Updated on Feb 6, 2024 8:55 AM EST
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Most drivers have looked down at their dashboard and noticed a warning light indicating a tire with low pressure. If you drive for a minute or so and the light stays on, it’s time to take action and check those tires. You can either pay for air at the gas station pump or grab a trusty tire inflator and handle the problem on your own.
Whether it’s battery-operated, 120-volt electric, or one that plugs into the car’s 12-volt system, the right tire inflator is just the ticket when a motorist is in a pinch. In no time at all, these noisy day savers can boost a low tire to optimal pressure.
Choosing the best tire inflator for DIY needs helps keep your vehicle running at its best. From poor gas mileage to terrible ride quality, tires low on pressure can make driving problematic. So for that reason, I researched and field-tested the following tire inflators, spending more than 2 days pumping up and deflating tires, so DIYers can arm themselves with one of the best tire inflators available.
To ensure that I recommended the best tire inflators possible, I put the models on this list to the test. I used a truck tire, a bicycle tire, and a basketball as my test subjects.
For the bicycle tire, I deflated the tire as much as possible between filling and pumping it back up with the compressor. I checked to see how easy each model was to connect to a finicky, loose bicycle stem and to ensure it was easy to control while inflating.
For the basketball, I inserted the filler needle into the ball and deflated it between each test. I then attached each compressor to see how it would do.
The final test was pumping up a low vehicle tire. Even though many of these models aren’t rated for truck tires, I don’t own a car, so truck tires had to do. I deflated the tire from 35 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 25 PSI, using the vehicle’s tire-pressure monitoring system as a reference as well as a tire gauge. Once the pressure was low enough, I connected a tire inflator and timed how long it took to pump the tire up. This gave me an excellent idea of the power and battery life these inflators could offer.
After testing and comparing results, I ranked these tire inflators based on relative strengths and features. Here’s where each product landed in the lineup.
Shoppers looking for a top-notch tire inflator will want to consider this DeWalt model. The compressor runs on the brand’s 20V MAX battery system, allowing DeWalt users to take advantage of their existing batteries. It’s also compatible with 12V direct current (DC) outlets in vehicles and comes with a detachable cord that stores onboard safely.
This model has a digital gauge that’s easy to read and even easier to understand. You can set the pressure using the gauge and then follow the digital pressure meter that displays hash marks as the pressure climbs. It also comes with a high-volume tube for inflatables, a high-pressure hose, a sports ball needle, and an adapter for Presta valves.
I definitely enjoyed using the DeWalt inflator during the test. There was plenty of onboard storage for all of the accessories, and everything stored securely in place. I also liked the digital gauge as it was easy to set, and the meter provided a simple visual reference to use. It was relatively quiet for a tire inflator of this size, but there is a catch: I ran my test inflator off of a rechargeable DeWalt battery. The battery was a 6 amp-hour (Ah) battery, and it was too tall for the tire inflator’s rubber feet to touch. As a result, it did bounce around and chatter a bit. However, it had plenty of power and boosted our test tire up quickly, and the flexible power options are convenient; however, it doesn’t come with a battery, charger, or 120V alternating current (AC) cord adapter.
Get the DeWalt tire inflator at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
The battery-operated Makita 12V MAX CXT cordless tire inflator can pump up to 120 PSI of pressure into a car, bike, or lawn tractor tire. At just 2.13 pounds, it’s compact and lightweight, so there’s no need to lug a large, unwieldy compressor to the tire. The high-visibility pressure gauge shows exactly how much air pressure is in the tire. By presetting the CXT, it even turns off automatically when the tire reaches the desired PSI.
I found that there was a lot to like about this Makita tire inflator during testing. It had plenty of power (filling the fastest of all the inflators in the group) while being compact and comfortable to hold during inflation. The pressure was easy to set, and the gauge was accurate to within 1 PSI of the vehicle’s tire pressure monitor. The onboard storage system and the hose storage are a bit finicky, making it difficult to secure all the accessories and the hose, which is why it didn’t quite make the top spot on this list. Otherwise, there’s a lot to like about the Makita.
