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Best portable air compressors for 2021

Best portable air compressors for 2021



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It's usually easy enough to use the compressed air machine available at your local gas station, but despite that, too many people are still riding around on under-inflated tires. Luckily, it's easier and more affordable than ever to get your own air compressor and top off your tires in your very own driveway, but with so many portable air compressors out there on the market, we decided to compile a list of some of the "best." Of course, everyone has their own idea of what the "best" air compressor is, so this list is based on user ratings and reviews from all across the web.

TEROMAS Tire Inflator Air Compressor - $49.99

Key features

  • Plugs into a car's 12V cigarette lighter port or a 110/120V wall plug

  • Includes four nozzle adaptors for use with cars, RVs, motorcycles, air mattresses, bike tires and more

  • Accuracy of shown pressure is +/- 3 psi

  • Up to 150 psi

  • Automatically turns off once the pre-set pressure has been achieved

  • Features a bright backlit LCD display

Featured five-star review:

"This is a great choice for a compact tire air compressor. It is both AC & DC compatible [and] has a useful built-in light [for] using it at dusk or at night. The accuracy is stated to be + or - 3 psi. That is close enough and can be adjusted as needed if checked with an accurate tire pressure gauge. The time it takes to top off or inflate tires is quicker than I expected it to be... I had a seldom used vehicle that all tires were low [on]... one may have [had] a puncture with the nail still in. It was flat and registered zero pressure when I selected 30psi and started the Teromas unit... in six minutes the unit shut off with the tire inflated to 29psi on my tire gauge. The maximum continuous run time for the unit is 10 minutes... and cooling times between use to fill tires is recommended if total accumulated run times would exceed 10 minutes. I let the unit cool a few minutes between each tire serviced. It took about 2-3 minutes per tire for the three that registered about 15psi to start. I would definitely recommend this unit to a friend and I would buy this product again if it fails after the one year warranty the manufacturer offers if you register your purchase with them online." - Amazon reviewer, grantg2


AVID POWER Tire Inflator Air Compressor - $62.99 (21% off)

Key features

  • For use with car tires, motorcycle tires, bike tires, inflatable sports balls, pool toys and more

  • Not suitable for large truck tires

  • Accuracy of shown pressure is +/- 1 psi

  • Automatically turns off once the pre-set pressure has been achieved

  • Powered by a rechargeable battery pack or a 12V car power adapter

  • Includes a carrying bag

Featured five-star review:

"Just received it today from Amazon and took it to the garage to try. It was easy to use: Plug it in, attach to your tire, turn it on and select psi by pressing the 'on' button repeatedly. Set the air pressure you want with the "+" and "-" buttons, press the trigger and it adds exactly the psi you want and then stops. This item works as advertised. I used it to air up all four of my tires and the whole process took less [than] ten minutes." - Amazon reviewer, MW


FORTEM Digital Tire Inflator - $29.99

Key features

  • Plugs into your car outlet

  • Includes three nozzle attachments for sports balls, air mattresses, bike tires and more

  • Includes a built-in LED flashlight for nighttime emergencies

  • Includes a one-year warranty

  • Includes carrying case

Featured five-star review: