Search "portable tire inflators/air compressors" online and you'll find dozens, if not hundreds, of devices that claim to be the "best" at inflating car tires. Which one is the best for you? We're here to cut through that clutter.

In order to find the truth, we rounded up a truckload of top sellers and renowned brands and pitted them against one another in our testing garage. Which one came out on top? Which tire inflators surprised or disappointed us?

Our Top Picks

How did we pick our contenders? First, we polled the editorial staffs of Car and Driver, Autoweek, and Road & Track for the inflators our experts recommended. Then, we perused the internet to find out which inflators were the most popular, the best sellers, and the highest rated. Ultimately, we leaned into our expertise and automotive knowledge to whittle the list down to a manageable 13.

In order to get a fair and impartial sample of portable tire inflators, we selected several brand names we know and trust, as well as a bunch of best-selling off-brand compressors with (usually) lower prices and (often) better ratings. We assembled a wide range of sizes, power, and styles to represent the many types of portable tire inflators on the market. Finally, we purposely avoided the plethora of tiny handheld inflators that look more like game controllers or smartphones than air compressors.

Once we had our final tire inflator lineup, we ran them through the Gear Team wringer to see how they performed: which ones stood out, which ones dominated the competition, and which ones left us wanting more. And we photographed the whole process. (Editor's Note: The above time-lapse GIF is around two minutes of actual time; that Milwaukee inflator is a BEAST.)

What to Look for in a Portable Tire Inflator

Type

Portable tire inflators come in many shapes and sizes, but they effectively break down into two distinct types: handheld devices and console units. The most important consideration when shopping for a tire inflator is what you'll be using it for.

Handheld is the way to go for a tire inflator to keep in your car in case of emergencies. A handheld inflator should be easily stashable and simple to use. Shop for a handheld inflator that features a work light for nighttime situations, a digital gauge for accurate readings and auto-shutoff, a clamp-style valve connector, and a 12-volt plug to reliably power the device with your vehicle when you need it.

Console units are ideal for everyday household and recreational inflation. Consoles should be able to inflate almost anything, from car tires to sports balls to air mattresses for car camping to rafts, toys, and SUPs for fun recreation (inflatable kayak, anyone?). Most feature multiple power options, numerous inflation attachments, and more features you won't find in a handheld.

On the downside, consoles didn't perform as well as handheld units in the one test we at the Gear Team were most concerned with: portable tire inflation. They all got the job done, but up and down the line the portable handheld units we tested were generally faster at tire inflation than the console compressors. Moreover, most console units can hardly be considered "portable." Yes, you can pick them up, carry them around the house, and pack them in your vehicle for vacations. But keeping a console inflator in the car in case of emergencies? Out of the question, for most of us.

Power Source

No matter which portable car tire inflator you buy, look for one that features an alternate power source option. Battery-powered handhelds are portable and easy to use, but they should also have a backup 12-volt car plug, just in case. Your vehicle's 12-volt outlet will always be adjacent to your tires and is a trusty power source—unless, of course, in addition to flat tires your car has a dead battery. Then, you'll need a jump starter/tire inflator combo console.

Pro Tip: Batter-powered items stashed in cars are often and easily neglected. If you're keeping any battery-powered device in your car, such as an inflator or jump starter, fully charge its battery every few months—say, every time you give your vehicle a detail job that includes vacuuming and interior cleaning.

Wall plugs are great for top-offs at home, but the car will have to be moved close to an electrical outlet, or you'll need a very long extension cord. Or perhaps a portable generator or battery pack to plug into. Direct-to-battery power sources, such as on the Viair unit we tested, provide maximum power but can be unwieldy. More on that later.

Accessories and Features

When shopping for a tire inflator, look for benefits such as:

-An integrated work light for dark roadside repairs; some flash to function as emergency beacons

-A digital gauge with auto shut-off, rather than analog dials

-Clamp-style valve attachments are easier and more convenient than screw-on connectors

-Plenty of attachments, such as a tapered nozzle for inflating air mattresses, rafts, and pool toys; a needle for sports balls; and a Presta valve chuck for some road-bike tires

-Rubber feet to keep your inflator planted while operational

Looking for the best tire inflator to buy in 2023? Here's what we found.

