I’ve spent the better part of two decades in shops where the air compressor is the heartbeat of the building, and I can tell you there’s a specific kind of frustration that comes with a battery-powered tool dying right when you’re in the zone. You know that feeling. You’re leaning into a stubborn bolt, and the LED starts flashing red, leaving you dead in the water while the charger does its slow dance. It makes you wonder: Do pneumatic tools last longer than their high-tech, brushless electric cousins? Look—the short answer is a resounding yes, but the “why” is where things get interesting for anyone who actually turns a wrench for a living. Most people see the hose as a tether, a nuisance that limits movement, but that hose is actually a lifeline to a much simpler, more robust era of engineering. While cordless tech has made massive leaps, the fundamental physics of air power haven’t changed, and that simplicity is exactly why these tools are still the kings of the professional bay. Honestly? It comes down to what isn’t inside the casing. When you crack open a high-end cordless impact wrench, you’re looking at a miniature computer, complete with circuit boards, delicate sensors, and a complex motor that hates heat. In contrast, an air tool is basically a series of vanes and a rotor. It’s mechanical poetry. Seriously, the question of whether Do pneumatic tools last longer isn’t just about the years on the calendar; it’s about the total hours of “trigger time” they can handle before the internals turn into expensive paperweights. In my experience, a well-maintained air tool can outlive three generations of battery platforms. It’s not even a fair fight when you consider the lifecycle of a lithium-ion cell versus a solid steel vane.