Best Portable Tire Inflators – Reviews and Buying Guide

Looking for the best portable tire inflators at a reasonable price? Then check out our list. Here in this content, we have deeply reviewed some of the most conventional tire inflator available in the market. They have been chosen on thorough research by considering their functional efficiency, built-in features, construction quality, inflation speed, motor’s strength, flexibility, etc. We have also deliberated the previous customer review of these products importantly. So there should be no question about the quality of these products. If you are tired of checking hundreds of available varieties of the tire inflator, then you should consider one of these. They will give you an impressive performance for a long time as you wanted.

The tires of your vehicle can be flattened at any time and put you at an inescapable condition at the middle of nowhere. In such situations, a portable tire inflator can be a great companion of you. They come in a smaller and lightweight design which makes them easier to move and transport. They require a tiny space to store the tire inflator in the trunk of your vehicle. Moreover, they can be operated on different power sources including your vehicle’s cigarette lighter, wall plugs of your home, and lithium-ion batteries. Some of those are also equipped with cordless operation. Such flexible features make them very useful and must have tool for the vehicle owners.

In case you don’t know about the operation of a tire inflator, check out our guide on How to Inflate car tires at home

So if you are feelings interested in buying a portable tire inflator after reading the above paragraph then allow us to guide you to find the best portable tire inflators from the market.

Portable Tire Inflators Comparison Table

Portable Tire Inflators Name			Model	Features
Kensun Tire Inflator			EHRComp-A58B	PSI: 0-120 psi Voltage: 12v Weight: 3.85 Lbs
EP Auto Portable Digital Tire Inflator			AT-010-1Z	PSI: 0-100 psi Voltage: 12v Weight: 3.75 lbs
Helteko Portable Air Compressor Pump			ATJ-1166S	PSI: 0-150 psi Voltage: 12v Weight: 2.58 lbs
BRILL’S 12V DC Portable Tire Inflator Pump			DAC12-150	PSI: 0-150 psi Voltage: 12v Weight: 2.3 Lbs
Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor			88P	PSI: 0-120 psi Voltage: 12v Weight: 4.5 lbs
BLACK+DECKER  Cordless Multi-Purpose Inflator			BDINF20C	PSI: 0-160 psi Voltage: 20v Weight: 5.5 lbs
Ryobi P737 Portable Cordless Power Inflator			P737 / Cordless	PSI: 0-150 psi Voltage: 18v Weight: 1.6 lbs

7 Best Portable Tire Inflators

There is a large number of tire inflator available in the market. But the matter of sorrow is not all of them come with excellent quality and accurate performance. In below, we have chosen some of the best portable tire inflators after thorough research. Read the detailed reviews of the inflators to find out what makes them the best in the market.

01. Kensun Tire Inflator AC/DC Portable Air Compressor Pump

TECH SPEC
Brand		Kensun
Model		Kensun-EHRComp-A58B
Pressure		0-120 psi
Voltage		12 volts
Use to		Portable
Dimension		11.8 x 4.3 x 6.7 inch
Weight		3.85 pounds

The Kensun Tire Inflator AC/DC Portable Air Compressor Pump is one of the best portable tire inflators in our list. The first and foremost thing that impressed us about the air compressor is extremely durable construction quality. It is constructed with high-quality materials to give you long-term performance.  The air compressor gives you higher flexibility for pumping a variety of things. You can use it to inflate the tire of cars, bikes, smaller sedans, and SUVs. Moreover, you will receive a set of additional nozzles which allow you to pump other inflatables such as the toys, mini swimming pools, soccer balls, basketballs, volleyball, etc.

The Kensun Tire Inflator AC/DC Portable Air Compressor Pump is equipped with two powerful solid metal motors. The combination of two motors allows you to inflate any types of tires within a few seconds. Besides, the air compressor includes both AC and DC switching so that you can raise the tires at anywhere as per needed. There is a classic pressure gauge which is bright and ample to show you the pressures in the tire while pumping. Another impressive thing about the air compressor is it comes in a convenient and lightweight design. Besides, it has a separate compartment to accommodate all the accessories. It also comes with a zipped bag. So you can move it easily.

