Imagine this, you are driving late in the night, minding your own business and suddenly you hear your tire make weird thudding sound. You know what that sounds mean. Sure, you have a spare tire in the back but you don’t want to be late on your way back home.
Flat tires don’t wait for the perfect time to happen, they can happen when you least expect them and that’s where tire inflator comes to save the day. If you ask me, they are the best invention of all time that can transform your flat tire into an inflatable one. They don’t provide you with a permanent solution but rather offers temporary one so that you can get safely to the place you were going and take care of the tire later.
Best Tire Inflators – 2021
There are a bunch of tire inflators in the market but not all of them offer the qualities stated on the product description. So, we have written this very detailed guide that will help you pick the best tire inflators available in the market. All the product recommendations that you see below are self-tested and guaranteed to have your vehicle back on the road in a couple of minutes.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Avid Power Tire Inflator
The Avid Power Tire Inflator Air Compressor is an amazing portable tire inflator that supports both AC and DC. This product will protect you in times of an unexpected flat tire. This is a multi-purpose inflator that not only fills the air in your vehicle’s tires, but you can also use it to fill your mattresses. This product can also be used to deflate stuffs making it a must-have for your next camping trip. The product also features dual motors that allows for super-fast tire inflation.
Additionally, it features a digital pressure gauge, which makes it easier to set pressure or record readings. This product comes equipped with multiple power supplies, one is AC, which mean it can be plugged into your regular wall outlet, and another one is DC, that can be plugged in the 12V socket, which is also known as cigarette lighter.
Features:
- Quick Tire Inflation
- Digital Pressure Gauge
- Dual Motors
- Inflation and Deflation Mode
- Compact and Portable
FORTEM Digital Tire Inflator
The FORTEM Digital Tire Inflator has been dubbed as the vehicle’s first aid kit by numerous car enthusiasts. Flat tires are the worst thing and they don’t wait for the perfect moment or time, they can happen anywhere! But if you have the FORTOM Digital Tire Inflator with you then you don’t have to worry about anything. This easy to use product will fill up your flat tire in no time. The product comes in a portable and compact shape with a large digital LCD display that shows pressure readings and also allows for precision.
Furthermore, this product also features a bright LED light that will definitely help you in the dark. It also features long power cord that reaches every corner of your car’s tires and fill them quickly. This is a must-have tool if you travel long distances too often.
Features:
- Easy To Use
- Multiple Nozzles
- LCD Display and LED Flashlight
- One Year Warranty
EPAUTO Portable Tire Inflator
The EPAUTO Portable Tire Inflator is another great product. This tire inflator is powered using the 12V DC cigarette lighter socket. It is very easy to use and comes with multiple nozzles that not only lets you fill air in your car tires but also bicycle tires, basketballs, footballs, and various other inflatables. It also features an LCD display that not only states PSI but also bunch of other useful measurements such as KPA, BAR, KG/CM.
Additionally, it also comes with a bright LED flashlight that will help you fill up your tire in the dark. It comes with a long power cable and an overheat protector that automatically shut off the unit when it crosses the 167°F. The only downside of this product is that it does not support LT, HT, or any other truck tires.
Features:
- Easy To Operate
- 4 Display Units
- Prevents Over Inflation
- CE Certified
Kensun Portable Air Compressor Pump
The Kensun Portable Air Compressor Pump is powered by a dual solid metal motor that allows for a rapid tire inflation. It operates on both AC and DC, which mean you can use it using your car’s 12V DC socket and as well as your regular wall mounted AC outlets. Just like the previous air inflators, this one also comes with a bunch of nozzles that allows you to fill air in other inflatables. It comes with a large classic analog display that ensures correct pressure needs.
The continuous working time of this product is 30 minutes at 35 psi. Another great thing about this product is that it is very lightweight and doesn’t require much space in the truck. This is a perfect device to have, in both your house and your vehicle.
Features:
- Dual High Power Motor
- Classic Analog Display
- Works On Both AC/DC
- Lightweight and Portable
VacLife Air Compressor Tire Inflator
Nobody likes waiting for their car tires to fill up but if you have VacLife Air Compressor Tire Inflator then you don’t have to worry about it. This product provides quick and effortless tire inflation. It is an easy to use tire inflator that comes equipped with a bright digital display. It also comes with an auto-shutdown switch that triggers when the certain psi is reached.
