If you just bought your first truck and want to make sure you drive safely over the road, you need to understand the importance of truck tire pressure.
Maintaining the correct level of pressure in your tires ensures the truck performs as intended and helps you to save on fuel. In addition to that, you decrease road noise and improve your safety.
Every truck owner should own a portable air compressor.
Most semi-truck owners know the saying “Jack of all trades, master of none?” It’s true. You can take it to a whole new level with truck tires.
The truck owner is expected to be master of:
- Hubs and brakes
- Belts, hoses, and electrical systems
- Clutch
- Drive trains
- Tires and wheels
Bottom line: if you’re driving a truck, you’re expected to know everything about tires!
If you’re like me, you don’t want to know it all. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used a portable air compressor.
It’s so nice to use and makes it easy to fill up tires on my car, bicycles, and motorcycles.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Viair 40047 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor Kit | Best Overall |  |
| Ryobi P737 18-Volt ONE+ Portable Cordless Power Inflator | Budget Pick |  |
| PORTER-CABLE Air Compressor Kit | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Viair 40047 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor Kit
Pros:
- Can inflate tires and other air-filled objects
- Pretty quiet
- Durable construction
- Leak-free storage bag
- Automatic shut-off
- A few great added features
Check before purchasing. This is the cheapest online price.
We believe the Viair 40047 may be the best way to top if you are in the market for a portable air compressor. This can inflate tires AND other air-inflated objects.
It uses a continuous duty 120-volt motor to crank air into your car, truck, boat, or motorcycle…or whatever. It can pump up to 300 PSI and comes with everything you need to get started (except for an air hose). If you need a hose, it’s up to you to buy one.
2. Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor
This Viair 00088 is a great compressor. It doesn’t require any installation, and can inflate your tired in a matter of minutes. It’s self-contained, and needs no external air to run. The cool thing about this model is it has an air-control regulator that will allow you to inflate to a maximum pressure of 60 PSI, but it also includes an onboard gauge so you can control the pressure. This is a great feature, as a portable air compressor can cause damage to your tires if you set the pressure too high.
This amazing piece of equipment comes with a 25-foot air hose, so you don’t need to worry about moving the compressor around. There’s also an air coupler included for inflating two tires at the same time. It’s powered by a 12-volt power cord, so it’s compatible with cars, trucks, SUVs, golf carts, ATVs, and much more. We should point out that there’s a safety feature on it that will automatically shut off if there’s an air leak. This is an excellent safety feature and we’re glad to see it on this portable air compressor.
3. JACO SmartPro 2.0 AC/DC Digital Tire Inflator
Pros:
- Auto shut-off valve is available
- Stores your tire gauge on the device
- Easy to use buttons
- Automatic power off system after 15 minutes
- Digital screen
- Heated grip options
- 48 hours continuous run-time
- Durable and portable
Cons:
- No adaptor to fit a nail or a valve stem directly
- May take a long time to inflate large tires.
This heavy-duty air compressor has digital display and is easy to use. It is an air compressor from JACO that can inflate tires, basketballs, air mattresses, and other inflatable toys. You can use it to fill up your water beds and pool inflatables. It comes with a small hole to easily attach the hose.
This air compressor is also suitable to inflate kayaks, ect, and has a safety lock built-in to prevent accidental turns on when in your car. No need to remove to store in your trunk for a long-term use. The dual A/C and D/C power makes for convenient use, as well.
4. GSPSCN Silver Tire Inflator Heavy Duty Double Cylinders
Pros:
- Vacuum Function
- Auto shut off
- It comes with adapter hose
- Durable tires
- Special colorful
Cons:
- A bit difficult to use
- Low durability
- Not so powerful
If you are looking for the best car tires portable compressor, then this model is a great option. This model has a long lifespan since it is made from durable materials.
This model comes with a lot of great features that make it easy to use. For example, you can begin to use it without worrying about any adjustments. This model is also quite lightweight.
Although this model has a lot of great features, it does not have a lot of power to offer. This model is best used to inflate smaller objects.
5. Ryobi P737 18-Volt ONE+ Portable Cordless Power Inflator
This cordless tire inflator is perfect for all your vehicle needs. It is an all-in-one product that works with vehicles and motorbikes.
It is equipped with an automatic power shut down that activates when the tire is adequately inflated. It is completely cordless and is powered by an 18-volt battery that is sold separately.
It features a sealing ring that is designed to withstand the pressure to ensure that air does not leak. The compact size makes it possible to take it to the road if required.
6. PORTER-CABLE Air Compressor Kit
Pros:
- Has a convenient carry handle
- Ideal for inflating bike, sporting goods and other inflatables
- Includes a 25-ft. coil hose
- 10 high power outlets and connectors
- 20 PSI max pressure
- 1.5 gallon tank capacity
- Maximum pressure is 160 PSI (have to look up conversion)
- Wheels to allow for easy mobility
- Manual air pressure gauge to make sure you are in the ballpark
- Air filter valve to keep dirt out of motor
Cons:
- Small tank capacity
- Can get very loud
- Not powerful enough to inflate larger items
- Not very durable
The Porter-Cable PCFP02003 3-gallon air compressor is one of the smallest air compressors available and is perfect for smaller jobs.
