That was my first ever sound decibel meter! I did grow out of the audiophile phase but kept a few of the toys like the Radio Shack sound level meter. It continues to come in handy😉
*This does exactly what I was wanting **MyBest.Tools** Price was fantastic, lower than Harbor Freight-and it included hose and attachments, and IT IS MADE IN AMERICA, unlike Harbor Freight*
The Kobalt & HF are both made in China. I recently bought the Kobalt on 3Jul2024 & returned it on 30Jul2024 due to complete motor failure. Only minimal weekend use during that time.
Video came out over a year before that hit the market. Wayback machine shows it first showing up on their site in January 2021, youtube reviews tend to agree with that timeline.
According to the countless horror stories that can be found all over the internet, Lowe's and Kobalt will bend over backwards to avoid honoring the warranty. I'm currently trying to decide between these two and was really disappointed to find out about the shady Kobalt warranty BS.
I'm reminded of when Hyundai was offering the 5+ year car warranty and one of the other car manufactures had a commercial that hit home with the statement "Do you want a better warranty or a better car?".
Thank you for posting the measurements. I looked everywhere online and this was the only place I could find the dimensions for the Kobalt 26 gallon air compressor. 18" wide and 47.5" tall. Thanks!
Nice review! I ended up going with the California 10020AC because it's super quiet, about 70 dB. It's not for everyone as its only a 10gal tank and its pretty expensive. I do light auto work every 2-3 weeks in my garage, pneumatic air ratchet, grinding rust off hubs etc. It works great for what I need.
Both compressors were louder than the stated operating decibels. However, the Kobalt had slightly less deviation and overall the least amount of noise during operation, best price and warranty. The Fortress does have extended warranty options starting at 1yr @ $49.99 or 2yr at $79.99.
Thanks for the video. My 20 year old Coleman Powermate(extremely loud) crapped out early this year. I replaced it with the Kobalt you just reviewed. I love it. Very quiet and I can now use my air tools. It may not have the performance specs as the one from HF, but it is perfect for the DIY workshop and the sound doesn't bother the neighbors.
Steve Kiss My Coleman Powermate 11 gallon is from 2002 and is super loud. It is always good to know what’s available and the Kobalt is probably one of the larger sized value priced and quietest. Good pick!
My 60 gallon husky just hit the bed so I picked up the Cobalt on a buddy's advice a couple days ago. I wish I would have found this thing years ago. I had no idea any compressor on the planet could be this quiet and push that much air
I looked at both of these exact compressors and ended up buying the Fortress. The Kobalt has a better warranty and is quieter but the Fortress has a lot more run time when running an air ratchet or impact. That extra PSI in the tank makes a huge difference in how long you can run a tool before the compressor has to kick back on. Also the recovery time is better with the Fortress. I primarily use a compressor for automotive work and the tools I use are thirsty for air but I don't have a 220 outlet so bigger compressors are out of the question. For a 120v compressor the Fortress brings a lot of performance to the table. If your compressed air needs are less then mine the Kobalt would be the better choice for sure.
Very well said, and I couldn’t agree with you more. The cost and noise are the trade off for the performance differences. Did you happen to get the extended warranty with 1yr @ $49.99 or 2yr at $79.99?
@@ClientGraphics no I didn't do the warranty but I think I might go back and add it on. They said I could add it on within 30 days if I bring in my receipt.
@@RhinoAg I just bought the Fortress 27 gallon with the coupon for $349.00. The great thing about Harbor Freight is if your unit goes out, they slide you a brand new replacement unit. I'm not sure if Kobalt does that?
Would you say the Kobalt is enough CFM and volume to run automobile tools, for the occasional garage DIYer? Impact wrench to remove lug nuts, air ratchet, and maybe some 90 degrees angle grinders?
My craftsman is just starting to die. Making a broken rod noise.. got it new in 1989. 4 moves and a couple of years outside.. still looks good. Cant believe 30 years. Time flys when your haven fun. Back then it was much better. Men were men and sheep were nervous. Now sheep are men. And men love men. But tools and cars got better. Go figure.
@@DS-ss7vl don't get me wrong brother I love the old cars but my 1961 Corvette. And my 1971 Volkswagen Beetle. All needed plugs and points at around 10,000 miles. And both had oil leaks. At 20k miles.. tires back then were crap. And my almost new 1977 Corvette and Monte Carlo. A/c broke at 55k miles. And all cars needed an overhaul at around a hundred thousand miles. Due to the fact that carburetors. Just dumped fuel washing away the thin layer of oil in the cylinders. But on the plus side they did have their Chrome and steel bumpers. So when you hit a pedestrian he stayed down ! Fun times
I bought the Kobalt compressor 2 months ago. It was on sale for $269 and I bought a coupon for another 10% off of that price which brought the price down to just under $260 out the door. Today I watched your video and I think I've made the right choice for an occasional weekend user / average home owner like me. I'll be painting a 26 year old pickup with it later this year. Great video.
I’m looking into purchasing the Kobalt for my garage soon. My research and studying, it’s a tough compressor to beat. Very good video, you earned a subscription.
@Gorilla951 how are you liking it so far? I’m trying to decide between the Kobalt and the Fortress. Have you tried to run an impact wrench with it? Some of my air tools call for 5.0 CFM so I’m leaning towards the Fortress but I really want the Kobalt for the low noise, warranty, and look.
I'm glad I could help out. My current air compressor is 15 yrs old and I need to start looking around at all the options should mine fail, but hopefully it will keep on kicking for another few years or more.
So glad I checked out your video. I've been trying to buy the HF 26 gal, ULTRA Quiet compressor at my local HF store for a month now but it's never in stock. I'll be buying the KOBALT one in your video tonight. Thank you!
It was a huge difference. You could carry on a conversation with the Kobalt one, not so much with the 27 gallon Fortress. It was actually disappointing since the other Fortress compressors are really quiet.
I recently bought the Kobalt on 3Jul2024 & returned it on 30Jul2024 due to complete motor failure. Only minimal weekend use during that time. The guy at the return desk wasn't surprised it was returned.
Finally an actual comparison video of kobalt quiet tech against yhe fortress. You'd think there would be plenty of videos comparing the two but youre the only one ive found. And you didnt even have to purchase the compressors to compare them. Lol. Thanks for using a real spl meter and not just some app. 👍
I've had air compressors that were quiet upon startup but got louder as the tank was closer to the tank being full. Would like to see how quiet it is with 125 psi in it.
chris jones When you compare them to that yeah these would both be really quiet. 150dB is also well beyond my sound meter so I hope you have ear protection.
@@ClientGraphics I don't think the lower frequencies damage your hearing they way compressors and guns do. I've had loud stereos for almost 20yrs now and last hearing test was perfect so I don't think bass causes long term damage to hearing. Just like our parents would say about sitting so close to the tv when we were kids.