Avid Power

amazon.com

$69.99

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The pistol-style AVID Power Cordless stands out from the competition by stepping it up a notch without increasing the price much. It provides a secondary power option via your car's 12V outlet, plus the package includes two of each kind of valve adapter.

In our test, the Avid Power was more than a full minute faster to both 30 psi and 45 psi than its main rival, the AstroAI pistol-style cordless. But instead of an extra battery, it comes with a supplemental 12V DC power cord. (Note: We tested this unit using the battery.) We also preferred the feel of the Avid's rubberized handle to the AstroAI's grip. It was slightly quieter too.

If we were shopping for a portable tire inflator to keep in our car, we'd probably pick the Avid Power Cordless. It retails for just under a hundred bucks—but almost always seems to be on sale. Further, we lose tiny parts all the time, so the inclusion of a backup of each type of inflation attachment is appreciated. The alternate on-the-go power option is a clear advantage to carrying a spare battery—let alone keeping the unit fully charged. Add in the faster inflation time, plus the battery's USB port (for charging phones and such), and our choice for Best Overall Tire Inflator turned out to be a pretty easy call.

TEROMAS

amazon.com

$39.97

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The Teromas unit is similar in size, shape, and performance to the VacLife we tested below. Both are flat and easily stashable, both will get the job done, and both cost less than fifty bucks. However, we feel the Teromas is more valuable to the typical driver thanks mainly to its inclusion of a 120-volt household-outlet adapter, in addition to the 12V outlet plug.

The flat, box-shaped unit is easy to use and inflated our Hyundai's test tire about 30 seconds faster to both 30 psi and 45 psi than the VacLife did. It's quieter, too. It weighs a bit more but its hose is longer, and it includes two tapered stems and a ball needle.

In retrospect, after testing both the VacLife and the Teromas, I wish I'd bought the Teromas to keep in my personal car (see below). It's almost as cheap and just as portable as the VacLife I bought a while back, but the optional power supply and the slightly longer hose put the nearly-identical Teromas a cut above its rival.

BLACK+DECKER

amazon.com

$67.85

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Because it offers a lot of options in both everyday applications and power, this Black+Decker model ‎BDINF20C makes a fine inflator for almost anyone—but especially for users who already subscribe to B+D's popular 20V MAX battery system.

Not only does it run cordless via the Li-Ion battery, it will also plug into your car's 12V outlet and includes a wall plug for domestic use. This means you don't have to worry about keeping its battery charged, or buying into yet another battery and charger system if you're not already using the 20V MAX in your garage.

Despite the garage-familiar brand name, this Black+Decker is clearly more of a household inflator than an automotive one. While its inflation time to 30 psi was fairly impressive, it took more than nine minutes to fill our test tire to 45 psi. It's got a high-flow hose and multiple attachments for various applications, and it's lighter and easier to carry around than most of the other console-type units we tested here. But when it comes time to fully inflate a typical SUV tire, it spits the renowned Black+Decker bit. Also, the necessary 20V MAX battery and charger are not included.

Already a user of the 20V MAX battery system? This inflator might be ideal for use around your house. But for car tires? There are faster inflators out there—many of them smaller and lighter than this one.

VIAIR

amazon.com

$89.95

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The neo-industrial design of this miniature workhorse is a delight to both hold and look at. Unfortunately, it's not quite as satisfying to work with.

Let's be clear: the Viair 88P is incredibly fast at inflating tires. We were blown away (sorry!) by the performance of this device. In fact, next to the monster from Milwaukee in our lead image above, no other compressor in our test came close to inflating our test tire as quickly as the Viair. However, its sole power supply—alligator clips that connect directly to the car battery—and quaint-but-wonky dial gauge keep the Viair 88P from being the ideal car tire inflator for the everyday driver. For the time being, anyway.

Viair built its trusted reputation on its high-quality industrial and commercial air compressors, and this 88P is, in form and function, a scaled-down, portable version of one of its larger units. But why the seemingly outmoded power hookup? Why the old-school analog dial gauge? We didn't want to fault a company we know and trust without hearing its side of the story, so we reached out.

Dave Rittenhouse, Viair Corp.'s Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, told us Viair's main concern is providing a quality product that works, and a direct line to the battery was the only way to achieve that with the 88P. "This unit requires about 16–19 amps for its compressor motor to function effectively," he said. Unfortunately, the typical 12V accessory power port in any car "tops out at around 15 amps. Wall plugs with AC power use a different type of motor, and Li-Ion batteries wouldn't provide the required power," Rittenhouse said. Thus, the need to draw power directly from the car battery. Dave assured us that options are in the works from Viair. But, for now, alligator clips it is.

