The best portable air compressor is a device that would greatly benefit your emergency vehicle kit. They are compact devices that could easily be stored in the trunk of your vehicle and they are able of getting you out of some annoying situations on the road. They would enable you to be fully prepared of all kinds of emergencies related to your tires. These portable air compressor reviews are thoroughly selected in order to widen your reach and make it easier for you to properly choose the one that would best fit your particular need. Going out and shopping blindly would almost always cause you to make the wrong choice. After going through the comparison and the reviews we provide you will be able to make a fully and properly informed choice.
- Viair 40047 400P-RV
- Max pressure: 150 psi
- Air delivery: 2.54 CFM Free Flow @ 0 PSI
- Amp Draw: 30 Amps
- Other features: 8 ft power cord, 60 ft air hose
- Dimensions: 10.9 x 5.8 x 7.5
- Weight: 10.75 lbs
- VIAIR 85P
- Max pressure: 60 psi
- Air delivery: 1.83CFM Free Flow @ 0 PSI
- Amp Draw: 15 Amps
- Other features: 3 ft air hose, 10 ft power cord
- Dimensions: 9.1 x 3.1 x 5.6
- Weight: 4.3 lbs
- Viair 00073 70P
- Max pressure: 100 psi
- Air delivery: 1.27 CFM Free Flow @ 0PSI
- Amp Draw: 15 Amps
- Other features: 16 ft power cord, 4 ft air hose
- Dimensions: 6.5 x 3.6 x 6.2
- Weight: 5.05 lbs
- VIAIR 300P
- Max pressure: 150 psi
- Air delivery: 2.40 CFM Free Flow @ 0 PSI
- Amp Draw: 40 Amps
- Other features: 8 ft power cord
- Dimensions: 9.80 x 4.90 x 7.50
- Weight: 8.6 lbs
- Viair 00088 88P
- Max pressure: 120 psi
- Air delivery: 1.94 CFM Free Flow @ 0 PSI
- Amp Draw: 20 Amps
- Other features: 9 ft power cord, 12 ft air hose
- Dimensions: 9.8 x 3.1 x 5.6
- Weight: 4.75 lbs
- Q Industries MV50
- Max pressure: 120 psi
- Air delivery: -
- Amp Draw: 30 Amps
- Other features: 10 ft power cord, 16 ft air hose
- Dimensions: 11.5 x 9 x 8
- Weight: 10.25 lbs
Top 6 Portable Air Compressors Reviewed
Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Portable Compressor
If you have ever wondered what is the best portable air compressor then you have stumbled upon the right place. This heavy duty portable air compressor runs on 12 VOLTS and produces 100 PSI Maximum pressure while working. The engine of the device must be up and running while you use it in order to produce the pressure.
It has 1,27 CFM free flow at zero PSI. There is a deluxe bag included in the package for your own personal convenience and for easy transportation. It has a brass twist-on tire chuck. The unit could be use for multiple purposes such as to inflate as well as to check the pressure using an onboard gauge which provides more utility. It is capable of inflating tires that are up to 225/65/R18. It requires a 15 ampere power source. You can monitor the pressure by using the gauge which is mounted on top of the unit.
The size of the unit is 9.2 x 8.5 x 8 inches and it only weighs approximately about 6.2 pounds which as you can see makes it quite a convenient, portable and compact air compressor solution. It also comes with full warranty on the parts as well as a full manufacturer’s warranty regarding the labor.
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Viair 40047 400P RV Automatic Portable Compressor
This particular unit is amongst the top portable air compressors on the market. It operates on 12 volt power and can provide you with up to 150 PSI working pressure. However, the engine must be working while you are using this device in order to produce the pressure. It could be powered directly into the car battery utilizing general alligator clamps cables.
The device comes with a tire inflation gun and gauge because inflating the tires of your car is considered the number one purpose of this portable air compressor. It also has a built-in pressure switch as well as an air hose. The package also includes RV accessories and a carrying case to ensure further portability. It is very useful if you would want to adjust the tire pressure on your RV or on your trailer.
