The Best Tire Inflators

After testing 12 new models and retesting our picks, we’ve again named the Viair 77P as our top pick. The Viair 78P is now our runner-up, and we have three other new picks.

When your car’s tire-pressure warning light comes on, or if you get a flat tire, a good portable air compressor can top up your tires and help you get back on the road quickly and easily without a detour to a gas station. After researching more than 100 models and testing 36, we recommend the Viair 77P as the best tire inflator for most drivers. It’s one of the quickest and quietest models we’ve tested, its pressure gauge is accurate and simple to read, it’s compact and easy to stow in a vehicle, and it has a sturdy metal body that belies its affordable price.

This portable air compressor is quick, accurate, and well built. And it’s one of the quietest inflators we’ve tested.

May be out of stock

Like most tire inflators we’ve tested, the Viair 77P plugs into your car’s 12-volt outlet (aka cigarette lighter) for power, so it’s convenient to use on the road. Its extra-long, 45-inch air hose and a generous, 16-foot power cord let you easily reach any tire on the vehicle. And its compact size and handy carrying case make it easy to stow in a vehicle’s trunk or cargo compartment. The 77P also has a built-in work light, so you can see what you’re doing at night. With a maximum pressure of 80 psi (pounds per square inch), the 77P is designed to handle the tires on most passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks, but it isn’t intended for high-pressure RV and commercial truck tires. (If you need to inflate those types of tires, you’re better off with a more heavy-duty model, such as the ones we discuss in the Competition section.)

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The 78P is very similar to the 77P, but this model comes with a push-on pressure-hose chuck, which some people prefer.

The Viair 78P is virtually the same as the 77P, with most of the same advantages. The key difference is the 78P’s push-on chuck, for connecting the pressure hose to a tire’s valve stem, compared with the 77P’s screw-on connector. In general, we’ve found push-on connectors to be a little quicker to get on and off. But for this round we named the 78P as a runner-up because its connector is relatively tight and a little more difficult to use than others we’ve tried. After regularly using the 78P over the past year and a half, we haven’t found this to be a dealbreaker. But the chuck has drawn complaints from a number of Amazon users, even in otherwise positive reviews. The 78P also has a slightly different analog gauge, but, like with the 77P, it’s illuminated and easy to read.

With separate high-pressure and high-volume hoses, the ability to operate from three power sources, handy features, and easier-to-use controls, the DeWalt is the best overall inflator we’ve tested.

The versatile DeWalt 20V Max Inflator is the most full-featured and easiest-to-use inflator we’ve tested, but it’s also one of the most expensive. You can use it cordlessly, with the same 20V Max battery used in other DeWalt tools, or you can plug it into a car’s 12-volt port or a household AC outlet (with an optional adapter). In addition to its high-pressure hose, for inflating tires and sports balls, the DeWalt also has a separate, high-volume hose for quickly filling inflatable beds, pool floats, lawn decorations, and more. The 20V Max Inflator also includes the best digital gauge we’ve seen, the easiest auto-shutoff feature, large buttons, a well-designed housing, and a work light. This DeWalt is larger than most inflators, though, which makes it less convenient to stow in a smaller vehicle. And it’s almost always sold as a battery-less “bare tool”—if you want to use it cordlessly but don’t already have a DeWalt 20V Max battery and charger, you’ll have to add that onto the cost of the inflator.

The Ryobi is easy to use and versatile, and it’s smaller and less expensive than the DeWalt. But it runs on a compatible lithium-ion battery only.

The cordless Ryobi 18V One+ Dual Function Inflator/Deflator is a great all-around model for filling car tires on the road or inflatables around the house. It’s super-easy to use, while also being lightweight and compact enough to stow in a vehicle. The Ryobi was almost as quick as the Viairs at inflating our test tire, its pressure gauge was spot-on, and it has an auto-shutoff feature and a sturdy, well-designed housing. Unlike the DeWalt, it runs on a battery only and doesn’t have the option of plugging into an outlet or a 12 V port. It’s sold as a bare tool, so you’ll need to have a compatible Ryobi 18V One+ lithium-ion battery and charger. The total cost of all of that comes close to the price of the DeWalt tool alone, and it’s about double what you’d pay for the Viair 77P. The Ryobi was one of the louder inflators we tested, and it doesn’t include a work light.

A little more powerful and quicker at inflating than the 77P, the 84P is noisier, its dial gauge is a little harder to read, and it has a shorter power cord and air hose.

If your vehicle has tires that are larger than 18 inches, the Viair 84P may be a better choice than our other picks because it has a stronger motor and it inflates faster. Like the Viair 77P and 78P, the 84P is easy to use, comes with a carrying case, and has an accurate gauge (although the compressor needs to be turned off to get a good reading). But it’s a little louder, its dial gauge is a little harder to read than those of our other picks, and it has a shorter air hose and power cord (3 feet and 10 feet, respectively).

