Best portable tire inflators

A portable inflator is a small air compressor you can carry in the car. It makes regular pressure checks easy and can get a slowly leaking tire (tyre) back to the right pressure so you can reach a tire shop. We chose these from published reviews and manufacturer specs; we haven't tested them ourselves yet.

Our picks

Best for most drivers (UK)

Ring RTC4000

Approximate price: About £60

• Rechargeable, USB-C charging
• Also runs from a 3m 12V cable
• Digital auto-stop, stores 4 pressures
• PSI, bar or kPa; LED light

What Car? gave it five stars and named it its best tyre inflator. In its test it reached 2.2 bar (32 psi) in just under five minutes, managed three full inflations on a charge and read the pressure exactly. It is heavier than some rivals at 758g, and What Car? found the connector fiddly to fit. Auto Express found it slow on battery power but much quicker plugged into the car's 12V socket.

See it at ringautomotive.com ↗

Fastest compact

NOCO AL5

• Built-in lithium battery, USB-C
• Auto-stop at your set pressure
• Up to 130 psi
• LCD screen and LED light

What Car? also gave it five stars: it was the fastest in the test, reaching 2.2 bar (32 psi) in 4 minutes 14 seconds, with three full inflations per charge and good build quality. The downsides are weight, noise and price, and its gauge read about 4.5% low, so check it against a separate gauge. NOCO says one charge covers up to six car tires.

See it at no.co ↗

Best value if you own Ryobi tools (US)

Ryobi 18V ONE+ High Pressure Digital Inflator (PCL001B)

Approximate price: About $25 tool only, $99 with battery and charger

• Runs on Ryobi 18V ONE+ batteries
• Up to 160 psi
• Digital gauge with auto shutoff
• Battery and charger sold separately

If you already have Ryobi 18V batteries, this is a cheap way to get a cordless inflator with a digital gauge and auto shutoff. We did not find an independent test of this model, so this pick is based on Ryobi's specs. Without a battery you already own, the kit price makes the compact units above better value.

See it at ryobitools.com ↗

Most versatile

DeWalt 20V MAX DCC020IB

• Runs on a DeWalt 20V MAX battery, 12V car socket or household AC
• Digital gauge, auto shutoff in high-pressure mode
• High-volume inflate and deflate mode
• Tool only: battery, charger and AC adapter sold separately

Three power sources mean it never has to run flat: use the battery in the driveway and the 12V cord on the road. ToolGuyd's hands-on review found it highly recommendable but expensive compared with other cordless and 12V inflators. It is bulkier than a compact pump, so it suits a garage or a big trunk better than a glovebox.

See it at dewalt.com ↗

What to look for

• Auto-stop. You set the target pressure and the pump switches off when it gets there. All four picks have it. It stops you over-inflating and means you don't have to watch the gauge.
• Accuracy. Most read close to the true pressure, but What Car? found one five-star model read about 4.5% low. A cheap separate tire gauge lets you check.
• Speed and stamina. What Car?'s rechargeable models took about four to six and a half minutes to reach 2.2 bar (32 psi) and managed two to four full inflations per charge. If you have big SUV or truck tires, choose one of the faster, larger units.
• Battery or 12V, or both. A built-in battery is the most convenient, but it can run flat. Auto Express found the Ring RTC4000 roughly twice as fast on 12V as on battery. A model that does both is the safest bet for roadside use.
• Tool-battery platforms. If you already own Ryobi, DeWalt, Makita or similar tools, the bare inflator is cheap. Without the batteries, it is not.
• Hose and connector. A longer hose is easier to reach the valve with. Screw-on (threaded) connectors seal well but take a moment to fit; What Car? found some connectors awkward for people with limited hand strength.
• Size and storage. Compact units fit in a door pocket or glovebox. Lithium batteries do not like extreme heat, so in a heat wave keep it out of a parked car where you can.

Using one safely

1. Find the right pressure on the sticker in the driver's door frame or in your owner's manual. Front and rear can differ.
2. Check when the tires are cold. Pressure rises as tires warm up, so a reading after a long drive looks higher than it really is.
3. Fit the connector firmly to the valve, set the target pressure and start the pump.
4. Check all four tires, and the spare if you have one.
5. If a tire keeps losing air, have it checked at a tire shop. If it is badly damaged or goes flat again within minutes, do not drive on it.

For a step-by-step guide, see how to check tire pressure. If the dashboard tire light is on, our tire pressure light guide explains what it means and how urgent it is.