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Although it’s easy to use the air machine available at your local gas station, too many people still drive around with under-inflated tires. According to TireRack.com, “If a vehicle’s tires are under-inflated by as little as 6 psi… tire life could be reduced by as much as 25%.” Luckily, it’s cheaper than ever to get your own air compressor and fill your tires in your own driveway. There are now options with built-in flashlights, bike tires and sporting accessories, and more. Starting at under $30, it can save you a trip to the gas station for a tank of gas or a call to AAA for a tow.
main features
- Plug into your car socket
- 11.9ft power cord
- Automatically shuts off once preset pressure is reached
- Including integrated LED lighting
- Includes three extra jets for sports balls, air mattresses, bike tires and more
- “Not applicable to large vehicles with tire pressure ＞50psi and tire width ＞245mm, such as trucks, vans and ATVs.”
The VacLife tire inflator connects to your car’s 12V outlet with an 11.9ft power cord to get its juice. It features an auto shut-off feature that allows it to turn itself off once it reaches your preset psi level, a built-in LED flashlight and comes with 3 extra nozzles for inflatables such as sports equipment, bike tires and more. This is a great budget option, but won’t work for large vehicles with tire pressures over 50psi or tire widths over 245mm, like some trucks and SUVs.
main features
- Plug into your car socket
- 14 foot power cord
- Includes three nozzle attachments for sports balls, air mattresses, bike tires and more
- Includes a built-in LED flashlight for nighttime emergencies
- Includes a one-year warranty
- Includes carry bag
The FORTEM Air Compressor tucks its 14 foot power cord into itself, making it super portable. The cable itself plugs directly into your car’s cigarette lighter socket for power. This inflator comes with multiple attachments for car and bike tires, inflatable toys and more, and has a built-in LED flashlight. Like many others, the FORTEM has an auto shut off feature and allows you to set your desired PSI before you start inflating. It even comes with a 1 year warranty! Find out more about FORTEM here.
main features
- Best Selling Air Compressor on Amazon
- Plugs into the 12 volt DC lighter socket
- Includes additional valve adapters for sports balls, air mattresses, bike tires and more
- Does not support truck tires
- Contains a built-in LED flashlight
- Automatically shuts off once preset pressure is reached
The EPAuto air compressor is one of the most popular options on the market. It plugs into your car’s 12-volt outlet, comes with extra valve adapters for things like basketballs, inflatables, etc., has an auto shut-off, and has a built-in LED flashlight like so many others. Also, like many of the more portable tire inflator options, this one is not recommended for trucks or larger vehicles. Be aware that this air compressor actually has the shortest power cord on our list, clocked in at just about 9 feet by a helpful answerer in Amazon’s Q&A section. So if you like a little more wiggle room, this might not be the best choice for you.
main features
- Plugs into a car’s 12 volt cigarette lighter socket or a 110/120 volt wall outlet
- 10.5″ power cord
- Includes four nozzle adapters for use with cars, RVs, motorcycles, air mattresses, bike tires and more
- The accuracy of the displayed pressure is +/- 3 psi
- Up to 150psi
- Automatically shuts off once preset pressure is reached
- Features a bright backlit LCD display
The TEROMAS tire inflator is a good choice as it plugs into your car’s 12 volt cigarette lighter socket or into a 110/120 volt outlet. It can inflate a P195/65R15 tire from 0 to 35psi in less than 4 minutes. The Auto-Off feature automatically turns the pump off once it reaches the desired preset pressure level. This compressor, like many others, features a digital display that conveniently shows your tire’s current pressure and a built-in LED flashlight. It comes with three additional adapters and can be used with cars, motorcycles, bicycles, air mattresses, balls and more. Learn more here.
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main features
main features- Powered by a rechargeable battery pack or 12 volt car power adapter (completely wireless option)
- For use with car tires, motorcycle tires, bicycle tires, inflatable sports balls, pool toys and more
- Not suitable for large truck tires
- The accuracy of the displayed pressure is +/- 1 psi
- Automatically shuts off once preset pressure is reached
- Includes carry case, air tap and inflation needle
This Avid Power Tire Inflator is a multi-purpose cordless pump that can be used with most tires, inflatable sports balls and more. It’s a bit more expensive than the others on our list, but it’s also a bit more convenient as it doesn’t need to be plugged into an outlet. If the battery pack fails when needed, it also comes with a 12 volt power adapter that can be used to plug it in. The compressor features an auto stop feature with a displayed pressure accuracy of +/- 1psi, a built in LED light and comes with its own tool kit. Note that this compressor, like many others, is not designed for large truck tires.
Since we base this selection on user reviews, we’d love to hear if you have anything to add. Do you agree with our selection? Anything else you would like to recommend? Let us know in the comments! Have fun inflating tires.
