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James Kiefer has been writing about automotive products on Motor1 since 2021 and has assessed hundreds of products for everyday drivers. He’s tested everything from headlight restoration kits to OBD2 scanners to dash cams, giving him an in-depth understanding of which products are useful for car owners and how they can fit into any driver’s lifestyle. Reci Laser Tube
A high-quality tire inflator with a huge number of features.
A convenient tire inflator with impressive inflation speed.
An easy-to-use tire inflator with a small footprint and good design.
A great tool that can inflate or deflate your tires.
A powerful, compact air compressor suited for larger tires.
Tire pressure often changes, whether from a hole in the tire itself, changes in the weather, or after miles on the road. An underinflated tire sacrifices ride quality and can negatively impact your vehicle’s gas mileage. Keeping the right psi in your tires is essential and a portable tire inflator is the best way to do that, but what’s the best tire inflator for your car?
Our review team thoroughly researched and tested popular options to find the best tire inflators featured in this review. We looked at how intuitive each product is to use, the convenience of its design, and its performance in filling up tires.
Our team tested 10 different tire inflators to gauge not only the pros and cons of each product but also which option was better suited for different situations and vehicles. We looked at portable options, inflators with gauges built into the unit, and air compressors to see what could feasibly be stored in a vehicle and what is better left in the garage.
Then, we evaluated each tire inflator based on inflation speed, ease of use, and features. The scores in each category are compiled into an overall rating of 1.0 to 5.0 stars to rank the best portable tire inflators.
Based on these criteria, the six best portable tire inflators are the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator, Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator, AstroAI Air Compressor, DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator, and the Viair 84P Portable Compressor.
*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.
The tire inflators in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching retailers like Advance Auto Parts, RealTruck, and Amazon for top products, looking at factors such as product features, customer ratings, and prices. Learn more about how we tested portable tire inflators here.
For those interested in learning more, below are detailed reviews for each of the top portable tire inflators:
The Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator features a built-in high-performance chip that allows it to quickly inflate tires up to 150.0 psi. This cordless tire inflator has a rechargeable 7,800.0-mAh battery, so you won’t need to worry about low battery life, turning your car on to inflate your tires, or needing to stock up on AAA batteries.
This versatile tire inflator features a three-mode LED light which means drivers can even inflate your tires in the dark. Additionally, the Fanttik X8 Apex has the ability to act as a portable charger with a 5.0-V/3.0-A USB-C input port and a 5.0-V/2.0-A USB-A port on the side of the device. Press the mode button to cycle between psi, bar, and kilopascal (kPa) readings. The automatic shut-off feature can reliably inflate your low tire by simply pre-setting your desired psi, allowing you to walk away and come back to fully inflated tires.
You can see how the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator performed in each of our review categories below:
The Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator stands out among other tire inflators because of how quick and easy to use it is, and the wealth of features it offers. Below are the pros and cons of the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator:
Our product testing team believes that the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator is the best tire inflator that money can buy due to its superior inflation speed and a long list of features.
Inflation Speed: After testing tire inflators with gauges, some of the best portable air compressors , and standard tire inflators, as it is one of the fastest tire inflator we’ve tested. The only tire inflator that could keep pace in terms of inflation speed was Fanttik’s X8 Portable Tire Inflator, the lesser-priced cousin of the X8 Apex.
Ease of use: The fact that the Fanttik X8 Apex is a cordless tire inflator makes a world of difference. This tire inflator was incredibly easy to use throughout our testing process, as we didn’t need to connect the device to the car charger or an outlet. We simply pre-set our desired psi, connected the device to the tire valve, and watched our tires inflate to the exact psi we wanted thanks to the auto shut-off feature.
Features: The Fanttik X8 Apex has the most impressive set of features out of any of the tire inflators we tested. The fact that this device doubles as a power bank is incredible, and our team hasn’t come across any tire inflators that offer such multi-purpose features. The three modes of LED lights were easy to switch between and effective. Additionally, this tire inflator has the best-looking digital display that we encountered.
