In order to deliver you the final result of our great research and trials, our experts have created theoretical research for the top-rated best tire inflator found in the market. We have managed and summarized over 130 pieces of content to give accurate data you will never catch in any other online source.
In addition to the theoretical research, we have conducted some trials for well-known tire inflator brands and measured the critical metrics that might interest you such as inflation speed, tire inflator portability, size, ease of use..etc.
There is no doubt that adjusting tire pressure is one of the significant habits that each driver must do regularly. Tire inflators help you to do this task easily.
By keeping tire pressure adjustable, you can easily avoid many circumstances of low tire pressure like uneven tire wear. It will also participate in improving fuel efficiency ,according to fuel economy governmental information, that You can improve your gas mileage by 0.6% on average—up to 3% in some cases—by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure.
We have found a Milwaukee M18-18V Cordless Tire Inflator is the best overall choice due to its remarkable fast speed and durability. Milwaukee is also accompanied by a considerable long-life battery. As a result of its qualifications and proven positive test results, we have fully trusted Milwaukee m18 performance.
For more detailed information about each tire inflator, check the following sections.
Our #6 pickups.
We have done numerous tests for many tire inflators to measure certain metrics regarding pumping speed, user-friendliness, durability, and price. We have selected the best tire inflator according to the specific category.
Best overall and Fastest tire inflator.
#1 Milwaukee M18-18V Cordless Tire Inflator.
- Type: cordless.
- Maximum pressure: 150psi.
- Digital pressure gauge: available.
- Power source: M18 -18V battery.
- 4 PSI Memory Presets.
Double-quick inflation. The Milwaukee M18 is the fastest tire I have tested. The manufacturer provides a super-efficient motor to pump up tires in less than 1 minute. We recommend this inflator for medium-duty tires such as passenger and light trucks.
Automatic setting and operation. The inflator is manipulated with TrueFill Technology, allowing to check the tire pressure once it is connected to the tire valve. After you set the desired PSI, the tire inflator starts to add air to your tire till reaches the target air pressure level. Then the inflator automatically shuts off to prevent overinflation.
No need to re-set tire pressure every time you inflate your tires. You can save the most used psi rating as the Milwaukee M18 includes 4 psi memory slots.
Milwaukee M18’s additional benefits include onboard storage suitable to store hose and other attachments. The hose length is approximately 90 cm with a brass chuck to allow proper fit to the tire valve and durability. Furthermore, M 18 is fixed to the ground and stable during the inflation process due to its anti-variation feet.
Flexible battery system. Another good thing for Milwaukee customers is that the M18 tire inflator can fit all M18 batteries.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Deliver super fast inflation. | A little bit pricey. |
Give accurate reading. | No integrated work light. |
Save up to 4 sets of psi levels. | No alternate power supply. |
Long-life battery. |
What customers like about this product is the incredible speed for tire inflation and accurate reading. One user said that he experienced inflation on the 8 tires in about 9 minutes. Other users complain that the lowest automatic set is 10 PSI which is restricted against low-volume applications. However, you can do it manually for applications that need lower psi levels than 10 such as bike tires, basketball, etc.
Our experts confirmed the accurate reading of Milwaukee M18 when they tested it for a flat tire, it pumped the tire to 45 PSI in less than 3 minutes. Also, we found the inflator is relatively large to carry around. However, this product is highly recommended by over 90% of users.
You can easily get the Milwaukee M18-18V tire inflator through {check the price now}. Different designs or packages may included. |
Best value for price.
#2 AstroAI Portable Air Compressor 100PSI tire inflator.
- voltage: 12V DC.
- maximum power: 120 watts.
- Digital pressure gauge: available.
- Power source: cigarette lighter cord.
- Hose length:3 meters.
Extended durability by 30% increasing its service life. AstroAI is manufactured with ToughUltra technology. In this technology, they use powder metallurgy during all manufacturing steps to enhance durability for all core parts of the tire inflator such as (the cylinder, motor, and connection rods).
