10 Best Portable Air Pump for Car Tires (Do NOT Buy before reading this)
Top 10 Best portable air pump for car tires in 2022
You might be wondering where your car tire pressure disappears to, a few hours after refilling yet you recently bought new tires.
The truth is that there are many causes of tire pressure loss, of which most are subtle, such as temperature changes, a leaking tire valve stem or the tire getting an unnoticeable prick while on the road.
An under-inflated car tire is a hazard on the road as it compromises functions such as traction and braking distance, affecting your control of the car when you face danger.
Purchasing one of our reviewed portable tire inflators will maximize your car tire’s life and safety through regular refilling. You might also be having a leaking tire in the middle of nowhere and this air filler will save the day.
Without further ado, here’s our list of the best portable air pumps for car tires in 2022.
If you are one of those people who find it bothersome having to queue at the gas station just to get your tires inflated, then it’s time you joined the thousands of motorists enjoying the EPAuto portable and convenient car tire inflator.
Features
Imagine the convenience of charging your tires at home on a cool and rested car so that you leave and head straight to your port of call without taking detours?
EPAuto portable tire pump requires only 12V DC, 10-15 amps and plugs directly into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket.
It is also a versatile inflator and besides your car, you can use it on bikes, and balls. Adaptors for balls and other inflatables are provided.
It is easy and convenient to monitor pressure depending on the units you are comfortable with, as it features 4 units in digital display: PSI, BAR, KPA, KG/CM. It has a maximum pressure of 100 PSI, more than enough for a family car and at 1.06 CFM, it will refill your auto tires twice as fast as other run off the mill inflators.
For safety purposes, it has an automated shut off that lets you focus on another task as it does the pumping. It also features a smart overheat protection shut off system that automatically switches the inflator off in case of an overload.
EPAuto is designed to charge a speck higher than the set pressure in order to offset the little loss of air during detachment.
The digital tire inflator also comes with an LED flashlight for night pumping.
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Max Working pressure: 100PSI Power source: 12VDC 10~15 amps Weight: 3.7lbs Cord length: 9ft
<center>What Reviewers Like<center>
Built-in pressure gauge with 4 display units
Smart shutoff and overheat protection
Rubber bumpers keep it stable on the ground
Best air compressor for the money
<center>What they Don’t Like<center>
Does not support truck tires
The carrying bag is not durable
There is no switch to turn off the LED light when it’s not needed.
Our verdict: EPAuto emerged the best in our review due to its various protection systems, from overheat, over-inflation, and vibration, some of which most of the other portable air pumps lack. We also love the fact it is silent and versatile.
You want your tires to be properly inflated at all times, but you may not have the chance to manually monitor their situation while you’re driving. That’s why you need a tire pressure monitoring system and the best tpms tool helps you scan, diagnose, and recalibrate the tire pressure sensors.
You wouldn’t want to find yourself with deflated tires and a discharged electric car tire pump that won’t plug into standard DC outlets in your car. This pump plugs into any of your car’s 12VDC outlet.
Features
Inflating your tires shouldn’t take forever and P.I. Auto Store- Premium pump is a new best in class inflator optimized for speed and efficiency. It has robust 35l/min airflow, capable of charging a mid-sized car tire from zero to 30PSI in less than 3 minutes. Very few inflators can match this.
The digital tire inflator is also quiet and does not vibrate on the ground like a deadbeat generator.
The convenience of use is also a major plus for this air machine for tires. You only need to plug it into any 12V outlet such as the cigarette lighter socket. It is also easy to set pressure on the new back-lit LCD display pressure gauge. The air pressure hose has a snap-on connector that is fast and easy to connect to and detach from the tire valve and it doesn’t lose air during disconnection.
At 13ft, the power cord lets you access all the tires without the need to change the electrical source. After use, there is a rear and a side compartment where you can wrap and hide the electrical cord and air tube, resulting in a compact pump that will snugly fit in your car trunk.
The best portable air pumps for car tires works with a microprocessor tire pressure monitoring system that electronically stops at your set pressure thus avoiding over inflation.
P. I. is the best all around air compressor and it supports, small cars, bicycles, motorbikes, SUV, RVs, and ATVs. It also pumps sports kit such as basketballs, and other inflatables and it has all the relevant adaptors.
In case you want to conserve your car battery, you can get an AC/DC converter (sold separately) and charge the inflator from your house supply.
Finally, with this 12-volt tire inflator, quality is assured with 100% money back guarantee.
