The Best Air Compressor Hoses (Review) in 2023 | Autance

The best air compressor hoses on the market can make all the difference to how quickly you finish a project…

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The Best Air Compressor Hoses (Review) in 2023 | Autance © The Best Air Compressor Hoses (Review) in 2023 | Autance
Best Choice flexzilla air compressor hose Flexzilla Air Compressor Hose
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Premium Pick duryte pro air compressor hose DuRyte Pro Air Compressor Hose
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Best Value Amflo Polyurethane Air Compressor Hose Amflo Polyurethane Air Compressor Hose
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The best air compressor hoses on the market can make all the difference to how quickly you finish a project – be that at home, on a building site or in an industrial workplace. In this article we look at the best air hose products available as well as investigating key features as to what makes a good air hose in the first place. Some will even be good to use with the best portable air compressor tires should you need.

The Best Air Compressor Hose

This humorously named air hose made it to the top of our list of best air compressor hose products for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is available in a large variety of sizes and lengths making it a highly adaptable product, depending on your needs. It is also always good value, whatever diameter or length you choose. We loved it as well owing to how flexible it is, in whatever weather, as well as as the fact that it won’t kink under pressure. In terms of pressure, it can take up to 300 pounds per square inch.

All in all, this is a highly versatile piece of kit making it the best air hose product available.

Key Features
  • Available in a wide variety of lengths and diameters
  • Will remain flexible even at -40 F temperatures
  • Abrasion resistant
Specification
  • Brand Flexzilla
  • Model HFZ3850YW2
  • Weight 1 pounds

Good Year is a brand that is synonymous with quality. This air hose is a prime example of that quality which is why it made it so easily onto our best air compressor hose list. Available in a number of lengths and diameters, as well as a number of different sized packs (customers can choose to purchase 1, 3 or 5 at a time), this red rubber air hose is class C oil resistant so is capable of being put to work in the grimiest of building sites, automotive shops and other industrial settings.

Key Features
  • Solid brass ¼ NPT end fittings
  • Spiral synthetic yarn reinforcement
  • Can be purchased as part of a 1, 3 or 5 pack
Specification
  • Brand Goodyear
  • Model 12674
  • Weight 7 pounds

There is so much about this hybrid and highly flexible air hose that screams quality. Firstly, it is incredibly lightweight making it highly usable to all. But importantly, it has not scrimped on other parts of the air line hose either. Tekton have installed brass connectors so that customers can be certain their product will never rust as well as knowing that they have the best connection possible – especially in comparison to aluminum or steel connectors.

Key Features
  • Hybrid material means it can work even in freezing cold temperatures
  • Lightweight and low friction polymer
  • Solid brass connectors that won’t corrode
Specification
  • Brand TEKTON
  • Model 46137
  • Weight 4.8 pounds

This PVC air hose from Campbell Hausfeld is a highly capable piece of equipment whether you are working on DIY projects at home, or on a building site every day. It has a huge 300 maximum PSI working pressure so that you can achieve a high flow to all your projects. It comes with a non marring and abrasion resistant cover that makes it extremely durable – especially when you consider it is made from reinforced PVC too.

Key Features
  • Possible to buy in 25 foot length
  • PVC Material
  • Will work in up to 130 F heat
Specification
  • Brand Campbell Hausfeld
  • Model PA117701AV
  • Weight 8 ounces

Made by Giraffe Tools, this is a hybrid air line hose with solid brass ends providing users with a product that is hard wearing and resistant to rust and corrosion. Additionally, it provides users with the comfort that it is resistant to oil while also being able to be used in a variety of weathers and temperatures. Plus, it is easy to use thanks to be lightweight and flexible.

