Best Portable Tire Inflators

Motor1 Reviews Team Take:

• After hands-on testing, our product team selected the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator, Fanttik X9 SE Tire Inflator, AstroAI Air Compressor, DeWalt 20V Max as our top choices for 2024 due to their impressive specs and inflation speed. 
• Most portable tire inflators cost between $50 to $80, although heavy-duty and premium options sit around $150.
• Other than quick inflation speeds, the best portable tire inflators have easy-to-read gauges and automatic shut-off. Being easily stowed makes them useful for keeping your tires at the recommended pounds per square inch (psi).

Tire pressure often changes, whether from a hole in the tire itself, changes in the weather, or after miles on the road. An underinflated tire sacrifices ride quality and can negatively impact your vehicle’s gas mileage. Keeping the right psi in your tires is essential and a portable tire inflator is the best way to do that, but what’s the best tire inflator for your car?

Our review team thoroughly researched and tested popular options to find the best tire inflators featured in this review. We looked at how intuitive each product is to use, the convenience of its design, and its performance in filling up tires.

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Portable Tire Inflator Reviews

Our team tested more than a dozen tire inflators to gauge not only the pros and cons of each product but also which option was better suited for different situations and vehicles. We looked at portable options, inflators with gauges built into the unit, and air compressors to see what could feasibly be stored in a vehicle and what is better left in the garage.  

Then, we evaluated each tire inflator based on inflation speed, ease of use, and features. The scores in each category are compiled into an overall rating of 1.0 to 5.0 stars to rank the best portable tire inflators.

What Is The Best Portable Tire Inflator?

Based on these criteria, the six best portable tire inflators are the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator, Fanttik X9 SE Tire Inflator, AstroAI Air Compressor, DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator, and the Viair 84P Portable Compressor.

Brand/Model	Cost	Overall Rating	Superlative
Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator	$130	5.0	Best Portable Tire Inflator
Fanttik X9 SE Tire Inflator	$40	4.7	Best 12-Volt Tire Inflator
AstroAI Air Compressor	$32	4.5	Best Budget Tire Inflator
DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator	$110	4.5	Best Premium Portable Tire Inflator
Viair 84P Portable Compressor	$70	4.2	Best Portable Tire Inflator for Trucks

*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.

Tire Inflator Ratings: Our Testing Process

The tire inflators in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching retailers like Advance Auto Parts, RealTruck, and Amazon for top products, looking at factors such as product features, customer ratings, and prices. Learn more about how we tested portable tire inflators here.

For those interested in learning more, below are detailed reviews for each of the top portable tire inflators:

1. Best Portable Tire Inflator: Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator

• Cost: About $120
• Amazon review score: 4.7 out of 5.0 (approx. 3,600 reviews)
• Power supply: 3 x 2,600.0 milliampere-hours (mAh)
• Voltage: 11.1 volts
• Weight: 1.7 pounds
• In the box: A Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator, a USB charging cable, an air tube, a needle valve adapter, a Schrader-Presta valve adapter, an accessory bag, and a user manual

Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator Review

The Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator features a built-in high-performance chip that allows it to quickly inflate tires up to 150.0 psi. This cordless tire inflator has a rechargeable 7,800.0-mAh battery, so you won’t need to worry about low battery life, turning your car on to inflate your tires, or needing to stock up on AAA batteries.

This versatile tire inflator features a three-mode LED light which means drivers can even inflate your tires in the dark. Additionally, the Fanttik X8 Apex has the ability to act as a portable charger with a 5.0-V/3.0-A USB-C input port and a 5.0-V/2.0-A USB-A port on the side of the device. Press the mode button to cycle between psi, bar, and kilopascal (kPa) readings. The automatic shut-off feature can reliably inflate your low tire by simply pre-setting your desired psi, allowing you to walk away and come back to fully inflated tires.

The Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator stands out among other car air pumps because of how quick and easy to use it is, and the wealth of features it offers.

