California Air Tools Review 2023

AIR PSI Rating - 4.5
California Air Tools
This is our updated 2023 review of California Air Tools, The largest manufacturer of ultra-quiet & oil-free air compressors.
California Air Tools is a privately held company that manufactures quiet air compressors at an assembly facility in San Diego, California. Their address is 8560 Siempre Viva Rd # 3, San Diego, CA 92154 and their phone number is (619) 240-7363. The company was founded in 2002 and employs approximately 40.
In 2018 California Air Tools added 30 & 60 Gallon "Ultra Quiet" Air Compressors and Continuous Run Ultra Quiet & Oil-Free Air Compressors to their extensive line of low noise compressors.
Note: Like most air compressor manufacturers, Due to Covid supply chain issues, California Air Tools compressors are often low or out of stock. If you are interested in one and find it in stock at an agreeable price, you should grab it. It won't last...
Click the button above to check out all of the California Air Tools available on Amazon.com
California Air Tools Product Line
California Air Tools 4620AC Sound Comparison

California Air Tools 10020C
California Air Tools Ultra-Quiet Series
The CAT Ultra-Quiet Series are contractor grade air compressors designed for professionals and contractors. The Ultra-Quiet Series is quieter than the less expensive Quiet Flow series, has more features and a longer 3000-hour life before wear rating.
Standard Ultra-Quiet Series features include:
- Extra-large dual pistons equipped with Teflon cylinder rings for reduced friction and longer life.
- Dual valve plate with stainless steel valves, designed to produce higher CFM.
- 1680 RPM, 4 pole induction motor equipped with thermal overload protection to reduce the chances of motor damage
Compressors with an "A" proceeding the model number feature rust free aluminum air tanks.
Ultra-Quiet Series Air Compressors
Compressor | Decibel | CFM @ 90 PSI | Tank Size | HP |
---|---|---|---|---|
CAT-10020C | 70 dB | 5.3 CFM | 10 Gallon | 2 HP |
70 dB | 5.3 CFM | 20 Gallon | 2 HP | |
CAT-15020C | 70 dB | 5.3 CFM | 15 Gallon | 2 HP |
CAT-1P1060S | 56 dB | 1.2 CFM | 1 Gallon | 0.6 HP |
CAT-2010A | 60 dB | 2.2 CFM | 2 Gallon | 1 HP |
CAT-2050A | 56 dB | 1.1 CFM | 2 Gallon | .5 HP |
CAT-2075A | 58 dB | 1.5 CFM | 2 Gallon | .75 HP |
CAT-30020C | 70 dB | 5.3 CFM | 30 Gallon | 2 HP |
CAT-4610AC | 60 dB | 2.2 CFM | 4.6 Gallon | 1 HP |
CAT-4620AC | 70 dB | 5.3 CFM | 4.6 Gallon | 2 HP |
CAT-5510SE | 60 dB | 2.2 CFM | 5.5 Gallon | 1 HP |
CAT-8010 | 60 dB | 2.2 CFM | 8 Gallon | 1 HP |
CAT-60040CAD | 75 dB | 12.8 CFM | 60 Gallon | 4 HP |
Best Selling Ultra-Quiet Series Compressors
Item | Specs | Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Quietness 60 dB CFM @ 90 PSI 2.2 CFM Tank Size 8 Gallon | 1 HP Great Reviews! Long Life, Dual Piston, Oil Free Pump | |
![]() | Quietness 70 dB CFM @ 90 PSI 5.3 CFM Tank Size 10 Gallon | 2 HP Ultra-Quiet Series Ball Valve Tank Drain | |
![]() | Quietness 70 dB CFM @ 90 PSI 5.3 CFM Tank Size 4.6 Gallon | Twin Aluminum Tanks Contractor Grade Powerful & Portable | |
![]() | Quietness 56 dB CFM @ 90 PSI 1.2 CFM Tank Size 1 Gallon | 0.6 HP Light & Quiet 56 dB & 29 Lbs. Extreme Portability |
California Air Tools Quiet Flow Series
The CAT Quiet Flow Series contains consumer grade air compressors specifically designed for the do it yourselfer or homeowner. All compressors in this series feature easily repairable, oil-free, twin large piston pumps with a 1000-hour usage cycle before wear. Quiet Flow compressors utilize steel air tanks with easy to use ball valve tank drains.
Standard features engineered for long life and quiet operation include:
- Teflon cylinder rings for reduced friction and longer life of the cast aluminum cylinders.
- Durable, long-life, rust resistant stainless-steel reed valves.
- 1680 RPM, Low amperage, brushless 4 pole 110V AC induction motors with thermal overload protection.

