Riding on a flat or low-pressure tire of your car is an accident threat. That’s why you should always have a portable tire inflator for car in your trunk. It will save you from a lot of hassle and keep your pace fast like always.
Portable tire inflator is necessary for drivers, because it is a matter of the fact that you may need to top your tire while traveling for long drives. You may have a puncture and different tire problems, and you would need to cover them quickly.
Therefore, your toolbox demands a tire inflator. So, it is clear that a portable air compressor has a lot of duties according to the need and requirements.
People buy and keep them in their toolboxes for the sake of getting rid of bad times. On the other hand, they consider it necessary to put it in the garage as a helping accessory.
Let’s get straight to the best tire inflators available in the market.
7 Best Portable Tire Inflator in 2022
1. HAUSBELL Portable Air Compressor – Best Portable Tire Inflator Overal
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Are you searching for a super portable tire inflator? The Hausbell inflator is what you are looking for. It is a compact unit with a light weight of 1.8 pounds. Of all the units here, this inflator is the lightest.
It is made out of plastic, and that’s how it becomes lightweight and easy to carry. However, it’s the minimum weight that gets it knocking over recurrently. If you’ll keep it straight, giving good back support it’s not a deal-breaker.
Inflate more than just a tire with it. The unit comes with three extra nozzle attachments with the help of which you can feed air in the pool toys, mattress, and sports equipment.
At the fast pace of 35 L/min, the unit is quicker than you think it would be. It inflates all four tires within a few minutes and shuts off automatically when it reaches the set pressure. The highest pressure it consists of is 150 PSI.
A long cord of 9.8 feet allows you to approach all four tires. The digital gauge on the inflator is installed with an LED flashlight. So, even if you get stuck on a road at night and your phone’s battery is dead, you can use this lifeline.
If you want, you can alter the unit system of the inflator. It agrees to provide you with reading in PSI, BAR, KG/CM2, and KPa. All in all, it’s so easy to operate and provides you with multiple features at very little cost.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- LED light integrated
- Multiple unit system
- Automatic shut off
- Three additional nozzle attachment
Cons
- Knocks over frequently
2. AstroAI Air Compressor – Best Value for Money
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Sold out 33,000 times and still counting, the AstroAi tire inflator is one of the best candidates on the list of portable car tire inflators. It comes with three extra nozzle attachments and a fuse included.
Thanks to these nozzle attachments, you can do more than tire inflation. It’s good for pool toys, sports equipment, along with being the finest option for cars, bikes, and SUVs.
The large air hose of 3.5 meters permits the unit to reach all four tires for inflation. On the other hand, the 10 feet long cord connects easily to the cigarette lighter switch in your car.
While it’s compatible with the DC outlet, you’d need to have a converter to plug it into the AC outlet. The run and output time of the inflator is the same as that of the Hasubell inflator above. It reaches from 0 to 26 PSI in almost 2 minutes which is real quick.
Other than having an LCD screen, it’s installed with a LED light. The button of this LED is above the power switch and allows you to perform an inflation job after the sunset. The 10 lumen light is enough to spotlight the tire you are working on.
Additional features the unit has to offer are the automatic shut-off, multiple unit systems (PSI, BAR, KPa, and KG/CM2), and lightweight of 2.2 pounds to transport it easily. So, forget not to check the price of a reliable product that’s available in the town.
Pros
- Small and lightweight
- Easy to read gauges
- LED flashlight
- Extra nozzle attachment
- Auto shut off and fast
Cons
- Loud from others
3. Kensun AC/DC Power Supply Portable Air Compressor – Most Versatile Tire Inflator
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A big reason why tire inflator’s life cut down to half is the lack of carrying case. But this isn’t going to happen with your inflator if you buy the Kensun inflator. It already includes one to keep the unit from dirt, dust, and grime.
One of the best advantages is the inclusion of both AC and DC cords. Its AC cord is 9 feet 10 inches, while the DC outlet measures 9 feet 2 inches. That said, you can use it round the year in and out of your house.
