The best portable tire inflators to buy in 2024, according to reviews

As the weather changes, so does the air pressure in your car's tires.

Low pressure can cause your vehicle's tires to wear prematurely or if left unattended, it can lead to a blowout that could cause serious damage.

A portable tire inflator provides an easy solution to low tire pressure. With a compact size, you can carry a tire inflator in your car or truck for use anytime your tire is low.

Not only will this keep your tires on the road longer, but you can pump up a flat tire for a quick ride to the repair shop if needed.

But with so many different portable tire inflators on the market today, it can be difficult to choose which one to buy.

To help, here are some of the most recommended portable tire inflators available, including models from DeWalt and Avid Power .

The best portable tire inflatorsDeWalt 20V MAX Tire Inflator: "This inflator is especially appealing to anyone already using the DeWalt platform as the batteries are interchangeable with everything from impact drivers to lawnmowers. In light-duty vehicle testing (exact parameters of all tests are described in detail below) the DeWalt 20V MAX Tire Inflator was able to inflate a tire from 10 psi to 45 psi in an average of 7 minutes and 42 seconds," GearJunkie says.

Avid Power Tire Inflator: "We liked that users can set an inflation target when using this compressor—it's a great feature that'll help keep you from overinflating your tires. Once the Avid pumps up your tire to the desired PSI, it'll add an additional 1 PSI before its automatic shut-off kicks in. When you disconnect the compressor from your tire, the resulting air loss will leave you with the perfect amount of inflation," USA Today says.

Milwaukee M18 Tire Inflator: "The Milwaukee 2848-20 M18 Inflator delivers impressive performance with rapid inflation times: it reaches 30 psi in just over a minute and 45 psi in about two and a half minutes. However, its substantial size may not be ideal for everyday use or small storage spaces. While it is portable, it's best suited for vehicles with ample trunk space, and it requires Milwaukee's M18 Li-ion battery, which is sold separately. This inflator is an excellent choice for those already invested in Milwaukee's M18 system," Road & Track says.

Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator: "This versatile tire inflator features a three-mode LED light which means drivers can even inflate your tires in the dark. Additionally, the Fanttik X8 Apex has the ability to act as a portable charger with a 5.0-V/3.0-A USB-C input port and a 5.0-V/2.0-A USB-A port on the side of the device. Press the mode button to cycle between psi, bar, and kilopascal (kPa) readings," Motor1 says.

Craftsman V20 Tire Inflator: "The V20, as with many of Craftsman's products, offers the promise of strong reliable performance if nothing else. It has several power options including an AC wall plug, a 12-volt car outlet, and a rechargeable battery pack (sold separately). While it is relatively large and heavy, its auto shutoff, digital readout, and 3-year warranty make up for it," Autoweek says.

If you're looking at tire inflators, you might also be interested in other car essentials, like portable power stationsjump starters.