Get the Makita tire inflator at Amazon, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Acme Tools.
The Ryobi One+ high-pressure inflator is an affordable 18V battery-powered tire inflator that is straightforward, yet it can boost a tire up to 150 PSI. Its pistol grip is designed to be comfortable and easy to control, and it houses two additional needles for blowing up pool toys and athletic balls. It also features a 20-inch snap-on hose for standard tire valves and weighs 1.35 pounds without the battery.
Originally, the Ryobi featured an analog gauge, which Ryobi has upgraded to a digital gauge, and it’s a welcome addition. I did feel like the Ryobi was a little bulky in hand during testing, with a larger handle than Ryobi drills and drivers and a weight of 4.7 pounds with an 18V 4Ah battery attached. However, the pistol grip still allowed me to maintain decent control. Plus, it has a good battery life and plenty of power, making this a great value for anyone on the hunt for a tire inflator.
Read our full review: Ryobi One+ High-Pressure Inflator With Digital Gauge
Get the Ryobi tire inflator at Amazon or Walmart.
If an upgraded tire inflator is in the cards, be sure to consider the Milwaukee M18 18V cordless tire inflator. This model uses the brand’s M18 18V batteries, so Milwaukee power tool users can rely on their supply of rechargeable batteries to inflate their tires. It has a large digital gauge that users can set to their desired pressure, allowing the tire inflator to do the rest of the work.
This tire inflator features TrueFill Technology. It shuts the tire inflator off when the tire reaches the desired pressure. However, it waits for the pressure in the tire to stabilize and then kicks back on if the pressure drops below the desired pressure upon stabilization. This ensures that the tires are inflated and working properly.
The M18 tire inflator features onboard storage for its hose, an inflation needle, an inflation nozzle, and the Presta valve adapter. It also has a maximum pressure of up to 150 PSI.
I didn’t think that pressure stabilization was a big deal before using this compressor, but now that I’ve seen it in action, it’s worth the upgrade. This tire inflator will cycle on and off several times until the pressure is on point. Also, the digital gauge was very easy to set, and it had plenty of power for quickly filling a tire from 25 to 35 PSI. However, it is important to dial it down when pumping up a bicycle tire as this inflator pumps a lot of air quickly.
In testing, I only had two complaints about the Milwaukee. First, it was the loudest of the inflators on this list. Second, it’s pretty large both in weight and size: 7 pounds without the battery and 7.8 inches tall by 13.8 inches wide by 6.4 inches deep. Note that this inflator is usually tool only, without a battery or charger unless otherwise noted.
Get the Milwaukee tire inflator at Amazon, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Acme Tools (with battery and charger).
Should a tire lose pressure in a mall parking lot or campsite, for example, there may not be power readily available for a compressor. This AstroAI tire inflator is powered by a car’s 12V battery system. Plug it into the car’s 12V jack and turn on the car’s accessory mode for the power required to take care of a low tire—at least enough to drive it to a tire shop for repair. Plus, it features an LED flashlight for better visibility. This relatively small pump will fit in almost any trunk and comes with adapters for pool floats and sports balls. It also comes with an easy-to-read backlit pressure gauge.
The AstroAI portable air compressor is well designed. I liked that it looks and operates just like a miniature commercial horizontal compressor. The digital gauge on top was by far the best in the group as it was easy to read and set. It did take a while to pump up a truck tire, but the reading was spot on with the vehicle’s tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and it was the quietest running in the group, thanks to the rubber feet.
Get the AstroAI 100 PSI tire inflator at Walmart or AstroAI.
Car owners who already own an air compressor don’t need one of the tire inflators on this list. Instead, they can just use this tire inflator accessory from AstroAI. This valve unit comes with a threaded brass fitting and a comfortable squeeze trigger, plus an easy-to-read backlit digital gauge. The digital gauge turns on automatically when it senses pressure and shuts off after 20 seconds. This valve can handle up to 250 PSI, which is enough to fill most tires. It comes with a ¼-inch quick-connect fitting that easily snaps onto most air hoses.
