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Portable tire inflators often get thrown under the bus for not being as powerful as their plug-in counterparts. However, years of R&D in battery and motor technology has led to big gains in power and portability. Aside from portability, the peace of mind that you gain from having readily available onboard air is simply invaluable. Whether you’re crawling through the Rubicon trail or cruising down the interstate, you never know when you’ll need a quick hit of air.
What to Consider
While there are plenty of metrics to look at when it comes to air compressors, the most important will be cubic feet per minute (cfm). The higher the number, the faster the compressor can add air. For typical road usage, any unit with around 1 cfm will do the trick. Most road tires have a very small air volume and can be inflated with relative ease. However, off-road enthusiasts with bigger tires will want to look for at least 2 cfm. Anything lower than that isn’t worth the investment, however modest.
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The other important number to pay attention to is the maximum psi. While cfm refers to the amount of airflow being produced, psi is a measure of how fast that air can be supplied. The closest comparison would be putting your thumb on the nozzle of your garden hose. It’s still supplying the same volume of water, only at a much higher pressure.
If you’re a casual motorist, we recommend the more portable–and affordable–units on this list. There’s no reason to spend more than $75 for everyday needs. However, if you’re a weekend warrior in the overlanding scene, some of the more brawny units will be right up your street.
How We Selected
As a lifelong petrolhead and adventure seeker, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the importance of being prepared. In narrowing down my list, I looked at factors like cfm, max psi, portability, and price. Aside from my personal experience, I also consulted expert reviews from longstanding websites like Overlander, 4 Wheel Parts, and Mobile Air Systems, along with customer feedback on retail sites like Amazon.
Pros
Excellent expandability- Mountable
Cons
- Expensive
Weight: N/A | Max PSI: 120 psi | CFM Output: 2.18 cfm
Despite its eye-watering price tag, this unit from ARB is all you will ever need when it comes to mobile tire inflation. While outfitting off-road enthusiasts with gear for decades, ARB has been equally committed to high-performance air compressors. Under the skin, the CKMP12 features a hard-anodized cylinder bore and a Teflon-impregnated carbon fiber piston seal for optimum performance and reliability. The unit also allows for plenty of headroom if you wish to add an air tank further down the road.
If you're looking to get a deal, Walmart currently has a Hart inflator on sale for more than 50 percent off.
Best Bang For Your Buck
Viair 300P Portable Compressor
Pros
- Powerful
- Comes with everything you need
Cons
- Expensive
Weight: 8.7 pounds | Max PSI: 150 psi | CFM Output: 2.3 cfm
Viair has cemented itself as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-performance air compressors. The 300P is no exception with premium parts including stainless steel valves, an anodized aluminum cylinder, and an oilless direct-drive motor. The unit is powered using alligator clips that connect to your car battery and tips the scales at 8.7 pounds. With 2.3 cfm of power on tap–and a max psi of 150–the Viair can inflate a 35-by-12.5-inch tire from flat to full in just five minutes. And we think that says it all.
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Pros
- Affordable
- High cfm
Cons
- Unknown reliability
Weight: 6.6 pounds | Max PSI: 150 psi | CFM Output: 2.4 cfm
Although GSPSCN doesn’t share the same recognition as bigger brands in the air compressor industry, its Silver Tire Inflator has a competitive lineup of features. Similar to the Viair 300P, this unit can be powered by a car battery. Despite its modest price tag, GSPSCN didn’t skimp on the construction. Weighing 6.6 pounds, it features twin pistons and a direct drive motor capable of pumping out around 2.4 cfm, maxing out at 150 psi.
Best Value
Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Good customer service
Cons
- Some customers received non-working units
Weight: 4.5 pounds | Max PSI: 120 psi | CFM Output: 1.4 cfm
Not everyone has the luxury to spend $300 on a portable tire inflator that can inflate a 37-inch tire in under a minute. That’s why the Viair 88P occupies a very important spot in the brand’s lineup of portable air compressors. Although this more modest unit can only muster 1.4 cfm, it still has enough muscle to air up a 33-inch tire using a direct battery connection. Despite several complaints about units being dead on arrival, a bigger brand like Viair should have top-notch customer service.
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Pros
- Very portable
- Auto-stop function ensures you don't over inflate
Cons
- Limited battery life
Weight: 4.0 pounds | Max PSI: N/A | CFM Output: N/A
This handheld unit from Avid Power isn’t close to being the most powerful inflator on the list. However, it makes a good case for itself as a lightweight, small, and affordable option. Along with its nice form factor, the Avid features a nifty auto-stop function: It will inflate to a predetermined air pressure number. Its backlit digital display and built-in flashlight will make your next air-up quick and painless.
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Low power
Weight: 2.2 pounds | Max PSI: N/A | CFM Output: 1.24 cfm
While many of the inflators on this list are capable of inflating massive off-road tires, this unit from Astro AI is much more pedestrian. The company claims it can inflate a 195/55/R15 tire from flat to full in under five minutes. With the power to supply roughly 1.24 cfm, this package is best for emergency scenarios like a slow leak or a spare tire that needs a bit more juice.
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Pros
- Excellent fit and finish
- Long runtime
Cons
- Heavy
Weight: 20.3 pounds | Max PSI: 150 psi | CFM Output: 2.5 cfm
Despite Smittybilt’s history of outfitting Jeeps with go-anywhere gear, its 2781 compressor is built like a tank. Tipping the scales at just over 20 pounds, it’s comfortably the heaviest unit on the list. Not without reason though, as the Smittybilt features a 0.3-hp oilless direct-drive motor that can run continuously for 40 minutes before overheating. The unit also comes with a 24-foot air hose and can be permanently mounted to your vehicle if you so choose.
Most Versatile
Makita DMP180ZX Cordless Inflator
Pros
- Excellent portability
- Backlit display is easy to read
Cons
- Batteries and charger aren't included
- No auto-hold trigger
Weight: 2.64 pounds | Max PSI: 120 psi | CFM Output: N/A
Despite its more modest power, this Makita comes with a myriad of features to bridge the gap. Its backlit digital display will be easy to read and lets you set a target pressure to inflate to. However, the big drawback with this unit is the lack of an auto-hold function on the trigger. The $99 price point also doesn’t include batteries or a charger.
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Pros
- Quiet
- High cfm is good for off-roading
Cons
- Quality control issues
Weight: 7.26 pounds | Max PSI: 150 psi | CFM Output: 2.12 cfm
Tirewell isn’t a household name in the air compressor industry, but this 12-volt model brings many impressive features at a solid price. It packs a direct-drive motor connected to twin pistons, which can supply over 2 cfm of air. And at 7.26 pounds, this unit will be easy to move around your vehicle without being too much of a hassle.
Pros
- Affordable
- Long power cord
Cons
- Not very powerful
Weight: 2.05 pounds | Max PSI: 100 psi | CFM Output: .89 cfm
With its slim form-factor, the Jaco SmartPro offers equal parts functionality and portability. It can’t compete with other more powerful compressors on this list, but it’s still a jack of all trades and features a 10-foot power cord. As such, this unit is another great candidate to keep in your trunk for use in emergency scenarios.
Matt Crisara
Service Editor
Matt Crisara is a native Austinite who has an unbridled passion for cars and motorsports, both foreign and domestic. He was previously a contributing writer for Motor1 following internships at Circuit Of The Americas F1 Track and Speed City, an Austin radio broadcaster focused on the world of motor racing. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona School of Journalism, where he raced mountain bikes with the University Club Team. When he isn’t working, he enjoys sim-racing, FPV drones, and the great outdoors.
