Best Tire Inflators Ranked

For Ryobi 18V owners who want a cheap, simple inflator for car and bike tires using batteries they already have.

For drivers on a budget who want a complete cordless kit with a 12 V cord as backup, for car, bike and motorcycle tires.

For car, bike and motorcycle owners who want a tiny cordless pump for routine top-ups. Truck and SUV owners with wide tires need something bigger.

For M18 owners with trucks or several vehicles who want the fastest cordless fill and don’t mind the price.

For drivers who want a cheap cordless inflator that never leaves them stuck, because it also runs off the car’s 12 V socket.

For drivers who want one cheap pump for the garage and the car. It suits car and bike tires, not trucks.

For car owners who want the cheapest dependable set-and-forget pump to keep in the car. It isn’t built for large tires.

For car owners who like the CRAFTSMAN name and want a light, set-and-forget pump for top-ups. Faster pumps cost about the same.

For car owners who want a basic, proven auto-shutoff pump for topping up. Pick something with a published warranty and spec sheet if that matters.

For car owners who want a cheap set-and-forget pump for topping up tires. Larger tires need a faster compressor.

For truck and Jeep owners who air down off-road and want a fast refill without paying ARB prices. Check that the hose reaches your tires, since its length isn’t listed.

For truck and Jeep owners who want a big off-road-style compressor and a pressure-reading controller for well under VIAIR or ARB money. Take the headline airflow with a grain of salt.

For off-roaders who air down and want fast refills on big tires without paying ARB prices. Drivers who only top up car tires should get something smaller.

For serious overlanders with 35 in and larger tires, or groups airing up several vehicles, who want the fastest portable air and can justify the price. Most drivers are better served by a single-motor unit.

For truck, Jeep and SUV owners who air down on weekends and want a proven compressor at a sensible price. Bigger tires or long sessions call for a 400P or 450P.