I enjoyed using this AstroAI tire inflator with my compressor, as the gauge was easy to read and very responsive once I let go of the trigger to check the pressure. I did have to wiggle the connection between the tire valve and this inflator a few times, which may be a bit of a downside to some. Overall, it filled my truck tires very quickly and accurately when hooked to my heavy-duty air compressor. For light-duty compressors, however, it might not fill as quickly.
Get the AstroAI 250 PSI tire inflator at Amazon, Walmart, or AstroAI.
Flexibility matters, and the Kensun is a portable air compressor and tire inflator that works with 12V power from a vehicle and 110V power from a home. With this kit, shoppers get a needle for sports balls and an adapter for blowing up pool floats and other inflatables. It has a maximum pressure of 120 PSI and will work for 30 minutes before shutting off automatically.
One of the best features that I found in the Kensun portable air compressor is that it’s incredibly simple to operate. There are only two buttons, one for each power source. Beyond that, it was effective and powerful enough to fill a truck tire and had no problem with the bike tires or basketball. The gauge isn’t incredibly accurate compared to the vehicle’s monitoring system, nor was it easy to read, and I did have to sit by it to make sure it didn’t overinflate the tire as it can’t be preset to shut off at a certain PSI setting.
Get the Kensun tire inflator at Amazon, Walmart, or Kensun.
Folks looking for a small tire inflator that can easily fit in a glove box might want to consider the Airmoto portable air pump. This small compressor weighs 1.2 pounds and measures 6 inches long, making it handy to keep in a glove box. It runs on a rechargeable battery (with included cord) and fully charges in 2 hours and 40 minutes.
This tire inflator features a digital gauge for dialing in the correct pressure as well as onboard hose storage. It also comes with a carrying bag and several nozzle adapters as well. It has a built-in LED flashlight and can produce up to 120 PSI—a stunning feat from such a small tire inflator.
In testing, this small tire inflator was a pleasant surprise. First, I was shocked at how long the battery lasted. It was able to inflate a basketball, a bike tire, and a full-size truck tire before it died. I also liked that the onboard hose storage and the carrying bag kept everything together. This model wasn’t loud during use, and it’s light enough to let it hang from the valve while it fills the tire. The only downside I noticed was that the digital gauge was a bit hard to read in the sun.
Get the Airmoto tire inflator at Amazon or Airmoto.
When it comes to pumping up a tire on the trail, the Viair 88P portable compressor may be the right choice. This compressor features a rugged design with rubber feet and durable metal and plastic construction. It comes in a carrying case that will keep it clean in dusty off-road settings as well.
The Viair runs on a vehicle’s 12V battery, but instead of plugging into a 12V port, you attach two clamps directly to the battery. It has a maximum pressure of 120 PSI and can quickly fill a 33-inch tire from 0 to 30 PSI in around 5 minutes and 45 seconds. It comes with a 16-foot long hose, an analog gauge, a Presta adapter, a built-in work light, and three inflation tips.
This is one burly tire inflator. The quality construction is evident from the weight and materials, and it quickly boosted my test truck tire up. Between the cables and the air hose, it has plenty of reach for large vehicles as well. I liked that it was so powerful, and the carrying case is a huge plus for folks in dusty off-road conditions. It is a bit of a concern that this model can only run on the battery with clamps and not in one of the 12V ports, but it does ensure that any vehicle can operate it.
Get the Viair tire inflator at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
For a portable tire inflator that fits easily in a glove box or backpack, this inflator from Cycplus is a good choice. This tiny pump is just 13.4 ounces and 7 inches long by 2.1 inches thick, making it suitable for extra-long bike rides. Plus, it produces up to 150 PSI of pressure to inflate car tires, motorcycle tires, or sports equipment as well. It also has a built-in LED flashlight and a digital pressure gauge. It charges completely in 3 to 4 hours and functions as a portable power bank for charging cell phones and other electronics. It also features convenient onboard storage for the air tube and other accessories.