As it comes with accessory attachments, you can use it to inflate bikes, pool rings, and of course, balls if you are fond of sports. It can work for 30 minutes straight so that you can inflate multiple household objects in one sitting on a weekend.
On the downside is its maximum pressure. It has to offer 120 PSI as the highest, unlike others that give you the freedom to adjust it in between 150 PSI. At 3.38 pounds, it does weigh more than others but stands tall in the trunk of your car.
Compared to other units here, it lacks an automatic shut-off and flashlight. However, check out its price if you don’t find it a deal-breaker.
Pros
- Both AC and Dc power cord
- Easy to read gauge
- Comes with a carrying case
- Works quick and well
Cons
- Short air hose
4. GSPSCN Tire Inflator – Best Quick Tire Inflator
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Of all the tire inflators here, it is the most heavyweight. It weighs 6 pounds, but that’s for the right reasons. The inflator contains two cylinders, unlike others that have one.
The dual number of cylinders makes the output quick. That said, it promises to perform for 70 L/min. It’s also a good fit to inflate trucks, SUVs, vans, and RVs.
If you are not interested in titanium, it’s also available in red and silver colors. So, you can match the vibes of your car and inflator. It has a long cord of 11.5 feet which makes it easier to reach all the tires.
Besides, it consists of a carrying case. This carrying case allows you to keep the unit safe and sound for long years to come. It has the highest pressure of 150 PSI. However, the gauge is not that accurate according to the users.
While the feet of the inflator are rubber for added stability, the handle is swingable. Credit to the design, you can move it out of the way when you are working on the car’s tire.
Make sure you turn it off for 10-15 minutes after every 20 minutes of use. This will help the motor cool down and make it available for you in the long run.
Pros
- Rubber feet and swingable handle
- Solid built and quick
- Sturdy carrying case
- Quick outcome
Cons
- Gauge is not accurate
5. Glamore Portable Tire Compressor – Best Budget-Friendly Portable Tire Inflator
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If you have enough space to store a vertically designed tire inflator for your car, Glamore is a nice option to put your bucks on. It is 10.1 x 6.1 x 3.1 inches and consumes a little more space than other inflators listed.
The maximum pressure of the unit is 150 PSI. It is quick and gets the job done within 2-3 minutes, depending on the tire size of your car. Due to this pressure, you can also use it on multiple other vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, or RVs.
Although the cord of the 12 DC inflator is 9 feet 1 inch, it’s still short. It doesn’t reach all four tires of a big size car so you might need an extension for this.
There are four unit systems you can operate it in: PSI, KPa, BAR, and KG/CM2. It requires a single tap to reach the desired pressure. You can adjust the pressure anywhere between 150 PSI to inflate your car tires.
Like the other units, it comes with an automatic shut-off feature. Add in here the LED light that enlightens the working area for you when it’s dark. The unit is 2 pounds with a handle on top so that you can displace it with ease.
Pros
- Easy to transport
- Automatic shut off
- Storage compartment for hose
- LCD screen
- LED light for visibility
Cons
- Gets hot quickly
- Short cord
6. C P CHANTPOWER Tire Inflator Air Compressor – Best Battery Powered Tire Inflator
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Appearing more like a nail gun, the yellow and black tire inflator is one of the best tire inflators you can travel with. It weighs 4.93 pounds, making it easy to carry through the handheld area.
The maximum pressure it provides you with is 100 PSI. No surprise that it won’t be able to inflate your heavy vehicles. However, it’s a decent option for your car. Coming along is its four nozzle attachments that allow you to carry out chores efficiently.
Other than tire inflation, you can use it to pump air in your pool toys and sports equipment. Whether the rechargeable battery of 2.0 Ah or the cigarette lighter switch of your car, you can operate it through any of the two power sources.
Since it has a built-in LED light, inflation during the dark hours turns out easy. Add in here the auto shut-off features that give you the freedom to stay worry-free while switching itself to prevent overfilling in tires.
Reading the pressure on the display gauge is also easy. Due to the LCD screen that is backed by the light, the digits are clearly visible. PSI, KPa, BAR, and KG/CM2 are the four unit systems it displays reading in.
