To correct tire pressure, inflate the ball before a game, or clean difficult areas effectively, here are the best portable tire inflator and how to choose the one that best suits your needs.
A portable tire inflator is an indispensable tool for dealing independently with various situations, at home or on the road.
Compared to normal compressors, portable tire inflators offer lower performance but have the great advantage of being highly transportable. Its small size and the possibility of feeding it even though the car’s cigarette lighter make it extremely practical to use anywhere.
The considerable cost-effectiveness also gives a further advantage to the portable models compared to the standard models.
Table of Contents
How to choose a portable tire inflator: Types and Features
Once you have clarified the type of use you want, let’s see the key features to consider when buying and choosing the best portable tire inflator. The two main elements to evaluate are the power and the amount of air that the instrument can generate.
Furthermore, it is important to consider transportability, as weight and size can affect this aspect, and the compression ratio, to know the air output force the instrument can produce.
Types
Among the different models of portable tire inflators, the first distinction that can be useful when purchasing is choosing between a compressor with a tank suitable for long and more demanding jobs and a compressor without a tank suitable for simpler jobs.
As for the models with a tank, they are characterized by the possibility of accumulating high-pressure air. Therefore, the distinction between the different products is linked to the tank’s capacity for this compressor type. This determines the casting duration and the type of work carried out.
Normally, the portable tire inflators are equipped with a tank from 5 to 10 L.
A further distinction within this category is given by the system used to accumulate air:
- Compressor with a tank with a screw system: the mechanics are simpler and ensure continuous, silent work.
- Compressor with a tank with a piston system: the air is compressed by the movement of one or more pistons.
The models without a tank are light, easy to handle, and suitable for non-professional use. Indeed, they do not offer the same performance as the tank models.
Not able to accumulate and conserve air, tankless compressors can produce it only by remaining in operation and proving suitable only for small jobs, such as inflating the bike and car wheels.
There is also a distinction between models without tanks :
- Compressor without an analog tank.
- Compressor without a digital tank.
The advantage of the digital system is given by the immediacy with which it is possible to view the pressure level. However, if you prefer the traditional inflation mode by habit, opting for an analog model is better.
The silenced portable compressed is the final type to be evaluated at the time of purchase. In addition to the typical functions of the other compressors, this model boasts a soundproofed structure that envelops the engine.
Battery-powered and cigarette lighter
An extremely compact portable tire inflator is also suitable for keeping in the machine’s boot. These models are distinguished by battery power: you can use them without a power outlet.
A further advantage is a possibility of recharging them through the car’s cigarette lighter (12 V). These mini compressors are extremely manageable and practical.
Pressure
In evaluating the characteristics of portable tire inflators, pressure is one of the fundamental parameters. This value indicates the air forfeited inside the tank; the measurement unit commonly used is the Bar, although some models use the PSI unit of measurement.
Keep in mind that 14 PSI is equivalent to 1 Bar. Once the desired pressure level has been selected, some compressors without a tank switch off automatically, thanks to the ” automatic switch-off ” function.
The pressure value is closely linked to the amount of air supplied by the compressor (i.e., the flow rate) and power. This is why it is advisable to keep in mind what type of activity you want to carry out to choose the compressor model that best suits your needs:
- For professional use: compressors with a pressure higher than 12 Bar.
- For hobby use: compressors with pressure from 8 to 11 Bar.
- For less intense jobs, such as the wheels’ simple inflation, compressors with pressure from 4 to 7 Bar.
Observing the value reported on the pressure gauge, analog models, or display in digital models will be sufficient to monitor the pressure.
Flow rate
The term flow indicates the amount of air supplied by the compressor. The unit of measurement used is l/min or ” liters per minute. ”
The jet’s power is greater in the models with a higher flow rate: in this, too, it is essential, in the purchase choice, to rely on the type of use that must be made of the compressor.
Below is an overview of the capacity of the compressors and their use:
- Flow rate below 100 liters per minute: models with this value are ideal for inflating the tires.
- Flow rate between 100 and 200 liters per minute: in this case, we are faced with instruments suitable for more intense work, but always in the hobby field.
- Flow rate greater than 200 liters per minute: compressors with this flow rate are suitable for specific uses on-site (a professional sandblaster may require a flow rate of 3000 liters per minute).
Portability and location
This feature is essential when choosing a portable tire inflator. If we need a useful tool to monitor and correct tire pressure on our bikes, we will need a compressor that takes up as little space as possible. We will need an easily transportable compressor if we need a more powerful tool to carry out activities in different areas of our yard.
The market offers products suitable for every need: portable tire inflators of compact dimensions and easily transportable compressors thanks to the special shoulder strap. Moreover, all portable tire inflators have a comfortable handle that facilitates transport.
We can distinguish portable tire inflators using a parameter of the ease they can be placed based on shape and size. Some models can be stowed comfortably in the boot, thanks to their flattened shape that does not hinder the positioning of the luggage; others, on the other hand, have more irregular shapes, especially those with a tank, and may be more cumbersome.
Remember that we are talking about products with an overall limited form. There are also small portable tire inflators that can be stored in a backpack. These models are particularly suitable for those looking for a product to always have with them, even during motorcycle or bicycle sports sessions.
Accessories
The manufacturers of portable tire inflators can supply various accessories supplied. Some are essential for using the instrument, while others enrich the compressor with additional features. The main accessories supplied with the best portable tire inflators are:
- Adapter: the compressors suitable for inflation are fitted with adapters for the different valves in the air chambers or tires.
- Torch: in this case, the compressor allows work even in places with poor light.
- USB cable recharge: these compressor models allow you to recharge your cell phone via the USB port they are equipped with.
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