The Best Tire Inflators for 2021
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Best Tire Inflator
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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proper tire pressure is the most important part of maintaining your tires because it can affect safety, durability, and fuel consumption.
To help you avoid getting stranded or reducing your fuel efficiency with underinflated tires, I have put together a collection of the best tire inflators currently available.
UPDATED: August 26, 2021.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall, I recommend the DEWALT DCC020IB because it features three power options, a digital gauge with auto-shutoff, and a high-volume air hose.
Tire Pressure
There are three common units of measurement when it comes to tire pressure. The most common is PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) and is the standard unit of measurement in the United States. Another unit is kPa (Kilopascal) which is more common in Europe. The third unit is BAR which is simply equivalent to 100 Kilopascals. One BAR is approximately the atmospheric pressure at sea level. Some tire inflators will offer the ability to switch between these units to provide the pressure you are looking to reach.
The NHTSA publishes information on how to properly check and maintain vehicle tire pressure:
You should always keep a tire pressure gauge in your car and check the pressures of all the tires, including the spare, once a month.
Find the recommended tire pressure on the Tire and Loading Information Labels on the driver's side door edge or in the owner's manual. The correct tire pressure is what the vehicle manufacturer has listed and what is listed on the tire itself.
Measure the pressure when the tires are cold, this means that the car has not been driven for at least three hours.
Check out this video for a basic overview of how to check your car tire pressure:
TPMS
Most new vehicles include Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). However, these will only give a warning when the tire has severely low pressure and should not be used in place of regular pressure checks.
Here of some features and components to be aware of when selecting a model of inflator:
Method of Power
There is a range of power methods these units use, each with its benefits and downsides. Depending on the specific model it may be powered in just one way while others offer several options.
Cordless (20V / Rechargeable)
Pros: can be taken anywhere, not limited by cord or hose length.
Cons: requires charging and monitoring, if left sitting for too long in the car the battery can go dead.
110V AC (Plug-In)
Pros: never needs charging, typically lightweight since there are no batteries.
Cons: limited to locations with an outlet, can’t be used for emergencies out on the road.
12V DC (Car Accessory Plug)
Pros: portable, can be used away from home as long as the car has power.
Cons: can’t be used away from a car if there is no 12V plug, so less ideal for other around the house uses such as inflating bike tires.
Battery Clamps
Pros: portable, can be used anywhere as long as the car battery is charged.
Cons: inconvenient to use, you have to have access to the car battery terminals which isn’t always easy.
Onboard Gauge
Each unit will include an onboard gauge to monitor the pressure as the tire is being inflated. These are either analog or digital gauges and some include a backlit display which can be helpful if using it at night.
The built-in gauges should just be used as a rough guide since the accuracy can vary. Be sure to verify the correct pressure by using a tire pressure gauge as mentioned above.
Maximum Pressure
The maximum pressure rating for a particular model will be given in PSI or kPa. Most standard units operate up to 120 to 150 PSI, so this shouldn’t be an issue for most users unless you have an extremely high-pressure requirement.
High-Volume
In addition to a high-pressure hose for tires, some units have a separate high-volume air hose. This is useful for quickly inflating things that are low pressure but have a large volume of air, such as air mattresses or water/snow innertubes.
Portability
One of the major benefits of these tools is their relatively compact form. This allows for easy transport and storage. Keeping one of these in your car at all times is a great way to get out of a jam or quickly top-off your tires when you have a spare minute. Also, they are great for inflating balls, bike tires, and more.
Automatic Shut-Off
This is a feature that some units have that automatically shuts off the pump when the pressure has reached a set value. This prevents accidentally over-inflating the tire which can cause it to burst.
Lights
Some units will include onboard lights which can be helpful if working in low-light conditions. This is especially useful if you are in a situation at night and your car has low tire pressure.
So here is my list of The Best Tire Inflators for 2021.
Enjoy!
Best Overall: DEWALT DCC020IB 20V Max Tire Inflator
The DEWALT DCC020IB 20V Max Tire Inflator features three power options: battery (onboard 20V), 110V (plug-in) AC, or 12V (car accessory plug).
Features gauge to set the required air pressure that auto-shuts off when the desired number is reached.
Equipped with a high-volume hose to quickly inflate air mattresses and similar items.
Includes rubber feet to reduce movement when operating.
Features LED light for increased visibility in dark areas.
Includes onboard accessory storage.
NOTE: Battery, charger, and AC power adapter sold separately.
Runner-up: EPAuto 12V Portable Tire Inflator
The EPAuto 12V Portable Tire Inflator plugs directly into the vehicle accessory socket.
