressed air for. I bought a super-quiet Makita and have never looked back.
Eliot Truelove
I love my Makita MAC320 as well, it’s very very nice and super quiet to boot.
On another post about the cordless Makita recently I used hyperbole and said I could almost whisper above it, which is exaggerating, but in comparison to your typical compressors it’s very quiet.
This Harbor Freight version looks quite awesome though, but it is slightly louder. I wonder what the duty cycle is on it in comparison, it’s twice the size of my 3 Gallon Makita given it is a pancake style rather than hot dog style.
And although I love the Teal color of Makita, I quite like the color scheme of this too, which seems superficial given it should be function over form. It doesn’t look cheap.
Anything to increase competition and innovation in the tool world. The more players on the field the more opportunity for growth.
blocky
6 dba difference is not nothing. I could use a refresher, but I’m pretty sure decibels are logarithmic and scaled for perception of loudness vs SPL (sound pressure levels). I used to engineer recordings and a 10db increase was commonly said to be twice as loud. Either of these units will be magnitudes quieter than a standard pancake compressor, but I’d choose that Makita any day and only wince when pulling out my wallet.
(I have the 1 gal California Air Tools w/ steel canister and love it.)
Jared
Good point – for every 3 dB increase, sound energy is doubled. A 6db difference is certainly not negligible.
Jim Felt
This 60db unit has always been my favorite small light easily serviced and quiet unit.
Rolair JC10 Plus 2.5 Gal Electric Air Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058NRVMO
mla
Yep, I have the same one and love it.
John
While I have some HF tools, making a post solely on their presented specs and not actually testing a unit is pretty pointless. Their specs on so many tools are crap. Noise levels are bullshit.
A Makita or California Air Tools (both of which I have for smaller compressors) are close to their specs and far superior.
John
Yeah, I don’t necessarily trust their specs. Especially with spl levels, there are a lot of different ways of measuring it. For example, they don’t say the distance the measurement was taken at, which makes it completely meaningless. Typically a measurement would be taken at 1m, but there’s no reason to believe that’s what they did. Simply stepping back another foot or two would decrease the measurement.
And then there’s the question of reliability. It doesn’t matter how loud it is if it breaks in a few months. I’d definitely wait for some reviews before considering buying one. I will say I’m excited to see more competition in this space though.
MKY
Stuart –
HF’s spec sheet says that the compressor ***drawers*** 7.8 A and …
$230 is about 2.3X the price of a traditional 6-gallon pancake-style air compressor with steel air tank, ***at last during*** holiday promotional seasons.
Stuart
Thanks! *fixed*
Steve
Anymore, I think these are the go to compressors, unless you work in a large shop with air tools. I have the M18 Milwaukee and after a couple small modifications, I got the db even lower. It’s quiet and fairly light for my needs. I like the aluminum tank on this one, but I’d be hard pressed to go back to cordless. I also have the M18 inflator and keep it in the garage for tires. The bigger unit is in the basement. Limited market for these as battery powered compressors take over…
SneakySub
Elaborate on said modifications?
Al
Might be time for a new version of Best Cordless Air Compressor ? Noise level and CFM would help.
I’m coming from a double hot-dog that is heavy and loud. But, I occasionally blow texture coating through a hopper gun for repairs.
Stuart
Could be, or maybe at least “what I’d buy.”
Thanks, will add it to my list for 2024!
Bill Sung
I don’t know why but I tend to be skeptical with the harbor Freight brands. I have the Dewalt 15 Gallon Compressor & this baby is very loud. I love the Oil Free no hassle and it been working for me on weekends for the last 4 years with no issues what so ever. Has anyone used the larger Fortress compressors? Are they really quiet? I am considering the FORTRESS 26 Gallon 175 PSI Ultra Quiet Vertical Shop/Auto Air Compressor. Thanks a bunch!
MT
I know why I’m skeptical of HF brands: historically they’ve been junk. And a 90 day warranty suggests they’re still junk.
