What is a Reciprocating Air Compressor and Its Benefits? Reciprocating air compressors (also known as Piston air compressors) are positive-displacement compressors that use a crankshaft-driven piston and cylinder to compress the air. Successive volumes of air are confined within a closed space, elevating this air to a higher pressure. The reciprocating air compressor accomplishes this by using a piston within a cylinder as the compressing and displacing element. One of the key advantages of using reciprocating compressors is that the initial cost of installing them is typically lower. Other benefits of using reciprocating compressors include: 1) Ability to produce both high-power and high-pressure air. 2) It can compress gases and refrigerants of many molecular densities. 3) High efficiency and flexibility. 4) Relatively low maintenance costs and ability to provide continuous flow. 5) High durability, low-priced & readily available spare parts.