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.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of tyre inflators available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Ring | 2 ![]() RAC | 3 ![]() AA | 4 ![]() Guild | 5 ![]() Tirewell | 6 ![]() AstroAI | 7 ![]() WindGallop | 8 ![]() Ring | 9 ![]() Oeream | 10 ![]() WindGallop |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Tyre Inflator | Compact Tyre Inflator | 12V Digital Tyre Inflator | Cordless Tyre Inflator | Tyre Inflator | Cordless Tyre Inflator | Digital Car Tyre Inflator | In-Car Air Compressor | 20V Cordless Car Tyre Pump | Car Tyre Pump |
Features | An Award Winning Pump That Inflates Tyres in Three Minutes | An Affordable Tyre Inflator for Cars and Motorbikes | Powerful Tyre Inflator With LED SOS Light for Emergencies | Cordless Tyre Inflator With Rechargeable Battery | Pump for Large Vehicles With Extra-Long Hose and Car Battery Adapter | Cordless Tyre Inflator With Impressive 160 PSI Maximum Pressure | Clear and Accurate Display for a Reliable Choice | A Popular Budget Choice That’s Simple to Use | Unbelievable Battery Power Inflates up to 10 Tyres on One Charge | A Cheap and Compact Option for Small Cars |
Price | £38.68 | £13.23 | £26.81 | £40.00 | £51.99 | £66.99 | £29.98 | £15.49 | £69.99 | £19.98 |
Power Source | 12 V cigarette lighter adapter | 12V cigarette lighter attachment | DC 12V cigarette lighter adapter | 12V rechargeable battery, DC 12V cigarette lighter adapter | 12 V cigarette lighter attachment | 20V rechargeable battery, DC 12V cigarette lighter adapter | 12 V cigarette lighter adapter | 12 V cigarette lighter adapter | 20V rechargeable battery, DC 12V cigarette lighter adapter | 12 V cigarette lighter adapter |
Maximum Pressure | 100 PSI | 100 PSI | 120 PSI | 120 PSI | 150 PSI | 160 PSI | 100 PSI | 100 PSI | 150 PSI | 100 PSI |
Auto Shut-Off | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Digital / Analogue | Digital | Analogue | Digital | Digital | Analogue | Digital | Digital | Analogue | Digital | Analogue |
Display | LCD | - | LCD | LCD | - | LCD | LCD | - | LCD | - |
Adaptor Kit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Torch | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Extras | Carry Case | - | - | 2-year warranty | Carry case | Carry case | - | - | Carry case, 1-year warranty | - |
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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.
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
RAC635
£38.68
Power Source | 12 V cigarette lighter adapter |
---|---|
Maximum Pressure | 100 PSI |
Auto Shut-Off | Yes |
Digital / Analogue | Digital |
Display | LCD |
Adaptor Kit | Yes |
Torch | Yes |
Extras | Carry Case |
£13.23
Power Source | 12V cigarette lighter attachment |
---|---|
Maximum Pressure | 100 PSI |
Auto Shut-Off | No |
Digital / Analogue | Analogue |
Display | - |
Adaptor Kit | Yes |
Torch | Yes |
Extras | - |
AA5502
£26.81
Power Source | DC 12V cigarette lighter adapter |
---|---|
Maximum Pressure | 120 PSI |
Auto Shut-Off | Yes |
Digital / Analogue | Digital |
Display | LCD |
Adaptor Kit | Yes |
Torch | Yes |
Extras | - |
£40.00
Power Source | 12V rechargeable battery, DC 12V cigarette lighter adapter |
---|---|
Maximum Pressure | 120 PSI |
Auto Shut-Off | Yes |
Digital / Analogue | Digital |
Display | LCD |
Adaptor Kit | Yes |
Torch | Yes |
Extras | 2-year warranty |
£51.99
Power Source | 12 V cigarette lighter attachment |
---|---|
Maximum Pressure | 150 PSI |
Auto Shut-Off | No |
Digital / Analogue | Analogue |
Display | - |
Adaptor Kit | Yes |
Torch | No |
Extras | Carry case |
£66.99
Power Source | 20V rechargeable battery, DC 12V cigarette lighter adapter |
---|---|
Maximum Pressure | 160 PSI |
Auto Shut-Off | Yes |
Digital / Analogue | Digital |
Display | LCD |
Adaptor Kit | Yes |
Torch | Yes |
Extras | Carry case |
£29.98
Power Source | 12 V cigarette lighter adapter |
---|---|
Maximum Pressure | 100 PSI |
Auto Shut-Off | Yes |
Digital / Analogue | Digital |
Display | LCD |
Adaptor Kit | Yes |
Torch | Yes |
Extras | - |
RAC610
£15.49
Power Source | 12 V cigarette lighter adapter |
---|---|
Maximum Pressure | 100 PSI |
Auto Shut-Off | No |
Digital / Analogue | Analogue |
Display | - |
Adaptor Kit | Yes |
Torch | No |
Extras | - |
£69.99
Power Source | 20V rechargeable battery, DC 12V cigarette lighter adapter |
---|---|
Maximum Pressure | 150 PSI |
Auto Shut-Off | Yes |
Digital / Analogue | Digital |
Display | LCD |
Adaptor Kit | Yes |
Torch | Yes |
Extras | Carry case, 1-year warranty |
£19.98
Power Source | 12 V cigarette lighter adapter |
---|---|
Maximum Pressure | 100 PSI |
Auto Shut-Off | No |
Digital / Analogue | Analogue |
Display | - |
Adaptor Kit | Yes |
Torch | No |
Extras | - |
Written and researched by David Sexton
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