It comes with all the necessary features as well as enormous flexibility to help you to pump tires and other inflatables. The proper construction of the inflatable also ensures that you will get a long-term performance from it without any issue.

FEATURES

• Powerful and durable dual solid metal motors.
• Unique AC/DC switching with 12V cigarette lighting plug.
• It can inflate tires of any car, bikes, sedan, and mid-sized SUVs.
• Classic, bright and large pressure gauge with unit conversation.
• Included balls for balls and inflatables.
• Additional accessory nozzles for inflating different products.
• 80 cm long black woven hose.

PROS

• Easy to use.Fast inflation.
• Flexible power supplies.
• Multi-purpose uses.
• High-quality and durable construction.
• Lightweight and easy to carry.
• Available at a reasonable price.

CONS

• No auto shut off functions.

Final Thoughts: The Kensun Tire Inflator AC/DC Portable Air Compressor Pump is one of the most reliable tire inflators in our list. Besides, as per our research, the previous customers of the product are also satisfied with its performance. So if the tire inflator doesn’t exceed your budget, you should go for it without any further thought.

02. EP Auto Portable Digital Tire Inflator

TECH SPEC
Brand		EPAuto
Model		AT-010-1Z
Pressure		0-100 PSI
Voltage		12 volts
​Use to		Portable​
Dimension		13.5 x 8.1 x 5.6 in
Weight		3.75 pounds

The EP Auto Portable Digital Tire Inflator can be an ideal choice for those who love to go on tours with their vehicle frequently. The tire inflator is well-optimized to provide an accurate and quick performance while you are on the go.  It comes in a beautiful and ergonomic design so that you can conveniently use it. The lightweight construction, as well as the compact design, allow you to carry it easily as per required. Another impressive thing is it can be used for an excellent array of vehicle tires including cars, bikes, sedan, and mini SUVs. Apart from the vehicle tires, you can use it for other inflatables too.

The EP Auto Portable Digital Tire Inflator is equipped with a 12 volt DC motor. The impressive thing about the motor is it shuts off automatically when detect overheating. Moreover, you can also pre-set a pressure measurement so that the motor can shut off automatically when reach the set pressure. There is a digital backlit LCD to show you the pressure measurements clearly. There is also LED flashlight which helps a lot while pumping a tire at night. The pump comes with 8.5 feet long cord and 3 feet long hose. Such broad cable and hose give you great flexibility to use the air compressor.

The EP Auto Portable Digital Tire Inflator is equipped with a lot of additional features to give you a smooth inflating experience. Along with the compact and durable design, the air compressor can be a great companion for your car tires.

FEATURES:

• Works perfectly for almost small and medium-sized vehicle tires.
• Built-in backlit LCD display.
• Shuts of automatically when detect overheating.
• Bright LED torch for the user’s convenience.
• 8.5 feet of the cord and the 3 feet hose.
• Different types of display units: KPA, PSI, KG/CM, BAR
• Included adaptors for balls and different inflatables.

PROS

• Quick inflation.
• Durable storage case.
• Lightweight construction.
• Very quit action; don’t produce any harsh sound.
• Auto shut off at a set pressure.
• Digitalized features for better maneuverability.
• Easy to use direct cigarette lighter socket.

CONS

• No wall plug.
• Not suitable for frequent use.

Final Thoughts: Everything about the EP Auto Portable Digital Tire Inflator is very decent and impressive. The only drawback of the tire inflator is it doesn’t include a wall plug. So consider this aspect before buying it. You can also invest on an AC to DC power adapter to make it use it on wall plugs.