@@chrisjones6165 It would be interesting to study hearing damage, comparatively. I've noticed that my ears will ring from high pitch sounds at lower db and won't give me any trouble at all with low freq and high db. It could have more to do with waveform than frequency though. Sonic booms from bullets, jets, or props going supersonic could vary from 1/100th Hz to 50Hz and will cause the same hearing damage because they're all a sharp saw tooth waveform, even though that definitely falls within the lower frequency common with bass comps. For reference, a single piston compressor running at 2000rpm will have a 33hz freq, which is a fairly low note.
@@Skinflaps_Meatslapper my truck stereo does 151.3db at 34hz and I have 400 watts rms to each front door with a DD vo v2 6.5 and to b1 tweets and that hurts my ears more than bass does
I had to look up but Cobalt uses 12 amps & Fortress uses 15 amps. I like cobalt for quietness and that it uses less electricity. I'll mainly be using to air up tires on my atv and trailers. Thanks for video!
@@richardselby1711 , Both compressors in this video have steel tanks, as do most air compressors in this price range and size. I've owned an ultra quiet model of California Air Tools 2 HP compressor for around 5 years now. It has CFM ratings comparable to these 2 compressors in the video, and is equipped with twin aluminum tanks, but only 4.6 total gallons of capacity. I have a separate 15 gallon tank that I tie in with the aluminum tanks when I need more air reserve, but it keeps up with most things I need an air compressor for without having to use the aux tank. At a rated 70 db, it's about as quiet as the Kobalt tested here, and at 65 pounds weight, I can pick it up by the built in handle and carry it pretty much anywhere I want.
My Campbell Hausfeld has been nothing but trouble since I got it at Lowe's. I had to replace the switch on it twice and now it is going out again. I am going to just bite the bullet and get something else at this point. Plus the CH is hideously loud. We actually bought several 50 foot hoses so we could move it as far away from our work site as possible. I am leaning toward the Kobalt but HF is looking good.
Harbor Freight now has a super coupon good until this Saturday the 31st for 349.00 down from the store price of 429.00, what a deal! My question is how would you install a pressure regulator to catch the water before it gets to my air tools?
I've always liked the format/size of this style of compressor. Ultimately I ended up finding a good 25 gal horizontal tank compressor for my workshop on craigslist, but I have always been intrigued by this style. I really like the format you did for this review Chris. This is super helpful information for the consumer. The problem I found in my research of this size, is not proper SCFM for most paint spray guns which is why I landed on the used one that I did.
I totally agree with you, I attempted to spray in my younger days a few side car projects with a direct drive system and simply couldn't produce the SCFM that a decent used belt drive system could for the price point. I ultimately would love to get back to some of these fun projects but would need to get a shop or shed built, but one day I'll get there.
@@ClientGraphics to be honest, I haven't tried spraying with mine, probably need to buy a bigger tank, but on paper it is supposed to be able to do the trick
All you have to do is connect two compressors together uf you have two 5 scfm at 90 connected together you have 10 scfm now. You can make a T to connect them into a portable tank adding another valve. Theres youtube viddos on it vrry cheap ahd easy to.do
I think the tradeoffs are robustness vs comfort so to speak. The Fortress obviously doesn't meet anywhere near its DB rating but that could be due to it also doesn't appear to be a dual piston design like it's smaller siblings or the Kobalt. Dual piston makes a big difference in noise output for oil-less despite the fact that HF claims the Fortress is a 2000 rpm motor. Common dual piston designs from Campbell Hausfeld usually run around 1600. That nets a pretty good difference. What the Fortress does have is a brushless motor and higher pressure. That's where the money went as its more likely built to last longer in a shop setting. The Kobalt is obviously geared towards the average weekend warrior DIYer who can't afford to pester neighbors and doesn't need a more industrialized compressor with added cost.. That said, other than tank size, it's not really an apples to apples comparison. Both have their place.
The fortress compressor has a brushed motor. This guy removed the motor/compressor cover: ruclips.net/video/-uN6YxPnyGo/видео.html My money will be going to the Kobalt. I'll sacrifice the slightly lower scfm for the lower noise level.
@@jacobbelcher3512I have a roughly 20 yr old craftsman Compressor. Never been serviced besides some Teflon tape. Always drained. I’d love to get a Fortress or a big tank compressor, but I don’t see this craftsman compressor giving out anytime soon.
I bought the fortress 5 gal with the same motor as the big one. At first I was unimpressed with the noise after break in. After a few days with a couple more cycles, it has seemed to become quieter.
The RadioShack meter is surprisingly accurate. I've been involved with audio for quite a while. We've compared the meter to known standards with relatively little variance. Using it C-weighted the readings below 30Hz need to have a coefficient added to the number; the list is on the 'net. Still can't believe that RS is gone.
Just a bit of constructive criticism him…The content of your video is fantastic. However, this video is a perfect example of the huge difference in volume between your intro and the speech during the video.
Well, I have to scratch the FORTESS off my list. Way too loud for my tiny apartment. E-z way to get evicted. But the Kobalt might be the big winner. Shopping continues!! 👍👍👍👍
This Kobalt lasted me 31 days until the switch broke. It was a pain get an exchange, employees didn't know return procedures. Many Lowes are only carrying very few Kobalt compressors because of a new line of compressors. I have 2 Dewalt compressors that still work to this day, years after purchase. I may have to try out the new Fortress ccompressor to see how it holds up.
distance should 1M/3ft or ~ min of arm's length. I mean who is sticking their head/ears next to the compressor motor.? A 3 dB change yields a 100% increase in sound energy and just over a 23% increase in loudness. So a 10 dB change is 2X the change in sound volume.
thanks for the video i was on way to go to harborfreight also installed the decibell app on my phone right now i have the harborfreight 21 gal the phone app showed 79 decibel.. but i guess its more.. the lowes stuff is 300 and has similar type compressor than california air or the ""quiet"" compressors have thank you for your time to make this video
Thanks for the information as the 21gal from HF is definitely slightly different and would produce different levels. Which phone platform and app are you using out of curiosity? Some of the apps have to have a little configuration and playing with the sampling to get them going. On IOS the one I used was Decibel Meter Sound Detector from Ashraf
@@ClientGraphics i just pullled up the first app i was just curious but after your video seriously considering the lowes compressor app is called decibel x soundmeter
Why would anyone believe the accuracy of the CFM @ 90 PSI (5.1) is any more accurate the dBA readings on the Fortress? The dBA is off in excess of 15%; if CFM is off 15%, as well, it would come in at 4.33. Liars tend to continue to lie. ClientGraphics just caught them in the act. Great work!
I have had this Fortress air compressor for about 3 weeks now and it is significantly quieter now then it was at first. I think the dBA rating on the box is in the ball park after a good break in period.
