Best Water Separators for Air Compressors of 2023

This Neiko is our pick for the top water separator, and looking at the satisfaction ratings and the sheer number of sales, it’s easy to see why. It has a 0.25-inch NPT universal inlet, which easily connects with spray guns and air tools.

It’s well constructed, with aluminum housing and brass fittings to maximize the lifespan and a clear polycarbonate bowl so you can see when the filter needs changing. Just press the release valve, and all the debris escapes. It also operates on a maximum working pressure of 90 PSI.

The other great thing about this separator is the price. It sells for a lot less than many similar models, and yet it gets great reviews.

For all-round performance, price, and customer satisfaction, this had to be our top pick.

If you want a separator that handles high flow rates, this could be the best choice. It has a maximum working pressure of 175 PSI and an airflow rate of 140 CFM. This device gives you the option to scale up your tools and get some heavy-duty work done.

It keeps dirt, dust, and oil from entering your compressor tank and damaging your air tools, and thanks to the metal bowl and housing, it is robust enough to take whatever punishment you throw at it.

The NPT inlet is 0.375 inches in diameter, but it does come in a larger 0.50-inch size. It even has an automatic drain that kicks in when the bowl gets to half-full. This saves you precious time and keeps you working as you don’t have to stop to empty the debris from the bowl.

Campbell Hausfeld is a respected name in the compressor world, so it stands to reason that they should also produce outstanding water separators. This model has a quick release feature that enables you to remove the dirt and debris faster than other models.

Unlike the Neiko, this separator has a 0.375-inch NPT inlet, so it’s slightly wider. The oil filter traps 99.9 percent of all oil aerosols, and the desiccant system removes water vapor, and the outlet screen stops desiccant particles from entering the compressor.

This model stops particles as small as 5 microns and has an airflow of 57 CFM at 90 PSI. This water separator is more expensive than the Neiko, costing over 3 times as much, but when you look at the level of filtering this model offers, you might overlook the price.

Finding a water separator with an automatic drain is actually quite rare. Most models are either manual or semi-automatic. This CrocSee model has a drain system that empties when the compressor is idle and seals again when it is under pressure. You never have to worry about contaminants entering your compressor.

This separator cannot match the THB model for airflow and PSI maximums, but it does have a respectable maximum of 145 PSI and a CFM rate of 26. The NPT inlet measures 0.25 inches, and it has a working temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

It even comes with a wall bracket to help you mount it. Pricewise, this model is more in keeping with the Neiko separator, costing half that of the Campbell Hausfeld version.

When it comes to using a spray paint gun, this Jewboer model is a great choice. It attaches directly to the air port of the spray gun so that you can monitor the separator for dirt and debris. It also allows the vapor to cool as it travels along the air compressor hose and collects in the bowl of the separator.

It has a maximum working pressure of 90 PSI, but with most spray guns, especially HVLP guns, they operate better at a lower PSI. This model stops oil, water, and foriegn objects from finding their way into your air tool.

The inlet and outlet port measure 0.25 inches, and it retails at an incredible price. The downside is while this separator is advertised as NPT, many buyers have complained that it is, in fact, an NPS thread.