10 Best Portable Air Compressors for Cars in 2021

You might have felt the need to buy a portable compressor for your car lately because it is vital to carry on a road trip. Do you feel a lot of hassle in searching for a gas station in the middle of the trip? Are you scared of getting stuck in the middle of the highway just because your tire got punctured? 

Well, that will not be a matter of concern if you have one of the portable compressors for cars that the market provides at your disposal. We know that the market trends might confuse you; therefore, we have shared our detailed reviews and buyer’s guide below to help you in the best way possible.

Before sharing the comprehensive reviews, we think it would be better to give you a much-refined view of the market by sharing the best features of our top picks. Once you go through them, you will have an idea of what you have at your disposal.

Disclaimer – This article may contain affiliate links, this means that at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission for qualifying purchases.

You now have the idea of the ideal features that you can get in the top-notch portable compressor for cars as per their demand. However, we understand that you want a much wider picture to better evaluate your choices; that’s why we have shared our detailed reviews below.

1. EPAuto Portable Compressor for Cars

EPAuto Portable Compressor for Cars is among the most reliable compressors you can get for your road trips. Since it is 1.8 pounds only, carrying it on a road trip won’t be much of a hassle. The best part is that the makers have aligned all features while ensuring that they provide a simpler and more operational user-interface.

To make this possible, they have added a 9ft. long power cord featuring a 12V DC cigarette lighter plug. Along with that, the built-in LED lights have further eased the use in a dim-lit area.

Although it is not an issue usually, the ability of this compressor to draw up to 15 amps might cause you to go through fuses if your cigarette lighter is unable to handle such power. Furthermore, the maximum working pressure of 70PSI only makes this compressor ideal for cars but not for truck tires.

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Pros

• Easy-to-read digital display
• Built-in LED lights
• Long power cord
• Remarkable inflation speed of 1.06CFM

Cons

• Might go through some fuses

2. ARB CKMTP12 Portable Compressor for Cars

ARB CKMTP12 Portable Compressor for Cars is designed for heavy-duty usage and is an ideal choice for inflating SUVs tires, truck tires, and other heavy vehicles in the most efficient and sleek way. Offering a one-hour incredible duty-cycle, this compressor does not usually get overheated while you are using it. Since the company offers a 20ft. long air hose, your tire and vehicle size will never be an issue with this one. 

Featuring an integrated aluminum air tank and a pressure regulating switch, this compressor can conveniently regulate pressure between 135PSI and 150PSI. Along with that, a whopping 4.65CFM airflow at 29PSI makes this compressor inflate your tires in a matter of minutes. Albeit the features this compressor offers at your disposal, its heavier weight and price factor make it unsuitable for those short on budget.  

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Pros

• Higher airflow rate
• Higher maximum working pressure
• Waterproof case
• Longer air hose

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavyweight

3. HausBell Portable Air Compressor for Cars

HausBell Portable Air Compressor for Cars is the most reliable choice for those users who are short on budget but don’t want to compromise on quality. This cost-effective compressor offers you 150PSI maximum working pressure, so you can go for it irrespective of your vehicle. 

Its smaller size and lighter weight make it convenient for you to carry this compressor on a road trip. Therefore, you can think of it as an ideal compressor to carry with your car or bike. Since the power cord is 9.8ft. long, and the air hose is around 2ft. long, you can conveniently use it for a compact car. 

Nevertheless, refilling an SUV’s tire might be difficult with this one due to the shorter length of the air hose. Although the company promises to offer a 35L/minute flow rate, this compressor will not be as fast as its compressors, as it might take around five minutes to inflate a 195/55/R15 tire. Along with that, a lesser duty cycle can also be seen as a caveat here.

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Pros

• 3-year warranty
• 150PSI maximum pressure
• affordable
• Digital pressure gauge
• Three additional nozzles included

Cons

• Lesser duty cycle

4. BLACK + DECKER BDINF20C Portable Compressor for Cars

Being cordless, the BLACK + DECKER BDINF20C is an ideal choice as a portable compressor for cars. It is often seen that the cord limits you to reach your tires conveniently, so those of you who are tired of facing this problem will find this as an ideal choice. Albeit being cordless, this compressor can also be connected to your 12V cigarette lighter or 120V AC supply that is often found in cars these days.

