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A capable tire inflator will help keep you safe on the road by ensuring that your tires always have enough air in them. But the benefits of this versatile power tool, also known as an air compressor, don’t stop there. Our experts say it’s handy for a slew of household tasks, like blowing up air mattresses, pool floaties, sports equipment and more.The engineers and product experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test all kinds of auto gear, from windshield wipers to car vacuums. To narrow down the best tire inflators, we partnered with the auto experts at Car and Driver, who evaluated nearly a dozen devices firsthand for their ease of use, performance and extra features.Below you’ll find the best portable tire inflators of 2025 for unexpected roadside emergencies — or to give your kid’s soccer ball a quick pump before practice.Best Overall: Avid Power Cordless Tire Inflator Air CompressorPros Great value Two power options Feature rich Comfortable gripCons Not suitable for large truck tires If you have to keep one tool in your car, make it this portable tire inflator. Powering it up is no problem thanks to two options: You can use the detachable 20-volt battery or your car's 12-volt outlet. We like that it has a few handy extra features as well, like a digital display gauge for pressure readings, an auto shut-off setting once the desired pressure is reached, a USB port for charging other devices, like your phone, and a built-in light so you can use it in low-light settings.According to the auto pros at Car and Driver, this tire inflator reached desired pressure levels faster than most other competitor models. Plus, the rubberized handles are comfortable to grip and the value is hard to beat. Just keep in mind that it's not suitable for larger truck tires, according to the manufacturer.Best Value: Slime 12V Digital Tire InflatorPros Great value Two power options Feature rich Comfortable gripCons Not suitable for large truck tiresSlime markets this tire inflator as "nothing fancy," but that doesn't mean it won't get the job done. Our experts noted that it feels flimsier than other tire inflators, a factor of its lower cost. But its performance was comparable to other units when it came to inflation speeds. We also like that it comes with a lengthy 10-foot cord that plugs into your car's 12-volt outlet. Plus, a bright LED light is included as well as various attachments. Though there's no other power source, this air compressor remains "efficient, easy to use and super-portable" according to Hearst Autos Gear Team.Most Durable: STIHL KOA 20 Portable Compact InflatorPros Capable at inflating and deflating Intuitive controls Water-resistant constructionCons Priced higher than the competitionSpending more on the Stihl KOA 20 cordless air inflator gets you a versatile device that our experts say should stand the test of time as well as any model. That's thanks to its durable construction and IPX4 weather-resistant rating, meaning it can withstand splashes of water, whether from rainfall or the pool. Despite its heavy-duty design, its weight is about average and one tester described the overall ergonomics as “comfortable and well-balanced.”The digital display with push button controls makes it easy to toggle between units of pressure (PSI, BAR or KPA, depending on the system you use) and set a precise level of inflation. There's also a deflation mode, nice for taking the air out of inflatables.The inflator’s smart, intuitive design features onboard storage of the nozzle and hoses on the underside of the housing. Though some of the accessories were a little hard to remove, “at least that means they’re not going to fall out accidentally,” said another tester.Easiest to Use: AstroAI Handheld Cordless Air CompressorPros Two power options Lightweight, easy-to-use designCons NoisyMuch like our best overall pick, this air compressor has two power options so you can use it with a fast-charging battery or via your car's 12-volt outlet. Either route you choose, this cordless tire inflator is one of the easiest to operate thanks to its lightweight, portable design. The pros at Car and Driver explain that all you have to do is "set the desired PSI, clamp on the connector and pull the trigger." According to their tests, inflation times were exceptionally fast, albeit noisy. We also like that a carrying case is included, along with a second battery.Fastest Inflation: Milwaukee M18 18V Cordless Tire InflatorPros Super fast inflation times Durable and powerful constructionCons Battery and charger sold separatelyNo time to waste? This powerful console-style air compressor will get you back on the road in no time. In Car and Driver's tests, it blew other tire inflators out of the park with super speedy inflation times. However, its efficient performance goes hand-in-hand with the console unit's larger, heavier construction which may be better suited for your garage. It also skips out on a few features like a built-in LED light, and the battery and charger are not included in the price.Most Versatile: Black + Decker 20V MAX Cordless Tire InflatorPros Three power options Ideal for indoor and outdoor use Several attachments includedCons Battery not includedOwners of Black + Decker’s 20V MAX battery system will be pleased to learn that this multi-purpose tire inflator is compatible and an excellent choice for inflating both tires and items around the house. It’s