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When your tire pressure warning light starts glowing on your dash, it can be incredibly frustrating. It could be a sign of a leak, a nail in your tire, or just because your car sat for too long or in the cold. It could also simply mean your tires are in need of some extra air. Over time, even with a regular watchful eye, the weight of and wear on your vehicle can lead to low tire pressure.
When that happens, you lose safety, reliability, and fuel economy. And that’s no bueno. To keep yourself safe on the road no matter when you might find yourself needing some air, a portable tire inflator is the answer. These compact air compressors fit in your cargo area and are designed to be used anywhere. Best of all, they’re easy to set up, carry, and use with just a moment’s notice. Check out these favorite tire inflators.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Slime Digital Pro Tire Inflator
- Best Value: Gerchway Portable Tire Inflator
- Best High-End: Viair Portable Air Compressor
- Honorable Mention: Avid Power Tire Inflator
- Honorable Mention: Smittybilt Universal Air Compressor
Our Methodology
To choose my picks for the best portable tire inflators, I dove into the many options available online and put them through their paces. I tested the air compressors, assessing their ease of use, power, speed and efficiency, and ability to work on different items (and tires) of varying sizes. Those that were reliable, performed quickly, and were easy to work with, both in portability and ease of inflation, became my top product recommendations.
Best Portable Tire Inflators: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Slime Digital Pro Tire Inflator
Pros
- ightweight and designed for portability
- Snap-and-go battery
- Easy-to-read digital gauge
- Convenient adapter storage
Cons
- Batteries not included
- Hose is short
Our editor, Mike Febbo, tested this tire inflator a few months back and was impressed with its ease of use and convenience afforded by the set-it-and-forget-it feature. All you have to do is set the pressure you want in your tires, connect the compressor, and hit the go button. When your tires hit that pressure, it stops. This particular compressor from Slime is made to plug into your car’s 12-volt socket, so you won’t really be using this around the house unless you have a power bank.
Slime rates the Digital Pro at providing 1.23 CFM and Febbo could inflate a 225/40-18 tire from under 10psi up to 35 PSI in just 54 seconds. He also compared this head-to-head with his own Viair compressor and one of the positives of this Slime model is it has more protective plastic around the compressor, which means, less chance of getting burned on a heatsink.
Best Value: Gerchway Portable Tire Inflator
Pros
- Very inexpensive
- Reasonably quick inflation
- Easy to use
- Auto shut-off function
Cons
- Not the sturdiest construction
- Screen can be hard to read in bright sun light
What can we say about ol’ Gerch? The unit is significantly less expensive than ever other option in this guide, and has some nice features. Like quick inflation, and easy-to-use interface, auto shut-off at your desired pressure, a flashlight, and more. It’s hard to beat for something you plan to just toss in the trunk and barely ever use in the future.
That being said, it’s not the most durable product, and it can be a tad hard to use in bright sun as the screen might fade a bit. But still, for a penny less than $30, it’s hard to go wrong.
Best High-End: Viair Portable Air Compressor
Pros
- Easily adjustable psi
- Inflates fast
- Relatively quiet operation
- Runs on accessory power
Cons
- No cord storage
- Heavier than other inflators
Need speedy inflation? The Viair Portable Air Compressor delivers. This portable tire inflator may be heftier in weight compared to smaller models, but it packs a serious inflation punch. Powered by your car’s own outlet or socket, this device lets you set the psi (up to 60 psi) and get to work. It’s fast and impressive, getting tires reinflated in less time than the competition. In tests, it felt quicker than its product description advertised. Plus, it’ll make quick work of other inflation needs. Although this portable tire inflator is heavier than other options, its power and speed are great tradeoffs. And little extras, like sturdy screw-in adapters with in-device storage space, make it extra solid.
Keep in mind that you don’t have any cord storage built into this inflator, which can be a bit frustrating. It does come with a bag for easy transport and storage, however.
Honorable Mention: Avid Power Tire Inflator
Pros
- Versatile
- Built-in gauge with auto shutoff
- Quiet
Cons
- Works slowly
- Air hoses are short
For versatile inflation needs, the Avid Power Tire Inflator is a great on-the-road companion. It can be powered by either 12-volt or 110-volt power, allowing you to use it in road emergencies as well as right in your own garage. Easy-to-control switches and buttons let you choose your pressure and fill up without any real effort. However, this inflator is heavier than most portable models. However, it’s steady, durable, and feature-filled, which gives you some beneficial versatility whether you’re dealing with low pressure or a leak. And while it’s running, you can rely on its built-in gauge, which keeps tabs on the pressure within 0.5 to 1.0 psi with an automatic shutoff that turns off the pressure once your tire is properly full.
