Best portable air compressor that won’t break the bank

Just bought the Viair 400p and the compressor fits perfectly in a weathertight Fat 50 Saw Box Ammo Can. They can be found surplus at many places or:

https://www.amazon.com/Rothco-Mil-Spec-Ammo-Cans/dp/B07GY18DW8

 

another vote for the 88P Viair, it fits in the under back seat organizer. Works well, Not sure if you can attach more hose accessories with the 88P, would be the only negative if that is the case. I just take my time and air up slowly...

 

For those using the direct battery hookups, there's enough slack to get to all 4 tires while hooked up at the OEM batter location?

 

Smittybuilt 2781, it’s fast and pretty quiet compared to others.

 

Another vote for the Viair 300p. Good combo of price, size, duty level. Used mine a bunch, works well.

As for manual pumps, look for a high-VOLUME bike pump. High-PRESSURE pumps have smaller chambers in order to more easily inflate to over 100psi, but get to any pressure a lot more slowly. A typical high-volume bicycle pump, meant for tubeless MTB tires, can easily reach the ~30-60 psi rating any of our trucks are likely to use (yes, I run 55psi in my rear tires on pavement because of camper weight). This type of pump will save you a lot of time and effort compared to a high-pressure version.

 

I went with the Smittybuilt 2781. Seems to be well built and makes short work of airing up compared to my last compressor, but a couple things bugged me after a few uses:
- lack of auto on/off
- non-standard fittings on included hoses
- not sure about durability of included hoses/accessories, seemed cheap

I followed some online videos and retrofitted auto on/off (pressure switch and some simple wiring), not too bad a job. Replaced the included hoses with Flexzilla and standard fittings. Happy with the outcome!

 

The 400P Works great, no issues. The air chuck with the built in air gauge works great, very solid.

 

Ryobi makes a compressor i use it alot and you have to have 4mh battery or bigger to operate recommended by manufacture.

 

not sure why im the only one that has posted this ive been watching threads for a while now and i figured I would post my setup

 

ViAir here IMO great compressor for my 32’s

 

I love my Ryobi compressor, great buy for ~$100. It’s a little too big to keep in the truck for off roading, but I keep it in my toyhauler and is perfect for base camp operations, and running air nailers around the house.

 

Just got this. GSPSCN Portable Digital Car Tire...

$66 GSPSCN Portable Digital Car Tire Inflator with Gauge 150Psi Auto Shut-Off, Heavy Duty Double Cylinders 12V Air Compressor Pump with LED Light for Auto,Truck,Car,Bicycles,RV,SUV,Balls etc.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VVC1JHD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
It has dual cylinders so it’s quiet compared to the 88p I replaced it with. The down sides are cheap hoses and battery clamps. It’s so convenient to just set your psi and turn it on.

Btw I have an 88p for sale

 

For a person who wants a VERY COMPACT emergency air compressor, There is a nice little unit in the spare tire well on every AUDI ALLROAD.
PLUS, there is a very ROBUST compressor underneath just in front of the spare well. AND there is a SWEET aluminum air tank in the drivers side reas storage cubby.

Check for availability at your local wrecker ;-)

 

I managed to get the Milwaukee M12 inflator to inflate 33" KM3's to go from ~20psi to ~35psi in about 6-7 minutes per tire. I did this on a single XC6.0 battery. But I did have to let the unit cool down after the second tire. And after all four were done, I probably couldn't have inflated a small bike tire with the charge it had left. So two batteries would be perfect. I was at about 9k ft elevation.

 

I guess its the ones you get for nothing. I made a dump run this afternoon, while i was getting rid of my trash i spotted this lunch box looking inter dynamics 12 volt 160 psi portable air compressor. Plugged it in my truck cigarette lighter...it sort of ran, and kept cutting out. The 12 volts line cord was bad...took the unit apart and replaced it with a better cable off a spool i had. Unit now works perfect. I let the air out of my trailer tires, and filled it back up again with it...even the pressure gauge in it work mint.