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Maximum working pressure: 150PSI Weight 2.05 lbs Power source: 12V Cord length: 13ft
<center>What Reviewers Like<center>
Fast inflation speed
Lightweight and compact design with power cable and pressure pipe compartments
Versatile with different adaptors
Best portable tire inflator for suv
Easy to read digital display
Price friendly
<center>What they Don’t Like<center>
The operation guide has typing errors
Some users have found that it can overshoot the maximum pressure by up to 2PSI
Our verdict: This is a good pump that will help you keep your car tires in good health. It is compact, light and affordable.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………. The cold season is here and you can save some good bucks with one of these best all season tires for snow since you can use them throughout next year.
Kensun is one of the most trusted brands in the automotive accessories industry and the AC/DC portable air pump for car tires transcends the swiftness of other air compressors by being adaptable to both AC and DC electric sources.
Features
Kensun AC/DC is a portable inflator that comes to your service anytime, anywhere. It can plug into your home AC wall socket or any of your car DC outlets. It has two power cables, one for DC and the other for AC power.
It also pumps any of your inflatables, from the heavy duty car tires to the delicate beach ball, and is adequately equipped to achieve the perfect pressure whether it is for indoor or outdoor use.
Kensun tire inflator comes with a built-in analog pressure gauge that is accurate to +/- 1psi and a maximum reading of 120PSI.
This best portable air compressor for tires features a 2.6ft black woven hose, a 3ft AC power cable and a 10ft DC electric cord such that you don’t have to change the power source as you shift from one wheel to the other.
Finally, it has a 30 minute continuous working time at 35PSI, twice the working time of most air compressors.
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Maximum pressure: 120PSI LpM (Liter per minute): 18(DC) / 20(AC)
CFM (Cubic feet per minute): 0.64(DC) / 0.71(AC) Maximum current: <10A
<center>What Reviewers Like<center>
AC and DC adaptable
30-minute continuous working time
Affordable price
<center>What they Don’t Like<center>
Slow inflation time
No automatic shutoff
Short air tubing and AC cord
Our verdict: What we like about Kensun is the fact that it is AC/DC adaptable and for refilling purposes, its longer working time is very convenient.
You lose a lot by failing to regularly refill your car tire pressure, because this is a major cause of accelerated tire wear and tear, increased gas consumption, and the risk of accidents. VIAIR portable air compressors are one of the most sought after in the market and they help avoid this tire menace.
Features
VIAIR 85P is a miniature 12 volt portable electric tire pump that you can plug into any 15 AMPS/12 Volts auxiliary power outlet in your automobile.
If you hate weights, then this compressor is relatively convenient since it only weighs 4.3 lbs.
Operating this inflator is just a breeze. You only need to ensure that your car engine is running before screwing the air hosepipe chuck to the tire valve stem.
The best portable tire inflator comes with a mounted pressure gauge that you can use to monitor the tire pressure as it pumps. A super bright LED illuminates the gauge and the working area.
At 1.26 CFM free flow at 0PSI, VIAIR has one of the most powerful air flows in the market and it can fill a 195/70R14 tire from flat to 30PSI in a record 2 minutes or less.
3 ft of air hose and 10ft of power cord enable you to place the inflator at a central position where it will reach all wheels without the need to shift it.
The digital tire inflator has a continuous working time of 20 minutes at 30PSI, also one of the longest in the market.
It’s also fitted with flexible rubber feet that help absorb vibration.
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Max Working pressure: 60PSI Power source: 15 AMPS/12V CFM: 1.26CFM Free Flow @ 0 PSI
<center>What Reviewers Like<center>
Fastest car tire inflator
Vibration resistant
Best tire inflator with gauge
Durable metal casing
<center>What they Don’t Like<center>
Low maximum pressure
Does not support high pressure pumping
There is no intelligent shut off when the set pressure is reached.
Our verdict: VIAIR is the most powerful inflator in our review and it is worth every cent in terms of speed, efficiency, and reliability. The only major drawback with this air pump is that goes up to 60PSI, but this is not a concern if you are using it for mid-sized cars and SUV.
At just $56, Slime 2X Heavy Duty Direct Drive Tire Inflator lets you own a single portable air pump that will refill all your inflatables, whether it is a road bike, UTV, truck, small car as well as sports equipment.
Features
The pump features an 30ft air pressure hose that saves you the hassle of shifting it from one tire to the other.
The inflator is primed by a direct connection to the car battery for maximum power.