Keep in mind that the hoses on this device are a weak point. Not only do they run a bit short, but the low-pressure hose (which is best for inflatables, not tires) is plastic and likely to crack on you.
Honorable Mention: Smittybilt Universal Air Compressor
Pros
- Plenty of power
- Inflates large tires fast
- Well-built
- Suitable for many tires
Cons
- Heavier weight
- Air gauge isn’t the most accurate
Not all portable tire inflators are tough enough to handle tires of all sizes, but the Smittybilt Universal Air Compressor is up to the job. This inflator is no slouch; it’s seriously heavy and well built but not too heavy that it can’t be easily carried in hand or in your car’s cargo space. In fact, it’s even designed to be bolted down in your car. It’s speedy and makes quick work of inflation on tires big and small. Plus, it doesn’t heat up or weaken under its workload. From the finishing to the motor, it’s designed to be durable and last you a long time with its great level of power.
The bulkier size and weight of this portable tire inflator make it less convenient to maneuver, but that’s not necessarily a drawback when you’re looking for a lot of power. You will want to keep an eye on the gauge, as testing found it to be inaccurate at times.
Our Verdict on The Best Tire Inflators
We found the Slime Digital Pro Tire Inflator to be the best of the tire inflators we tested. The ease of use, combined with some thoughtful design touches make it quicker and safer for the average user. However, when you’re looking for a combination of value and power, the Smittybilt’s is another solid pick thanks to its ease of use and efficiency.
What to Consider When Buying Portable Tire Inflators
Portable tire inflators can vary widely in their size, power, and portability. To help you pinpoint the best option for your vehicle and needs, make sure to keep these key details in mind as you shop.
Types of Portable Tire Inflators
12-Volt Plug/110 Volt
The best portable car tire inflators and portable truck tire inflators can be used on the road. During an emergency, you can supply some models with power by plugging them into the cigarette lighter socket/12-volt power source in your vehicle. This is particularly useful if your car or truck has 12-volt DC outlets in more than one place. Some inflators also operate on 110-volt power so you can plug them into an outlet in your garage or outside power source.
Cordless
The best cordless inflator is typically powered by a lithium-ion battery. They are generally easy to use and are very portable. These inflators are handheld and provide a good amount of power. It’s critical that you keep the battery charged or else you may get stuck with a flat tire.
Direct Power
These tire inflators clamp on directly to the battery for maximum power so you don’t have to have the vehicle running. However, a tire pump can suck the charge out of a stand-alone battery in about 20 minutes.
Portable Tire Inflator Key Features
Digital Gauges
The best digital tire inflators will display the inflated pressure on the gauges. Some newer models will show this information on an LCD screen, while the more traditional products will display the pressure with dial and needle gauges. A digital display will give you readings that are a bit more precise. Another added benefit is you will be able to read it in low light if the screen is backlit.
Automatic Shutoff
The auto-shutoff feature enables you to set the desired psi, and the car tire inflator will run until it reaches the desired pressure. This is a practical feature because the tire inflator will not over inflate the tire. You can walk away from the device as it does its job and not worry about the tire bursting.
Pricing
You can find small, ready-for-the-road portable tire inflators at just about every price point. Budget-friendly models with streamlined features and simple functionality are $25 to $50. If you spend $55 to $100, you’ll find more advanced options with increasingly more features. And if you’re looking for a hefty, premium air compressor that’s portable yet larger and more versatile, you can spend $100 or more.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: It stands for pounds per square inch, and it’s used to measure tire pressure. For example, 300 psi means 300 pounds per square inch. In air compressors, a psi gauge tells you how much pressure is in the tire.
A: Look at the tire’s sidewall. Tire dealerships also have charts to give you psi information that take into account factors such as the amount of weight your car or truck is carrying.
A: Remove the valve stem caps and press the tire pressure gauge into the valve stem. Check the reading on the pressure gauge to determine the tire’s air pressure. Reinstall the valve stem caps.
