12v tyre inflator recommendations?

[JulianHJ]

I have a Ring air compressor/tyre inflator, the model with the digital pressure display ( similar to this). It's a bit rubbish, and has now stopped working properly. I'd like to replace it with something better - does anyone have any recommendations?

[B235r]

Yes! Lol a Argos value one, mines 10yrs old has been dropped loads of times, used in the rain, left out in the rain accidentally, used for longer than the specification recommends & it still lives

Has out lived posher things that costed triple the money

[Paul_M3]

Do you already own any battery tools such as a Makita drill?

If so, I’d highly recommend something like this: Makita DMP180Z 18V Li-ion LXT Inflator - Batteries and Charger Not Included https://amzn.eu/d/aA3cO9q

If you didn’t already have a battery for it then it becomes far too expensive.

[Decky_Q]

I have a cheap £15 one from b and m, its branded RAC and is better than most of my previous pumps, it is accurate with digital readout and stops itself when it gets to the correct pressure so you dont have to sit and stare at it while it does its thing.

Here is the same one on ebay at more than twice the price

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193119029437?mkevt=1&am...

[Bill]

Paul_M3 said:

Do you already own any battery tools such as a Makita drill?

If so, I’d highly recommend something like this: Makita DMP180Z 18V Li-ion LXT Inflator - Batteries and Charger Not Included https://amzn.eu/d/aA3cO9q

If you didn’t already have a battery for it then it becomes far too expensive.

This. So much less faff than having to plug it in and trail a cable around.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Something from Middle of Lidl

[CarCrazyDad]

JulianHJ said:

I have a Ring air compressor/tyre inflator, the model with the digital pressure display ( similar to this). It's a bit rubbish, and has now stopped working properly. I'd like to replace it with something better - does anyone have any recommendations?

A friend has a Milwaukee cordless one. It's mega.

[MB140]

I bought my dad one of these.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7648647

It works brilliant. Can be run from the battery or you can plug it in to the 12v socket with an adapter (supplied).

[swisstoni]

I’ve had a Ryobi inflator for a few years that uses their rechargeable batteries.
Really only makes sense if you have other Ryobi cordless stuff though. (Or an excuse to start a collection).

I’ve had a few of the little 12v cigarette lighter jobbies and they take forever to inflate anything and don’t last long in my experience.

[magpie215]

I bought this one.

Very quiet and inflates quickly.

https://www.ringautomotive.com/en/product/RAC900

[Smint]

https://www.paddockspares.com/double-pump-hd-porta...

Had the previous model (same spec just looks slightly different) for years now it just works, comes with croc clips for direct battery or jump pack connection don't think many cig lighters in cars could cope with the current it draws, once you've used one like this you won't go back to the cheaper sort.

I paid about £65 if i recall though it must be more than 10 years ago and its still working fine, you can find similar cheaper on the bay of e but with lower flow rate, whether they have the same innards couldn't say.

[Whataguy]

JulianHJ said:

I have a Ring air compressor/tyre inflator,

I used to have one of those, and replaced it with a Ring Automotive RTC2000 - it's a battery powered compressor so no cables to trail.

Currently £37 on Amazon.

It's slower than the corded ones, but I've found it to be fine for topping up - it would take a while to pump up a completely flat tyre though.

[OverSteery]

I've got one of these
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8814401?istCompany...la-913341229434%7ccrid:502317498410%7cnw:u%7crnd:12918039051227395194%7cdvc:c%7cadp:%7cmt:%7cloc:1007407&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12462225721&utm_term=8814401&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=113676135090&utm_custom2=804-872-0397&GPDP=true&gclid=CjwKCAiA7vWcBhBUEiwAXieItiLrEx2jLs0-wArtA-S_gNvpwGuFZbdMZ0qB4pxUKC8IvLGxGHL3MxoCgzoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I've not used it on a car, but for the motorbikes its great.

[QJumper]

I have a battery powered one which is great for bicycle tyres and topping up the car, but would take forever to completely inflate a car tyre. For that I have a Ring one like the OP's, which I've had for years and does the job well enough.

[Hol]

I am fortunate enough to have an airline at home, but I still carry an old boxy Halfords compressor that I have owned since the 90’s in the boot space

(At least I assume it still works).


Given the choice I would get a rechargeable battery one.

[blueg33]

Smint said:

https://www.paddockspares.com/double-pump-hd-porta...

Had the previous model (same spec just looks slightly different) for years now it just works, comes with croc clips for direct battery or jump pack connection don't think many cig lighters in cars could cope with the current it draws, once you've used one like this you won't go back to the cheaper sort.

I paid about £65 if i recall though it must be more than 10 years ago and its still working fine, you can find similar cheaper on the bay of e but with lower flow rate, whether they have the same innards couldn't say.

Many modern cars don’t have accessible battery terminals. Do these work from the jump start terminals?

Of the 4 cars at my house, 3 of them have batteries that are a real faff to get to.

[carl_w]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Street-TV-Hawk-Infla...

Plastic is a bit flimsy but it works pretty well and can be used with the battery or the cig lighter

[Krikkit]

blueg33 said:

Many modern cars don’t have accessible battery terminals. Do these work from the jump start terminals?

Of the 4 cars at my house, 3 of them have batteries that are a real faff to get to.

Yep.

Best bet is use one connected to a 12V cig socket mind.

In my experience the Ring ones are bargains - cheap and reliable.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ring-Automotive-RTC300-Di...

[Jonny_]

Bill said:

Paul_M3 said:

Do you already own any battery tools such as a Makita drill?

If so, I’d highly recommend something like this: Makita DMP180Z 18V Li-ion LXT Inflator - Batteries and Charger Not Included https://amzn.eu/d/aA3cO9q

If you didn’t already have a battery for it then it becomes far too expensive.

This. So much less faff than having to plug it in and trail a cable around.

The Makita inflators are absolutely brilliant aren't they? It's a good deal faster than the 12 volt lighter socket powered versions. And quite happily takes road bike tyres beyond 100psi. I stuck a fairly ancient 3Ah battery on mine and it seems to go forever before needing a charge.

That said, if it's only going to live in the car boot as a "just in case", then a cheap 12v jobbie (and a separate gauge as the built-in ones are invariably rubbish) is probably the right choice.

[Gunk]

I bought a Ryobi inflator about a year ago and it’s brilliant, use it for push bikes, motorcycles and cars,I already a couple of other Ryobi One tools so I just had to buy the bare body. All my stuff is mounted on the wall in the garage so it takes seconds to grab them and slot a battery in.