Best Portable Air Compressors and Tire Inflators: Flat, Busted

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

Top 8 Best Portable Air Compressors and Tire Inflators

Most of us have been there – you’re rushing though the morning routine, late for work, running out to the car … only to find that one of those round black rubber hoops has failed in its job of holding air. A flat tire. Great.

Fortunately, there are plenty of options in the market of portable air compressors which can pump you up faster than Hans and Franz. Some of them require power from a household electrical socket, a few are battery-powered, while others fire right up with juice from a car’s 12V power outlet. The latter two are especially handy if compressed air is needed while one is on the road in a remote area and not parked in the comforts of a covered garage.

Remember, a tire that is leaking air has been damaged, creating a potential safety problem. Be sure to get it inspected by a pro at the first possible opportunity.

With that legally mandated mumbo-jumbo out of the way, here are a few of our picks for portable air compressors and tire inflators.

Table of Contents

1. Editor’s Pick: Oasser Portable Hand-Held Air Compressor

Its inscrutable brand name is offset by great customer reviews and too-cool looks, thereby appealing to both left and right sides of the brain. Styled in the appearance of a cordless power drill, this unit has a large 2200mAh rechargeable lithium battery to get you back on the road quickly.

A full set of accessories are included, allowing re-inflation of not only car tires but also bicycle tires and sporting equipment. The manufacturer, for reasons unknown but probably kowtowing to bed-wetting lawyers, have specified it is not to be used on trucks. Cars, crossovers, and SUVs are kosher. It comes with a car charger, two different length air hoses, and a battery pack.

Pros

  • Provides inflation to 130 psi, plays with certain battery ecosystems, looks hella cool

Cons

  • Don’t forget to recharge it

Bottom Line

  • Editor's Pick for best Portable Air Compressor / Tire Inflator

2. Well-Reviewed: EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor

When looking at a product’s average review score, it's important to consider the total number of customers that have provided feedback. A five-star rating based on a single review isn’t much to go on. This unit has over fifteen thousand reviews, making its 4.5 star rating an impressive feat.

It draws power directly from a car’s 12V power source, making it a handy tool when you’re on the road. Multiple redundancies, including a pair of fuses and an over-inflation shut off, add a sense of security. An easy to read display shouts out numbers in kPa or psi, while a built-in LED flashlight is awesome for illuminating the tire you’re trying to inflate or find that burrito you’re searching for under the seat. Pro tip: don’t eat that burrito.

Pros

  • Auto-shut off prevents over-inflation, compact size, thousands of positive reviews

Cons

  • Not recommended for inflating LT tires

Bottom Line

  • Stellar average review

3. Low-Cost Option: Triple Tree 12V DC Tire Inflator

If all you're looking for is a bit of cheap insurance to toss in the truck of your car, this may be the rig for you. Priced less than a couple of fast food meals, this compressor is the flat-and-square type that runs off your car's 12V power outlet.

It does come equipped with four different nozzles, so it can also be used to inflate smaller items like basketballs or that weird doll you got in Vegas. Truth be told, this is probably what this unit is best used for, but there's nothing wrong with an ounce of cheap prevention.

Pros

  • Extremely affordable

Cons

  • Not as robust as others

Bottom Line

  • Might be good only in a pinch

4. VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor

Here’s an option for gearheads looking for something beyond the standard 12V portable air compressor. Viair 300P Portable Compressor is a mid-range portable compressor kit capable of inflating up to 33-inch off-road tires by simply clamping the power leads to the battery terminal, connecting the lever-style tire chuck to the tire valve stem and turning the unit on.

That’s right – this thing has robust alligator clamps for connectivity, just like a set of jumper cables. It can operate at 150 psi for 15 minutes at a clip but needs a half hour cool-down period in order to catch its breath (pun intended). It’s not light, weighing in at a lard-like 8.6 pounds, but its 25-foot air hose and ability to work in temperatures ranging from -40 degrees F to 158 degrees F means it’ll provide the air you need no matter what condition in which you find yourself.