03. Helteko Portable Air Compressor Pump

TECH SPEC
Brand		Helteko
Model		ATJ-1166S
Voltage		12 V
PSI		0-150PSI
Display		PSI, KPA, BAR, KG / CM²
Dimension		10.1 x 6.6 x 4.5 inches
Weight		2.58 pounds

The Helteko Portable 12V Tire Inflator Air Pump is a well-built tire inflator that is available at a great price. It is equipped with a powerful motor which can produce 35L airflow per minute for quickly inflating the tires. The air pump comes with an ABS plastic and stainless steel construction. It has one of the best construction in this price range. The air pump is also well-designed and comes in a compact shape. Such a design makes the compressor very lightweight and easy to transport in the back of your vehicle.

The Helteko Portable 12V Tire Inflator Air Pump comes with a precision LCD digital display to show you the pressure measurements while pumping. It has a long 3.5-meter cable which gives you enough room to inflate the tires comfortably. Inflating the tires become much comfortable with the auto shut off feature. This feature allows you to set a certain pressure. The motor will automatically stop when it reaches the desired pressure. Another impressive thing about the inflator is, it operates very quietly. There is also a flashing LED light which benefits you inflate the tires easily at night.

The Helteko Portable 12V Tire Inflator Air Pump is a compact air compressor, but it can provide you heavy-duty performance. Moreover, it gives you enough flexibility as well as includes some additional accessories to inflate other inflatables. It can be a great pick to keep in your car and stay tension-free on tire inflating issues.

FEATURES

• High-quality and durable
• ABS plastic and stainless steel construction.
• Large and high precision LCD digital display.
• Long 3.5-meter cable for flexible inflation.
• 12v cigarette lighter power source.
• Three included nozzles for pumping other inflatables.
• Inflate tires of car, motorcycle, bicycle, SUV, mini-vans, and others.
• Multiple display units including PSI, KPA, BAR, KG / CM².

PROS

• Reasonable price.
• Very Quiet operation.
• Comes with storage bag.
• Compact and lightweight design, perfect for transporting.
• Auto shut off when reached the desired pressure.
• 35L airflow per minute for fast inflating.
• Emergency LED light to inflate at night.

CONS

• No wall plug.
• A bit quirky.

Final Thoughts: The Helteko Portable 12V Tire Inflator Air Pump will be a good pick for your car. However, it also doesn’t include any wall plugs as like as the previous one. However, you can resolve this problem by buying an additional AC to DC power adapter.

04. BRILL’S Portable Tire Inflator Pump

ECH SPEC
Brand		BRILL’S
Model		DAC12-150
Voltage		12 volts
PSI		0-150 psi
Light		Flashlight and emergency red SOS light
Dimension		7.2 x 2.9 x 7 in
Weight		2.3 pounds

The BRILL’S 12V DC Portable Tire Inflator Pump comes in a smaller design when compared with the other inflator in this list. However, don’t underestimate it for a smaller size. It can produce decent pressure to fill up your tire quickly. The tire inflator comes with a sturdy plastic construction which can withstand for a long time. It has a powerful motor which can fill up any mid-sized tires at less than 4 minutes. It can also use for large tires which require less than 150 psi to be inflated.

The BRILL’S 12V DC Portable Tire Inflator Pump comes with the most accurate measurements to show you the right value. From the backlit LCD display, you can comfortably watch the precise pressure measures. There’s also an auto shut off feature which works very accurately. It can shut off the motor at a desired pressure which you can set earlier. It also has a 14 feet long cable allowing you to inflate the tires of bigger vehicles comfortably. There is also a LED light which can help you to inflate tires easily at night.

The BRILL’S 12V DC Portable Tire Inflator Pump is a balanced, lightweight and powerful tire inflator. The nice thing about the inflator is it has an available AC to DC adapter that you can buy with it (sold separately).

FEATURES

• Powerful motor; inflate any mid-sized car tires in less than 4 minutes.
• Pump up to 150 psi, perfect for a wide array of vehicles.
• Precise digital LCD microprocessor to show you exact pressure measurement.
• Automatically stop at your desired pressure after inflating.
• 12 volt DC cigarette lighter power supply.
• Included bonus nozzle adaptors and double USB car charger.
• 3 types of inflations readings unit for better convenience.

