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Keeping your tires inflated to the proper PSI at all times can feel like a hassle. And while you shouldn’t obsess over tire inflation numbers during temperature fluctuations (like I do—0/10 do not recommend), it is a good idea to keep an eye on your tires as we move into the summer. Air compressors are a great way to fill car tires quickly, but they can be expensive, heavy, and take a long time to get up to pressure. The best cordless tire inflators, like the Ryobi One+ Battery Operated model, give you exactly what you want—and can cost under $30.

The Ryobi One+ is the best cordless tire inflator of 2022

The Ryobi One+ tire inflator is a small, battery-operated air pump about the size of a handheld drill. That means it’s small enough to keep in your car, throw into a backpack for a bike trip, or take to the beach for inflatables. It’s a quick and easy way to check your tire pressure and add air when needed.

The inflator tool runs on the same 18V battery as the other Ryobi One+ family of tools. If like me, you own a handful of Ryobi products and batteries already, it’s easy to integrate this cordless tire inflator into your collection. Family Handyman reviewed this product in April and was impressed.

“If you need something to fill smaller tires and sports equipment, while occasionally topping off your car tires, this tool is a perfect fit. It’s small and compact, easy to take on the go, and straightforward enough for a child to use. Plus, if you’ve already invested in other One+ tools and own a battery and charger, the modest price tag make this Ryobi Tire Inflator a pleasant addition to any garage shelf or basement workshop.”

Ethan O’Donnell, Family Handyman

The downside of this tire inflator—and most Ryobi products—is that the Ryobi almost always sells the battery separately, and it’s stupidly expensive. The tool costs $25-$40 depending on the store, but the battery costs $80 for a two-pack. The cordless air pump is an excellent value if you already own Ryobi batteries.

If you don’t, keep an eye out for Ryobi days sales.

This inflator works on more than just car tires

Close-up of a heavily treaded bike tire. Cordless tire inflators work on more than just car tires.
Properly inflated bike tire | CJ Toscano via Unsplash

This cute little green machine isn’t just a great option for inflating car tires. It comes with different fittings and valves to fit all sorts of tires and sports equipment. There’s a needle for soccer/basketball balls, an attachment for bike tire valves, and a wide-nozzle adapter for blowing up sleeping pads and pool floaties. 

A cordless model like the Ryobi One+ offers the right way to keep your tires inflated, plus a boatload of additional convenience on the side.

It also makes a great gift for car lovers. I actually just ordered one of these for myself, and I’ll update this article when I can try it out for myself. Driving with under-inflated tires is one of my car anxieties, but I hate dragging out the air compressor for a few little PSI. I’m pretty excited to have this on hand.

Other top-rated cordless tire inflators

While the Ryobi tire inflator is a solid and affordable option for quickly filling your saggy tire, many great choices are available. Milwaukee and Makita are both big names in shop tools, and both offer cordless air pumps.

The top 10 best-selling cordless or portable tire inflators on Amazon include:

  1. AstroAI Portable Tire Inflator
  2. Teromas Portable DC/AC Air Pump
  3. EP Auto Portable Tire Inflator
  4. VacLife Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor
  5. CarSun Portable Tire Inflator
  6. Avid Power 20V Cordless Car Tire Pump
  7. Nilight 12V DC Portable Air Pump
  8. FORTEM Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor
  9. AstroAI Cordless Tire Inflator
  10.  GSPSCN Heavy-Duty Portable Tire Inflator

Looking for something that can handle bigger jobs or support other tasks? Scroll down to read about the top portable air compressors for inflating car tires.

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