California Air Tools 20020AD-22060 2.0 HP Ultra Quiet and Oil-Free Air Compre...

I’ve used this new compressor couple dozen times now. I purchased it for my spray painting of my woodworking hobby. The compressor is amazingly quiet. It’s doing a fantastic job and I have no regrets buying it. The auto drain feature does scare the crap out of me each time it purges the water through the drain hose. It pumps up quickly and does a great job keeping up with my workflow.

This is my second California Air compressor. The first one I bought was the 10 Gallon version. It lasted for 3 years in a shop setting (which isn't bad by today's standards). The 20 gallon of course takes longer to fully pressurize, but I am happy with it's quiet operation.

Overall it's a good compressor with ergonomic handle, wheels and control placement, although you have to squat a little to see the controls. Another 20 degree angle upward would've helped me. It arrived in great condition, and assembly was a 15 minute task. It peaks out, allegedly, at 125 psi but mine was set to shut off at 118 psi. Now the rabbit hole dive begins; I pulled off the regulator cover to set it to 125 psi but the safety valve opened at about 121 psi, aha...maybe that's why the testers set the shut off to be below the safety vent pressure. I dislike the quick connects that, for me, are finicky. I removed the entire one piece manifold to more easily work on it. The quick connects were VERY difficult to remove. They used some sort of glue to seal them, which I have never seen that method done. The faulty safety valve also was glued in place to the point that my wrench snapped the valve off a few mm above the manifold surface. I had to heat the manifold and use Vise Grips to remove the broken valve. I ordered a 140 psi Milton safety valve, and two Milton quick connects. I also noticed the orifice for feeding compressed air from the tank to the manifold was very small (.161" diameter), and used a little black plastic hose for the 125 psi pressure. I replaced all that with a 3/8" ID Coilhose Pneumatic 300 psi braided polyurethane hose to reduce air flow restriction. After re-installing the manifold and checking for leaks, I proceeded to test the flow rate. One slight improvement in design is to have both compressor cylinders with a pressure transfer hose to the tank. They have only one hose to the tank, and the other compressor exhaust is blocked off, forcing it to feed the other cylinder it's air pressure. Not sure how much CFM improvement it would be but just an observation. Anyway, "CFM" delivery rate is the eye-opener for me! Their specs. say "5.3 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) @ 90 psi". I have a few air tools that take 2-4 CFM at a 90 psi air pressure to operate, so figured I had plenty of air to run these. I inferred it was putting out 5.3 cubic feet, compressed at 90 psi. I'm not familiar with oil free compressors, so figured these were outperforming the splash oil units, which typically would've been less than this rating. WRONG! OK, here's the mistake CA Air Tools made. Instead of CFM, they should've rated the output in SCFM (Standard Cubic Feet per Minute). This is vastly different than CFM, like saying inches are equal to yards. So, SCFM is one cubic foot of air at atmospheric pressure (14.7 psi), not 90 psi. If you need your tool to have anywhere close to 5 CFM @ 90 psi pressure, this isn't even in the ball park. Let me show you why; Boyle's Law, simplified, is the Pressure-Volume of the tank flow has to be equal to Pressure-Volume of the receiving side, i.e. your air tool, bead blaster, etc: P1V1=P2V2 (negating temperature, humidity, etc.), where pressure is in psi-absolute, and volume is in cubic feet of gas. OK here's the proof: For the tank side: P=90+14.7=104.7 psi (absolute), V=5.3cubic feet. So, 104.7x5.3= 555=P1V1. Now we have to see what's the value on the "working" side i.e the tool side. We know now the correct unit of performance measurement is SCFM, so that pressure (P) is 14.7 psi, and advertised volume (V) is 5.3. So, 14.7psi x 5.3 CFM= 78 for P2V2. Remember, P1V1 is 555, and P2V2 is 78. Now we divide: 78/555= .14 CFM with a 90 psi pressure. You can double check me but I think .14 CFM@ 90 psi is right. To be sure, I ran some tests using a King Flow Meter, and regulator to create a 90 psi back pressure, imitating an air tool restriction. I tweaked the flow rate to match the compressor's flow rate, trying to keep it from gaining or losing tank pressure. My flow meter had a hard time discerning the low flow but the calculations were validated by a pressure/volume reading in the .2 CFM @ 90 psi neighborhood. If your needs are air nailers, airing up flats, and low duty cycle air tools, this will work well. The larger 20 gallon tank is your storage of compressed air above the compressor flow rate, so you'll have some time before the compressor kicks on and starts to, maybe, lag behind your tool requirements, of course, depending on the tool and duty cycle. So I'm only knocking the incorrect units of performance, and their mistake cost me a $500 compressor that for me is basically useless. But overall within it's limits for the average user, it's a good, quiet air compressor.