As a sound engineer of 35 years what weight was your set DB meter set on and there reply is "I don't know what that means and I tell them "You need to know the how to use a DB meter correctly before you start using it, was it set at "A" weight or "C" weight therefore they measure a incorrect reading. "A" weight is for low level sound like conference rooms/ board meeting rooms. "C" weight is for measuring amplified sounds. Make sure you use the correct weight measurement.
that floor model for the fortress must have been a prototype because many reviews on harbor freight say the fortress one is very quiet. they may have updated the new ones to make them come down to their rated decibel specs
Nice review! It's timely for me that I came across this, as I was just looking at these last month. My biggest reason for wanting a compressor in this range would be mostly for painting - airbrushing and HVLP for R/C projects, and possibly for a nail gun on DIY projects. If my needs were more demanding, like for automotive tools, I'd probably lean toward the Fortress, but even at the sale price, the Kobalt seems like the better deal to me. Honestly, a 20+ Gallon model would otherwise be overkill for my needs, but I need the decent CFM rate. Now, if Fortress were to offer something to compete with the California Air Tools 10020C compressor that can put out over 5 CFM at 90 PSI, that would be something I'd consider over the Kobalt if they priced it right. HF/Fortress seems to be competing directly with CAT on the sub 5 gallon ones; it would be a shame if they didn't go after that 10 gallon market as well. The same motor on the Fortress 5 Gallon Job Site compressor could probably fit the bill on a 10 Gallon.
Is it possible that the fortress requires a run-in procedure that the kobalt compressor doesn't? The fortress sounded unhealthy to me, rough and clattering, like an engine that has low oil pressure or something.
The Fortress does have a break in procedure that has to be performed before building pressure in the tank. I have had this Fortress compressor for a few days and after some use it is a bit quieter then it was at first. The one thing I have noticed is most of the noise on this compressor comes from the air entering the tank. I'm not sure if it is due to how much air the compressor moves or what but it kind of sounds like when you are adding air to a tire only louder. The Fortess also uses a brushless motor motor which spins faster then a traditional compressor motor and makes more of a high pitch sound then a regular bushed motor. While it is different it is a nice upgrade since brushless motors last longer and are more efficient then the traditional electric motor commonly used in compressors.
@@mopar0IIII0jeep I experienced the same thing. After break in, I thought it was loud, but after some pressure cycles, it seems to be getting quieter. Much better build than the kobalt which is most likely a rebadged Campbell and Hausfield. They make most tool brand air compressors.
UPDATE After running my Fortress 27 gallon air compressor for a few weeks now it is significantly quieter then it was at first. Night and day difference.
I guess the first one is belt driven and the cobalt is direct driven, so in case of fail in the first one you only have to switch the motor. In the second one, you have to dump the unit.
incomplete data, the starting tank pressure is not displayed for the harbor freight compressor, could have been noise from higher back pressure on the compressor versus zero pressure to start with the kobalt
I'm really curious how they compare in run time to full, that's a pretty crucial bit of info to not gather in my opinion. Other than that the info was good
Hey This was a very good video. I’m looking at several different ones Silent Air , Husky, Kobalt. I would have thought Harbor Freight would have come out and used the same motors that are on Kobalt. A nice 30 gallon 2 horsepower with 6 CFM , 175 psi 120 would be nice. I want to spray rust proofing material under my vehicles. Leaning towards the Kobalt with 3year warranty. Maybe the oil one next to it with 175 psi. I think either one will do the job.
joseph puchel Both should work. You may have to do some math and calculate the runtime before catch-up or do a dry run just to see how air flow is to ensure your timing and flow. Good luck 👍🏻
2 years in and have a bad pressure regulator. Bleeds off anything past 60 psi. You can't just take the compressor to the store and exchange it. Kobalt customer service sends you parts that you partially pay for.
Not a fair comparison. Fortress has a ultra quiet compressor with similar stats. Why didn't you do a decibel check on that 26 gal Fortress compressor for a more fair comparison. The ultra quiet 26 gal 175 PSI Fortress compressor is built as well as the Kobalt, most likely has a similar noise level, and I believe the two are very close in dimensions. That would be a better comparison video.
The fortress is a aluminum tank i believe and if it is that means more to me than just about anything. Steel tanks have a rust and bursting issue and that rust even in just a year gets into your air supply.
You're not going to find a large aluminum tank for under $500. Only the small ones. I wouldn't want an aluminum anyway. Steel is a lot stronger and I'd be concerned about aluminum cracking or busrting because it gouges easily. Keep your tank drained and it will last a long time.
Christ, the Kobalt 26 gallon compressor should have been compared to the Fortress 26 Gallon 175 PSI Ultra Quiet Vertical Air Compressor!! What we have right now is like comparing apples to oranges.
Wow can't believe just how many idiots eat this up with comments like "life saver," "this video made my decision clear," "you saved me hundreds," "you always have informative information," and how the idiots all thumbs up and comment each other on their stupidity while the educated comments that actually makes sense are ignored with zero thumbs up and no comments. There was absolutely nothing informative since both items do list the dimensions and pretty self explanatory that the ultra quiet is not as loud as the compressor that's not designed or marketed as an ultra quiet, just that its quieter than previous model not quieter than everyone else. All this video showed was the measurements and what it would sound if you was to stick your head up against the compressor (NOTICE ON HARBOR FREIGHT TEST THE DB METER WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE INTAKE FILTER/MUFFLER) and on the cobalt meter was on the complete opposite side. No need to sabotage the HF compressor by having the db meter right up on the loudest part and also installing the muffler without the filter to get even more sound. I do agree the cobalt is quieter than the fortress 200 psi, but not in performance. The better comparison would have been the cobalt ultra quiet vs fortress ultra quiet is it quieter than the fortress ultra quiet don't know or do I know if it out performs. A person that needs subscribers because it helps get you and your channel out to see these products and not have to read behind a computer screen probably isn't that sharp of a tool anyways. A real tool reviewer knows about the tools and would always be out around the tools either buying or checking them out not one that only sees first hand because it was brought to your attention. The first sign of your ignorance besides comparing these compressors is thinking that a steel braided cable was going to do anything. If you replace the rubber hose with a cable you would have no air flow. Now a braided hose not cable would help keep the hose from expanding, but nothing with flow. Also you didn't help explain what is good/bad with the different design pumps the longevity, what you get with more tank pressure and the difference in tools that can and can't be run in those cfm ranges. Biggest thing that is a no brainer of your ignorance and bias is the placement of the db meter that alone discredits anything you have ever said or will say. The only way you wouldn't have realize is your a fake and knows nothing about anything tool related.
the high perf 200psi isba regular oilfree pump the new 175psi states ultra quiet and just go it xmaseve now this is the vs to compare to for equal noise battle
One thing you didn't mention was the higher pressure on the Fortress, which allows it to store significantly more air than the Kobalt. There are a few tools that need higher pressure, but the main benefit is the exponentially greater air storage for the same size tank.