Incredibly, this mini inflator was the big surprise in the group. It’s not rated for a truck tire, but because I don’t own a car, a truck tire had to do. It handled the job. It did get hot, and the battery was only capable of filling one tire after filling the basketball and bike tires, but it did the trick. It’s so small that it fits in a glove box, but it’s powerful enough to get a low tire up to snuff. I don’t think I’d use it to fill several tires, but it’s great in a pinch on the road or on the trails.
Get the Cycplus tire inflator at Amazon or Cycplus.
For a high-quality battery-powered tire inflator that provides plenty of power options, the Craftsman V20 cordless tire inflator is worth a look. This inflator runs on 120V or 12V power and comes with a 4Ah battery to ensure strong inflation power. It also includes a 20-inch hose, a digital pressure gauge with a regulator, and onboard cord and hose storage. This Craftsman tire inflator has a maximum pressure of 160 PSI, providing plenty of pressure for filling car and truck tires. Once it reaches the desired pressure, this inflator’s automatic shutoff will turn the compressor off, eliminating the risk of overinflating tires.
Testing proved that this Craftsman is a quality compressor, and the increased pressure over other models is really a standout feature. I liked that all the storage was onboard for the different valve attachments, both AC and DC wires, as well as the flexible hose for floats and air mattresses. I also liked that it sits securely on the ground while filling, which is especially nice when coupled with the automatic shutoff. It filled to within 1 PSI of the vehicle’s TPMS reading, which I felt was very accurate. What I didn’t like, however, is that the gauge is very hard to read in the sun.
Get the Craftsman tire inflator at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Walmart, or Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
Unfortunately, not all of our tire inflators had what it takes to land on our list. This Slime 12V tire inflator’s built-in gauge was the main issue. It was nowhere near accurate, leaving me guessing every time I plugged it in and hooked it up to a tire. It was underpowered and loud, and the plastic construction seemed to be of low quality from the moment I started using it. It does have a built-in flashlight and onboard storage for the cord and hose, but overall, it’s probably best to avoid it.
When shopping for a tire inflator, you have a lot of features to think about. From convenience and portability to pressure and power source, pay attention to these factors and more to help you make the right choice.
Tire inflators use electric motors and pumps to fill tires. They need a power source to do that, and there are two options: corded and cordless.
Corded inflators that use 12V power plug into a vehicle’s 12V jack to run off the car’s battery. Some may clip directly to the battery, like jumper cables. These inflators are convenient because they don’t require keeping an additional battery charged. As long as the car’s battery has power, the inflator can operate.
While most corded inflators run on 12V power, some flexible models use both 12V and 120V power. These models plug into a standard electrical outlet as well as 12V jacks.
Cordless inflators are battery-operated and use rechargeable batteries to power the motor and pump. Some cordless inflators have built-in batteries that charge via USB or 120V power, while others have removable batteries.
Cordless inflators offer quite a bit more flexibility than a corded 12V inflator, as they don’t require an additional power source to fill a tire. For this reason, they’re just as good at filling flat tires on bikes and sports equipment as they are at pumping pressure into car tires.
When it comes to tire inflators, pressure usually equals speed. The higher the pressure a tire inflator can produce, the quicker it can fill to the required tire pressure. In order to avoid spending too much time filling a tire, look for a compressor with at least 100 PSI. However, an inflator with a maximum pressure of 150 PSI will have it up and running even faster. Most tire inflators can fill a car’s tire to the recommended 30 to 40 PSI without an issue.
When choosing a tire inflator, the amount of time it takes to pump up a tire can be a significant factor. Inflation time can run from around 10 minutes up to 20 or 30 minutes, depending on the tire inflator and its output. The less time spent filling a flat tire, the sooner the vehicle or bike can get on the road.
Air compressors operate on what’s known as a “duty cycle.” The duty cycle describes how long a compressor can run before needing a certain amount of time to cool down.
Many tire inflators can only run for 15 minutes or so before needing a break. They have to run at high speeds to produce the amount of pressure necessary, and compressing air creates heat. Also, their compact design causes them to retain that heat, so they’re not able to run as long as a pancake or full-size compressor. These larger compressors can fill a tank with air and then shut off, making duty cycle less of a consideration (except in commercial settings).
