Best Car Compressors to Inflate Cigarette Lighter Tires for 2024

Today, the need to pump up a wheel is a rather rare occurrence in the everyday life of the average motorist. Modern tires perfectly hold the required pressure, and if you manage to "catch" a nail with the wheel, then the problem will be resolved as quickly as possible with the help of a spare wheel and a jack. Today's cars can drive quietly for years, and most drivers don't even have the slightest need to use not only a compressor, but also a conventional pump. However, the fact that over the past 5 years the compressor has never been useful, does not negate the fact that it may be required right tomorrow.

It should be noted that stocking up on a compressor is simply vital in the event of:

• If there is a long road ahead;
• A long off-road trip ahead;
• The installed set of rubber is far from being acquired in recent days;
• The tires have already been repaired.

What is a compressor for?

A compressor is not only a device for pumping a wheel, but also with its help uniform pressure is maintained in all wheels of a car. A special need for it arises when no puncture or puncture of the wheel is detected, and the pressure is still below normal. Moreover, outwardly it may not be noticeable at all, but the reduced pressure has a noticeable effect on the service life of the rubber and an increase in the level of an emergency. In turn, when a good compressor with a high-precision pressure gauge is in the trunk, you can increase the level of maneuverability of the car, control fuel consumption, for this you only need to set the required tire pressure, according to the existing road conditions and traffic load.

Compression equipment will become an indispensable assistant even in extreme conditions, for example, in icy conditions or driving on unprepared rubber. Naturally, it is better not to go out into impassable mud or ice with a "highway", but if such a need arises, then by means of a compressor device you just need to lower the pressure to half the norm. Under these conditions, the grip patch will increase and the contact with the road will improve. And to return to a normal roadway, you will again need a compressor to return everything to its previous state.

A tire compressor may be needed not only by motorists - it will also be useful to fishermen / tourists for pumping rubber mattresses or inflatable boats. It will also help to qualitatively inflate the coals for a fire during outdoor recreation. Thus, this device has many options for use, but the frequency of its use will depend directly on the owner.

Compressor specifications

In the current market, there are many models for every taste and wallet. But most of them have their own indicators, which will significantly affect both the price and the scope.

Pumping speed

This parameter directly affects the inflation of the tire. The lower this value, the longer you will have to wait for the desired effect. Apparatuses that have a pumping rate of 10 liters per minute or less may only perform well on bicycle or motorcycle wheels. Their standard inflation rate for even a small 13-inch tire is a full 20 minutes or more.

To inflate tires 13-15 inches, a device at a rate of at least 25-35 liters per minute is required. For rubber used on jeeps and crossovers (with their 16-18 inches), the device needs to operate at 40-55 liters per minute. This is their highest speed so far and the whole process will take 2-5 minutes.

There are compressors capable of delivering a speed of 100 liters per minute, but they are extremely expensive and weigh a lot. Similar models are suitable for pumping wheels in trucks.

It should be noted that some compressors with low pumping rates and located in the lower price segment have very poor build quality. This is due to a loose fit of parts, which over time will lead to a decrease in productivity, which in turn will affect the time of effective work.

Another disadvantage of cheap models is their high percentage of rapid wear - Chinese devices in general can more or less show themselves well in the first 5-10 applications.

Uptime

Here, too, everything will depend on the quality of the assembly. Budget models are designed for only 10-15 minutes, after which they need a rest. Most of these models are deprived not only of overheating protection, but generally of any indication of the onset of such a state of the device. Therefore, the owner may even be in good faith mistaken and do not turn off the compressor for a long time. It is quite possible that under the given circumstances the first inflated wheel may be the last for the device.

Maximum pressure

This parameter indicates which tires the device can be used with. For cars, jeeps and crossovers, a pressure of three atmospheres is quite enough, but for trucks this parameter may generally exceed 10 units. Accordingly, the compressor must be selected based on these properties.

Food type

The overwhelming majority of existing models are powered from a car's 12V network. This can be done by connecting to a car cigarette lighter, or using terminals connected directly to the car's battery. It is much more comfortable and safer to connect to the cigarette lighter, however, you should correctly calculate the current and the rating of the fuse that will be used by the compressor. Currently, there are fewer and fewer cars in which the fuse is designed for 8A; on cars manufactured after 2010, powerful 15-20A fuses are used on an ongoing basis. This shows that the average modern driver is unlikely to face the problem of connecting the device to the cigarette lighter. Of course, it is worth mentioning professional models that are powered by a 220 V electrical network, but such devices are more often in demand in garage facilities or specialized car services.

Length of cable

Regardless of the power source, you should pay attention to the length of the cable itself. Even expensive models of compressor equipment sin with short lengths.The standard today is considered to be a length of 2-2.5 meters, however, for large cars it may not be enough, simply such a cable will not be able to reach for the rear wheel to ensure its pumping.

Air hose length

This size is also of paramount importance: for effective inflation of 13-15 inches wheels, it must be at least 0.75 m, but for larger wheels (16-18 inches), the minimum value of this indicator must be at least 1 meter. Such minimums will allow you to install the device close enough to the wheel, regardless of the location of the nipple. In addition, if there is no desire to install the compressor on a dirty roadside, then you should throw another meter or two in order to put the device in the car interior.

Type of nipple fastener

Flag fasteners are widespread - they are extremely easy to install, but due to the abundance of plastic parts in their design, they quickly wear out, begin to leak air, or even fly off during the inflation process. All-metal clamps or brass fittings are considered more reliable.