Videos don’t do the Kobalt justice. I made a video of my Kobalt running when I first got it home and the play back of the video on my phone was much louder than the compressor was. I’ve had gaming consoles that were louder than the Kobalt.
Uhhh 200 psi, 5.1 CFM @90. there’s a good reason it’s a bit louder than the Kobalt lol. Both are quieter than my Bostitch pancake. And OMYGOSH HF has ...COUPONS😂
HF puts their various brands of compressors on sale fairly often, but I believe most of their compressors, including the Fortress models, are excluded from the 20% coupons they typically offer, so it's not likely you can get the Fortress, even on sale, at a price to match the Kobalt's regular price, and Lowes puts their compressors on sale periodically too. Plus, if you're in the military or a veteran, you get an additional 10% discount on Lowes purchases, even when items are on sale. If I were in the market for a new compressor, I'd be tempted by the Kobalt because of it's lower price, longer warranty, and noticeably quieter operation.
@@ClientGraphics Also, dug a little deeper and download both manuals for the compressors. The Fortress specs are: 6.3 SCFM @ 40 PSI, 5.1 SCFM @ 90 PSI. At main site, Lowe's only shows this info: Air Delivery SCFM @ 90PSI (CFM)4.5 . Air Delivery SCFM @ 100PSI (CFM) 4.3. Air Delivery SCFM @ 175PSI (CFM) 0 BUT IN THE MANUAL THAT CAN BE DOWNLOADED IT ALSO SHOWS: CFM @ 40 PSI 5.5. Conclusion: Not only is the max pressure 50 psi less in the tank for the Kobalt, but also it is even slower comparatively at 40 psi when recovering, aka 6.3 for Fortress, vs 5.5 for Kobalt. So the Fortress is only a little slower at 90 (i.e. 5.5 cfm) that the Kobalt is at less than half the psi (40 at 5.1). Obviously there is no CFM spec for 175 or 200 for the Kobalt as it doesn't do above 150 psi.
Yes, noise makes a difference, but your review doesn't focus on much else. The difference in maximum psi makes a large functional difference, such that IMHO these two machines are not directly comparable.
Kobalt hands down. I rather have The Kobalt, with military discount longer warranty and other possible manager discounts; Including it's quieter and will last longer ( Plus be used with a drop cord) Kobalt Wins.
The “Standard” measurement for decibels is exactly 3’. Those Chinese Compressors love to put stickers on their units with Low dB numbers, but it is (often) at 25-35’ !! SCFM is Standard Cubic FEET Per Minute, not Flow
You wanna a quiet compressor....go buy a SENCO conpressor.....i dont know if they still make them. I had a little one for airbrushing rc car bodies years ago and yoy can tell tell it was barely on...it was like a 1 or 2 gallon....it wasnt cheap neather it was like around $300. I had to order it online i forgot threw who though Anyhow the fortress compressors remind me of the senco compressor I dont have the senco no more as i winded up giving it away as i havent airbrushed in years
Certainly there is a trade-off. The fact that one operates at 200 psi versus 150 psi and the Kobalt has 1 gallon less accumulation space means if you are running at 90 psi the Kobalt compressor will need to kick on more often. The amount of extra cu. ft. of accumulation is significant. This has nothing to do with the quality. Just operational spec difference that makes these difficult to compare. Both seem to be fine. Just sayin’
Brother, you cemented my faith in this channel when I saw the RADIO SHACK decibel meter. Kicking it old school my man!
That was my first ever sound decibel meter! I did grow out of the audiophile phase but kept a few of the toys like the Radio Shack sound level meter. It continues to come in handy😉
*This does exactly what I was wanting **MyBest.Tools** Price was fantastic, lower than Harbor Freight-and it included hose and attachments, and IT IS MADE IN AMERICA, unlike Harbor Freight*
The Kobalt & HF are both made in China. I recently bought the Kobalt on 3Jul2024 & returned it on 30Jul2024 due to complete motor failure. Only minimal weekend use during that time.
A better comparison would have been with the Fortress 175 psi compressor. It is marketed as ultra quiet and is closer in price point with the Kobalt.
Yes exactly.
Video came out over a year before that hit the market. Wayback machine shows it first showing up on their site in January 2021, youtube reviews tend to agree with that timeline.
Thanks Chris, the Kobalt, hands down. I was sold at the 3 year warranty.
According to the countless horror stories that can be found all over the internet, Lowe's and Kobalt will bend over backwards to avoid honoring the warranty. I'm currently trying to decide between these two and was really disappointed to find out about the shady Kobalt warranty BS.
Yeah. Lowes and kobolt sends you back and fourth telling you to send to the other guy. They won't fix anything. It really does suck.
I'm reminded of when Hyundai was offering the 5+ year car warranty and one of the other car manufactures had a commercial that hit home with the statement "Do you want a better warranty or a better car?".
I recently bought the Kobalt on 3Jul2024 & returned it on 30Jul2024 due to complete motor failure. Only minimal weekend use during that time.
Thank you for posting the measurements. I looked everywhere online and this was the only place I could find the dimensions for the Kobalt 26 gallon air compressor. 18" wide and 47.5" tall. Thanks!
I’ve owned my kobolt QT Air Compressor for now a year and I love it it’s able to keep up with anything I do so far 🙀and no headaches!
Nice review! I ended up going with the California 10020AC because it's super quiet, about 70 dB. It's not for everyone as its only a 10gal tank and its pretty expensive.
I do light auto work every 2-3 weeks in my garage, pneumatic air ratchet, grinding rust off hubs etc. It works great for what I need.
Both compressors were louder than the stated operating decibels. However, the Kobalt had slightly less deviation and overall the least amount of noise during operation, best price and warranty. The Fortress does have extended warranty options starting at 1yr @ $49.99 or 2yr at $79.99.
That's what many aren't considering. The cost of the added warranty throws the Fortress value way under the Kobalt.
Not really fair to state they are louder than stated, as there is no information about how they were tested.
Thanks for the video. My 20 year old Coleman Powermate(extremely loud) crapped out early this year. I replaced it with the Kobalt you just reviewed. I love it. Very quiet and I can now use my air tools. It may not have the performance specs as the one from HF, but it is perfect for the DIY workshop and the sound doesn't bother the neighbors.
Steve Kiss My Coleman Powermate 11 gallon is from 2002 and is super loud. It is always good to know what’s available and the Kobalt is probably one of the larger sized value priced and quietest. Good pick!