PROS

• Great value for the money.
• Easy to attach and remove.
• Includes spare fuse and carry case.
• Extreme lightweight and portable construction.
• Included flashlight and emergency red SOS light
• Fourteen feet long cable for proper flexibility.
• Available AC to DC adapter available for buy additionally.

CONS

• Slightly loud operation.
• Small compartment for the cable.

Final Thought: The BRILL’S 12V DC Portable Tire Inflator Pump works perfectly and has a flexible and multi-purpose using aptitude. It is also available at a reasonable price. You can consider this compact designed and powerful device as a buying option.

05. Viair Portable Air Compressor

Technical Specification

Brand: Viair

Model: 88P

Pressure: 0 -120 PSI

Weight: 4.5 pounds

Dimension: 6.8 x 6.2 x 10.8 inches

The Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor is a little different than the other air compressor reviewed in this article. The compressor comes in a beautiful vintage style construction that will impress you for sure. It is very compact, and various high-quality materials are used for its construction. The motor is powered with a direct driven machine, and there is a big classic gauge pressure indicator in the top of the compressor. You will need to turn off the device temporarily to see the accurate pressure values.

The Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor comes with a strong motor. It is perfect for handling the larger tires up to 33″. So, you can inflate a wide range of vehicle including small ATV, trucks, SUVs, Sedans, etc. using the compressor. Another impressive thing about the product is it can give you a 45 minutes long duty cycle at 30 psi without any heating issue. It is equipped with alligator clamps and uses a car battery as a power source. It has 10 feet long robust power cable and 16 feet long air hose to easily inflate larger vehicles.

The Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor may not be the fastest in the market. But it comes with durable construction and heavy-duty performance which is found in only a few air compressors available in the market. Besides, it is also available at a reasonable price.

FEATURES

• Powered via alligator clamps directly to the battery.
• Ten feet long and durable power cord.
• Sixteen feet long air hose for flexible use.
• Perfect for small ATV, trucks, sedans, SUVs with up to 33’’ tires.
• 3pc inflation tip kit for pumping other inflatables.
• A mounted gauge on the top to monitor pressure.
• Proper fitting with a brass screw for a positive seal.

PROS

• Very quiet operation.
• Very compact design.
• Available at a great price.
• Heavy duty powerful motor.
• Clear LED power indicator.
• Forty-five minutes long duty cycle at 30 psi.

CONS

• Not so fast.
• Don’t include any carrying case.
• Need to stop the machine to see pressure measurement.

Final Thoughts: Most of the air compressor available in our list has a smaller duty cycle, and they can only inflate the tires of smaller vehicles. But the Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor is a step up. It can be the best choice for you if you have bigger vehicle tires which can’t be inflated using the average air compressors in the market.

06. BLACK+DECKER Lithium Cordless Multi-Purpose Inflator

Technical Specification

Brand: BLACK+DECKER

Model: BDINF20C

Batteries: 1 Lithium ion batteries required.

Voltage: 20V Max Cordless Inflator

Weight: 5.5 pounds

Dimension:11.6 x 7.6 x 8.7 in

The BLACK+DECKER BDINF20C 20V Lithium Cordless Multi-Purpose Inflator is the most feature-rich tire inflator in our list. It comes with a highly durable ABS plastic construction. The inflator is designed with a view to providing satisfactory performance for a long time.  The most impressive thing about the inflator is its flexible design. It comes with three different power sources for inflation. It means that you can operate the tool from the wall plug or power it from your car or use an external battery for the inflation process. Such flexible design allows you to use it at home, at the road or in your backyard as required. It’s the only inflator in our list with such flexibility.

The BLACK+DECKER BDINF20C 20V Lithium Cordless Multi-Purpose Inflator is one of the few inflators in the market which provide you a cordless operation. You can use a 20v lithium-ion battery (sold separately) to power up the tool. Besides, the tool is equipped with a powerful motor. Apart from the tires, you can easily fill up any larger inflatables with its high volume output. It is also equipped with the auto shut off feature which allows you to set a certain pressure and let the inflatable fill automatically. You can do this from the digital pressure gauge which also shows you the current pressure.