The direct drive system has a whisper soft technology that produces incredibly silent and efficient operation.
The pump is also fully versatile and it comes with adaptors for virtually any inflator available.
Time is of essence and this best direct drive tire inflator can fill up a P185/R14 tire from 0 to full pressure in 2 minutes or less.
It has a maximum working pressure of 150PSI and so it perfectly supports high-pressure inflation.
An 30 feet compressed air outlet with a quick connector valve and two large battery alligator clips make it incredibly easy and convenient for all your car tires.
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Air hose length: 30ft Max Pressure: 150PSI Weight: 8.66 lbs
<center>What Reviewers Like<center>
Versatile with all kinds of air adaptors
Built in pressure gauge
Fast response time
<center>What they Don’t Like<center>
Some users have had a challenge connecting the screw-on valve connector
There is no power storage
Our verdict: What we love about Slime 40026 is its versatility and the high speed of pumping. The direct drive connection and long hose make it easy to pump all tires from one position.
Campbell Hausfeld opened doors in 1836 and it’s the quality of their products that has kept them in business ever since. The Campbell Hausfeld rechargeable cordless inflator doubles up as a power source that lets you complete your projects in case of a blackout.
Features
Campbell cordless air compressor reaches up to 230PSI and this lets you use one pump for charging your small car, truck, RV, UTV, boat rafts, bikes, and what have you. It comes with two standard inflation nozzles and one needle nozzle for sports balls.
You might be at a place with no or unreliable electric supply and this inflator-charger unit will come to your rescue. It features a built-in power supply that can operate several 12 volt devices, helping you operate most of your electronics wherever you are.
If you dislike the countless cords that we have to carry in this modern life, cords, and cables that wrap together, tear or burn anytime, then Campbell best cordless tire inflator is for you. You only need to charge it from the standard wall outlet for 4 hours and it will serve you for the day.
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Maximum operating pressure: 230PSI Battery spec: 12v 7.2Ah Weight: 10.8 lbs CFM: 0.44 at 0 PSI & 0.38 at 30 PSI
Customers have criticized the short durability of new models
Heavy weight
Our verdict: Out of experience, senior citizens know the good things out there and this is the air inflator your parents and grandparents have been using for years. You can’t go wrong by investing in it as well.
Keeping your tires properly inflated is one of the major tips to increase tire tread life and VacLife Air Compressor is one of the best tools for refilling car tire pressure. It is a lightweight but powerful and fast inflating tire pump that lets you recharge your rubbers on the go thus ensuring proper control of your car anytime.
Features
At 150PSI max, VacLife portable air inflator is powerful enough to charge your automobiles, motorbike, road bike, sports equipment, camping mattress and even pool inflatables. While at it, it doesn’t keep you waiting as it can inflate a mid-sized car tire from zero to 36 PSI in less than a minute.
The power cable is 13 feet long and it can reach both the front and rear tires from a center position.
To support multipurpose use, the pump comes with 4 bonus nozzle adaptors (car, bike, sports equipment and inflatables adaptors).
A built in LED flashlight lets you attend to emergencies at night, such as checking the tire pressure and inflating them while on the go. An intelligent shut off system means that you can leave it to do its work and it will know when to stop.
Finally, your satisfaction is guaranteed with 100% refund policy FOR LIFE.
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Maximum working pressure: 150PSI Weight: 2.79 lbs Power source: 12VDC 10A
<center>What Reviewers Like<center>
Fast speed inflation
Convenient digital display
Full refund or replacement warranty FOR LIFE
<center>What they Don’t Like<center>
Not the best for off-road vehicles and trucks
Our verdict: At just $29 you get a powerful air compressor that will serve almost all your family pumping needs. The convenient battery storage is also a plus.
When it comes to safety when driving your car, after your brakes, properly inflated tires are your second most important devices. Xlyee electric air inflator for tires is what you need to maintain perpetual control while on the road.
Features
Xlyee is a multi-functional digital tire inflator that features an LED light, a digital tire pressure gauge, tire pressure monitoring system, and automated shutoff.
The digital pressure gauge is calibrated in four units: PSI, KPA, and BAR, KG/SCM thus enabling convenient pressure reading.
The best portable air compressor for car automatically inflates your airbed, airboat, basketballs, air cushions, business and racing cars, SUV, truck, all types of bikes and vehicles up to 150PSI. The relevant adapters are always in the package.