The integrated analog dial gauge on the Viair looks as quaint and cool as the rest of the unit, but it didn't get the satisfying justification from Viair as its power supply. It proved wildly inaccurate during testing, running about 10psi higher than the actual tire pressure while the unit was powered on. When the needle hit 30 psi and we shut the compressor off, and the needle dropped to around 20 psi. We had to shut the motor off, check the dial, measure the psi with our handheld gauge, then top the pressure off. We did this several times all the way to 45psi before we got an acceptable reading on our handheld pressure gauge. Basically, the analog dial gauge on the 88P is worthless (unless you know how high the dial gauge runs—and if you owned an 88P, you'd probably figure that out pretty quickly).

From where we're sitting, the 88P outperformed its competition by leaps and bounds, so we'd love to see Viair come up with a more user-friendly compromise between practicality and efficiency. (An integrated work light would be appreciated too.) In the meantime, if you're comfortable working with alligator clips to your battery and repeatedly double-checking your tire pressure, the Viair 88P is affordable, small enough to stash in the car, includes plenty of inflation accessories, and it's all wrapped up in a convenient carrying case—which is great because that's an awful lot of hose and cord to wind up.

AstroAI

amazon.com

$55.99

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One of the top-selling tire inflators at Amazon in our test this lightweight, portable compressor from AstroAI justified its popularity. It's small enough to stash in your daily driver in case of emergencies and strong enough to get you out of a jam.

Powered by a fast-charging (about an hour) 20V 2.0Ah Li-ion battery, it also offers a 12v corded option that plugs into either the wall or your car's cigarette lighter. The pistol-style AstroAI is simple to use; just set the desired psi, clamp on the connector, and pull the trigger. Its inflation times to 30 psi and 45 psi were faster than most of the other units in our test, handheld or console. (It was also louder than most of the other units here.) Better still, the package includes two batteries, each with a USB port for charging devices. And it all comes in a carrying case that should fit in most cargo cubbies and perhaps even your spare tire well.

The old adage says, "you get what you pay for," and it's usually true. However, in our testing, the AstroAI Cordless Inflator busted that stereotype wide open by being efficient, portable, and versatile—all while being supremely affordable. If it had come with a corded 12V power option rather than (or in addition to) an extra battery, it might've topped our list.

Milwaukee

amazon.com

$139.95

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Milwaukee's 2848-20 M18 Inflator blew away (sorry!) the competition in inflation time. It inflated our test tire to 30 psi in just over a minute and hit 45 psi in only about two and a half minutes, allowing us to make a cool inflation GIF with the tire on a Ford Bronco (at top). Both times were nearly five minutes faster than most other inflators we tested.

But it's not ideal. The 2848-20 is a relatively large and heavy unit that's too big to carry around in your daily driver. The valve attachment is screw-on, which is fine for everyday inflating but a (literal) pain for cold fingers to manipulate in extreme weather. Most egregious, there is no alternative power source; the unit requires Milwaukee's proprietary M18 Li-ion battery—and that's not included.

The 2848-20 offers plenty of power and speed to inflate large tires quickly, so it might be ideal for off-roaders and overlanders to lug into the wild (but only if they already own, or are willing to purchase, an M18 battery and charger.) It was by far the fastest inflator we tested.

Now, if you've already bought into Milwaukee's M18 battery system, this 2848-20 inflator would be a fine choice to add to your garage. But if you're looking for a simple solution for occasional tire inflation and top-offs, there are more portable inflators out there.

(Note: Milwaukee makes a smaller, more portable tire inflator, the model 2475-20. However, it relies on the less-popular and less-powerful M12 battery.)

VacLife

amazon.com

$33.99

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Full disclosure: I bought this unit myself a while back because it's small enough to stash in the spare tire well of my family's Honda CR-V. I've used it several times over the course of about 18 months, mainly for pre-road-trip adjustments, and it's never failed to do the job.