Auto set inflation. Below the digital screen there are 3 buttons to select the ‘’M’’ mode of the desired inflation unit, always use the psi unit for tire inflation. The ‘’+’’ and ‘’-’’ buttons adjust the tire with recommended tire pressure. Once the the tire pressure reaches to preset level, the air compressor will automatically shut off. You can easily monitor the progress of the tire pressure via screen.
The tire inflator also has a digital gauge that provides you with the current tire pressure for your tire. No need for a separate tire pressure gauge.
Easy handling and storing. You can simply store it in the car trunk because of its compact design and lightweight.
Inflate your vehicle tire quickly. With AstroAi Tire inflator you can pump your tire with air in recorded time. Our experiment shows that the tire inflator can inflate the tire from 0 to 35 in 4 minutes only.
Confident use in dark places. If you are exposed to lower tire pressure at dim places, Astro AI has a flashlight that provides convenient light to perfectly set up the tire inflator.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Acceptable long power cord. | Corded model. |
Reasonable price. | Get hot by heavy usage. |
User friendly. | |
Durable and reliable. |
What we have found in customers’ reviews is that they are pleasant with the simplicity of inflator utilization. It is easy to set and connect. They appreciate the auto shut-off after the desired pressure is reached. Also, many users see that additional nozzle attachments are very useful in different inflating tasks such as balls, cushions, balloons, and mattresses.
Some customers complain of two drawbacks—the loud sound of the inflator during operation and the heat generated after heavy long use. Hence, From our experience, we strongly recommend letting the inflator rest and cool for some time after 10-15 minutes of continuous use.
Our experiment for the Astro Ai tire inflator confirms the simplicity of inflator utilization. We notice that the valve stem connector tightly locks on and comes off quickly so we don’t notice any air leakage while unscrewing the device from the tire. The inflator practically adds 1 psi every 8 seconds to the car’s tires if connected properly.
Significant tips. Don’t use this tire inflator in high-volume applications like canoes. Also, you can’t use it in a wall plug, you will need a suitable converter.
You can easily get the AstroAI tire inflator {check now}. Different designs or packages may included. |
Best reliable.
#3 DeWalt 20V Max tire inflator.
- Type: corded/cordless.
- Maximum pressure: 160psi.
- Digital pressure gauge: available.
- Power source: 20V battery,12V DC,110V AC.
Jobsite and on-the-go operation. Dewalt 20v comes with 3 sources of power to achieve maximum liability. You can use it with a 20 V battery or 12V DC in your car or even in your home at 110V. Keep in mind that the battery, charger, and AC power adaptor are sold separately.
For tire inflation and beyond. You can easily inflate your tire whether your vehicle is a passenger or even a trailer truck tire. as it is designed for heavy use. In addition to inflation mattresses and other applications like boards.
The high-volume hose of the Dewalt tire inflator is manufactured from high-pressure rubber to ensure durability and fast inflation for high-volume applications.it is operated through high-pressure inflation mode.
Impressive user experience. Easy to set up, put on, and release to avoid any air leakage that may happen while you remove the inflator from the tire.
You will not find any difficulty in storing inflator additives, so thanks for onboard accessory storage.
DeWalt 20V Max tire inflator has a digital gauge that makes it easy to set the desired air pressure. Moreover, the device automatically shuts off once it reaches the target psi, allowing you to do other work while inflating your tire.
You can depend on this tire inflator in dim places as it has an onboard LED light that lets you adjust your tire pressure in dark areas.
Additional advantages. The threaded chuck allows you to properly fit the device to the inflation valve. Also, you will find the withstandable rubber feet to fix the inflator on the ground.
pros | cons |
---|---|
Suitable for inflating different volume applications. | Slightly expensive. |
Variety in power sources. | Larger in size. |
Accurate reading of tire pressure gauge. | |
Two sets of modes for high volume and low volume inflation. | |
Come with multiple accessories that can be stored properly. |
Dewalt 20v max is suitable for low-volume applications such as balls, and tire inflation, and high-volume applications like mattresses and small boats. This advantage is supported by low and high-volume inflation modes and the multiple accessories included.
