I bought the Kobalt 26 gal on 3Jul2024 returned it on 30Jul2024. As a casual home user, I got 3 weekends of limited use (worked great when it worked) out of it before the motor would never start again & felt extremely hot when you tried to turn it on. Turn it on it would hum, stop making any noise then trip the breaker. I will be going with the Cal Air Tools simply because you can easily get parts for it for self repair. The oil-free air compressors don't last as long as oiled ones. I have a 20 year old Makita Big Bore 4.5 Gal that still works perfectly fine. I just need one with a bigger tank. The Makita is also very loud so I'm looking for a quieter air compressor as well. Looking at current 1 star reviews for the Kobalt is my experience with quick failure. When I took it back the guy at the returns desk wasn't surprised and made a comment about a cheap motor. But honestly, the Kobalt, harbor Freight, & Cal Air all are similarly built. Kobalt & Harbor freight built in China & the Cal Air built in Mexico. The Cal Air tools is the only one that has a start release valve to release a little air when the compressor turns on to reduce the amperage required to start the motor. Also the 3 yr Kobalt Warranty only applies to the cost of parts. It doesn't cover the cost to have a certified repair person come & determine the cause of failure. You have to pay for that. They won't just replace the unit unless you do that. They also want you to buy the extended warranty within 30 days of purchase. Only that extended warranty will cover the technician cost as well. But others have reported difficulties in getting them to honor the extended warranty.

I am eyeing the CAT.

After the 3-yr Kobalt warranty is up, you're SOL. They don't make replacement parts. California Air Tools has a network of over 2000 service centers, as well as you can order any part online.

Great review !!! Thanks for explaining many things

Thanks for the review.

Being 100% honest, although simular in size, its apples and oranges. Kobalt is like many other in this segment, with 4.5 CFM and 1.5hp. This puts it in line with the HF Fortress and several other cheaper brands with identical specs. The California Air Tools is 2hp at 5.2 CFM, which is more inline with other more expensive compressors like the Dewalt with better CFM.

I have a smaller Kobalt in my car garage that I use for smaller jobs that I don't want to take out to my shop (where I have a two-stage). I was frustrated to find that the setting to start and stop the compressor are preset and you can't adjust them. This compressor has a 175 max PSI which is way too high. That's marketing nonsense. Flow ratings are much more important than max pressure. Most air tools are usually rated at only 90psi. The compressor I have doesn't restart until it drops to 125 and runs incredibly long to get back to 175psi. That range is way too wide, and you can't change it. I am not sure if they are still building them that way, but I won't buy any more compressors that don't allow for adjusting this setting. Additionally, as someone else commented, the service for Kobalt is also poor - not only their compressors but across their whole brand. I got rid of a miter saw that was 3 years old because I could not get a part for it.

I just bought a Hulk Power by EMAX. 5.77cfm at 90psi, and 8.33cfm at 40psi all with a 70% duty cycle which matches CAT. I bet Kobalt is either 25 or 50

anyone know if there is a way to bump up pressure on California air tools? it it a matter of just getting a higher psi regulator? or is that one adjustable but not recommended by factory?

It's not that the KOBALT is louder, it just has a slightly different pitch or sound. But I like the KOBALT. I've been shopping for a compressor and was thinking of buying the California Compressor, but this video has me bending closer to Kobalt. Thanx!!!!

Decibel meter maybe? You’re taking the kobalt over the Cali even though it’s slower and louder?

California seems much quieter to me.

Looking at the wrong gauge. Your looking at output pressure

You let us hear the CAT for 4 seconds. :( Very confusing report.

NOBODY wants an oil free compressor