Best Digital Tire Inflator

If you enjoy doing basic maintenance on your car or truck, there are probably a few tools and gadgets that make basic jobs a bit easier and more pleasant. A digital tire inflator is one of those items. 

Gauges are OK, but the truth is, they can be rather inaccurate, or they can be misread if you aren’t paying attention or if you are looking at it from an awkward or side view. A digital tire inflator, however, can’t be misread and they are, for the most part, very accurate. 

Since tire pressure should be read when the tires are cold (in other words, after the car has been sitting all night in your garage) having a tire inflation device makes perfect sense. Proper tire pressure is vital to your gas mileage, the smoothness of the ride, as well as being a safety measure since tires that are underinflated tend to blow out more frequently. 

If you have a compressor, some digital models will attach directly to the hose. If you don’t have a compressor, there are models that have a mini compressor, which allows you to add air, right there in your garage! 

So now that you are ready to buy a digital tire inflator, how do you choose the best one? We are going to review some of the most popular models on the market so you can make an informed decision. 

The Best Digital Tire Inflators on the Market Today

Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

AstroAI ATG250 Digital Tire Inflator

Specifications:

• Compression: 250 PSI
• Hose Length: 17 Inches
• Power Source:  2 AAA Batteries Not Included (Lithium battery included)

This compact digital tire inflator will require a compressor. Easy to use and easy to read. Comes with a variety of adaptors, including valve stem extenders for those hard to reach valve stems. The unit turns itself off after 20 seconds of inactivity to save on overall battery life. The gauge has a rubber ring surrounding the housing, to prevent possible breakage if you should drop it or bang it on the side of the car. If you have a compressor, this is a handy device to have around the house since it will also inflate sports or play balls, bicycle tires, wheelbarrow tires, and, of course, the tires on your car. For the price, the AstroAI comes with so many tools and extras, which makes it an overall terrific selection. 

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Bright, easy to read display
• Auto shutoff helps to save battery life

Cons:

• Must have a compressor
• Reading is not continuously displayed
• May not fit all gas station or repair shop compressor fittings

EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump

Specifications:

• Compression: 70 PSI
• Hose Length:  3 Feet
• Power Source: 12 Volt Battery (powered via cigarette lighter)

If you have ever discovered you have a tire that is very low on air pressure and you are out in the middle of nowhere, having this tool by EPAuto in the trunk can save you and your tire! This small, compact device, capable of delivering 70 PSI, has an 8-foot power cord, combined with a 3-foot-long hose, to reach every tire on your vehicle. The easy to read digital display, combined with an LED flashlight, makes inflating tires at night or in low light situations easy. With this tire inflator in your car, you can take your next road trip with confidence. 

Pros:

• Runs off the car battery- no need for a compressor
• Overheat function shuts off unit to prevent damage
• Storage bag included

Cons:

• Not powerful enough for truck or SUV tires
• Dependent on car battery
• Loses 1 to 1.5 PSI when detaching hose

Oasser 255 PSI Digital Tire Gauge P5

Specifications:

• Compression: 250 PSI
• Hose Length: 19 Inches
• Power Source: 1 AAA Battery (included) 

If you own a compressor and want a digital tire pressure gauge that includes everything, this gauge by Oasser is a great choice. This is a rather robust gauge for the price and is very easy to hook up. We like the rubber cover that prevents breakage if you should accidentally drop it, and the super bright backlight makes this gauge easy to read. Everything is automatic on this digital tire gauge- no need to remember to turn it on or off, which makes it a no brainer. The Oasser digital tire gauge comes with everything you can imagine, even Teflon tape! 

Pros:

• Has a 19 inch, very thick rubber hose
• Auto on and auto off
• Heavy duty brass fittings

Cons:

• Must have, or have access to, an air compressor
• Clip on air chuck can break if mishandled
• Some owners claim digital gauge took a long time to get a reading

Helteko Portable Air Compressor 12V Pump

Specifications:

• Compression: 150 PSI
• Hose Length: 11.5 Feet
• Power Source: 12 V 

Here is a battery-operated air compressor by Helteko that operates via the cigarette light in your car. Weighing only 2.5 pounds, this mini compressor has an extremely long hose that can reach just about anything you can imagine. Automatic shut off means you can leave it and so other things while the tire is filled. The Helteko Portable Air Compressor will also fill bicycle tires, play balls, and other inflatable items, even beach toys for the kids. Unlike other portable compressors, this unit will inflate SUV and truck tires. There is no need to search for the on button, just plug it in, attach it to the tire, and the compressor powers up by itself! 

Pros: 

• Incredibly easy to set up and use
• Easy snap on air chuck
• Works even in sub-zero temps

Cons:

• Must be used in the correct order for auto-on to operate
• Can overheat if used for more than 10 minutes continuously
• No bag or case for storage

JACO FlowPro Digital Tire Inflator

Specifications:

• Compression: 200 PSI
• Hose Length: 18 Inch
• Power Source:  2 AAA Batteries (not included)

This is the name brand that nearly every automotive store carries and that you have probably seen.  If you have a compressor, this is probably the digital tire inflator you want. The JACO has a solid steel body, along rubber cover to prevent damage. LCD display will stay on for 120 seconds (that’s 2 full minutes) before it automatically shuts off. A steel braided air hose means a longer lifespan and the lightening chuck has an automatic lock on, so you aren’t fumbling around trying to screw the chuck on. Has a quick start guide for those who haven’t used a digital tire inflator, and all the fittings you will probably ever need or use. 

Pros: 

• 100 % Life-time Guarantee (for any reason)
• Name brand quality
• Professional grade without the professional price

Cons: 

• Over time, steel mesh can come apart and cause cut fingers
• Some claim the “lightening chuck” simply doesn’t work out of the box
• Latch compartment for the AAA batteries can break easily

The Final Word

While all the above digital tire inflators were reasonable priced, it would boil down to whether you have a compressor or not. 

If you do not have a compressor or if you wanted a 12V tire inflator for emergency situations, we would choose the EPAuto Portable Air Compressor. With so many terrific features, including the powerful LED flashlight, it seems like a logical choice, even if it does seem to lose a bit pressure when you disconnect. We simply added a pound extra and problem was solved. 

If you do have a compressor, the JACO FlowPro would be our recommendation. Maybe it’s the brand name, maybe it’s that amazing PSI, but with a 100% lifetime warranty, how could you say no?