Pros

  • Inflates tires in minutes, robust construction, all-temperature operability

Cons

  • Heavy weight, relatively expensive

Bottom Line

  • A more heavy duty portable air compressor/tire inflator

5. Smittybilt 2780 Universal Air Compressor

Offered as an option that’s heavier-duty than most compressors, this tool has an auto-thermal cutoff switch to protect against motor damage for those times you leave the thing running while answering the call of nature behind a tree. Another bonus? Owners can air down tires to a specific pressure level, which is very handy for off-roading.

It has some very robust features, including a 1/3 horsepower motor (about the same power as a household garage door opener) and a 30-amp inline fuse. Maximum airflow is rated at 72 liters per minute and has a duty cycle of about 40 minutes at 40 psi. In another nod to off-roaders, this thing can be permanently mounted and hard-wired.

Pros

  • Air-down capability, recognized brand name, new lower price

Cons

  • Weighs a stout 12.5 pounds

Bottom Line

  • A great selection for off-road use

6. AstroAI Portable Air Compressor Pump

Most gearheads know that a smidgen of air will escape a freshly inflated tire while the operator is removing the air hose nozzle from the tire’s inflation valve. This unit takes care of that vexing problem, leaving the final inflation value 0.5-1.5 psi higher than the value set into its memory. The company says this approach solves the problem of reduced pressure after removing the valve connector, thus making inflation more accurate. Fair enough.

Built-in overheating protection will shut the thing off automatically if its operating temperature gets too hot. It has a maximum operating time of fifteen minutes, more than enough to top off a single tire and plenty to inflate sporting equipment like a basketball or air cushion. An backlit LED screen calls out numbers with the clarity of a stadium scoreboard. Adaptors are included for different inflation situations.

Pros

  • Reasonable price, inflator takes into account lost pressure during disconnection

Cons

  • Not recommended for LT tires, short air hose

Bottom Line

  • Affordable option that's perfect for normal daily drivers

7. BLACK+DECKER 20V Lithium Cordless Multi-Purpose Inflator

A well-known brand name appears on this inflator, billed as a multi-purpose unit. Its reviews are solid, with real world customers reporting a sub-10 minute time to inflate a vehicle tire to spec from completely flat and a top-off time of 15-20 seconds. Like many other portable compressors of this style, its 10-foot power cord snakes back to a 12V power socket in a car for its electricity source.

Be aware that this tool is part of the Black & Decker family of portable tools and, as such, does not come with a rechargeable battery. One can be purchased separately or use one they already have if they’ve previously bought battery-powered tools which are part of this product line. On-board storage pockets mean owners won’t be hunting for that inflation needle the next time Junior wants his soccer ball inflated.

Pros

  • Clear readouts, automatic shutoff, reportedly quieter than other models

Cons

  • Battery not included

Bottom Line

  • If you want an option from a well known brand

8. Energizer Portable Air Compressor

No word if this thing comes with a fluffy bunny beating on a marching bass drum, but it is emblazoned with the brand name made famous by those commercials. Who knew Energizer was also in the tire inflation business?

Of course, they likely just lent their name to a generic unit that's mass-manufactured in a faraway plant. This little compressor has an LCD screen for accuracy, 120PSI maximum working pressure, and a price tag that won't shock the budget.

Pros

  • Affordable, you know the brand, has accessories

Cons

  • DC power only

Bottom Line

  • Famous name

Best Portable Air Compressors and Tire Inflators

What brand of air compressor is best?

Although there are several manufacturers in the market such as Bostitch, California Air Tools, etc., according to a majority of user reviews and feedback, when it comes to overall performance, Campbell Hausfeld manufactures some of the best air compressors.

What is a good size air compressor for home use?

If you want to use a compressor merely for vehicle tires and air toys, a portable one with 100 PSI and around 6 gallons of compressed air storage capacity would be sufficient enough to serve the purpose pretty well.

Who makes the quietest air compressor?

Honestly, it depends on the model. However, if you are buying one for home, you can consider going for Cambell Hausfeld as they make some of the quietest air compressors for domestic purposes.

What you need to know before buying a compressor?

