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No one wants to pay $1 to use the bashed-up tire inflator at the gas station.
Owning a car tire inflator means you never have to worry about finding a gas station with a working air compressor so you can always keep your tires at the correct pressure.
Most car tires will need an air inflator with at least a PSI rating of 30-40 PSI to work well, so you don’t need a large, expensive and noisy air compressor if you just need it for tires.
For those wanting to keep things as cheap as possible, look at a non-portable air compressor that plugs directly into the DC power supply inside your car.
The best option, if you can afford it, is a device that is truly portable and runs off a battery so that it can be used in situations with no external power source.
We pulled the latest customer sentiment data from the entirety of 2023 to help us identify the best tire air inflators for 2024. We researched power usage PSI output and identified the four models we wanted to buy for hands-on testing.
As part of our in-house testing, we used each device to pump the tires in our Tesla Mode 3 and used each device over several months to identify long-term usage experience.
If you don’t want to read my complete list and want to know what I think is the best air compressor for tires:
| | 👑 BEST OVERALL | 🛠️ BEST BUDGET PORTABLE | 🛋️ FOR DC POWER ONLY |
|---|---|---|---|
| | Dewalt DCC020IB 20V MAX | Astro AI ACJY21LIDCYE | AstroAi A220B |
| |  |  |  |
| WARRANTY👩🔬 | 3 years manufacturer | 1 year manufacturer (+ 1 if you signup) | 1 year manufacturer (+ 1 if you signup) |
| PSI MAX🕒 | 160 | 160 | 100 |
| WEIGHT ⚖️ | 2.4 lbs | 4.69 lbs | 2.2 lbs |
| PROS 👍 | Great design features and can use all types of Dewalt batteries | Includes batteries and charger for $80 | Ability to inflate tires for $30 |
| CONS 👎 | It is a bit pricier than some other models. | Lower build quality than Dewalt | No onboard battery for portable usage |
| PRICE 💵 | $119.13 | $65.99 |
Let’s have a look at all 4 tire pumps we reviewed as part of our in-house testing to find the best air compressor for tires in 2024:
1. Best Overall: Dewalt DCC020IB
This high-end air compressor from Dewalt is our top pick for 2024 as the best air compressor we have tested.
It can use 3 different power sources, including a 110V household supply and a car DC power adapter with the device as standard.
However, the real benefit of the Dewalt DCC 0201B is combining the device with the Dewalt range of batteries. It can use all the different 20V Max batteries that Dewalt uses in its range of power tools it sells. If you already have a Dewalt device, the Dewalt air compressor is likely the best option right now.
If you don’t have a Dewalt kit, you may need another $150 to get a battery and charger to use as a portable device. I would look at the much cheaper option below from Astro AI, which comes with a battery and charging kit if you don’t already have any other Dewalt kit.
Specs:
- Power source: CAR DC, 110V or any Dewalt 20V max battery
- PSI options: 3-160 PSI
- Dimensions: Height: 5.59 inches, Width: 10.24 inches, Depth: 13.27 inches
- Weight: 2.94 pounds
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and 90 days satisfaction guarantee
The design of the DCC020IB is all about making life easier when pumping your car tires with air. They include the two power cords inside the side case so you don’t lose the cables. Thanks to how they designed the device, even the battery doesn’t add extra space when installed.
The design is so good that there are now many products that look to rip off this design. Dewalt has been in the power tool game since 1924, and we are big fans of their other power tools, so we feel much happier trusting this brand versus one of the many knock-offs that might be cheaper but are at a higher risk of failure in the long term.
The DCC201B is the air compressor I use in my car daily.
2. Best Budget: Astro AI ACJY21LIDCYE
For less than $80, you can still get a portable car tire air compressor with a max of 160 PSI and a 20V 2Ah battery.
It lacks many of the design benefits of the Dewalt device above, but with battery costs included, it is nearly 3 times less expensive than the air compressor from Dewalt.
If you don’t have Dewalt batteries already, the Astro AI is the best-value device on the market as of 2023. It can provide enough power from one battery to pump up tires 4 times for a standard car.
