Hand-held tire inflators are great... for about two minutes. An air compressor tire inflator is the answer to all your problems. Utilizing a powerful, electric motor to generate pressurized air, an air compressor tire inflator makes quick work of inflating car tires, trailer tires, bike, and motorcycle tires. They can even blow up that air mattress in the basement the next time Aunt Marge pays an unexpected visit. We gave our lungs and arms a rest, plugged in all the different varieties of air compressor tire inflators, and found the best of the best. Here, we present to you the best air compressor tire inflators. VacLife Portable Air Compressor Get A (Vac)LifeSimplicity, ease-of-use, portability, and a super cool design make the VacLife Portable Air Compressor our favorite.Best OverallFind on Amazon The VacLife Portable Air Compressor not only looks like it walked off the set of Star Wars, it acts like it, too. But even with its futuristic appearance, it’s simple to use. Simply plug it in, connect it to your tire, dial in the required PSI, and push the On button. The VacLife Portable Air Compressor does the rest. When it’s finished, you disconnect the hose and you’re on your way. A built-in 11.9-foot extension cord means you’re never too far away from an outlet, while the bright LED light in front helps you inflate quickly if you’re stuck in the dark. Pros: Available in two colors Comes with 3 additional nozzles Never worry about over-inflating thanks to the auto-shutoff feature Cons: Not for trucks Noisy EPAuto Portable Air Compressor Not Full Of Hot AirWith its dual-functionality as an air compressor tire inflator and a pneumatic source for power tools, the EPAuto Portable Air Compressor covers all the bases.Runner UpFind on Amazon With a rugged 12-volt DC motor, the EPAuto Portable Air Compressor has more power than many of its competitors, making it a great air compressor for both inflating tires and powering pneumatic drills and other tools. That said, it’s still designed to handle cars with engines at 3.5 liters or less. It’s extra convenient with an easy-to-read display and it’s safe with its patented auto-shutoff switch that prevents over-inflating. Equipped with a 12V-DC cigarette lighter socket cable, it’s also the perfect unit to keep in your car trunk for emergencies. Pros: Also runs on AAA batteries Integrated LED flashlight CE Certified Cons: Not compatible with wall outlets Threaded nozzle strips easily Fortem Digital Tire Inflator Air To GoA self-contained unit weighing only 2 pounds and about the size of a sheet of paper, the Fortem Digital Tire Inflator packs up convenience to go.Most PortableFind on Amazon The Fortem Digital Tire Inflator is another air compressor tire inflator with a “set it and forget it” design: simply plug it into your car’s outlet, attach it to the tire, set the air pressure, and turn it on. However, what separates the Fortem Digital Tire Inflator from the rest is how compact and lightweight it is. At under two pounds and measuring 8″ by 6.5″ by 3″, it’s one of the smallest, most portable units you can buy. But don’t be fooled by its size: its 12-volt motor is capable of generating 150 PSI, while the powerful integrated LED light has both flashlight and floodlight modes. Pros: 1-year warranty Carrying case included 3 nozzle attachments Cons: Car plug-powered only Continuous working time is limited to 8 minutes Slime 2X Direct Drive Tire Inflator Slime TimeWith its dual-cylinder direct drive inflator and the power to fill a car tire in 2 minutes, the Slime 2X Direct Drive Tire Inflator has you covered.Best Heavy DutyFind on Amazon Unlike most air compressor tire inflators, the Slime’s 2x Heavy-Duty Tire Inflator is equipped with a dual-piston motor for powerful inflation. These twin cylinders are capable of inflating truck tires and can inflate a car tire in 2 minutes. “Direct Drive” means the unit can hook up directly to your car battery with the two included clips. And, with a combined cable length of 30 feet, there’s always plenty of space to get the job done. It also comes with an inline pressure gauge, which you can leave on the unit or take off to use independently. All pieces fit snugly in a rugged carrying case that you can toss in your trunk and not worry about. Pros: Twist-on tire connector Aluminum carrying handle on the unit Long, coiled hose Cons: No automatic shutoff Can overheat Black & Decker 20V MAX Cordless Tire Inflator Cordless ConvenienceFor mobile applications - like the trunk of your car - the Black & Decker 20V MAX Cordless Tire Inflator provides 160 PSI with the convenience of battery power.Best CordlessFind on Amazon Leave it to Black & Decker to design the cordless air compressor tire inflator we love the most. With its powerful, 120-volt AC motor, it can generate up to 160 PSI, yet still sports all the compact convenience of a cordless appliance. Featuring both high volume and high-pressure outlets, this inflator allows you to preset your required PSI. Then, once the desired pressure is reached, the unit will shut off automatically. A bright digital LED also displays PSI for manual operation. As with most Black & Decker cordless tools, the battery and charger are not included. However, as part of the MAX tool line, it uses the same battery and charger as all other MAX tools, making this a perfect solution if you’re already a fan of Black & Decker tools. Pros: 2-year limited warranty Several valve attachments included Includes cigarette lighter power adapter Cons: Doesn’t come with a battery or charger Low battery life on high-pressure applications Frequently Asked Questions Where does the air come from in an air compressor? Air compressors are designed to pull air from the outside into a container and then pressurize it, usually by forcing the air into a smaller chamber. The air is then forced through a final opening, typically a valve at the end of a hose (like the one you use to inflate your tire). It’s really an ingenious way of taking still air and giving it enough pressure to basically lift a car. Do air compressors expire? The tank does expire eventually. You should be able to find an expiration date stamped on the side of the tank. Most air compressors function just fine after the expiration date, but it’s good to take it in for maintenance around that time. If you’re shopping for a portable unit like the ones mentioned here, see if you can find the tank’s expiration date in the sales materials. How do I know if I’ve pumped up my tire enough? The suggested amount of air pressure – called PSI (pounds per square inch) – is printed on the outside tire wall of every tire. Find that number first before you start inflating. Some air compressor tire inflators come with a built-in pressure meter, which will tell you the PSI as you inflate. If you don’t have a built-in one, a good pressure gauge is inexpensive and easy to use.