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Making sure your car tyre pressure is correct isn't just a question of safety, it also affects the overall efficiency of your vehicle. If you want to get the most miles per gallon, it's important to regularly check your tyres are at the right pressure.
Keeping a portable tyre inflator in your boot or glove compartment is a low-cost, convenient way to make sure your tyres are topped up. That's why we've put together this guide to the best tyre inflators in the UK, including our 10 most recommended available online on Amazon, Argos and more from top brands like RAC, AA, and Ring.
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Table of Contents
The majority of tyre inflators are powered via your car's cigarette lighter or auxiliary power outlet. The 12 V current provides enough power to pump up any standard vehicle tyres, as well additional lights or displays. However, not all models require the car's engine to be running in order to function.
Some tyre pumps have rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs, similar to a cordless drill, and are charged via a traditional 240 V plug socket. Some tire inflators also have an adapter for you to attach directly to the car's battery if you're having trouble starting the vehicle.
Having trouble getting your car started? We recommend investing in a jump starter for roadside breakdowns
When filling a tyre, you'll need to pump it up to the required air pressure which is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). Your tyre should clearly state it's PSI, which will usually be somewhere between 30 - 60 for the average car. For safety, it's crucial that you double-check this, especially for larger vehicles.
All the tyre inflators on our list should be suitable for tyres up to 100 PSI. A higher maximum PSI usually translates to a quicker pump, meaning your tyres will be filled faster. It's also worth looking for inflators with an auto shut-off function to avoid over-inflating.
Roadside safety experts also suggest having a portable car battery charger as part of your emergency kit!
In order to make sure you're inflating your tyres to the right pressure, you'll want your air pump to have a clear and easy to read display. An analogue pressure gauge won't use any extra power, but may not be as accurate as other options.
You may instead want to consider a digital tyre inflator with an LED or LCD screen. Although they are generally more expensive, LCD screens have the added benefit of being backlit, meaning you'll be able to read the gauge in low-light environments.
Make sure you can be seen clearly by other drivers at night by using a warning triangle and hi-vis vest
Once you've decided what sort of tyre inflator you're after, it's worth checking whether it comes with any useful extras. Most air compressors and tyre pumps will also come with adapter kits, allowing you to also inflate footballs, air mattresses and bike tyres.
Another welcome addition is an LED torch. In case you get caught with a flat tyre at night, this can help you keep your hands free while working in the dark. Finally, it's always handy to have carry case to keep everything together and protected.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ring Tyre Inflator|RAC635 | £38.68 Mid | An Award Winning Pump That Inflates Tyres in Three Minutes | ||
2 | RAC Compact Tyre Inflator | £13.23 Low | An Affordable Tyre Inflator for Cars and Motorbikes | ||
3 | AA 12V Digital Tyre Inflator|AA5502 | £26.81 Mid | Powerful Tyre Inflator With LED SOS Light for Emergencies | ||
4 | Guild Cordless Tyre Inflator | £40.00 Mid | Cordless Tyre Inflator With Rechargeable Battery | ||
5 | Tirewell Tyre Inflator | £51.99 High Mid | Pump for Large Vehicles With Extra-Long Hose and Car Battery Adapter | ||
6 | AstroAI Cordless Tyre Inflator | £66.99 High Mid | Cordless Tyre Inflator With Impressive 160 PSI Maximum Pressure | ||
7 | WindGallop Digital Car Tyre Inflator | £29.98 Mid | Clear and Accurate Display for a Reliable Choice | ||
8 | Ring In-Car Air Compressor|RAC610 | £15.49 Low Mid | A Popular Budget Choice That’s Simple to Use | ||
9 | Oeream 20V Cordless Car Tyre Pump | £69.99 High Mid | Unbelievable Battery Power Inflates up to 10 Tyres on One Charge | ||
10 | WindGallop Car Tyre Pump | £19.98 Low Mid | A Cheap and Compact Option for Small Cars |
Ring is a market leader in the world of tyre inflators and air pumps, winning multiple awards for their designs. In fact, the RAC635 has outperformed its competition in functionality, reliability and speed in a number of tests conducted by independent experts.
