TOP-12 Best compressors for cars and trucks

A good car compressor must be reliable, capable of operating in extreme heat and cold, and convenient to use (ergonomic). In addition, it is imperative that there is an accurate pressure gauge to measure tire pressure. Based on these criteria, we have prepared a rating of the best autocompressors for inflating tires of cars, trucks and vehicles from a cigarette lighter and directly from a battery. The best were the Berkut compressors, some Hyundai models and the Aggressor. Read more in the article.

Car tires need to be pumped up a couple of times a month maximum, and in order to save money, many of their owners prefer mechanical pumps or visit car services. That a good compressor, that a pump can last a couple of decades. The first is more expensive, but will save you from long and exhausting manual labor in the middle of the road, which is especially important in summer heat, frosty weather, for heavy cars, when tires are punctured. The best car compressor takes less than a minute to get ready for operation and restores the pressure in passenger car tires in a few minutes.

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How to choose a good compressor for your car

We decide which compressor to choose. There are two designs of compressors for inflating car tires: piston and membrane... Piston-type devices work on the principle of creating an overpressure zone due to the movements of the piston, which is moved by a crank mechanism. Budget models are not equipped with air filters, so the cylinders suffer from scuffing due to the penetration of dirt, dust, grains of sand. The performance of the mechanism is lost if it is not kept away from small particles.

Performance depends on the size of the pump: it pumps more air than diaphragm models, but heats up faster. In the absence of a thermal sensor, the device, if not turned off in time, overheats and fails. The maintainability of piston models is zero. If in expensive models there are rubbing parts made of alloy steel or Teflon, then in budget models there is also plastic.

A good membrane-type compressor is capable of pumping up to 4 atmospheres of pressure due to the movement of an elastic membrane (made of rubber with additives), which reciprocates. The membrane material is sensitive to low temperatures - it loses its elasticity, becomes rigid, due to which performance is lost. The membrane compressor is not suitable for trucks and special equipment with oversized wheels. Among the advantages - an affordable price, high maintainability (the membrane is quickly replaced), a longer operating cycle - may not turn off for a long time due to the absence of rubbing mechanical parts.

Performance. Indicated in liters of air per minute. Budget models can inflate a wheel up to 5-10 minutes, and four will take up to half an hour. For regular inflation of passenger car tires with a diameter of 12-16 ”, a pump with a capacity of about 30 l / min is needed. For SUVs and minibuses, choose powerful electric pumps - about 50 l / min. A compressor with a capacity of 70-90 l / min will cope with the restoration of pressure in the truck wheels.

Pressure. Many units produce up to 7-10 atmospheres of pressure (can be indicated in bars (bar), Pascals). For a car with small wheels, this is enough. Budget models pump up to 4 atmospheres - enough for cars with small wheels. Piston models pump up to 20 atmospheres - they are relevant for trucks.

Pressure gauge. The best car compressors are equipped with a pressure gauge, a device that displays tire pressure. There are digital and analog (with an arrow), and the first and second, are distinguished by a high error. For greater accuracy, the compressor must be stopped.

Connection method. The pumps are connected to the on-board network (through the cigarette lighter) and to the battery terminals. Low-power devices, requiring up to 10-15 A, are connected to the cigarette lighter, more productive ones - to the battery terminals by means of crocodile clips.

Cord length.In order to save money, even devices of the middle price category are often supplied with flimsy and short cords, often tanning in the cold. If the latter is unlikely to be verified, then the length is sufficient to pump up all the wheels, and pay attention to flexibility before buying.

Fitting. The hoses are equipped with a metal or plastic fitting, clamping - quick-detachable or threaded. Choose the one that is suitable in the store: plastic will not last long, the first frost can "kill" it. While you are twisting the union on the thread, the air from the tire will bleed - uncritically, but unpleasant. The set may include nozzles for inflating balls, mattresses.