My 60 gallon husky just hit the bed so I picked up the Cobalt on a buddy's advice a couple days ago. I wish I would have found this thing years ago. I had no idea any compressor on the planet could be this quiet and push that much air
I looked at both of these exact compressors and ended up buying the Fortress. The Kobalt has a better warranty and is quieter but the Fortress has a lot more run time when running an air ratchet or impact. That extra PSI in the tank makes a huge difference in how long you can run a tool before the compressor has to kick back on. Also the recovery time is better with the Fortress. I primarily use a compressor for automotive work and the tools I use are thirsty for air but I don't have a 220 outlet so bigger compressors are out of the question. For a 120v compressor the Fortress brings a lot of performance to the table. If your compressed air needs are less then mine the Kobalt would be the better choice for sure.
Very well said, and I couldn’t agree with you more. The cost and noise are the trade off for the performance differences. Did you happen to get the extended warranty with 1yr @ $49.99 or 2yr at $79.99?
@@ClientGraphics no I didn't do the warranty but I think I might go back and add it on. They said I could add it on within 30 days if I bring in my receipt.
Have a coupon for the Fortress at $349. That puts them at $40 difference. Still undecided.
@@RhinoAg
I just bought the Fortress 27 gallon with the coupon for $349.00. The great thing about Harbor Freight is if your unit goes out, they slide you a brand new replacement unit.
I'm not sure if Kobalt does that?
Would you say the Kobalt is enough CFM and volume to run automobile tools, for the occasional garage DIYer? Impact wrench to remove lug nuts, air ratchet, and maybe some 90 degrees angle grinders?
My craftsman is just starting to die. Making a broken rod noise.. got it new in 1989. 4 moves and a couple of years outside.. still looks good. Cant believe 30 years. Time flys when your haven fun. Back then it was much better. Men were men and sheep were nervous. Now sheep are men. And men love men. But tools and cars got better. Go figure.
@Ipz....I actually did LOL at "men were men and sheep were nervous" hahahah.
It wouldnt take much to rebuild your craftsmans pump. Cheaper then a new compressor.
Cars got better??? I beg to differ.
@@DS-ss7vl don't get me wrong brother I love the old cars but my 1961 Corvette. And my 1971 Volkswagen Beetle. All needed plugs and points at around 10,000 miles. And both had oil leaks. At 20k miles.. tires back then were crap. And my almost new 1977 Corvette and Monte Carlo. A/c broke at 55k miles. And all cars needed an overhaul at around a hundred thousand miles. Due to the fact that carburetors. Just dumped fuel washing away the thin layer of oil in the cylinders. But on the plus side they did have their Chrome and steel bumpers. So when you hit a pedestrian he stayed down ! Fun times
I bought the Kobalt compressor 2 months ago. It was on sale for $269 and I bought a coupon for another 10% off of that price which brought the price down to just under $260 out the door. Today I watched your video and I think I've made the right choice for an occasional weekend user / average home owner like me. I'll be painting a 26 year old pickup with it later this year. Great video.
Did you ever end up spraying the truck? If so how did it do with keeping a steady spray psi
I’m looking into purchasing the Kobalt for my garage soon. My research and studying, it’s a tough compressor to beat. Very good video, you earned a subscription.
Awesome value compressor for the price. It’s one of those purchases you want to last for many years.
$259 Right now
Gorilla951 😱
@@gorilla9519
I Paid $349+ Tax Today
Thanks Joe Biden
@Gorilla951 how are you liking it so far? I’m trying to decide between the Kobalt and the Fortress. Have you tried to run an impact wrench with it? Some of my air tools call for 5.0 CFM so I’m leaning towards the Fortress but I really want the Kobalt for the low noise, warranty, and look.
THANKS! I’ve been looking for this comparison!
I'm glad I could help out. My current air compressor is 15 yrs old and I need to start looking around at all the options should mine fail, but hopefully it will keep on kicking for another few years or more.
So glad I checked out your video. I've been trying to buy the HF 26 gal, ULTRA Quiet compressor at my local HF store for a month now but it's never in stock. I'll be buying the KOBALT one in your video tonight. Thank you!
Wow! What a difference on that Kobalt! Thanks Chris and God bless! 😁👍✌️
It was a huge difference. You could carry on a conversation with the Kobalt one, not so much with the 27 gallon Fortress. It was actually disappointing since the other Fortress compressors are really quiet.
I recently bought the Kobalt on 3Jul2024 & returned it on 30Jul2024 due to complete motor failure. Only minimal weekend use during that time. The guy at the return desk wasn't surprised it was returned.
Thx Chris . I needed this .❤
My fortress was 320 and it’s great... been had it for a little over a year
Nice. Exactly what i was looking for when i searched this.
Finally an actual comparison video of kobalt quiet tech against yhe fortress. You'd think there would be plenty of videos comparing the two but youre the only one ive found. And you didnt even have to purchase the compressors to compare them. Lol. Thanks for using a real spl meter and not just some app. 👍
4eightyvolt Glad I could help and thank you for watching and commenting.
Good video and no fluff thx you for not being like others channels and rambling for half the video
Great Review & Side by side comparison.👍
Thanks buddy, appreciate you stopping by and dropping a comment.
Thanks for the video Chris. Good info on both of them.
If it's not broken fix it Thanks buddy for watching and commenting. Enjoy your day!
I've had air compressors that were quiet upon startup but got louder as the tank was closer to the tank being full. Would like to see how quiet it is with 125 psi in it.
This is what matters with noise level on these.
Both seem pretty quiet, specially compared to my truck that is about 150db. Thanks for showing
chris jones When you compare them to that yeah these would both be really quiet. 150dB is also well beyond my sound meter so I hope you have ear protection.
@@ClientGraphics I don't think the lower frequencies damage your hearing they way compressors and guns do. I've had loud stereos for almost 20yrs now and last hearing test was perfect so I don't think bass causes long term damage to hearing. Just like our parents would say about sitting so close to the tv when we were kids.
@@chrisjones6165 It would be interesting to study hearing damage, comparatively. I've noticed that my ears will ring from high pitch sounds at lower db and won't give me any trouble at all with low freq and high db. It could have more to do with waveform than frequency though. Sonic booms from bullets, jets, or props going supersonic could vary from 1/100th Hz to 50Hz and will cause the same hearing damage because they're all a sharp saw tooth waveform, even though that definitely falls within the lower frequency common with bass comps. For reference, a single piston compressor running at 2000rpm will have a 33hz freq, which is a fairly low note.
@@Skinflaps_Meatslapper my truck stereo does 151.3db at 34hz and I have 400 watts rms to each front door with a DD vo v2 6.5 and to b1 tweets and that hurts my ears more than bass does
@@chrisjones6165 Right on, those high powered tweets are hell on eardrums.
I had to look up but Cobalt uses 12 amps & Fortress uses 15 amps. I like cobalt for quietness and that it uses less electricity. I'll mainly be using to air up tires on my atv and trailers. Thanks for video!
Great reviews
Thanks for your hard work Chris
The Fortress is a steel tank.