This portable air compressor is quick, accurate, and well built. And it’s one of the quietest inflators we’ve tested.

May be out of stock

The 78P is very similar to the 77P, but this model comes with a push-on pressure-hose chuck, which some people prefer.

With separate high-pressure and high-volume hoses, the ability to operate from three power sources, handy features, and easier-to-use controls, the DeWalt is the best overall inflator we’ve tested.

The Ryobi is easy to use and versatile, and it’s smaller and less expensive than the DeWalt. But it runs on a compatible lithium-ion battery only.

A little more powerful and quicker at inflating than the 77P, the 84P is noisier, its dial gauge is a little harder to read, and it has a shorter power cord and air hose.

Rik Paul is Wirecutter’s autos editor and was previously the automotive editor for Consumer Reports, where he edited the publication’s car reviews and auto-accessory tests. Prior to that, he was the senior feature editor for Motor Trend, where he wrote a monthly column about car care and maintenance. As a previous off-road enthusiast, a driver who deals with the temperature swings of the US’s Northeast, and a guy who has a knack for driving vehicles that develop a slow leak in at least one tire, Rik has been using portable tire inflators regularly for the past 20 years.

If you drive a car, you’ve probably seen your tire-pressure warning light come on in the dash, telling you that the air pressure in one or more tires has gotten too low. When that happens, there’s no quicker way to get the tire(s) filled to the proper pressure and be on your way again than with a portable tire inflator. It will save you from having to drive to a gas station to add air, and from having to hope that the weather isn’t bad and that the air compressor works and isn’t too grimy, and that there’s no wait, and that you can get all four tires done without having to pay for a second round of airflow.

Similarly, a tire inflator can often be used to fill a flat tire, as long as the tire can still hold air. And it can inflate a tire after you’ve used a tire repair kit or a can of aerosol inflator to seal a puncture.

Honestly, if you have a tire inflator, you will use it. That’s because all tires lose air pressure, often without you realizing it. This can result from a slow leak, a drop in ambient air temperature, or the normal seepage of air through the tire’s rubber, as we describe in our guide to buying tires. Underinflated tires cause all kinds of problems. They can adversely affect your car’s handling, making it harder to corner and maintain control when, say, you’re swerving to avoid an obstacle in the road. Low tire pressure can also cause a tire to fail (and possibly blow out) due to overheating. It makes it easier for your wheels and tires to be damaged by potholes. And, because they use more energy to roll down the road, underinflated tires cause your car to burn more fuel.

Tires can lose air pressure so gradually that many drivers don’t even notice.

That’s why experts recommend that you check your tires’ pressure at least once a month with a good tire-pressure gauge (and more often if you have a slow leak or during seasonal transitions); for every 10-degree decrease in air temperature, a tire’s air pressure will drop about 1 psi (pounds per square inch). As a backup, all modern passenger vehicles have a tire-pressure monitoring system that will alert you if a tire’s pressure drops by about 25 percent. That’s when the tire-pressure warning light goes on to alert you.

A portable air compressor is also handy for inflating the tires on bicycles, recreation vehicles, trailers, riding lawn mowers, and even wheelbarrows. And because they come with extra inflator tips, they can also quickly pump up sports balls, inflatable mattresses, pool floats, toys, and yard decorations.

For this guide, we first researched the category by reviewing existing articles about tire inflators and portable air compressors, and then we compared the specs and features of about 100 models. When choosing which models to test for our latest update, we focused mainly on those that plug into a car’s 12-volt outlet (aka cigarette lighter) as well as some cordless models, because they will be the handiest for most drivers. Previously, we’d also tested some heavier-duty models that connect directly to a car’s battery terminals; they’re often stronger, but also larger and pricier, and many people aren’t comfortable getting under the hood to connect directly to the battery.

All tire inflators work essentially the same way: You connect the unit’s air-pressure hose to a tire’s valve stem, turn on the inflator, wait until the unit’s gauge shows the correct pressure, and then turn it off and disconnect the hose. Very straightforward. Depending on the model, power can come from a car’s 12-volt DC battery, a household 110-volt AC wall socket, or an internal or connected battery (lithium-ion or lead-acid); some models give you a choice of power sources.

We focused mainly on 12-volt and cordless models, because they will be the handiest for most drivers.

By the way, to find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle, check your car’s owner’s manual. The right pressure is usually shown on a sticker located inside the driver’s door jamb or inside the fuel-filler flap. Don’t go by the “psi” figure imprinted on the tire’s sidewall; that’s the maximum inflation pressure, not what the automaker recommends.