The BLACK+DECKER BDINF20C 20V Lithium Cordless is a well-constructed inflatable tool with fast inflation. It is equipped with a lot of significant features which will make the inflation of any tool quick, safe, and precise. Moreover, you can use this tool for a wide variety of inflatables from trucks tire to an air mattress.

FEATURES

• Digital gauge to view current pressure and set pressure.
• High volume and high-pressure outputs.
• Includes multiple accessories for flexibility.
• LED lights to inflate the tire easily on the night.
• Require 20v Lithium-ion battery for cordless operation.
• Three different power sources for inflation.
• Long 10 foot cords for the 12v standard cigarette lighter.

PROS

• Heavy duty performance.
• Compact and cordless design.
• Very easy to use.
• Durable ABS plastic constructed.
• Very fast inflation.
• Included wall support adapter.
• Automatic shutoff on desired pressure.

CONS

• Weigh a little much.

Final Thoughts: The BLACK+DECKER BDINF20C 20V Lithium Cordless Multi-Purpose Inflator will cost you a little much. However, this one of the most flexible and powerful tools in our list which you can pick without any further thought for better performance.

07. Ryobi Portable Cordless Power Inflator for Tires

Technical Specification

Brand: Ryobi

Model: P737 / Cordless

Pressure: 0-150 PSI

Voltage: 18-Volt

Weight: 1.6  pounds

The Ryobi P737 18-Volt ONE+ Portable Cordless Power Inflator for Tires come in of the most uniquely designed inflator that you can choose. The tool is one of the lightest power inflator available in the market weighing only 1.6 pounds. It comes with an ergonomic handle grip to hold the hose while inflating something. It is beneficial especially when you are inflating smaller tires, pools, balls, etc.

The Ryobi P737 18-Volt ONE+ Portable Cordless Power Inflator for Tires uses an 18v lithium ion battery to power the tool. Besides, it comes with cordless operation. As a result, you can use the tool anywhere you want. Another impressive thing about the tool is it allows you to use to inflate things without any power supply using the hand pump. It is the only tool in our list with such a fantastic feature. Apart from inflating the tire, you can pump any other smaller inflatable using the additional pressure nozzle and sport needles. With the lightweight construction, this best portable tire inflators is very easy to transport and hold while using. Moreover, as it has a built-in compartment for the additional accessories, you can store it very easily in an organized manner.

One thing we want to let you about the Ryobi P737 18-Volt ONE+ Portable Cordless Power Inflator is it’s built for smaller tires and smaller home inflatables. Even it takes a lot of time to fill up a car tire. So you should consider the issue if you are going to buy it.

FEATURES

• Included two high-pressure nozzles and a sports needle.
• Onboard pressure gauge.
• Included 20-inch pressure hose.
• Cordless operation for convenient use.
• A compartment in the base to hold all the attachments.
• Powered by 18v lithium ion battery.
• Perfect for inflating smaller tires and smaller inflatables.

PROS

• Compatible with the ONE+ battery system.
• Extremely easy to use.
• Slim and portable design.
• Ergonomic pistol grip handle.Require less power.
• Highly flexible operation.
• Compact design.

CONS

• Inflates very slowly.
• Not perfect for heavy-duty applications.
• The trigger of the handle needs to be pressed all the time during inflation.

Final Thoughts: The Ryobi P737 18-Volt ONE+ Portable Cordless Power Inflator has a very smart and durable construction. It can be a perfect choice for you if you are looking for a bicycle and bike tire inflators. If flexibility is much important than power, then it will be the best suit for you.

A tire inflator for your car’s tire can help you in multiple ways. Wonder how? Then read check the  Benefits of Having a Tire Inflator.

Things to Consider While Buying a Portable Tire Inflators

You don’t need to be an inflator expert at picking up the perfect portable tire inflator. The best portable tire inflators consists of some vital features and having a good idea on them will help you to choose a better tire inflator. We have described the main factors that need to be considered in the time of purchasing a tire inflator.