Additionally, it comes with a very long and durable power cord that can reach every corner of your car. The maximum amount of pressure that you can get out of this product is 150 psi. It comes with a bunch of different nozzles that not only fills tires but also other inflatables like balls, inflatable pools, mattresses, and many other inflatables. It is also very lightweight and portable, which makes it easier to store in the back of your car’s trunk.
Features:
- Quick Inflating or Deflation
- Auto Shut Off
- Long Power Cord
- Digital Display and LED Flashlight
TEROMAS Portable Tire Inflator
The TEROMAS Portable Tire Inflator is another awesome product that I had to include in this list. It supports two different power modes, one is AC and another one is DC. It can run on both your vehicle’s cigarette lighter and on regular wall outlets. Just like the previous ones, this is also a multi-purpose tire inflator product, which means it can inflate other inflatables as well. It also features auto-shutdown technology that lets you set a specific pressure and when that pressure is reached, it will shutdown itself automatically.
Furthermore, it features a bright LCD display alongside an LED light, which makes inflating tires at night a piece of cake. This product also comes with a carrying bag that makes it very convenient to take it to places. The product is ideal for different type of cars but not for trucks or motor lorry.
Features:
- Works On AC/DC
- Multi-Purpose
- Auto-Off Function
- Digital Display and LED Light
Helteko Portable Air Compressor
The Helteko Portable Air Compressor is another famous name in the categories of air inflators. It is a 12V DC portable air inflator that features a maximum pressure of up to 150 PSI. The built quality of this product is very amazing, it is a mix of high quality plastic and stainless steel. This product also comes with auto-shutdown feature that enables you to set precise preferred pressure. It also features rapid tire inflation that will have you back on the road in a matter of few minutes.
Additionally, it comes with a digital display and a bright LED flashlight that you will only know the worth of when you are stuck in a nighttime emergency. This product also features multiple nozzles that lets you fill air in numerous other inflatables. It makes very little noise and can run continuously for a period of 10 minutes.
Features:
- Great Build Quality
- Auto Shut Off
- Digital Display and LED Light
- Compact and Portable
WindGallop Portable Air Compressor
The WindGallop Portable Air Compressor is an amazing tire inflator that is fast, convenient and comes with a bright LED display that shows accurate pressure readings. This product also allows you to set specific pressure and once that specific PSI is reached, the device will shutdown itself in order to stop over-inflation. It features less noise and is therefore more stable. It is a perfect tool to have with you in your car. It is also perfect for other inflatables like air mattresses, pool toys, basketballs, etc.
Additionally, it comes with a long power cord and a bright LED light that could be very convenient at night. It also features an SOS mode light that could prove very useful if you’re stuck at night. It is only suitable for small to medium vehicles. This product offers 12 months warranty and 24 hours of customer service.
Features:
- Rapid Inflation
- LED Light and SOS mode
- Long Power Cord
- 12 Months Warranty
Breezz Air Compressor
The Breezz Air Compressor Tire Inflator is another awesome product. It quickly fills the air in car tires, bicycles, and other inflatable items. It comes with an accurate pressure gauge and a bright LED flashlight that have got your back in nighttime emergencies. Just like the previous one, this product also features auto-shutdown technology that turns itself off when desired PSI is reached. It comes with multiple nozzles that lets you fill air in other inflatables as well.
Furthermore, it features long power cable that can easily reach all corners of your car. It is perfect for small to mid-size vehicles but isn’t suitable for big trucks. This product is compact, portable, and can easily fit in your car’s trunk without taking much space. Additionally, Breezz also offer its customers a 12 month warranty.
Features:
- Rapid Inflation
- Auto Shutdown Feature
- Digital LCD Display and LED Light
- 12-Months Warranty
Lifeline AAA 300 PSI Air Compressor
The Lifeline AAA 300 PSI Air Compressor is a powerful tool that can inflate your car tires in a matter of few seconds. It runs on 12V DC socket of your vehicle, which is also known as cigarette lighter. It comes with 3 nozzle adaptors that let you fill air in a bunch of different things than just tires. The total maximum pressure this thing can provide is 300 PSI and it features a 10 ft long power cable that can easily reach all four tires of your vehicle.