To narrow down the field to the most promising tire inflators for testing, here’s what we looked for.

Power source: Tire inflators vary mainly by how they’re powered.

Easy-to-read gauge: We’ve found digital gauges to be the easiest to read; the larger, the better. Among the wide range of analog gauges, the easiest are those that are divided into 2-psi markings. Some units have markings in only 5- or 10-psi increments, so stopping the inflator at, say, 32 psi—a common tire-inflation pressure—takes some guesswork. An illuminated gauge is also a big help in low light.

Easy-to-use design: We like inflators that are thoughtfully laid out, with a handle, a handy work light, and roomy storage cubbies for the hose, power cord, and extra needles and nozzles. The cramped storage compartments on some inflators make it hard to pack everything in, which usually results in the cord dangling behind. A carrying case also makes it easier to stow the unit in a vehicle.

Convenient pressure-hose chuck: Every inflator comes with either a screw-on or push-on chuck for connecting the air-pressure hose to a tire’s valve stem. Push-on connectors are usually quicker to get on and off, but some can be annoyingly tight, requiring extra effort and resulting in more air loss. Screw-on connectors can take slightly more time than a good push-on chuck, but they tend to be straightforward and secure. Among screw-on chucks, brass ones are usually easier to grip than those covered with rubber or plastic.

Owner reviews and ratings: Although we always check a model’s owner reviews and ratings, they’re definitely not something to solely rely on. A lot of tire inflators with high ratings on Amazon, for example, get low grades—such as a D or an F—on Fakespot, which indicates that the ratings aren’t reliable. (This grade doesn’t reflect on the product, though; even great products can have questionable ratings.) Still, owner reviews are good for learning about common problems.

Automatic shutoff: If you’re spending only a couple of minutes topping up a low tire, an automatic shutoff may be of marginal value. But if you need to fill more tires, it can help speed things up. Once you’ve set it up, an auto shutoff lets you start the inflator on one tire and then move on, and simultaneously take a pressure reading on the next tire, without having to hover over the gauge.

Maximum amperage: Most 12-volt inflators draw a maximum of 15 amps of current, which is no problem for most modern cars but can be too much for vehicles that have lower-amperage power outlets. This could be a reason that some Amazon users complain about an inflator blowing a fuse in their cars. If you’re unsure, check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the power outlet’s amperage before buying an inflator. Unfortunately, this figure isn’t always provided in an inflator’s specs or packaging, but some are designed to run on only 10 amps, and we’ll let you know which models that we test are in that group.

Maximum inflation pressure: All of the models we tested can easily handle the moderate pressures of passenger-car tires, which range from about 30 to 50 psi. But an inflator’s max inflation pressure can be a concern for owners of some bicycles, RVs, and commercial trucks that need pressures of 100 psi or more. Complicating this issue is the fact that the packaging for some inflators touts high psi numbers that can be misleading. The blurb on one small inflator’s box shouts “300 psi.” But this number is only what’s printed on the inflator’s gauge, not the pressure that the unit is capable of.

Because it’s often hard to pinpoint an inflator’s real maximum pressure, our rule of thumb is: If the packaging or specs don’t provide a specific figure, assume it’s for passenger cars only. If you do need that kind of high pressure, you may want to get a heavier-duty model, such as the ones we discuss in the Competition that connect directly to a vehicle’s battery terminals.

The packaging for some inflators touts high psi numbers, such as “300 psi,” that can be misleading.

Continuous run time: All inflators get hot during operation and can be damaged if they overheat. That’s why most manufacturers advise that you don’t run the units continuously for more than five to 20 minutes, after which you should let them cool. So, if you tend to work an inflator hard (often filling multiple flats or high-pressure tires), you should look for a model with a long duty cycle; a few models we tested are able to run continuously for up to 30 minutes, and several have thermal cutoff switches, which shut down the inflator if it gets too hot, preventing any damage.

To test each tire inflator for our latest update, we first lowered the air pressure in a 195/65R15 passenger-car tire from its recommended 41 psi to 30 psi in order to simulate the pressure at which the car’s tire-pressure warning light would illuminate in the dash. This is a common scenario. Then we used the inflator to top it up again, while evaluating the elements listed below.

Gauge accuracy: We measured the accuracy of each inflator’s gauge by comparing its readout with that of a handheld digital tire-pressure gauge that we’d checked against a local tire shop’s master gauge. Most inflators didn’t match exactly, but we consider one to be good if it’s within 1 psi of our handheld gauge. Most were within 2 psi, although some were off by much more. We also found that the gauge on some units gave us different readings depending on whether the air compressor was running or stopped.