AC/DC Compatibility

AC/DC compatibility means the capability of the tool to operate on both AC and DC power supply. It is one of the principal features that need to be considered. Choosing a tool with AC/DC compatibility means you can use it both from your home’s power outlet as well as from the car’s cigarette lighter of your vehicle. Try to go for a tool with such compatibility so that you can use it when another option is not available.

Air Pressure Gauge

Air pressure gauge is a must-have feature in a tire inflator. It allows you to determine the required pressure to fill the tire as well as monitor the pressure while filling the tire. This feature is mandatory because it ensures that the tire is adequately filled. It also resists the tire from over-filling which can lead to a burst.

Additional Accessories

One of the impressive things about the tire inflators is they can be used for multiple purposes. You can use them to fill up the air mattresses, different types of balls, inflatable toys, and much more. They allow you to fill up almost any types of the inflatable. However, for this, you will require a different kind of nozzles. Make sure that the tire inflator comes with additional nozzles and needle to inflate other inflatables.

Speed

The portable air inflators come with a little less speed when compared with the large air inflators. However, not all of them come at the same speed. Try to go for an inflator which comes with a faster speed. This feature is essential if you are going to use the tool to inflate tires on the go.

Durable Air Hose and Power Cable

You must not want the air hose to get damaged after a few usages. The air hose used for transferring the air pressure to the tire need to be highly durable to withstand the pressure. The same thing is applicable for the power cable. It should be durable enough to withstand any plucks and pulls during the use.

Duty Cycle

Duty cycle means the machine’s operating period at a time. After that time, the machine needs to cooldown for using again. Try to go for an inflator which comes with bigger duty cycle so that you can fill up all the tires of the vehicle at a time if required. Moreover, the tool should also able to cooldown within a small period of time.

LED Torch

It usually is not an essential feature. But if you often go for a drive in the night, then it will be a vital feature for you. Having a portable tire inflator which comes with an integrated LED torch allows you to fill up the tire without any issues at night easily. So consider this feature if you are going to use the tire inflator at night.

Auto Shut-off Feature

Auto shut-off feature means you can set the desired pressure at which the tool will stop pumping the tire. It can be a great feature to fill up the tire tension freely. Try to purchase a tire inflator which is equipped with an auto shut-off feature.

Pre-caution:

​The air inflators are made with a view to giving a safe user experience to the user. However, sometimes they can be dangerous while used wrongly without proper concentration. In such situations, those tools cause damages and injuries. So it is advisable to use the tool with proper care following the safety guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some of the most usually asked questions about the portable air compressors and their answer.

What Is Cfm and Psi and Which Is More Important?

CFM means Cubic Feet per Minute. It is a measurement unit of the volume of air going in. On the other hand, PSI stands for Pound per Square Inch, and it is used to measure the pressure of the air going in. It’s essential to have both measurements in your portable tire inflator for the safety.

How Do Portable Air Compressors Work?

An air compressor converts electrical power into pressurized air flows. Then it forces the airflow to transfer in your preferred inflatables and helps to inflate the application.

How Much Psi Should an Air Compressor Have?

It depends on the applications that you use for inflating. If you are going to use it for inflating tires of mid-sized vehicles, then 120 to 150 PSI will be enough.

Are There Different Types of Portable Air Compressors?

There are a wide variety of portable air compressors available in the market depending on their functionality. The mentioned ones in this article are smaller in size, and they can be easily stored in a smaller space like your car’s tank.

Final Verdict

It is true that the markers are currently filled with a large variety of portable tire inflators and it is very confusing to pick the right one from those. However, after reading the above reviews and buying guides on the best portable tire inflators, it should be easier for you to choose a tire inflator according to your preference and budget. You can go for any of the product mentioned above without any hesitation. They are well-built and equipped with the necessary features to give you impressive performance for a long time. So make the next move, buy an inflator and stay worry free about the tire inflation for your next tour.

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