Featuring auto-shutoff features, this compressor’s optimal pressure can be preset to avoid your tires getting overinflated. Along with that, the threaded chuck helps keep the air valve’s connection intact. Featuring a digital pressure gauge, this compressor makes it pretty convenient for you to observe the readings.

Overall, this portable compressor can be a considerable choice for multiple tasks and help you get the most done in not just your home but when you are out on wheels.

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Pros

• 2-year warranty
• Large volume hose
• Compact
• Digital pressure gauge

Cons

• Battery and charger are not included in the pack.

5. VIAIR 88P Portable Car Air Compressor

VIAIR 88P Portable Compressor for Cars can be considered a good choice that is available among the mid-range compressor. Offering a maximum working pressure of 120PSI, this compressor can fill a 225/60/R18 tire from zero to 30PSI in under 3 minutes. Therefore, it can be considered a bad deal. 

Since the power cord is around 9ft. reaching the tires won’t be tough with this one. Along with that, the presence of an LED light is also a big plus, as that ensures you continue your work in a low-light area as well. 

Unlike many of its competitors, this compressor is connected to the battery instead of a cigarette lighter. Since it features a 3-piece accessory set, you can use it for inflating several other objects like boats and mattresses as well. So, it can be thought of as a versatile choice. However, this tire lacks an auto-off feature, so you might end up over-inflating your tire if you are a novice user.

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Pros

• LED light included
• 120PSI maximum pressure
• Multi-purpose

Cons

• Analog pressure gauge can be difficult to read.

6. Kensun Kensun-EHRComp-A58B Portable Air Compressor for Cars

Kensun Kensun-EHRComp-A58B is among the best portable compressor for cars. So, it won’t be wrong to say that you can conveniently carry it on your road trips. Since it features additional adapters, you can use it for inflating other inflatables like pools, mattresses, and balls as well. 

It can be operated using a cigarette lighter jack and a simple household power supply, so you can use it while you’re on wheels or stationed somewhere. The makers have added both AC and DC power input options, so the functionality is pretty flexible with this variant. 

Offering a 30 minutes duty cycle at 30PSI won’t be a bad deal if you consider that while picking this compressor. However, the lack of any digital pressure gauge might make it difficult for novice owners who are not aware of the right way to read an analog gauge.

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Pros

• LED flashlight included
• 2-year warranty
• AC/DC operation
• Three additional accessory nozzles included

Cons

• Low CFM output
• Analog pressure gauge can be difficult to read.

7. Avid Power ACAP110D Portable Compressor for Cars

Avid Power ACAP110D Portable Compressor for Cars is among the most reliable cordless compressors that you can carry on your road trips. If you are among those customers who find using a corded compressor too complex, this compressor is your go-to option. 

Featuring a 20V battery, this compressor allows you to inflate the tire of any compact car or bike. Since the pack contains three extra nozzles, you can use it as a multi-purpose compressor for your household inflatables as well.

Featuring a maximum pressure of 100PSI, this compressor would not be suitable for large trucks and SUVs but would be ideal for compact cars. Along with the cordless function, the makers have also added a 12V power socket feature that can be connected to your cigarette lighter. Overall, this compressor would be a decent choice for your road trips.

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Pros

• 2-year warranty
• Cordless
• Compact design
• Digital pressure gauge

Cons 

• Does not work for large truck and SUVs
• Poor battery life

8. AUTLEAD C2 Portable Compressor for Cars

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AUTLEAD C2 Portable Compressor for Cars is among the ideal portable compressors you can consider carrying on a road trip. What favors here is its lightweight and compact design, making it an ergonomic choice for extended use. Offering a whopping maximum working pressure of 150PSI, this compressor can inflate a 135/70R14 tire from 20 to 30PSI in hardly 40 seconds.

The remarkable inflation speed of 1.43CFM is quite decent in this range. The makers have designed this compressor as an ideal choice for compact cars, as it will run at 35PSI for straight 30-minutes without getting overheated. All of this efficiency is achieved due to the hyper cooling system in this compressor. 

Moreover, the presence of a digital pressure gauge makes it easier for novice owners to read the scales. Nevertheless, the shorter power cord and air hose might restrict you from refilling all tires conveniently. Further, it only contains a 12V DC input option, so the lack of a 110V AC socket option can cause certain limitations.