This portable air compressor comes in a larger 15 x 13 x 10 inches size and it weighs about 0.2 ounces. The unit could be used for about 40 minutes at a time and would afterwards have to be rested.
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VIAIR 85p Portable Air Compressor
This device is considered as one of the top rated portable air compressors. This 12 volt portable air compressor is capable of providing up to 60 PSI of working pressure. It requires the engine to be working while using the device in order to be able to produce the pressure.
The unit has a 1.83 CFM Free flow at zero PSI. It is powered by an auxiliary power outlet as opposed to the 85P model which could only be used if you have a power outlet that is rated to 15 amps or more. The device provides the possibility to easily read the tire pressure throughout the gauge which is mounted on the compressor.
It has a bright LED working light that is included. The unit is quite compact but it is capable of fully inflating a tire that is up to 31 inch of size. It would be able to do that in about 2 minutes.
The size of the model is 11 x 4 x 8 inches and it only weighs around 1 pounds which makes it extremely portable and easy to carry.
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VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor
This device in particular is a 12 VOLT portable compressor that is able to deliver 150 PSI of working pressure while the engine is running. It has a 2.40 CFM free flow at zero PSI and has a 33 percent duty cycle.
The unit is operating with a heavy duty dual battery clamps with 40 amp inline fuse for further utility and longevity. It also includes a deluxe carry bag to enable you carry it around wherever you need it as well as an anti-vibration tray for more convenient usage.
The unit has an amp draw rate of 28 amps and it could be used continuously for about 40 minutes without the need of resetting it. It has a maximum ambient temperature of about 158 degrees Fahrenheit and a minimum ambient temperature of about -40 degrees Fahrenheit. It ahs automatic reset thermal protection.
The device comes in a 10 x 7.5 x 5 inches size and with an approximate weight of about 10.9 pounds. The package includes one 8 inch power cable, 3-piece inflation tips kit and an inline fuse holder as well as the owner’s manual.
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Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor
This 12 volt portable air compressor is capable of delivering up to 120 PSI of working pressure while the engine is up and operating in order to create it. It has a free flow CFM at zero PSI of 1.94. It is powered by alligator clamps that are connected directly to the car battery.
It is perfect for small ATVs, trucks and SUVs as well as sedans with tires that are not more than 33”. It also has a LED power indicator and a 9 feet power cord, a 12 feet air hose and a 3 piece inflation tip kit as part of the whole package.
Accessory power plug and a solid brass twist-on tire chuck are also in the box. It features a permanent magnetic motor and a duty cycle of 25 minutes working at 30PSI. The maximum amp draw rate is 20 amps and the maximum working pressure is 120 PSI.
The size of the unit is 9.8 x 3.1 x 5.6 inches and it comes roughly weighing about 4.75 pounds which makes it a perfect portable solution that you can put in your trunk.
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Q Industries MV50 Portable Air Compressor
This portable air compressor is high-volume 12 volt device. It is capable of inflating a tire in less than two and a half minutes because it can deliver pressure of up to 120 PSI. It has a 16-foot coiled hose and a storage bag included in the package.
It is specifically designated and well working with off-road vehicles. It is easily powered because it is an oil-less air compressor, one-third of a horsepower single cylinder device and it could be turned on by directly connecting it to the car battery with general alligator clamps. The alligator clamps are included in the package for further convenience. It has a 30 amp inline fuse. It perfect for trucks, SUVs, 4 x 4s, RVs, passenger vehicles as well as UTVs. It features a complete tire inflation system, 10-feet power cord and 16 foot coil air hose.
The size of the device is 11.5 x 9 x 8 inches and with its weight of about one pound it constitutes the perfect portable air compressor that could be easily carried around. The included deluxe carrying bag is there to accommodate your needs by neatly packing the compressor as well as all other accessories in it.