During our intensive search for this product we found that over 90% of customers love the user-friendly tire inflator, quick connect and release, automatic shut off, and flashlight which can come in handy on dark roads. While little customers wish if they have got smaller size inflators.
During our test, we observe that the inflator work quietly and slightly fast. It takes about 2 minutes to move the psi from 8 to 15. We significantly love the way that everything stores properly, we don’t find this advantage in many other inflators.
As a Dewalt fan, you can run the inflator on the battery of other Dewalt tools.
You can easily get the DeWalt 20V Max tire inflator through {check the price now}. Different designs or packages may included. |
Best ease of use.
#4 Avid Power Cordless Tire Inflator Air Compressor.
- Type: corded/cordless.
- Maximum pressure: 100psi.
- Digital pressure gauge: available.
- Power source: 20V battery&12V DC.
- DC cord length: 3 meters.
- Voltage: 20 volt
- Max power: 200 watts.
Don’t worry about overinflating during the inflation process. As the tire has a presetting automatic stop function, you can simply adjust your desired psi and let the inflator work. It will shut down automatically after reaching the target pressure.
On-the-go and on-site tire inflation. You aren’t obligated to connect the tire inflator through a power source (12v DC). The Avid Power comes with a 20V rechargeable battery that allows you to inflate your tire freely. However, if you want higher efficient inflation or in case the battery runs out, you can use a 12V DC adaptor.
Comfortable handle. The ergonomic design and light weight of the Avid tire inflator make it easy to carry and transfer while inflating. Moreover, the portable size is suitable for storing in small spaces.
Multiple purposes: the tire inflator comes with additional accessories to enable you to inflate different applications like motorcycles, bicycle tires, sports balls, and even inflatable boats. But, it is not suitable for large truck tires.
pros | cons |
---|---|
Portable- small-sized device to deliver ease of use. | Short life battery. |
Bright LED light illuminates dark places. | |
Affordable price. |
During our intensive search for this product. The customer reviews show the user`s satisfaction with the lightweight and portable design of the avid inflator which enables them to use and store it easily with intuitive controls. Also, they don’t observe any noise generated.
During our test, the avid tire inflator proved its fast inflation as it increased my tire pressure from 26 to 32 psi in only one minute.
The thing that I admired is that the inflator adds 1 additional psi after it reaches the target tire pressure level before it automatically shuts off. This will help avoid air leaking while the device is released from the tire.
According to our practical experience, It isn’t a long-lasting battery, so we recommend charging the battery after 2 or 3 uses. Or you can buy an inexpensive second battery.
You can easily get the Avid tire inflator through {check the price now}. Different designs or packages may included. |
Best heavy duty.
#5 Viair 88P Portable tire inflator.
- Type: corded.
- Voltage: 12 volts
- Maximum pressure: 120psi.
- Digital pressure gauge: available.
- Power source: through the vehicle battery.
- Power cord length.3 meters.
Long-lasting performance. When it comes to high-quality materials for tire inflators, we have to consider Viair products. The American company has put dependable quality at the top of its priorities for over 25 years.
The durable metal and plastic construction make us gives Viair88 confidence in heavy-duty tasks such as tough terrain. The reliable performance makes it the perfect choice for off-road adventurers, commuters, and families.
Although some people prefer traditional plastic clamps, I prefer the solid brass twist-on tire chuck as it withstands heavy duty and tightly joins to tire valve to avoid air leakage. Anyway, it isn’t an issue as the brass screw goes fast and easy.
Reachable length cord. The total length for both the battery connector and airline is over 20 feet which allows you to easily inflate the rear tire. It is plenty long for most applications.