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Pros

• Higher inflating speed
• Maximum working pressure 150PSI 
• An advanced hyper cooling system

Cons

• Not suitable for truck tires
• Lack of an AC socket might cause certain limitations.

9. TIREWELL Portable Tire Inflator

TIREWELL Portable Compressor for Cars is thought of as an ideal choice for heavy-duty use and is generally selected when you are looking for a reliable compressor for your truck tires. Featuring a double cylinder direct drive inflation pump, this compressor helps you inflate your vehicle’s tires at a whopping speed.

Featuring a maximum air pressure of 150PSI and a 50L/min flow rate, this compressor is capable of inflating a standard tire from zero to 35PSI in hardly 2-minutes. This won’t be a bad deal if you own an RV, SUV, or any other truck.

The makers have added a coiled air hose to make the application hassle-free and provide an easier to manage interface. To offer greater flexibility in plugging your compressor, the makers have added battery clamps along with a cigarette lighter adapter, so you can go for the option that suits you most.

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Pros

• Can inflate tires with up to 35-inch diameter
• Long power cord
• Durable

Cons

• It does not include LED lights.
• Heavyweight

10. PI AUTO STORE PIAS002 Portable Air Compressor for Cars

PI AUTO STORE PIAS002 Portable Compressor for Cars can be chosen for a compact car or a bike if you are looking for a reliable choice in the mid-range. This is an ideal 12V DC compressor that offers you a flow rate of 35L/min. Although this flow rate is lesser than its competitors, you can consider this compressor due to the reliability of the manufacturer’s services.

It takes around 3-minutes to fill a mid-sized tire at 35PSI with this compressor. The presence of a backlit LCD display allows you to take the readings even in a low-lit area conveniently. Further, the auto-shutoff feature helps you manage the tire’s inflation and avoid it from getting over-inflated. 

The light weightiness of this compressor, along with all other features, makes this compressor portable enough for your road trips. 

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Pros 

• Auto-shutoff feature included
• LED flashlight
• Multifunction
• Digital pressure gauge

Cons

• Can get overheated while using

A Guide to Buying Portable Compressors for Cars

Since you have gone through our buyer’s guide, we know that you have an idea of what the market has to offer you. Nevertheless, it is pretty genuine to have queries regarding the ways you could narrow down your choices and pick the best portable compressor for your car. You must be thinking of how we were able to select the aforementioned compressors. 

There were certain factors that we evaluated before picking these compressors. We have shared the details regarding those factors in our buyer’s guide below. So, you should go through them at least once to frame your choice in a better way.

PSI (pounds per square inch)

PSI is the reading that you should evaluate while you pick the compressor for your tire. The PSI value suitable for a particular tire is mainly mentioned on the label, so you can check it there. Once you are aware of your tire’s PSI, you can conveniently pick the compressor that has this reading in its range. Generally, compact cars require 35PSI, so you can buy a 70, 100, 120, or 150PSI compressor for them.

Weight

Since you are in search of a portable compressor, you should buy those that are lightweight, as they are easier to carry. Nevertheless, some of the heavy-duty ones are heavier, but mostly, compressors are pretty lightweight.

Power Cord & Air Hose

It is vital to check the power cord and air hose length. A longer power cord and air hose make it convenient for you to inflate all tires; however, a smaller one can restrict inflation. This is usually a problem when you have larger vehicles.

Duty Cycle

The duty cycle defines the time period for which the compressor will work without getting overheated. The ideal compressors are those which does not get overheated after extended use in one go. The main reason behind that is the fact that you want a portable option that is ergonomic as well so that you can use it whenever you want and save time.

Wrapping It Up

Since now you are aware of the features you should evaluate while you buy a portable compressor for your car, buying one would become an easy-peasy job. You should understand that having well-inflated tires are very crucial when you are on a road trip, as that helps you have a safe driving experience. Under-inflated tires often increase fuel consumption and are not acceptable in any way.

So, a portable compressor is always a better choice in such cases. Further, the versatile nozzles that the companies add these days make the compressor pretty functional for your household inflatables as well. These are mainly your basketball, football, swimming pools, air mattresses, and others. So, once you know the right portable compressor, your life would become easier than you think.