@@richardselby1711 , Both compressors in this video have steel tanks, as do most air compressors in this price range and size. I've owned an ultra quiet model of California Air Tools 2 HP compressor for around 5 years now. It has CFM ratings comparable to these 2 compressors in the video, and is equipped with twin aluminum tanks, but only 4.6 total gallons of capacity. I have a separate 15 gallon tank that I tie in with the aluminum tanks when I need more air reserve, but it keeps up with most things I need an air compressor for without having to use the aux tank. At a rated 70 db, it's about as quiet as the Kobalt tested here, and at 65 pounds weight, I can pick it up by the built in handle and carry it pretty much anywhere I want.
My Campbell Hausfeld has been nothing but trouble since I got it at Lowe's. I had to replace the switch on it twice and now it is going out again. I am going to just bite the bullet and get something else at this point. Plus the CH is hideously loud. We actually bought several 50 foot hoses so we could move it as far away from our work site as possible. I am leaning toward the Kobalt but HF is looking good.
Harbor Freight now has a super coupon good until this Saturday the 31st for 349.00 down from the store price of 429.00, what a deal!
My question is how would you install a pressure regulator to catch the water before it gets to my air tools?
I've always liked the format/size of this style of compressor. Ultimately I ended up finding a good 25 gal horizontal tank compressor for my workshop on craigslist, but I have always been intrigued by this style. I really like the format you did for this review Chris. This is super helpful information for the consumer. The problem I found in my research of this size, is not proper SCFM for most paint spray guns which is why I landed on the used one that I did.
I totally agree with you, I attempted to spray in my younger days a few side car projects with a direct drive system and simply couldn't produce the SCFM that a decent used belt drive system could for the price point. I ultimately would love to get back to some of these fun projects but would need to get a shop or shed built, but one day I'll get there.
@@ClientGraphics to be honest, I haven't tried spraying with mine, probably need to buy a bigger tank, but on paper it is supposed to be able to do the trick
All you have to do is connect two compressors together uf you have two 5 scfm at 90 connected together you have 10 scfm now. You can make a T to connect them into a portable tank adding another valve. Theres youtube viddos on it vrry cheap ahd easy to.do
They dont even have to be the same you can take tbis compressor and put a pancske.one with it. Just set the regulators to the same psi
@@JamesSmith-lt5zz Thanks for the info buddy
I know this is an older video.
But how about a review on the Flexzilla Quiet compressors.?
dba is measured at different distances by the mfg. Supposed to be at 3 feet but some do 3 meters and some 7 meters.
I think the tradeoffs are robustness vs comfort so to speak. The Fortress obviously doesn't meet anywhere near its DB rating but that could be due to it also doesn't appear to be a dual piston design like it's smaller siblings or the Kobalt. Dual piston makes a big difference in noise output for oil-less despite the fact that HF claims the Fortress is a 2000 rpm motor. Common dual piston designs from Campbell Hausfeld usually run around 1600. That nets a pretty good difference.
What the Fortress does have is a brushless motor and higher pressure. That's where the money went as its more likely built to last longer in a shop setting. The Kobalt is obviously geared towards the average weekend warrior DIYer who can't afford to pester neighbors and doesn't need a more industrialized compressor with added cost.. That said, other than tank size, it's not really an apples to apples comparison. Both have their place.
The fortress compressor has a brushed motor. This guy removed the motor/compressor cover:
ruclips.net/video/-uN6YxPnyGo/видео.html
My money will be going to the Kobalt. I'll sacrifice the slightly lower scfm for the lower noise level.
@@jacobbelcher3512I have a roughly 20 yr old craftsman Compressor. Never been serviced besides some Teflon tape. Always drained. I’d love to get a Fortress or a big tank compressor, but I don’t see this craftsman compressor giving out anytime soon.
Just bought this Kobalt for my detail shop, just home with it.
I bought the fortress 5 gal with the same motor as the big one. At first I was unimpressed with the noise after break in. After a few days with a couple more cycles, it has seemed to become quieter.
Derek Dugger That’s good to hear. Wonder if the Kobalt gets quieter as well.
I'm thinking your hearing simply adjusted as it does with any other noise. A decibel measurement before and after break-in would be good way to know
Now I need to compare my ear shattering craftsman oil less to these. Thanks for the comparison of the DB app vs actual DB meter!
HF now has a new compressor that's more apples to apples when compared to that cobalt.
Bro didn’t even buy them he just did a review at the store lol
You should measure decibels at 1 meter. That is the standard.
Nice review.
Ha! I own the same SPL meter. Informative video.
Felix F Thanks Felix for eating and being the first to comment! My dB SPL meter from RadioShack is going on almost 20yrs old and keeps on working
The RadioShack meter is surprisingly accurate. I've been involved with audio for quite a while. We've compared the meter to known standards with relatively little variance. Using it C-weighted the readings below 30Hz need to have a coefficient added to the number; the list is on the 'net. Still can't believe that RS is gone.
Thanks for the comparison.
Just a bit of constructive criticism him…The content of your video is fantastic. However, this video is a perfect example of the huge difference in volume between your intro and the speech during the video.
javyLSU Thanks javyLSU! I’ll have a new microphone this weekend and hopefully next weeks videos will sound better.
There's a 175 psi fortress with ultra quiet that's the one you should have compared the cobalt to.
Well, I have to scratch the FORTESS off my list. Way too loud for my tiny apartment. E-z way to get evicted. But the Kobalt might be the big winner. Shopping continues!! 👍👍👍👍
This Kobalt lasted me 31 days until the switch broke. It was a pain get an exchange, employees didn't know return procedures. Many Lowes are only carrying very few Kobalt compressors because of a new line of compressors. I have 2 Dewalt compressors that still work to this day, years after purchase. I may have to try out the new Fortress ccompressor to see how it holds up.
I’m not sure what the deal with Lowe’s and returns or warranty.... I’m starting to hear more and more it’s really hit or miss.
distance should 1M/3ft or ~ min of arm's length. I mean who is sticking their head/ears next to the compressor motor.?
A 3 dB change yields a 100% increase in sound energy and just over a 23% increase in loudness. So a 10 dB change is 2X the change in sound volume.
I just bought a stealth. It comes in at 68 db and puts out 5CFM at 90. And it cost $360.
thanks for the video
i was on way to go to harborfreight
also installed the decibell app on my phone right now i have the harborfreight 21 gal the phone app showed 79 decibel.. but i guess its more..
the lowes stuff is 300 and has similar type compressor than california air or the ""quiet"" compressors have
thank you for your time to make this video
Thanks for the information as the 21gal from HF is definitely slightly different and would produce different levels. Which phone platform and app are you using out of curiosity? Some of the apps have to have a little configuration and playing with the sampling to get them going. On IOS the one I used was Decibel Meter Sound Detector from Ashraf
@@ClientGraphics
i just pullled up the first app
i was just curious
but after your video seriously considering the lowes compressor
app is called decibel x soundmeter
Why would anyone believe the accuracy of the CFM @ 90 PSI (5.1) is any more accurate the dBA readings on the Fortress? The dBA is off in excess of 15%; if CFM is off 15%, as well, it would come in at 4.33. Liars tend to continue to lie. ClientGraphics just caught them in the act. Great work!
