Keep on top of your tyre pressures and avoid expensive damage with our in-depth test of popular tyre inflators

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Looking after your car’s tyres is an essential part of staying safe out on the road, and checking them regularly for damage and tread wear should make up part of your DIY vehicle maintenance checklist. However, it’s equally as important to keep an eye on your car’s tyre pressures, and one of the best ways to keep your tyres at their optimum pressure levels is to have your own car tyre inflator. There are plenty of options when it comes to portable air compressors for inflating car tyres, so we’ve tested the best of these currently on the market.

When it comes to buying a car tyre inflator, there are a variety of different options to suit your needs. You could use a 12V plug-in tyre inflator that plugs directly into your car, a cordless rechargeable device or a heavy-duty option that plugs into the mains. The most important factors are that the built-in pressure monitor is accurate and that the inflator is reliable, so we’ve focused on this in our tests of the smaller and more heavy-duty options listed below.

When your tyre pressures are incorrect, your car’s handling, braking and cornering grip may all be compromised, increasing the risk of an incident taking place. The wrong tyre pressures can also increase your vehicle’s overall fuel consumption and cause uneven or illegal tyre wear, which means you’ll need to replace your tyres sooner.

Luckily, as our inflator test results prove, it needn’t cost an arm and a leg to get kitted out with a reliable car tyre pump. Although you can spend quite a bit more for extra features, you’ll never have to pay to use the inflator at your local fuel station again after you’ve bought a reliable model.

So which tyre air compressor is worth your money? We plugged in the best on the market to find out.

How we tested them

We timed how long each inflator took to add 10psi to a 15-inch tyre and inflation and deflation times on a double airbed. We measured the noise of each inflator in decibels (dB), so look out for low levels if a loud inflator sounds like your worst nightmare.

Extra points were awarded for compressors with long hoses and power leads, extras such as adaptors and bags or cases, as well as practical features, such as clear displays. A preset shut-off option makes these devices so much easier to use.

Verdict

It is a rare joint first place as the Ring RAC635, Ring RTC1000 and Ryobi R18I-0 One+ have all scored the maximum points in our test. Closely behind the joint winners were the Ring RTC6000 Cordless and the Sakura 12v which both deserve praise.

  • =1. Ring 12v Preset Digital Air Compressor RAC 635
  • =1. Ring RTC1000 Premium Rapid Digital Tyre Inflator
  • =1. Ryobi R18I-0 One+ 18V Inflator (+ 4Ah battery & charger)

Car tyre inflator reviews

Ring RTC1000 Premium Rapid Digital Tyre Inflator

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: around £40Rating: 5 starsTime 20-30psi: 1min 38secs

The RTC1000 won straight out of the trap earlier this year, even at a higher price than its predecessor. The market has cut that cost, adding to its competitiveness. Its inflation time is still very good, and the noise level was a touch higher than other rivals. It was 0.5psi off at 30psi, and had three scales (psi, KPA and Bar), three accessory adaptors and a screw-on valve adaptor with a bleed valve.

We love the big central display, its wide LED light and huge on/off button. The 70cm hose wrapped neatly around the device, and the 3.5-metre cable is the best yet. Neat and well packaged, the zip-up padded bag protects it while being stored.

Buy now from Amazon

Ring 12v Preset Digital Air Compressor RAC 635

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: around £34Rating: 5 starsTime 20-30psi: 2mins 12secs

We could see no changes to this over the preset Ring RAC 635 that won our previous test. Only its HD sibling beat the 70mm hose length and the 3.5-metre power cable was the longest on test, able to reach all four wheels on all but the largest car. We liked the padded zip-up case and the large display, although at some angles it was tricky to make out. On the other hand, the noise increase was the highest, at 58dB. However, the time for the pumping test was excellent, equal to third best. Despite a price rise, it keeps its crown, but only just.

Buy now from Amazon

Ryobi R18I-0 One+ 18V Inflator (+ 4Ah battery & charger)

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: around £65Rating: 5 starsInflation time (tyre/airbed): 135/198 secs

On paper, the Ryobi looks as if it loses out to the others. That’s because it has a small display, it has no LED light or USB socket, and it can’t be used or charged from the car. However, the 4Ah battery has masses of power in reserve, and even after all our tests it still showed a full four bars.