The microprocessor-based tire pressure monitoring and electronic shut off are one of the swiftest automatic systems and you don’t have to worry about over inflation.
This machine is reinforced with soft PVC anti-slip mat that increases stability and absorbs vibration.
If you have space limitations, again you need to go for Xlyee since its compact triangular design will fit in a very small space.
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Max operating pressure: 150PSI Weight: 2.35 lbs Power source: 12VDC 10A
<center>What Reviewers Like<center>
Silent operation
Compact triangular design for tucking in small spaces
Highly accurate tire pressure monitoring system and easy to read gauge
Best air compressor for automotive air tools
<center>What they Don’t Like<center>
No battery electric power storage
No overheat protection
Our verdict: This is a go-to car tire inflator for the many conveniences, including accuracy, ease of use and storage. It is also cute and can be a perfect gift for your boyfriend or girlfriend.
Your car might get pricked and start leaking along the way, so how do you make it to the tire store or the mechanic? You carry a Husky Tools tire inflator in the trunk and refill until you reach assistance.
Features
With a height of 6.9 inches, this is a pocket-sized and compact car air compressor that almost disappears into a corner of your trunk.
It has a maximum pressure of 130PSI and it quickly inflates not only your car tires, but your air mattresses, bike tires, and sports balls as well. It’s also equipped with the corresponding valve adapters.
With Husky 12V inflator you enjoy a silent pumping, not like the vibration and noise of other portable pumps.
Even if your vehicle tires go empty on a dark road, the glow-in-the-dark pressure gauge will ensure that you get accurate pressure readings.
We also like the clip-on nozzle that it easy to fix and does not lose as much air as other nozzle designs when detaching.
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Max working pressure: 130PSI CFM: 0.35 SCFM at 30 PSI Air conduit length: 28 in. Weight: 4.3lbs
<center>What Reviewers Like<center>
Super quiet during operation
Pocket-size pump
Sturdy and long lasting cover
2 year limited warranty
<center>What they Don’t Like<center>
No replacement spares
Slow pumping speed
Overheats easily
Our verdict: Husky is a small and super quiet tire filler. However, compared to other brands reviewed, it takes more time to charge an inflatable from flat to maximum. We would, therefore, recommend it for refilling purposes only.
At 160PSI max, BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX multi-purpose inflator is a robust inflator that meets almost all your household and while on the go pumping needs.
Features
Black & Decker lets you pump that air mattress for an impromptu guest rest, top up your bike for a long and worry free trail, or just tucking it in your trunk for an emergency leak.
It can be energized from any electrical outlet and it has a smart shutoff system that prevents over inflation.
Its digital gauge and readout is perfect for night time reading.
This automatic tire inflator has a small but compact design that hides at a corner of your car, truck, or watercraft trunk.
It also comes with a BDINF20 inflator, a ball needle, a presta valve adapter, a small inflatable adapter, and a large volume hose to support all your pumping needs.
Finally, you enjoy a 2-year limited warranty, in case you are not satisfied with the product.
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Optimal working pressure: 160PSI Weight: 5.2 lbs Power source: 12VDC, 120VAC
<center>What Reviewers Like<center>
Powerful air station for low and high-pressure needs
Small but compact design
Excellent customer service
<center>What they Don’t Like<center>
Higher weight
The AC fuse is not locally replaceable
Short DC cord and air hose
Our verdict: Black and Decker have one of the most powerful tools at an at-par cost with others and this is still the case with this pump.
How to Inflate a Tire Using a Portable Tire Inflator
Operating a portable tire inflator for charging your car tires or any other inflator only needs you to follow a few easy-peasy steps that even your granny will get around.
Place the portable air compressor on a flat surface.
If it’s dark, turn on the LED flashlight to illuminate the inflator and your work area. You might also want to switch on the emergency light if you are causing any obstruction.
Ensure that the pumps’ DC switch is off and your car’s engine is running. When the engine is off, the vehicle’s battery falls a shade below 12V and this will compromise the inflator’s voltage and current requirements. A cordless tire inflator lets you avoid this step.
Detach the dust cap covering the first tire valve and then attach or screw the pressure duct chuck onto the tire’s valve stem.
If you are using a cordless battery charged air compressor then go to step 6. If not, plug the pump’s power cord into a 12V cigarette lighter socket or any other 12V outlet.
Turn on the pressure display unit, select your desired display units, and set the desired pressure by pressing the (+) or (-) button. Wait for the display to stop flashing.
