DeWalt D55155 15 Amp 2-3/4 Horsepower 4 Gallon Oiled Single Hot Dog Compressor

At just a foot high and less than two feet wide out of the carton, this compressor was quite a bit smaller than we expected, so to be fair, we quickly lowered our expectations. The joke was on us, though, because this little powerhouse just doesn’t quit, and we learned that you can’t judge a compressor by its size.

We should have known better when the first thing we saw was the word “Emglo” emblazoned in black on that famous DeWalt yellow. Emglo’s half-century in the compressor business is evident in this model, and with a couple of small exceptions (we’ll get into that in a minute), we don’t think anyone could make a finer piece of air power.

Structurally, it’s top-notch. DeWalt/Emglo’s great new roll-cage shape protects your investment in the shop, in the truck and at the job site, and the gauges are easier to read than many we’ve squinted at over the years. It weighs in at around 60 pounds, and the way the handle’s designed, you can carry it much like a suitcase without overexertion. To let out any moisture that’s accumulated, it’s just an easy turn of the ball-valve tank drain, then just wrap the cord on its holder and you’re ready to go.

In the performance department, we have to say this machine blew us away, moving 4.5 cfm at 100 psi. Now, this may be a plus or a minus in your book, but we liked the fact that the compressor is factory set to power on at 100 psi an+d shut off at 120 psi, and the cycle time was under 15 seconds. We didn’t find it unusually loud, but we’re given to wearing hearing protection with tools such as this one anyway (and we hope you are, too.) It has air aplenty for two nailers at once, and with that fast recovery, the job will get done in no time.

If we had to say what we didn’t like, there are two items on that list: First, we thought the power switch would have been better seated on the front panel rather than the side, but that’s a miniscule complaint. What you do want to watch out for, though, is the proximity of the reset switch to parts that get searingly hot while in use. A little care will save you some pain.

In balance, this is one of the best compressor’s we’ve seen for the size, power, ruggedness and incredible portability it offers. Here’s to a great pairing of two great toolmakers.–Kris Jensen-Van Heste