Having properly inflated tires is crucial to safe driving. Driving on tires that don’t have enough air can decrease fuel economy and increase your risk of having a blowout. Too much air, on the other hand, can reduce your vehicle’s traction on wet or slick roads and increase your odds of getting into an accident. Thankfully there are a number of products that make maintaining proper tire pressure a simple task that doesn’t require a trip to the mechanic.
One quick note: always remember to use your vehicle’s tire pressure specifications, not the maximum pressure printed on the tire itself. This information is usually displayed inside your driver’s side doorjamb.
Ten Best Tire Inflator Comparison Table
| Product | Image | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell Hausfeld MP6000 Tire Inflator with Gauge |  | 3 tools in one compact design—an inflation gun, chuck and gauge. Large, readable gauge—2” in diameter--that measures between 10 - 100 PSI | $ |
| EPAuto Heavy Duty Tire Inflator with Gauge and Hose. Maximum 220 PSI |  | 4 Measurement Unit: psi, bar, kgf and kpa Gauge range:0-220 psi Large 2" Dial with rubber sleeve | $ |
| LifeLine AAA 300 PSI 12 Volt DC Air Compressor |  | 300 psi 10 foot power cord 3 nozzle adaptors included | $ |
| Slime 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator |  | Inflates a standard mid-sized car tire in 6 minutes Plugs directly into car cigarette lighter Designed to inflate a standard car tire, with a maximum pressure of 35 PSI | $$ |
| Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Portable Compressor |  | 12 VOLT - 100 PSI Maximum Working Pressure, engine must be running during use. Brass twist-on tire chuck | $$ |
| Black & Decker ASI300 Air Station 12-Volt or 120-Volt Inflator |  | Weighs 6.1 pounds Includes standard tire nozzle, needle inflator, and extension nozzle 2-year warranty | $$ |
| VIAIR 85P Portable Air Compressor |  | 12 VOLT - 60PSI Max Working Pressure, engine must be running during use Easy to read tire pressure gauge mounted on the compressor | $$$ |
| Kensun YS-205 (Home 110V)/ DC (12V Car) Portable Air Compressor Tire Inflator |  | Tested on up to 31 inch tires Pumps up to 40 PSI (gauge measures to 250 PSI). Air flow is at a rate of 11 litres per minute 3 nozzle adapters | $$ |
| Goodyear i8000 120-Volt Direct Drive Tire Inflator |  | 18 feet of air hose and 6 foot power cord Inflates P185/R14 from 0 - 28 PSI in approximately 2 1/2 minutes or less The maximum tire pressure is 150 PSI | $$$ |
| Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor |  | 12 VOLT - 120PSI Max Working Pressure, engine must be running during use. Powered via alligator clamps direct to battery. Good for small ATVs, trucks, SUVs, and sedans with up to 33" Tires | $$$ |
Campbell Hausfeld MP6000 Tire Inflator with Gauge
As one of the most economical options, the Campbell Hausfeld MP6000 is a good choice if you just want something that will do the job without any extra features. This inflator connects to a compressor and fills tires with the connected rubber hose. It comes with a built-in gauge so you can know exactly how much pressure is in your tires at any given time. One major benefit of this model is a clip that allows you to use the inflator without having to force the chuck onto the valve stem, which makes inflation much easier. Users also praise this model’s durability. Its solid metal build keeps the gauge and components fully functioning even after years of use.
EPAuto Heavy Duty Tire Inflator with Gauge and Hose. Maximum 220 PSI
Another simple tire inflator, the Heavy Duty Tire Inflator from EPAuto is an excellent choice if you already own an air compressor. It features simple design with a rubber hose and analog gauge with support for PSI, bar, kgf, and kpa. This unit is capable of supporting up to 220 PSI of pressure, and users are largely impressed with how sturdily it is built. This inflator also has an ergonomic grip to make operation a little easier. You can even release extra pressure from your tires easily with the push of a button.
