The Best Portable Tire Inflators: Avoid Getting Stranded

When that happens, you lose safety, reliability, and fuel economy. And that's no bueno. To keep yourself safe on the road no matter when you might find yourself needing some air, a portable tire inflator is the answer. These compact air compressors fit in your cargo area and are designed to be used anywhere. Best of all, they’re easy to set up, carry, and use with just a moment’s notice. Check out these favorite tire inflators.

To choose my picks for the best portable tire inflators, I dove into the many options available online and put them through their paces. I tested the air compressors, assessing their ease of use, power, speed and efficiency, and ability to work on different items (and tires) of varying sizes. Those that were reliable, performed quickly, and were easy to work with, both in portability and ease of inflation, became my top product recommendations.

The Ryobi 18-Volt One+ Portable Cordless Power Inflator is possibly the most portable and convenient tire inflator you can buy. This device is lightweight and easy to handle, whether you’re crouching to fill a tire or carrying it in your trunk. It weighs less than two pounds and is ergonomic and comfortable to wield while you inflate. The inflator is powered by the interchangeable, rechargeable Ryobi One+ battery, which allows you to use a single battery between multiple power tools. This portable tire inflator, however, doesn’t actually come with the battery. It has to be purchased separately.

Overall, this inflator is durable and convenient to use. It’s also nicely priced, delivering an array of adapters plus storage space for them along with protective hard plastic and rubber housing. And you’ll enjoy the flexibility this handheld device offers when you’re on the go too.

What can we say about ol' Gerch? The unit is significantly less expensive than ever other option in this guide, and has some nice features. Like quick inflation, and easy-to-use interface, auto shut-off at your desired pressure, a flashlight, and more. It's hard to beat for something you plan to just toss in the trunk and barely ever use in the future.

That being said, it's not the most durable product, and it can be a tad hard to use in bright sun as the screen might fade a bit. But still, for a penny less than $30, it's hard to go wrong.

Need speedy inflation? The Viair Portable Air Compressor delivers. This portable tire inflator may be heftier in weight compared to smaller models, but it packs a serious inflation punch. Powered by your car’s own outlet or socket, this device lets you set the psi (up to 60 psi) and get to work. It’s fast and impressive, getting tires reinflated in less time than the competition. In tests, it felt quicker than its product description advertised. Plus, it’ll make quick work of other inflation needs. Although this portable tire inflator is heavier than other options, its power and speed are great tradeoffs. And little extras, like sturdy screw-in adapters with in-device storage space, make it extra solid.

Keep in mind that you don’t have any cord storage built into this inflator, which can be a bit frustrating. It does come with a bag for easy transport and storage, however.

For versatile inflation needs, the Avid Power Tire Inflator is a great on-the-road companion. It can be powered by either 12-volt or 110-volt power, allowing you to use it in road emergencies as well as right in your own garage. Easy-to-control switches and buttons let you choose your pressure and fill up without any real effort. However, this inflator is heavier than most portable models. However, it’s steady, durable, and feature-filled, which gives you some beneficial versatility whether you’re dealing with low pressure or a leak. And while it’s running, you can rely on its built-in gauge, which keeps tabs on the pressure within 0.5 to 1.0 psi with an automatic shutoff that turns off the pressure once your tire is properly full.

Keep in mind that the hoses on this device are a weak point. Not only do they run a bit short, but the low-pressure hose (which is best for inflatables, not tires) is plastic and likely to crack on you.

Not all portable tire inflators are tough enough to handle tires of all sizes, but the Smittybilt Universal Air Compressor is up to the job. This inflator is no slouch; it’s seriously heavy and well built but not too heavy that it can’t be easily carried in hand or in your car’s cargo space. In fact, it’s even designed to be bolted down in your car. It’s speedy and makes quick work of inflation on tires big and small. Plus, it doesn’t heat up or weaken under its workload. From the finishing to the motor, it’s designed to be durable and last you a long time with its great level of power.

The bulkier size and weight of this portable tire inflator make it less convenient to maneuver, but that’s not necessarily a drawback when you’re looking for a lot of power. You will want to keep an eye on the gauge, as testing found it to be inaccurate at times.

The Ryobi 18-Volt One+ Portable Cordless Power Inflator is great because it’s the ultimate portable tire inflator, able to be wielded easily and recharged effortlessly. Plus, the interchangeable battery makes it ideal for anyone who owns other Ryobi One+ tools. However, when you’re looking for a combination of value and power, the Smittybilt's is another solid pick thanks to its ease of use and efficiency.

Portable tire inflators can vary widely in their size, power, and portability. To help you pinpoint the best option for your vehicle and needs, make sure to keep these key details in mind as you shop. 

The best portable car tire inflators and portable truck tire inflators can be used on the road. During an emergency, you can supply some models with power by plugging them into the cigarette lighter socket/12-volt power source in your vehicle. This is particularly useful if your car or truck has 12-volt DC outlets in more than one place. Some inflators also operate on 110-volt power so you can plug them into an outlet in your garage or outside power source.  

The best cordless inflator is typically powered by a lithium-ion battery. They are generally easy to use and are very portable. These inflators are handheld and provide a good amount of power. It's critical that you keep the battery charged or else you may get stuck with a flat tire.

These tire inflators clamp on directly to the battery for maximum power so you don’t have to have the vehicle running. However, a tire pump can suck the charge out of a stand-alone battery in about 20 minutes. 

The best digital tire inflators will display the inflated pressure on the gauges. Some newer models will show this information on an LCD screen, while the more traditional products will display the pressure with dial and needle gauges. A digital display will give you readings that are a bit more precise. Another added benefit is you will be able to read it in low light if the screen is backlit.

The auto-shutoff feature enables you to set the desired psi, and the car tire inflator will run until it reaches the desired pressure. This is a practical feature because the tire inflator will not over inflate the tire. You can walk away from the device as it does its job and not worry about the tire bursting.

You can find small, ready-for-the-road portable tire inflators at just about every price point. Budget-friendly models with streamlined features and simple functionality are $25 to $50. If you spend $55 to $100, you’ll find more advanced options with increasingly more features. And if you’re looking for a hefty, premium air compressor that’s portable yet larger and more versatile, you can spend $100 or more.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.