As long as you take care of yours, it should last for years. Be advised most are plastic-cased, and just one solid drop on a hard garage floor from being rendered useless. Handle with care. Also, batteries do have a tendency to lose their strength after a while; look for one with a replaceable battery. Who makes the best tire inflator?

Milwaukee's 2848-20 M18 Inflator blew away (sorry again!) the competition in inflation time. It inflated our test tire to 30 psi in just over a minute and hit 45 psi in only about two and a half minutes, allowing us to make a cool inflation GIF with the tire on a Ford Bronco (at top). Both times were nearly five minutes faster than most other inflators we tested, save the Viair. We also measured each unit's average decibel reading while operating. We then used a handheld tire gauge to confirm how accurate each unit's integrated pressure gauge was, before and after inflation. Pro Tip: Battery-powered items stashed in cars are often and easily neglected. If you're keeping any battery-powered device in your car, such as an inflator or jump starter, fully charge its battery every few months—say, every time you give your vehicle a detail job that includes vacuuming and interior cleaning. Portable tire inflators come in many shapes and sizes, but they effectively break down into two distinct types: handheld devices and console units. The most important consideration when shopping for a tire inflator is what you'll be using it for. Threaded screw-on connectors will provide a surer seal but can be hard to manipulate in cold weather. Furthermore, Schrader air valves are designed mainly for rubber or plastic end caps, not metal screw-on connectors; cross-threading (or stripping) the brass threads on your tire valves is a real possibility.More known for its cargo carriers, RoofPax's tire inflator stands out because it offers all three power options, a rarity among the off-brand units we tested. It deflates too. Whichever one is best for your needs. If you're looking for a truly "portable" inflator to keep in your car, opt for one that's small enough to stash in your vehicle and easy to use, such as the Avid Power Pistol Grip. How long do portable tire inflators last? Considering it's the smallest and lightest unit we tested, this inflator's performance was an eye-opener, right up there with the portable and hands-free VacLife and Teromas. ( Note: An older version of this inflator is linked above. The updated product link is here.) Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. is an industry-leading manufacturer and marketer of heavy-duty, portable electric power tools and accessories for professional users worldwide. Going strong in the tool market for over 85 years. Quality is the Milwaukee brand's highest priority. Starting with an understanding of the professional power tool user’s needs, quality is shaped through the design of superior products, components and processes and is extended through the use of high grade materials, supplies and stringent in-house/field testing. Quality has built Milwaukee’s reputation since 1924, and continues to be the driving force behind its growth. But it's not ideal. The 2848-20 is a relatively large and heavy unit that's too big to carry around in your daily driver. The valve attachment is screw-on, which is fine for everyday inflating but a (literal) pain for cold fingers to manipulate in extreme weather. Most egregious, there is no alternative power source; the unit requires Milwaukee's proprietary M18 Li-ion battery—and that's not included.

The Fix-A-Flat S40074 plugs directly into a vehicle's 12-volt outlet—there's no other power option—via a 10-foot cord and clamps onto Schrader valves easily. Its inflation time to 30 psi and 45 psi was surprisingly comparable to the competition. As you might expect, though, the smallest and lightest unit also felt far more fragile than its rivals—that is, even more like a flimsy plastic box than the rest. We'd hate for it to slip out of our hands during use and fall on a hard concrete garage floor or asphalt road shoulder. We wouldn't even trust it to roll around unsecured in a cargo bay or trunk. All of these units warned against overheating; always allow any portable air compressor (especially handhelds) to cool down after about 10 minutes of constant use.

FINANCE UP TO 3 YEARS AVAILABLE

Most portable inflators are rather loud when operating; nearly all of the ones we tested came in at just under 90 decibels, or about as loud as a leaf blower. That's subjective. The "best" for you will be the one that's ideally suited to your needs. In our testing, we found that brand-name inflators generally weren't any more effective at tire inflation than the less-expensive imported brands. That said, reliability, durability, and warranty coverage should be a consideration. If you're looking for a battery-powered inflator, we always recommend going with the proprietary battery system you already own and use. Should I get an air compressor or a tire inflator?

In our test, the Avid Power was more than a full minute faster to both 30 psi and 45 psi than its main rival, the AstroAI pistol-style cordless (below). But instead of an extra battery, it comes with a supplemental 12V DC power cord. ( Note: We tested this unit using the battery.) We also preferred the feel of the Avid's rubberized handle to the AstroAI's grip. It was slightly quieter too. It wasn't a difficult test per se, but it was a rather taxing and time-consuming process. Here are some things we learned and noted along the way: Once we had our final tire inflator lineup, we ran them through the Gear Team wringer to see how they performed: which ones stood out, which ones dominated the competition, and which ones left us wanting more. And we photographed the whole process. ( Editor's Note: The above time-lapse GIF is around two minutes of actual time; that Milwaukee inflator is a BEAST .) What to Look for in a Portable Tire Inflator Type Powered by a fast-charging (about an hour) 20V 2.0Ah Li-ion battery, it also offers a power cord that plugs into either the wall or your car's cigarette lighter, with an adapter. The pistol-style AstroAI is simple to use; just set the desired psi, clamp on the connector, and pull the trigger. Its inflation times to 30 psi and 45 psi were faster than most of the other units in our test, handheld or console. (It was also louder than most of the other units here.) And it all comes in a carrying case that should fit in most cargo cubbies and perhaps even your spare tire well.Clint’s career has covered nearly the entire realm of audio and video production. After graduating at the top of his class with an Associates Degree in Recording Engineering, he began working for the famed Soundelux studios in 1994, one of the largest post-production companies specializing in audio for feature films & television. Working on a myriad of feature films, Clint honed his skills as a dialogue editor, foley editor, and sound designer. Years later, he moved into the expanding area of video editing, where he served as the company’s senior AVID video editor for three years. The neo-industrial design of this miniature workhorse is a delight to both hold and look at. Unfortunately, it's not quite as satisfying to work with. Not only does it run cordless via the Li-Ion battery, it will also plug into your car's 12V outlet and includes a wall plug for domestic use. This means you don't have to worry about keeping its battery charged, or buying into yet another battery and charger system if you're not already using the 20V MAX in your garage. Handheld is the way to go for a tire inflator to keep in your car in case of emergencies. A handheld inflator should be easily stashable and simple to use. Shop for a handheld inflator that features a work light for nighttime situations, a digital gauge for accurate readings and auto-shutoff, a clamp-style valve connector, and a 12-volt plug to reliably power the device with your vehicle when you need it. Renowned brand-name inflators didn't necessarily perform any better than the off-brand ones we tried. Handheld inflators proved to be just as fast as, if not faster than, console units at inflating car tires.