Turn on the compressor electric switch and leave it to pump to your desired pressure. A pump with intelligent shutoff will automatically shut off at the set pressure. If it doesn’t have the system, then you should turn off the power when the pressure is a fraction above the set pressure to compensate for the loss when detaching.
Turn off the DC source.
Unscrew or detach the valve connector, replace the dust cap onto the tire valve and disconnect the DC cord from the socket.
Please have a look at this short video showing how to put air in a car tire
A buyer’s guide for the best portable tire inflator
First off,
What is a portable air compressor?
The word pump is often times substituted for compressor, but there exists a difference when it comes to comparing with standard pumps.
The ordinary pump lifts a fluid from one point to another without affecting its pressure. An inflating pump or compressor on the other hand, is a machine that besides lifting a gas from one point to another, it squeezes it so that it’s delivered at a much higher pressure than it was. With this, the compressed gas can be used to inflate things like tires, balls, and boats.
Though it may need more energy than an equivalent standard pump, being portable, means that the compressor has optimized features so that a small mobile size can serve your needs.
Now,
When it comes to selecting the best portable air pump for your car tire without prior experience, it’s easy to get lost in the specifications, ratings, dimensions, and all.
Different pumps are designed to use different electrical sources and you would want the most convenient for you.
There are those that plug into the household AC power outlet and they may or may not have battery storage. Such a type makes the best air compressor for home garage. An example is the Campbell Hausfield cordless inflator.
The second type directly plugs into your car’s battery. They come with crocodile clips and they make the best portable air compressor for off road use where there might be no 12 volt outlet.
The third type is the air pump that you can simply plug into car’s 12V outlet. This type is lightweight, compact and we found it to be the most convenient due to its easy while on the go use.
The fourth type is the hybrid, a car tire air compressor adapted to both AC and DC energy. These are equally convenient like the 12V tire inflators.
(ii) Gauge accuracy
A highly accurate gauge will enable you to inflate your tires and other inflatables to the precise pressure you desire. It also enables precise self-activating or manual shutoff when the set pressure is reached. However, an ideal gauge is unachievable and from our tests we concluded that a margin of error of + or -1PSI should be acceptable since it is easy to compensate when setting the pressure and detaching the valve connector.
(iii) Gauge readability
When it comes to analog gauges, legibility is very important so that you can know exactly when to stop. It is therefore important to check the size and scale of the gauge. For instance, a 1 inch gauge going up to 300PSI may not even have 5 or 10 PSI pressure increments and thus you have to guess 33 PSI.
However, digital pressure display or the best TPMS tool is always the easiest to read.
(iv) Inflation speed
Every minute is precious and there are powerful inflators that take 2 minutes or less to charge a mid-sized car tire from flat to 35 PSI while others will take more than 10 minutes to do the same. It is important to ensure that the pump’s CFM (cubic feet per minute) is 0.5 or higher but you should confirm the inflation time before purchasing.
(v) Portability
Portability is determined by the inflator weight, size, and presence of a carry handle and/or carry case. The heavier and bigger the air pump is, the more it will burden your car and take up more space in the trunk.
(vi) Vibration
You don’t want to infuriate your neighbors and it’s therefore important to go for a vibration resistant inflator. The best ones are fitted with sturdy rubber feet for stability and absorbing vibration.
(vii) Continuous working time/ duty cycle
Due to factors like heat buildup, a pump is an intermittent machine and you would want something that will inflate all the four tires at a go. Most pumps have a continuous working time of 10-15 minutes and this might need you to restart it especially if have a completely empty tire. A good number of compressors in our review had a duty cycle of 20-30 minutes.
(viii) Air hose and DC cord length
Having enough power cord and air outlet hose ensures that you don’t have to carry the air compressor from one tire to the other.
I consider myself a car girl, having grown up messing things at my dad’s auto repair workshop in Springfield, MO.
When I was 16 my father bought me a 1981 Isuzu Piazza, through which I first experienced the power of turbo charger and the smooth Lotus inputs.
I did my Bachelors at the University of Michigan where I got involved in outdoor activities such as hiking and backpacking in Ann Arbor.
After college I worked in the car insurance industry where I got to appreciate the importance of good car parts for safety and claims issues. I later settled down to manage my dad’s garage.
In 2016 I combined my 15 years of experience in the automobile industry and launched this site to provide expert advice on car safety, car care, and outdoor stuff.
I am also active on social media and you can find me on Pinterest.
View Comments
Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.