With decades of combined experience covering the latest news, reviewing the greatest gear, and advising you on your next car purchase, The Drive is the leading authority on all things automotive.

The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Read more.

BY Mike Viera / LAST UPDATED ON September 30, 2021

Tire inflators are small electrical pumps that use compressed air to inflate truck and car tires in a pinch. The best portable tire inflators can fit into the trunk or cargo area of your vehicle so you’ll have easy access to them during a roadside emergency. Because of their small size, they're best for quick pump-ups and emergencies only; inflating a completely flat tire to spec with one might take an hour—or more. If you’re looking for the best portable tire inflator on the market, check out our choices below.

This inflator has an automatic shutoff, adapters for different stems, a storage bag, and an LED light with four settings. It also has a 12-month warranty.

This 12V portable tire inflator has four pressure units: PSI, KPA, BAR, and KG/CM2. There’s a battery indicator on the screen, and there are lights by the plug. It also has a USB outlet for charging.

This cordless tire inflator runs on Ryobi's One+ 18-volt lithium-ion battery (not included, hence the low price). It's small, ergonomic, and pumps up to 150 PSI. It also has two high-pressure nozzles.

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

You can fill up your tire using the cigarette lighter socket/12v power source in your vehicle. This is particularly useful if your car or truck has 12v DC outlets in more than one place. Some inflators also operate on 110v power (with an adapter), so you can plug them into an outside power source.

The best cordless inflator is typically powered by a lithium-ion battery. They are generally easy to use and are very portable. These inflators are handheld and provide a good amount of power. It's critical that you keep the battery charged, though, or else you may get stuck with a flat tire and a useless gadget.

These tire inflators attach directly to the battery for maximum power. However, a tire pump can suck the charge out of a stand-alone battery in about 20 minutes.

While their most popular products are aftermarket vehicle headlights such as HID and Xenon bulbs, Kensun also produces inflators for tires, such as the Kensun Tire Inflator AC/DC Portable Air Compressor Pump.

VIAIR, based in Irvine, Calif., was founded in 1998 and produces oil-less air compressors and air accessories for on-road, off-road, and industrial markets. 

Helteko makes consumer products for cars, including vacuum cleaners, car seat protectors, and digital air compressors. One popular product is the Helteko Portable Air Compressor Pump 150PSI 12V Digital Tire Inflator.

JACO is an automotive accessory company that began as a two-person enterprise in 1983. The original warehouse and office remain in Crystal Lake, Ill., where the company also does quality testing. One of its top products is the JACO FlowPro Tire Inflator with Pressure Gauge.

The best tire inflators show tire pressure on an LCD screen, while the more traditional products will display the pressure with dial and needle gauges. A digital display will give you readings that are a bit more precise. Another added benefit is you will be able to read it in low light.

The auto-shutoff feature enables you to set the desired PSI, and the car tire inflator will run until it reaches the desired pressure. This is practical because the tire inflator will not overinflate the tire. You can walk away from the device as it does its job.

More on Tire & Wheels

This JACO inflator features a heavy-duty 24-inch air hose with a brass connector for durability and can pump up to 100psi at 24 liters per minute. It also has a 10-foot cord that plugs into any 12v DC outlet on your vehicle, and a digital display with backlight for nighttime use. The built-in LED light features four settings: off, flashlight, flashing red, and emergency SOS. Best of all, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

We like the JACO because it's a well-known, respected brand. It isn't the most affordable of the bunch—and that's a good thing. Pay a bit more money, you'll get a lot more confidence.

The VacLife Tire Inflator is an affordable, easy-to-carry portable tire inflator, and it’s great to have on hand in case of a flat. This air compressor/tire inflator works quickly, and it can inflate a car tire in just seconds. It plugs into the 12-volt outlet in your car, and with the flip of a switch, this small device will get the job done. 

