What is a Portable Air Compressor?
A portable air compressor, also called a tire inflator, is a small to medium sized device that connects to a car, motorcycle, or bike tire and inflates it. Most of these devices have a built in pressure gauge so you know when your tire is full, and some even have a pressure gauge that allows you to set a target pressure that the air compressor will stop at when your tire reaches that pressure. Portable air compressors are powered by either a battery, the 12V cigarette lighter port in your car, or a regular wall outlet. Most portable air compressors come with the hardware to inflate sports equipment as well as vehicle tires. Some portable air compressors have the ability to also inflate air mattresses as well.
Highlights:
Onboard storage for accessories
Automatic shut off at desired pressure
Bright LED light
Multiple power sources to choose from
Accurate and precise pressure gauge
Ability to inflate tires as well as air mattresses
The DeWalt 20V Max tire inflator makes a great addition to any vehicle and it can be used for more than just inflating car tires. This inflator can inflate sports equipment (footballs, basketballs, etc.) as well as an air mattress. This inflator comes with a very precise pressure gauge for inflating tires, many portable air compressors only work in 0.5 psi increments but this works in 0.1 psi increments and the gauge itself is very accurate. This inflator is very versatile in how it can be powered, it can be powered through a regular wall outlet, a car cigarette outlet, or a compatible DeWalt battery. The hose for airing up your tires has a valve that screws on so you don't have to hold it on your tire valve the entire time. After setting the desired tire pressure the unit will kick off after it reaches the target pressure. For inflating tires in the dark, this also comes with an led light for inflating tires in the dark. The inflator also has some onboard storage for extra accessories such as sports equipment vs tires. This does not include a battery unfortunately.
Highlights:
Onboard storage for inflator hose and nozzles
Automatic shut off at target pressure
Digital display
4 memory presets
Anti-vibration rubber feet
The Milwaukee Cordless Inflator is an amazing air compressor especially for its size, although it is much more than most other tire inflators. It does not come with a battery. It does have a digital display as well as auto-shutoff. It does have a digital display for the tire pressure as well. This is our top pick mainly because of how fast it is as well as the convenience of it being cordless. If you already have M18 batteries for power tools than they will work in this as well. This inflator has on-board storage for the air hose as well as the nozzles. You can store 4 psi memory presets in this inflator to be able to quickly start filling up your tires. This inflator also has anti-vibration rubber feet, which is nice because many air compressors make a lot of noise by bouncing around when in use. This inflator may not have many bells and whistles, but that is good because Milwaukee put all their effort into making it amazing at inflating tires. This does not include a battery unfortunately.
Highlights:
Large digital display
Ultra-compact size
led flashlight and strobe light
4 inflation modes
Auto shut-off at target pressure
The GOOLOO Tire Inflator is very compact and is very powerful in comparison to how small it is. This tire inflator has 4 different modes to easily inflate different things and help prevent overinflating. The 4 modes are for cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and sports balls (e.g., basketballs, footballs). This inflator comes in black-red, and black-orange. This tire inflator has a built-in led light with a regular lighting mode as well as a strobe mode. The GOOLOO can also be used as a portable power bank to charge up your phone if you need to as well. The GOOLOO also has a large digital display. The display does show both the target pressure as well as the current pressure.
Highlights:
10 foot power cord length
Carrying case included
Includes Presta Valve Adapter
Built-in tire pressure gauge
Fast inflation times
The Viair portable air compressor is the best corded air compressor, and it is best if you need to inflate more than one tire or a tire from almost flat. This air compressor is also a great option if you don't want to worry about keeping a battery charged. This unit simply plugs into your cigarette port in your car and has a valve that twists onto your tire valve stem. This does not have an auto shut-off feature like many others but it does have a built-in tire pressure gauge on the top. This compressor even comes with a carrying case to keep everything organized in your car. It also has an led light like many other compressors. This compressor does have high quality anti-vibration rubber feet. The power cord is 10 feet long which should be able to reach all four tires in most cars. It also has onboard storage for the different inflation tips it comes with. It does include a presta valve adapter, a presta valve is used by some bikes and this allows you to inflate bike tires that have a presta valve.
Highlights:
Built-in Storage compartment for air hose
LED light
Ability to use a standard outlet or cigarette outlet
Auto shut off at target pressure
Ability to inflate tires and air mattresses
Precise digital tire gauge with memory of last inflation pressure
Presta valve adapter included
The AstroAI Cordless Tire Inflator is the Best Value option on our list. This air inflator can be plugged into a regular 110 volt outlet, or plugged into the 12 volt DC outlet in your car. There is a mode for inflating tires as well as air mattresses. It also has an led light on it for filling up tires in the dark. There is a built in compartment to store the air hose to keep it out of the way. This tire inflator uses a digital tire gauge that is precise and accurate, the set pressure will also be recorded and applied the next time the air compressor is used. The air compressor will also shut off automatically when the target pressure is reached. It also includes an adapter for a presta valve which is on some bikes.