Do You Really Need This in Your Workshop?
We all know that an air compressor is a must-have in any workshop or garage, but that’s usually where they stay, unable to be moved around since most of them are electrically operated and are often hard-wired in.
Enter the cordless, battery-powered air compressor.
You might have heard a lot about the revolutionary tech from DeWalt – FlexVolt – which is aligned with rugged outdoor tools ideal for consumers that want to cut the electrical cords and switch over to powerful battery-operated tools.
With DeWalt’s 2.5 Gallon Air Compressor being one of very few contenders on the market, this compressor looks to tap into an otherwise untapped market for folks that are looking to cut the extension cords for good when it comes to their air compressors.
To help you see whether or not this might be an air compressor worth investing in, we’ll be taking a closer look at its performance and abilities in this post. Read on to find out why this is such a hot tool on the market…
Specifications Of The DeWalt DCC2560T1 2.5 Gallon Cordless Air Compressor
- Operated by a FlexVolt 60V battery
- Features a 2.5-gallon tank
- Has a PSI of 135
- Runs at 1.2s.c.f.m @ 90 PSI
- Easily does 1220 nails per charge
- Sports a brushless motor and an oil-free pump which makes it powerful and convenient to use
- Comes with a One-Turn regulator for accurate and fast pressure adjustments
- Protected by a heavy-duty roll cage
- Weighs in at a mere 22 pounds for optimal portability
- Comes with a three-year limited warranty, one-year free service contract, and ninety-day money-back guarantee
Some Of The Most Noteworthy Features Of The DeWalt Cordless Compressor
Since the FlexVolt Air Compressor weighs in at a mere 21.5 pounds (without the battery), this is one of the most compact, lightweight, and portable air compressors currently available on the market. It sports a 2.5-gallon tank and can fire off roughly 1220 nails per charge thanks to the powerful 6.0AH FlexVolt battery.
One of the most impressive aspects of this air compressor is that it has a brushless motor. Hooray for the idea of never having to replace brushes again. Ever. Other than that, the FlexVolt Air Compressor has a heavy-duty oil-free pump, and adjusting the pressure is as easy as turning the OneTurn regulator, and you’re done.
With rubber feet to keep the compressor in one place while working and the addition of a durable roll cage, the FlexVolt Air Compressor is suitable for use in even the most rugged of environments. It offers a tank pressure of 135 PSI and can put out 1.2 SCFM at 90 PSI.
Noise level of 79dB
2.5 gallon capacity
Extremely portable
What’s Included In The Kit?
The DeWalt FlexVolt MAX 2.5 Gallon Air Compressor Kit includes the air compressor bare tool, one FlexVolt 6.0AH battery, and one fast charger. For a price of around $299, you’ll also get a three-year limited warranty, a one-year free service plan on your air compressor, and a ninety-day money-back guarantee, just in case you’re not entirely satisfied with the product.
Who Should Consider Buying The DeWalt FlexVolt Air Compressor?
Considering the fact that there’s basically only one contender (Ridgid’s 18V 1-gallon cordless air compressor) in its class, the DeWalt FlexVolt Air Compressor is a clear market leader since it offers a 2.5-gallon tank and bucket loads full of power.
It might not be enough power and capacity to be used as a suitable tool for framing work, but for smaller jobs, we imagine it could be the perfect fit. This isn’t going to be the ideal tool for you if you’re expecting it to tackle the most intense of roofing applications, but if you have a punch list to wrap up, it might just be the perfect tool.
Handling And Performance Of The DCC2560T1 Air Compressor
When compared to the capable and portable Ridgid 1-gallon 18V air compressor (which is actually the DeWalt FlexVolt Air Compressor’s predecessor), this air compressor has a larger air tank, is much more powerful and compact, and looks much more durable and rugged than its competitor.
The addition of the roll cage on the FlexVolt air compressor looks impressive, albeit it does add some bulkiness to the compressor’s overall look.
It comes with a tank pressure gauge and a regulator that has been adjusted to a rough pressure setting. To get the desired pressure you’re after; you just need to turn the dial according to your preferences, unlike the idea of having to check a second pressure gauge as you’ have to do when turning a regular air regulator.
We were very happy to see that the FlexVolt air compressor’s looks have been designed from the ground up since it has been engineered with a brushless motor and a design that conserves space.
Noise level of 79dB
2.5 gallon capacity
Extremely portable
Value For Money That Simply Can’t Be Beat
DeWalt’s FlexVolt MAX 2.5 Gallon Air Compressor arguably offers the best value for your money. For a price of around $299, you get a whole kit which includes the bare tool, a FlexVolt 6.0AH battery, and a fast charger.
If you’re wondering why it’s similarly (or even higher) prices than corded air compressors, blame it on the price of convenience and of course the cost of that FlexVolt lithium-ion battery, but all in all, the price is very reasonable when you consider what you get as part of the kit.
