Without a tyre pump, a flat tyre can really ruin your day. It’s when a situation like this arises you realise just how important those four tyres on your wheels really are. Imagine being sat at the side of the road in miserable weather, waiting for the roadside mechanic to turn up in their van and breathe new life into your deflated tyre when you could be on your way again so much sooner if only you had a tyre pump. You can get run-flat tyres, but these tend to be a bit more expensive, can’t usually be repaired and are mostly found fitted to higher-end vehicles.
Tyres with the correct pressure last longer and get fuel efficiency, saving you serious money. Properly pressured tyres are also more effective if you need to slow down or stop in an emergency. In short, it’s a good idea to keep a tyre pump in your car at all times to make sure your tyre pressure is correct.
Best tyre pumps at a glance:
Editor’s choice: Ring RAC 610 – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for basic functions: AA 12V Digital Tyre Inflator – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best cordless tyre pump: Enntas Cordless Tyre Inflator – Buy now from Amazon UK
Most tyre pumps will do the same job but with varying degrees of efficiency and flexibility. Do you need different types of adaptors, or would you prefer a cordless device? We’ve had a look at some of the best tyre pumps available.
The best tyre pumps
Editor's choice
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Compact size
- 48cm air line
Cons
- Analogue display
- Build quality may disappoint
| Power Source | 12V DC socket |
| Power cable length | 2.9 metres |
| Air hose length | 48cm |
| Dimensions | 14.8 x 17 x 8.6 cm |
| Weight | 590g |
| Max pressure | 100 PSI |
| Reading | Analogue |
Best for basic functions
Pros
- Comes with handy LED illumination
- Digital readout
- Easy to store
Cons
- Can be a bit slow
- Build quality may disappoint
| Power Source | 12V DC socket |
| Power cable length | 3 metres approx. |
| Air hose length | 52cm approx. |
| Dimensions | 15.9 x 19.7 x 6.7 cm |
| Weight | 800g |
| Max pressure | 100 PSI |
| Reading | Digital |
Most versatile tyre pump
It comes with an LED light for extra assistance and even a pair of latex gloves and a spare fuse. At a penny under £50, it doesn't quite represent as good value as the others. But it's a very versatile and capable little machine.
Pros
- Compact design and easy to use
- Powerful output and has LED light
- Well-equipped item that includes gloves and spare fuse
Cons
- Not as stylish as the others
- Doesn't represent as good value as the others
| Power Source | Cordless rechargeable |
| Power cable length | Undisclosed |
| Air hose length | Undisclosed |
| Dimensions | 6.5 x 5.5 x 17.5 cm |
| Weight | 570g |
| Max pressure | 150 PSI |
| Reading | Digital |
Best for flexible use
Pros
- No external power supply is needed
- Can be used as a power bank
- Lightweight and compact design
Cons
- Lacks battery charge level indicator
- Can only charge around two tyres on a full charge
| Power Source | 12V DC socket |
| Power cable length | Undisclosed |
| Air hose length | Undisclosed |
| Dimensions | 12.4 x 7.1 x 4.53 cm |
| Weight | 480g |
| Max pressure | 150 PSI |
| Reading | Digital |
Best premium tyre inflator
Pros
- Premium look and feel
- Auto-shutoff is useful
- Comes with handy accessories
Cons
- Premium cost
- 60 PSI limit
| Power Source | 12V DC socket |
| Power cable length | 3 metres |
| Air hose length | 91cm |
| Dimensions | 20.6 x 15.9 x 7.4 cm |
| Weight | 2.44kg |
| Max pressure | 60 PSI |
| Reading | Digital |
Tyre inflators frequently asked questions
How much air should I inflate my tyres with?
Before you go about checking your car’s tyres, there are a couple of things to remember. There are two main methods of measuring how much air is in your tyres: pounds per square inch (psi) or barometric atmospheric pressure (bar). Be sure to check which measurement the tyre pump uses before buying (although some offer both measurements).
The pressure your tyres should be set to can be found in your car’s handbook. There are usually two figures shown, one for normal use and another for high-load situations. Be sure to regularly check your tyres (once a month should be enough) to make sure that they stay at the correct pressure as air leaks out over time.
How to use a portable tyre inflator?
Before inflating the tyre be sure to check the recommended tyre pressure in your vehicle’s owner’s manual, or it can sometimes be found on the B pillar inside the door opening. Typically there will be more than one recommended figure based on how often your vehicle is loaded heavily.
Connect the tyre inflator to the tyre valve stem and ensure it is securely connected. After this you must power up the inflator using your vehicle’s 12 socket, or using the power source associated with your inflator. If you have a digital gauge you may be able to set the desired pressure which is ideal as it will avoid over-filling your tyres.
Once your tyre has reached the necessary pressure you can make adjustments if needed, but otherwise you can disconnect the inflator from the power source and the tyre.
Are portable tyre inflators accurate?
Portable tyre inflators aren’t as accurate as your local garage. This is because they have been calibrated under certain conditions, like temperature, so there is a margin of error. It is entirely possible that some portable tyre inflators can read up to 6 PSI off the actual pressure. Portable tyre inflators are typically slower than the ones you would find at petrol stations or garages.
The purpose of a portable tyre inflator is to be a welcomed saviour when you find your tyres deflated. So, as long as you have one in the car then you can be assured that you can make it to the nearest tyre shop when needed.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he’s not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.
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