Pressure gauge type and location

Its presence is strictly necessary and it is present in all models of compressor units, without exception. Installing this device directly on the case will be justified for devices with high performance and speed that can do all the work in less than a minute. In other cases, the location of the pressure gauge on the hose itself will not cause inconvenience for the car owner, then it will be possible to quietly monitor the change in all parameters.

A pressure gauge that works with a dial (analog) will, of course, cost less, but it is easier to get readings from a digital pressure gauge. They are simply more visually accessible and more accurate. Analog manometers, however, have a clearly graduated step (7, 10, 16 atmospheres) and it is very difficult to see one tenth of a unit on them. This is of fundamental importance when a point pumping is required. Moreover, analog gauges often overestimate the readings, displaying the pressure on the dial a little more than is actually present in the tire. And it is extremely difficult to identify such an error on them.

Drain valve

Another important attribute of expensive compressors. When the pressure in the tire accidentally becomes higher than necessary, then you can always stop the operation of the device, after which, slowly, bleeding off the air, achieve the desired indicators.

Integrated backlight

Expensive models can also be equipped with built-in lights. They will provide useful assistance if a motorist is caught in trouble on the way and in the dark.

Rating of the best compressors powered by a cigarette lighter for 2024

Budget compressors, costing up to 1500 rubles

3rd place: Airline X CA-030-18S

This unit will last quite a long time thanks to its high-quality assembly and sturdy metal casing. High performance will allow you to fill the tire with air in a short enough time. Has excellent conditions for transportation: handle for easy carrying, extended cable. The supply nodes are protected from adverse weather conditions.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Pumping speed, l / min.	30
Air hose length, m	0.65
Maximum pressure, atm.	7
Power cable length, m	3
price, rub.	970

• Compactness;
• Increased productivity;
• The kit includes different attachments.

• May show minor gauge error;
• Prone to rare overheating.

2nd place: AZARD Tornado-AC 580

This compressor is equipped with a special shock-absorbing support, which makes it perfectly fit on any surface. The case includes special ergonomic inserts and is made of durable materials. There is an overheating sensor. The set includes a bag for more convenient transportation.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Pumping speed, l / min.	35
Air hose length, m	2
Maximum pressure, atm.	7
Power cable length, m	1.9
price, rub.	1299

• Easy to operate;
• The kit is supplemented with various attachments;
• The piston is made of metal.

• The insulation of the power cable may be brittle when operating at low temperatures.

1st place: Jock K 50

An excellent model, combining inexpensive price and increased power. Has a reflective body in bright yellow and will be clearly visible when installed on the roadside. The air inlet hose is equipped with a robust brass fitting. The performance is limited by the mode in the range from -15 to +80 degrees Celsius.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Pumping speed, l / min.	30
Air hose length, m	1
Maximum pressure, atm.	7
Power cable length, m	4
price, rub.	1500

• Relatively low noise level during operation;
• Stable mount;
• Excellent performance.

• Sensitive to low temperatures.

Compressors of the middle price segment, 1500-3000 rubles

2nd place: Goodyear GY-30L

A very popular model among Russian motorists from a foreign manufacturer. Has increased power, is able to withstand low temperatures. Despite the fact that the compressor is equipped with an analog pressure gauge, its scale is very finely graded (0.2 ATM step), which allows for pinpoint pumping.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Pumping speed, l / min.	30
Air hose length, m	1
Maximum pressure, atm.	7
Power cable length, m	3
price, rub.	1800

• Has overheating protection;
• The kit includes additional attachments;
• Simplicity and ease of use.

• The housing does not have a reflective coating.

1st place: Chameleon AC-200

It has a simplified and intuitive operating system, even a child can easily figure it out. The case has a built-in high-precision digital pressure gauge with a frost-resistant screen. Integrated night illumination system. Power is supplied from a 12A cigarette lighter.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Pumping speed, l / min.	30
Air hose length, m	0.7
Maximum pressure, atm.	7
Power cable length, m	3.5
price, rub.	2500

• Overheating sensors;
• Digital pressure gauge;
• Frost resistance.

• The air blower hose is quite short as standard.

The best compressors cost over 3000 rubles.

2nd place: SkyWay Titan-03

This device is made in a metal case, it can be connected either with the help of terminals directly to the battery, or work from a cigarette lighter. The technology applied in the piston system of the device shows excellent fail-safety. Continuous work can safely last more than 30 minutes. Composite materials, from which the air blower hose is made, qualitatively reduce the risk of its breakage.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Pumping speed, l / min.	40
Air hose length, m	3
Maximum pressure, atm.	10
Power cable length, m	1
price, rub.	3700

• Low power consumption;
• Strong fastening of the hose to the wheel nipple;
• Robust case.

• Lack of attachments included.

1st place: BERKUT R15

Judging by the reviews of motorists, this model is the best in the current market. It has an extremely light weight (2 kg), an extended blower hose, and a built-in thermal sensor. You can connect either directly through the cigarette lighter or by hanging the terminals on the battery. The shock absorber housing provides reliable stability on a variety of surfaces.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Pumping speed, l / min.	40
Air hose length, m	1.2
Maximum pressure, atm.	10
Power cable length, m	4.8
price, rub.	4000

• Soft work without overload;
• Performance is not affected by the environment;
• Easy to transport.

• The tip of the discharge hose is made in the form of a twisting head.

Instead of an epilogue

You can buy a high-quality compressor today in any specialized store, and the easiest way is to do it on the Internet sites, so it will be possible to significantly save on cost. The only thing is that you should not chase the special cheapness of the device, since the prices for compressors are not sky-high.