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Portable Air Compressors Comparison Table
Product name | Max PSI | Air delivery | Amp draw | Dimensions | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Viair 40047 400P-RV | 150 | 2.54 CFM Free Flow @ 0 PSI | 30 | 10.9 x 5.8 x 7.5 | 10.75 lbs |
VIAIR 85P | 60 | 1.83CFM Free Flow @ 0 PSI | 15 | 9.1 x 3.1 x 5.6 | 4.3 lbs |
Viair 00073 70P | 100 | 1.27 CFM Free Flow @ 0PSI | 15 | 6.5 x 3.6 x 6.2 | 5.05 lbs |
VIAIR 300P | 150 | 2.40 CFM Free Flow @ 0 PSI | 40 | 9.80 x 4.90 x 7.50 | 8.6 lbs |
Viair 00088 88P | 120 | 1.94 CFM Free Flow @ 0 PSI | 20 | 9.8 x 3.1 x 5.6 | 4.75 lbs |
Q Industries MV50 | 120 | - | 30 | 11.5 x 9 x 8 | 10.25 lbs |
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Portable air Compressor?
Now, obviously, there are several things that you might want to take into account when you go out shopping for a portable air compressor. This is due to the fact that they might seem quite the same but actually, the different specifications of the devices make them usable for different applications. The truth is that portable air compressors are mostly used for inflating tires and this is why there are two general things that you want to be looking out for in those types of devices.
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Maximum working pressure
This is the most important thing you want to look out for. The maximum working pressure would let you know how much air pressure can the device produce which would enable you to determine whether or not it can actually inflate your tires properly. If you have a giant 4 x 4 that requires a large tire pressure then a small air compressor capable of providing 60 PSI of pressure probably isn’t the way to go. However, you should also consider how fast is the compressor going to inflate the tire as well as what kind of power source does it need.
Most of the portable air compressors are capable of working by connecting them to your car battery with common alligator clamps. Keep in mind that almost all units would start producing the pressure while the engine is working so you must make sure to turn them on and keep them operating during the whole time.
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The size
The size is the second most important thing that you should be looking out for. After all these air compressors are called portable for a reason. Most of the units, unlike for example pancake air compressors, come in relatively small and compact size which allows you to carry them freely. The best thing to do is to store them in the trunk of your vehicle so you would always have them at your disposal. Remember that a flat tire is always something that you have to take into account and with a portable air compressor you could at least be sure that you will be able to get to the nearest auto mechanic to get it fixed.
All in all, shopping for a portable air compressor does require you to be informed about quite a few technicalities, but once you have taken a hold of this side, it is quite easy to choose the best one for you. You should simply pay attention to the little details. Make sure that you have properly identified your particular need and always shop accordingly.
Don’t make the mistake of going out and shop blindly. You will almost always get the wrong product and you would have thrown away your money. It is always better to spend some time doing a quick research and being informed than throwing yourself out without the slightest idea.
Benefits of Portable Air Compressors
There are quite a few benefits of portable air compressors which are almost all related to their size and pressure providing capabilities.
- They are small. This is the main thing. This is why they are called portable and this is what makes them great. You can easily put them away in the trunk of your vehicle and have an air compress at your disposal at all times. This might come quite handy in so many different occasions that it has become almost a must-have in every car.
- They are versatile because they are usable without having a stable power source nearby. Most of those units are connected to your car battery with normal, regular alligator clamps which are almost always included in the package of the air compressor.
- Despite of their small size, they are actually capable of producing some stable output of air pressure. Some of the biggest units, relatively big of course, are capable of providing up to 150 PSI of working pressure which would allow you to properly inflate a 33” tire for less than 2 minutes.
- Easy to use. Most of the devices are incredibly simplified in terms of usage. All you would need to do is connect them with your car battery with the alligator clamps and you are pretty much set to do whatever it is you want to. Most the units also have a gauge that would allow you to monitor the pressure which adds further convenience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the top quality portable air compressors truly bring a lot of benefits to the table. It could get you out of some annoying situations while you are out on the road and it could also keep you keep a proper maintenance of your tires by regularly checking the air pressure within them without having to visit mechanics or gas stations. This compiled list of the best portable air compressor reviews is specifically designated to offer you an outside perspective of what we believe the best devices are. They are chosen on their general capabilities as well as additional specifications which makes them the perfect addition to your emergency kit in your vehicle.
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