Reviewers rave over the battery life of the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator and how easy to use it is. Many customers highly recommend this tire inflator, citing its premium build quality. One reviewer claims they own a Tesla Model 3 (which doesn’t come equipped with a spare tire) and that they never leave home without this handy device.
Best Cordless Tire Inflator 4/5 FANTTIK AMAZON
Portable, cordless, and hassle-free, the Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator is priced lower than the X8 Apex but offers nearly as many features and is just as quick at inflating tires. Our team members actually preferred the feel of this tire inflator in hand compared to its more expensive counterpart. Incredibly lightweight, the tire inflator houses a 5,200.0-mAh battery that’s powerful enough to inflate up to 150.0 psi.
Four types of preset inflation modes are easy to cycle between and view on the tire inflator’s large LED screen. An included manual mode allows users to personalize their experience based on the inflation object and desire pressure. A USB-C input port allows you to recharge this tire inflator at your convenience and means you won’t be fighting with cables as you inflate your car’s tires.
You can see how the Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator performed in each of our review categories below:
We’re big fans of the Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator. If you’re not looking for a tire inflator that doubles as a power bank, we’d opt for this digital tire inflator over the X8 Apex. Below are the pros and cons of the Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator:
Inflation Speed: This tire inflator was incredibly quick to inflate our testing vehicle’s tires. We felt there were minimal differences in inflation speed between this and our best overall tire inflator, hence the runner-up spot in this review.
Ease of Use: With a distinct lack of cords and cables, we loved how simple this tire inflator was to use. Most other tire inflators need to be plugged into a power source to inflate your tires, but not the Fanttik X8 Portable. Features such as auto-detect and auto-shutoff also made the tire inflation process easier. We also appreciate the product’s easy-to-read digital pressure gauge.
Features: While this tire inflator can’t double as a power bank, it does boast more features than many of the other tire inflators in this review. The ability to switch between inflation modes spanning from car tires to basketballs was a welcome feature of this inflator.
The Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator has received mostly positive reviews from customers. Many note being pleasantly surprised with this tire inflator, as its gauge is highly accurate. Several also say this portable tire inflator is a huge step up from a gas station air compressor. One reviewer says it is “one of those things you don’t think you need until you get it.”
*The included Schrader valve will work on cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and bicycles, but this tire pump isn’t suitable for high-pressure or high-volume applications.
Best Budget Tire Inflator 4/5 AMAZON
The AstroAI Air Compressor tire inflator is our pick for Best Budget Tire Inflator on the market in 2023 for a few reasons. The features are comparable to similar products that are twice the price, the vast majority of its reviews are positive, and it comes in a compact package. If you’re looking for a DC portable air compressor with a small footprint, the AstroAl is probably your best choice. The LCD screen makes it usable in low-light situations, and the auto-shutoff feature is a plus.
You can see how the AstroAI Air Compressor performed in each of our review categories below:
Using the AstroAI Air Compressor proved to be easy and straightforward. We especially like this portable air compressor pump’s long power cord. Below are the pros and cons of the AstroAI Air Compressor:
Inflation Speed: Although this portable tire inflator isn’t the fastest one we tested, we named it the best value tire inflator on the market due to its low price point and intuitive design. While you’ll be able to find tire inflators that are quicker to inflate car tires, the AstroAI certainly offers bang for your buck.
Ease of Use: Overall, the AstroAI Air Compressor is very easy to use. The air hose connector snapped onto our test vehicle’s tires, and setting the desired pressure proved to be simple. While most tire inflators usually require a little bit of fiddling to work properly, this didn’t.
Features: We really like that the backlit LED display is readable in various lighting conditions, and the automatic shutoff feature works well. The AstroAI lost points in the features section for not including a carrying case as well as its relatively short hose length.
Happy customers praise this 12.0V tire inflator for its portability and power. Some less positive reviews mention the product’s longevity issues and say the tire gauge gives inaccurate readings. Overall, 88 percent of reviews give it 4.0 stars or above on Amazon.
The DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator is a solid choice if you’re looking for brand name and performance. This beast has enough attachments to handle most vehicle tires and other inflatables, and the preset gauge is simple to use. The product is wonderful if you don’t mind spending extra money on one of the best portable air compressor tire inflators on the market.
With a premium, high-quality build and multiple power options, this unit is ideal for a roadside service technician or someone looking to make a solid investment in their automotive care equipment. The tire inflator air compressor easily surpasses standard dual-power source tire inflators.
You can see how the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator performed in each of our review categories below:
Speed and ease of use are where the DeWalt excels. Setting up the valve stem is easy, although we wish the air hose was longer. However, this is arguably one of the best tire inflators to use if you happen to have a flat tire. Below are the pros and cons of the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator:
Inflation Speed: This tire inflator offers incredibly quick inflation speed. If time is of the essence and you need air in your tires as quickly as possible, look no further than the DeWalt tire inflator. Out of all of the tire inflators we tested, the DeWalt had by far the quickest inflation speed. However, we found setting the device up for deflation to be a bit clunky.
Ease of Use: While this tire inflator is by no means difficult to use, we subtracted points because the DeWalt is the bulkiest car air pump we tested. We also felt that a carrying case and/or rechargeable battery should be included for a price tag over $100.
Features: This tire inflator isn’t the most feature-laden, but it includes all of the features you would expect from a premium tire inflator. The built-in LED light is bright and works well, while an inflation and deflation mode is a rather unique option to have in a portable air compressor.
Some negative reviews say the product is too expensive and doesn’t perform well when paired with an AC adapter. Positive reviews often mention the unit’s quality and portability, making it a solid addition to the 20.0V Max family of DeWalt products. Still, the majority of Amazon reviews say it deserves 4.0 or more stars.
Best Portable Tire Inflator For Trucks 4/5 REALTRUCK AMAZON
The Viair 84P Portable Compressor delivers power in a stripped-down unit. It uses an analog pressure gauge instead of an LCD like the other tire inflators. While eyeballing psi can be more complex, the Viair 84P can handle larger tires designed for heavy-duty vehicles, truck tires, or specialty tires meant for off-roading.
The Viair 84P would make a terrific gift for a DIY-minded driver who owns a car with larger tires. The max psi and performance specs could be overkill for most drivers, but this is an excellent choice if you want tires inflated quickly and don’t care about an electronic display.
You can see how the Viair 84P Portable Compressor performed in each of our review categories below:
Our review team found the Viair 84P to be a powerful and well-made air compressor. We like the long-duty cycle compared to other products, and the carrying case is the highest quality we’ve seen. Below are the pros and cons of the Viair 84P Portable Compressor:
Inflation Speed: Our team was incredibly impressed by the inflation speed of this product. The Viair inflated our testing vehicle’s tires as quickly as the highest-powered and most expensive tire inflators on the market in 2023.
Ease of Use: Although the Viair is easy to use, reading an analog pressure gauge can be tricky and it is harder to determine an accurate reading than with digital gauges. We also missed the automatic shutoff feature found on competitor products.
Features: Simply put, this tire inflator isn’t the right option for you if you highly value other characteristics outside of inflation speed. Due to the lack of design features in the Viair 84P, we dropped this tire inflator’s overall score to 4.2 stars.
Some reviewers take aim at the tire inflator’s long-term reliability and mention plastic parts of the air compressor breaking. Positive reviews often highlight the inflator’s power and inflation speed. In total, 91 percent of reviews give it 4.0 or more stars.
A tire inflator or an air compressor can be a valuable tool for drivers. This is because it allows you to put air in your tires virtually anywhere. You could pay for air at gas stations, but having a tire inflator of your own saves a lot of hassle.
Although Fanttik was our team’s favorite product, there are other reliable options out there that may be more suitable for you depending on your needs. Specifications that may play a deciding factor for customers are cost, voltage, weight, and power supply.
Aside from inflating tires, the essential feature of a tire inflator is that it reads tire pressure, ensuring you’re not over-inflating the tires once you release airflow. Many tire inflators also feature an automatic shutoff feature, which guarantees you don’t exceed maximum pressure.
