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Oil-Free vs Oil-Filled, Senco PC1010 vs Makita MAC700

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When it comes to air compressors, you will find a wide range of models, manufacturers, and features available in the market. Each unit is judged based on the features it boasts and whether it pays off in terms of value for money.

After combing through this dense market of air compressors, we have chosen two comparable units. Each of these units is manufactured by two of the most respectable, big name companies in the compressor market.

Even though there are close similarities, the two products we have chosen take a different approach with their features. When you look at the PC1010 vs Makita MAC700, you could be forgiven for thinking that the units appear similar from the outside.

Both have relatively small tanks (albeit the Senco has one of the smallest on the market), both have similar max PSI levels, and they even produce around the same amount of noise. This proves the point of similarities between the two!

However, as you go beyond these features and take a deeper look, you will find that the differences are quite significant. If you’ve found yourself weighing the Senco PC1010 against the Makita MAC700 and asking which one is right for you, then a head-to-head comparison between the two could be exactly what you need.

This comparison is exactly what we’ve done. From here on onwards, you will find a comprehensive comparison between the two units. The information will help you finalize which of the two is more suitable for your needs.

Unit Overview

Here’s a head to head summary of the main features of the two air compressor units:

Senco PC1010
Makita MAC700
CFM Rating
Pressure
Roll Cage Type
Weight
Tank Capacity
Noise Level
Motor
Price Range
• 0.6 CFM @ 90 PSI
• 125 PSI Max
• Partial
• 20 lbs.
• 1 Gallon Tank
• 83 db
• 0.5 hp Motor
• $100-$150

• 3.3 CFM @ 90 PSI
• 130 PSI Max
• Partial
• 59 lbs.
• 2.6 Gallon Tank
• 90 db
• 2hp Motor
• $150-$200

Which of These Compressors Is the Most Portable?

Red air compressor
Red air compressor

Regardless of whether you want to use the unit for DIY projects at home or on job sites, portability is an important feature to factor while searching for the right one. The ease with which you can move the compressor around will impact the overall project.

When it comes to the two units under comparison here, both are portable. Considering though that the  is one of the lightest compressors we’ve ever seen, it’s with certainty that we can say that it’s the most portable out of the two units compared.

The  , on the other hand, is almost 40 pounds heavier. This could be significant if you’re someone who needs to travel with or move your compressor a lot. Consequently, it is highly recommended that you use a dolly with the Makita unit. For many, this is a definite negative point against portability and storage.

Moving on, both units have built-in carry handles and their footprints are relatively small. But if you require lightweight portability above all else, then the Senco wins easily.

How do these Air Compressors Compare with Features and Overall Design?

After portability, the overall features of the unit and design are the factors that need consideration. It might not seem like it, but the design of the air compressor is just as important as its portability. It impacts its performance, sturdiness, and structural longevity of the unit.

For the units under consideration, neither has a full roll cage. Despite this, the Makita MAC700 has a better frame and added protection compared to the PC1010.

Furthermore, the Makita unit has much more heft to it than the Senco unit, making it sturdier than the latter. Makita chose to weld the carry handle directly to the tank, making it feel like an all in one unit.

While the Senco unit doesn’t feel frail in the least, it’s definitely not up to the standard set by the MAC700. This is expected considering that the Makita unit carries a more expensive price tag. It also means that the Senco unit is designed for more DIY-based home projects, whereas the Makita could be used on a worksite as long as it was only for light duty tasks.

What you can’t ignore is the fact that the Senco is an oil-free unit, whereas the Makita uses oil as a lubricant. A unit being oil-free is a definite bonus feature as it eliminates the need for maintenance. Even though this is a positive attribute, an oil-lubricated air compressor usually lasts much longer. To understand more about air compressor oil, you can have a look at our guide here.

Considering the fact above, you can expect the Makita air compressor to outlast the Senco one, provided you maintain it regularly. Of course, this also means that the Makita requires regular oil changes to keep it in top condition. Regardless, this is an important consideration to make if you’re worried about the higher price of the Makita unit.

A significant similarity between the two units is that both feature a sung ¼-inch air outlet for your tools. This is an important feature to look out for when considering the Senco PC1010 vs Makita Mac700 comparison,  as most professional-grade and standard consumer tools use this fitting.

Senco PC1010 vs Makita MAC700: Which Performs Better?

The performance capability is truly the most important consideration when you’re looking for an efficient tool. The portability and design of the air compressor would be of less consequence or rather, irrelevant when the air compressor can’t perform well to support the tools you’ll be using.

The Makita unit under review at this moment certainly is more powerful of the two. The compressor can move more air, has a larger 2.6-gallon tank compared to the 1-gallon tank of the Senco one. Furthermore, the Makita air compressor also uses a bigger bore piston and cylinder. This way, the Makita unit wins on paper just like it wins in the real world.