Inflation speed: We timed how long each unit took to inflate our test tire from its low pressure of 30 psi to its recommended pressure of 41 psi. Most did it in less than two minutes, with a couple requiring three minutes or more. That’s not long to wait for one tire. But if you’ve got more than one tire to fill, or you have to fill a fully flat tire, quicker inflation times are definitely welcome. For the cordless models, we repeated the inflation test four times—to simulate filling four tires—to see whether performance dropped as the battery became depleted.

Pressure-hose and power-cord length: We didn’t have any trouble reaching all four tires on our vehicles with any of the inflators we tested. In our latest tests, hose length varied from only 7 inches to a lengthy 44 inches. The shortest can be a problem when a tire’s valve stem is positioned at the top of the tire, because it forces you to hold the inflator or let it dangle by its hose.

Build quality: If you scan the user reviews of various tire inflators, you’ll find a lot of people complaining about their unit malfunctioning after relatively little use. We can’t measure durability in our regular testing, but we have seen a wide range in construction quality, from units that struck us as being super-sturdy and nicely assembled to ones that literally came apart in our hands. Some have even vibrated so much during operation that they “walked around” a bit on the asphalt, which made reading the gauge difficult. We do long-term testing of all our picks, so we can get more insight into how they hold up over time.

Noise level: When you’re kneeling over an inflator to keep an eye on the gauge, a noisy compressor can get annoying; at worst, it can adversely affect your hearing. We measured the sound level of each unit during operation from a distance of 2 feet (where your head might be when you’re looking at the gauge). The quietest models measured in the mid-60 dB range, or about the same level as an air conditioner or vacuum cleaner. All of the others were much louder, ranging from 76 to 85 decibels. (Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, 85 dB is four times as loud as 65 dB and about the same level as an idling bulldozer or a diesel truck driving past at 50 feet away.)

This portable air compressor is quick, accurate, and well built. And it’s one of the quietest inflators we’ve tested.

May be out of stock

In our testing, the Viair 77P stood out as the best choice for most people, thanks to its combination of fast performance, solid construction, handy features, and good value. It was one of the quickest at inflating tires. Its illuminated analog gauge is very easy to read and more accurate than most. It was one of the quietest models we tested. It has a high-quality, mostly metal construction (many portable compressors have all-plastic cases). And its durability is reflected in the fact that it can operate for up to 30 minutes at a time; most models are limited to 10 to 15 minutes before needing to be cooled down. Its compact dimensions and handy case also make it easy to stow in a vehicle.

Like most inflators, the Viair 77P plugs into a car’s 12 V outlet for power (Viair recommends that the vehicle be running to avoid draining its battery). With this model’s extra-long, 44-inch air-pressure hose and 16-foot power cord—both among the longest in our test group—we could easily reach all four tires on our test vehicles, even on a large SUV. Its high-quality brass screw-on hose chuck can be attached to and removed from a tire’s air valve quickly and easily, and it provides a good grip for your fingers. The screw-on chucks on many other inflators have a rubber or plastic covering that can make them hard to grip, especially if they’re wet.

In our latest tests, the 77P inflated our test tire from 30 psi to 41 psi in only a minute and 13 seconds, which was one of the quickest times we recorded. In a previous test, it took a little less than 3 minutes to inflate a completely flat tire to 32 psi. During long-term testing of the 77P over the past three years, it has consistently performed well, and we’ve appreciated its quick performance, especially when a slow leak is crying for attention during a busy commute. Viair says that the 77P is designed to inflate tires up to size 225/60R18 (18 inches in diameter), but that’s conservative: We used it on 20-inch SUV tires with no problem (although it took a little longer than the Viair 84P, our also-great pick for larger tires).

In our tests, the 77P’s illuminated analog pressure gauge was one of the more accurate ones. It read slightly higher while running than when stopped, but after filling our tire to 41 psi, the gauge was spot-on when compared with our handheld digital gauge. At other pressures, it was always within 0.5 psi to 1 psi of the correct pressure. The gauge also has large numbers and is divided into 2-psi increments (many other analog gauges show only 5- or 10-psi increments), which made it the easiest analog gauge to read, even when we were standing up.

In contrast with the plastic housings of most of the other models, the 77P’s solid metal casing gives a reassuring impression of quality. The base holds extra needles, and flexible rubber “feet” kept the 77P from moving around on the asphalt during operation. The 77P also has an integrated work light, which is handy in low-light situations.

The Viair 77P was one of the quietest inflators we tested.

