Air compressors are one of those tools you do not need until you really do — a flat tyre on the Birdsville Track, a nail gun on a Sunday deck build, blowing out an irrigation line for winter. Our range covers 12V portable units for 4WD tyre work, mid-size workshop compressors and continuous-duty units for spray painting and sanding. Air compressors from $99, with most quality workshop compressors between $249 and $999. Stock is held across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, dispatching within 1–2 business days.
What size air compressor do I need for a 4WD?
For four 265/75/16 4WD tyres from 15 PSI back to 40 PSI, look for a 12V compressor with at least 60 L/min free-air delivery and a 100% duty cycle at 40 PSI. ARB, Kings and Runva all sell units in this bracket. Anything smaller and you will wait 40 minutes for the last tyre after airing down on the sand. For occasional highway-to-dirt use, a $199 unit is enough. For serious touring where you deflate and re-inflate multiple times per trip, spend the $499 on a heavier unit that won't stall on the third tyre.
What types of air compressors are available?
| Type |
Best for |
Tank |
Price guide |
| 12V portable |
4WD tyres, camping, bike tyres |
None |
$99–$399 |
| Small workshop (20L) |
Nailers, tyres, blowing dust |
20–25L |
$249–$549 |
| Mid workshop (50L) |
Impact wrenches, general shop |
50L |
$449–$999 |
| Large workshop (100L+) |
Spray painting, continuous work |
100–200L |
$999–$2,499 |
| Silent oil-free |
Indoor use, apartments |
10–25L |
$399–$799 |
Are oil-free air compressors any good?
For light work, yes. Oil-free compressors are lower maintenance, do not require oil changes, and can be tilted or moved without oil spills. They are louder, wear faster, and typically do not last as long as oil-lubricated equivalents. For workshop use with regular running, oil-lubricated wins. For occasional home use where the compressor lives in a garage and you do not want to think about maintenance, oil-free is easier. "Silent" oil-free units run at 60–70 dB (similar to conversation) and are worth the premium if the compressor sits near living areas.
Quick buyer's checklist
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Duty cycle: 50%+ for serious work; 25% cycles too fast
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CFM at working pressure: Real CFM at 90 PSI is 30–40% below max CFM
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Tank capacity: 25L+ for nailers, 50L+ for spray guns and sanders
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Power source: 12V for 4WD; 240V for workshop
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Oil vs oil-free: Oil-lubricated for daily use, oil-free for occasional
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Portability: 20L pancakes are 20–25kg; big workshop units 60kg+
How loud are air compressors?
Standard workshop compressors run 75–90 dB — loud enough to require hearing protection for extended use. "Silent" oil-free compressors run 60–70 dB, similar to a normal conversation. If the compressor sits in a garage attached to living areas, silent designs justify their premium. Most councils have noise restrictions after 8pm; a standard compressor running at night breaches those. Silent designs run any time.
How much do air compressors cost in Australia?
Air compressors at Simple Deals start from $99 for 12V portable units. Most workshop compressors sit between $249 and $999, with larger continuous-duty setups running higher. All items dispatch within 1–2 business days from our Australian warehouses.
What most sites won't admit
Almost every air compressor sold in Australia is manufactured in China, Italy or Taiwan — including ours. The real difference is not where the compressor is made, it's what happens after it lands in Australia. Marketplaces dropship straight from overseas containers, which is why "fast delivery" stretches into six weeks. We import in bulk, hold stock across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, and ship from there.
The other thing nobody mentions is duty cycle. A cheap compressor labelled "150 PSI" might have a 25% duty cycle rating — meaning it can only run for 15 minutes in an hour before overheating. Inflating 4 tyres on a 4WD, that means the pump cuts out on tyre three, and you sit and wait 45 minutes for it to cool. Better compressors run 50–75% duty; industrial units run 100%. PSI on the box tells you the theoretical peak; duty cycle tells you whether it can actually deliver at that pressure long enough to finish the job.
Frequently asked questions
What if my compressor arrives damaged?
Contact us within 7 days with photos. We will arrange a replacement or refund under the 12-month warranty. Transit damage is uncommon with boxed compressors.
Does the compressor come with hoses and fittings?
12V portable units usually include the pressure hose and clip fitting. Workshop compressors sometimes include a basic hose; check the product page. Full accessory kits (multiple attachments, blow guns, tyre chucks) are usually sold separately.
How long does delivery take?
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane: 3–5 business days. Perth and Adelaide: 5–8 days. Regional and remote areas: 7–14 days.
Can I pay with Afterpay, Zip or PayPal?
Yes, all three. A $399 4WD tyre inflator kit works out to four payments of $99.75 with Afterpay, four payments of $99.75 with PayPal Pay in 4, or roughly $34 a month with Zip over 12 months. Klarna is also available.
What's the warranty?
12 months on manufacturing defects, plus 30-day change-of-mind returns on unused compressors in original packaging.
Complete the workshop or touring kit
A compressor connects to the rest of the kit. A few things go with it. Most buyers add three at the same time: a winch for 4WD recovery, power tools for the workshop side, and nail guns for the most common use of shop air.
Why us
Simple Deals — family-run since 2018. Australian warehouse stock. Support on 1300 456 786. Afterpay, Zip, Klarna and PayPal. 12-month warranty, 30-day change-of-mind returns. 4.66★ from 5,363 reviews.