Additionally, it features classic pressure gauge that provides you with accurate readings. This product is very small and can be kept in the back of your vehicle’s trunk in case of an emergency.
Features:
- Heavy Duty and Powerful Motor
- 10 Foot Long Power Cord
- Easy to Use
- Multiple Nozzle Adaptors
Powerhouse Digital Tire Inflator
The Powerhouse Digital Tire Inflator is an amazing product that is very powerful and features a portable air compressor. It also features an auto-shutdown feature that allows you to add air pressure to your vehicle’s tire with precision. It runs on 12V DC and provides maximum 100 PSI pressure that can quickly inflate any small to mid-range vehicle’s tire. It has a built-in bright LED light that is useful for night emergencies.
Just like previous tire inflators, this one also comes with multiple nozzles that allow it to be useful on numerous type of inflatables. This product takes around 4 minutes to completely fill your tire to the appropriate pressure. It is a great tool to have if you go on long routes.
Features:
- Quick and Easy To Use
- Compact and Portable
- Built-in LED Light
- Analog Display
Ontel Air Hawk Pro Cordless Tire Inflator
The Ontel Air Hawk Pro Cordless Tire Inflator is a bit different product than all those mentioned above. As it name says, it’s a cordless tire inflator. It is a portable air compressor and comes with an easy to use instructions and digital pressure gauge. Since it is a cordless air compressor, it operates on battery but don’t worry about running out of battery because it comes with a rechargeable one that can be recharged using an AC charger.
However, if you don’t prefer a battery powered stuff then it also comes with a 12V cable adaptor that allows it to operate continuously on power. This product offers rapid tire inflation. It can inflate a flat tire in about 80 seconds. It also features auto shut off feature that is very useful because it stops over-inflation of the tire.
Features:
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight and Portable
- Cordless Tire Inflator
- Inflates a Tire In Less Than 90 Seconds
Audew Air Compressor Tire Inflator
The Audew Air Compressor Tire Inflator is a great portable air compressor product. It operates on 12V DC, which means it can run using the cigarette lighter available on your vehicle. Just like the previous ones, this also features auto shut off function. It also comes with an LCD display unit and an LED light that is convenient in the dark. It has a 10 feet long power cord, which is long enough to reach every corner of your vehicle.
Furthermore, the maximum pressure you can get out of this product is 150 PSI. It is extremely easy to use and can quickly inflate your vehicle’s tires. The only downside of this product is the noise and vibration. It isn’t crazy loud but considering the price of this unit, it is a pretty good deal.
Features:
- Rapid Inflation
- Auto Shut Off
- LCD Display and LED Light
- Compact and Portable
Ryobi P737 18-Volt ONE+ Portable Cordless Inflator
The Ryobi Portable Cordless Tire Inflator is an amazing product that operates on an 18 volt lithium powered battery. The battery is not included in the packaging so you will have purchase it separately. It is a pretty small and powerful air compressor that can fill up your flat tire in few minutes. This product is easy to use and offers an accurate pressure gauge. It also comes with multiple high pressure nozzles that allows you to fill air in other inflatables.
This product is perfect for those people who already own Ryobi products. It is a very portable device and can easily fit in the trunk without taking much space. It features pistol grip that makes it very convenient to work with.
Features:
- Small and Portable
- Cordless Tire Inflator
- Pistol Grip
- Multiple High Pressure Nozzles
How To Find The Best Tire Inflator For Your Car?
Since, there thousands of tire inflators in the market, choosing the right one for you can be difficult. You have to take different aspects into consideration when purchasing a tire inflator. It is very important that you buy the right tire inflator because a faulty one will only bring you more tension than relief. It is necessary that you keep a good tire inflator in your car all the time because it can quickly inflate a flat tire and you will be back on the road in no time. If you are getting flat tires too often then make sure to check the condition of your tires as it affects directly to your safety.
Before buying any inflator, make sure to do the proper research and only get the one that checks all the boxes. For your convenience, we have written this extensive guide that describes what factors to look for when purchasing a tire inflator.