California Air Tools Quiet Flow Series 1610SPQ
Quiet Flow Series Air Compressors
Compressor | Decibel | CFM @ 90 PSI | Tank Size | HP |
---|---|---|---|---|
CAT-1610SPQ | 65 dB | 2 CFM | 1.6 Gallon | 1 HP |
65 dB | 2 CFM | 4.7 Gallon | 1 HP | |
CAT-10020SQ | 75 dB | 4 CFM | 10 Gallon | 2 HP |
CAT-20020SQ | 75 dB | 4 CFM | 20 Gallon | 2 HP |
California Air Tools Industrial Series

California Air Tools Industrial Series 15020CR
The CAT Industrial Series are industrial grade air compressors designed for heavy-duty use and long-life. . The Industrial Series includes all the improvements of the Ultra-Quiet Series with the addition of new, high performance “LF” motors and a longer 4000-hour life before wear rating.
Standard Industrial Series compressors include:
- Extra-large dual pistons equipped with Teflon cylinder rings for reduced friction and longer life.
- Dual valve plate with rust-resistant stainless steel valves, designed to produce higher CFM.
- High-Performance, 1680 RPM, type LF thermally protected brushless induction motor.
Industrial Series Air Compressors
Compressor | Decibel | CFM @ 90 PSI | Tank Size | HP |
---|---|---|---|---|
CAT-10010LFDC | 60 dB | 3 CFM | 10 Gallon | 1 HP |
CAT-2010ALFC | 60 dB | 3 CFM | 2 Gallon | 1 HP |
CAT-4610ALFC | 60 dB | 3 CFM | 4.6 Gallon | 1 HP |
CAT-6010LFC | 60 dB | 3 CFM | 6 Gallon | 1 HP |
California Air Tools Continuous Series

California Air Tools Continuous Series - Top View
The CAT Continuous Series are industrial grade air compressors designed for longer continuous runtimes than the Industrial Series compressors. Continuous Series compressors feature a 3000+ hour life before wear rating.
The CAT-15020CR is the only 110-volt continuous series air compressor, it's 2 HP motor draws 19.5 amps running on 110 volts. The CAT-15020CR0-22060 is the same 2 HP compressor wired for 220 volts with a 9 amp current draw.
These compressors are larger with higher CFM air flow ratings and longer duty cycles making them ideal quiet air compressors for a garage or shop.
Continuous Series Air Compressors
Compressor | Decibel | CFM @ 90 PSI | Tank Size | HP |
---|---|---|---|---|
CAT-15020CR | 67 dB | 4.9 CFM | 15 Gallon | 2 HP |
15020CR-22060 | 67 dB | 4.9 CFM | 15 Gallon | 2 HP |
CAT-15033CR | 75 dB | 7.7 CFM | 15 Gallon | 3.3 HP |
CAT-60033CR | 75 dB | 7.7 CFM | 60 Gallon | 3.3 HP |
About California Air Tools
Our vision at California Air Tools is about creating the kind of products that provide useful features and outstanding performance.
We strive to provide the Highest Quality Products and the Highest Level of Customer Service to Every Customer Every time!
With each new product, we stretch the boundaries of possibilities to satisfy "you" the customer.
We are "Changing the Way the World Works".
Excerpt from the CAT web site - http://www.californiaairtools.com/about-us/
Summary

CALIFORNIA AIR TOOLS SP-9413 Ultra Quiet Pump & Motor
To briefly sum up our California Air Tools Review, CAT is one of the largest manufacturers of quieter air compressors, offering many portable and stationary quiet air compressors in a wide variety of various configurations to suit practically any air power need. The company incorporates the latest noise reduction and compressor silencing technology into every product they sell, and it shows with some of the lowest air compressor decibel ratings in the industry.
Customer satisfaction: A vast majority of the hundreds of customer reviews submitted by users of California Air Tools air compressors are positive, with most negative comments being minor issues with a few exceptions, as is found with any popular product.
CALIFORNIA AIR TOOLS, INC. is located in San Diego, California and can be reached Monday thru Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM PST by phone at (866)409-4581 or Fax at (619)424-8697.
Official Website - https://www.californiaairtools.com/
If you are looking to compare California Air Tools reviews with other quiet air compressor brands, we suggest you take a look at our Best Quiet Air Compressors of 2023 or Quietest Air Compressor for Garage or Shop pages where you can see head-to-head low noise compressor comparison reviews.
Click the button above to check out all of the California Air Tools available on Amazon.com