Despite its strong performance, the 77P is pretty compact. At 7 inches long and about 5 inches tall, it’s about the size of a couple external desktop hard drives placed side by side, so it won’t take up much room in your car’s trunk or cargo area, if you want to keep it in your vehicle. At 4.5 pounds, it’s a little heavier than most 12 V models but still easy to carry. The handy case—with an internal pocket for holding small items—keeps everything contained and makes the 77P easy to carry around, though it’s a tight fit once everything is inside.

Given its exceptional performance, we’d be willing to put up with a little extra compressor noise when using the 77P. But, surprisingly, it was one of the quietest of the group. We measured a moderate noise level that’s roughly equivalent to an air conditioner or a vacuum cleaner. Many other models were nearly twice as loud and about the same volume as a garbage disposal.

We’ve also been impressed with the 77P’s durability. Its longer run time gives you more flexibility when working with multiple tires, and this Viair can run for 30 minutes before needing to be cooled down; most models are limited to 10 to 15 minutes of continuous running time (although the actual time for any inflator will vary depending on the ambient temperature and pressure being pumped out—the compressor must work harder at higher psi levels). The 77P also has a thermal cutoff built in, so it will automatically shut off if it reaches a predetermined temperature.

The 77P doesn’t have an auto-shutoff feature. With its quick inflation times, we haven’t found this to be a dealbreaker. But if you prefer a model with auto shutoff, we suggest either our upgrade pick, the DeWalt 20V Max, or our also-great pick, the Ryobi 18V One+ Dual Function Inflator/Deflator. There are many less-expensive inflators with digital gauges and auto-shutoff features, but the ones we’ve tested have fallen short in other areas.

As with most 12 V powered inflators, the 77P can be powered only by plugging it into a car’s power port (cigarette lighter receptacle); you can’t plug it into a household outlet. If you want the versatility of being able to use an inflator away from your vehicle, we recommend that you opt for a good cordless or multi-powered model, such as the DeWalt or Ryobi models that we recommend.

The 77P comes with a handy carrying case, but we’ve found that it’s a tight fit to get everything in, and over time the zipper on our 77P’s case has separated because of the strain.

Like most 12 V powered tire inflators we’ve tested, the 77P requires a maximum of 15 amps of electricity to operate. Although that’s not a problem for the 12 V outlets in most modern cars, some older vehicles have outlets rated at only 10 amps; using this inflator could cause a fuse to blow on that circuit. If your car is in this category, we recommend you opt for the Viair 75P, which draws a maximum of only 10 amps and is discussed in the Competition section.

Though the 77P is one of the quickest models we’ve tested, it has a maximum pressure of 80 psi. If you’ll be using the unit mainly to inflate car tires, that’s not a problem, but it won’t be able to inflate the high-pressure tires of some RVs, trucks, or bicycles that require higher psi. See the Competition for a couple models that can handle pressures of 120 psi or even more.

The 78P is very similar to the 77P, but this model comes with a push-on pressure-hose chuck, which some people prefer.

The Viair 78P is virtually the same as the 77P, except for how it connects to a tire’s valve stem. The 78P comes with a push-on chuck instead of the 77P’s screw-on connector. In general, we’ve found push-on connectors to be slightly quicker to get on and off of a valve stem, with a little less pressure loss when disconnecting. But we named the 78P our runner-up pick (instead of top pick) because its connector is relatively tight and more difficult to push on and pull off than others we’ve used. Over a year and a half of long-term testing, we haven’t found this to be a dealbreaker, but the chuck has drawn complaints from a number of Amazon users, even in otherwise positive reviews. The bottom line: If you strongly prefer one type of chuck over the other, get the appropriate Viair model for you.

In our latest testing, the 78P performed very similarly to the 77P. It turned in one of the quickest inflation times of the group, and was even a few seconds faster than the 77P. It had an equally low noise level. And its pressure hose, power cord, construction, and carry case are all exactly the same.

Besides the hose chuck, the 78P also has a slightly different analog gauge, but, like the 77P’s, it’s illuminated and very easy to read. The 78P’s gauge is most accurate when the unit is stopped, and reads about 2 psi higher when running.

With separate high-pressure and high-volume hoses, the ability to operate from three power sources, handy features, and easier-to-use controls, the DeWalt is the best overall inflator we’ve tested.

If you intend to use an inflator for more than just keeping your tires topped up, then you may find that the versatility of the DeWalt 20V Max Inflator fits your needs better than the Viair models. Overall, it’s the best inflator we’ve tested, but it’s also one of the most expensive. In addition to the usual high-pressure air hose, for filling tires and sports balls, the DeWalt also provides a high-volume hose for quickly filling or deflating pool floats, inflatable beds, lawn decorations, and the like. It is one of the few inflators that can be powered cordlessly, via an attached 20 V lithium-ion battery, or through a car’s 12 V port or a household electrical outlet. We love the ease of cordless operation, but if you don’t already have a DeWalt 20V Max battery and charger, you’ll have to add that onto the cost of the inflator. Still, if you don’t go for the battery or you slack off on keeping it charged, it’s reassuring to know that you’ve still got two other power options, whether you’re on the road or at home. (That said, to use the DeWalt with an AC outlet, you’ll need an optional power adapter.)

