The best car compressors for tire inflation from the cigarette lighter for 2022

Today, the need to pump up a wheel is a rather rare occurrence in the everyday life of an average motorist. Modern tires perfectly hold the right 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 smoothly for years, and most drivers have not even experienced 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 come in handy does not negate the fact that it may be needed right tomorrow.

It is worth noting that stocking up on a compressor is simply vital in case of:

• If there is a long road ahead;
• There is a long off-road trip ahead;
• The installed set of tires is far from being an acquisition of the last days;
• The tires have already been repaired.

What is a compressor for?

The compressor is not only a device for pumping the wheel, but also with its help uniform pressure is maintained in all the wheels of the car. A special need for it arises when no puncture or penetration 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 significantly affects the service life of the rubber and increases the level of the occurrence 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 necessary tire pressure, according to the existing conditions on the road and traffic congestion.

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

A tire compressor may be needed not only for car enthusiasts - it is also useful for fishermen / tourists for inflating rubber mattresses or inflatable boats. It will also help to qualitatively inflate 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 budget. 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 air into the tire. The smaller this value, the longer you have to wait for the desired effect. Units that have a pumping rate of 10 liters per minute or less may only perform well on bicycle or motorcycle wheels. Their standard figure for inflating even a small 13-inch tire is a full 20 minutes or more.

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

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

It is worth noting that some compressors with a low pumping speed and located in the lower price segment have very poor build quality. It's all because of the loose fitting 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 rest. Most of these models are deprived not only of protection against overheating, but in general any indication of the onset of such a state of the device. Therefore, the owner may even be mistaken in good faith and 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 one for the device.

Max pressure

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

Power type

The vast majority of existing models are powered from the car's 12 V network. This can be done by connecting to a car cigarette lighter, or using terminals connected directly to the car's battery.Connecting to the cigarette lighter is much more comfortable and safer, however, you should correctly calculate the current and fuse rating that will be used by the compressor. Currently, there are fewer and fewer cars in which the fuse is rated for 8A; on cars manufactured after 2010, powerful fuses for 15-20A 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 garages 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 a small length. 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 cannot reach for the rear wheel to ensure its pumping.

Air hose length

This size is also of paramount importance: for effective inflation of wheels of 13-15 inches, 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 in their design, many plastic parts wear out quickly, begin to let air through, or even fly off during the inflation process. All-metal clamps or brass fittings are considered more reliable.

Gauge type and location

Its presence is strictly necessary and it is present in all models of compressor devices without exception. Installing this device directly on the case will be justified for devices with high performance and speed, which can handle 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 monitor the change in all parameters in a calm mode.

A pressure gauge that works with a dial (analogue) will naturally cost less, but it is easier to get readings from a digital pressure gauge. They are simply visually more accessible and more accurate. Analog pressure gauges, on the other hand, 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 point pumping is required. Moreover, analog pressure gauges often overestimate the readings, displaying pressure on the dial a little more than what is actually present in the tire. And it is extremely difficult to detect such an error on them.

Bleed valve

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

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 at night.

Rating of the best cigarette lighter compressors for 2022

Budget compressors, costing up to 1500 rubles

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

This device will last for quite a long time, thanks to high-quality assembly and a strong metal case. High performance will allow you to fill the tire with air in a sufficient short time. It has excellent conditions for transportation: a handle for easy carrying, an extended cable. Power 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 performance;
• The set includes various attachments.

• Can show a slight error of the manometer;
• Prone to occasional overheating.

2nd place: AZARD Tornado-AC 580

This compressor is equipped with a special cushioning support, thanks to which it is perfectly installed on any surface. The case includes special ergonomic inserts and is made of durable materials. There is an overheat 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 set is supplemented with various attachments;
• The piston is made of metal.

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

1st place: Kachok K 50

The excellent model combining the inexpensive price and the increased power. It has a reflective body in bright yellow and will be clearly visible when installed on the side of the road. The air hose is equipped with a reliable brass fitting. Performance is limited to a 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;
• Resistant fastening;
• 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. It has increased power, is able to withstand low temperatures. Despite the fact that an analog pressure gauge is installed on the compressor, its scale is graduated very finely (in 0.2 ATM steps), which allows for point 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 protection against overheating;
• The kit includes additional nozzles;
• Simplicity and ease of use.

• The case does not have a reflective coating.

1st place: Chameleon AC-200

It has a simplified and intuitive system of operation, even a child can easily understand its work.The case has a built-in high-precision digital pressure gauge with a frost-resistant screen. Integrated night lighting 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

• Presence of overheating sensors;
• Digital pressure gauge;
• Frost resistance.

• The standard air blower hose is rather short.

The best compressors costing over 3000 rubles.

2nd place: SkyWay Titan-03

This device is made in a metal case, can be connected either directly to the battery using terminals, or run from the cigarette lighter. The technology applied in the piston system of the device shows excellent fault tolerance. Continuous work can quietly 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 attachment of the hose to the wheel nipple;
• Rugged housing.

• No nozzles included.

1st place: BERKUT R15

Judging by the reviews of motorists, this model is the best on the current market. It has an extremely low weight (2 kg), an elongated blower hose, a built-in temperature sensor. You can connect either directly through the cigarette lighter, or by hanging the terminals on the battery.The shock-absorbing support of the case provides reliable stability on various 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 overloads;
• Performance is not affected by the environment;
• Ease of transportation.

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

Instead of an epilogue

You can buy a quality compressor today at 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 exorbitant.