When you are traveling and notice a low tire pressure warning light, the best tire inflator can come in handy. Instead of looking for a gas station and wasting time waiting for help, a portable inflator can get you back on the road quickly and with ease.
If you are looking to get a portable tire inflator or portable air compressor, it is advisable you know whether it is battery charged, 110v powered, or it's the one that is plugged into your car's 12v. The best tire inflator for your car is the one with an accurate pressure gauge and is simple to read and use.
Purchasing the best tire inflator can be mind-boggling. The most unfortunate thing will be getting an inflator that does not meet your preferences and needs. This is why we have compiled a list of the best portable tire inflators, together with their pros and cons, to help you make an informed decision.
5 Best Tire Inflators
1. EPAuto Portable Air Compressor and Tire Inflator
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EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump, Digital Tire Inflator
- Convenience: Plug directly into Cigarette Lighter Socket of your...
- Multiple Uses: Inflate tires on cars, bikes, sedan and midsize...
- Capacity: Does NOT Support truck tires, for instance: light truck...
- Easy to Read: 4 Display Units: PSI, KPA, BAR, KG/CM; LED...
- Prevent Over Inflation: Auto shut off when reaching the desired...
The best budget option is the EPAuto Portable Air Compressor and Tire Inflator. It features an inflation speed of 1.06 CFM and 70 PSI tire pressure. It a portable tire inflator, meaning it is convenient and can be easily carried and moved around.
The inflator comes with four digital display units of KPA, PSI, BAR, and KG/CM and easy to read. The compressor is easy to operate since you only need to plug it into your cigarette lighter socket directly. To add to that, you can use the portable air compressor pump for multiple functions, such as, to inflate sports balls and other sports equipment.
It also features a flashlight that enables you to use it at night comfortably. What is more, you can set the portable inflator to your required tire pressure, time and temperature.
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2. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Tire Inflator
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* Cordless Tire Inflator, Cordless & Corded Power, Tool Only (BDINF20C)
- Digital gauge to view current pressure and set target pressure
- Automatic shutoff stops the unit once the desired pressure is...
- High-pressure and high-volume outputs
- Included Components: (1) BDINF20 Inflator, (1) Ball Needle, 1)...
The BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX is the best tire inflator in the market because it is Versatile and easy to use. This digital tire inflator weighs around 5 pounds and is 11.6 x 7.6 x 8.7 inches. The tire inflator can be powered by three sources the 120VAC, 12v DC, and 20v lithium-ion barriers.
The Lithium-Ion inflator is portable and can be used anywhere. Its high-pressure output helps to fill large rafts, sports balls, and even tires. This portable tire inflator comes with full appurtenances for pumping bicycles.
This portable tire inflator comes with a digital pressure gauge and an auto shut attribute for both tire pressure and temperature. To add to that, in case you need to use the battery, it will take only 45 minutes to charge it fully. You can store the hose and the cables on the device.
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3. Ryobi 18v ONE+ Portable Tire Inflator
RYOBI P737 18-Volt ONE+ Portable Cordless Power Inflator for Tires (Battery Not Included, Power Tool...
- ONE+ COMPATIBLE! This tool runs on the power sources used in...
- PORTABLE PISTOL PUMPING POWER: Ryobi’s P737 is smaller than...
- SAVE MONEY AND TIME spent on purchasing extra accessories for...
- SPECS: 20” hose, 2” pressure gauge, 0-150 PSI, 18V, 2.5lb,...
- STORAGE: a compartment at the base of the tool holds all bits and...
The Ryobi 18v ONE+ Portable Tire Inflator is the best-multifaceted inflator that fills inflatables around the house and car tires. They are pretty cool to use and have super lightweight. The Ryobi is very quick at inflating tires and has up to 150 PSI.
The digital gauge of this portable inflator and air compressor is on point. It also features an auto-shut feature, and you can put down the psi you desire, and the air compressor will automatically shut down when it gets to the set pressure. The Ryobi 18V runs on batteries only and does not have an option to plug into the 12V port, unlike the BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX portable air compressor pump that a battery and a charger can power.
These portable tire inflators are sold separately from the lithium-ion battery, which means you will have to purchase the battery separately. Although the cost of these portable tire inflators is lower, and will not cost you as much as buying some other portable air compressors.
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4. Audew Cordless Air Compressor and Portable Tire Inflator
Audew Portable Air Compressor Tire Inflator with Gauge, Auto Digital Air Pump for Car Tires with...
- 【 FAST INFLATING & EASY TO OPERATE】-Audew tire inflator has...
- 【PREVENT OVER INFLATION & MULTI-PURPOSE】 - Auto shut off when...
- 【LED LIGHT & DIGITAL DISPLAY】 - Audew digital tire pump is...
- 【SPACE-SAVING & WIRE STORAGE DESIGN】 - Audew air compressor...
The Audew Air Compressor is the best tire inflator for it is strong and durable compared to most 12 V digital tire inflators. With this portable tire inflator, you no longer need to worry about getting to the gas station to fill your tires.
This inflator comes with a digital gauge that enables you to check your car's air pressure at any time. This air compressor pump from Audew can inflate your tires with 120 PSI and takes around 60-70 seconds to inflate our car tires from 35 PSI to your desired pressure. This inflator can directly plug into a cigarette lighter socket.
