We’ve all been there before: you’re on a back road miles from the nearest gas station, and your tire pressure light comes on. Do you risk it and try to drive to the gas station, or call a tow truck?
Or maybe, you have a car that’s been in the garage all winter. The cold air has undoubtedly lowered your tire pressure, possibly to a level that isn’t safe to drive on.
Maybe you’re just a person who hates waiting in line to pay a dollar to pump your tires up.
All of these scenarios have one thing in common: the need for a portable tire inflator.
What is a portable tire inflator?
A portable tire inflator, or air compressor, is a machine that can run off of 12V and inflate your car tires. Sounds simple right? Well, not so much. There are a multitude of options and features that you have to decide between when deciding on a model to purchase
Generally, these units are small enough to fit in your trunk, back seat, or in a cabinet in your garage. As the name suggests, the main goal is portability—you need to be able to take these portable inflator pumps with you wherever you go in case you need them.
As a result, the most common source of power for portable air compressors is the cigarette lighter in your car, although you can generally plug them directly into your car battery. The flexibility you are afforded is exactly what makes portable tire inflators so useful. But how can you find the best portable tire inflator in 2019?
What should I look for with a portable inflator?
While any size compressor will certainly inflate your tires, you’ll want something that will do it quickly so you can get back out on the road in no time flat. The unit of measurement for the rate at which your compressor can move a given volume of air is called the CFM. Generally, you’ll want to look for something between 1 and 2 CFM.
It’s also important to buy a model with a built-in pressure gauge. The risk of overinflating your tires is serious, but it is easily avoided if your portable inflator pump has a pressure gauge. These gauges are also incredibly helpful in inflating your tires to a specific level as specified by your manufacturer. Inflating your tires to the proper level will ensure proper handling of your car, and help keep you safe in adverse weather conditions.
Lastly, look for a portable air compressor with additional features that will be useful for your specific situation. If you’re worried about your battery dying or don’t have a cigarette lighter in your car, it may be worthwhile to invest in a model that is rechargeable. If you have a large car, it might be a good idea to buy a portable tire inflator with a long hose.
Best portable tire inflator in 2019
1.Campbell Hausfeld CC2300 Portable Compressor
The Campbell Hausfeld CC2300 has the most bells and whistles out of any of the models in this price range. A built-in power supply not only allows you to run the unit without an external power supply, it also lets you charge or operate other devices that can run off of 12 volts.
This portable tire inflator also has two inflator nozzles and one sports ball needle so you can inflate multiple tires, air mattresses, sports balls, rafts, and more at the same time. If you’re a lover of the outdoors, this pump will quickly prove its use to you.
On top of the variety of nozzles and a convenient internal battery, the Campbell Hausfel CC2300 portable tire inflator has a built-in pressure gauge that will help you inflate anything to precisely the required PSI. A convenient built-in handle also increases the portability factor of this tire pump.
Pros:
-Rechargeable internal battery
-Sockets allow you to charge any device that requires 12V
-3 nozzles allow for inflating multiple accessories simultaneously
-Built-in pressure gauge
-Handle allows for easy transportation
Cons:
-Expensive unit for price range
-Variety of options may be hard to use
-External sockets will drain battery more quickly
2.VIAIR 85P Portable Air Compressor
Next on our list is the most powerful portable tire compressor at this price range. Sporting a hefty 1.26 CFM, this pump will inflate your tires quickly and get you back out on the road faster than its competitors.
Perhaps the most unique (and useful) feature this pump offers is its built-in super bright LED. Unlike other portable tire pumps, this model will illuminate the area in front of it, allowing you to more easily find the nozzle for inflation.
The embedded tire pressure gauge is another must-have feature included in this portable air compressor. You can inflate tires up to 31 inches in diameter and know the pressure as you go!
This 12V model is perfect if you don’t need a rechargeable battery and your main power source is the cigarette lighter in your car. Because the engine must be running to use this device, this model may not be perfect for every use case.
Pros
-High CFM means quick charging
-Built-in super bright LED helps you inflate in the dark
-Cigarette outlet charging lets you charge on the go
-Embedded tire pressure gauge
Cons
-Only rated for tires up to 31 inches in diameter
-Must have engine running while charging
-No rechargeable battery limits use cases
-Unable to use AC mains power from a standard 120V outlet
3.Kensun AC/DC Swift Performance Portable Air Compressor Tire Inflator with Analog Display for Home and Car
This portable tire inflator is incredibly flexible. With both DC and AC options, you can run this model using 12V DC from your cigarette lighter or 110V from the outlet in your home. The AC option runs will pump air more quickly, but the DC option offers an unparalleled flexibility.
The Kensun Swift Performance Portable Air Compressor even offers a variety of nozzle attachments depending on what you would like to inflate. Anything from tires to beach balls are fair game for this flexible unit!
A built-in analog tire pressure gauge doesn’t offer the flare of its digital counterparts, but gets the job done all the same! No need to worry about overinflating your tires with this pump.
The largest drawback of this portable tire inflator is its CFM. It supplies 0.64 CFM on DC and 0.71 CFM on AC power. This model will still inflate your tires all the same—it’ll just take a little longer to do it.
Pros
-AC and DC power options offer unparalleled flexibility
-Analog pressure gauge allows for precision in inflating
-Various nozzle attachments
Cons
-Low CFM means slower inflations
-No included battery limits usable scenarios
4.EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump Digital Tire Inflator by 100 PSI
The best bang for your buck, this portable tire inflator has a variety of useful features that you won’t see on any other models at this price point.