A shorter duty cycle is rarely an issue when filling pool floats or sports equipment, but it can be a drawback when filling large truck tires. For that reason, many portable tire inflators clearly state they’re not designed for truck tires, though anything can help in a pinch.
To get the most wear and mileage out of car tires, fill them with the optimal amount of pressure that the manufacturer recommends. This is usually around 35 PSI.
To put the proper amount of air into the tire, a tire inflator needs a gauge that’s easy to read. Inflators with digital gauges are the easiest, especially if they are backlit or have a light in the background. However, analog gauges also work well if their faces have large numerals. Most analog gauges don’t have a backlight, though, so they can be challenging to read in low-light situations.
Small air compressors are stout, tough machines, but they can overheat if they run too long. Manufacturers protect their tire inflators by including automatic shut-off functions.
The three measurements that a tire inflator can take before shutting off automatically are pressure, temperature, and time. A pressure shutoff is particularly handy, as it can be set to the desired pressure, and the inflator will stop pumping air once the tire reaches it. Likewise, if the tire inflator starts reaching a dangerous temperature, typically around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, it will shut down until it cools off. A built-in shutoff could also begin a cooldown process after running for a prescribed amount of time, which is usually around 15 minutes.
Trying to fill a tire with a short hose isn’t much fun, but tripping over a long, tangled hose isn’t much better. A tire inflator with a 16- to 20-inch hose generally works best—long enough to easily reach most tires but still manageable.
For a longer hose that’s also manageable, look for a tire inflator with a coiled hose. These hoses stretch considerably, often enough to fill each of the four tires without moving the compressor. These inflators can be very helpful for off-road enthusiasts and large vehicles like pickup trucks and SUVs.
People often look for a tire inflator over a standard air compressor because they’re light and portable—and that’s an excellent reason. A tire inflator can often weigh less than a pound, so users can carry it in one hand.
For road trips, a tire inflator can be a handy tool, though trunk space can get tight on a longer trip. A compact inflator can fit nicely in the trunk without taking up valuable space needed for luggage or snacks. Most tire inflators fit this bill, but compact models take up even less space and can sometimes even fit in a glove box.
While tire inflators are often simple by design, there are a few features that can make using them even easier. For example, a programmable pressure regulator will prevent overfilling the tire. Another handy feature is a built-in pressure gauge. This shows how much pressure is going into the tire without having to remove the hose to check it with a separate tire gauge.
If you still have some questions about your new tire inflator, don’t worry. This section answers the most frequently asked questions about tire inflators.
Proper tire pressure helps maintain even tread wear on vehicle tires, allowing for the longest possible life out of a tire set. Proper pressure also improves gas mileage.
The easiest way to check the tire pressure is with a pressure gauge (available at Amazon). Just remove the valve cap and press the gauge onto the tire’s valve to get a reading.
This value is usually available in the driver’s side door jamb, on a label prescribing the correct pressures. However, for older vehicles and bicycles, check the tire’s sidewall for the recommended PSI. It can be hard to read, so have a wet rag handy to wipe off dirt and grime.
Air condenses in colder temperatures, so tire pressure drops in cooler seasons. The first chilly mornings of fall usually create a line of cars at gas station tire pumps—a good reason to keep a tire inflator at home.
Tom Scalisi is a freelance writer specializing in the home design, construction, and automotive industries. Having been in the trades for more than 15 years as both a contractor and a commercial building mechanic, he shares his expertise with readers of Bob Vila, This Old House, Family Handyman, and even his pest control blog.
We’re committed to testing and reviewing products so you can make an informed decision. Advertising does not influence our product reviews and it never will. We always focus our coverage on standout products and never hesitate to mention their flaws and quirks. By using our affiliate links, you’re supporting our work and helping us continue to provide expert analysis. Find out more about our product evaluation process.
By Glenda Taylor, Tom Scalisi
By Glenda Taylor, Tom Scalisi, Additional research provided by Timothy Dale
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