There are several features you might wonder about when it comes to air compressors.
Single-stage & Two Stage. A single-stage air compressor has one piston that compresses the air and delivers it to the storage tank. A two stage compressor has two pistons; one compresses the air first, pushes it to the second piston which further compresses it before sending it to the storage tank. Two-stage compressors are good choices for continuous use, such as shop environments.
Tank Size. Compressor storage tanks are rated in gallons. Larger tanks store more compressed air at higher pressures, so obviously, the more continuous power you require, the larger tank size you will opt for. One thing to remember is that while a larger tank size means that it will take longer to use up the pressurized air, it also means it will take longer to fill it up.
Vertical vs. Horizontal. A vertical compressor will take up less floor space, but will most likely be stationary. A smaller, horizontal compressor is usually best for portable applications.
Other Add-Ons. Other options for your compressor are driers, which that remove all traces of moisture that can occur because of the condensation that results from cooling the air. A filter can help remove dust and oil particles to help protect your equipment. As air from a compressor is usually warmer than the surrounding air, if that isn’t acceptable for your task, a cooler can lower the air temperature.