When we powered the DeWalt with its 20 V battery, it achieved some of the quickest inflation times of our test group—about 1½ minutes—just behind the Viair models. It had no problem topping up four tires in a row, with no notable loss of power. The smaller batteries in a couple of cheaper cordless models we tested drained enough in that span to add about 45 seconds to the last tire’s inflation time.

The DeWalt has two large digital displays: one for the psi readout and a separate one for setting the auto shutoff pressure. The DeWalt also has one of the most accurate gauges. When the tire was set to 30 psi, the unit’s psi readout was 30.5; close enough. And at 41 psi, it was spot-on. It also has the only digital gauge that showed tenths of a psi; all other digitals counted by 0.5-psi increments.

Adding to the DeWalt’s ease of use is its method for setting the auto shutoff pressure, which was the simplest we’ve seen. Most models make you punch in the figure on small buttons, which can be confusing, but on the DeWalt you simply spin a circular dial with your finger. It takes only seconds and is much more intuitive.

The DeWalt has a solid, high-quality plastic housing—with a rubberized handle and large buttons—that can be placed vertically or horizontally during operation. An LED work light is located on the side of the handle, facing the high-pressure hose. When you store the unit, the 29-inch air hose easily wraps into clips on the side. The 12V power cord is stored in a compartment on the other side, but it’s a tight fit.

This DeWalt is one of the larger models we’ve tested, so it’s less convenient to stow in a vehicle than our other picks are. It’s also one of the heaviest, weighing in at 5.6 pounds without a battery and 6.8 with one; most other models weighed less than 5 pounds. The DeWalt was also one of the noisier inflators we tested.

The Ryobi is easy to use and versatile, and it’s smaller and less expensive than the DeWalt. But it runs on a compatible lithium-ion battery only.

The cordless Ryobi 18V One+ Dual Function Inflator/Deflator is a quick, very-easy-to-use model that’s handy on the road or around the house. Like the DeWalt 20V Max Inflator, it includes a high-pressure hose, for filling tires and sports balls, as well as a high-volume hose, for quickly inflating and deflating pool floats, inflatable beds, lawn decorations, and more. But it’s also smaller and lighter than the DeWalt, so it’s easier to stow in a vehicle.

Unlike the DeWalt, the Ryobi can be powered only by a compatible lithium-ion battery—no 12 V connections, and no regular home outlets, either. It’s sold as a bare tool, so if you aren’t already invested in Ryobi’s 18V One+ cordless tool collection, you’ll have to buy the battery and charger in addition to the inflator (the price for the whole package is about the same as for the DeWalt inflator alone). If you are using those tools, then this model is a no-brainer to add. With no backup power sources, you will need to keep the battery charged. As a helpful aid, pressing a button on the battery shows you how much charge you have left.

In our testing, this Ryobi was one of the quickest at inflating our test tire, taking only about 1½ minutes—the same as the DeWalt and only slightly longer than the Viairs took. By the time we’d topped up a fourth tire, the inflation time had lengthened by only about 10 seconds, reflecting the strength of the 18V battery (some cordless models with smaller batteries had about a 45-second difference between the first and fourth tires). Its screw-on pressure-hose chuck has a rubber covering, though, which isn’t as easy to grip as a brass chuck.

The Ryobi’s digital pressure gauge is one of the largest of the group—1¼ inches measured diagonally. And it was easy to read and spot-on in its accuracy. Its auto shutoff is simple to set, thanks to its large buttons, but not as easy as the DeWalt’s dial control.

The Ryobi’s sturdy plastic housing is well designed, with a rubberized handle for getting a good grip. It can be used vertically or horizontally, and the hoses are easily stored in channels incorporated into the sides of the housing. With the battery attached, it weighs 4.6 pounds, which is similar to the Viairs and almost 2 pounds lighter than the DeWalt.

This Ryobi was one of the louder inflators we tested, though, and it doesn’t include a work light or a storage case.

A little more powerful and quicker at inflating than the 77P, the 84P is noisier, its dial gauge is a little harder to read, and it has a shorter power cord and air hose.

