Autoblog may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
It's usually easy enough to use the compressed air machine available at your local gas station, but despite that, too many people are still riding around on under-inflated tires. Luckily, it's easier and more affordable than ever to get your own air compressor and top off your tires in your very own driveway, but with so many portable air compressors out there on the market, we decided to compile a list of some of the "best." Of course, everyone has their own idea of what the "best" air compressor is, so this list is based on user ratings and reviews from all across the web.
Plugs into a car's 12V cigarette lighter port or a 110/120V wall plug
Includes four nozzle adaptors for use with cars, RVs, motorcycles, air mattresses, bike tires and more
Accuracy of shown pressure is +/- 3 psi
Automatically turns off once the pre-set pressure has been achieved
Features a bright backlit LCD display
"This is a great choice for a compact tire air compressor. It is both AC & DC compatible [and] has a useful built-in light [for] using it at dusk or at night. The accuracy is stated to be + or - 3 psi. That is close enough and can be adjusted as needed if checked with an accurate tire pressure gauge. The time it takes to top off or inflate tires is quicker than I expected it to be... I had a seldom used vehicle that all tires were low [on]... one may have [had] a puncture with the nail still in. It was flat and registered zero pressure when I selected 30psi and started the Teromas unit... in six minutes the unit shut off with the tire inflated to 29psi on my tire gauge. The maximum continuous run time for the unit is 10 minutes... and cooling times between use to fill tires is recommended if total accumulated run times would exceed 10 minutes. I let the unit cool a few minutes between each tire serviced. It took about 2-3 minutes per tire for the three that registered about 15psi to start. I would definitely recommend this unit to a friend and I would buy this product again if it fails after the one year warranty the manufacturer offers if you register your purchase with them online." - Amazon reviewer, grantg2
For use with car tires, motorcycle tires, bike tires, inflatable sports balls, pool toys and more
Not suitable for large truck tires
Accuracy of shown pressure is +/- 1 psi
Automatically turns off once the pre-set pressure has been achieved
Powered by a rechargeable battery pack or a 12V car power adapter
"Just received it today from Amazon and took it to the garage to try. It was easy to use: Plug it in, attach to your tire, turn it on and select psi by pressing the 'on' button repeatedly. Set the air pressure you want with the "+" and "-" buttons, press the trigger and it adds exactly the psi you want and then stops. This item works as advertised. I used it to air up all four of my tires and the whole process took less [than] ten minutes." - Amazon reviewer, MW
Plugs into your car outlet
Includes three nozzle attachments for sports balls, air mattresses, bike tires and more
Includes a built-in LED flashlight for nighttime emergencies
"After years of procrastination and lazily driving to the gas station [to pay] for air, I've decided to finally go ahead and buy a pump. After a lot of research, I decided on this one. Honestly, all the air compressors on Amazon will inflate a tire and get the job done. But, what attracted me to this one was the size, the design and that it had its own storage bag. The reviews were great so I also trusted that. After receiving my air compressor I tried it out on my tire. The operation was simple. It pumped and stopped by itself. One thing I noticed, though, I set the PSI to 32, and after it arrived at 32, I wait[ed] it out for it to stop, and the display went down to 31.5. I unplugged the nozzle, checked my car's sensors and it showed 31. I might have to set it to 33 PSI in the future to get 32 PSI. I'm seriously not going to lose sleep over that at this price range. After I was done with everything, I stored it under my cargo area and out of sight." Amazon reviewer, Wayne C.
Plugs into your car outlet
Automatically turns off once the pre-set pressure has been achieved
Includes three additional nozzles for sports balls, air mattresses, bike tires and more
"Not applicable for any large vehicles with tire pressure ＞ 50 psi and tire width ＞ 245 MM such as trucks, vans and off-road vehicles"
"I didn't really know what to expect from this little air compressor, but let me tell you, it did a great job! It has a lot of great features and is very user-friendly. It has an LED light on it for use at night so you can see to inflate your tire if you get stuck out in the dark. One of the things I like the most about it is that it has a digital display, so when you put it onto your valve stem it automatically shows you what your tire pressure is, and then you just set it to whatever your desired pressure is and turn it on and it will automatically inflate to that set pressure. I definitely recommend!" - Amazon reviewer, Brandi P.