Even though 3.3 CFM @ 90 PSI is not industrial level, it’s plenty for home-based DIY projects including trim work, carpentry, flooring, and even roofing repairs. You wouldn’t want to use the Makita for complete installations and new builds but it’s more than capable for DIY projects and renovations.

Air guns, tire inflation, and air hose cleaning are all possible with the Makita Unit. However, keep in mind that air will be consumed quickly and you will find yourself waiting between recharge cycles. In this respect, the Makita wins but it’s not a complete whitewash. The Makita is also limited by a relatively small tank and is not suitable for high and continuous flow tools.

The Senco, on the other hand, is somewhat limited in what it can do. It only produces 0.6 CFM @ 90 PSI, which makes it strictly usable for smaller staplers and nailers with some other lightweight capabilities.

In terms of duty cycles, the Makita air compressor has a shorter one, coming up to 50% of every hour. The Senco air compressor fares a little better at 70%. Keep in mind though that the smaller tank on the Senco means that it will likely be cycling more often than the Makita. Based on this observation, it’s not easy to draw a comparison between the two units in this respect.

For other performance requirements for our PC1010 vs Makita Mac700 research results, you need to ask yourself what kind of tools you will be using and purchase a compressor that fits your needs.

CFM is going to be a major factor, so make sure you check out our Guide to CFM for Air Compressors to educate yourself better on the subject. At the end of the day, if you won’t ever work outside the limitations of the PC1010, then go with the Senco. However, if you need the additional capacity and air flow, the Makita is the obvious choice.

The high CFM output and the sturdier construction are probably the most important factors for the Makita model being more expensive than the Senco one.

Warranty Coverage and Build Quality

Lastly, warranty coverage and build quality are equally important factors that can tip the balance of two very similar air compressors. These are important aspects to factor in as good warranty coverage and build quality increase the longevity of the unit.

The manufacturing of both Makita MAC700 and Senco PC1010 units happens over in the company’s facilities based in Taiwan. Even though both units are manufactured according to high quality standards, the Makita air compressor is definitely a grade above than the Senco unit.

Everything, from the quality of the hardware to the direct welding, and even the way that the Makita has a shielded motor, makes it the more solid unit. However, this heavy-duty construction does come at a price. By that, we don’t mean just the monetary value of the unit. The “price” we are referring to here is the additional weight the Makita unit carries, which is 29 lbs. more than what the Senco unit weighs.

As for warranty, both units come with the standard 12-month coverage. Also, both companies are pretty diligent about their customer service. You won’t have trouble contacting either Makita or Senco for after sales service and support.

Pros And Cons

Senco PC1010
Makita MAC700
PROS
• The 125 PSI makes it perfect for light use
• Short pump-up time 128 secs
• Rapid recharge time 35 secs
• Extremely lighweight, stable & portable
• Exceptional build quality

CONS
• Small tank size can be limiting its uses
• Only 1 air hose can be attached at a time
• A small compressor can impact performance at the slightest leak
• The foam covering on the handle can easily deteriorate

PROS
• Oiled pump ensures its longevity
• High quality construction
• Full recharge to 130 PSI under a minute
• Rubber feet minimize vibration
• Rebuilds pressure in < 20 secs from cut in

CONS
• Despite being portable, the unit is heavier than others and needs dolly
• The cycle duty is 50%, less than the typical 75% of other oil free compressors

Final Thoughts

blue pneumatic air compressor
blue pneumatic air compressor

With the pros and cons all explained above in this Senco PC1010 vs Makita Mac700 showdown, we conclude the comparison of the two very respectable air compressor units currently available in the market. We uncovered both positive and negative aspects of both units.

The Senco PC1010 manages to shine when it comes to portability. Besides that, the Makita MAC700 is built to a higher standard in every other respect and takes the cake.

This is not to say that it is ‘better’ for your needs. At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself a few questions. The answers to these questions will help you prioritize what factors are more important. Some of the most important questions include:

  • Do you need extra power for projects?
  • Can you deal with the extra weight?
  • Can you make room in the budget to cover the higher price?

For basic trim work and low CFM pneumatic tools to inflation, the Senco will get by. It’s just that the Makita does everything that the Senco does, with the bonus of being able to run tools with higher CFM requirements. If that’s what you need, the Makita is definitely worth the extra money you pay.

However, before you plunge in and make the purchase, check out our reviews for both air compressors. These reviews explain more about the design, the individual tools you can use with the unit, tips for maintenance, and much more.

You will find the Senco PC1010 review here and the Makita MAC700 on this page here. You can also check out all of our Air Compressors at a Glance or view all of our feature reviews here.

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