In our testing, the VacLife proved itself capable, if not outstanding. Its inflation times were in the middle of the pack but faster than some larger units. The distinctive shape and light weight make it extremely portable, and you don't have to worry about charging a battery; there is none. The VacLife plugs into your car's 12V power source (an included adapter lets you plug into a wall outlet), and its 12-foot power cord is plenty long enough to reach all four tires. Its decibel reading was also lower than most other inflators we tested. The digital gauge isn't the most accurate of the bunch, but none of the inflators we tested were spot-on. It includes an LED work light.

This VacLife isn't going to wow you with its performance, but it might be the most packable compressor on our list—and it's definitely one of the most affordable.

Slime

amazon.com

$42.99

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(Note: Slime and Fix-A-Flat are sister companies. We tested and photographed the almost-identical Fix-A-Flat inflator, but it's not available until March 2023. The Slime 40050 is linked above.)

Considering it's the smallest and lightest unit we tested, this inflator's performance was an eye-opener, right up there with the portable and hands-free VacLife and Teromas.

It plugs directly into a vehicle's 12-volt outlet—there's no other power option—via a 10-foot cord and clamps onto Schrader valves easily. Its inflation time to 30 psi and 45 psi was surprisingly comparable to the competition. As you might expect, though, the smallest and lightest unit also felt far more fragile than its rivals—that is, even more like a flimsy plastic box than the rest. We'd hate for it to slip out of our hands during use and fall on a hard concrete garage floor or asphalt road shoulder. We wouldn't even trust it to roll around unsecured in a cargo bay or trunk.

No matter which brand name is on the box, the 40051 tire inflator proved efficient, easy to use, and super-portable. We're glad Fix-A-Flat moved beyond the outmoded analog dial gauge for its new model; how much that upgrade affects its retail price remains to be seen. (The Fix-A-Flat 40051 is expected to be available in March 2023.)

RoofPax

amazon.com

$139.90

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More known for its cargo carriers, RoofPax's tire inflator stands out because it offers all three power options, a rarity among the off-brand units we tested. It deflates too.

However, for a compressor that boasts dual motors, the RoofPax's inflation time to 30 psi took longer than all of the handheld options in our test—overall, it was slower than all but two of the units we tested. So it's not perfect. It improved its 45-psi time enough to end up in the middle of the pack in that regard, and its decibel level was on the lower end of our spectrum too. On the plus side, it was the only inflator we tested that offered a valve chuck attachment specifically for inflating SUPs.

Overall, the RoofPax is a decent inflator to use around the home, and its three power options will certainly hold value for some users. If it had inflated a bit faster—and didn't cost over a hundred bucks—it might have been among our favorites. But at this price point, we think car owners looking for a portable tire inflator can do better.

Note: RoofPax does offer a five-year extended manufacturer's warranty. If you choose to buy this unit from Amazon, make sure to buy it directly from the RoofPax store.

RYOBI

amazon.com

$61.75

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Another brand that uses a proprietary Li-Ion battery, the Ryobi ONE+ inflator/deflator was smaller and lighter than some of the other console units we tested. It was, however, plagued by the same issue as the Black+Decker above; despite boasting a brand name that mechanics trust, it's better for everyday use around the house than it is on your vehicle's tires.

Don't get us wrong; the Ryobi inflated our test tire to 30 psi in a little over four minutes, and the inflation time to 45 psi was eight minutes flat (a full minute faster than the B+D). Both times were about average for most of the inflators we tested. The battery offered plenty of juice to inflate all four tires, but there is no backup power option—and, critically, the ONE+ battery is not included in this package. We missed the confidence and convenience that comes with an alternate power source. Finally, the threaded, screw-on valve connector was easy enough to manipulate in a warm garage. But outdoors, in the biting Michigan cold? No thanks.

If you've already bought into Ryobi's ONE+ battery system, this inflator/deflator will work for you. If not, then you won't miss much by opting for a less expensive, portable tire inflator that you can stash in the car. Next time we'll try Ryobi's P737D pistol-grip tire inflator.

Avid Power

amazon.com

$69.99

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Avid Power's pistol-grip device got our Best Overall Tire Inflator nod; unfortunately, this Avid portable console compressor was also the loudest among its rivals and, out of all the tire inflators here, the slowest to both 30 and 45 psi.

Oh, it got the job done and offers most of the bonus features and attachments we were looking for, save for a battery option. And its price point is decidedly consumer-friendly. If you're just looking for an affordable household inflator, the Avid will certainly suffice.