Capable of fully inflating a standard car tyre from flat to full in three minutes, this small unit is deceptively powerful. The intuitive digital display is easy to navigate when setting a target PSI, and it even comes with a carry case!
The RAC Compact Tyre Inflator is a cheap and compact option for both cars and motorbikes. A good option to have on hand for top-ups and emergencies, it features a simple on/off switch and an analogue gauge to help you keep an eye on the tyre pressure.
The price is the real highlight as it's more affordable than most. It also comes with an adapter kit for small inflatables and sports balls, and a built-in light!
AA is one of the UK's premier breakdown services, so it is no surprise to find their digital tyre inflator is packed full of features. In case of emergency, the powerful LED light has three modes: light, flash and SOS.
The inflator itself takes up minimal space, while having an impressive maximum pressure of 120 PSI. It also has an auto shut-off feature to avoid over-inflating.
Unlike the multiple boxy designs on this list, this offering from Guild instead resembles a cordless drill and operates in a similar way. Thanks to its rechargeable battery, this is particularly good option if you're after an all-purpose air pump for balls, bicycle tyres and other inflatables.
You won't have to worry about being caught without any charge either, as this cordless tyre inflator also comes with a 12 V cigarette lighter adapter if you want to power it via your car's engine. Plus, you get a 2-year warranty.
This tyre inflator from Tirewell is one of the most unique thanks to its powerful maximum PSI of 150. This means it capable of fully inflating a tyre in just two minutes!
We like that this pump comes with an adapter to hook it up to a car battery for some extra oomph while the engine isn't running. This, and the extra-long 5m hose, make it a great choice for larger cars, pickup trucks and SUVs.
When it comes to tyre inflators, the cordless AstroAI is one of the most powerful on our list, hitting an impressive 160 PSI! On top of that, it's one of a few rechargeable tyre inflators that can be powered by both a 20 V lithium-ion battery pack and a 12 V cigarette lighter adapter.
The AstroAI is able to inflate four tyres off a single charge and only takes an hour for the battery to fully recharge. If you're looking to invest in a fully portable option with impressive power, then this is the one.
If you're looking for a quality pump that can measure the current pressure of your tyres, then WindGallop's digital car tyre Inflator is a solid choice. It offers a reliable and accurate reading every time, complete with auto shut-off.
There is an alert and SOS light if you get caught out at night, and the crystal clear display allows you to navigate a variety of different modes with ease. Keep this in your glove box for emergencies, and you won't have any trouble getting back on the road.
Ring is one of the most popular air compressor brands available online, with many happy customers reporting that their products are simple to use. The RAC610 is Ring's budget offering, featuring a simple one-button design and analogue display.
As a budget-friendly option from a popular brand, it's a shame to see a few customer complaints about reliability. However, it's worth keeping in mind that this could be a vocal minority as the overall reviews are extremely positive.
This cordless tyre inflator from Oeream is seriously impressive. Offering a one-year warranty, high maximum pressure, and plenty of accessories, each purchase even includes a neat carry case. Best of all, the 20 V battery can inflate up to ten tyres on a full charge!
That said, there are very few situations in reality that would require you to inflate ten tyres without being able to plug the pump into a charger or cigarette lighter. Of course, if you're happy to invest a little extra then you won't be disappointed.
If you're looking for something cheap and cheerful to throw in your car boot in case of an emergency, or perhaps inflate the odd paddling pool or bicycle tyre, then the WindGallop Car Tyre Pump is a solid option.
The pump even comes with three valve adapters for sports equipment and other inflatables. It's not the cheapest option on our list, and far from the most feature-filled, it's a useful and reliable piece of kit nonetheless.
Written and researched by David Sexton
No. 1: Ring|Tyre Inflator|RAC635
No. 2: RAC|Compact Tyre Inflator
No. 3: AA|12V Digital Tyre Inflator|AA5502
No. 4: Guild |Cordless Tyre Inflator
No. 5: Tirewell|Tyre Inflator
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
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Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games
Household goods
PC and cameras
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Cosmetics and skincare
Health
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Housing equipment and renovation
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