You can see how the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator performed in each of our review categories below:

Review Category	Score (Out of 5.0 Stars)
Inflation Speed	5.0
Ease of Use	5.0
Features	5.0
Overall Rating	5.0

The Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator stands out among other tire inflators because of how quick and easy to use it is, and the wealth of features it offers. Below are the pros and cons of the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator:

Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator: Our Experience

Our product testing team believes that the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator is the best tire inflator that money can buy due to its superior inflation speed and a long list of features.

Inflation Speed: After testing tire inflators with gauges, some of the best portable air compressors, and standard tire inflators, as it is one of the fastest portable air pumps we’ve tested. The only tire inflator that could keep pace in terms of inflation speed was Fanttik’s X8 Portable Tire Inflator, the lesser-priced cousin of the X8 Apex.

Ease of Use: The fact that the Fanttik X8 Apex is a cordless tire inflator makes a world of difference. This car tire air pump was incredibly easy to use throughout our testing process, as we didn’t need to connect the device to the car charger or an outlet. We simply pre-set our desired psi, connected the device to the tire valve, and watched our tires inflate to the exact psi we wanted thanks to the auto shut-off feature.

Features: The Fanttik X8 Apex has the most impressive set of features out of any of the tire inflators we tested. The fact that this device doubles as a power bank is incredible, and our team hasn’t come across any tire inflators that offer such multi-purpose features. The three modes of LED lights were easy to switch between and effective. Additionally, this tire pump has the best-looking digital display that we encountered.

Our review team also tested the Fanttik X8 tire inflator. This model is about $20 cheaper than the Apex. The difference between these inflators is in their battery capacity and inflation speed. The X8 Apex inflates about twice as quickly as the X8 and lasts about twice as long before needing to be recharged.

Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator: What Customers Are Saying

Reviewers rave over the battery life of the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator and how easy to use it is. Many customers highly recommend this tire inflator, citing its premium build quality. One reviewer claims they own a Tesla Model 3 (which doesn’t come equipped with a spare tire) and that they never leave home without this handy device.

2. Fanttik X9 SE Tire Inflator: Best 12-Volt Tire Inflator

• Cost: About $40
• Amazon review score: 4.7 out of 5.0 (approx. 20 reviews)
• Power supply: Corded electric (12.0-volt)
• Voltage: 12.0V
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• In the box: A Fanttik X9 SE Portable Tire Inflator and a user’s manual

Fanttik X9 SE Tire Inflator Review

The Fanttik X9 SE is a good option for those looking for something low-cost and reliable. While it cannot inflate to above 90.0 psi, typical car tires do not require this much pressure, inflating to somewhere between 30.0 and 40.0 psi.

What’s useful about the X9 SE is that it is car-powered, connecting to your vehicle’s auxiliary input or cigarette lighter. With this portable tire inflator, you’ll never need to worry about the battery depleting while not in use. It’s an excellent product to store in your trunk and forget about until you need it.

You can see how the Fanttik X9 SE Tire Inflator performed in each of our review categories below:

Review Category	Score (Out of 5.0 Stars)
Inflation Speed	5.0
Ease of Use	5.0
Features	4.0
Overall Rating	4.7

Below are the pros and cons of the Fanttik X9 SE Tire Inflator:

Fanttik X9 SE Tire Inflator: Our Experience

Inflation Speed: The X9 SE has an excellent inflation speed, adding about 10.0 psi every 2 minutes. This was markedly quicker than many battery-powered tire inflators that we have tested.

Ease of Use: Due to a simple design the instruction booklet is hardly necessary. A long power cord connects to the auxiliary input and a short hose is used to attach the inflator to your tire. This inflator automatically pumps to the preset psi and is accurate to within a few psi.

Features: Other than automatic inflation and a recess to tuck away the extension cord, the X9 SE doesn’t offer many additional features. However, this tire inflator’s selling point is simplicity. It’s a good choice for those who just want an emergency inflator to leave in the trunk and forget about until needed.

Fanttik X9 SE Tire Inflator: What Customers Are Saying

As a relatively new product from Fanttik, the X9 SE doesn’t have as many reviews as most other Fanttik products sold on Amazon.

