Best Overall
ARB CKMP12 Portable Air Compressor
Pros
Excellent expandability
Mountable
Cons
Expensive
Weight: N/A | Max PSI: 120 psi | CFM Output: 2.18 cfm
Despite its eye-watering price tag, this unit from ARB is all you will ever need when it comes to mobile tire inflation. While outfitting off-road enthusiasts with gear for decades, ARB has been equally committed to high-performance air compressors. Under the skin, the CKMP12 features a hard-anodized cylinder bore and a Teflon-impregnated carbon fiber piston seal for optimum performance and reliability. The unit also allows for plenty of headroom if you wish to add an air tank further down the road.
If you're looking to get a deal, Walmart currently has a Hart inflator on sale for more than 50 percent off.
Best Bang For Your Buck
Viair 300P Portable Compressor
Pros
Powerful
Comes with everything you need
Cons
Expensive
Weight: 8.7 pounds | Max PSI: 150 psi | CFM Output: 2.3 cfm
Viair has cemented itself as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-performance air compressors. The 300P is no exception with premium parts including stainless steel valves, an anodized aluminum cylinder, and an oilless direct-drive motor. The unit is powered using alligator clips that connect to your car battery and tips the scales at 8.7 pounds. With 2.3 cfm of power on tap–and a max psi of 150–the Viair can inflate a 35-by-12.5-inch tire from flat to full in just five minutes. And we think that says it all.
Good All-Around Performance
GSPSCN Silver Tire Inflator
Pros
Affordable
High cfm
Cons
Unknown reliability
Weight: 6.6 pounds | Max PSI: 150 psi | CFM Output: 2.4 cfm
Although GSPSCN doesn’t share the same recognition as bigger brands in the air compressor industry, its Silver Tire Inflator has a competitive lineup of features. Similar to the Viair 300P, this unit can be powered by a car battery. Despite its modest price tag, GSPSCN didn’t skimp on the construction. Weighing 6.6 pounds, it features twin pistons and a direct drive motor capable of pumping out around 2.4 cfm, maxing out at 150 psi.
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Best Value
Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor
Pros
Good customer service
Cons
Some customers received non-working units
Weight: 4.5 pounds | Max PSI: 120 psi | CFM Output: 1.4 cfm
Not everyone has the luxury to spend $300 on a portable tire inflator that can inflate a 37-inch tire in under a minute. That’s why the Viair 88P occupies a very important spot in the brand’s lineup of portable air compressors. Although this more modest unit can only muster 1.4 cfm, it still has enough muscle to air up a 33-inch tire using a direct battery connection. Despite several complaints about units being dead on arrival, a bigger brand like Viair should have top-notch customer service.
Easiest To Use
AVID POWER Tire Inflator
Pros
Very portable
Auto-stop function ensures you don't over inflate
Cons
Limited battery life
Weight: 4.0 pounds | Max PSI: N/A | CFM Output: N/A
This handheld unit from Avid Power isn’t close to being the most powerful inflator on the list. However, it makes a good case for itself as a lightweight, small, and affordable option. Along with its nice form factor, the Avid features a nifty auto-stop function: It will inflate to a predetermined air pressure number. Its backlit digital display and built-in flashlight will make your next air-up quick and painless.
Best Budget Option
AstroAI Air Compressor
Pros
Affordable
Cons
Low power
Weight: 2.2 pounds | Max PSI: N/A | CFM Output: 1.24 cfm
While many of the inflators on this list are capable of inflating massive off-road tires, this unit from Astro AI is much more pedestrian. The company claims it can inflate a 195/55/R15 tire from flat to full in under five minutes. With the power to supply roughly 1.24 cfm, this package is best for emergency scenarios like a slow leak or a spare tire that needs a bit more juice.
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Highest Air Flow
Smittybilt 2781 Air Compressor
Pros
Excellent fit and finish
Long runtime
Cons
Heavy
Weight: 20.3 pounds | Max PSI: 150 psi | CFM Output: 2.5 cfm
Despite Smittybilt’s history of outfitting Jeeps with go-anywhere gear, its 2781 compressor is built like a tank. Tipping the scales at just over 20 pounds, it’s comfortably the heaviest unit on the list. Not without reason though, as the Smittybilt features a 0.3-hp oilless direct-drive motor that can run continuously for 40 minutes before overheating. The unit also comes with a 24-foot air hose and can be permanently mounted to your vehicle if you so choose.
Most Versatile
Makita DMP180ZX Cordless Inflator
Pros
Excellent portability
Backlit display is easy to read
Cons
Batteries and charger aren't included
No auto-hold trigger
Weight: 2.64 pounds | Max PSI: 120 psi | CFM Output: N/A
Despite its more modest power, this Makita comes with a myriad of features to bridge the gap. Its backlit digital display will be easy to read and lets you set a target pressure to inflate to. However, the big drawback with this unit is the lack of an auto-hold function on the trigger. The $99 price point also doesn’t include batteries or a charger.
Best Entry-Level Option
Tirewell 12V Tire Inflator
Pros
Quiet
High cfm is good for off-roading
Cons
Quality control issues
Weight: 7.26 pounds | Max PSI: 150 psi | CFM Output: 2.12 cfm
Tirewell isn’t a household name in the air compressor industry, but this 12-volt model brings many impressive features at a solid price. It packs a direct-drive motor connected to twin pistons, which can supply over 2 cfm of air. And at 7.26 pounds, this unit will be easy to move around your vehicle without being too much of a hassle.
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Most Portable
Jaco SmartPro Digital Tire Inflator
Pros
Affordable
Long power cord
Cons
Not very powerful
Weight: 2.05 pounds | Max PSI: 100 psi | CFM Output: .89 cfm
With its slim form-factor, the Jaco SmartPro offers equal parts functionality and portability. It can’t compete with other more powerful compressors on this list, but it’s still a jack of all trades and features a 10-foot power cord. As such, this unit is another great candidate to keep in your trunk for use in emergency scenarios.
![Headshot of Matt Crisara Headshot of Matt Crisara](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/rover/profile_photos/d3d25302-9a23-4690-aae6-513599b3fe3b_1648043037.file?fill=1:1&resize=120:*)
Matt Crisara is a native Austinite who has an unbridled passion for cars and motorsports, both foreign and domestic. He was previously a contributing writer for Motor1 following internships at Circuit Of The Americas F1 Track and Speed City, an Austin radio broadcaster focused on the world of motor racing. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona School of Journalism, where he raced mountain bikes with the University Club Team. When he isn’t working, he enjoys sim-racing, FPV drones, and the great outdoors.
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