After getting done with the inflation, you can put the unit in the bag coming along. It will keep your inflator from dust, dirt, and harmful elements.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Bright LCD screen
- Good hose length
- Accurate gauge
- Auto shut off and LED light
Cons
- Low maximum pressure
7. GEHUAY Portable Car Tire Inflator – Best Portable Tire Inflator with Good Duty Cycle
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Very few tire inflator provides you with a good duty cycle. Count the Gehuay portable inflator in that category as it claims to work for 4 hours straight without getting your unit to turn hot.
Another plus of the inflator is its LED light. While every unit here consists of one, only this inflator’s is 100 lumens. That said, the light is bright enough and brings a large area into visibility for helping you inflate tires in the night times.
You can also use it to pump air inside the mattress, sports equipment, and bikes. It has a maximum pressure of 150 PSI which allows you to adjust it. On the downside is its slow operation. It takes 5 minutes to reach from 0 to 35 PSI for car tires.
At the back of the inflator is a heat dissipation chamber. The warm air passes out through this channel and keeps the unit sound to work for long years to come. It’s also easy to move here and there as it weighs no more than 2.32 pounds.
Featured with auto shut-off and a 3-meter power cable, you can approach all four tires of your car. It gives you the freedom to move around when inflation is on. Like others, it has four unit systems which you can access through the “R” button present on it.
Pros
- Automatic shut off
- Large area illuminating LED light
- Good duty cycle
- Compact and easy to store
Cons
- Takes time to inflate the tire
Guide to Buy the Best Portable Tire Inflator for Car
A portable tire inflator for car has its own ins and outs. That’s why it’s always better that you know them before buying. We have aligned the primary pointers here to help you buy the best option, so make sure you skim through them.
Weight
When you are buying a tire inflator, its weight should be minimum. That’s how you’d be able to carry it here and there and slide it out of the car without any hassle. Along with that, check if there’s a handle plugged in for easy handling and displacement.
Dimension
Cross-check the dimension of the tire inflator. The trunk of your car might be occupied with a lot more than just a tire inflator. For instance, stroller, and then you’ll run short on space. So, it’s better to know the inflator’s length, breadth, and height to have a sound idea if it will seamlessly fit in your car.
Duty Cycle
You’d never prefer waiting for inflating two tires after a long gap of the first two. Especially on a silent road where you need to rush. Pay attention to the duty cycle of your tire inflator and make sure it’s good, so you get to finish the job real quick.
Maximum Pressure
What’s wrong with having versatility? So, when you buy a portable inflator, keep an eye on the maximum pressure it has to offer. Ideally, it’s 150 PSI as this pressure allows you to do a lot inside and outside the house, including filling air into the mattresses, sports equipment, and pool toys.
Hose Length
There’s a significant role of hose length in a portable tire inflator. It should be at least 2.5 to 3 meters long to reach all four tires of your car. In case you have a big size car, it’ll need an even more long cord so take note of it.
Additional Features
Three things need attention in a portable air inflator other than everything stated above. That is the inclusion of an auto shut-off feature, LED light, and a carrying case. While the LED should be bright enough, the case will protect your unit in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best portable tire inflator for car?
HAUSBELL Portable Air Compressor is the best portable tire inflator for cars. It has a maximum pressure of 150 PSI, so you can also use it for inflating mattresses and sports equipment. It is featured with LED light, accurate gauges, carry handle, and auto shut off mechanism.
Can you use a tire inflator for inflating sports equipment?
Yes, you can also use a tire inflator for inflating sports equipment, mattress, and pool toys. However, make sure to check the manufacturer’s description once to prevent any wrongdoings.
How to choose the best portable tire inflator for car?
There are a few pointers you should keep in mind to have the best portable tire inflator. That includes weight, dimension, carry handle, duty cycle, maximum pressure, and hose length. Buying one after checking these, you’ll have a peaceful experience with an inflator.
Conclusion
These were portable tire inflator for car. Most of them are versatile and usable for trucks, bikes, sports equipment, mattresses, and pool toys. So, make sure to buy an inflator, keeping in view the advantages you get with one.