1, What is an Air Hose?

Most are familiar with an air hose through the use of an air compressor, which is connected to another device via a hose. Even if some people do not own an air compressor, car owners have likely used one at one time or another to inflate tires. They are often found at a fueling station where air can be obtained for no charge or for a small fee.

An air hose is a device used to deliver air to a product such as an air tool or air compressor. The uses of an air hose run the gambit from recreational uses to life-saving devices and cover many points in between. Most air hoses are made to be durable because their ability to remain airtight is critical to proper operation.

air hose for compressor

2, Choosing The Right AIR HOSE For Your Compressor.

Getting yourself a quality air compressor hose is essential to ensure stable air pressure, a tight seal, and a consistent power output, but with a huge range of variety of hoses available on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start when making your selection. Whether you’re a home or professional air compressor user, you’ll need a dependable air hose to get the most out of your air tools. Use these guidelines to ensure you make an informed decision in choosing an air hose that’s efficient, reliable, and suitable for your applications.

We measure air hoses by their internal diameter (or I.D), and come in standard sizes of ¼”, ⅜” or ½” or metric sizes of 6mm, 8mm, or 10mm. Simply speaking, the larger the hose I.D, the more air it’ll be able to carry. Since higher ID correlates to higher air capacity, While the external diameter of air hoses will vary wildly depending on the quality of the hose and the material it’s made from, common internal sizes of air hose are 6mm, 8mm and 10mm internal diameter.

black compressor air hose

3, What Material Should Air Hose Be Made From?

The material of which an air hose is made will affect its weight, performance, longevity, and flexibility, so it’s crucial to understand the differences in materials before making a decision to purchase a new hose. We’ve put together this quick-select table so you can see the difference between the options.

PVC Rubber Polyurethane(PU)
Durability & Flexibility Flexible and a little kink Naturally abrasion resistant. Lies flat and doesn’t kink. Very durable. Less flexible however they make fantastic recoil hoses.
Weight Very light and easy to transport. ~1/4th the weight of rubber. The heaviest type of air hose Very light and easy to transport. ~1/4th the weight of rubber.
Cold weather Poor cold weather performance. ~ -5°C(23°F). Mediocre performance in the cold. ~ -20°C(-4°F). Excellent performance, in the minus range. ~ -30°C(-22°F).
Application Medium duty usage.  PVC is preferable over rubber, purely because of the reduced weight. Regular to heavy-duty use. Suitable for industrial, agricultural, professional, and home settings.  Durable and hard-wearing, making it useful for high-pressure applications. Not as flexible as rubber or PVC.
Price Affordable price, large dosage Very dependable medium-budget hoses. Higher than PVC and rubber materials
PVC Air Hoses
PVC Air Hose
rubber air hose with fittings
Rubber Air Hose
PU Air Hose

4, Air Hose Connectors and Accessories

Connectors are a vital component of pressurised gas and air tools, ensuring a reliable flow of pressure from the compressor. They are used to join hoses to compressors or tools, attach lengths of hose or divide a hose in different directions. They are also known as couplings, couplers fittings, splitters or manifolds. As with other types of adaptors, those for air hoses are typically divided into male and female connections.

Different-sized air hoses require different adaptors. A further factor is the pressure tolerance required. The following are some of the most commonly-seen types of connectors:

  • ¼” British Standard Pipe Thread (BSPT)

  • ¼” Push Connector Locking (PCL)

  • 3/8” National Pipe Thread (NPT)

Despite the name, British Standard Pipe is an internationally used standard for the connected threaded tapered male to female pipes and tubing. Male connections are labelled ‘BSPM’ and female fittings ‘BSPF’.

PCL couplings are a variant design made by the British company Pneumatic Components Ltd (PCL). They are operated by a collar which exerts backwards pressure on the hose and is ideal for use in quieter fixed settings.

NPT is a similar standard to BSPT but with a steeper angle. Male NPT connectors create a tight seal by stretching the female receptacle. NPT and BSPT connectors are compatible but do not create a seal when joined.

Quick-release couplings are an alternative to threading which makes use of O-rings instead of valves. These are less prone to twisting the air hose when in use.

Most connectors are made from plastic, brass, aluminium or steel. Sturdiness and reliability are also important so look for brands that have been quality tested.

Coiled or retractable air hosing typically includes built-in male and female connectors at either end for swift connection to gas tanks, compressors and tools. These may be threaded connectors or quick-release couplings.

To change an industrial hose fitting in the event of wear and tear:

  1. Cut off the old connector

  2. Measure the internal diameter of the hose

  3. Locate a replacement fitting of the correct size

  4. Attach the new fitting using a clip or wrench