When you don’t see a brand name you recognize, there’s some hesitation about pulling the trigger. Realistically, many well-known brands license their names to other manufacturers for tools they don’t make themselves. Those same manufacturers also make their own brands with the same quality as their branded products. That’s the mindset I started with when our 20-gallon professional Stealth compressor arrived.
Pros
- Super-quiet operation
- 5.0 SCFM at 90 PSI
- Vertical tank design
- Better build than budget store brands
Cons
- No major drawbacks
A Little Brand Knowledge Goes a Long Way
Our Stealth compressor comes from Alton Industries and this isn’t our first dance with them. They make shop vacuums under the Stanley, Porter-Cable, and DeWalt names along with air compressors under Briggs & Stratton.
The DeWalt shop vacs we’ve used are pretty much the cream of the crop in terms of the quality of their build. You have to move up to jobsite dust extractors to do much better.
Considering our previous experience with Alton, I’m not looking at this Stealth compressor as a bargain bin or budget store brand type of tool. I’m looking for signs of professional quality.
Stealth 20-Gallon Compressor Design
A 20-gallon vertical compressor isn’t a terribly popular one. Brands like Rolair start at 30 gallons for a vertical design and most others at 20 gallons are horizontal wheelbarrow styles. Husky and Kobalt both tackle a 20-gallon as their respective house brands.
When you’re looking to make the most of the space you have, that vertical design is a big help. You need just 20″ x 18″ of floor space with 42″ of headroom. Chances are, you can find or make that kind of room.
I prefer the horizontal models for frequently moving around jobsites and vertical when you’re going to keep it in the shop or garage. However, this Stealth compressor with its wheels and handles is still very capable of jobsite work. It’s just a matter of which design style you prefer.
Stealth 20-Gallon Compressor Air Delivery
The Stealth 20-Gallon Professional Compressor is a little larger than the Ridgid 15-gallon model we also use. Here’s a quick look at how the four closest competitors stack up:
Capacity
- Ridgid: 15 gallons
- Husky: 20 gallons
- Kobalt: 20 gallons
- Stealth: 20 gallons
Max PSI
- Stealth: 150 PSI
- Husky: 175 PSI
- Kobalt: 175 PSI
- Ridgid: 200 PSI
Air Delivery at 90 PSI
- Husky: 4.0 SCFM
- Kobalt: 4.0 SCFM
- Stealth: 5.0 SCFM
- Ridgid: 5.1 SCFM
So this Stealth compressor is on the lower side for PSI and higher for SCFM. It’s great to know those numbers, but what can you reasonably power with it? Here’s a short list to give you an idea:
- Tire inflation
- Framing/roofing/finish/flooring nailers
- Air ratchets/impact wrenches
- Die grinders/angle grinders
- Chisels
- Shears
You can use tools like air sanders and cutoff tools intermittently, but you need more air to run those constantly. Paint sprayers are pretty much out except for low-flow DIY models.
One thing to keep in mind is that this oil-free compressor carries a 50% duty cycle rating. That’s where these other brands are, but higher-end compressors can be as high as 100% duty cycle.
Noise Level
The Stealth compressor line is all about delivering the air you need with low noise. All of the compressors we’re comparing are 120V electric, so there’s no gas engine to add to it.
Rated Noise Level
- Stealth: 69 decibels
- Kobalt: 78 decibels
- Husky: 83 decibels
- Ridgid: 86 decibels
Running 9 decibels quieter than your closest competitor is HUGE! It’s nearly 8x less sound pressure than Kobalt and nearly 64x less than Ridgid. That’s because sound pressure level doubles every 3 decibels, so it’s not a linear measurement.
When it comes to how loud this 20-gallon professional Stealth compressor sounds (perceived loudness), it’s nearly 2x quieter than Kobalt and more than 3x quieter than Ridgid.
Additional Features
- Semi-pneumatic 8″ wheels
- Oil-free pump
- 6′ cord
Stealth 20-Gallon Compressor Price
You can pick up the 20-gallon professional Stealth compressor for $319. That’s in the ballpark of Ridgid and quite a bit more than what Husky and Kobalt offer.
- Kobalt: $199
- Husky: $209
- Ridgid: $369
- Stealth: $319
But here’s where things take a crazy turn. Stealth puts a lifetime warranty on their compressor—something we haven’t seen anyone else do at this point. Like most every warranty, it covers defects, not accidents and normal wear. Stealth tags this model with 1000-hour life cycle.
To get the longest life, check out the maintenance tips in this article:
The Bottom Line
Stealth doesn’t have a ton of competition in the 20-gallon vertical compressor category. The closest are less expensive store brands that Stealth easily exceeds in quality. It’s more on par with Ridgid’s slightly smaller 15-gallon model.
While this Stealth compressor doesn’t fit side-by-side with brands like Rolair, I like what you get for the price. By the time you throw in incredibly quiet operation and a lifetime warranty, this is a great fit for DIYers that want a solid compressor for their garage/shop or Pros looking for something to last longer than a budget store brand.
20-Gallon Professional Stealth Compressor Specifications
- Model: Stealth SAQ 12018
- Motor: 120V, 12A induction motor (1440W)
- Horsepower: 1.8 HP
- Pump: Oil-free
- Max Pressure: 150 PSI
- Air Delivery at 90 PSI: 5.0 SCFM
- Air Delivery at 40 PSI: 6.0 SCFM
- Quick Couplers: 2
- Cord Length: 6′
- Noise Level: < 70 decibels
- Price: $319