LifeLine AAA 300 PSI 12 Volt DC Air Compressor
The travel experts at AAA have their own tire inflator, and for regular use, it’s one of the best values on the market. This air compressor connects to your car’s 12V adapter (cigarette lighter) and pressurizes your tires with an electrical mechanism. The 10-foot power cord is long enough to get to all 4 tires on most vehicles, including larger SUVs and trucks. The model also comes with 3 different nozzles to fit multiple valve stem sizes. The company boasts that this inflator is capable of going from 0 to 35 PSI in 8 minutes, and most users agree with this figure. The only complaint from most users is the inflator’s loud operating volume.
Slime 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator
If you want your tire inflation experience to be seamless and aren’t operating a heavy-duty vehicle, the Slime 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator is a good buy. This fully digital air compressor draws power directly from your vehicle’s 12V adapter. A simple LED screen shows the current air pressure and allows you to monitor the pressure during inflation. This unit’s buttons allow you to set the target PSI, and when it’s reached, the inflator will automatically shut off. It can even be used at night thanks to the built-in backlight. The hose terminates with a screw-on nozzle so you can inflate your tires without having to hold the hose in place. This model can only produce up to 35 PSI, but this is enough for most passenger vehicles. It’s not the quietest inflator, but users agree that it does the job quickly and without a lot of hassle.
Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Portable Compressor
If you need more power for inflating your vehicle, the Viair 00073 70P is worth looking into. This electrical air compressor connects to your car’s 12V adapter while your car is operating, giving you more power and faster inflation time than you’ll find with the above inflators. The hose comes with a screw-on cap so you don’t have to hold the hose in place, which makes the job a lot easier. Many users find that they can inflate all four tires in less than 5 minutes. The 70P is also quieter than other similar models and is capable of inflating up to 100 PSI. Plus, this inflator comes with a well-sized bag for safe storage.
Black & Decker ASI300 Air Station 12-Volt or 120-Volt Inflator
The ASI300 Air Station is all about flexibility. This mid-range model comes with both 12V and 120V attachments so you can draw power from your car’s battery or a home outlet. It’s suitable for inflating not only tires but also air mattresses, balls, and inflatable pools. The analog dial on the front allows you to set the target pressure and let the machine run until it’s reached. There’s even a built-in storage compartment for holding the cords and wires between uses. This unit has earned mostly positive reviews from customers, and most people agree that it offers a greater level of versatility while being no louder than similarly priced models.
VIAIR 85P Portable Air Compressor
For the price, the VIAIR 85P is one of the best options if you want a fast, quiet tire inflation experience. This air compressor plugs directly into your car’s 12V outlet while the engine is running. A brass screw-on nozzle allows you to attach the hose to the valve stem with virtually no air leakage. Operating the inflator is as easy as choosing your target PSI and letting it operate. The inflator automatically shuts off after the pressure is reached, and users are largely impressed by the built-in LED gauge’s accuracy.
Kensun YS-205 (Home 110V)/ DC (12V Car) Portable Air Compressor Tire Inflator
One of the most versatile tire inflator/air compressors comes from Kensun. The YS-205 model is capable of drawing power from both 12V cigarette lighters and 110V home outlets, which makes it easy to use it for any need. In addition to inflating car tires, the Kensun YS-205 is also capable of filling up sporting and camping equipment, toys, and other inflatable products. The inflator comes with 3 nozzle adapters and supports up to 40 PSI of pressure.
Goodyear i8000 120-Volt Direct Drive Tire Inflator
This air compressor from Goodyear is one of the quietest available. This unit is built with the company’s Whisper Soft technology, which makes filling up anything from car tires to inflatable rafts a painless experience. Distance is also not a concern thanks to a combined total of 24 feet between the cord and the hose. Users report that this air compressor operates very quickly, with one person saying that he was able to go from 5 to 30 PSI in less than a minute. The i8000 comes with three adapters for support with almost any valve stem or other opening and supports up to 150 PSI of pressure.
Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor
Users who frequently fill their ATV, truck, SUV, or sedan tires and need fast and precise inflation should consider the 88P model from Viair. It connects directly to your vehicle’s battery with alligator clamps, giving this air compressor the most possible power without sacrificing its portability. Users are especially pleased with just how fast this model is. It’s capable of handling up to 33” tires, largely thanks to its impressive 1.94 CFM Free Air Flow. A digital gauge appears at the top of the unit to allow you to see the current air pressure at any time. The 88P comes with three nozzles and a total of 21 feet between the power cord and the hose.
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