Why are tyre inflator compressors so important? Your tyres are the only part of a car that comes into contact with the road, so it’s vitally important to keep the rings of rubber in optimum condition. Even the best tyres available must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm in the UK. It’s your responsibility to ensure the tyres are in good health. This includes inflating them to the recommended pressure, as outlined in your vehicle handbook.
A tyre will naturally lose air over time, but a slow puncture or porous alloy wheels will result in a slower loss of pressure. You’ll also find that the recommended tyre pressures are different when your car is loaded to the rafters with holiday gear. It’s for these reasons that tyre inflator compressors should be a must-have rather than a nice-to-have accessory.
It is certainly worth noting that under-inflated tyres roll on to have other effects too. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which simultaneously makes your engine work harder and increases fuel consumption. Under-inflated tyres also cause uneven wear on the tyre tread and can have a detrimental effect on braking performance. Hopefully, the cause of the under-inflated tyre won’t require the use of some tyre sealant. But you should always keep monitoring your rubber.
The best tyre inflator compressors at a glance:
Editor’s pick: Ring RAC830 12V Rapid Digital Tyre Inflator – Buy from Amazon.
Best budget tyre inflator compressor: AA 12V Compact Tyre Compressor – Buy from Amazon.
Best mid-range tyre inflator compressor: VacLife 12V Air Compressor – Buy from Amazon.
Much like the plethora of tyres on offer, from all-season tyres to winters. There are hundreds of tyre inflator compressors to choose from, you might be feeling under pressure when it comes to selecting the best one. From basic foot-operated pumps to the kind of machines that wouldn’t look out of place at a truck stop, there are tyre inflators to suit all budgets. Here are a few of our favourites, along with some things to look out for when deciding which one is best for you.
The best tyre inflator compressors
Editor's pick
At 2.8kg it remains relatively light and portable, shipping with a robust carry case for easy transportation. It also comes with three adaptors that allow the unit to inflate balls and the like.
Pros
- Perfect for SUVs or Campervans
- Fast inflation rate
Cons
- A bit bulky for the glovebox
Best budget tyre inflator compressor
It does make a bit of a racket when inflating the tyre, and the needle does shake which may affect an accurate reading. But if you don't wish to spend too much on a tyre compressor, this will be your ideal companion. The wire is reassuringly long too, making it a doddle to move around even with larger vehicles.
Pros
- Incredibly effective compressor
- So easy to use
Cons
- Makes a loud noise when compressing
Best heavy duty tyre inflator
Tested by Aaron Hussain: 'The build quality of the item is up there with some truly professional equipment. The handle is reassuringly strong and it has a handy pressure gauge which is clear to read with its black arrow on a white dial. Oh, and the yellow cable stretches out far enough to cover a limousine. However, connecting the cable to the compressor with the brass ends requires some great strength! You really have to check to make sure it's connected properly as there is no satisfying cling to listen out for. The pull-back trigger-like mechanism feels like it's magnetic, but not the kind you wish for.
Nevertheless, once you've wrestled the fidgety ends of the device, it's nothing short of amazing at its job. Some slightly deflated Volvo V60 tyres were up to standard in less than a minute. With that said, however, lifting up the bonnet and connecting two clamps is just not as handy nor as easy to use as a simpler, cable-operated tyre compressor that plugs into your 12V socket/cigarette lighter. But the big selling point is the sheer power of the thing, and if that's what you require, this is for you.'
Pros
- Fast inflation
- Great build quality
Cons
- The battery clamp procedure is a faff compared to a simple socket-powered compressor
Best portable tyre inflator
It has all the features for tyre inflating you need: pressure preset with auto-shutoff; pressure gauge reads psi, kPa, kg/cm and bar; comes with adaptors for balls, balloons, and bike tyres.
The CTI120 is not only a great tyre inflator, it bears other features too, which is how it cements its Silver Award place from Parkers. The CTI210 is rechargeable via a micro USB for convenience and it can also act as a power bank.
Pros
- Very compact
- Fast inflation for its size
- Well made
Cons
- 2000 MAh battery doesn't last that long
Best old-school tyre inflator
They also tend to move about when you're in mid-pump, which is far from ideal. This German unit is stable, heavy-duty, and has a foot pump you can pass on to your grandchildren. The double-cylinder design allows for relatively efficient inflation too, provided your fitness is up to it.
Pros
- Reliable
- Will likely outlive you
Cons
- Performance depends on fitness
Best mid-range tyre inflator compressor
It also has an automatic shut-off function once the compressor inflates the tyre at the correct level, as well as a digital gauge that reads more accurately than an analogue dial. If the tyres on your vehicle are really flat, however, the recommended rest time of 10 minutes after each 10-minute use could become annoying.
Pros
- Great value
- Auto shut-off function
Cons
- Quite a bulky thing compared to the AA unit
What to consider when choosing a tyre inflator compressor
Mid-range tyre inflator compressors like the Ring RAC830 is perfect for most people. They are usually better quality and more powerful than inflators that come as part of tyre repair kits. To use, you simply remove the dust cap from the tyre valve and attach the hose to the inflator. It’s then a case of setting the desired pressure and allowing the unit to do its job. If the system has an automatic cut-off, it will stop at the correct pressure, so you simply remove the hose and replace the dust cover.
A tyre with the incorrect pressure could reduce your car’s fuel efficiency by around three per cent, so it pays to get it right. You will also improve your car’s braking and handling performance. Timing is one to consider too whether it’s an analogue or digital tyre inflator. Some tyre inflators will fill a tyre from empty in four to five minutes, while others will complete the task in 90 seconds. And it’s worth having a cable long enough to fill the tyres in one go as well.
Whilst on the topic of moving it around, consider things like the quality of the item itself. These include the plastics used and even the vibration. A cheap unit will dance along the driveway like a demented dog when in use. Your neighbours will also thank you for choosing one that doesn’t wake the baby. So, having a compressor that doesn’t make a loud noise is also a great bonus. Once correctly inflated, it’s always worth checking your tread using a tread depth gauge. You will fail an MOT if a tyre tread depth isn’t 1.6mm all round.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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