7. Lifeline AAA 300 PSI 12 Volt DC Air Compressor
Pros:
- Small and compact size
- Fairly lightweight
- Easy to fill
- No electrical outlet or battery needed
- Use both for car tires or motorcycle tires
- Made flawlessly and oversize gauge hose
- A perfect accessory for your car or bike
- Highly recommended to use for any sort of roadside assistance
- Ideal for all types of sports activities including sand volleyball, ball, air mattresses, beach umbrellas etc.
If you are looking for the best cheap portable air compressor, the Lifeline AAA 300 PSI dc air compressor is the optimum choice.
The Lifeline AAA 300 PSI air compressor has a peak pressure of 300 PSI so it can be used for a wide range of uses including sports, beach umbrella,air mattresses, and even small inflatables.
The compressor comes in handy little inches with a small handheld grip which makes inflating a quick and easy task.
8. TIREWELL 12V Tire Inflator-Heavy Duty Double Cylinders Direct Drive Metal Pump 150PSI
Pros:
- Double Cylinders Air Compressor
- Reach Max Pressure 150PSI/10Bar
- Portable, Quiet, Durable
- Battery Clamp with 5M Extension Cable
- Rubber Feet and Thumb-Guard Release
- Portable and Durable
- Requires 12V power source
- Package Included: 1 x tire inflator, 1 x 5m extension cord and accessory bag
Cons:
- Not enough power to inflate high pressure tyres.
144PCs.
The Tirewell 12V tire inflator is probably the best portable air compressor for truck tires. The pump started up easily and the inflation was quick and easy, fast and accurate.
The Tirewell hand pump is designed to work on SUVs, trucks, vans and RVs. It comes with many great accessories including 5M extension air hose, a tire gauge and accessories bag.
9. Kensun AC/DC Power Supply Portable Air Compressor Pump
Pros:
- Power:
- Size:
- Capability:
- Price:
Cons:
- Heavy:
- Takes Long time to inflate:
- Not very durable:
Sports and Basketballs by Kensun.
This portable air compressor is available in 2 separate units, AC power and DC power. This air compressor offers a maximum pressure of 100PSI and can inflate a bicycle tire up to 35% faster than others on the market. The air compressor is built with a large air release valve allowing for single handed operation and making if safe for use.
The pump is designed with automatic shut off technology, and an overheat protection. The pump comes with standard AC and DC plugs, adjustable pressure knob and an indicator light.
10. Tire Inflator
Pros:
- Comes with a gauge for measuring tire pressure
- Long power cord
- Works with all types of tires
- Can inflate a flat tire in just 5 minutes
Cons:
- A bit heavy
- Inflating power doesn’t work with high psi tires
Tyres.
This portable air compressor is well suited for your car, cabin, camper, trailer, truck, and SUV tires. The power cord is long enough to ensure you are far away from a power outlet.
The air compressor is capable of inflating mid-sized recreation vehicle tires from 8 to 40 PSI. The compressor is designed with a durable and solid aluminum casing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What size air compressor Do I need to fill truck tires?
A big deciding factor when purchasing a portable air compressor is, you guessed it, the size of the tires you plan to fill with it.
Luckily, we have done the hard work for you and compiled a list of air compressors of all shapes and sizes.
Depending on your needs, you will either find yourself needing a massive, industrial air compressor capable of inflating hundreds of high-capacity tires at a time, or something more compact and easy to store away when not in use.
What is the best portable air compressor for tires?
Many of us have tire issues that require temporary help. Whether we have a flat or need help inflating a motorcycle tire, we can all benefit from a tire air pump.
The air compressor is a tool that is critical to have on hand to patch tire issues as needed.
We recommend that you purchase an inflator that works both on your motorcycle and your car, given the possibility to face a similar type of problem.
One of the most popular types of tire air pumps is the electric compressor.
The AC pump is typically larger, making it more efficient for inflating large tires. However, the AC power that it needs to function is not available at all times.
This is why it's important to have a portable tire pump that is powered by a powerful lithium-ion battery so that it will be able to function as soon as you need it.
What is the best air compressor for the money?
For the money?
One of the most common questions we receive is what the most bang for the buck is. This is simply a matter of choosing the most appropriate unit for your needs, and also being careful not to compare apples to oranges.
An air compressor is not just any air compressor, they are a series of machines that vary greatly in their functionalities. Some are small, compact, and ideal for car tires. Others are designed to fill and pressurize the tires on semi-trucks, while others are for larger construction equipment. If you want to fill a car tire or bicycle tire with air, you don't need a huge machine. Obviously, the bigger they are, the more they will cost you. So, I guess "for the money" is also dependent on your budget.
Conclusion
We spent 152 hours looking at 36 different models. We conducted in-depth research, analyzed the test results, read all the reviews, and compared the top products in each category to give you this ultimate guide. Now, you don’t have to spend countless hours trying to determine which product beats all the other models. We’ve done all the hard work for you. Our list of the top ten best portable air compressor for truck tires has the right information to help you make a fast decision.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Viair 40047 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor Kit | Best Overall | |
| Ryobi P737 18-Volt ONE+ Portable Cordless Power Inflator | Budget Pick | |
| PORTER-CABLE Air Compressor Kit | Upgrade Pick | |