How Big Is The FlexVolt Air Compressor?
Weighing in at a bare weight of 21.5 pounds, the DeWalt DCC2560T1 is very portable and super lightweight. It comes with a heavy-duty roll cage to help keep its pressure gage and valve well protected.
With its 25-gallon tank, the FlexVolt air compressor has a maximum tank pressure of 135 PSI, which actually hits the sweet spot as far as pneumatic trim and finish fastening applications are concerned.
Notes On The FlexVolt MAX 2.5-Gallon Air Compressor’s Reliability
The great thing about the FlexVolt air compressor is that you’ll be able to continue using pneumatic tools you already own, and since it has a brushless motor and an oil-free pump, it’s much more reliable than electric air compressors.
According to the manufacturer, the DCC2560T1, when used with a DCB606 battery and a DWFP12233 Brad Nailer, should be able to achieve 1,220 nails per charge.
So yes, the FlexVolt Air Compressor is extremely reliable, but let’s inspect its durability. Since it comes fitted with a roll cage, the switch, the battery, and all of the gauges are protected in the event of a tip or a drop.
The feet of this compressor are also fitted with rubber tabs to keep the tool from moving around while you’re working and which also helps to cut down on vibrations while the machine is on.
What Is The Noise Level Of The FlexVolt Air Compressor?
According to DeWalt, their FlexVolt Air Compressor has a noise level which is rated at 79 dB(A). According to customer reviews on the web, the FlexVolt actually has a few different noise levels.
One user reported a 92 dB(A) next to the compressor’s pump. Another user reported a 90 dB(A) next to the compressor at ear height, and another 88 dB(A) from one foot away at ear height.
What About The FlexVolt Air Compressor’s PSI Regulation?
The one-turn regulator knob on the FlexVolt air compressor has been designed to allow users to easily and quickly adjust PSI by simply turning the regulator knob so that it points towards the preferred PSI.
After adjustments have been made, the air compressor self-regulates accurately and quickly. The best way to describe this mechanism would be to compare it to pointing and clicking on a desktop of a computer. Simple, but it is super intuitive and eliminates any guesswork.
Observations On The Compressor Cycles On The DCC2560T1
According to numerous reviews posted by users online, the DeWalt FlexVolt MAX 2.5-Gallon Air Compressor isn’t shy in the performance department. Some of the findings online indicate that the compressor performed as followed before needing to cycle again:
- 16 gauge finish nails (2-1/2 inch nails) 10 nails
- 18 gauge brad nails (1-inch nails) 18 brads
- 1-inch pin nails: 34 nails
- Time needed to fill the empty tank: 2:22 minutes
- Recovery time after firing fasteners: 30 seconds on average
We love the idea of seeing that once the compressor activates, users are able to continue rapid-fire 50 fasteners before the compressor needs a little break. This means that under normal fastening applications, users should be able to continue working without the need to wait for the compressor to fill up again.
Noise level of 79dB
2.5 gallon capacity
Extremely portable
Are There Any Improvements We’d Like To See?
As with all man-made tools, there is room for improvement on the FlexVolt air compressor. The battery receiver and the drain cock are the two major areas that we found lacking.
When you use the compressor, and you insert the battery, users were able to identify a clear slop in the battery receiver, which might be a sloppy finish issue or a mismatched design feature.
The drain cock lever is made from plastic and indexes into a square valve system. The big issue is the plastic O-ring which is located between the lever and the stem, and then the lever is simply held in place by a screw. The real issue comes in when you want to drain the compressor and start noticing the slop in the lever.
Users, who have reported these issues, felt like the lever itself might break, slip, or strip, which isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, but something that DeWalt might want to improve on in the near future.
Advantages Of The FlexVolt Air Compressor
- It maintains speed across a variety of applications such as molding, baseboards, window trim, and door fastenings
- It’s compact and lightweight
- It’s comfortable to use
- Has a large 2.5-gallon tank
- Operates at 135 PSI
Disadvantages Of The FlexVolt Air Compressor
- It’s a one-user compressor
- Users have reported sloppiness in the battery receiver and drain cock
- It won’t tackle those heavy-duty tasks
The Final Verdict On The DEWALT FlexVolt Air Compressor
If asked whether or not we thought that the DCC2560T1 air compressor from DeWalt was worth the investment, our answer would definitely be yes.
DeWalt’s commitment towards continually improving on their cordless tech means that this tool will definitely prove its worth in your workshop, and for a very reasonable price, you might very well be buying your way to happiness by investing in cordless tech that delivers the power you’d expect to find in a corded air compressor!
Noise level of 79dB
2.5 gallon capacity
Extremely portable
Last update on 2024-04-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