Specs:
- Power source: 12V DC and Astro AI 20V battery
- PSI options: 3-160 PSI
- Dimensions: 6.69″L x 3.15″W x 9.45″H
- Weight: 4.69 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year and 1 year extra if you register with AstroAi
Like all air compressors, it’s loud but can even pump up to 160 PSI. However, it will run out of battery much quicker at this higher pressure, and I wouldn’t recommend that high pressure for car tires. The batteries are included, and while not as valuable as batteries from Dewalt, they can be used with other Astro Ai devices if you have them, which is pretty good considering the initial price of around $80.
It’s much smaller than the Dewalt DCC0201, and I can quickly find it. I could keep it in the side pocket of the Tesla Model 3, so I didn’t need to use up any boot space. You can charge the battery via an included attachment and a travel bag to keep all the accessories together.
This device from AstroAir is the best portable air compressor for 2024 for those on a limited budget.
3. Best Non-Portable: AstroAi A220B
If $80 seems like a mad price to keep your tires pumped up, then this non-portable option from AstroAi provides tire pumping power up to 100 PSI for less than $32.
You need to connect this device to your DC power supply, so you won’t need to worry about charging batteries or running out.
We were impressed with the quality of the material for such a low-priced product, and it worked well pumping our tires. However, it took more effort than a portable air tire pump, which had to be continuously connected to the DC power outlet. I would like to see a larger power cord in the future, as those with very large trucks might find it runs out. The power cord with the Dewalt option is much longer for those with very large vehicles.
Specs:
- Power source: 12V DC
- PSI options: up to 100 PSI
- Dimensions: 8.27″L x 3.74″W x 6.69″H
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year and 1 year extra if you register with AstroAi
4. Cheapest Non-Portable: Vaclife ATJ-1166
If $30 is too much, then it might be worth looking at the VacLife ATJ01166 – it’s capable of up to 50 PSI for car tires and 150 PSI for bicycle tires.
Like the A220B, it has DC power only, so it needs to be plugged in to run. It does have a decent length power cord of 98ft, but the compressor might be too underpowered for very large vehicles as it has a max of 50PSI.
This is another small compressor for car tires that can easily fit in your car’s glove box or storage area.
For a cheap and cheerful air compressor for small-medium cars, you should consider this device from Vaclife.
Specs:
- Power source: 12V DC and Astro AI 20V battery
- PSI options: up to 50 PSI for cars and 150 PSI for bicycles
- Dimensions: 9.2″L x 6″W x 3.3″H
- Weight: 2.09 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year and 1 year extra if you register with AstroAi
Car Tire Air Inflator FAQ:
Q: What is the difference between a tire inflator and an air compressor?
Air compressors are much larger than tire inflators and have multiple uses that require far higher PSI than what you need for a tire inflator.
Q: What size air compressor Do I need to fill car tires?
Most car tires need an air compressor capable of 30-40 PSI, so you don’t need a very powerful device. But you will need to ensure that it runs for a good amount of time before running out of battery or overheating.
Q: Do portable air compressors work for car tires?
Most portable air compressors are tire inflators, so devices are designed to keep car tires inflated to the right pressure.
Q: How do I choose a tire compressor?
It is best to ask around for devices that other people recommend, but be sure to know if you want a portable or are happy to plug it in, as this will make a big difference in price. Portable tire inflators allow you to pump your tires even when you cannot access any power source.
Q: Is a portable tire inflator worth it?
Most DC 12V-powered tire inflators do a good enough job. Still, a portable tire inflator means you can use the device when away from any power outlets to use the inflator for places away from the car.
Q: How long can you drive on a flat tire?
According to Pirelli, if you have RUN FLAT tire, you can run for 50 miles with a max speed of 50 mph. If you don’t have RUN FLAT, you need to be able to inspect the tire, and if there is no serious damage, you can pump with a tire air inflator. You must replace it with a spare or call roadside assistance if it’s serious damage.
Q: Can I put too much air in my tires?
Yes, too much air can damage your tires and is just as bad as too little air. Be sure to find the right PSI for your tire and set this amount for the air tire inflator to switch off automatically when this pressure level is met.
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