Powerful performance.Viair88 tire inflator delivers a maximum pressure of 120 PSI with a duty cycle of 25 minutes. So you can accomplish 4 tire inflation during this time without rest.
pros | cons |
---|---|
No sound, no vibration due to rubber feet | Metal gets hot during work. |
Sturdy metal and durable construction. | No alternate power source. |
Affordable price. | |
Well-sized carrying case to collect all attachments. |
Although some customers are concerned about the heat generated from the tire inflator during work, many others like the rugged manufacturing material. They also praise the clips that perfectly grip the battery terminals. In addition to the high-quality bag used to store the device.
Based on our experience, the Viair did its job completely to pump the four tires from 30 psi to 50 psi in about 25 minutes. I see it takes a relatively long time. However, when the vehicle engine is running, the tire inflator increases its speed and rapidly inflates the tires.
Another concern is that I have to check the gauge from time to time while inflating the tires till reach to desired pressures. No auto shut-off advantages.
I strongly recommend Viair88 to people who seek for durable tire inflator that endures tough missions due to high-quality raw materials.
Viair 400p model is another tire inflator model that is highly recommended to overcome many downsides of 88p. Viair 400p is basically faster and more powerful than Viair 88p but it is also more expensive, bigger, and heavier.
You can easily get the Viair88p tire inflator through {check the price now} and the Viair400p tire inflator through {check the price now}. Different designs or packages may included. |
Smallest tire inflator.
#6 Airmoto Portable Smart tire inflator.
- Type: cordless.
- Maximum pressure: 120psi.
- Digital pressure gauge: available.
- Power source:12V -2000mAh rechargeable battery.
- The hose length is 1.8 meters.
Excellent compact gift. The small size of the Airmoto makes it the best choice for many people who don’t have enough space to store large tire inflators. The compact size encourages people to give it as a gift to their families and friends.
Airmoto is perfectly suitable for inflation tires of cars, Trucks, and SUVs. It has 3 additional attachments for multiple applications such as bicycle and basketball. However, we don’t recommend using this inflator in large volume uses like air mattresses or heavy-load tires.
The compact size is reinforced by the internal storage of an air hose – that lengthens to 1.8 meters – to save more space.
The Airmoto tire inflator is impressively easy to use. The cordless tire pump can easily reach to rear tires without hassle. In addition to the USB charging capability to deliver confident use on- the-go.
Simplicity in reading and adjusting desired tire pressure. A large LCD digital gauge makes it easy for you to get accurate readings for the tire pressure. It also has an AUTO SHUT OFF option that allows you to adjust your desired pressure and it will automatically shut off once it reaches the target pressure. So, you don’t need to wait beside it till your tires get inflated.
Even in dark places, you can check the tire pressure and inflate your tire with Airmoto. It is provided by a built-in LED flashlight to deliver sufficient light for operation.
pros | cons |
---|---|
Excellent portability. | Not as fast as leading competitors. |
Small size, and lightweight. | Short-life battery takes a long time to recharge. |
It works quietly. | |
Easy to use and adjust. | |
Accurate reading |
What customer impact on the Airmoto tire pump? The intensive research we have done on the customer’s reviews shows that over 95% of users indicate their admiration for the simplicity and portability of the tire inflator. It can be stored in any place like in a bag to take everywhere and is not a complicated system for the majority of people.
Some people don’t like the short life battery as they aren’t able to complete all tasks like inflation the 4 tires before the battery dies out.
When our experts tried this product they were really surprised about its small size and lightweight. After the practical experience, we found that it took 5 minutes to fill the tire from 25 psi to 34 psi which is a relatively long time. Another downside is that the battery may not withstand heavy duty for a long time.
My final recommendation is. Airmoto is an amazing portable tire inflator found in the market but you can use it only for medium duty. Also, it is preferred to fully charge the battery every time before usage to guarantee task accomplishment.
You can easily get the Airmoto Portable Smart tire inflator through {check the price now}. Different designs or packages may included. |
Tire inflator buying guide.
When it comes to the purchasing process, you have to consider the following points which might be helpful in difficult conditions like flattening tires on highways at night.
