The centrifugal type supercharger is practically identical in operation to a turbocharger, with the exception that instead of exhaust gases driving an impeller, there is only a compressor housing, and that is driven from the crankshaft via a drive belt. As such the centrifugal exhibits the same benefits and down-sides. Boost increases with the square of RPM (unlike the linear nature of the positive displacement devices), however low-rpm boost suffers due to the fact that air can pass back through the supercharger with little restriction until RPMs rise sufficiently to counteract the effect. Of all the belt-driven supercharger types this type exhibits the highest efficiency, and due to its design and lack of low-down boost is often employed on near standard compression engines. The Roots type supercharger and the twin-screw type supercharger, however, produce low-rpm boost and as such feel far more reactive on the road.

All supercharger types benefit from the use of an intercooler to reduce heat produced during compression.