Easy To Use
It is very crucial that a device you purchase is easy to use. A digital tire inflator is better than an analog one. There are some people who do prefer the analog over digital but if you are like me, who likes to get things done quicker then you should stick with a digital tire inflator. It does not require you to manually enter the PSI and it also features auto shut-off feature that automatically shutdown the device once the desired pressure is reached.
With a digital tire inflator, you don’t have to keep looking at the pressure gauge to avoid tire overinflation. The digital inflator provides your car’s tire with the right amount of pressure that also helps in increasing tire life.
Compact and Portable
Another thing that you should look in a tire inflator is the portability. It is necessary that you purchase an inflator that you can easily carry around in the trunk of your car during long trips. You have to make sure that it is small enough to easily fit in the trunk while also leaving enough room for your luggage. Hence, you should always look for a tire inflator that takes the least amount of space in your vehicle’s trunk.
Tire Inflation Time
Time is an important aspect of our life and once it is lost, it shall never be retrieved. In order to find the best inflator in the market, it is necessary to check its tire inflation rate. A good inflator can fill up your tire in a matter of few minutes. Although, a slower tire inflator doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad one but it’s good to have inflator that will have you back on the road quickly.
Tire Size
It is also important that you know the size of your vehicle’s tire. The reason why is because tire inflators don’t work with all types of tires. Make sure that you purchase a tire inflator that suits your vehicle’s tire. If you own a small to mid-sized vehicle then most of the tire inflators will work just fine but if you own a different type of vehicle, then make sure to read the guidelines properly.
Time To Cool Down
Another important factor to look for in a good tire inflator is the time to cool down. It is the amount of time a tire inflator takes to cool itself down. It is important because if it isn’t cool, you won’t be able to use it for the second time. If the time to cool down is longer then it is going to take you a while to inflate all your tires. So, make sure to look for an inflator that offers short times.
How To Handle and Use a Tire Inflator?
It is very important that you know how to use tire inflator or else it’s money down the drain. Using a tire inflator correctly also ensures longer life of the inflator. Make sure to check the pressure of the tires every other night or so once you buy yourself a tire inflator. So, that was another feature of tire inflator or else you’d have to drive to the gas station every fortnight to get your tires checked.
If you have already bought a tire inflator but don’t know how to use it properly then don’t worry because we’ve already written a guide on how to use tire inflator. It’s a beginners-friendly guide so make sure to give it a read. Below, you will see few tips that we’ve shared that might be helpful for someone who had recently bought a tire inflator:
- You should always store your tire inflator properly in a dry place. Keep it away from moisture or else it will get rusted quickly.
- Keep an eye on the pressure gauge as you are filling the tire. If you have a tire inflator that has an auto shut-off feature then you don’t have to worry about that. You will just have to enter the specific pressure PSI and the machine will take care of the rest.
- Don’t try to add less air to your tires. It is very harmful for your tire as it leads to dry rot on the side of the tire.
- Make sure to check the pressure on the tires every fortnight or at least once in a week. Tires usually lose air so keeping an eye on them will make them last longer.
- When using a portable tire inflator, make sure to give it a rest every 10 to 15 minutes of usage or else it will get overheated and the inflator might stop working. After using it for 10 to 15 minutes, give it a rest for around 15 to 25 minutes.
FAQ’s
What does PSI mean?
PSI stands for Pounds per Square inch and you can found it present in the pressure gauge. It is basically a unit that allows us to measure the air pressure. A PSI gauge is the same as a fuel gauge present in an air compressor.
How Much Pressure Should I Put In My Tires?
You’d find the answer to that question written on the sidewall of your tire. It probably should be below the manufacturer’s logo and should be written as “Max Press. 38 PSI”. However, you can also obtain a chart from your tire dealership.
How To Check Tire Pressure?
In order to check tire pressure, remove the valve stemp cap and put the tire pressure gauge into the valve stem. Ensure that its tight and not loosely fitted. Head over to the pressure gauge and take note of the readings. Once done, simply put the valve stemp caps back on.
Does Tire Pressure Affect Gas Mileage?
It is known that if you keep your tires inflated properly then you may get around 3% more gas mileage than usual. On the other hand, an underinflated tire might lower your gas mileage. So, make sure to keep your tires inflated properly to get the optimum performance out of your vehicle.