Choosing a pneumatic cylinder is one of those decisions that can bottle up an entire hydraulics and pneumatics bench. Get the bore too small and you lack force; get the stroke too short and your load won't reach the end of its travel. Here we compare two pneumatic cylinders: the PARKER 1" Bore X 2" Stroke Pneumatic Cylinder Series 2A 250 PSI at $29.95, and the BAOMAIN Pneumatic Air Cylinder 5" Bore 15" Stroke SC125x380 at $77.17. Both are open-box units, but they sit at opposite ends of the size and price spectrum.
Quick verdict
If your workspace is tight and your travel needs are modest, the Parker is the obvious pick: a steel tie-rod unit with a small footprint. If your application demands long stroke and high force, the Baomain is worth the higher price.
At a glance
| Feature | Parker 1" x 2" | Baomain 5" x 15" |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.95 | $77.17 |
| Bore | 1" | 5" |
| Stroke | 2" | 15" |
| Action | Double-acting | Double-acting |
| Construction | Steel tie-rod | Aluminum alloy |
Where each product wins
The Parker wins on build and porting. It is rated to 250 PSI, uses a steel tie-rod body, and has clearly specified rod threads: a 1/2-inch rod with male 5/16-24 ports and 1/4 NPT inlets. That makes hooking it into an air line straightforward. The Baomain wins on scale and maintenance. The self-lubricating bearing is designed to run without extra oiling, which is a real benefit in continuous automation. The bigger bore and longer stroke give it a much larger work envelope.
PARKER 1" Bore X 2" Stroke Pneumatic Cylinder Series 2A 250 PSI
The Parker is a tie-rod style unit with a steel body and a 250 PSI rating, so it is built for compressed-air duty in a compact envelope. It has clearly listed rod threads: a 1/2-inch rod with male 5/16-24 ports and 1/4 NPT inlets, which removes the guesswork when connecting fittings. It comes as new old stock from a previous production run. The main limitation is the short stroke: it suits clamping, stopping, and short-index moves, but it won't carry a load very far. If your motion fits within that travel, the Parker is a low-cost, no-nonsense way to get controlled actuation.
BAOMAIN Pneumatic Air Cylinder 5" Bore 15" Stroke SC125x380
The Baomain is a standard pneumatic cylinder with a durable aluminum alloy body and a self-lubricating bearing, so the rod can cycle without manual oiling. It is intended for industrial automation. The large bore and long stroke cover extended linear movement, making it useful for pushing or pulling across a machine. The trade-off is physical size: this cylinder takes up a great deal of clearance, so you need to confirm your mounting space before committing. If your rig can handle the footprint, the Baomain delivers extended-range actuation in a single unit.
Final choice by use case
Before buying, measure your available space and required stroke, and check your air supply's flow capacity. A large-bore cylinder such as the Baomain consumes more air per stroke, while the Parker is easier on supply and fit. Choose the Parker for tight spaces and short-cycle tasks such as clamping, stopping, and quick indexing. Choose the Baomain when you need long travel and high force. The right cylinder will be obvious once you know your travel and force needs.
