The Best Portable Air Compressor for Tires (Review & Buying Guide) in 2018

Now you’ve seen 10 of the best Air Compressors and Digital Tire Inflators on the market, you can see that whilst they all perform the same basic functions, many come with additional features – and usually an accompanying higher price tag!

What should you look for in your air compressor, what features are vital and what can you do without? Once you’ve selected and bought your compressor, how do you get the most out of it?

Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with all the information you need!

What is a Portable Air Compressor?

So just what is a portable air compressor? Well, the air compressor part means that, very simply, it is an air pump. However, unlike a standard pump which simply draws air in and pumps it direct, these tools compress air so that it can be delivered at pressure and so used to inflate a range of items – everything from car and truck tires down to sports balls – quicker than a standard air pump.

The word “Portable” is also a key part of the discussion here – especially for us today in this article where we are talking mainly about compressors for inflating car tires.

Some air compressors are massive – so big that they come with a built in wheeled trolley to help you move them around. They are used in home construction projects, to power tools, they are even used by the Fire Department in certain emergencies – and they are way overpowered for the task of inflating normal car tires.

A portable compressor has to maintain a balance between having the power to inflate tires quickly and efficiently, whilst being contained in a package small enough to store in the boot of your car or in our garage or shed.

Types of Portable Air Compressor

As we mentioned above, there are various sizes of air compressor on the market, all of which have different spec, features and methods for compressing air.

Larger compressors will include tanks where the compressed air is stored, pressurized then fed through the air hose to inflate whatever is being used.

Portable air compressors as we have discussed in this guide are slightly different, because they are a lot smaller. Essentially, whilst they do have small tanks, they are only used to pressurize the air before the air hose delivers it – this means that the motor is always running during operation.

Internally, because of their size, these portable tools will operate screw type machinery, where two large screws essentially turn together to create a vacuum to suck in air. This is a very efficient way for a small compressor to work.

Features to Look For

Depending on the model, brand and type there are some subtle differences in the features that each compressor has.

Some of more important to look out for:

LCD Screen – The compressor has to have some way of telling you what pressure it is inflating too. Typically, on more modern models this will be via a built in LCD screen. Other models will have a more traditional dial and needle arrangement. The LCD screen will allow for more accurate readings, and if it is backlit will be easier to read especially in the dark.

Auto Cut Off – Perhaps one of the key features. With this onboard, the compressor can be set to a desired PSI and away it goes, happily inflating until the tire reaches the desired pressure. Naturally, a model with this feature included will be easier to use and the danger of over inflation (and a burst tire) is removed completely.

Cigarette Lighter Charging Cord – For emergency use, the compressor must be able to be powered by the built in cigarette lighter port in your vehicle. In a breakdown situation when you are inflating a tire at roadside, this is likely to be the only available power source.

Built in Lights – Again, another feature that could come in handy for a roadside emergency. Some models come with built in flashlights, usually LED based. This can be handy to both provide light during a night time tire inflation, and can help to illuminate you and your vehicle making you easier to spot by other motorists.

Additional Nozzle Attachments – Choose a model that comes with multiple nozzle attachments and you will have a tool that can be used for a variety of purposes around the home. After all, if you’re going to invest in one of these, you might as well get your money’s worth!

Tips When Inflating Your Tires with an Air Compressor

Inflating a tire using an air compressor is remarkably straightforward. Many models in fact virtually take on about 99% of the work – provided they have a built in pressure auto cut off feature.

Simply attach the compressor to your tire valve, set the desired pressure and away it goes.

Here are a few tips to bear in mind however to ensure that you get the most efficient service from your compressor.

• Make sure you have a Tire Chuck – Typically, a modern model will come with all the tools and attachments you need to inflate your tire. You should be able to simply take it straight out of its box and away you go! A Tire Chuck is a little tool that attaches between the tire valve and the nozzle of the air hose. It depresses the little valve switch inside the tire valve allowing air to flow. Your compressor should come with one, but just double check it has been included and you always carry it in your vehicle.
• Keep it dry – Most of these are pretty hardy little tools, well designed to take a fair amount of punishment. Moisture is definitely their enemy however, so try to keep the compressor dry during use and whilst in storage. As an electrical device, they can be shorted if they get wet whilst operating. They also typically include a pair of rotating, metal screws that suck in air. Storing in a moisture rich environment can rust the screws – even fuse them together – breaking the compressor.
• Keep an eye on the pressure – Many modern models come with an automatic cut off that disconnects the machine once it reaches the PSI that you set. Obviously, if your model lacks this feature then you will need to keep a close eye on the pressure during operation. Even if is does, it pays to keep an eye on it anyway, especially if the PSI you are inflating to is toward the top end of what the compressor can handle.

Calculating the Correct PSI for Your Tires

Using the correct PSI in your tires will help them work at their best. Over inflation runs the risk of damaging the tire structure with too much pressure – the tire could even burst, completely ruining it.

Under inflating can be just as damaging in the long run however. An underinflated tire is prone to so called “Dry Rot” where the rubber in the side tire wall becomes damaged, starts to dry out and crack and eventually fail completely.

So both under and over inflating will eventually destroy your tire – it will also affect the tire grip on the road surface, potentially making the car harder to handle, and reducing braking and handling efficiency in an emergency. Not good news!

So now you know why you should inflate your tire to the correct PSI, the next question is how to know that that is.

Well, as a stopgap measure the maximum PSI will be written on the tire sidewall. By all means use this as a temporary indicator, but do note that your tire will almost certainly be overinflated a little if you simply fill it to the max permissible PSI.

For a more accurate PSI, you have to take into account the typical weight your car or truck will carry – this includes fuel and passengers, so it can be a little complicated! The information to make the calculations can be supplied on charts, which you can get from your tire dealership.

It can be worth going to this effort before a long trip to ensure that you get the best possible use from your tires.

For everyday driving however, a good rule of thumb is to take the max PSI as stated on the tire itself and subtract 10%. Broadly speaking, that will give a good indication of the ideal tire pressure, with a little built in wiggle room for weight.