All of the reviews are largely positive, with none rating the product less than 3.0 stars. Most say this inflator is powerful, reliable, and easy to use. The only criticism made is by one customer who lives in the Pacific Northwest, claiming that this inflator is not designed to operate in the rain.

3. AstroAI: Best Budget Tire Inflator

• Cost: About $32
• Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (approx. 75,000 reviews)
• Power supply: 12.0V DC
• Voltage: 12.0V
• Weight: 2.2 lbs.
• In the box*: An AstroAI Air Compressor, three nozzles, and an extra fuse

*The included Schrader valve will work on cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and bicycles, but this tire pump isn’t suitable for high-pressure or high-volume applications.

AstroAI Air Compressor Review

The AstroAI Air Compressor tire inflator is our pick for Best Budget Tire Inflator on the market in 2024 for a few reasons. The features are comparable to similar products that are twice the price, the vast majority of its reviews are positive, and it comes in a compact package. If you’re looking for a DC portable air compressor with a small footprint, the AstroAl is probably your best choice. The LCD screen makes it usable in low-light situations, and the auto-shutoff feature is a plus.

You can see how the AstroAI Air Compressor performed in each of our review categories below:

Review Category	Score (Out of 5.0 Stars)
Inflation Speed	4.5
Ease of Use	4.5
Features	4.5
Overall Rating	4.5

Below are the pros and cons of the AstroAI Air Compressor:

AstroAI Air Compressor: Our Experience

Inflation Speed: Although this portable tire inflator isn’t the fastest one we tested, we named it the best value tire inflator on the market due to its low price point and intuitive design. While you’ll be able to find tire inflators that are quicker to inflate car tires, the AstroAI certainly offers bang for your buck.

Ease of Use: Overall, the AstroAI Air Compressor is very easy to use. The air hose connector snapped onto our test vehicle’s tires, and setting the desired pressure proved to be simple. While most car air pumps usually require a little bit of fiddling to work properly, this didn’t.

Features: We really like that the backlit LED display is readable in various lighting conditions, and the automatic shutoff feature works well. The AstroAI lost points in the features section for not including a carrying case as well as its relatively short hose length.

AstroAI Air Compressor: What Customers Are Saying

Happy customers praise this 12.0V tire inflator for its portability and power. Some less positive reviews mention the product’s longevity issues and say the tire gauge gives inaccurate readings. Overall, 88 percent of reviews give it 4.0 stars or above on Amazon.

4. DeWalt 20V Max Cordless: Best Premium Portable Tire Inflator

• Cost: About $120
• Amazon review score: 4.8 out of 5.0 (approx. 10,000 reviews)
• Power supply: 20.0V MAX battery, 12.0V DC, or 110.0V AC
• Voltage: 20.0V
• Weight: 2.9 lbs.
• In the box: A DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator, 12.0-V DC power cord, Presta valve adapter, an inflator needle, and a high-pressure tapered nozzle

DeWalt Tire Inflator Review

The DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator is a solid choice if you’re looking for brand name and performance. This beast has enough attachments to handle most vehicle tires and other inflatables, and the preset gauge is simple to use. The product is wonderful if you don’t mind spending extra money on one of the best portable air compressor tire inflators on the market.

With a premium, high-quality build and multiple power options, this unit is ideal for a roadside service technician or someone looking to make a solid investment in their automotive care equipment. The tire inflator air compressor easily surpasses standard dual-power source tire inflators.

You can see how the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator performed in each of our review categories below:

Review Category	Score (Out of 5.0 Stars)
Inflation Speed	5.0
Ease of Use	4.0
Features	4.5
Overall Rating	4.5

Below are the pros and cons of the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator:

DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator: Our Experience

Inflation Speed: This tire inflator offers incredibly quick inflation speed. If time is of the essence and you need air in your tires as quickly as possible, look no further than the DeWalt tire inflator. Out of all of the tire inflators we tested, the DeWalt had by far the quickest inflation speed. However, we found setting the device up for deflation to be a bit clunky.

Ease of Use: While this tire inflator is by no means difficult to use, we subtracted points because the DeWalt is the bulkiest car air pump we tested. We also felt that a carrying case and/or rechargeable battery should be included for a price tag over $100.

