What’s the best Air compressor?

There's no real answer to that,so many factors that are up to you,size,price,noise, so on.Google "Best airbrush compressor" it will give you reviews,prices,recommendations.

Thats the airbrush I use,easy learning curve and cleanup

You ask 6 modelers you will get a dozen different answers

I have a Porter Cable 1 gallon pancake compressor from a big box hardware store.  It runs my airbrush.  It runs my pressure casting tank. It will run an air die grinder.  It also drive tacks & brads for home projects and fills the car tires.   

Hi I have a HP-CS & several other airbrushes.

What compressor to get depends on budget & your needs, but  get one from your country, and/or local to you. 

Sparmax, Iwata, Bambi, all produce good kit.  a guide here (not an endorsement, other vendors are available, etc...)

I have a small piston compressor WITH an AIR TANK, and a REGULATOR. very similar to this one. (but not from this vendor, etc.)
It is quiet enough not to be disturbing, burbles away, can produce 50+ PSI, & runs 30-45 mins, & was reasonably priced, I paid about UKP£90 ($110) a few years ago.

If you want near silent, go for one with a fridge type compressor (as in Bambi type).
I had a ROTRING, (with tank & regulator), lasted decades. 

Food for thought here, from budget to eye-watering....

https://www.everythingairbrush.com/product-category/compressors/
https://www.graphicair.co.uk/product-category/airbrush-compressor/

Asking,"What's the best" on a forum is like asking for a thousand different answers, so I'll just say you picked a good airbrush.

As previously mentioned, there really is no "best".  It depends on your needs and preferences.

I just got back into modeling myself and was in a similar situation.  I thought that my 1.5HP three gallon Craftsman compressor that I've owned for years would do the trick.  It worked extremely well from an air delivery perspective.  However it was an extremely large piece of equipment and it sounded like a 747 when the compressor was running.  The whole house shook!

So I did some research and ended up with an Iwata Smart Jet.  It checked all of my boxes.  Extremely small footprint and whisper quiet.  Wasn't a big fan of the water trap "regulator" so I did end up needing to buy a real one.  But I have what I like, and it works very well........for ME.

You will probably be most statisfied with a compressor that has an air tank. Too many brands to start naming them all.

I bought one off eBay several years back for a super cheep price. I didn't expect it to last long but it's still kicking. I don't have any idea what the brand is so it really doesn't matter, just as long as it puts out air and has a switch. My first didn't have a switch so I had to plug it in and unplug it all the time....PIA. A water sump is nice as well, especially if you live in a high humitity area.

oldermodelguy

You will probably be most statisfied with a compressor that has an air tank. Too many brands to start naming them all.

 

Like everybody has said above. The best air compressor will meet your needs and you will get your money’s worth out of it long before it truly needs to be replaced.

I bought my first compressor in 1989 with my tax return at an art supply shop. It was a no name basic no frills type like you see used by folks at fairs and carnivals who airbrush t shirts or designs on kids faces. It took care of my needs. It still works to this day. I’ve owned a couple others since then. And I’m looking for another one day down the road, something more multi functional beyond airbrushing.