Best-selling air compressor on Amazon
Plugs into the 12V DC lighter port
Includes additional valve adapters for sports balls, air mattresses, bike tires and more
Does not support truck tires
Includes a built-in LED flashlight
Automatically turns off once the pre-set pressure has been achieved
"Ha! I love this little guy. When I say 'little guy,' I mean that affectionately. I've [not] had a portable tire inflator since, well, I can't remember when, but it's been at least three cars. It was measurably bigger than this one and not nearly as impressive. I'm a big fan of avoiding gas stations for keeping my tires inflated. Beyond the awkwardness of the pumps, their effectiveness is sometimes sketchy. Now, with today's tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), you get the reminder if you've gone too long without checking, and what more perfect and convenient time to refill tires than on a rested and cool car outside your own front door.
This does everything you would ask of a portable inflator: it's fast, it's efficient and it's quiet. My old inflator sounded as if I was tearing up my driveway when I used it and it probably took twice as long to work. I saw some questions about the potential lost air while detaching the connecting hose and it seems like the pump may run a little over the stated PSI as protection for that situation. The automatic shut-off when it reaches the pressure you set is a huge boon, as I can rumble around in the trunk or work inside the car without having to constantly monitor the pump.
I can't say much about the carrying bag, it's a silly little thing that's likely to tear over time, but that's meaningless when talking about performance and value. If I had any quibble at all, it would be that I don't seem to be able to shut off the light on the pump. It's not a big deal from a power perspective, just an OCD thing (why have it on in the daytime?) This is a great purchase at a terrific price." - Amazon reviewer, Jeffrey D.
Since we based these selections on user reviews, we'd love to hear if you have anything to add. Do you agree with our picks? Anything else you'd like to recommend? Let us know in the comments! Happy tire inflating.
Best portable jump starters for 2021
Best dash cams of 2021 — 6 great HD cameras for driving peace of mind
Car Gear Deal of the Day
This tire inflator from Indiegogo might be the smartest consumer air compressor ever
Tools Autoblog editors recommend and actually own
“Do we have enough bail money for Marina?” a few fans joked as the drag queen dished some political shade on former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
A 28-YEAR-OLD man believed to be toughie of Abella Gang that operates in Cebu City was arrested by virtue of a warrant in Sitio Tarcom, Barangay Busay, Cebu City on Thursday, September 15, 2022.William "Junjun" Banono, 28, a resident of Sitio Tarcom, yielded a sling bag containing a .45 pistol with eight bullets and 135 medium packs of substance believed to be shabu during the operation.The operation was headed by Police Lieutenant Colonel Hector Amancia of Criminal Investigation and Detection G
CEBU City’s historic Colon Street will soon bustle with more food, people and merchandise with the return of the night market on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, as part of the City Government’s celebration of Tourism month.Organizers of the night market said 370 stalls will offer dry goods and food products every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on Sept. 16-19, Sept. 23-25, and Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.During a press conference Thursday, Sept. 15, Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, chairperson of the Cebu City Tourism C
A HABAL-HABAL driver was shot dead by an unidentified gunman on the national highway in Purok 1, Barangay Salvador, Cortes town in Bohol on Wednesday afternoon, September 14, 2022.The victim was identified as 35-year-old Edgar Acub, a resident of the neighboring town of Antequera.Corporal Rodel Dulay, investigator of the Cortes Police Station, told Superbalita Cebu that the victim was ferrying a female passenger from Tagbilaran City to Antequera. The passenger reportedly asked Acub to stop in Co
THE Mabolo police clarified that no stabbing incident had happened at an evacuation site in Mabolo Elementary School contrary to what was reported Wednesday night, September 14, 2022, on social media.Jeric, 15, (not his real name) was walking toward home when waylaid and mauled by four teenagers, prompting the victim to run toward the school to seek refuge, said police.He sustained a wound after one of the suspects, also 15 years old, stabbed him during the commotion.Jeric was brought to the hos
CEBU City’s dream of having a dam in the upland Barangay Lusaran, where the headwater is located, could soon be realized after a tycoon said he could complete building such a dam in less than three years, auguring well for the city’s water supply.This was what lawyer Jerone Castillo, special assistant to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, said in a press conference at Waterfront Hotel & Casino Mactan Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, shortly after they arrived from their second “investment begging” trip in the
A survey conducted during the same period found that more Filipinos consider themselves poor. Read for more details.
As a testament to their global reach, "WYAT" trended worldwide on charts and social media. These is where the song reached #1.
