Best Portable Tire Inflators For 2022

Viair’s portable air compressor offers a back-to-basics pump with an analogue gauge and power that comes directly from the vehicle’s battery via clamps. It’s fairly compact, weighing only 4.5 pounds and stretching 10.75 inches long. It comes with a 16-foot air hose, which makes it suitable for filling up tires on a hitched trailer or other recreational vehicles like ATVs. It also will fill 33-inch truck tires in five minutes. Its max pressure is 150 psi. It’s fairly loud but is fast for its size. It comes with a carrying bag made of durable material so it can be stored in a truck bed or inside a larger SUV as it won’t take up much real estate.

 This compressor’s double-cylinder motor increases inflation power and efficiency. It only takes 1.5 minutes to inflate a standard vehicle tire size (200/70-R18). Its heavy-duty design is weighs more than others (6.6 pounds), but it can be paired with larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, vans, RVs, trailers and motorcycles. The key to safety is redundancy: This inflator operates faster via clamps connected to the car’s battery or, as a second option, the 12-volt socket. Instead of a digital display, the design features a pressure dial for reading psi. The inflator includes a battery clamp, three nozzles, 11.5-foot air hose and 11.5-foot 12-volt lighter cable. Rubber feet beneath the compressor provide stability while reducing vibration in use. 

The Tirewell double-cylinder inflation pump is strong and can handle heavier-duty tires, but inflation times can take a bit longer (up to four minutes per one all-terrain tire in testing). The device is a heavier 8.3 pounds and comes with rubber feet that provide stability while the machine is on. Some of the metal fittings can get hot, but the compressor itself stays cool. This is a good choice for off roaders that need to let air out of their tires before heading off the pavement. The compressor can operate via a 12-volt socket or the car battery via provided clamps. Some vehicles owners with larger, lifted vehicles might find the included power cord too short if powering from the battery and inflating the tire furthest from the engine. The included 16-foot extension hose alleviates this issue, however. The device also includes a dual-section carry case.

 The Kensun is fairly lightweight at four pounds, but it’s handle is what makes it super portable. Its simple rectangular design stretches less that one foot in length and 6.7 inches in height. It comes with a near 10-foot power cord that plugs into the wall for use at home and a nine-foot cord that plugs into a vehicle’s 12-volt outlet. It’s easy to operate by pushing the AC or DC button, depending on power source. Its max pressure is 100 psi, though the pressure gauge reads 120 psi. The screw on connector for tire inflation fits snugly, but it’s best reserved for sedans or smaller SUVs as well as motorcycles. It performs masterfully on bikes and comes with an adapter that will fit most valves. It works on other inflatables and balls. It’s a good garage tool or can be packed inside the accompanying bag and stored in the trunk. However, its lack of an integrated LED light will make topping off in the dark during a roadside emergency slightly more challenging than other options.

Utrai’s all-in-one unit is robust enough to handle the two most common roadside emergencies: flat tires and a dead battery. Despite its four-pound weight, it has a massive 24,000 mAh battery that can easily jump start large-engine cars. Its max pressure is 150 psi, so it can handle larger tires as well as watercraft, air mattresses and balls. It lasts up to 40 minutes, but needs to be stopped in intervals to allow for cool down (manufacturer recommends every eight minutes). It also can serve as a shop lamp or central lighting on a camp excursion because it has a built-in five-watt LED light. With the right adapter, it can charge smartphone and other devices via a cigarette lighter socket. It comes with jumper cables, chargers and a storage bag.