Simply plug this portable air compressor into your 12V cigarette socket, and let its 1.06 CFM take inflate your tires with speed and precision.
Unlike most other units in this price range, the EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump Digital Tire Inflator by 100 PSI includes a digital pressure gauge so you can take all of the guesswork out of inflating your tires.
Not only that, but this portable tire inflator has an automatic shutoff that will prevent you from overinflating your tires. It also features an LED flashlight like much more expensive modeals
Pros
-1.06 CFM means quick inflation
-LED flashlight allows for inflation in the dark
-Automatic shutoff prevents overinflation
-Digital pressure gauge
Cons
-No AC power option or rechargeable battery
-Only rated for tires up to those found on mid-size SUVs
5.Tire Inflator 12V DC Air Compressor, Portable Electric Pump, Digital Pressure Gauge
It can provide with powerful 35 l/min air-flow. Microprocessor monitors tire pressure and will automatically stop at your set pressure +/- 1Psi at 35 Psi.
Compact design and storage case make it ideal for storage in your trunk. 4 Spare Dust Caps, Presta to Schrader valve adaptor for your bicycles and an exclusive Digital Guide to Tire Care will be included in the package .
Pros:
-Plug into 12 Volt cigarette lighter socket or other 12 V outlet is easily for your setting
-Digital display for setting and reading the tire pressure is convenient
-Capable of inflating a mid-sized car tire from flat to 30 Psi in under 3 minutes
-Longer hose and cables are integrated into housing
Cons :
-No backlight for the LCD display
-Display is upside down when you stick it on your valve stem
-Sometimes gauge isn’t very accurate
6.AstroAI Portable Air Compressor Pump 100 PSI, Digital Tire Inflator 12V DC Electric Gauge
This inflated tire provides better performance in all weather conditions. It can prevent crashes, tire explosions, and premature tire wear.
It is Professionally calibrated to always return a reading within 1% of the pressure of your tire.It is used convenient just simply turn your vehicle on, plug in the air compressor, and inflate! A high-flow pump inflates your tires up to 35 Liters per Minute.
Package includes a needle, two cone adapters, spare fuse and valve caps, and a built-in LED flashlight.
Pros:
– Faster & Quieter
– Auto shut off at preset level
– Lighted tire gauge
– LED light
– Sturdy and looks very good quality
Cons:
– Connector is screw type and may lose air if not removed fast enough. To compensate air loss, it fills 1-1.5 psi higher than preset value.
-Above 35-40 psi, it runs slower with engine off and cannot fill above 50 psi
-It was difficult to apply to get an accurate reading
7,Portable Air Compressor 12V Car Tire Inflator Digital Tire Pump Auto Shut Off Preset Tire Pressure
It’s helpful and useful at home and for car.As it’s pretty small to keep in the car,It is easy to carry from car to house and pump for tires easily.
Also, you can pump to family stuff like balls, children’s raft. it can pump for more than 400 balloons on the party.
Pros:
-Quick inflate
Completely inflate a tire in only 3 to 5 minutes (depending on tire size) through the pressure hose capable of delivering 35-40 PSI
-Portable & Durable
It does not have a battery aboard so it must get its DC power by plugging it into a DC source like the one provided by a car’s power port or “cigarette lighter” as we used to call it, or other storage device with a DC type outlet.
-Digital display & Smart technology
The Illumination works good in daylight and night. It has a blue background with black numbers to display the pressure
Cons:
-It was rated for 100 psi but the hose starting leaking from inside the machine somewhere once it hit 60psi
– Sometimes product is not accurate
8,EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump, Digital Tire Inflator
Plug directly into cigarette lighter socket of your vehicle with 12 DC,10-15 amps .
Inflate tires on cars, bikes, sedan and midsize SUV. DOES NOT SUPPORT LT, HT and Truck Tires
4 Display Units: PSI, KPA, BAR, KG/CM is easily for reading .
Pros:
– Auto shut off is great to prevent over inflation
– Little longer power cord
– Works well and quickly
-Very quiet compared to other air pumps
-The blue display is easy to read even in the dark
Cons:
– Carry bag too smaller .
– Connect is a screw on and not a quick connect
9.Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Portable Compressor
Lastly, we have the most economical option for a portable tire compressor: the Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Portable Compressor. This unit features 1.06 CFM, so it’s perfectly capable of inflating your tires quickly.
Like many other portable air compressors this unit is operated via the 12V DC cigarette socket in your car. Perhaps its largest drawback, though, is that your engine must be running while you use it. This is perfectly fine for most situations, but limits the usability in certain situations.
The Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Portable Compressor also includes an analog pressure gauge to let you read the pressure intermittently while inflating. While this unit is lacking in bells and whistles, it comes with a carrying case for extra portability and convenient storage.
Pros
-Sufficient CFM of 1.06
-Convenient carrying case
-Analog pressure gauge
Cons
-No AC power or rechargeable battery
-Engine must be running
-Analog pressure gauge only able to be checked while air is not being pumped
Conclusion
There are hundreds of portable tire inflators on the market, and deciding which to buy can be tricky. Fortunately, figuring out what you want to get out of your portable air compressor can make picking a model much easier. Whether you want a unit with all the extra features or the most affordable model on the market, look no further than this list!
Link : https://autospore.com/best-portable-tire-inflators/
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