Key Features
  • Oil and abrasion resistant
  • Maximum 300 PSI
  • Suitable in all weathers
Specification
  • Brand Giraffe Tools
  • Model GT50
  • Weight 5.1 pounds

Amflo have produced one of the best air compressor hose products with this bright blue polyurethane hose as it is suitable for home use as well as being used by those on building sites or within industrial settings. It has been made from braided nylon to give it extra reinforcement, whilst its main material, Polyurethane, means that it can be used in either very hot or very cold temperatures. Importantly, it is resistant to kinks and oil as well as abrasion.

Key Features
  • Bright blue so easy to see
  • Reinforced polyurethane
  • Resistant to abrasion, oil and kinks
Specification
  • Brand Amflo
  • Model 12-25E
  • Weight 1 pounds

Master Airbrush have made an excellent compressor hose with this short, nylon braided example of one of the best air hose products on the market. It is fantastic to buy if you are in need of a very short hose thanks to a project that demands working in a very contained space where only an air hose of this length will do. In addition to that, it has only a standard ⅛ inch fitting so it is one of the smallest flexible air hose products available. It is long lasting and will fit with many brands of popular tools.

Key Features
  • Only 10 foot in length
  • Made from braided nylon
  • Connectors are ⅛ BSP Female
Specification
  • Brand Master Airbrush
  • Model TH-024-10
  • Weight 6.4 ounces

When Hitachi set out to produce an air line hose that could be used in many professional settings, they also made one of the best air compressor hose products that money can buy. Made from Polyurethane, this is 40% lighter than a PVC alternative so that operators can use it for longer periods of time on their DIY or professional projects. It packs in 300 pounds per square inch plus is able to stay fully flexible in even the coldest of temperatures. It comes in either a 50 foot length or a 100 foot length.

Key Features
  • Spiral reinforced for durability
  • Heavy duty bend restrictors
  • Industrial grade fittings
Specification
  • Brand Hitachi
  • Model 115155
  • Weight 2.29 pounds

It’s not surprising that Goodyear have another air hose on our best air compressor hose list given the quality of the products that they produce. We loved this one thanks to its 10 year guarantee and the fact that this comes with solid brass end fittings making it resistant to corrosion. The hose also has spiral synthetic yarn reinforcement so that it is incredibly long lasting making it abrasion resistant.

Key Features
  • Comes in a wide variety of sizes and lengths
  • 10 Year Guarantee
  • Solid brass end fittings
Specification
  • Brand Goodyear
  • Model 46511
  • Weight 1.05 pounds

Last on our list of best air compressor hose products, is this air line hose from DuRyte that is made from a hybrid material of a rubber and PVC blend. This means that not only is it lightweight, it is also very flexible. Other reasons to love this flexible air hose is that it has solid brass end fittings so users can be confident that their air line hose will never suffer from corrosion.

Key Features
  • Non kinking hybrid air hose
  • 300 PSI working pressure
  • Three year limited warranty
Specification
  • Brand DuRyte
  • Model Air Hose-100FT
  • Weight 10.21 pounds

Best Air Compressor Hose Buying Guide

What to Consider When Buying an Air Compressor Hose

There are a number of things to consider when buying an air compressor hose to ensure that you get the best air compressor hose for you. The reason that it is key to get right is that when it comes to using air compressor hoses with regards to pneumatic tools or otherwise, having the best air hose for your purpose can make a huge difference. Plus, our individual needs change from person to person too, so it’s good to take the following features in mind when shopping for an air hose.

  • Length

There is not a standard air line hose length. They will typically vary between 50 and 100 feet long, though it is possible to find shorter or longer lengths of rubber air hose. The majority of air hose customers will go for a hose that is as long as possible as this provides ultimate flexibility in use as it allows operators to maximize the distance they are from their air compressor. Plus, when using a long air compressor hose, there will be a diminished need to buy an extension hose which many DIY fans do not like given that they can be brutal on electric motors.