The Viair 84P is similar to our top pick and runner-up, but it has a slightly heavier-duty construction, a stronger compressor, and quicker inflation times, which make it a better choice for tires that are larger than roughly 18 inches. (Viair says this model is designed to inflate up to 31-inch tires.) Like the Viair 77P and 78P, the 84P has a sturdy metal construction and the same handy carrying case. Its non-illuminated dial gauge isn’t quite as easy to read as those on the other Viairs, though. In our tests, the gauge tended to read high while the unit was running, forcing us to stop it to get an accurate reading. When stopped, though, it was spot-on.

The 84P attaches to a tire’s valve stem with the same push-on pressure-hose chuck as on the 78P, which is quick to use, but somewhat tight. If you prefer to use a brass screw-on chuck, we recommend the Viair 85P, which we haven’t tested but is otherwise an identical model.

Compared with the 77P and 78P, the 84P is a little louder and has a shorter reach: a 10-foot power cord and a 3-foot air hose. It can run continuously for 20 minutes, which is longer than most other models, but that’s 10 minutes less than those other Viairs can run. And the 84P’s maximum pressure is only 60 psi, which is not a problem for filling passenger tires but could be limiting for other uses.

The EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump (AT-010-1Z), which is a best-seller on Amazon, checks off a lot of the right boxes. It has one of the more accurate gauges, a very low noise level, auto shutoff, a clever design for storing the hose, and an accessible price. It’s also compact and easy to stow. But it was one of the slowest at inflating our test tire, it has a small digital gauge, the plastic trim feels a bit cheap, and the work light faces toward you when you’re reading the gauge, which makes it hard to simultaneously illuminate the work area and watch the pressure reading.

The Jaco Superior Products SmartPro Digital Tire Inflator is a decent tire inflator overall, but it doesn’t stand out in any notable way. Its large digital gauge is very easy to read, it’s one of the lighter and smaller models we tested, and it has a multifunction work light that, if needed, can flash red or in an SOS pattern. It had average inflation speed, was fairly loud, and the gauge was 2½ psi off the mark; an inaccurate gauge is also a common complaint among Amazon user reviews.

The Audew 12V 150PSI Upgraded Triangle is another model that does the job, but it didn’t stand out. It had a fairly accurate gauge, but it’s one of the smallest digital gauges we saw—less than an inch, measured diagonally. The Audew is fairly noisy, and, though it comes with a case, the unit has no handle, and its thick body is a bit awkward to pick up and carry.

Unlike Viair’s other models, which require a 15-amp power port, the Viair 75P can be operated on 10 amps, which allows it to be used with many older vehicles. Its compressor is permanently housed inside a sturdy metal case, which makes it easy to stow in a vehicle. The 75P was one of the quickest at inflating our test tire, and it has a relatively low noise level. Its dial gauge is easy to read, but it’s one of the more inaccurate gauges we tested, reading 4 to 5 psi too high when the compressor was stopped and 7 psi too high when running. The 75P also has no work light, and its tight push-on chuck is hard to get on and off a tire’s valve stem.

The Craftsman 12V Portable Inflator and the Bon-aire ATP50 Compact Air Compressor are the same inflator sold under different brands. Both have a detachable digital tire-pressure gauge, which you can use independently of the inflator. They provided quick inflation times and have auto shutoff, and the digital gauges were among the more accurate ones we tested, although the inflator had to be turned off to get an accurate reading. They don’t have a work light, though.

Despite being one of the least expensive models we tested, the compact, lightweight Slime Tire Inflator (40032) performed well in our tests. However, it was one of the loudest of the group, and we found it hard to stuff the cord and hose back into its small storage cavity after using this model.

The AAA Air Compressor, which is marketed by Lifeline, is one of the least expensive models we tested, but it was one of the loudest, and the unit moved around a lot on the asphalt while operating. The small markings on the gauge made it hard to read, and there’s no place to store the extra needles and nozzles.

The Campbell Hausfeld 12 Volt Tire Inflator is one of the few models we tested that has a dial gauge and an automatic shutoff. But it was also the chintziest, one of the slowest at inflating our test tires, and one of the loudest. It also scooted around the asphalt a lot while in use.

The compact Wagan Tech Quick Flow provided reasonable inflation times, but its gauge was hard to read and off by about 3 psi. It also moved around a lot on the pavement, and you can’t have the compressor and work light on at the same time, because they’re controlled by the same either-or rocker switch.

The Slime Tire Top Off (40020) is the smallest, lightest, and least expensive model we tested. But it has an ultrashort air hose and was one of the slowest at inflating our tires. Its gauge was off by about 4 psi, and the work light is on the opposite side from the hose, so it points away from the tire valve while in use.