MadDawg
If they won’t stand behind a product for (x) amount of time. They’re usually junk. I agree… and it doesn’t matter what product it is. If the warranty isn’t even standard then forget it because they know it will break before the standard warranty expires
Big Richard
If you are a yellow guy, Tractor Supply has the DeWalt 26 gallon ultra quiet on sale for $399 – https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/dewalt-26-gal-ultra-quiet-compressor-dxcmsac426
Compared to the HF – same PSI, slightly lower SCFM, but also lower dB rating. $50 more.
Bill Sung
Wow, I am sold Big Richard!
Bill Sung
Big Richard,
My Dewalt 26 gallon just arrived and I just can not believe it, it like the whole system sounds like an Tesla, so quiet. My wife could not believe it either. It was left running at the corner of the back yard for the first 20 minutes of getting a good engine burn in prior to it’s first use. Thank you so very much for sharing the knowledge with us. This brings tears to my eyes, I wished I found this compressor 5 years ago.
Big Richard
Tha’s great, glad I could help and glad you – and your wife – like it. Happy Holidays.
me
I have it. Very quiet. You could talk over it right beside it, but comes with oddball connectors- had to change them out or change all of my stuff from m connectors.
Mark
I have the 175 psi 26 gallon fortress. And yes it’s really quiet. I’m extremely happy with it
John D
Quiet compressor motor and pump assemblies are heavier than traditional oil-free motors and pumps, so the lightweight aluminum tank is a nice way to offset the added weight. Aluminum tanks are thicker than steel tanks, so that adds to material cost. I will say that 66 dB is hardly “ultra” quiet and would suggest checking out California Air or Rolair models with noise levels below 60 dB. The real test for small compressors is the ability of the reed valves to withstand hours of use under load. Eliot touched on the important subject of duty cycle, which will tell you almost everything you need to know about the expected durability of the product. This is often proprietary “secret sauce” information, but maybe Stuart can pry this spec out of HF. Many manufactures use smaller motor and pumps and crank up the RPM to deliver to delivery sufficient amounts of air volume and pressure. This almost always leads to poor performance and premature component failure. Lower RPM machines with properly-sized components don’t work as hard, will last longer and run quieter.
Mike
It’s not a pancake compressor, but several Christmas ago, my wife bought me a Hulk power 6 Gal. Horizontal Air Compressor from Home Depot to replace my old Kobalt 3 Gal. hot dog compressor. Hulk claims 51 dB. I used the Hulk inside when we remodeled the sun room and it was very quiet.
Frank D
This could be on the short list, size & noise wise; but not with a 90d warranty; unless you pony up extra for the extended warranty.
The number one and two things I hate about the Ridgid is how loud it is and how long it takes to fill up and make it to 150. Probably the same noise as my Crafstmans before it. But the Ridgid has 3yr warranty, unless I am not remembering that right.
Frank D
* Porter Cable
Brad
I have had the 2 gallon Fortress model for awhile. I use compressors professional for trim work and smaller framing jobs in my remodel company. I started with a CAT compressor, but it died after about a year. Unless they changed, I didn’t like the lower air pressure of the CAT units. Sometimes you need just a little more umph to drive a nail. Also, the cut-in pressure was set too low so pressure would drop below a usable amount. The higher pressure of the HF solves those issues.
I did burn through one HF compressor, but it was replaced under the extend warranty I purchased (I rarely do). The replacement has been working fine for a couple of years.
I would have preferred a Rolair or Makita, but at the time local availability was sparse and I couldn’t wait for it to be shipped. I have a Makita MAC5200 I use for large framing and siding jobs. That thing is a beast and reasonably quiet.
Kalos
“I would spend a few dollars more for a UL rating. ”
UL, CSA, ETL, and several others, are NRTLs (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories) are fully equivalent. Tested assemblies meet the same, or very similar, safety standards.
ETL is a little cheaper than UL for certification, which is why many “economy brands” have moved to ETL.