However, operators may have situations where a 50 foot hose is in fact the best air hose length to have at that time. The reason being would be if you were working in a small space when a longer length of air hose would simply hamper your ability to do a job. Another less obvious situation would be when the pressure equirement of the tool the operator is using is close to the output of the air compressor. When this is the case, every little bit of air is necessary for the tool to work so the shorter the air line hose, the better.

  • Inside Diameter

You need to know what inside diameter you need before making a final purchase of an air compressor hose. Most inside diameters will be either a ¼ of an inch or ⅜ of an inch. The ¼ inch tends to be the most popular sort simply for practical purposes – it is that much lighter than one that is ⅜ inch in diameter. Over the course of a day’s usage that added weight can really make a difference, plus, the thinner it is the easier it is to store when rolled up. Ultimately, however, the thinner the air line hose, the cheaper it is too.

That being said, ⅜ inch air line hose products exist because a wider diameter minimizes friction loss so you get more power from your air compressor.

  • Where it will be used

Much like considering how heavy or how big or long your flexible air hose is, what you buy should be suitable for where you are going to eventually use it. So if you are in the building trade, you may want to stay clear of a rubber air hose as they are so much heavier than other materials. Or if you are using tools for automotive or industrial purposes you may want to look into buying a nylon recoil hoses. Essentially, where it will be used will have a big bearing on the type of tool being used with your air compressor hose as well as the distance you are, or could be from your air compressor. Plus, where it will be used may have a huge bearing on the amount you want to spend on an air line hose – if it’s just around the house for odd jobs, you may want to spend less than someone on a building site or in an industrial setting.

  • Material

The material that the best air hose products are made from make a huge difference to usage. Because of this, we have broken this consideration out and given it its own section below.

Related Post: Best Air Ratchets

Types of Air Hose Material

There are three main types of air hose material in the best air hose products out there. They are:
  • Hybrid Hose

This is obviously not just one material on its own. Instead, it is a mix of polyurethane, PVC and rubber. The result is a flexible air hose that can last the test of time in terms of durability even when used in extremely cold situations and places. It is also popular for the fact that it does not usually kink easily and is easy to store and roll up.

  • Polyurethane hose

An air compressor hose made from polyurethane remains popular as it can be used in such a wide range of circumstances. It is much more lightweight than most other options on the market so can be used for a long period of time without any arm fatigue. This is perhaps a key consideration for those that will be lugging their air line hose around on a building site all day every day. It is also capable of staying flexible in almost all temperatures.

  • PVC hose

The reason that a PVC air hose remains a popular option on the market is that it is so incredibly durable. In fact, it is almost almost abrasion proof. It is also popular thanks to being such good value. The shortcomings of it are that it isn’t as pliable as the other materials mentioned above, though it does mean that it can be used in extremely hot temperatures. Users tend to like that it is easy to move around and store.

Related Posts: Best Portable Air Compressor and Best Air Suspension Kits

How To Connect An Air Compressor Hose

Connecting an air compressor hose is easy – once you know how. Some can remain connected permanently though the majority of air line hose customers will buy an air hose to be used with a variety of tools and situations in mind. That being said, if you are using your air hose to fill tires, a permanent connection is best.

To fit an air compressor hose in the first place, following these steps:

  • Review your parts

Before starting out, ensure that everything is in place and is where it should be. For instance, the air chuck should always remain on the air line hose as this means it will never get lost. The opposite end of the air hose can also be attached to the air compressor on a permanent basis. Air hoses that are fitted with a threaded male fitting will be fitted with that male thread permanently.

  • Use Teflon Tape

Now, using teflon tape, wrap tapearound the threaded part of your fitting (in a clockwise direction whilst you are looking at the end). Wrap the air hose with teflon tape about three or four times.

  • Thread the hose

Once the teflon tape has been wrapped around the threaded part of your fitting, you can now thread the air chuck onto the air compressor hose. Using two wrenches, now tighten it. One wrench is for holding the air hose fitting and the other can be used to turn the air chucks threaded fitting. Remember to be wary of tightening the air chuck to the hose too much. Instead, wrap the other end of the hose fitting with some of the aforementioned teflon tape. Then, thread this onto the air compressor. Tighten this fitting using two wrenches again, but this time turn the hose.

