Portable air compressor recommendations?

[Brainonska511]

I'm looking for a portable air compressor to keep in my sedan's trunk, for emergencies or the occassional tire topping up. It seems like there could be a lot of garbage on Amazon, and I don't want to get stuck somewhere one day with something unreliable. Anyone have any recommendations for something under $100 that would fit the bill?

 

[NutBucket]

Viair is what you want. Like this:

88P Portable Compressor

A compact and reliable compressor that can handle tires up to 33". The 88P is our most popular medium-duty tire inflator, and it's ideal for new and experienced off-roaders looking for a fast and dependable unit that will not break the bank.

www.viaircorp.com

 

[pauldun170]

This little fella is what I have. Zero complaints

12V 100 PSI High Volume Air Inflator

Amazing deals on this 12V 100Psi High Volume Air Inflator at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[repoman0]

I have a Viair one which is fine, but more recently bought the Milwaukee M12 one since I have other M12 battery powered tools. Not being tethered to a 12V socket is pretty great, would recommend especially if you are bought into the Milwaukee or Dewalt or ryobi or whatever power tool battery system already.

 

[RichieZ]

I have a Viair one which is fine, but more recently bought the Milwaukee M12 one since I have other M12 battery powered tools. Not being tethered to a 12V socket is pretty great, would recommend especially if you are bought into the Milwaukee or Dewalt or ryobi or whatever power tool battery system already.

+1 on this, have the ryobi version and being cordless is awesome

 

[BoomerD]

I have a Viair one which is fine, but more recently bought the Milwaukee M12 one since I have other M12 battery powered tools. Not being tethered to a 12V socket is pretty great, would recommend especially if you are bought into the Milwaukee or Dewalt or ryobi or whatever power tool battery system already.

+1 on this, have the ryobi version and being cordless is awesome

Those are both fine...as long as you have charged batteries along with you...the viair compressors look pretty nice. I have a Ridgid 6 gallon pancake compressor for home use...but one of those would be pretty handy if you're on the road. (and the tire is just low, not completely flat/ruined.)

 

[Torn Mind]

Generally speaking, portable air compressors die because people go above the duty cycle of the device. Then the heat destroys the mechanism that makes compressed air.

Now, if you really don't have many instances of reinflating tires, cheap can be fine.

 

[Brainonska511]

Generally speaking, portable air compressors die because people go above the duty cycle of the device. Then the heat destroys the mechanism that makes compressed air.

Now, if you really don't have many instances of reinflating tires, cheap can be fine.

I have a real air compressor for home use. I'm just looking for something for an emergency kit - like a slow leak, a minor top up in winter, or say a true flat and the spare just needs a little extra air because it sat so long in the trunk.

 

[NutBucket]

I've used my Viairs to inflate tires well beyond specified. The direct battery connection makes a big difference.

The extra cost definitely buys quality.

 

[gorobei]

i bought a Viair a couple of years ago based on recommendations from here. still going strong for the few times i need it. the wired 12v is a little annoying but fine for most med sized cars.

there are a bunch of videos on yt of this style pump teardowns. most of these things are using the same casting for the motor/chamber housing so the main difference will be diaphragm material and maybe planetary gearbox materials, so unless AvE decides to tear some down to test for the plastic/rubber type we will probably never be able to distinguish between versions.

 

[mindless1]

The little tool battery powered inflators are handy, but very slow and you shouldn't run them more than a minute or two at a time, which may mean stopping to let it cool down before finishing (depending on the job).

I'd get the biggest Viair the budget allows for keeping one in a vehicle, then if you want a tool battery powered unit, get one of those too for smaller around the house jobs like a bicycle tire or wheelbarrow, lawn spreader, riding mower, sport foot/basket/soccer ball, etc.