The best car tire air pumps of 2024
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Don’t wait until you reach a gas station to take care of your tires. These great car tire air pumps can help you out in a pinch. Cars rely on inflated rubber tires to get around without damaging the components inside of them. Tires aren’t 100% leakproof, though, and over time air does leave the tire, causing it to become deflated. Deflated tires are dangerous, and drivers should always be on the lookout for signs that their vehicle may have a flat tire.
If you don’t want the hassle of driving to a gas station or a repair shop to inflate your car’s tires, take matters into your own hands with one of our favorite car tire air pumps. They’re strong, allowing you to pump the necessary air into your tires, and the great part is that they’re portable, too. If this sounds like something you’d like to add to your car’s emergency maintenance kit, then take a look at these five car tire air pumps we think could make your life a whole lot easier.
Top car tire air pumps worth considering in 2022
GSPSCN Dual Cylinder Air Compressor: Our pick
This GSPSCN dual cylinder air compressor starts our list off strong, and it’s just as powerful as it looks. It can run on power from your car’s outlet, letting you use it wherever and whenever you need to, and it also comes with a complete tire inflation kit, giving you everything you’ll need to inflate your tires right out of the box. The kit includes a hose, an extension hose for hard-to-reach areas, various adapters, and even some clamps and cables. All of this fits nicely inside a provided carrying bag, making this kit a great gift for someone who’s always on the road.
Pros
Fast tire inflation
Accessories, adapters and carrying case included
Built-in LED light for late-night use
Cons
Possible inaccuracies with pressure gauge
Slime 40050 12V Portable Car Air Compressor: Another great option
There are many things to learn when you first start driving, and it can be difficult to get used to everything. Some new drivers might feel overwhelmed using things such as air compressors and tire inflators, but fortunately there are some designed specifically for easy use-- they’re so easy, in fact, that you’ll only need to push one button to use them. This one-button tire inflator from Slime is great for someone who doesn’t want to be bogged down with extra features. It has an easy-to-spot green button that can be pressed at any time, as well as an air pressure gauge that tells it when to stop. The inflator also comes with an LED light that can help with visibility if you’re using it in dim lighting or at night.
Pros
Simple, one-button design
Small and compact, easy to store
The adapter included for various non-tire uses
Cons
No handles for carrying
EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump: Also consider
Many air compressors use an analog gauge to display pressure, but some modern compressors use a digital display instead. The advantage of a digital display is that it’s often easier to read, and with LED lighting you won’t have to shine a light on the gauge at night. This EPAuto portable air compressor has a bright LED display, making it easy to check tire pressure no matter the time of day (or night). This compressor pump is available in four different colors (red, blue, yellow, and green), and its large LED light can be pointed with the help of a conveniently-placed handle. It can light up your garage for some late-night car maintenance, and overall it’s a solid product with a nice digital display.
Pros
Easy-to-read digital display
Universal valve connector, adapters included
Automatically shuts off when desired pressure reached
Cons
Not intended for use with truck tires
VacLife Air Compressor Tire Inflator: Another option
Among all the air compressors and tire inflators on our list, this one from VacLife is probably the nicest looking. It has a modern, minimalist look to it, but its good looks don’t come at a high price-- what’s most surprising about this air compressor is that it’s relatively inexpensive, and won’t set you back more than $40. This compressor has an easy-to-read digital display and various buttons for controlling its settings that nicely fit the device’s design. It comes with needles and nozzle adapters for pumping air into most inflatable objects, but it can’t handle anything higher than 50 PSI (pounds per square inch), so it’s probably not a good choice if you’re looking for something to inflate your large truck’s tires.
Pros
Sleek, compact design
Multiple nozzles for various uses
Automatically shuts off when finished inflating
Cons
Buttons are hard to see at night