Features: This air pump for tires isn’t the most feature-laden, but it includes all of the features you would expect from a premium tire inflator. The built-in LED light is bright and works well, while an inflation and deflation mode is a rather unique option to have in a portable air compressor.

DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator: What Customers Are Saying

Some negative reviews say the product is too expensive and doesn’t perform well when paired with an AC adapter. Positive reviews often mention the unit’s quality and portability, making it a solid addition to the 20.0V Max family of DeWalt products. Still, the majority of Amazon reviews say it deserves 4.0 or more stars.

5. Viair84P Portable: Best Portable Tire Inflator For Trucks

• Cost: About $70
• Amazon review score: 4.6 out of 5.0 (approx. 600 reviews)
• Power supply: 12.0V DC
• Voltage: 12.0V
• Weight: 4.3 lbs.
• In the box: A Viair 84P Portable Compressor, power plug, carry bag, and three inflation tips

Viair 84P Review

The Viair 84P Portable Compressor delivers power in a stripped-down unit. It uses an analog pressure gauge instead of an LCD like the other tire inflators. While eyeballing psi can be more complex, the Viair 84P can handle larger tires designed for heavy-duty vehicles, truck tires, or specialty tires meant for off-roading.

The Viair 84P would make a terrific gift for a DIY-minded driver who owns a car with larger tires. The max psi and performance specs could be overkill for most drivers, but this is an excellent choice if you want tires inflated quickly and don’t care about an electronic display.

You can see how the Viair 84P Portable Compressor performed in each of our review categories below:

Review Category	Score (Out of 5.0 Stars)
Inflation Speed	5.0
Ease of Use	4.0
Features	3.5
Overall Rating	4.2

Below are the pros and cons of the Viair 84P Portable Compressor:

Viair 84P Portable Compressor: Our Experience

Inflation Speed: Our team was incredibly impressed by the inflation speed of this product. The Viair inflated our testing vehicle’s tires as quickly as the highest-powered and most expensive tire inflators on the market in 2024.

Ease of Use: Although the Viair is easy to use, reading an analog pressure gauge can be tricky and it is harder to determine an accurate reading than with digital gauges. We also missed the automatic shutoff feature found on competitor products.

Features: Simply put, this tire inflator isn’t the right option for you if you highly value other characteristics outside of inflation speed. Due to the lack of design features in the Viair 84P, we dropped this tire inflator’s overall score to 4.2 stars.

Viair 84P Portable Compressor: What Customers Are Saying

Some reviewers take aim at the tire inflator’s long-term reliability and mention plastic parts of the air compressor breaking. Positive reviews often highlight the inflator’s power and inflation speed. In total, 91 percent of reviews give it 4.0 or more stars.

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Portable Tire Inflator Buying Guide

A tire inflator or an air compressor can be a valuable tool for drivers. This is because it allows you to put air in your tires virtually anywhere. You could pay for air at gas stations, but having a tire inflator of your own saves a lot of hassle.

Tire Inflators For Cars: Compare And Contrast

Although Fanttik was our team’s favorite product, there are other reliable options out there that may be more suitable for you depending on your needs. Specifications that may play a deciding factor for customers are cost, voltage, weight, and power supply.

Brand/Model	Voltage	Weight	Power Supply
Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator	11.1V	1.7 lbs.	Internal rechargeable battery (3 x 2,600.0 mAh)
Fanttik X9 SE Tire Inflator	12.0V	1.3 lbs.	Car port (12.0V DC)
AstroAI Air Compressor	12.0V	2.2 lbs.	Car port (12.0V DC)
DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator	20.0V	2.9 lbs.	Car port, external battery, or wall outlet (20.0V MAX battery, 12.0V DC, or 110.0V AC)
Viair 84P Portable Compressor	12.0V	4.3 lbs.	Car port (12.0V DC)

Are Portable Tire Inflators Worth It?

Aside from inflating tires, the essential feature of a tire inflator is that it reads tire pressure, ensuring you’re not over-inflating the tires once you release airflow. Many tire inflators also feature an automatic shutoff feature, which guarantees you don’t exceed maximum pressure.

