There are several types of industrial compressors. These types include: axial compressors, centrifugal compressors, diaphragm compressors, liquid ring compressors, reciprocating compressors, rotary vane compressors, screw compressors.

Axial compressors consist of multiple airfoils attached around the circumference of a drum and extending to the casing. Multiple sets of these may be included in order to achieve the desired process requirement. This rotating drum with attached airfoils is the rotor. In between each of the rotating stes of airfoils is a set of stationary airfoils which are attached to the casing. This casing with its stationary airfoils is the stator. The cross-sectional area between rotor drum and casing is reduced in the direction of flow this creates the required compression.

Axial compressors are used in high flow rate applications. They are widely used in gas turbines. Axial compressors are typically high efficiency compressors but are relatively expensive.

Diaphragm compressors consist of a flexible diaphragm which moves back and forth inside of a casing compressing the gas with each stroke. It is a positive displacement compressor functioning in the same manner as a piston reciprocating compressor.

Centrifugal compressors consist of an impeller that is attached to a shaft and rotates inside of a casing. The gas is accelerated centrifugally toward the casing outlet. A diffuser converts the high velocity gas into a higher pressure gas.

Centrifugal compressors are relatively energy efficient, and provide high air flow. However, they cannot achieve the higher compression ratio that other compressor types achieve. Single stage centrifugal compressors can achieve pressure ratios of up to 10:1. With multiple staging, they can achieve very high output pressures.

Liquid ring compressors function by rotating an impeller within an eccentric casing. The liquid (usually water) is fed into the pump and, by centrifugal acceleration, forms a moving cylindrical ring against the inside of the casing. This liquid ring creates a seal between the impeller vanes and the casing. The eccentricity between the casing and the impeller's rotation creates a sealed volume of gas that reduces in size as the gas progresses from the inlet to the outlet creating the compression.

Reciprocating compressors use pistons driven by a crankshaft. They can be single or multi-staged. Reciprocating compressors are commonly found in industrial applications. Discharge pressures range from low pressure to very high pressure. They are ideal for low flow, high pressure applications. They are the most commonly used for air compressor applications.

Screw compressors use two rotating helical screws to force the gas from a larger space into into a smaller space. These are usually used for continuous operation in commercial and industrial applications and may be either stationary or portable. Their application can be from 3 horsepower (2.2 kW) to over 1,200 horsepower (890 kW) and from low pressure to very high pressure (>1200 psi or 8.3 MPa). Many refrigerant compressors are screw compressors.

Rotary vane compressors consist of a rotor with a number of blades attached radial in a rotor. The rotor is mounted offset in a larger housing. As the rotor turns, blades slide in and out of the slots keeping contact with the outer wall of the casing. This creates pockets of decreasing volume and thus pressurizing the gas.

Rotary vane compressors can also function as a vacuum pump.