If you want to get the best value from a console inflator, though—and that evaluation entails not just cost but factors such as efficiency, inflation speed, and noise—we recommend going with one of the other options here.

To evaluate these tire inflators, we called into service one of Car and Driver's fleet cars, a sleek black 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV plug-in hybrid SUV with a tire size of 235/55R19. Starting from a 10-psi reading on our handheld tire pressure gauge, we timed each inflator to 30 psi, then to 45psi, the approximate range of the typical SUV.

We also measured each unit's average decibel reading while operating. We then used a handheld tire gauge to confirm how accurate each unit's integrated pressure gauge was, before and after inflation.

For our final evaluation, we compared all these measurements. We also took into account each inflator's size, weight, air-hose length, connector type, attachments, features, and power source(s). Price was not a consideration—apart from one console, which was omitted. In both style and specs, that unit was too strikingly similar to another unit we tested as to merit a full written review of both. So we simply chose the less-expensive tire inflator to feature here.

We unpackaged, tested, evaluated, and reviewed 11 portable air compressors in an effort to find the best tire inflator for most drivers. (Technically, it was 13, but the battery for one device wouldn't take a charge, and, as mentioned above, one unit felt superfluous so we omitted it.)

It wasn't a difficult test per se, but it was a rather taxing and time-consuming process. Here are some things we learned and noted along the way:

• Renowned brand-name inflators didn't necessarily perform any better than the off-brand ones we tried. Handheld inflators proved to be just as fast as, if not faster than, console units at inflating car tires.
• None of the gauges on any of the devices we tested were 100 percent accurate. Always double-check your psi with a handheld tire pressure gauge before and after using any tire inflator.
• 12V DC car power cords that plug into your "cigarette lighter" outlet often require the engine to be running to power the device.
• Threaded screw-on connectors will provide a surer seal but can be hard to manipulate in cold weather. Furthermore, Schrader air valves are designed mainly for rubber or plastic end caps, not metal screw-on connectors; cross-threading (or stripping) the brass threads on your tire valves is a real possibility.
• Most portable inflators are rather loud when operating; nearly all of the ones we tested came in at just under 90 decibels, or about as loud as a leaf blower.
• All of these units warned against overheating; always allow any portable air compressor (especially handhelds) to cool down after about 10 minutes of constant use.
• When it comes to proprietary battery systems, we usually recommend sticking with the brand you're already using in your garage. This goes for any power tool you may be considering. It's cheaper and easier, and any benefits you might see will likely be offset by the extra expense of purchasing yet another battery and charger.
• If you find yourself needing to inflate the same tire(s) repeatedly, you've got bigger issues, pal. Get those tires repaired or replaced ASAP.

What is the best portable car tire pump?

Whichever one is best for your needs. If you're looking for a truly "portable" inflator to keep in your car, opt for one that's small enough to stash in your vehicle and easy to use, such as the Avid Power Pistol Grip.

How long do portable tire inflators last?

As long as you take care of yours, it should last for years. Be advised most are plastic-cased, and just one solid drop on a hard garage floor from being rendered useless. Handle with care. Also, batteries do have a tendency to lose their strength after a while; look for one with a replaceable battery.

Who makes the best tire inflator?

That's subjective. The "best" for you will be the one that's ideally suited to your needs. In our testing, we found that brand-name inflators generally weren't any more effective at tire inflation than the less-expensive imported brands. That said, reliability, durability, and warranty coverage should be a consideration. If you're looking for a battery-powered inflator, we always recommend going with the proprietary battery system you already own and use.

Should I get an air compressor or a tire inflator?

If you also want your inflator to pump up sporting goods, inflatable toys, etc., a multi-purpose air compressor is probably best. However, if you just want to inflate your vehicle's tires occasionally, you won't need all that versatility. That said, most of the inflators we tested came with a variety of attachments for all kinds of inflation needs.

Car and Driver and its sibling publications at Hearst Autos represent three of the most influential automotive publications in the world. We rely on decades of experience in the automotive and gear spaces to help readers make informed purchasing choices. Read more about our testing process here.

With the legacies of Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track behind us, the Hearst Autos Gear Team is more concerned with the trust our readers have in us than our bottom line. We won't tell you to buy something if we wouldn't buy it ourselves or recommend it to our friends, and we'll never claim to have used or tested something if we haven't. Our picks and recommendations of products and gear are based on testing and knowledge, not hype.