There are four nozzles, so you can achieve the right fit for your car tires. It includes an auto shut-off feature, which automatically turns the device off once your tire is at the desired pressure level. This prevents issues like over-inflation and low tire pressure. 

And when you’re using this tire inflator on the go, you’ll appreicated the LED light that provides brightness at night and the 13-foot power cable that makes it easy to move around your vehicle. 

We've used this one, and we liked it more than others we tested. (Read our hands-on review of this inflator here.) The Gerchway tire inflator is reasonably priced, lightweight, and easy to use. It has touchscreen operation which means there are no moving external switches to get stuck or rusted. It also has a built-in digital gauge and automatic shutoff. Power comes from a 12v cord that plugs into your vehicle’s outlet, and the cord is long enough to easily reach all the tires on your vehicle without much trouble. The inflator comes with adapters for other types of inflatables such as balls or air mattresses, and also includes a nice zippered bag to store it all in, so you can easily carry it in your trunk or storage compartment.

This tire inflator comes with a rechargeable battery and a USB plug for charging devices. It also comes with a 12v cigarette lighter plug. Having two ways to power this inflator lets you use it for a variety of uses; it also comes with several inflating needles for inflatable toys and sports equipment. It has four pressure measurement units: PSI, KPA, BAR, and KG/CM2. This inflator is lightweight and comes with a carrying bag for easy transport. 

The Ryobi tire inflator is cordless and runs on Ryobi's One+ 18-volt lithium-ion battery. That battery is not included in this package, hence the low price. Still, if you're a Ryobi devotee, this inflator is a marvelous value. It's small and features an ergonomic pistol grip handle, two high-pressure nozzles, a sports equipment needle, and an onboard pressure gauge. The inflator is lightweight, very portable, and requires little storage space. The battery charge lasts long enough to inflate several tires in one sitting and can raise an average car passenger tire 5psi in 30 seconds. It also lets you see the pressure as you work. Interestingly and disappointingly, the trigger doesn't lock, so you have to hold it while it inflates.

At four pounds, you can easily carry this portable compressor to the spot where you need it. It’s also battery-powered, so there’s no need to find a power source. On the face of the unit is a digital display screen and several buttons for operation. It will fill a car tire to between 28 and 35 PSI in under one minute. If you need 30 to 45 PSI, then it’ll take under four minutes. 

Since this compressor is battery powered it’s useful for most inflation jobs. It’s compact size also makes it easy to carry. The display is large, which makes it simple to read the pressure and work the buttons. There are several safety features, including protection from overfilling and over temperature. 

Unfortunately, this compressor doesn’t come with a battery charger, so you need to buy one separately. What’s worse is it doesn’t come with the battery, so you need to buy one of those too. It’s also not as compact as other portable compressors.

PSI stands for pounds per square inch, and it's used to measure tire pressure. For example, 300 PSI means 300 pounds per square inch. In air compressors, a PSI gauge tells you how much pressure is in the tire.

Look at the tire’s sidewall. Tire dealerships also have charts to give you PSI information that take into account factors such as the amount of weight your car or truck is carrying.

Remove the valve stem caps. When the tires are cold, meaning the vehicle hasn’t been driven in several hours, push the compressor's hose fitting onto the valve stem and check the gauge. Fill the tires to the recommended pressure. Reinstall the valve stem caps.

Remove the valve stem caps. Push the compressor's hose fitting onto the valve stem and check the gauge. Fill the tires to the recommended pressure (it's best to do this when the tires are cold). Reinstall the valve stem caps.

Our pick for the best portable tire inflator is the JACO SmartPro Digital Tire Inflator Pump. It’s fast and efficient inflator from a trusted outdoor brand. Moreover, it falls in the sweet spot of price points—not pricy, but not "too cheap" either. 

For something with even better value, consider the VacLife Air Compressor Tire Inflator. We actually purchased this model ourselves a while back, and it's been very reliable.

Other ‘Tools’ Reviews You Might Like:

Sign up for our newsletter

Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox.

© Brookline Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.