A tire inflator can save you from waiting on AAA to save the day, or even get you back on the road when AAA isn’t an option. Our product experts view tire inflators as a must-have tool for every driver’s car.
The best portable tire inflators with gauges are illuminated so you can see the display in various lighting conditions. Look for larger LED displays that will be easier to read and make it simple to dial in the correct psi for your tires.
Even the best tire inflators need a power source. A 12.0-V adapter means a portable tire inflator can plug into your car’s cigarette lighter. Some battery-powered car air pumps can be used away from the vehicle, but the extra battery and a charger usually come at a premium or are sold separately.
Our review team also found several portable inflators you can attach directly to the car battery, but we thought this made the device too complex for most drivers.
Instructions for most portable tire inflators say how long you can use them before they overheat, and they generally recommend a cooldown period after a tire is filled to the desired pressure. Use air pumps with longer cycles and more power for vehicles with larger tires, although your vehicle should have a sticker in the driver side door jamb that details the appropriate psi for each tire.
If greater clarity is required you can consult the vehicle’s owner manual or check out these helpful calculators for figuring out all measurements related to tire pressure in your car.
Portable tire inflators need to be lightweight, powerful, and easy to use. With this in mind, we delved into customer reviews, ordered the top-rated tire inflators, and put them to the test.
Below are our picks for the best portable tire inflators.
Below are some common frequently asked questions about portable tire inflators:
A portable tire inflator is a valuable tool if you need a quick fix for low tire pressure or you’re performing regular car maintenance. Besides car tires, many air compressors can inflate air mattresses or sports equipment such as basketballs.
The best air compressor depends on the size of your tires and the amount of air pressure a tire has lost. Truck tires or tires for other heavy-duty vehicles require more air than most car tires, so make sure your tire pump matches your vehicle’s needs.
Our experts recommend the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator as the top choice, but the Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator and AstroAI Air Compressor are also great options.
The best way to choose a tire inflator is by your vehicle’s tires and the size of your car. Larger tires require more powerful airflow to inflate, and a large vehicle may need a cordless inflator to reach all four tires.
Technically, tire inflators are simply small air compressors, although they are not equipped with tanks to store compressed air. Tire inflators also have a weaker airflow than most professional-grade air compressors.
A small, portable inflator is able to fill most vehicle tires within the 30.0-40.0 psi range, some even have fast inflation options. There are high-volume multi-purpose tire inflators like the Vair 84P. It can handle anything from truck to bicycle tires.
The durability of a power inflator should last a few years, depending on customer handling. Each manufacturer stipulates how long a tire inflator can operate until it needs a cool down period. This varies by manufacturer, but following those instructions can improve the life of your purchase. Many also come with a warranty from the manufacturer.
The inflator with the quickest inflation time tested by our review team is the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator. Not only is it speedy, but the inclusion of a digital pressure gauge and 12.0V adapter make it great for both maintenance and a roadside emergency.
A team member tested each product on a 2004 Subaru Forester, a 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE, or a 2013 Subaru Impreza. We noted the difficulty of setting a desired tire pressure, the accuracy of each product’s pressure gauges, and the consistency of the automatic shutoff feature.
In our testing, we strive to find products that not only meet the needs of consumers, but go beyond the investment. Our base level assessment starts with an expectation of the product being able to complete the desired task, and we adjust the score based on performance, value, and additional features.
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here .
*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.
James Kiefer has been writing about automotive products on Motor1 since 2021 and has assessed hundreds of products for everyday drivers. He’s tested everything from headlight restoration kits to OBD2 scanners to dash cams, giving him an in-depth understanding of which products are useful for car owners and how they can fit into any driver’s lifestyle.
As a member of both the APA and IMPA, Charles Noyes has devoted himself to creating and refining quality content covering automotive products and accessories, motorcycle products, RV products, and more. As the lead editor serving the product review team, he has personally reviewed, critiqued, and fact-checked over 200 product reviews.
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