We Ramp Up the PSI While Testing the Jaco SmartPro 2.0 AC/DC Digital Tire Inflator

Is this Jaco AC/DC digital power inflator “High Voltage” or “Done Dirt Cheap?”

byWilliam Byrd|
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There are so many garage-related jobs in which a power inflator is a valuable tool. Whether it is in the garage itself, the driveway, around the house, or just having a way to quickly inflate tires, balls, or other gear, these little tools can save time and energy — no one wants to manually pump up a beach ball or tire, no one. 

Enthusiasts regularly make good use of these power inflators as they head out to the track or out onto the trail as tires, those all-important sticking points, are constantly in need of adjustment and fine-tuning. As such, there are dozens of great inflators on the market, each boasting a variety of features, adapters, and must-haves for the average enthusiast or DIYer.  

The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Read more., William Byrd

Which features suit your needs, however, can be confusing with such variety in price, make, and capabilities. Luckily, The Drive's crack Gear editors are here to wade through the thick weeds of inflators, with today's test being this Jaco SmartPro 2.0 AC/DC Digital Tire Inflator. It comes with quite a few standard features, including dual AC/DC power and a thread-on nozzle with bleeder valve. Is it worth the price, though? 

Let’s find out.

Unboxing the Jaco SmartPro 2.0 AC/DC Digital Tire Inflator

The Jaco inflator starts with an unboxing, which quickly transitions into an unbagging. Everything is nicely packaged in a black canvas bag. The bag isn’t incredibly thick, but it kept the inflator safe during shipping. What’s in the bag? You’ll get the digital tire inflator, three adapters, two power cords, and a spare fuse. 

There is even a small pocket on the right side to store small loose bits such as the adapters. This is ideal, since they would normally get swallowed up in the depths of my garage.

The unit is rather large compared to some competitors, and it’s primarily made of plastic. There’s a spot in the back to attach the AC-power option, if you should so choose. (The DC cord is permanently attached.) There is also an AC/DC switch you have to use in order for the unit to power on. There is a handy spot on the bottom for cord and air-hose storage, which is good because the Jaco has quite a few.

The built-in handle is handy, but it’s quite thick. I have large hands, and they barely fit all the way around. Still, it’s pretty easy to pick up since it weighs 4.36 pounds. The bottom features built-in stands on either side to help it sit flat, however, they are plastic and don’t help much with vibration control while using the inflator.

The tool is operated by a simple on/off rocker switch on top, while the light can be set to on, off, or “Flash/SOS” by a similar switch. 

The Jaco!, William Byrd

Getting Our PSI On With the Jaco SmartPro 2.0 AC/DC Digital Tire Inflator

  • Good: Dual AC/DC power options, feels light considering the size, digital readout easy to use, PSI cutoff option.
  • Bad: Larger than some other options in the segment, mostly plastic construction, no way to firmly secure wires and hoses underneath.
  • Check Latest Price 

Right off the bat, I liked the Jaco’s high-quality brass twist-connect nozzle. It has a built-in bleeder valve that I used to deflate the rear tire on my BMW M4. Each tire is supposed to be 33 PSI, and even before I switched the inflator on, I was able to drop some pressure quickly.

Jaco calls their target-pressure function SmartPressure Technology. You set your target PSI, and the inflator automatically stops when that target is reached. That makes for quick work on whatever project you toss at it. I was able to press the plus button a few times until “33.0” read on the digital screen, and the inflator did the rest. Easy breezy. Jaco claims an airflow of 30 pounds per minute. 

The inflator was a little loud. Most compressors operate at 70-90 decibels, and this one measured 89.3 decibels on my meter, which puts it at the top of the average range. The CDC notes that one to two hours of exposure to 80-95 decibels could damage your hearing, so wear ear protection if you plan to use the unit for a prolonged period.

