Best Water Separator for Air Compressor

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An air compressor powers different types of air tools and deliver the right amount of kinetic energy to help you get your work done with a great deal of precision.

Unfortunately, even the best model will always contain a great deal of moisture that can easily damage your air tools. That’s why there’s a need to invest in the best water separator for air compressor.

The purpose of a water separator for an air compressor is to remove moisture from compressed air so that it doesn’t get to your air tools.

That way, you can be sure your air tools, from impact wrenches to nail guns, work optimally and you never have to worry about repairs.

A good water separator for an air compressor has a decent flow rate and pressure setting. Not to mention it’s efficient enough to get its job done with ease and precision.

In this guide we’ll look at three of the best water separators that you can use with an air compressor. We’ll tell you why they’re great as well as what we believe could be better.

If you’re in a hurry and just want to know what water separators we recommend for air compressors, here’s the list:

  • Ingersoll Rand ARO F35341-400-VS Air Line Filter
  • Neiko 30253A Water Separator for Air Compressor
  • LE LEMATEC Air Compressor Filter

Best Water Separator for Air Compressor Reviews

1. Ingersoll Rand ARO F35341-400-VS Air Line Filter

Ingersoll Rand ARO F35341 scores a great rating for a durable construction, ease of installation, and performance efficiency.

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Based on hands on testing and critiques from different air compressor owners, Ingersoll Rand ARO F35341 work exactly as advertised, able to collect water vapor exactly as it should when bleed valve is under pressure.

The quality of the build is an important factor to consider when buying a water separator for an air compressor. Which is something that Ingersoll Rand takes into serious consideration.

The unit is made of polycarbonate material, which, although light, is sturdy and element resistant.

ARO F35341 may be small, but it’ strong enough to withstand air pressure of up to 150 PSI. It features a 3-micron filter that removes dust and impurities from compressed air.

And its modular design makes it easy for you to adjust the settings according to your preferences.

Thanks to the inclusion of an automatic drain, it’s quite easy to let out the water you’ve separated from the air compressor.

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Pros

  • Modular design yet affordable
  • Can stand pressure as high as 150 PSI

Cons

  • Its manual drain system is hard to use

2. Neiko 30253A Water Separator for Air Compressor

Neiko 30253A water separator works well and works fast, a great deal to consider if you have an air compressor that shoots out water aimlessly and aimlessly. Its aluminum housing is lightweight yet strong enough for heavy-duty performance.

And given that it includes a reliable filtration system, Neiko 30253A will remove water vapor, oil, and dirt particles from the compressor with ease.

This model is weather-resistant, so you can use it even if you live in an environment that tends to get humid from time to time. Also, it includes a 1/4 inch NPT inlet, which is why it works well with many spray guns and air tools in the market.

The standard pressure of this water separator is 25 PSI, but I can easily reach up to 150 PSI if necessary.

Its ability to separate up to 99% of water makes it one of the best option to use. Also, we like that the filtration system is easy to drain. All you have to do is press the large push button.

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Pros

  • Filters out water, dust, and oil
  • The draining system is easy to clean
  • Lightweight yet durable construction

Cons

  • Hard to dry out

3. LE LEMATEC ZN312 Air Compressor Filter

LE LEMATE ZN312 is a water separator filter that gets rid of up to 99% of water, so you can power your air tools without worrying about damages caused by water vapors. It packs a lightweight and minimalistic design made of a combination of steel, aluminum, and zinc.

It features a 1/4 inch inlet, which makes it compatible with many air tools, including those that have complex layouts. It’s also versatile enough to remove oil, water, and dirt from the compressor so they don’t get to your air tools.

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Pros

  • Works with all types of compressors
  • Compatible with all air tools
  • Can reach a maximum operating pressure of 150 PSI

Cons

  • It’s a low capacity model

Water Separator for Air Compressor Buying Guide

There are a few things you need to consider before you invest in a water separator for an air compressor. While budget, brand, and personal preferences are considerations you have to make before buying, there are other more significant factors to look.

You should:

1. Determine the Drain Type You Wish to Use 

The first important consideration that you should make when choosing a water separator for an air compressor is the drain type.

Understand that the purpose of a drain is to remove excess moisture from the unit so that your air tools can run well for a longer time without experiencing any mechanical problem.

Up until now, there have only been three unique types of drains in development. And they are as follows:

  • Manual: Here you’ll have to check the moisture level manually. Then, you will have to drain it yourself you feel like the water is too much already
  • Semi-automatic: In this case, the drain will excrete when there’s no pressure and closes only when air passes.
  • Automatic: This type drains itself on its own, usually when the level of water in the bowl is about halfway full. The float disconnects and moisture gets out of the system.

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2. Choose the Material Wide

You don’t want to buy a water separator that will work for a short time and break down because it’s made of inferior materials. So pay attention to the quality of the build before you invest your money.

Take manual drain air separators, for example. They have parts made of sealed glass, which makes it easy for you to determine whether it’s time to remove moisture from the setup. And while they are good options, they can break easily if you don’t take good care of them.

3. Check the Load Capacity

The first thing you need to know here is that all loads from an air compressor will put a lot of pressure on the water separator. As such, the water separator you choose should be good enough to cope up with the load from air compressor.

If anything, you should consider a unit with the highest load management, one that can handle the max pressure output from the air compressor that you have.

Be sure to check your requirements first so you’re able to choose the most appropriate unit based on load capacity.

4. Bowl Quality

If the bowl of the water separator for an air compressor can withstand a lot of pressure, then it’s worth a consideration.

When it comes to bowl quality, you need to understand the materials used for construction. It can be either a metal build or plastic. Metal construction is the best deal, but you can also consider the plastic model provided it is thick enough to stand up to a lot of pressure. 

While there are many water separators for air compressors out there, these are the best ones that you can buy. They not only come to the market at a fair price point and in different models, but also work well to give you give you the best value for your money.

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