I have had this Fortress air compressor for about 3 weeks now and it is significantly quieter now then it was at first. I think the dBA rating on the box is in the ball park after a good break in period.
I just want to know can you paint a car with either
As a sound engineer of 35 years what weight was your set DB meter set on and there reply is "I don't know what that means and I tell them "You need to know the how to use a DB meter correctly before you start using it, was it set at "A" weight or "C" weight therefore they measure a incorrect reading. "A" weight is for low level sound like conference rooms/ board meeting rooms. "C" weight is for measuring amplified sounds. Make sure you use the correct weight measurement.
that floor model for the fortress must have been a prototype because many reviews on harbor freight say the fortress one is very quiet. they may have updated the new ones to make them come down to their rated decibel specs
He also compared in different locations
Nice review! It's timely for me that I came across this, as I was just looking at these last month. My biggest reason for wanting a compressor in this range would be mostly for painting - airbrushing and HVLP for R/C projects, and possibly for a nail gun on DIY projects. If my needs were more demanding, like for automotive tools, I'd probably lean toward the Fortress, but even at the sale price, the Kobalt seems like the better deal to me. Honestly, a 20+ Gallon model would otherwise be overkill for my needs, but I need the decent CFM rate. Now, if Fortress were to offer something to compete with the California Air Tools 10020C compressor that can put out over 5 CFM at 90 PSI, that would be something I'd consider over the Kobalt if they priced it right. HF/Fortress seems to be competing directly with CAT on the sub 5 gallon ones; it would be a shame if they didn't go after that 10 gallon market as well. The same motor on the Fortress 5 Gallon Job Site compressor could probably fit the bill on a 10 Gallon.
Thanks for commenting and I’m glad that I was able to help your decision making process👍🏻
From what I've read on the box the Fortress air compressor has an aluminum tank. Does the Kobalt have a steel tank or aluminum?
Steel
Will any of these run a 20 ton air Jack?
Is it possible that the fortress requires a run-in procedure that the kobalt compressor doesn't?
The fortress sounded unhealthy to me, rough and clattering, like an engine that has low oil pressure or something.
The Fortress does have a break in procedure that has to be performed before building pressure in the tank. I have had this Fortress compressor for a few days and after some use it is a bit quieter then it was at first. The one thing I have noticed is most of the noise on this compressor comes from the air entering the tank. I'm not sure if it is due to how much air the compressor moves or what but it kind of sounds like when you are adding air to a tire only louder. The Fortess also uses a brushless motor motor which spins faster then a traditional compressor motor and makes more of a high pitch sound then a regular bushed motor. While it is different it is a nice upgrade since brushless motors last longer and are more efficient then the traditional electric motor commonly used in compressors.
@@mopar0IIII0jeep I experienced the same thing. After break in, I thought it was loud, but after some pressure cycles, it seems to be getting quieter. Much better build than the kobalt which is most likely a rebadged Campbell and Hausfield. They make most tool brand air compressors.
UPDATE
After running my Fortress 27 gallon air compressor for a few weeks now it is significantly quieter then it was at first. Night and day difference.
Standard decibel ratings are measured at 1 meter from the sound source.
I guess the first one is belt driven and the cobalt is direct driven, so in case of fail in the first one you only have to switch the motor. In the second one, you have to dump the unit.
That replacement motor probably costs as much as just buying another entire unit.
Get that kobalt now for $260 call it a day
incomplete data, the starting tank pressure is not displayed for the harbor freight compressor, could have been noise from higher back pressure on the compressor versus zero pressure to start with the kobalt
I'm really curious how they compare in run time to full, that's a pretty crucial bit of info to not gather in my opinion. Other than that the info was good
27 gallon takes 11 minutes
26 gallon takes 9 minutes
edit: Nevermind the 26 gallon one is from harbor freight and actually goes to 180psi
Hey This was a very good video. I’m looking at several different ones Silent Air , Husky, Kobalt. I would have thought Harbor Freight would have come out and used the same motors that are on Kobalt. A nice 30 gallon 2 horsepower with 6 CFM , 175 psi 120 would be nice. I want to spray rust proofing material under my vehicles. Leaning towards the Kobalt with 3year warranty. Maybe the oil one next to it with 175 psi. I think either one will do the job.
joseph puchel Both should work. You may have to do some math and calculate the runtime before catch-up or do a dry run just to see how air flow is to ensure your timing and flow. Good luck 👍🏻
2 years in and have a bad pressure regulator. Bleeds off anything past 60 psi. You can't just take the compressor to the store and exchange it. Kobalt customer service sends you parts that you partially pay for.
This Air compressor company already outsmart people they just don't know
Not a fair comparison. Fortress has a ultra quiet compressor with similar stats. Why didn't you do a decibel check on that 26 gal Fortress compressor for a more fair comparison. The ultra quiet 26 gal 175 PSI Fortress compressor is built as well as the Kobalt, most likely has a similar noise level, and I believe the two are very close in dimensions. That would be a better comparison video.
How much does it cost new
Please consider getting a new mic. I'm maxed out and can barely hear you. Nice video though :)
The fortress is a aluminum tank i believe and if it is that means more to me than just about anything. Steel tanks have a rust and bursting issue and that rust even in just a year gets into your air supply.
You're not going to find a large aluminum tank for under $500. Only the small ones. I wouldn't want an aluminum anyway. Steel is a lot stronger and I'd be concerned about aluminum cracking or busrting because it gouges easily. Keep your tank drained and it will last a long time.
Decibels are typically rated at 20ft away.
Is the tank steel or aluminum?
Just picked up my fortress for 350 new from Harbor freight
Mr. D same decision I’m trying to make at that price point.
Very pleased with mine
I had the kobalt compressor and it was very quiet.....when it worked.
yeah when it worked. I had the same experience.
Christ, the Kobalt 26 gallon compressor should have been compared to the Fortress
26 Gallon 175 PSI Ultra Quiet Vertical Air Compressor!! What we have right now is like comparing apples to oranges.
On my computer speakers it was pretty quiet, until i turned the sound up
Wow can't believe just how many idiots eat this up with comments like "life saver," "this video made my decision clear," "you saved me hundreds," "you always have informative information," and how the idiots all thumbs up and comment each other on their stupidity while the educated comments that actually makes sense are ignored with zero thumbs up and no comments.
