Choosing an industrial motor usually starts with the numbers on the old motor's nameplate: horsepower, phase, frame, and speed. When you are comparing 5HP single-phase compressor motors and a 2HP three-phase motor side by side, the real question is whether the replacement has to fit an existing 184T mount, a 56 frame, or a 56C face. The four motors in this guide range from $128.79 to $455 and cover three different mounting and electrical situations, so a lower price does not automatically mean a better deal unless the motor actually fits your machine.
Quick take
Need a 5HP single-phase air compressor motor? The two 184T options are priced about $5 apart. The 5HP SPL GARVEE motor is a 3450RPM 56-frame unit at the low end of the price range. Need three-phase power? The 2HP 56C TEFC motor is a different category entirely. Match frame, phase, and speed first; price is the last deciding factor.
Listed price comparison
| Motor | Listed price | Price bar |
| 5HP 1750RPM Air Compressor Electric Motor 184T Single Phase TEFC 208-230V | USD 449.99 | |
| 1 Piece 5 HP Single Phase Industrial Air Compressor Electric Motor 184T Frame | USD 455.00 | |
| 5HP SPL Air Compressor Electric Motor 230V 3450RPM 5/8" Keyed Shaft Single Phase | USD 128.79 | |
| 2 HP General Electric Motor 3 Phase 56C Frame 1800 RPM TEFC 230 / 460 Volt New | USD 176.80 | |
Decision matrix
| If your machine needs... | Pick this motor |
| A 5HP single-phase 184T motor with TEFC enclosure and 1750RPM | 5HP 1750RPM 184T TEFC |
| A 5HP single-phase 184T motor with direct-replacement fit and a two-year warranty | 1 Piece 5 HP Industrial Air Compressor 184T |
| A 5HP single-phase 230V motor with 3450RPM and a 56 frame | 5HP SPL 230V 3450RPM |
| A 2HP three-phase motor with 56C face and 1800RPM | 2 HP Three-Phase 56C TEFC |
Product notes
5HP 1750RPM Air Compressor Electric Motor 184T Single Phase TEFC 208-230V
At $449.99, this motor pairs a 184T frame with a 1750RPM base speed and single-phase 208-230V operation. The TEFC enclosure is the standout feature: totally enclosed fan-cooled construction helps keep dust and debris away from the windings, which matters when a compressor lives in a shop environment. It draws 28.5-27A at full load and is designed for single-stage and two-stage air compressor work. The limitation is the price, which sits at the top of this group alongside the other 184T 5HP motor.
1 Piece 5 HP Single Phase Industrial Air Compressor Electric Motor 184T Frame
Priced at $455.00, this 5HP single-phase motor uses the same 184T frame and 208-230V voltage range as the TEFC option, and the full-load amperage matches at 28.5-27A. What sets it apart is its direct-replacement fit for a 184T compressor mount, plus a two-year manufacturer warranty. The enclosure is ODTF, which is a more open design than total enclosure; that may be fine in a cleaner compressor room but provides less protection in dusty or dirty air. The $5.01 price difference over the TEFC motor is small, so the warranty and direct-swap positioning can decide between the two. If you already have the mating pulley and mounting pattern, this could be the lower-risk swap.
5HP SPL Air Compressor Electric Motor 230V 3450RPM 5/8" Keyed Shaft Single Phase
The price is the story here: $128.79 for a 5HP single-phase motor is well below the two 184T motors. This GARVEE SPL motor runs at 3450RPM, uses a 56 frame, and has a 5/8-inch keyed shaft, so it is not a 184T replacement. It is aimed at air compressor setups that can use a higher-speed 56-frame motor and a 5/8-inch keyed shaft. The motor is reversible (CW/CCW), which gives flexibility during installation, and the open drip-proof design suits indoor, relatively clean locations. The limitation is that the 3450RPM speed will not work as a drop-in for a 1750RPM compressor, and the 56 frame means your mounting and shaft coupling need to match exactly. It weighs 46.2 pounds.
2 HP General Electric Motor 3 Phase 56C Frame 1800 RPM TEFC 230 / 460 Volt New
At $176.80, this is a lower-horsepower motor with a different electrical profile: three-phase power instead of single-phase. The 56C frame with C-face mounting, 1800RPM speed, and 230/460V input make it a candidate for machines that already have three-phase service and a C-face mounting pattern. It is TEFC, inverter-rated, and has Class F insulation and a removable base. The limitation is that it is not a 5HP compressor motor, so it cannot replace the 184T or 56-frame 5HP units in this comparison. If your equipment is 2HP and three-phase, this is the only motor in the group that fits that need; if you need single-phase 5HP, it does not.
Final recommendation by use case
- For a 184T single-phase compressor motor running at 1750RPM with an enclosed TEFC housing, choose the 5HP 1750RPM 184T TEFC motor.
- For a 184T single-phase replacement where direct-fit positioning and the two-year warranty matter more than the $5 price difference, choose the 1 Piece 5 HP Industrial Air Compressor 184T.
- For a 56-frame single-phase compressor motor that needs 3450RPM and a 5/8-inch keyed shaft on a tight budget, choose the 5HP SPL 230V 3450RPM motor.
- For a 2HP three-phase machine with a 56C face, choose the 2 HP General Electric Motor 3 Phase 56C Frame 1800 RPM TEFC.