- Maximum pressure not less than 100 psi. It is the capacity of the tire inflator to give maximum pressure level. Generally, it ranges from 100 to 160. Higher maximum pressure gives you the confidence to achieve large-volume tasks more quickly. Like pumping large tires that need over 60 psi.
- Inflation time. Simply select the tire inflator that can fill your tires faster and get rid of bad situations quickly. You can do this by reading customers’ reviews and this is what we have done in this article.
- High duty cycle. The duty cycle measures the percentage of the period the tire inflator works to the total time of work and rest. For example, if the duty cycle for the tire inflator is 25%. Then, the tire inflator is designed to work for 15 seconds every one minute. So it is preferred to select a longer duty cycle over 50% or not less than 30 minutes. as it will guarantee task accomplishments.
- Power source. There are two types of power sources: corded and cordless and each has its pros and cons. Corded.
- Corded tire inflator. Use 12V power from a cigarette lighter or directly attached to the vehicle battery. You don’t require keeping an additional rechargeable battery but you might face challenges with short-length cord or storing issues.
- Cordless inflator: use a 12v rechargeable built-in or removal battery without any cord. Although it delivers higher portability and ease of use, you have to consider long battery life.
- User friendly. Try to select the tire that can be used easily in different parameters.
- A large LED display and built-in gauge make it easy for you to read the tire pressure correctly even in dark places without needing a separate gauge.
- Automatic shut off. This option is truly helpful. It not only avoids overinflation of your tire as it automatically shuts off once it reaches the target psi, but also it turns off once the inflator gets overheated and avoids device damage.
- Suitable hose length. Don’t select a short hose that makes it harder to reach the tire valve nor a long hose that can’t be managed easily. About 20-inch hose length is suitable and reachable for most tires.
- Extra advantages well to have.
- Integrated work lights allow you to set up tire inflators in dim places.
- Multiple power sources are additional benefits to feel more secure.
- Numerous inflation attachments for multiple applications.
- Small sized, compact lightweight inflator will be handy.
- Rubber feet make the inflator stable on the ground with no vibration or sound.
How to properly use a portable tire inflator?
- First, you have to know the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle, you will find labeled on the vehicle’s driver`s door.
- Connect the inflator to the power source whether to cigarette lighter or vehicle batter or it may be a rechargeable battery-powered inflator. Then turn on the switch if found.
- Connect the inflator hose to the tire valve, and make sure it is tightly fitted to the valve to avoid any air leakage. Then select the mode you want, often select PSI metric.
- Adjust your desired pressure using the + and – buttons and push the start button.
- If the inflator features auto-shutoff, you don’t have to check the pressure gauge. But in the case of a traditional gauge, you have to double-check the pressure reading till you hit the desired psi then turn off the power button.
- Be careful not to lose air while removing the hose from the tire valve. Don’t forget to put the valve cap in.
- In case you find difficulty in tire inflation progress. The problem may exceed the inflator speed. It might be the damage in the tire itself whether puncture or valve stem damage needs to be replaced or any other signs of bad tires.
Pay attention to the instructions for the portable tire inflator you have. It may need to cool down after a certain period of work so try not to exceed this limit otherwise, it will cause the device damage.
Which will I have to choose, a tire inflator or an air compressor?
As a driver who wants to avoid any bad situation like tire deflation while you are driving, you have to obtain one of the portable tire inflators we have previously discussed.
Tire inflator | Air compressor | |
---|---|---|
portability | Portable and easily handled and stored. | Not portable and is difficult to store. |
size | Smaller and lighter. | Larger and heavier. |
tank | It is not portable and is difficult to store. | It has a tank to store compressed air that supplies power suitable for all applications. |
Airflow | Weaker airflow. | It doesn’t have a tank so it is not designed for large-volume jobs. It is suitable for car tires or similar applications. |
Our verdict.
Managing tire pressure can avoid big problems like tire blowouts. So when we recommend the Milwaukee M18-18V Cordless Tire Inflator, we provide you with the one we can trust and secure your driving.
Now enjoy driving safely and don’t worry about tire deflation anymore with a Milwaukee inflator.