unique as it offers three power sources: A rechargeable Li-Ion battery and the possibility to be plugged into DC 12V sockets as well as wall outlets. According to auto experts at Car and Driver, this unit wasn’t the fastest inflator out there and the battery and charger must be purchased separately, but it includes multiple attachments and is not quite as bulky as other console units tested.Best Off-Road: Viair 88P Portable CompressorPros Very quick inflation Includes a variety of attachmentsCons Only one power sourceThe Viair 88P is a reliable choice if you need to inflate a tire quickly on the go. It's the only air compressor on our list that can run off your car's battery, so as long it's juiced, you're in business. It currently has an average 4.6 Amazon star rating across some 8,000 reviews to back it up. Though not a dealbreaker, the Viair features an analog gauge instead of an easy-to-read digital one and it lacks a built-in light. Nevertheless, this portable air compressor is a powerful tool to have and one that comes with a variety of attachments and accessories like a carrying case.Best Compact Portable Tire Inflator: Teromas Tire InflatorPros AffordableGreat for indoor and outdoor use Quiet when in operation Available in several colorsCons Not as sturdy as other picksCar and Driver's team of auto experts was impressed by not only the great value of this tire inflator but also by its portability and quietness. It includes a digital display, LED light and three extra adaptors should you need to inflate other household items like bike tires or air mattresses. Best of all, it has two power options, making it ideal for indoor and roadside use — just plug it into your car's 12-volt outlet or into a wall outlet. We also like that it's available in a multitude of colors, though testers point out that it wasn't the sturdiest among the bunch.How we chose the best air compressors for cars and portable tire inflators For this story, the product analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute relied on our decades of expertise in testing autos and auto equipment, from our favorite cars for parents like three-row SUVs to home EV chargers. To learn even more about air compressors for cars, we partnered with fellow Hearst brand, Car and Driver, whose auto experts have tested portable tire inflators firsthand. To narrow down the best ones, their team evaluated factors such as each tire inflator’s ease of use, weight and portability, power (how fast the compressor was able to increase a tire’s pressure levels), corded vs. wireless design and the noise levels while in operation. They also factored in whether the compressor came with any extra features such as a light, digital display, carrying case or USB port.What to look for when shopping for a portable tire inflator✔️ Type: There are two main types of tire inflators: Portable and handheld models vs. console units. Handheld devices are ideal to always keep in the car in case of emergencies as these tend to be lightweight and compact, while console units are better suited for the garage as they're heavier and larger but, on the bright side, can inflate almost anything from basketballs to air mattresses and tend to be more feature-rich.✔️ Power: Consider whether you want a battery-powered tire inflator that can be recharged, or if you prefer one that plugs into your car’s 12-volt outlet (or both!). Some tire inflators are even able to be plugged into wall sockets to make it easier to use on items other than tires. Our experts recommend opting for a portable tire inflator with at least one other alternate source of power.✔️ Extra features: Some extras to consider when shopping for a tire inflator include a built-in light to help you see in low light conditions, a digital display for pressure readings and a clamp-style valve attachment which tends to be easier to use than screw-on counterparts. Having a variety of attachments is also handy when inflating items other than tires.Why trust Good Housekeeping?Media and tech reviews analyst and writer Olivia Lipski oversees product testing and covers everything from consumer tech to autos, travel, home and more. She continues to stay on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helps readers make better buying decisions by testing and reviewing the best gadgets to hit the market. Not only does she regularly collaborate with the Good Housekeeping Auto Lab to evaluate some of the best family cars, but she reviews handy car accessories and equipment.To select the picks featured above, she consulted our partners at Car and Driver and the Hearst Autos Gear Team, who have more than 206 years of automotive publishing experience. Hearst Autos combines the forces, talent and knowledge of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world: Autoweek, Car and Driver and Road & Track. The Hearst Autos Gear Team promises to deliver honest evaluations, hands-on tests and product reviews driven by decades of knowledge and experience.Testing for this story was conducted by Deputy Commerce Editor at Car and Driver Jon Langston. An avid motorcyclist and gear collector, his work has appeared in Men’s Journal, Cycle World, The Drive, Rider, Iron & Air, Motorcyclist and more. Collin Morgan, an Associate Commerce Editor at Hearst Autos, collaborated with Langston to test the best portable tire inflators. He's a former Rust Belt mechanic and gadget enthusiast who presents the best gear for your automotive endeavors.