9 Best Tire Inflators (Review) In 2020

Features To Look For In A Tire Inflator

Choosing the right tire inflator will most likely depend on when and where you intend on using it. There are a number of features that are similar in all tire inflators, however, some also have features that may be of more benefit to you. Some of the more important features to look for in a tire inflator include:

Portability – Your tire inflator should be as mobile as you are so portability is a must. Look for a tire inflator that is light enough to take with you anywhere, yet compact enough to take a minimal amount of space in the storage compartment of your car. Portability is also a key feature if you plan on using the tire inflator for more than just inflating tires. Sports enthusiasts will find them handy to inflate basketballs, footballs, etc. Dads with kids playing sport will find a portable tire inflator a major convenience for training or game day. Then too, are the campers. If you’ve ever tried to inflate an air mattress you know how much fun it is not. A portable tire inflator will be a great emergency device for a flat tire, but also invaluable for campers and those involved in many sports.

Max PSI – Before you consider choosing a tire inflator you need to understand how PSI works. PSI stands for “pounds per square inch” and it refers to the pressure in your tires. Most passenger cars tires range from 30 – 40 PSI and obviously, the larger the vehicle and tires, the more PSI. Aim to have a tire inflator with a maximum PSI of about 50 so that you can use it for a variety of tires and other applications. Keep in mind though, that just because your tires may have a Max PSI of 40, doesn’t mean you should inflate your tires to that level. When you over-inflate tires, less of their surface area is on the road which is not desirable. Check your car’s specifications for the best PSI for the types of tires on your car. Many tire inflators will boast a Max PSI of over 100, but you will rarely need to go this high, especially with a normal passenger car.

Analog/Digital – The gauge of a tire inflator is one of the most important features as it indicates the pressure in your tires as you are inflating them. While an analog gauge is simple and easy to read, some people prefer to choose a digital gauge. Both are accurate but digital gauges offer more information. The question to ask is if you want or need to know all the additional readings. There is a benefit to choosing a digital tire inflator and that is that many of them have an auto-shutoff feature. This eliminates the need to keep your eye on the gauge as you can preset the PSI you want for your tires and the tire inflator will automatically turn itself off when the desired PSI is reached.

Temperature Limiter – We all know tires are made of rubber and that this material reacts differently depending on the temperature. This also means it may be difficult to inflate your tires, even with an accurate PSI gauge. The ambient temperature can give you a different reading so a good tire inflator should also have a temperature limiter. This feature is able to take the ambient temperature into account to determine the best optimal PSI for your tires.

Cool Down – Inflating tires can take a strain on the motor of many tire inflators and with some you may need to play the waiting game. The motor of the tire inflator may become quite hot and this means you will need to wait for it to cool down before you use it again. If your tire inflator has its own built-in cool down feature, this will only take a few minutes. Otherwise, you could be in for a long wait between uses. This may be quite considerable if you live in a hot region of the world. Some tire inflators only have a short working cycle before they need to be cooled, while others can operate for a considerable length of time before needing a break. Check for both single operating time and cooling down period before choosing the right tire inflator for yourself.

Inflate Time – Anyone who has experienced a flat tire will tell you that they always seem to happen when you have the least amount of time to deal with them. Imagine running late for work or an important meeting and being greeted with a flat tire. Or you’re on your way and you suddenly realize you have a flat. This can be monumentally frustrating. Some tire inflators work faster than others so if you’re one of those people who is always rushing around, you want your tire in drivable condition fast. Check the specifications for the inflate time so you know how long the tire inflator will take to get you moving again.

Tire Inflator FAQ

Q: How do I find the PSI of my tires?

A: The most obvious place to find the PSI of your tires is in the owner’s manual. However, most people tend to keep these in a drawer in their homes and tend to throw them out when they sell their cars. This often means when you buy a used car, it may not come with an owner’s manual. The next best place to look is in the door jam of your car, under the hood or on the door of the fuel tank. You’ll find a good deal of information and specifications about your car and the PSI is one of them.

Q: How do I check the PSI of my tires?

A: Checking the PSI of your tires is relatively easy, especially if you have a tire inflator with you. The first thing you need to do is find the recommended PSI of your tires. The average range for sedans would be a PSI of 27 to 32. Once you have that information, remove the cap from the valve of your tire. You will then place the air pressure gauge over the valve, making sure it fits snugly over the valve. The PSI of the tire should be showing regardless of whether the gauge is analog or digital. Most tire inflators double as gauges so you will be able to inflate or deflate your tires to achieve the optimal PSI. Once you’ve checked the PSI of your tires, replace the valve cap.

Q: How do I inflate my tires safely?

A: Before you do anything with your car tires, make sure you are safe. If you are at home in your garage or driveway, you should be quite safe. However, if you need to inflate your tires on a public road, make sure your car is not obstructing traffic. Move as far to the side of the road as you can or turn into a side street with less traffic, if that’s possible of course. If you have a safety hazard triangle in your car, set it up some distance in front of your car so oncoming traffic can be alerted to a problem ahead.

Once you are certain you can inflate your tire safely, bring out your tire inflator and set is up as per the instruction manual. The first thing to do is to check the PSI of your tire. Preselect the desired PSI and following the instruction manual, start inflating your tire. Once you are done, quickly and safely pack up your tire inflator and retrieve your safety hazard triangle (if you set it ahead of traffic). Return to your car and safely drive away.

A tire inflator is a crucial piece of equipment to have in your car at all times for the simple reason that it can get you moving fast in the event of a flat tire. While you may be able to call for roadside assistance, this can often take hours to arrive and no one likes to be stranded, especially on a lonely road at night. If you don’t already have a tire inflator, the bow is a great time to consider choosing one from our selection.