Additional options. The compressors can be equipped with a flashlight for convenient operation at night and overheating protection. The Autostop function will stop the operation of the device if the pressure inside the tire reaches the required one. Further - the rating of models that have proven themselves over the years of operation.

The best compressor for passenger cars

For a personal car, you can buy an inexpensive device if it will work no more than a couple of hours a month.

Compact and lightweight compressor plugged into the cigarette lighter. It is supplied with a long elastic hose 1.2 m and a cable 4.8 m, allowing you to reach the rear wheel of a long minibus. Durable metal quick release coupling prevents air bleeding.

The built-in deflator will relieve excess pressure. The pressure gauge scale is graduated in PSI and atmospheres. It pumps about 40 l / min - enough for rubber boats, most passenger cars, ATVs, motor vehicles. The mechanism of the device is designed for continuous operation - up to half an hour under normal conditions - it will inflate four wheels from scratch. The thermal relay will cut off the power supply in case of overheating.

Features:

• thermal protection;
• wide range of operating temperatures;
• long cable;
• rich equipment;
• metal fitting.

Durable single piston electric pump - no electronic components. Designed for R16 wheels. With a power of 50 l / min, it is suitable for most cars and two-wheeled vehicles - the wheel swings in 3-4 minutes. The pressure gauge guarantees accurate readings when the compressor is off, with it displays a little more. Copper winding extends rotor life. The metal heat sink removes heat more efficiently from mechanical parts, increasing efficiency. Inflates the tire to the pressure set by the driver.

Features:

• the main components of the structure are metal;
• built-in pressure gauge;
• lantern for illumination in the dark;
• does not need lubrication;
• up to half an hour of continuous inclusion.

A good compressor with a minimum of plastic parts and a bright LED flashlight. It pumps up to 10 atmospheres of pressure at a speed of 45 l / min. The power is enough to restore the intra-tire pressure in the R14 wheel in two minutes. The dial of the phosphor-coated pressure gauge captures the slightest fluctuations of light waves and illuminates in the dark. A 5-meter accordion hose will reach the rear wheel of any car, except for the most bulky trucks and special equipment. Frost-resistant wires retain elasticity at -40⁰ C. A thermal fuse will prevent the device from overheating.

Features:

• connecting crocodiles to the battery;
• thermal protection;
• screw-on tips;
• rubber feet dampen vibrations;
• manometer with a scale covered with phosphorus.

Compact air pump for inflating tires from a renowned manufacturer. It is connected with the help of "crocodiles" to the battery and copes with the wheels of off-road equipment - it pumps up to 50 l / min. The high-tech manometer guarantees an error of no more than 5%. A twisted spring hose will reach the wheels of any car, and it does not dull at negative temperatures. Equipped with a metal quick-detachable union. The working session lasts up to 30 minutes, and during this time the engine heats up noticeably. A transport handle is provided to prevent burns.

Features:

• rich delivery set;
• warranty - 3 years;
• protection against current surges;
• built-in LED backlight;
• works at temperatures up to -40⁰ C.

Domestic unit for passenger cars and light industrial vehicles (buses). Powered by a cigarette lighter and consumes up to 14 A of current under load. Short circuit protection is provided. The pressure gauge is housed in a shock-proof housing and is not illuminated in the dark. The non-removable hose is assembled with a fitting, the press-in place of which is protected by a heat-shrink tube. A deflator is located on the hose to discharge excess air. The design includes a non-heated carrying handle and feet for reeling the hose during storage.

Features:

• low precision pressure gauge;
• flashlight control buttons and device on / off buttons are not signed;
• built-in LED flashlight;
• working cycle - 33 minutes.

Good quality South Korean autocompressor with piston mechanism. The mechanics are made of materials with low friction, therefore they do not require lubrication and maintenance. The use of fluoroplastic for the production of piston rings and high-carbon steel - for the liner, retains performance for a long time and extends the operating time up to half an hour. The pressure gauge visualizes the pressure with an accuracy of several percent. The air is supplied through a flexible polyurethane hose, resistant to negative temperatures.