Several factors that help you decide upon the type of air compressor that would be best according to your requirements, namely:

Usability

Before buying an air compressor, evaluate what type of tasks do you want it to do for you. For instance, if you need one merely for your car tires or air toys, going for a portable compressor with around 6 gallons of compressed air storage tank would be quite sufficient. On the other hand, if you own heavy-duty air tools, an industry-standard machine with around 60 gallons of storage tank would be your best bet.

Installation

If you are planning for a small air compressor, most of those don’t require any installation as they are portable and can be stored anywhere in your house. Whereas, if you want to buy a commercial-level machine, it should be placed where it can get plenty of open-air, and doesn’t annoy your neighbors with its noise, which may go up to 80dB to 100dB at times.

Power Input

Usually, a normal air compressor works on 15 amp 120 volts, and for home uses, such equipment is sufficient. However, if it’s a commercial compressor, you may want to call an electrician for rewiring, and have a 240volts with 22amp power outlet installed to allow the machine to function correctly.

Although multiple parts are assembled in a perfectly balanced pattern to form an efficient air compressor, as a home user, the points that are worth considering before buying one include:

Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI)

In simple words, PSI is the amount of pressure (force) at which a compressor throws the air. A majority of air tools require 90 PSI to function normally, and therefore while buying a compressor, you must look for the PSI value. Generally, most air compressors have 100 PSI. When talking about tires, for reference, those used in the cars have somewhere between 32 PSI to 35 PSI each.

Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM)

The volume of air that a compressor produces at a certain pressure level is its CFM. Compressors with a higher number of CFM produce more air which is useful in large applications, typically in industries or production plants.

Horse Power (HP)

HP is the power a compressor works on. The higher the HP of a compressor is the more work it can do, and the more electricity will it consume. However, the truth is, if your compressor is new, it can perform well even at a lower HP value. As time passes, and the performance of the machine deteriorates, the efficiency level of the compressor gradually decreases as well.

From time to time, TTAC will highlight automotive products we think may be of interest to our community. Plus, posts like this help to keep the lights on around here. Learn more about how this works.

(Editor’s note: This post is meant to both help you be an informed shopper for automotive products but also to pay for our ‘90s sedan shopping habits operating expenses. Some of you don’t find these posts fun, but they help pay for Junkyard Finds, Rare Rides, Piston Slaps, and whatever else. Thanks for reading.)

[Product images provided by the manufacturer.]

Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

More by Matthew Guy

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 13 comments
  • Stuki Stuki on Nov 13, 2021

    Like others, I've not had problems with a few Viairs I've tried. Nor with a Makita 18V one, for very light top-up use. The latter isn't really much better than a good bicycle floorpump, though... For active, offroad, inflate/deflate use of big tires, a Powertank CO2 system is way ahead of any of these for speed. It's also a lot simpler, so less reasons why it would fail/overheat/leak.... It has the flow to seat tires, and to run any airtool. May not be ideal for a Trans Siberian nor around the world offroad type outing, but anywhere where you can get an occasional CO2 fillup (a tank lasts quite long for regular use), they're just a lot smoother. And not that expensive, either.

  • Vulpine Vulpine on Nov 14, 2021

    I'm almost surprised the Ryobi One+ hand-held wasn't mentioned. I had an unexpected need and found it on sale, to go with my existing One+ tool batteries and it works very well, though I admit its pressure gauge isn't the most accurate. It well met the need for airing up the tires of two vehicles in the course of a single session to compensate for low-temperature pressure drop with the onset of winter weather.

  • Joe This is called a man in the middle attack and has been around for years. You can fall for this in a Starbucks as easily as when you’re charging your car. Nothing new here…
  • AZFelix Hilux technical, preferably with a swivel mount.
  • ToolGuy This is the kind of thing you get when you give people faster internet.
  • ToolGuy North America is already the greatest country on the planet, and I have learned to be careful about what I wish for in terms of making changes. I mean, if Greenland wants to buy JDM vehicles, isn't that for the Danes to decide?
  • ToolGuy Once again my home did not catch on fire and my fire extinguisher(s) stayed in the closet, unused. I guess I threw my money away on fire extinguishers.(And by fire extinguishers I mean nuclear missiles.)
Next