Induction motors can sometimes be so confusing!
Different RPM values, voltage differences, poles, and whatnot! I bet there are many other readers as confused as you are. Are you here battling a 1725 vs 3450 RPM motor?
1725 RPM motor comes with 4 poles, whereas 3450 RPM comes with 2. Voltage requirement is lower with 1725 than 3450 one. The uses for 1750 RPM motors are for drill press, table saw, grinder, etc. Contrarily, uses of 3450 RPM motors are air compressors, cooler, metal cutters, etc. Both are easy to handle.
But that’s just a glimpse of what these motors can do. If you wanna know more, stay with us till the end.
1725 or 3450 RPM Motor: A Quick Overview
Go over this table for a quick glimpse of what we’re dealing with here. You will get a brief knowledge about both products.
Differentiating Factors | 1725 RPM Motor | 3450 RPM Motor |
Number of poles | 4- poles means 2 magnets | 2- poles means 1 magnet |
Voltage | 115 volts | 210-230 volts |
Uses | Drill press, smith motor, attic fan, table saw, grinder, cutter. | Air compressors, medical equipment refiners, metal cutting machine tools, and food machinery. |
Management/handling | Can be used to cut hardwood or metal. Doesn’t require that special treatment. | Has to be used on thinner and softer materials. Have to be careful while using it. |
Efficiency | More efficient | Efficient in certain cases. |
Even though the quick comparison gives away lots of ideas, it isn’t just enough. Thus, to choose a suitable machine, you need to go through an in-depth comparison.
1725 or 3450 RPM Motor: Detailed Comparison
Did the table prepare you with what we are gonna challenge it against? Let us help you make up your mind with some straight-up facts.
The Number Of Poles:
Motors having RPM 1760 and below are AC induction motors. Induction motors always operate slightly lower than the calculated RPM.
This is due to the electromagnetic induction mechanism and it shouldn’t be viewed as a malfunction.
The 1725 RPM motor has 4-poles in its system. There are 2-poles in each magnet. So, if there are 4-poles, the magnetic field of the motor is composed of 2 magnets.
The 3450 RPM motor has 2- poles in its system. It means there’s only 1 magnet in its field.
Having more number poles requires the motor to take more time to complete the full revolution. It also means more electromagnets are working in parallel. It means the motor is producing more torque.
So, in motor pole vs RPM, the motor speed and pole number are inversely proportional. Simply put, for having more poles it’s checking off more stops and so has a lower speed.
Winner: 1725 RPM motor has less speed than a 3450.
Frame Electric Air Compressor Electric Motor 7/8 inch Shaft 3450RPM
- Reduced starting amperage design to ensure the reduced voltage starting at rated load.
- Equipped Manual thermal overload, capacitors and high quality ball bearings to ensure the lifetime.
- Open drip-proof is better used in environment that are relatively clean and dry environments. Special design for Air Compressor duty. CCW only.
- Special design for Air Compressor duty.
- Motor is Non-Reversible CCW (Counter Clockwise) ONLY.
Voltage:
You can evaluate the motor voltage speed relation to determine the speed. For a fixed resistance, an increase in voltage means an increase in speed.
A 1725 RPM motor requires a voltage of 115 volts. On the other hand, a 3450 RPM motor requires a voltage of 21-230 volts.
So clearly, a 3450 RPM motor will have more speed than a 1725 RPM motor.
However, using more voltage equipment will draw more electricity and bump your utility bill. So, shall you choose a 3450 RPM motor, be mindful of that bill.
Winner: If you’re willing to settle for the big bill, choose 3450 RPM for the speed.

SPL 3450 RPM Single Phase NEMA Air Compressor Motor – EM-02
- Open dripproof
- Single phase Full Load amps: 15/7.5Amp, 120/240V
- 2 HP SPL 3450 RPM
- Frame Type:56, 5/8″ Keyed shaft, Shaft length:2 1/16″
- NEMA Motor is Non-Reversible CCW (Counter Clockwise) ONLY
Uses:
1725 is mostly used in a drill press, smith motor, attic fan, table saw, grinder, cutter, etc. It has comparatively less speed so it works wonders for sawing and grinding materials. It has more control and is more appropriate to be used with daily life equipment.
On the flip side, 3450 RPM is used in air compressors, medical equipment refiners, and metal cutters. The motors of this RPM are used for heavy-duty work similar to 3hp or 5hp table saw.
Air compressing, and medical equipment refining require very high-speed motors and pressure. 3450 RPM motors are also used in crushing food materials. The blade will get stuck if you use a lower RPM motor to do such work.
Winner: 3450 RPM motor can give you a higher speed for its usage.
5HP Compressor Duty Electric Motor, 56HZ Frame, 3450 RPM
- Brand new true 5hp compressor duty motor, 56hz frame, 3450rpm, 7/8″ shaft diameter
- 22 full load amp at 230v, this motor not suited for incoming voltage less than 208v
- Ccw (counter clockwise) shaft rotation when viewed from the shaft end. Shaft rotation in not reversible
- 2.25″ shaft length, keyed shaft, 60hz, 1.0 service factor
- Wiring info shown on nameplate, professional installation required
Management/Handling:
Cutting soft materials like foam or thin metal sheets with low RPM motors will be disastrous. As low RPM means low speed so the blade will get caught between each arc. This can bend the blade and ruin its shape. Other than that, it’s a pretty smooth sail.
You should use a high RPM motor for shredding or cutting through more rigid matter. The compact or harder the object the higher the RPM motor you should use.
Also, the 1725 RPM motors are quieter than 3450 RPM motors. Here’s someone demonstrating the fact.
Winner: Be a tad careful with the 3450 RPM for your safety and its own.
Efficiency:
Every induction motor has a slip to it. The slip of a motor refers to the difference between the machine’s synchronous and shaft speed.
So, how to calculate the RPM of a motor? The speed of a motor depends on the line frequency of the power supply. It also depends on the number of poles of the motor. Generally, both 2 and 4-pole motors come with a frequency of 60 Hz.
The formula to calculate the RPM of a motor is-