The digital reader detailing the PSI. , William Byrd

Naturally, I had to try the Jaco on some non-automotive tasks. I aired up my son’s bike tires, inflated a flat basketball, and pumped up a few other items. The biggest issue is, if you don’t know what PSI you are shooting for, it’s a bit of a guessing game. Essentially, you punch in a large number and turn the inflator off before the thing explodes. 

The adapters included are all threaded and screw securely into the nozzle. It took 11.37 seconds to fill up a Kangaroo Emoji ball, which is a 12-inch pool toy I had in my garage. That number is a bit higher than some other power inflators, but you’ll have to wait for our big inflator comparison to see more (#teaser).

The Jaco's cords. , William Byrd

What’s Good About the Jaco SmartPro 2.0 AC/DC Digital Tire Inflator

I love the screw-on nozzle with a built-in bleeder valve. It quickly and securely attached to my car tire’s valve stem, and I had no concerns that it might come loose during inflation. 

The unit is pretty lightweight, even a bit lighter than some smaller, more dense units I’ve tested. From a durability perspective, I would worry about the plastic structure long-term. A three-foot drop test would likely break the case. It’s unclear how that would affect usability. The adapters actually thread into place, which is great. Some other units use a bike-pump-style quick release, which means plastic-on-plastic connections that are not as secure. 

The Jaco will take up a little more space in your trunk, but the convenient bag should make storage easy. It would definitely make a good addition to your roadside emergency kit.

The on, off, light, and flash button. , William Byrd

What’s Not So Good About the Jaco SmartPro 2.0 AC/DC Digital Tire Inflator

There isn’t a good way to close and secure the cord storage on the bottom. You just sort of jam it all in there and hope for the best. I eventually found a way to make it all fit nicely so nothing falls out. 

Beyond that, there wasn’t much else I disliked about the Jaco SmartPro inflator. Some may be put off by its plastic construction, and overall durability will have to be determined over time. 

Our Verdict on the Jaco Electric Air Tire Pump 120V Inflator

I really liked this inflator; it’s a jack-of-all-trades option in the segment. This would be a great option to keep in your trunk or to take along with your track-day gear. The auto-stop feature means you can dial in your target PSI and let it go. That means less time hunched over, squinting at a gauge — pretty critical on a hot day out on the tarmac or paddock.

If you are OK with the price point, it has a lot going for it. There are definitely cheaper options on the market, but most don’t have the dual AC/DC power, practical storage options, and digital readout. 

Jaco SmartPro 2.0 AC/DC Digital Tire Inflator Specs

  • Price: $79.90
  • Weight: 4.36 pounds
  • Dimensions: 12.68 inches long, 8.46 inches tall, 5.55 inches wide
  • Max PSI: 100 PSI 
  • Gauge: Digital PSI, KPA, BAR, KG/cm
  • Voltage: AC is 110 and 120 volts, DC is 12 volts
  • Power Type: Corded electric (standard household) and car adapter
  • Included in packaging: User manual, inflator, three adapters, and spare fuse
  • Hose length: 28 inches long
  • Corded or wireless: 10-foot 12-volt DC power cord and six-foot AC power cord
  • Adapters: Sports-ball needle, raft/mattress nozzle, Presta valve adaptor
  • Case: Included
  • Warranty: 100-percent lifetime warranty

If you are OK with the price point, it has a lot going for it. There are definitely cheaper options on the market, but most don’t have the dual AC/DC power, practical storage options, and digital readout. 

Deflating a tire with the Jaco., William Byrd

FAQs About the Jaco SmartPro 2.0 AC/DC Digital Tire Inflator

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

Q. Will this work with a 220-volt setup? 

A. Nope. 

Q. How accurate is the inflator?

A. The manufacturer claims plus or minus one PSI, so not terrible.

Q. Does it get warm while inflating?

A. Not really, no, which is likely due to the plastic construction.

Q. Can it deflate as well as inflate?

A. Very easily, yes. There is a bleeder valve on the connector nozzle. 

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