The gauge was accurate to within 1psi, and the tyre-pumping time of 135 seconds was good, even if it didn’t match the Ring’s. The Ryobi was peerless in the time it took to inflate and deflate the airbed. If you already have the charger and battery (which can be used with other machines), this compressor is a bargain. If not, it’s best seen as an investment.

Buy now from Amazon

Michelin 12312 Programmable Rapid 4 x 4/SUV digital tyre inflator

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: £70Rating: 4.5 starsTime 20-30psi (mins:secs): 1:28

The name suggested it had extra power for large tyres and heavier vehicles, and our test inflation time of just 1 minute 28 seconds was the best ever. The unit was also really easy on the ears, at around 72dB. However, at 2.25kgs, this Michelin was twice the weight of our test winner, the Ring.

We liked the clear display, and its lead and hose were okay. That said, wrapping the hose round the handle smacked of an afterthought, and we’d have liked a more substantial holder. Overall, a very impressive unit and, although it’s dear, it still earned 4.5 stars.

Buy now from Halfords

Ring RTC6000 Cordless 4 in 1 Digital Tyre Inflator & Air Pump

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: around £60Rating: 4 starsInflation time (tyre/airbed): 80/625 secs

Ring’s offering had a long list of attributes, with a large digital display showing the pressure and battery state, and a good hose length (70cm).

Setting the target pressure was a doddle and, although the accuracy on the tyre was 1psi optimistic, it only took a stunning 80 seconds to inflate the tyre by 10psi. It wasn’t so good pumping up the airbed – taking more than 10 minutes – and its noise level rose from a loud 85dB to an ear-splitting 95dB during this test. Overall, it’s a nice unit for tyres and accessory-charging, but it’s not so hot on inflatables.

Buy now from Amazon

Sakura 12v Digital Air Compressor SS5332

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: around £28Rating: 4 starsTime 20-30psi: 2mins 42secs

The Sakura is still the best of the rest and managed to beat its previous inflation time by 32 secs, while being almost totally accurate at the same time. Its backlit display was clear and the pressure selection was easy. The 60cm hose was reasonable rather than great, although the screw-on connector did include a deflator. Happily, that and the 3.0-metre cable each had their own compartments.

The set-up had the usual three adaptors (football, airbed, cycle), an LED light and a thin nylon bag. It is noisier than others but generally, smoother in use.

Buy now from Amazon

Halfords Rapid Digital Tyre Inflator

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: around £39Rating: 4 starsTime 20-30psi: 2mins 12secs

The Halfords Digital steps up a place from our last test thanks largely to cost; its own price has dropped by £8, while the Michelin’s has risen. The similarities with the Ring RAC635 were noticeable; both feature a large display, screw-on valve connector, preset function and three scales (psi, Bar, kpa) which were easy to scroll through. This was also equally noisy, although the 12V cable isn’t quite as long, at three metres, and there’s no deflator. But its accuracy was spot-on during our test and the pumping performance was impressive, and exactly the same as the Ring’s.

Buy now from Halfords

Ring Handheld Tyre Inflator RTC2000

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: around £40

Rating: 4 stars

Time 20-30psi: 2mins 45secs

The market this inflator is aimed at is clear as soon as you open the box, where there’s a holding cradle and screws to fit to a bicycle’s drinks bottle mount. Despite its two-wheeled target market, it’s not disgraced on cars, taking around 2m45s to inflate our tyre.

The RTC2000 completed four test attempts with only minimal slowing from its 5200mAh lithium-ion battery. There’s a choice of three scales (Bar, psi, kPa) available on the easy-to-read display, plus four memory presets. Under the cap at one end there’s a useful light, plus a USB socket that allows the unit to be used as a power bank.

While the storage bag can’t match its rival’s case, this is a class act that’s ideal for keeping in a glovebox.

Buy now from Amazon

Draper 12v Cordless Air Compressor 20582

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: around £47Rating: 3.5 starsInflation time (tyre/airbed): 150/825 secs

We liked the design of this lightweight (just 860g) unit; its pistol-style grip was easy to hold and use. The 15cm hose was a bit short, but its tyre-inflation result of 150 seconds and accuracy – out by only 0.5psi – weren’t at all bad.

