How to choose the right air compressor for your factory

The single most common mistake when buying an air compressor is sizing it by horsepower alone. Horsepower tells you how much the motor draws, not how much usable air you get. What actually matters is the free air delivery (FAD) — the real volume of air the compressor produces, measured in m³/min or CFM.

Start by adding up the air demand of every tool and machine that runs at the same time, then add a margin for leaks and future growth (10–30% is typical). That total is your required flow. Next, identify the highest pressure any single machine needs — that sets your working pressure in bar. Running the whole plant at a higher pressure than necessary wastes energy, so size to the real requirement.

Finally, think about duty. A compressor that runs continuously needs a different specification from one that starts and stops through the day. For variable demand, a variable-speed (VSD) machine matches output to need and can cut electricity use significantly.

If you're unsure, our engineers will size it for you from your equipment list — and our online finder gives you a quick starting point.