These models tend to be more heavy-duty and pricier, and they are often marketed for use with recreation, off-road, farm, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles that don’t have a 12-volt outlet. A couple of these models we tested—the Viair 88P and 450P—can put out a maximum pressure of 120 and 150 psi, respectively, so they can be good choices if you need to inflate, say, RV tires to 110 or 120 psi (pressures that our picks can’t reach). For most drivers, though, there’s no need to spend this much money, and many people aren’t comfortable making connections directly to a car’s battery terminals.

The Viair 450P is one of the best-performing models we’ve tested overall, but it is also one of the most expensive, and it’s overkill for most drivers. It has a solid, all-metal construction and is one of the quickest and quietest. The 450P’s 30-foot coiled air hose gives you extra flexibility, and it can run up to 40 minutes without stopping. Another big benefit is that its pistol grip, with a bleeder valve and a large gauge, makes it super-easy to add or bleed out air to get the right pressure, without having to be near the compressor. Viair’s website says that the 450P can inflate up to 42-inch tires.

The Viair 88P has solid, high-quality construction and was one of the quickest at inflating our test tires. It can run for a long 25 minutes without stopping, and Viair’s website says that the unit can handle up to 33-inch tires. When the 88P was running, however, the gauge read way too high, so we had to keep turning it off to get a good reading. Also, its work light faces toward you when you’re reading the gauge, so it’s hard to read the gauge and light the work area at the same time.

Like the Viair 450P, the Slime 2X Tire Inflator (40026) has a long coiled air hose that lets you work farther away from your power source than most other inflators do. It was very easy to use overall, and was one of the quickest at inflating our test tires, as well as one of the quietest. A gripe: To get an accurate reading, you need to stop the unit, and, because the gauge is at the end of the long hose, you need to move around a lot to stop the unit, read the gauge, and then turn it back on if necessary.

The handheld Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Power Inflator (P737D) is light and well constructed, and it was one of the quickest at filling our test tire. But it’s gauge was several psi off, it was one of the loudest models we tried, and its trigger can’t be locked on or off. This means you have to hold it continuously while inflating a tire, and when you’re not, it’s too easy to accidentally activate the sensitive trigger while holding or carrying the unit. The tool alone is very inexpensive, but if you need to get the battery and charger too, the price quadruples.

With its internal lead-acid battery, the Stanley JumpIt 1000A can be used to both inflate a tire and jump-start an engine. But the JumpIt weighs a hefty 16.5 pounds and measures 13 by 11 inches, which makes it too large and heavy to conveniently carry in your car. Unless you’ll be using it only around the house, we think you’re better off getting one of our picks along with a good portable lithium-ion jump-starter.

Although they look different, the Black+Decker 20V Max Multi-Purpose Inflator and the Craftsman V20 Max Inflator are very similar models. And both are less expensive—but less appealing—versions of the DeWalt 20V Max Inflator. Like the DeWalt, both models can be powered cordlessly by a lithium-ion battery or through a car’s 12 V outlet or a household AC outlet. (Unlike the DeWalt, they come with a short, 20-inch AC power cord.) They also include separate high-pressure and high-volume hoses for quickly inflating a variety of things besides tires. They have large, easy-to-read, and reasonably accurate gauges. But setting their auto-shutoff pressure by pressing small buttons was more cumbersome than with the DeWalt’s nice dial control. Both models were among the loudest. And storing the Black+Decker’s 12 V cord was more tedious than with its cousins.

The Oasser P2 Portable Hand Held Pump comes with two plug-in modules that let you use the device cordlessly, through a small lithium-ion battery or with a 12 V power cord. Its digital gauge was spot-on accurate, it includes an auto-shutoff feature, and it had one of the lowest noise levels. But it was one of the slower units to inflate our tire. The Oasser comes with a pair of cloth gloves; that’s because the unit’s hose fitting gets so hot after a few minutes of use that it could burn you.

The Audew 12V 160PSI Rechargeable Car Air Compressor failed us right out of the gate. It can be used as a cordless model or with a 12 V power cord by plugging different modules into the base. But the first time we tried to insert the battery, it mashed one of the internal electrical contacts flat, rendering the unit unusable until we could straighten it out. Regardless, the unit has a cheap, plasticky feel and a very short air hose. And it was fairly slow at inflating our tire and one of the loudest models.

The Kensun Home and Car can run off of a car’s 12 V power port or a household AC outlet. Its large digital display is easy to read, but it was off by several psi. This model is also one of the larger and heavier ones we tested, and it was a midpack performer in terms of inflation speed and noise level.

The Slime 120 V Tire Inflator (40029) was the only model we tested that ran on AC power only. The 40029 gave us relatively quick inflation times, although the gauge read high by a couple psi in our tests, and it was one of the loudest units we tested. It can be mounted on a wall and includes two USB ports and a set of adapters for charging personal electronics.

Rik Paul

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