Speed Reads:
- After hands-on testing, our product team selected the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator as the Best Portable Tire Inflator in 2023. The X8 Apex offers multiple inflation modes and an easy-to-use interface, though it is a bit expensive.
- The Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator is a lightweight, compact, and cordless tire inflator that has many features of the X8 Apex.
- Those who want a great tire inflator at a low price point should consider the AstroAI Air Compressor, which is very intuitive to use.
A high-quality tire inflator with a huge number of features.
A convenient tire inflator with impressive inflation speed.
An easy-to-use tire inflator with a small footprint and good design.
A great tool that can inflate or deflate your tires.
A powerful, compact air compressor suited for larger tires.
Tire pressure often changes, whether from a hole in the tire itself or the miles endured. Tires with less than optimal air pressure won’t ride as smoothly and can negatively impact your vehicle’s gas mileage. Keeping the right level of pounds per square inch (psi) in your tires is essential, but what’s the best tire inflator for your car?
Our review team thoroughly researched and tested popular air compressors 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 filling up tires.
Portable Tire Inflators
Our team tested and 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 X8 Portable Tire Inflator, AstroAI Air Compressor, DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator, and the Viair 84P Portable Compressor.
| Brand/Model | Overall (Out of 5.0 Stars) | Inflation Speed | Ease of Use | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| AstroAI Air Compressor | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Viair 84P Portable Compressor | 4.2 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
Our team also reviewed the best tire inflators with gauges if you’re searching for a product specifically with a gauge.
How To Use A Portable Tire Inflator: 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.
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 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.
Why Trust Us
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 give car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
Portable Tire Inflator Reviews
After testing several options ranging in price, we decided Fanttik offers the best portable tire inflator because its X8 Apex Tire Inflator is easy to use, offers a multitude of inflation modes, and can even double as a portable power bank.
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 | Cost | Voltage | Weight | Power Supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator | $130 | 11.1V | 1.7 lbs. | 3 x 2,600.0 mAh |
| Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator | $100 | 7.0V | 1.1 lbs. | 2 x 2,600.0 mAh |
| AstroAI Air Compressor | $45 | 12.0V | 2.2 lbs. | 12.0V DC |
| DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator | $150 | 20.0V | 2.9 lbs. | 20.0V MAX battery, 12.0V DC, or 110.0V AC |
| Viair 84P Portable Compressor | $70 | 12.0V | 4.3 lbs. | 12.0V DC |
*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.
For those interested in learning more, below are detailed reviews for each of the top six portable tire inflators:
#1 Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator: Best Portable Tire Inflator
- Cost: About $130
- Amazon rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 (approx. 2,800 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.
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, we believe there’s no quicker tire inflator than the Fanttik X8 Apex. 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 tire inflator 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 inflator has the best-looking digital display that we encountered.
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 X8 Portable Tire Inflator: Best Cordless Tire Inflator
- Cost: About $100
- Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (approx. 500 reviews)
- Power supply: 2 x 2,600.0 mAh
- Voltage: 7.0V
- Weight: 1.1 lbs.
- In the box: A Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator, a Presta valve adapter, a nozzle and ball needle adapter, an air tube, a USB cable, a storage bag, and a user’s manual
Fanttik X8 Review
Portable, cordless, and hassle-free, the Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator is priced lower than the X8 Apex but offers nearly as many features and is just as quick at inflating tires. Our team members actually preferred the feel of this tire inflator in hand compared to its more expensive counterpart. Incredibly lightweight, the tire inflator houses a 5,200.0-mAh battery that’s powerful enough to inflate up to 150.0 psi.
Four types of preset inflation modes are easy to cycle between and view on the tire inflator’s large LED screen. An included manual mode allows users to personalize their experience based on the inflation object and desire pressure. A USB-C input port allows you to recharge this tire inflator at your convenience and means you won’t be fighting with cables as you inflate your car’s tires.
You can see how the Fanttik X8 Portable 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 | 4.5 |
| Overall Rating | 4.8 |
We’re big fans of the Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator. If you’re not looking for a tire inflator that doubles as a power bank, we’d opt for this digital tire inflator over the X8 Apex. Below are the pros and cons of the Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator:
Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator: Our Experience
Inflation Speed: This tire inflator was incredibly quick to inflate our testing vehicle’s tires. We felt there were minimal differences in inflation speed between this and our best overall tire inflator, hence the runner-up spot in this review.
Ease of Use: With a distinct lack of cords and cables, we loved how simple this tire inflator was to use. Most other tire inflators need to be plugged into a power source to inflate your tires, but not the Fanttik X8 Portable. Features such as auto-detect and auto-shutoff also made the tire inflation process easier. We also appreciate the product’s easy-to-read digital pressure gauge.
Features: While this tire inflator can’t double as a power bank, it does boast more features than many of the other tire inflators in this review. The ability to switch between inflation modes spanning from car tires to basketballs was a welcome feature of this inflator.
Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator: What Customers Are Saying
The Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator has received mostly positive reviews from customers. Many note being pleasantly surprised with this tire inflator, as its gauge is highly accurate. Several also say this portable tire inflator is a huge step up from a gas station air compressor. One reviewer says it is “one of those things you don’t think you need until you get it.”
#3 AstroAI Air Compressor: Best Budget Tire Inflator
- Cost: About $45
- Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (approx. 52,000 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 2023 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 |
Using the AstroAI Air Compressor proved to be easy and straightforward. We especially like this portable air compressor pump’s long power cord. 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 tire inflators 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 Tire Inflator: Best AC/DC Portable Tire Inflator
- Cost: About $150
- Amazon rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 (approx. 6,900 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 |
Speed and ease of use are where the DeWalt excels. Setting up the valve stem is easy, although we wish the air hose was longer. However, this is arguably one of the best tire inflators to use if you happen to have a flat tire. 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 tire inflator 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, 97 percent of Amazon reviews say it deserves 4.0 or more stars.
#5 Viair 84P Portable Compressor: Best Portable Tire Inflator For Trucks
- Cost: About $70
- Amazon rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 (approx. 500 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 might be a little too sophisticated for most drivers, but this is an excellent choice if you want tires inflated fast 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 |
Our review team found the Viair 84P to be a powerful and well-made air compressor. We like the long-duty cycle compared to other products, and the carrying case is the highest quality we’ve seen. 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 2023.
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.
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.
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.
The best portable tire inflators with gauges are illuminated so you can see the display in various lighting conditions. 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.
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.
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, but also check the vehicle’s owner manual to find the recommended tire pressure for your car. Additionally, we recommend checking out these helpful calculators for figuring out all measurements related to tire pressure in your car.
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.
- Best Portable Tire Inflator: Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator
- Best Cordless Tire Inflator: Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator
- Best Budget Tire Inflator: AstroAI Air Compressor
- Best AC/DC Portable Tire Inflator: DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Tire Inflator
- Best Portable Tire Inflator for Trucks: Viair 84P Portable Compressor
Portable Tire Inflator: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about portable tire inflators:
*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.