A tire inflator can save you from waiting on AAA to save the day, or even get you back on the road when AAA isn’t an option. Our product experts view tire inflators as a must-have tool for every driver’s car.

Gauge Displays

The best portable tire inflators with gauges are illuminated so you can see the display in various lighting conditions. Look for larger LED displays that will be easier to read and make it simple to dial in the correct psi for your tires. 

Corded Vs. Cordless Tire Inflators

Even the best tire inflators need a power source. A 12.0-V adapter means a portable tire inflator can plug into your car’s cigarette lighter. Some battery-powered car air pumps can be used away from the vehicle, but the extra battery and a charger usually come at a premium or are sold separately.

Our review team also found several portable inflators you can attach directly to the car battery, but we thought this made the device too complex for most drivers.

Tire Inflators Vs. Air Compressors

Technically, tire inflators are air compressors. A tire inflator is a type of portable air compressor that doesn’t have a tank. As such, tire inflators are not suited for large jobs or doing much else other than inflating standard car tires. The tradeoff with this type of tire air compressor is that it is portable. Some can even fit in a glovebox.

Air compressors with large tanks are typically much heavier, and not easily stored in your vehicle. They can be used to inflate tires, but also to power pressure washers and even paint sprayers.

If you already own a large air compressor, it is still worth purchasing a portable air compressor for your car, to have on hand in case of emergency.

How To Inflate Car Tires

Instructions for most portable tire inflators say how long you can use them before they overheat, and they generally recommend a cooldown period after a tire is filled to the desired pressure. Use air pumps with longer cycles and more power for vehicles with larger tires, although your vehicle should have a sticker in the driver side door jamb that details the appropriate psi for each tire. 

If greater clarity is required you can consult the vehicle’s owner manual or check out these helpful calculators for figuring out all measurements related to tire pressure in your car.

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Best Portable Tire Inflators: Bottom Line

Portable tire inflators need to be lightweight, powerful, and easy to use. With this in mind, we delved into customer reviews, ordered the top-rated tire inflators, and put them to the test.

Below are our picks for the best portable tire inflators:

1. Best Portable Tire Inflator: Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator
2. Best 12-Volt Tire Inflator: Fanttik X9 SE Tire Inflator
3. Best Budget Tire Inflator: AstroAI Air Compressor
4. Best Premium Portable Tire Inflator: DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator
5. Best Portable Tire Inflator for Trucks: Viair 84P Portable Compressor

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Portable Tire Inflator: FAQ

Below are some common frequently asked questions about portable tire inflators:

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Full Portable Tire Inflator Testing Methodology

A team member tested each product on a 2004 Subaru Forester, a 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE, or a 2013 Subaru Impreza. We noted the difficulty of setting a desired tire pressure, the accuracy of each product’s pressure gauges, and the consistency of the automatic shutoff feature.

• Inflation Speed: The most crucial characteristic of a tire inflator is how quickly it can inflate a car’s tires. We evaluated this by timing exactly how long it took to inflate a single car tire from 10.0 psi to 40.0 psi.
• Ease of Use: After evaluating the difficulty of inflating four tires on one of our testing vehicles, we also noted if the tire inflators required any extra steps such as sorting through menus or extra button layouts to reach the desired psi.
• Features: We noted any additional features on the tire inflator outside of its original intended use and tested its overall efficiency.

How We Score Products

In our testing, we strive to find products that not only meet the needs of consumers, but go beyond the investment. Our base level assessment starts with an expectation of the product being able to complete the desired task, and we adjust the score based on performance, value, and additional features. 

• 5.0 Stars: Performed exceptionally well or represents an excellent value. 
• 4.0 Stars: Performed above expected and is priced adequately. 
• 3.0 Stars: Met expectations and is a reasonable value for the price point. 
• 2.0 Stars: Met or underperformed during testing or has an inflated price point. 
• 1.0 Star: Significantly failed expectations or was not able to complete desired task. 

Why Trust Motor1.com

Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.

We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.

*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.