Features four display units: PSI, KPA, BAR, KG/CM
Includes LED flashlight for seeing in low-light conditions.
Equipped with an auto shut-off when it reaches the desired tire pressure.
Overheat protection shuts off automatically when overloading.
Must-have Accessory
Don't forget the pressure gauge.
Best for Keeping in the Car: P.I. Auto Store 12V Portable Tire Inflator
P.I. Auto Store 12V Portable Tire Inflator can inflate a mid-sized tire from flat to 30 PSI in three minutes (time will vary depending upon tire size).
Equipped with a pressure monitor that automatically stops at the set pressure to avoid over-inflation.
Features LED spotlight or working in low-light conditions.
Features a rear compartment to store the cables and hose.
Includes adaptors for sports equipment and Presta valve adaptor for bicycles.
Connects to any 12V outlet in a car or to a 110V power converter.
Equipped with a 13 foot cable to access the back tires on long vehicles.
Includes carry case for easy transport and storage.
Best Compact Design: Oasser Portable Rechargeable 12V Tire Inflator
The Oasser Portable Rechargeable 12V Tire Inflator features a cordless design, allowing for ultimate flexibility.
Features a compact and lightweight design that can be taken anywhere and fit into confined areas.
Equipped with a digital LCD screen to display the battery power and pressure.
Offers three different kinds of unit values: PSI, BAR, and Kg/cm².
Features a built-in LED light to illuminate the work area in low light conditions.
Best Trigger Design: Avid Power Tire Inflator
The Avid Power Tire Inflator is powered by either the 20V Lithium-ion battery pack for cordless use or plugs in with the 12V power adapter.
Automatically shuts off when the set pressure is reached.
Includes a 12V car power adapter to charge the battery on the go.
Features a USB port on the battery pack.
Includes a real-time battery capacity indicator.
Offers a compact design with an LED light for working in low-light conditions.
Includes an inflating needle.
Comes with a bag for transport and storage.
Best for At Home Use: Kensun AC/DC Tire Inflator
The Kensun tire inflator can be powered by either an AC wall outlet (110V), or a car DC cigarette-lighter connection (12V).
Provides up to a maximum pressure of 100 PSI.
Equipped with a screw-on hose connection for a secure fit.
Offers a portable design with a built-in carry handle for convenience.
Features an easy-to-read dial tire pressure gauge.
Provides KPA, BAR, or PSI pressure measurement units.
Comes with a zipped carry bag for easy storage.
Best for High Pressure: AstroAI Portable 12V Tire Inflator
The AstroAI Portable 12V Tire Inflator allows you to simply program the pressure to it to prevent overinflation without compromising the speed.
Offers the ability to inflates tires up to a speed of 35 L/Min.
Provides a maximum pressure of up to 150 PSI.
Displays three different units: PSI, KPA, and Bar.
Features a 30-minute maximum continuous operating time.
Best Budget Option: HAUSBELL Portable 12V DC Tire Inflator
The HAUSBELL Portable 12V DC Tire Inflator runs on the vehicle cigarette lighter socket.
Features a portable compact design with a carry handle.
Includes a built-in LED light for working in low-light conditions.
Features 35L / min flow rate with 150 max PSI.
Includes a digital tire pressure gauge display with pressure selection.
Offers overheat protection that shuts the unit off automatically.
Equipped with a 1.9 foot air hose for easy maneuverability.
Includes a 9.8 foot power cord to help reach all four wheels.
Features a lightweight design at about 1.8 pounds.
Best Screw Connection: TIREWELL 12V Tire Inflator
The TIREWELL 12V Tire Inflator uses a high-quality direct drive motor to power the metal double cylinder pump.
Equipped with a screw connector to connect and hold the inflation hose to the tire valve.
Inflates standard vehicle tire in approximately two minutes (195/65/R15, 0-35psi).
Comes with a battery clamp and three valve adapters.
Features an 11.5 foot cord that plugs into a 12V car adapter.
Includes a carrying bag for convenient storage and transport.
Best Battery Clamp Option: Viair 00088 88P 12V Portable Tire Inflator
The Viair 00088 88P offers the ability to inflate up to 33-inch tires.
Features an easy-to-use, simple design, simply connect to a tire valve stem and turn the unit on.
Provides up to a maximum of 120 PSI.
Features a built-in gauge on the top of the unit to constantly monitor the tire pressure.
Equipped with battery clamps attach to and be powered by a car battery.
Note: the car needs to be running to operate this unit.
I hope this list of the best tire inflators was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