The whole unit of the Audew cordless unit is considered lightweight for it weighs about 2.5 pounds and has 9.5 x 8.5 x 4.5 dimensions make it easy to carry around.
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5. Viair 88P Portable Air Compressor
VIAIR 88P Portable Compressor Kit (12V, 120 Psi, Forup to 33" Tires)
- 120 PSI pressure gauge
- Led work light/ power indicator
- Dual battery clamps
- Solid brass twist-on tire chuck
- 3 pc. Inflation tips kit
The Viair 88P Portable Air Compressor has a new and unique design making. This portable tire inflator weighs 4.5 pounds and has dimensions of 6.75 x 6.25 x 10.75 inches. It has the capability of filling tires from 35 PSI to your desired pressure in less than a minute and operates with a pressure of 150 PSI.
The operation of the Viair 88P is super easy, for it has a digital gauge that is legible. By just connecting your +VE and -VE camps to their specific terminals and then connecting the chuck to your tire valve stem will get this digital tire pressure set. It can also be connected to a car's battery to power up.
The Viair 88P is considered the best tire inflator because it has a deluxe carrying case and LED bright light. It is also a great choice for heavy-car tire inflation.
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Factors Consider Before Purchasing the Best Tire Inflators
1. Power source
Tire inflators usually differ on the way they are powered. There are two main power sources in the tire inflator, mainly the cordless and the power cord.
The cordless is easy to use and quickest model, the reason being you can use it anywhere. These inflators are rechargeable and use batteries to power the pump. Some come with inbuilt batteries that can charge via 110v power.
The power cord inflators require to be connected directly to the car's batteries. They use 12v power that is usually plugged into the car's 12v jack. The 12v inflators are suitable for you do not have to keep changing the batteries from your car. Many of the tire inflators use the 12v, but some are designed to use both.
2. Hose Length
All tire inflators and air compressors come with a chuck to connect the air hose to the valve tire. The chucks are either push-on or screw-on. The push-on are usually the best because you do not need much effort to connect them to the valve.
Getting the right size of the air hose is also vital because a small air hose can be tedious, and on the other hand, a too-long hose can tangle. 16 -to 20-inches hose is the desired length, for it can easily get to your four tires. Longer hose lengths can be good for large cars.
3. Pressure
The air pressure amount of a tire inflator dispatches the same amount of speed to inflate the tires. Also putting in mind that the bigger the tires you have, the more pressure is required. To avoid wasting too much time filling your tires, getting an inflator with 100 PSI and above is advisable.
4. Automatic Shutoff
Portable air compressors are strong machines, and even so, they can burn out if they run for a long period. Many companies have designed the inflators by including a built-in automatic shut-off to inoculate them from this.
Pressure, time, and temperatures are the three that are put in place for the inflators to take before sitting down. This means you can set your desired pressure that will be enough for your tires, and it will automatically stop pumping once it has reached the maximum level. Similarly, when the inflator goes to high temperatures of 200 degrees, it will automatically shut down until it cools off.
5. Weight and Portability
Oftentimes, people tend to look for tire inflators that are portable and light. Compared to the air compressor, they are more fancied because of these features. Tire inflators prove useful when going on a road trip.
6. Easy to read and use
If the tire pressure I well laid out, it becomes very easy to use it. Most of the tire inflators have warning lights that pop to show lost pressure. To fix them, they need to be uncomplicated. The tire inflators do not come with many features and this, therefore, makes it easy to use them.
The modern air compressors and inflators have digital gauges that are easy to read, large, and better than the older ones.
Frequently Asked Questions on Best Tire Inflator
1. How do I choose a tire inflator?
When it comes to choosing the best tire inflator, the most important thing to note is the pressure of the tire inflator because the higher the pressure, the faster it can inflate a tire. An air compressor that features at least 100 PSI is a great option. More so, a tire inflator with 150 PSI as the maximum pressure is more effective.
Additionally, make sure that the hose pipe is long enough to reach the four tires of your car. Almost all portable air compressors are charged a car's 12v. One can also consider buying a cordless inflator, although they will also be forced to buy the battery and the charging unit independently.
2. How long does a portable air compressor and Tire Inflator Last?
Generally, portable air compressors tremendously have a long life. For instance, it is evaluated that the Rotary-screw compressor will smoothly run for 40,00 o to 50,000hours, and with frequent maintenance, the compressors have a longevity of 10 to 20 years.
To make the tire inflator and the air compressor last longer, you should avoid storing them in dirty rooms, overusing them, and using them wrongly. If you notice that the inflator is blocked, making a lot of noise than usual, and not cooling, they need maintenance, ensuring that they last longer.
3. Why is portable tire pressure important?
Portable tire inflators prove useful when you need to and pressure on the tires and can not quickly access an air pump. They are better options than the stationary inflator because they tend to be light and portable. Whenever you need air quickly and not near a gas station, you can always use them.
To add to that, portable inflators have higher pressure and will fill your tires in less than five minutes. The most current inflators in the market have digital displays that allow you to set the desired pressure you need.