  • Install connectors and disconnectors

It’s a good idea to install quick connect and disconnect fittings to your air compressor hose as it makes it easily removable from the compressor itself or from the tools you are connecting to it. However, before installing these fittings make sure you purchase quick connect fittings that really do what they say they are going to do. Some are more fiddly than they are worth.  You will need to buy a female quick disconnect fitting as well as a male quick coupler fitter and install those on either end of your air compressor hose.

Best Air Compressor Hose FAQ:

Q: What size is standard air hose?

There are a few sizes that make up a standard air hose. The majority, and the most popular air hose sizes however are ones that start in 50 foot in length and are ¼ inch in diameter. This is popular as it will invariably be far lighter to use than longer or thicker counterparts. However, the market also produces several air line hose products that are up to 100 ft in length as well as being ⅜ inch in diameter. Longer lengths are sometimes needed in some situations. Wide air line hose products tend to be more efficient in terms of the power lost to friction.

Q: What is a hybrid air hose?

As briefly mentioned above, a hybrid air hose is an air line hose that is made from a mixture of materials so as to answer as many needs as possible in one product. Customers tend to like a hybrid air hose as it has much of the flexibility of rubber air hose products yet does not weigh nearly as much. Plus, it is as light and durable as PVC without having to suffer with the never ending coils and kinks. In fact, this type of hose is often 40% light than a rubber hose whilst remaining flexible all the way down to temperatures as low as -40 F. A rubber air hose will be brittle at temperatures below -20 F so a hybrid air hose can be used in far more situations – especially when you consider a PVC hose simply cannot be used in temperatures lower than freezing. Other benefits include the fact that it doesn’t kink at all and can lie flat, making it much safer than a PVC hose that is likely to coil upwards off the ground causing trip hazards on building sites.

Q: Do I need a regulator on an air compressor?

While this decision is ultimately up to you, it may help to know what an air regulator is designed to do before making the choice between using a regulator on an air compressor or not. Essentially, an air regulator allows users to turn up or turn down the air pressure that is being sent into you tool, via your air hose. A regulator is meant to lower the amount of pressure or the pressure setting that your downstream hose and tool receives. It should maintain that lower air pressure at all times – even if the air pressure in the compressor itself is much higher. In general, we should all be using our tools on the lowest pressure possible to run it without it coming into any problems or simply not working properly. The reason for this is that it will dramatically reduce the costs per use of your tool when using it as its most energy efficient. Additionally, it will also minimize the amount of wear and tear your air tool suffers each time you use it too.

Q: Should I use Teflon tape on air fittings?

We would highly recommend using Teflon tape on your air fittings as stated above in our directions on how to connect an air compressor hose. The reason being is that it simply provides that little bit extra in terms of connectivity so that you will never have to suffer from a loss of air pressure that means you make a mistake when using your air tool. Additionally, it means your air compressor is far more energy efficient and as a consequence, your tool is too. Related Posts: All Terrain Tires and Snow & Winter Tires

Our Top Pick

Our top pick for the best air compressor hose is easily the Flexzilla air hose that comes in such a wide array of lengths and diameters. It makes it a product that customers can turn to time and time again to answer their requirements – wherever they may be. This air line hose is used in industrial settings, building sites and automotive shops as it is so versatile. In part that versatility comes from its wide range of sizes, but also it comes from its hybrid material that allows it to remain flexible in whatever weather or temperature. Additionally, it won’t kink under pressure and can take up to 300 pounds of air per square inch.

Ultimately, as far as an air compressor hose goes, this one is hard to beat.

Sources:

  1. How to Replace an Air Suspension Air Compressor – YourMechanic
  2. How It Works: The Air Compressor – Popular Mechanics
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