Ridgid Cordless Compressor Review

Ridgid is one of those manufacturers who make great tools but you don’t hear a lot about them.  As I always say they are a sleeping giant.  While they release a lot of new tools., each year they always have a couple new tools that break the mold.  Take this compressor for example.  You may remember we reviewed this Ridgid Compressor a while back but we have received so many questions on it, we figure we would go more in depth on it.  So sit back and check out our Ridgid Cordless Compressor review.

Ridgid Cordless Compressor Review Overview

While cordless tools have come a long way over the years we still have tools where we rely on air.  The pneumatic tools still require us to carry a compressor around to complete tasks, even small tasks.  What if there was a way to complete these small tasks using a 18V battery powered compressor?

Well, you are in luck.  Ridgid has a 18V battery powered compressor on the market that will do this.  The tank is small, lightweight, powerful and has decent run time.

So you no longer have to carry a huge compressor into a clients house, walk up the stairs, find power just to put on a couple pieces of trim.  You can now make your life so much easier.

Ridgid Cordless Compressor Review Features

The Ridgid compressor features a 1-gallon steel tank.  While steel tanks are heavier than aluminum, steel tanks also hold up better over the long haul.

As we noted in the headline of this article, this compressor is powered by Ridgid’s 18V battery.  While you can’t plug the unit into an outlet, you can run this off either 1 or 2 batteries.  While we didn’t test the run time, according to Ridgid you can drive up to 1,200 nails per charge.  Not sure what size nails or into what material these figures are derived from.

We didn’t test the run time because we really feel like this is perfect for the punch list items and smaller jobs.  If you use the compressor for one of those two items, run time should never be a factor.

There is a single carrying handle located on top of the unit.  The handle has a nice rubber grip so it doesn’t slip around when trying to carry it on a job site.

On the bottom of the unit, there are rubber pads on the front and back of the unit.  These pads perform two functions.  First, it stops the compressor from walking when the unit kicks on.  The second function is to protect the floor.

To turn the compressor on or off, there is a red toggle switch located on the top of the unit.

On the front of the unit, there are two very easy to read gauges.  One is for the tank pressure (125 max psi) and the other is your outlet pressure.  Even when the unit is on, the gauges are easy to read as the needle doesn’t bounce around.  In the middle, you can see Ridgid added a locking regulator knob.

The unit features one quick outlet which is located just below the gauges.  To the left of the outlet is a pressure relief valve.

When you are done with the compressor, there is a turn drain valve located on the bottom of the tank.  This is easy to access and allows for quick drainage.

When it’s time to clean up, you can even use the provided hose wrap to keep your hose organized and always within reach.

Ridgid Cordless Compressor Review Performance

I am not going to get into the run time or how often the compressor kicks on because there are too many variables to truly measure those items.

Instead, we looked at the use of this compressor.  This compressor is for quick punch list items or smaller jobs.  If you have to install chair railing or some baseboard, this nailer is a perfect solution.  You are using a finish nailer that doesn’t require a ton of air.

Overall the compressor is great and performed just as you would expect.  The sound isn’t crazy loud or crazy quiet.  While we didn’t have a job at the time to test this on, we ran a bunch of nails through some baseboard into a 2×4 just to get a good feel.  Time and time again we were able to drop a ton of nails before the compressor kicked on.  Each time the nails set perfect.

The nailer is light and compact enough that this is a perfect solution for those quick jobs.

Ridgid Cordless Compressor Review Value

While the unit is rock solid, it is on the pricey side.  You can expect to pay about $180 at The Home Depot for the cordless compressor and that is the bare tool.  If you want to buy two batteries and a charger you will spend about $360.  But with that said, it’s for a specific consumer.

This is not meant to replace your bigger compressor.  This is designed for the contractor who wants to get in and out of a job.  Someone who has a quick punch list to complete. Someone who doesn’t want to drag around a heavy compressor and try to find power.

So if you look at it as only a $180 compressor, yes, it’s on the expensive side of the price spectrum.  However, if you look at the convenience it will add to your job, it’s not a bad price.  You can get in and out and not worry about a heavy compressor or finding power. So for the convenience factors, it’s a pretty good buy.

Ridgid Cordless Compressor Final Thoughts

Overall this is a great unit to own.  If you are looking for something you can use for those quick punch list jobs where you don’t want to bring in a heavy compressor and find power, this is a great solution.  The unit has plenty of power and great run time.