By removing the 12v, 1.5Ah battery and inserting the adaptor, it could be used from the car socket as a conventional compressor, and it was easily the quietest, at just 80dB. Unsurprisingly, it struggled with the airbed, but its price and versatility make it good to keep in the boot for an emergency.

Buy now from Amazon

Michelin 12266 High Power Rapid Tyre Inflator with DPS

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: around £45Rating: 3.5 starsTime 20-30psi: 2mins 18secs

We really rate the superb build quality of this model and the piano black finish on the front was stylish. We liked the bright, white display and protective nylon bag, although the 63cm hose length was only reasonable and its storage was awkward. The pumping time was very good, and the controls were easy to use. Accuracy was good, being just 0.5psi adrift. Uniquely, it came with 12v and USB sockets, giving it more versatility. But we couldn’t find a lower price, which hammered its points score.

Buy now from Halfords

Halfords Rechargeable Multi-Purpose Inflator

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: around £60

Rating: 3 stars

Inflation times (tyre/airbed): 2m 38s/10m 4s

This has a good price and spec, with four adaptors, CLA and USB sockets, as well as mains or 12V charging. We liked the logical layout, preset control and clear display. It was the lightest compressor here, at 1.8kg, but this hinted at weight saved with the motor, and slow, noisy performance proved this. After the three tests, it was down to 50 per cent battery life.

Buy now from Halfords

Mojietu Wireless Speed Air Pump

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: around £60Rating: 3 starsInflation times (tyre): 4m

This model is not much bigger than a soft drink can, but it has a high-quality feel. There’s a metal hose connector, a matt finish and black LED display and controls. It also has modes for balls, cycles, motorbikes and cars, plus presets and a light. The gauge was accurate, but its scales changed for each mode rather than by choice. It comes in a tough, zipped case, but the hose needs removing first.

Charging is via a short USB lead, and you need a mains or car adapter. The Mojietu is at the very limit of its performance on cars and is limited to small tyres and 2.8 Bar (40.6psi). It took four minutes in our test, but it got there – and pretty quietly. It’s too small for regular car use, so it’s better suited to being kept in the boot for cycles or emergencies.

Buy now from Amazon

Heavy-Duty air compressors

Ring 12 Volt Heavy-Duty Air Compressor RAC900

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: around £80Rating: 4.5 starsInflation time: 30 seconds

Ring says this is used by the “UK’s leading breakdown firm” and it’s easy to see why. Its pumping power is hard to beat, adding 10psi to our test tyre almost twice as fast as its rival.

The coiled hose stretches to seven metres, with quality brass and metal connectors, while the dial pressure gauge matched the accurate Michelin digital version. Air release is not quite as intuitive as its rival’s but works well enough. Storage is in a tough bag with zipped compartments for the pump and airline, and space for the brass sports adaptors.

Crucially, the 2.5m lead clips to the car battery, which won’t suit some users. Plus there’s no light or pressure presets. Pumping power and quality still secure it the win, though.

Buy now from Amazon

Michelin Programmable Superfast 4×4/SUV Digital Tyre Inflator

amazon, best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

Price: around £75Inflation time: 47.5 secondsRating: 4 stars

This is part of a new four-strong line-up, with all but one unit currently exclusive to Halfords. We’ve already tested the smaller version, and this double-piston unit is similar.

Despite a drawstring bag and clips for the three sports adaptors, it lacks proper storage, with the hose wrapping around the top and a Velcro strap for the three-metre lead. The 85cm hose, our preferred screw-on connection, cigar-lighter socket connection and air-release button impress more.

There’s also a three-LED light, choice of three scales and an easy-read LCD gauge with presets. It was spot on at 20 and 30psi, and took 47.5 seconds to add 10psi to our wheel. Not as quick as the Ring, but a more balanced package.

Buy now from Halfords

Looking to keep a closer eye on your car’s tyre pressures? We tested the best tyre pressure monitoring systems on sale…

Keyword: Best air compressors: mini and heavy duty car tyre inflators tested

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