Portable Tire Inflator

It is getting to be near the time when lists are being made and checked twice. I'm guessing this group has opinions on portable tire inflators. My parents got me a small Slime one two years ago. It burned out in the first use trying to pump up my kids bike tire. And it was out of warranty - which was remarkably short.

So now a search for a new tire inflator. One that can actually fill a car tire. My dad had one when I was kid. About the size of a car battery. Lasted for years. Really noisy. Worked like a champ. If I could find something like that . . .

My Milwaukee M12 inflator has never let me down. Not the least expensive option, but it always works. 

Will also chime in on the Milwaukee products if that's already part of your cordless tool ecosystem.

I've got the M18 inflator-- great for teching students cars at Street Survival schools and works up to the higher pressures/volumes of trailer tire.

Works great on the airplane as well-- higher pressures, but very low volumes.

I have a Ryobi cordless inflator and it's great.

I've had this one for several years and have had good luck with it so far:

https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-compressors-tanks/inflators/12v-150-psi-compact-air-compressor-63184.html

I got this one 3 times between work, myself, and gifts. It's a bit slow if you are doing car tires from flat often but it can do a car tire. It is amazing for bikes, balls, and top-offs. The light came in handy the other night, and the USB charge function is great for those forgetful females in my life... If you want serious power get one that can attach to car battery terminals or uses rechargable powertool batteries. For just keeping it in the back of a car or garage, this is great.

David S. Wallens said:

My Milwaukee M12 inflator has never let me down. Not the least expensive option, but it always works. 

Seconded. 

I would add, whatever cordless tool brand you might already have batteries for, probably has an option. 

I had the Milwaukee M12 inflator and loved it until we took a trip to Michigan in the winter and ended up with a very low 22" tire on the Escalade and an inflator couldn't make enough pressure to address it. I replaced it with the Milwaukee M18 and have had zero complaints. I use it at least weekly.

If you're looking for a reliable corded compressor I've been really happy with my VIAIR. 

VIAIR Every Vehicle Carry™ 85P Portable Compressor

clutchsmoke said:

I have a Ryobi cordless inflator and it's great.

Used EastsideTim's Ryobi at the challenge and immediately bought one when I got home.  Not heavy duty but plenty for me topping of the pressure on kiddo soccer balls, cars, and bikes.  It let me retire my airpig from the autox crap that gets packed in the car which is a huge bonus.

A couple weeks ago Home Depot had a deal on M18 batteries/charger that came with a free tool and I chose the inflator. Holly crap, that thing is impressively quick and easy to use

I have the Milwaukee M12 in all of our cars and an M18 in the garage, the M12 is good for a top-off, but I love the power of the M18 for anything more. It has a few memory settings which are very helpful, but the power is what sold me.
 

I typically pay about $100 for the M12, and the M18 was $200 with two 5.0ah batteries and a charger (so say about $100 for the charger).

EDIT: On the M12, I tend to run the longer-lasting batteries like the 4.0ah and the 6.0ah. Sometimes I notice that the battery life drops quickly, but that it also recovers quickly. So the battery charge readings at times will be more conservative than the actual charge.

M12 is great for adjusting tire pressure on the race car.  It *can* bring a trailer tire up to 60 psi from 0, BTDT but it took a long time and an entire battery's charge to do it.

I upgraded to the M18 after the digital pressure gauge on the M12 started reading inconsistently.

CAinCA said:

If you're looking for a reliable corded compressor I've been really happy with my VIAIR. 

 

VIAIR Every Vehicle Carry™ 85P Portable Compressor

Great tools. I've got the medium duty 88P

This one attaches directly to the car battery. It will put ten pounds in a car tire in less than two minutes. 

I have a Smittybuilt I use to inflate large, off-road tires from 15 PSI back up to road pressures. My only complaint is that the air fittings on them aren't the size they sell at Harbor Freight.

The hose is long enough to reach all 4 tires on your car and possibly your trailer. 

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:

CAinCA said:

If you're looking for a reliable corded compressor I've been really happy with my VIAIR. 

 

VIAIR Every Vehicle Carry™ 85P Portable Compressor

Great tools. I've got the medium duty 88P

This one attaches directly to the car battery. It will put ten pounds in a car tire in less than two minutes. 

Quoting my own post to ensure that it's noticed. Ever since I went to the viair website I've been getting a bunch of Black Friday notices. 
 

I recommend jumping on it. 

Second the Viair. It lives in the family car. I have a cheap Amazon pump in the other car. It's saved me once already and was only $30

Just to close the loop, the Viair one seems to be what I'll be getting in 25 days.

Johnboyjjb said:

Just to close the loop, the Viair one seems to be what I'll be getting in 25 days.

I don't think that you'll be disappointed. 

I use a Viair on board system, though I still have to lift the hood and connect to the battery. We may opt for a light port opt next go round.