Portable 12v electric air pump for tires... Any gems out there under $50?

I had a small 12v electric air pump that I’d bought at Pepboys maybe 25 years ago. So simple that it didn’t even have an on/off switch. It just worked so simply and the thing wouldn’t die. Until today… the clamp just won’t work to hold tight anymore. So despite the motor still functional, it’s rather useless.

So, on Amazon there’s like 2 dozen different weirdo Chinese brand name pumps out there, ranging from $30~40… then there’s DeWalt and a few other recognized brand names priced at a lot more. I’m just wondering if anyone else here bought an air pump like this not too long ago and has had a good experience with it.

Right now, I’m looking at THIS one.

And Project Farm Delivers…
12v pumps

And Harbor Freight for the win…

Battery Powered Pumps

All the Best,
Jeff

I bought the Harbor Freight high volume 100 psi one and really like it. For like $30 with coupon, it’s served me well, saved me, my son, wife and others in an emergency with no issues at all. It would struggle on huge tires, but for normal tires it’s great and fast.

Great — thanks Jeff & Sirstinky, will definitely check out Harbor Freight. I’ve got one of their stores in a short driving distance away.

EDIT: The one depicted above isn’t carried any longer. They’ve got a cheaper looking model available now… so, looks like I’ll have to forgo this retailer.

we have several and have found out we like the screw-on type instead of the lever-clamp version.
all are over 5 years old, so the models are outdated and/or discontinued.
here is “something like” the newest one we have:

This is the one that I picked out for our family not too long ago.

https://www.amazon.com/WindGallop-Compressor-Automobiles-Basketball-Inflatables/dp/B081YVKGLP

We haven't had the opportunity to use it yet.

It is quite compact.

It used to be right at $30, and $30 was the max we were willing to spend.

I just went to ChinaMart and bought their $20 jobbie with light and then bought my gal and my sister one as well. While a bit slow, the three are holding up well with moderate use.

Chris

Although not 12 volt I have the Ryobi 18 volt air pump since I use the Ryobi system \It works well. I will be looking at the Harbor freight model too. Thanks for the info

I’ve recently bought this one at AliExpress, USB-C rechargeable, so far it has been working very well, I checked the precision with a professional tire pressure gauge and it’s near perfect that’s the link I bougth

It’s called Mojietu made by Roidmi (which I think is a part of Xiaomi)

$16.19 using vipon coupon here

https://www.myvipon.com/product/8227954-Digital-Car-Air-Compressor-Tire-Jhua-amazon-coupons?sl=fe37195376e6bb8dfbbdb8f3678a717f&f=deal&search_tid=60ff90695094bb62a13bffd3

There are also some that are cordless rechargeable

OK, I looked over an assortment… then found this one that I liked. Originally I wanted to get something 12v using a cord, no on-board battery. But the ease of no power cord logistics is very attractive. Found this one that’s pretty hefty. 6000mAh. Can go up to 150 psi. Found it first on AliExpress, then found a “cousin” of the same design on Amazon (LINK). Came to $36 using $10 off coupon. The other rechargeable ones I’d seen were 2000mAh and 3000mAh. I think this Avid “cube” will be robust. Good thing about Amazon in USA is easy returns if it doesn’t work out (impossible with AliExpress).

It was $20 shipped with coupon, on the second link I shared

congrats,
let us know how you like it :+1:

thanks!
that coupon expired, so I bought this 6000mAh model


here is the code to bring it down to $21
30AXX4TR
I got the coupon by joining vipon here

I like the powerbank feature, and the option to top up a tire without starting the car…

And I like that the coupon works on Amazon.
They make spending money easy and fun… lol

Now I will have two LiIon devices in my car, the other one is a Jump Starter, that has already proven itself…

maybe we need a search for combination jumper pack with air pump? lol

I paid $38 in 2016, so, about the same price now thanks to inflation.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036E9VB6

“The seller is no longer offering vouchers.”
But thanks for the ref. I will check VIPON prior to purchases in the future. Seems that can offer some tempting deals.

Viair 85 is great, I have a $150 model 300…
its big, heavy, strong, and a pain to set up and take down.

The new inflators have built in auto shut off! I want that!
plus they come with a built in flashlight… lol

right now I have to use a pressure gauge after I use the pump, to recheck all my tires and adjust them… plus I need a flashlight to see the tire valve at night…

lets see if the new LiIon Tire Inflator is up to the task…
of putting +10 psi into 4 tires,
before it has a thermal shut down…

will be a good excuse to go back off pavement,
with less reluctance to air down… (I drop 10psi for washboard)

Thanks, Jonathan. I found that Amazon honored the free shipping, despite the discount bringing it below the free shipping threshold. Ordered, as I’d like to compare it to the other one and then decide which one to give to a family member. :sunglasses:

Same here. I’ve got a really good digital tire pressure gauge by Slime. But it’s a pain having to fill, then check with the gauge and then fill more or let out air. Hopefully these programmable types with usage modes will help save time.

This is the Slime gauge I’ve got:

The only problem is the timeout… and that you have to press two buttons simultaneously to turn it back on. Plus, no backlight (although an AAA in the mouth solves that!)

well done
good consumer… LOL
two is one…

your thread is saving me money, right?

it feels more like its costing me money…
but hey, less than the price of a FWAA… :person_facepalming:
corona time, order online

I think in time you’ll warm up to the FWAA (no pun intended). :wink:

QC could be a bit better. Shouldn’t have these activation problems due to excessive lubricant or machining grime on the threads. Mine was pretty much flawless. The fiddling in the beginning is worth the price of admission, though. And about rapid heating, I think we all figured that the 1400 lumens is just a pipe dream in terms of practicality. I don’t think you can do much without fins to dissipate the heat. But I don’t mind clamping down on the ceiling. The tint is well worth it! It’s gorgeous and it “feels” like it matches the copper body.

I agree, Ive warmed up to the FWAA… lol
actually, I set a low enough ceiling and low enough thermal step down, that I can hold the light comfortably, even for 10 seconds of Turbo…

I also like the LEDs, and the copper body feels luxurious to me… I keep reaching to fondle it… and play with different configurations… certainly entertaining…

Today the FWAA has earned a spot in my daypack… were going on walkabout to a hot springs…

.