There’s never a good time to get a puncture or a tyre pressure warning. The thing is, nobody expects that TMPS light to appear on the dash – yet it always happens at an inconvenient time. Keeping a portable tyre inflator in your car gives you peace of mind will get you back on the road ASAP.
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The Best Tyre Inflators For Every Budget
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good tyre inflator. There are plenty of options out there, from £5.99 inflators from TikTok shop, to branded pumps costing hundreds of pounds. That said, some of the cheaper options are slow, unreliable, and lack essential features. These are my favourites across various budgets.
Innovv P1 Portable Tyre Inflator
The portable air pump I keep in my car is the INNOVV P1 tyre inflator. It’s lightweight and compact, so I can store it in my glove box. The body is made of strong aluminium and there’s a clear, easy-to-read LED digital display. The P1 has four presets for various inflation, including car, motorbike and push-bike tyres, plus footballs.
It’s quick and easy to use, has a great battery life – which doubles as a powerbank – and has a built-in cooling feature to stop it from overheating during constant use. It comes with various nozzles, as you can see in my INNOVV P1 unboxing and testing video.
Key Features:
- Fast inflation
- Compact and lightweight
- Presets for common inflations
- Auto shut-off
- Powerbank
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AstroAI 150 PSI
An AstroAI Inflator with 150 PSI pressure capacity is a capable pump for those who have larger vehicles, like trucks and SUVs with big tyres. If you often go off-road or drive on rough roads, then this powerful inflator is a must-have for your car’s emergency kit. Its fast inflation can blow up a flat tyre in under 5 minutes. It comes with five nozzles in case you need to inflate other items during your road trip.
For added reliability, AstroAI tyre inflator 150 PSI model comes with a spare fuse as well. Despite the power and utility, this tyre inflator comes at a reasonable price of £25.99.
Key Features:
- Auto shut-off
- High pressure rating
- Pre-set tyre pressure
- Large digital display
SYTUNG Digital Tyre Inflator
Following on at number two we have the SYTUNG Digital Tyre Inflator which is ideal for inflating most tyre sizes in under one minute. This car tyre pump also comes with extra fuses that are simple to replace, making this a reliable choice for emergency tyre inflation.
Additionally, you get a 1-year warranty for this pump, making SYTUNG Inflator a great investment for your car. Starting at £13.15 it is budget-friendly and reliable.
Key Features:
- Simple air pressure settings
- Digital pressure gauge
- 3 nozzle options
- 3.51 m power cable
AA 12V Digital Tyre Inflator AA5502
The AA 12V Digital Tyre Inflator is multipurpose and compact. The great thing about this tyre inflator is that it can fit anywhere in your car due to its small size. It has adapters for inflating balls, bicycle tyres, and swimming pools, so you can bin your old foot pump.
In case you find yourself in an emergency, this tyre inflator doubles as an SOS light with multiple LED lamp settings. The price of this inflator starts at £19.99.
Key Features:
- Long power cable
- 2 nozzle adapters
- LED light
- Up to 100 PSI
AstroAI Air Compressor 12V
The AstroAI 12V inflator uses a powerful air compressor to rapidly inflate your car tyres. It is on our list of the best tyre inflators due to its operation speed despite being lightweight and compact.
It comes with a torch as a bonus option to make it easier to inflate tyres at night on the side of the road. Though this tyre inflator’s price starts at £22.29, it is reasonable considering the features it offers.
Key Features:
- Bright LCD screen
- Target pressure auto shut-off
- 5 nozzle extensions
- Long power cable
Ring Automotive — RTC1000
The Ring Automotive RTC1000 is a complete package that comes with its own storage bag, and gloves. It comes with a wind-up feature to keep the power cord tucked in safely within the unit’s body. As well as this, it was voted as an Auto Express best buy for six years running.
If you keep losing your tyre valve caps, then this model comes with spares as well. However, all these added options bump this digital tyre inflator’s price up to £22.99.
Key Features:
- Memory function
- LED light
- Carry case
- Valve adapter kit
There is no worse feeling than getting a flat tyre or low tyre pressure warning when you are nowhere near a tyre shop. That’s why it’s important to keep a tyre inflator in your car for emergencies. It might save you from getting stranded.
What Are Tyre Inflators, and How Do They Work?
Tyre inflators are portable, compact devices that pump air into your car or motorcycle tyres. Most use the 12V cigarette lighter socket in your car as a power source, and some digital tyre inflators automatically stop when the wheel reaches the desired pressure. A good tyre pump should have an accurate, easy-to-read digital display or pressure gauge.
Is It Worth Buying A Tyre Inflator?
Definitely. The biggest benefit of keeping a portable inflator in your car is always having access to a pump in an emergency. If it’s a slow puncture, you can simply blow up your car tyre in minutes instead of changing to a spare wheel or waiting for a recovery truck. However, there are some lesser-known benefits of owning one:
Enhanced Safety
Under-inflated tyres make a car difficult to handle and extend stopping distance. They also increase the risk of blowouts, as can over-inflated tyres, which can result in a serious accident. Maintaining optimal tyre pressure is safer for everyone.
Increased Fuel Efficiency
As your tyres lose air pressure, the contact area of the tyres increases, which means your engine must work harder to move the vehicle. Because it’s working harder, it burns more fuel. Ensuring your tyres are the correct pressure can reduce fuel consumption and save you money. Plus, they’re lighter than carrying power tools, jacks, or other garage equipment required for changing a tyre.
Increased Tyre Life
Another way to save money is by making your tyres last longer. When a vehicle tyre is rolling on the road, the tread part should make even contact with the road surface. So, if there’s not enough air inside the tyres, the softer outer edges to touch the tarmac and wear down faster, which will require you to change your tyres sooner. That said, you should check them regularly and replace damaged or worn tyres at once.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tyre Pressure
What is the correct tyre pressure for my car?
The correct tyre pressure varies depending on the size and weight of the vehicle. This value is usually agreed between the manufacturers of the car and the tyres that were originally fitted to it. Therefore, it is essential to follow this guidance for your own safety, and the safety of others.
Where can I find my tyre pressure?
There are a few places you might find your tyre pressure; a sticker inside the door sill, inside the fuel flap, or it may be in the vehicle handbook. If you can’t find it, you should contact the manufacturer or a local garage. However, sticking to around 31-32psi should be fine until you can find out for sure.