Where,
The frequency is 60 Hz and the number of poles is 4. That gives a whole RPM of 1800. But we need the net RPM of the motor.
Full-load RPM – no-load RPM = RPM slip.
The full load RPM is 1800 and no load RPM is 1725. So the RPM slip is 75.
On the contrary, the full load RPM for the 2-pole motor is 3600 and no load is 3450. So, the RPM slip speed of this motor is 150.
RPM motor speed slip is seen as a system loss lost by the machine while starting up. The displacement of this RPM puts the motor to the extent of loss of HP in its output.
Increased slip means increased load and thus producing greater torque. And as already said before, higher torque drops RPM and a drive can take specific torque.
So in short, what it means is-
- Less slip drops less RPM and thus loses less power output.
- More slip drops more RPM and thus loses more power output.
Winner: 1725 RPM motor is more efficient than 3450 one.
Dayton 6K778 Motor, 1/3 hp, Split PH, 1725 RPM
- Belt Drive Fan/Blower
- Split-Phase
- UL Component Recognition (E37403) & CSA Certification (258501)
- Open Drip proof
Cost:
The 1725 RPM motor generally falls under the price range of $120-$320. But a 3450 RPM motor is found for over $140 ranging to $420.
The 3450 RPM motor has a bit more torque than the 1725 motor. And because the 1725 RPM motor has 4-poles i.e. 2 magnets it’s comparatively bigger.
For this reason, the 1745 RPM motor is cheaper than the 3450 RPM motor.
In general, a low-speed motor costs more to purchase and is bigger/heavier. But a low-speed motor may be a little quieter which is often sought for benefit. You can also fix the motor noise for better performance.
There are various motors available in different price ranges. The price can also fluctuate depending on where you buy from.
Here are some recommended 1725 RPM motor models for you.
One of the most reliable 1725 RPM motors is Dayton Motor 1725 RPM.
For a drip-proof motor, go for Marathon 1725 RPM.
If you want a sleeve bearing motor, then check out Century formerly 1725 RPM Motor.
Well, hold up! We are not done yet! The 3450 RPM motors are available in huge quantities on the market. Thus, our recommendation is given below.
A reliable motor you can buy right now is Mophorn Compressor Electric Motor, 3450rpm.
A more user-friendly 3450 RPM motor is Century, 3450 RPM, Motor.
If those didn’t mark your checklists, then go for VEVOR 3450 RPM Single Phase Motor.
Winner: 3450 is more expensive than a 1725 RPM motor.
AO Smith GF2054 Sleeve Bearing Belt Drive Blower Motor
- 1/2 hp 1725 RPM, 7.2 amps, 115 Volts 60 hz.
- Resilient Cradle Base – 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ Diameter Shaft; 3″ Shaft Height
- 48 Frame; Rotation – Reversible; Sleeve Bearings
- Automatic Overload Protection; Service Factor 1.25
- Split phase motor. 1 Year Manufacture Warranty
Which One Is Suitable for You?
The slower motor will lessen the possibility of overheating during a long time of use. So you can safely continue prolonged use. But at the end of the day, it depends on what case you need it for.
If it’s a factory duty workload then 3450 might be a smarter choice. But if you are a little tactical you will get more work done by 1725.
Whatever motor you choose, consider your working style. Each motor comes with different key features. Those can have a great impact on your work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What RPM is considered a lugging engine?
Lugging your engine is straining it beyond its maximum capacity. That means not working your engine hard when the revs are low—generally below 1500 RPM. This is unless you damage the bearings and cause a major engine failure.
How does the number of poles affect motor speed?
More number of poles results in lower motor speed. Keeping other factors constant, the 4-pole motor will rotate at half the speed of the 2-pole. A 60 Hz power supply changes polarity 60 times per second. That is why a 2- pole will spin at 3600 RPM when connected. And a 4- pole will rotate at 1800.
What is the best RPM for your motor?
The best range is within 1800-3600 RPM. Motor with lower RPM will provide you more torque and high RPM less torque. But in an overall sense, you’re better off with 1750 than 3450.
Conclusion
Now you know the comparison between 1725 vs 3450 RPM motor. Either way, both RPMs of motors are good on their own.
None is better than the other based on its case and preference differential. We hope our explanation has now brought you one step ahead to deciding what you’re getting.
Let us know in the comments!

Robert S. Dehner is an experienced content writer at Power Tool Institute. He has a wealth of experience in the field and is committed to providing you with up-to-date information and advice on the effective and safe use of power tools.