THE Philippines lost its opening match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers against host Oman, 3-0 on Sept. 15 at the Al Saada Sports Complex in Salalah, Oman.The Philippines was down early in the match after conceding a goal from Nasser Ali Al Saqri in the eighth minute. Oman doubled the lead three minutes later with a goal by Khalid Ibrahim Al Sulaimi.Ali Hassan Al Bulushi made it 3-0 with a goal in the 30th minute.On the other hand, Thailand was also off to a ho
THE Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA 7) welcomed the declaration of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to go all-out war against illegal drugs.Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Gifter Sucalit, deputy provincial director for operations of CPPO, said the responsibility to fight illegal drugs not only lies with the police and PDEA, but all the government agencies.Sucalit said that due to the governor's declaration, they will strengthen the
Social media posts circulating after the death of Queen Elizabeth II claim she was found guilty of killing indigenous children in Western Canada in 1964. This is false; the late monarch's official schedule did not place her in British Columbia when the alleged crime took place, and the institution said to have convicted her has no legitimate judicial authority."Just a reminder that the queen was found guilty of the murder of 10 canadian Indigenous children she and prince Philip took on a 'picnic
CEBU FC looks to close out the first round of the 2022 Philippines Football League (PFL) strong as it takes on Mendiola FC 1991 today at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.Cebu FC is currently on top form after winning two of its last three matches. The Gentle Giants are coming off an impressive 5-1 beating of Maharlika Manila FC on Sept. 10.Mendiola FC, in the meantime, is coming off its first win of the tournament, beating Maharlika FC, 1-0.The
MEMBERS of the Police Regional Office Central Visayas (PRO 7) hauled tons of garbage during a river cleanup in Barangays Day-as, Parian and T. Padilla in Cebu City on Thursday, September 15, 2022.They were assisted by officials of the three barangays and members of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Department of Public Works and Highways.The activity was part of the PRO 7’s launching of Project Haw-as, or Hiposon, Alsahon, Wagtangon ang Sagbot, from esteros and canals.The waterway has been b
Annually, citizens in Manila lose 98 hours to traffic. Read the article for more details.
The 150,000 metric tons (MT) sugar imports approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to arrive in November. How sweet.
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in social media posts alongside a claim it shows Britain's Queen Elizabeth II throwing food to poor children. This is false. The video is actually a clip from a short film by the Lumière brothers filmed in Vietnam. It was first released in 1901, years before the birth of the late queen. The 47-second clip was shared here on Facebook on September 9, 2022.It shows two women -- dressed in white dresses and hats -- throwing small objects towards a g
AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy who was seen sitting outside the house of an alleged gang toughie in Sitio Tarcom, Barangay Busay, Cebu City on Thursday, September 15, admitted to using illegal drugs.Calvin (not his real name) said that he and his two other companions had just consumed two sachets of shabu Thursday dawn.Calvin admitted that he also acted as drug runner in the evening to earn money.The minor was previously rescued by police four times but allegedly returned to his illegal drug activity after
LOCAL police in Cebu City suspect that youth gangs in public schools are making a comeback after they received reports that another student was mauled by teens inside the Regino Mercado Memorial National High School (RMMNHS) in Barangay Pahina-Central on Thursday night, Sept. 15, 2022.Fearing that gang violence is on the rise in some public schools in the city, officials of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) are urging their personnel to coordinate with public schools under their jurisdiction in
A WOMAN wanted for beating her eight-year-old daughter was arrested in Sitio Canlaguno, Barangay Poblacion in the southwestern town of Aloguinsan, Cebu, on Tuesday night, September 13, 2022.The arrest warrant against 49-year-old Basilisa Cañete Ricaplaza was issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Ruben Altubar in Toledo City on June 30, 2020, yet.Bail was set at P200,000.The accused is charged with violating Section 10 of Republic Act 7610, or the Anti-Child Abuse Law.Lieutenant Roberto Barnido Jr
GLOBE congratulates its ambassador Alex Eala for winning the 2022 grand slam singles championship at the US Open Juniors, beating Czechoslovakia’s Lucie Havlickova on Saturday in New York City.Eala is the first Filipino to win a junior grand slam. This is also her first singles grand slam win after earlier scoring two doubles grand slam titles.Eala’s historic win is a victory for the Philippines, as she mightily represents the grit, determination and indomitable spirit of the Filipino in the wor