Features:

• soft non-heated handle;
• LED lights;
• durable mechanical parts;
• oil-free mechanism.

Best High Performance Compressor for SUV and Commercial Vehicles from R20

Powerful tire inflators for off-road and industrial vehicles, capable of working in extreme conditions.

Device for restoring pressure in tires of sports cars and off-road vehicles used in racing and for traveling on rough terrain. The compressor is designed with an off-road platform and an air filter to keep dust and dirt out of the mechanical components, extending their life. The end of the long coiled hose is equipped with a union and a high-precision pressure gauge. Steel air valves, aluminum cylinder and PTFE rings increase the reliability of the device.

Features:

• long flexible hose and power supply cable;
• dustproof design;
• set of adapters;
• durable metal mechanism.

The device will provide compressed air to pneumatic tools in the home workshop, suitable for inflating the tires of SUVs, heavy trucks and tractors. Great for proper tire fit when using tubeless tires. The long 10 m flexible hose is equipped with a gun with an accurate pressure gauge and a metal quick-release fitting. With a capacity of up to 72 l / min, it is equipped with an 8-liter receiver that switches off when filled with air.

Features:

• high-quality case cooling;
• the presence of a receiver;
• protection of the body against corrosion;
• silicone oil lubrication.

The pump pumps 160 liters of air per minute and can operate continuously for up to 20 minutes. Equipped with a short cable, the length of which is compensated for by an 8 m polyurethane hose. It remains elastic in the cold. Attached to the end is a gun with a pressure equalization deflator and a double graduated pressure gauge. Equipped with a fuse and thermal relay. Non-replaceable silicone oil is used for lubrication. The handle is equipped with a protective casing that reduces its heating.

Features:

• spontaneous operation of the deflator;
• oil-lubricated design;
• noticeable heating of the hose at the attachment point;
• two-scale pressure gauge.

A high-performance autocompressor that can work for more than 5 years after revision (according to user reviews). It consists in installing the missing thermal relay, replacing the bearings with high-quality ones. The model's performance of 90 l / min is sufficient for inflating tires, painting, providing air to a pneumatic tool. The insides are protected from dust by a primitive filter like cardboard. The entire mechanism is made of metal, and the rings are made of fluoroplastic to reduce friction. With adapters, it turns into a device for pumping boats, lifebuoys, mattresses, balls.

Features:

• high performance oil-free model;
• high-precision pressure gauge with a pair of scales;
• rubber feet for vibration damping;
• 5 m hose with deflator.

Powerful twin cylinder compressor that needs minor rework. Due to the rapid heating, it is advisable to install a fan, and before use, check the correct installation of the rubber bands near the pistons. Equipped with a short (3 m) frost-resistant hose and a non-heating soft handle. The adapters will allow pumping up bicycles and motor vehicles, mattresses and other watercraft, painting, anti-corrosion treatment of surfaces and purging the car's power system.

Features:

• poor build quality;
• there is no cooling, thermal protection;
• short 3-meter hose;
• soft bag for transportation.

Assistant for pumping wheels of heavy vehicles, painting and supplying pneumatic tools with compressed air. The mechanism is capable of pumping up to 65 l / min of air without causing acoustic discomfort. Like the less productive Hyundai HY 1645, it does not need oil and is characterized by enviable durability. The bright LED light will illuminate the nipple at night. A fuse will protect the device from overload.

Features:

• compact oil-free design;
• wear-resistant fluoroplastic ring;
• dustproof design;
• built-in flashlight.

The low-power compressor is only suitable for passenger cars and two-wheeled vehicles. High-performance models pumping from 60 l / min will provide air to pneumatic tools, allow you to paint and prime the surface, blow something out and even make household sandblasting.

Video: How to choose a good auto compressor