| Realistically, there is no meaningful difference | | | | direction that the air compressor's tank lays. In |
| between horizontal and vertical air compressors | | | | fact, if you intend to hide the compressor under a |
| except for the way that the hardware is | | | | work table or cabinet, then buying a vertical |
| arranged. The basic idea is that a it will help save | | | | compressor would in fact be a mistake. |
| floor space since the length of its tanks runs up | | | | Obviously this is only a relevant concern for air |
| and down as opposed to across. Typically the | | | | compressors that are large enough to justify the |
| motor will sit at the base of the unit with the | | | | concern, specifically those with larger tanks. When |
| tank running up above it. As a consequence, when | | | | dealing with compressors with very small tanks |
| left sitting in a given location, it takes up less | | | | (two gallon, six gallon, eight gallon, etc.) it does not |
| horizontal space, though of course it takes up | | | | really make any difference which way the tanks |
| more vertical space. | | | | are turned with respect to horizontal floor space. |
| The primary advantage of vertical air | | | | This only becomes a real issue when dealing with |
| compressors is to small businesses and offices | | | | tanks of about twelve gallons or higher. Since |
| that need compressed air but have limited floors | | | | tanks play an important role in maintaining an |
| pace and would prefer them be stored out of | | | | even flow of air and the like which is required for |
| sight. A good example might be a dentist's office | | | | sensitive work (like dentistry), having a larger tank |
| (as they use a lot of pneumatic tools in dental | | | | is typically and important thing. |
| care) or a small rented workshop. Most vertical | | | | Since so many of the applications where floor |
| compressors can be wheeled about in a fashion | | | | space is an active concern also coincide with |
| similar to moving a hand truck and can therefore | | | | locations where volume is an issue, many of the |
| easily be positioned in a disused closet or corner. | | | | companies that specialize in the production of |
| This portability also makes these more popular if | | | | quiet air compressors offer their products in a |
| the compressor needs to be moved about | | | | vertical formation. For example, busy offices or |
| frequently. | | | | shared workspaces are places where both floor |
| Otherwise beyond the question of horizontal | | | | space and noise are joint concerns. Since air |
| space saved, there is no other meaningful | | | | compression has never really been a silent |
| difference between a horizontal and vertical air | | | | technology until recently, there are many small |
| compressor. Air compressors of all kinds can be | | | | producers that have opted to specialize in |
| found in both vertical and horizontal styles and the | | | | producing silent compressors. These specialized air |
| direction of the tank has no bearing whatsoever | | | | compressors are also frequently vertical, simply |
| on the general performance of the compressor. | | | | because this compliments many of the more |
| Therefore, if space is not a significant issue, then | | | | common applications. |
| there is no need to focus specifically on the | | | | |