Are you planning a road trip? Well, ensure you have a tire inflator as tires losing pressure is a common thing. That way, you will keep a close eye on your tires' condition anytime and anywhere, ensuring they are in an excellent and balanced state. Besides, underinflated tires are undeniably a nuisance to your trips which can even lead to accidents.
Investing in a tire inflator will not only save you time from constant visits to the gas station, but it will also save you a sum of money. The average frequent tire repair cost can exceed the amount of tire itself. With this, owning a tire inflator is the most convenient option for everyone out there. However, finding the best one would need to be executed with pure scrutiny to assure you'll get the best in the market.
That said, our experts rounded up the five best tire inflators suited for your different needs and preferences. Together with our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide, you will be eased of your burdens as we will directly highlight the best points you should look for in tire inflators. Lastly, click the button under each item to get the best offers on Amazon.
Best Tire Inflators Comparison & Rating
1. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Tire Inflator
Brand | BLACK + DECKER |
Weight | 5.2 pounds |
Dimensions | 11.6 x 7.6 x 8.7 inches |
Voltage | 20 volts |
This tire inflator checks all the boxes suiting your needs and liking. It has 120 V AC and 12 V power input for home or car use and automatically inflates to the pre-set desired pressure. The battery option is convenient for portable use, which only takes 30-45 minutes to charge fully. Remarkably, the hose and cables have a storage slot right on the device, which is very convenient. Generally, this machine is well-built with a handle for easy carrying around and t an affordable price.
2. ARB Twin Motor Portable Air Compressor
Brand | ARB |
Weight | 20 pounds |
Dimensions | 10 x 10 x 35 inches |
Voltage | 12 volts |
If you need an inflator that pumps up almost everything from small to large size, this is it. It comes with simple instructions that ensure an effortless installation and use. There's no need to remove the tires while using this air compressor. The fittings are solid with an easy to read gauge that automatically shuts off to avoid overheating and overinflating. It is also durable to serve you even for years with appropriate use.
3. Epauto 12V DC Tire Inflator
Brand | Epauto |
Weight | 3.76 pounds |
Dimensions | 9.65 x 7.8 x 5.39 inches |
Voltage | 12 volts |
This high-rated inflator is an excellent buy for those who are keen on time. You can plug into the cigarette socket of your car or 12 V DC 10 AMP from your vehicle. This makes it versatile to work on any car tire with a matching valve. Apart from being a tire inflator, it is also an air compressor. Not to mention that this gauge is very accurate hence not requiring constant check-ups. This is truly an excellent value for your money as you can use it for more than ten uses.
4. Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor
Brand | Viair |
Weight | 4.5 pounds |
Dimensions | 6.75 x 6.25 x 10.75 inches |
Voltage | 12 volts |
This tire inflator is your best choice to fill up all tires, including heavy-duty vehicles. It comes with a brass screw-on fitting that provides a secure seal with the valve stem. This way, it avoids leakage and removes the need to grip the chuck on the valve stem. Moreover, the alligator clips have a high-quality construction to enhance a firm electrical connection. The warm cylinder is warm to the touch that it will not burn you while adding more to the structure. Rest assured of value in terms of its excellent performance and durability.
5. Ryobi P737 18-Volt Cordless Tire Power Inflator
Brand | Ryobi |
Weight | 1.6 pounds |
Dimensions | 9 x 2.86 x 6.4 inches |
Voltage | 18 volts |
For those who rarely drive for long hours, this would be a great starter kit for filling in your tires. This cordless tire inflator is fast filling up an inflatable and tires within a few minutes, even for a flat tire. Remarkably, every Ryobi 18 V battery is compatible with any Ryobi 18 V tools. The oil-less air compressor is not harmful to breathe the output air. It also works well in topping off the tires rather than filling flat tires.
Best Tire Inflators - Buyer's Guide
There are two types of electric sources in tire inflators; cordless and corded. Some corded inflators require connecting directly into the car's battery, which can run off the battery. This hence requires you to keep backup batteries for emergencies. The better option of the corded inflators is those that use the cigarette plugin or outlet power source. Conversely, cordless inflators use rechargeable batteries to power the system. There are those with in-built batteries to charge via USB, and others have removable batteries.
he amount of pressure a tire inflator remits equals the speed. This means that the higher the pressure it can remit, the faster it fills a tire. Because time is valuable, you should look for an inflator with a minimum of 100 PSI to avoid spending so much time pumping your tire.
Always fill your tires with the recommended pressure by the manufacturer. To ensure you are getting a precise reading, look for an inflator with an easy to read and use gauge. Preferably, a digital meter is the best since it also has a background light that you can use even at night.
An automatic shut-off function helps in preventing overheating and overinflating. With this feature, you need it to set up the recommended or desired pressure and get on with your business. After the set duration and pressure, the inflator will go off by itself. Similarly, the shut-off can begin to cool down after running for the set period of about 15 minutes.
Look for a hose that is not too short or too long. A hose length of about 20 inches long on the higher side is perfect for reaching all the tires without you moving. However, a longer hose is much better as long as it has a coil slot for easy storage and pulling to avoid tripping. This is ideal for large trucks and vehicles since it stretches conveniently.
Best Tire Inflators - FAQs
With proper pressure, your tires are likely to last longer, maintaining an even balance. Also, it improves gas mileage.
It is available on a label stating the appropriate pressures on the doorjamb on the driver's side. Older vehicles usually have the readings on the tires' side; hence you need to wipe out the dirt to see it.
Use the pressure gauge on the inflator to check the pressure. Remove the valve cap and push the gauge on the tires' valve to get the reading instantly.
Usually, air condenses in cooler temperatures; thus, tire pressure drops in cooler times of the year. Conversely, during hot temperatures, the pressure in the tires becomes high.