There was absolutely nothing informative since both items do list the dimensions and pretty self explanatory that the ultra quiet is not as loud as the compressor that's not designed or marketed as an ultra quiet, just that its quieter than previous model not quieter than everyone else. All this video showed was the measurements and what it would sound if you was to stick your head up against the compressor (NOTICE ON HARBOR FREIGHT TEST THE DB METER WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE INTAKE FILTER/MUFFLER) and on the cobalt meter was on the complete opposite side. No need to sabotage the HF compressor by having the db meter right up on the loudest part and also installing the muffler without the filter to get even more sound.
I do agree the cobalt is quieter than the fortress 200 psi, but not in performance. The better comparison would have been the cobalt ultra quiet vs fortress ultra quiet is it quieter than the fortress ultra quiet don't know or do I know if it out performs.
A person that needs subscribers because it helps get you and your channel out to see these products and not have to read behind a computer screen probably isn't that sharp of a tool anyways. A real tool reviewer knows about the tools and would always be out around the tools either buying or checking them out not one that only sees first hand because it was brought to your attention. The first sign of your ignorance besides comparing these compressors is thinking that a steel braided cable was going to do anything. If you replace the rubber hose with a cable you would have no air flow. Now a braided hose not cable would help keep the hose from expanding, but nothing with flow. Also you didn't help explain what is good/bad with the different design pumps the longevity, what you get with more tank pressure and the difference in tools that can and can't be run in those cfm ranges. Biggest thing that is a no brainer of your ignorance and bias is the placement of the db meter that alone discredits anything you have ever said or will say. The only way you wouldn't have realize is your a fake and knows nothing about anything tool related.
the high perf 200psi isba regular oilfree pump the new 175psi states ultra quiet and just go it xmaseve now this is the vs to compare to for equal noise battle
One thing you didn't mention was the higher pressure on the Fortress, which allows it to store significantly more air than the Kobalt. There are a few tools that need higher pressure, but the main benefit is the exponentially greater air storage for the same size tank.
Videos don’t do the Kobalt justice. I made a video of my Kobalt running when I first got it home and the play back of the video on my phone was much louder than the compressor was. I’ve had gaming consoles that were louder than the Kobalt.
Uhhh 200 psi, 5.1 CFM @90. there’s a good reason it’s a bit louder than the Kobalt lol. Both are quieter than my Bostitch pancake. And OMYGOSH HF has ...COUPONS😂
HF puts their various brands of compressors on sale fairly often, but I believe most of their compressors, including the Fortress models, are excluded from the 20% coupons they typically offer, so it's not likely you can get the Fortress, even on sale, at a price to match the Kobalt's regular price, and Lowes puts their compressors on sale periodically too. Plus, if you're in the military or a veteran, you get an additional 10% discount on Lowes purchases, even when items are on sale. If I were in the market for a new compressor, I'd be tempted by the Kobalt because of it's lower price, longer warranty, and noticeably quieter operation.
4.5cfm vs 5.1cfm isn't a huge difference for 150 bones difference especially when there both inflated numbers most likely
Pat H Both to me over stated how quiet they were 🤫
It's over 13%
200 psi vs 150 is though, at 30% higher
@@ClientGraphics Also, dug a little deeper and download both manuals for the compressors.
The Fortress specs are: 6.3 SCFM @ 40 PSI, 5.1 SCFM @ 90 PSI.
At main site, Lowe's only shows this info: Air Delivery SCFM @ 90PSI (CFM)4.5
. Air Delivery SCFM @ 100PSI (CFM) 4.3. Air Delivery SCFM @ 175PSI (CFM) 0 BUT IN THE MANUAL THAT CAN BE DOWNLOADED IT ALSO SHOWS: CFM @ 40 PSI 5.5. Conclusion: Not only is the max pressure 50 psi less in the tank for the Kobalt, but also it is even slower comparatively at 40 psi when recovering, aka 6.3 for Fortress, vs 5.5 for Kobalt. So the Fortress is only a little slower at 90 (i.e. 5.5 cfm) that the Kobalt is at less than half the psi (40 at 5.1). Obviously there is no CFM spec for 175 or 200 for the Kobalt as it doesn't do above 150 psi.
You should probably compare apples to apples the 200 psi compressor is not their quiet series you should compare to 175 psi fortress compressor
Fast and easy to use
Price is now $70 more making it a more difficult choice at this point.
Yes, noise makes a difference, but your review doesn't focus on much else. The difference in maximum psi makes a large functional difference, such that IMHO these two machines are not directly comparable.
Not sure you didn't compare the quiet 26 gal Fortress to the quiet 26 gal Kobalt. That would be a much more apples to apples comparison IMO.
Kobalt hands down. I rather have The Kobalt, with military discount longer warranty and other possible manager discounts; Including it's quieter and will last longer ( Plus be used with a drop cord) Kobalt Wins.
The “Standard” measurement for decibels is exactly 3’. Those Chinese Compressors love to put stickers on their units with Low dB numbers, but it is (often) at 25-35’ !!
SCFM is Standard Cubic FEET Per Minute, not Flow
Ànytime I've been looking at sound ratings for stuff like exhaust fàns it is at 5'......... For what it's worth.
I don't shop at Lowes anymore after what they did to long time employees to make there stockholders happy.... EFF Lowes.
Yeah..... pretty sure I have the loudest compressor on the market
Dan McKevitt's Tools & Bagels Don’t worry I have a noisy compressor as well!
And a Kobalt 60 gallon 2 stage compressor sells for $ 589 . 00
Harbor freight dropped the price to where im going to go with the fortress compressor.
Nice, I didn’t know the prices dropped! That’s good to know
@@ClientGraphics ya on the Harbor Freight website their $369 now.
@@towboatjeff
I picked on up brand new last night with a coupon for $349.00! Score!
And now the Fortress is down to $389...With the 25% no restrictions coupon brings it to $292. Tempting...
$349 now today without any discounts.
You wanna a quiet compressor....go buy a SENCO conpressor.....i dont know if they still make them. I had a little one for airbrushing rc car bodies years ago and yoy can tell tell it was barely on...it was like a 1 or 2 gallon....it wasnt cheap neather it was like around $300. I had to order it online i forgot threw who though
Anyhow the fortress compressors remind me of the senco compressor
I dont have the senco no more as i winded up giving it away as i havent airbrushed in years
No doubt Senco compressors are generally very high in quality.
Manufacturers usually rate decibels at 10’
Braided cable ??? Lmao. Do you mean a braided hose. ?
Certainly there is a trade-off. The fact that one operates at 200 psi versus 150 psi and the Kobalt has 1 gallon less accumulation space means if you are running at 90 psi the Kobalt compressor will need to kick on more often. The amount of extra cu. ft. of accumulation is significant. This has nothing to do with the quality. Just operational spec difference that makes these difficult to compare. Both seem to be fine. Just sayin’
you didnt even compare the quiet fortress.
This went up $70 in three years due to "inflation"
The Kobalt I mean