Broken on arrival. 135 lbs. Delivered on time by 1 FedEx driver, lifting and carrying compressor on his back. Called California Air Tools. Eddie had me take pictures and send receipt. The Broken regulator was shipped and I had it replaced in less than one hour. Works perfectly now. Supper quiet. Half the noise as my old porter cable pancake compressor, 20 times the capacity. I am really happy with this product. Thank you Eddie @ Cal Air. You made a bad experience better, and eased my anxiety. Quality service is invaluable.

5 Stars: A Game-Changer for My Workshop In my semi-pro workshop, I take great pride in the items I produce, whether they’re for our home, customers, friends, or family. Once I graduated to finishing my work with an LVLP sprayer, it quickly became clear that my existing 2-gallon compressor was no longer up to the task. The California Air Tools 20020 compressor has been a revelation and a worthwhile investment. Spending half a kilo-buck on any tool is no small decision, but I firmly believe in investing in tools that deliver a return on investment (ROI). This compressor has delivered on all fronts: Quality Finish: The improved performance of my LVLP sprayer with this compressor is evident in the flawless finishes I can now achieve. Space Efficiency: Despite its larger 20-gallon capacity, this unit takes up the same footprint as my old 2-gallon compressor. Yes, it’s taller, but in a workshop where space is at a premium, it’s a perfect fit. Quiet Operation: At just 70 dB, it’s remarkably quiet. Noise wasn’t a key driver in my purchase decision, but I was amazed at how quiet it is compared to other compressors I’ve used at a high-end makerspace here in Texas. This unit genuinely feels like a premium product. Assembly was a breeze. The compressor arrived nearly fully assembled, with only the wheels and anti-vibration feet to attach. The instructions were super clear, and I noticed no quality issues whatsoever. It literally rolled into place once I completed the minimal assembly. The oil-free design is another huge win for me. Low maintenance is a key requirement, and this feature fits my needs perfectly. With its powerful 2.0 HP motor, 20-gallon tank, and impressive performance specs (6.40 CFM @ 40 PSI and 5.30 CFM @ 90 PSI), this compressor gives me the capacity and utility to expand my horizons. Whether it’s spraying, nailing, or tackling other shop tasks, I now have the power and reliability to move work forward apace. I couldn’t be happier with this compressor. It combines premium features, space efficiency, and ease of use into one exceptional package. If you’re on the fence about making an investment in a quality compressor, this one is worth every penny. 5/29/25 Update: 1 Star: Initially Promising, but Ultimately Dangerous and Disappointing Initially, the California Air Tools 20020 compressor seemed like a fantastic upgrade for my semi-pro workshop. It significantly improved the quality of finishes I could achieve with my LVLP sprayer, maintained a compact footprint despite its larger 20-gallon tank, and operated impressively quietly at just 70 dB. Assembly was straightforward, and the oil-free design promised low maintenance, making it seem like an ideal investment. However, after a relatively short period of use, serious problems have emerged. The compressor has started to stutter alarmingly at the end of its repressurization cycle. It sounds dangerous, as though the sensor responsible for shutting off the compressor is malfunctioning or requires adjustment. This issue poses potential safety risks and is unlike anything I've encountered with compressors in my 69 years. Even more frustrating has been the inadequate response from California Air Tools' customer service. After waiting weeks for a response, I was simply told that the behavior I described is "normal for this unit." This explanation is unacceptable and raises significant concerns about the quality and reliability of the product. Given the safety concerns, poor customer service, and lack of a satisfactory resolution, I can no longer recommend this compressor. It is unfortunate, as it initially seemed promising, but the current issues and the company's handling of them have left me deeply disappointed. 6/3/25 Update: Following several weeks of intermittent malfunction, a detailed investigation revealed a serious manufacturing defect - a short-stripped and improperly secured wiring connection at the pressure switch. This caused insulation melting and alarming electrical arcing, posing significant fire and shock hazards. Although I managed a temporary repair to safely continue using the compressor, the support experience with California Air Tools has been deeply disappointing, marked by repeated requests for redundant information and inadequate responses to clear safety concerns. I have included photographs showing the melted insulation, evidence of electrical arcing, and the poorly executed wiring connection discovered during my inspection. Given the seriousness of this defect, the unhelpful and repetitive customer service responses, and the overall risk associated with continuing to use this compressor without proper repairs, I can no longer recommend this product without reservation. Buyers should proceed with caution and thoroughly inspect the unit upon receipt.

Es silencioso. Libre de mantenimiento y biene istrumentado . Excelente producto . Es portátil y se acómoda fácilmente en lugares pequeños.