It’s no fun being stuck on the side of the road due to a flat tire or if they’ve blown out. But tires do lose air over time, and you want to do everything within your power to ensure you’re equipped for tire pressure issues. An air compressor is just what you need. We’ll review five of the top 120 volt portable air compressors by comparing their features and the pros and cons. In the end, we’ll tell you the one we recommend as the best.
COMPARISON CHART
  |
1. Makita MAC2400 Big Bore 2.5 HP Air Compressor
|
CHECK PRICE ► |
 |
2. PORTER-CABLE C2002 Oil-Free
|
CHECK PRICE ► |
 |
3. DEWALT DWFP55130 Heavy Duty
|
CHECK PRICE ► |
 |
4. AAA Lifeline 300 PSI 12V DC Air Compressor
|
CHECK PRICE ► |
 |
5. Kobalt 120v & 12v Portable Air Compressor
|
CHECK PRICE ► |
Specification
| MAX PSI | 130 PSI |
| Weight | 80.8 lbs. |
| Capacity | 4.2 gallons |
| Power Source | Electric |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance |
| Number of air couplers | 1 |
| Is it lightweight and compact? | No |
| Oil-free? | No |
The Makita MAC2400 compressor runs at a lower RPM which produces less noise. It’s jobsite ready with a 4.2-gallon twin-stacked tank with an operating pressure of 130 PSI. It has a durable cast iron cylinder that reduces wear and increases pump life. It’s efficient and runs cooler and at half the RPM of most competitive units.
WHAT WE LIKE
The Makita is a good, durable product. It’s efficient and runs cooler and at half the RPM of most competitive units. This results in better motor and pumps life and lower noise.
PROS
- Durable cast iron cylinder, less noise, industrial power.
CONS
- Oil-lubricated pump, very low maintenance though (still more when compared to most), price a little higher than other compatible brands.
Specification
| MAX PSI | 150 psi max |
| Capacity | 6-gallon |
| Weight | 30 lbs. |
| Number of air couplers | 2 |
| Power Source | 120 V |
| Maintenance | None |
| Is it lightweight and compact? | Lightweight |
| Does it have automatic shut-off? | No |
| What’s the build quality like | Durable |
| Oil-free? | Yes |
The Porter-Cable has a pancake structure that allows for stability. It also includes a water drain valve and rubber feet that are exceptionally tough. The design is high-pressure and optimizes air tool performance. This compressor requires little to no maintenance, and transporting is effortless.
WHAT WE LIKE
The Porter-Cable is a good, durable product at an affordable price.
PROS
- Highly portable, easy to use, versatile, stores a lot of air, durable, comparative price, even works well on camper tires, starts easily in cold weather.
CONS
- A bit noisy.
Specification
| MAX PSI | 200 PSI |
| Capacity | 2.4 gallons |
| Weight | 36 lbs |
| Power Source | Electric |
| Maintenance | Maintenance-free |
| Is it lightweight and compact? | Lightweight |
| Oil-free? | Yes |
The Dewalt supports a variety of applications. Easy and convenient storage options; can be stored horizontally or vertically. The oil-free pump delivers a lot for long tool runtime and quick recovery.
WHAT WE LIKE
Dewalt is a good sound choice for a tire compressor. It’s convenient, versatile, and saves space.
PROS
- Oil-free pump, versatile storing (vertical or horizontal position), space saver, quiet, very light, easy to maneuver.
CONS
- A little more expensive than comparable brands.
Specification
| MAX PSI | 300 PSI |
| Weight | 2 lbs. |
| Power Source | 12 Volt |
| Maintenance | No maintenance |
| Is it lightweight and compact? | Yes |
| What’s the build quality like | High-quality construction |
| Oil-free? | Yes |
The AAA Lifeline is a mini air compressor that inflates a tire from 0 to 35 PSI in eight minutes. It’s an affordable price, lightweight and functional for inflating other objects as well.
WHAT WE LIKE
This is not a heavy-duty compressor. So as long as you’re not wanting a tire compressor that’s heavy-duty, this is a good buy for what you get. True to AAA’s brand, this is a product you can trust when on the road. It’s easy to use and lightweight.
PROS
- Lightweight, compact, portable, good price, versatile, includes nozzle adapters.
CONS
- Complaints about build quality, not good for large capacity items, can be a bit noisy, no wall outlet.
Specification
| MAX PSI | 120 PSI |
| Weight | 6.35 1bs. |
| Power Source | 12 Volt |
| Maintenance | No maintenance |
| Is it lightweight and compact? | Yes |
| What’s the build quality like | Plastic |
| Oil-free? | Yes |
The Kobalt air compressor is a dual power inflator that provides up to 120 PSI. It’s perfect to keep in your vehicle and is versatile to be used on other products, like bikes, ATVs, beach toys, etc.
WHAT WE LIKE
This product is low maintenance; question its durability.
PROS
- Lightweight, versatile, electric
CONS
- Plastic material
Why Is Tire Pressure Important?
When your tire does not have a proper amount of air in it, bad things happen. One of them is it can fo flat — and this can happen when you’re on the highway. Whether it’s too much air pressure or not enough air pressure, it’s a bad thing and can cause you time and money that could have been avoided. Eventually, this could even affect your fuel economy and tire wear.
Even cars that come automatically equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system can only guide you so far. The light usually comes on when the tire pressure is below the manufacturer’s recommendation. Hopefully, at the time it comes on you’re in a good place to pull over and adjust your tire pressure as needed. But even then, you need to be ready to react or you may be calling for assistance. So, it’s important to have an air compressor to ensure your tires are at the correct pounds per square inch (PSI).
Benefits of an Air Compressor
- When your tires are at the proper pressure it gets better gas mileage by up to 3%, making for better fuel efficiency.
- When your tires aren’t properly filled, it’s always a safety hazard. This can affect braking ability or even cause you to hydroplane. Knowing your tires are properly filled is better safety all around for your vehicle.
- It’s cost-effective to have an air compressor on hand. When your tire light comes on, you usually have to find an air compressor or drive to one. But if your tires are already low in pressure, the last thing you want to do is take it out on the road and drive for who knows how long. It’s just more cost-effective to have it with you at all times.
- It’s also more convenient. Not only are they to be used on vehicle tires, but they can also be used on other things, like inflatable beach and pool toys, bike tires, air mattresses, etc.
- They take up very little space. Most of them are compact and lightweight, and easy to transport anywhere.
How Much Is an Air Compressor?
You can purchase an air compressor for less than $50 that will get the job done to keep your vehicle safe on the road. These are pretty basic models without extra bells or whistles. You could also invest a little more — up to $150 to ensure you have a high-quality compressor with supplemental functions. Either option is good, depending on what you’re looking for in a compressor.
Review Summary
As we look at some of the key features of an air compressor, some of the key things to look for include: the power source to know where it draws its power from, the max psi, the weight and how compact and portable it is, and the level of maintenance required for upkeep. We’ll also check out some other notable features.
The brands we’ll be comparing are AAA Lifeline 300 PSI 12V DC Air Compressor, PORTER-CABLE C2002 Oil-Free, DEWALT DWFP55130 Heavy Duty, Makita MAC2400 Big Bore 2.5 HP Air Compressor, and the Kobalt 120v & 12v Portable Air Compressor. In the end, we’ll give you our top choice for air compressors.
Tips When Using an Air Compressor
- It’s a good idea to let the air compressor cool down after using it to not damage it from overheating.
- A compressor performs more efficiently if it can breathe properly during use. For this reason, use it in an open place for better performance.
- Before you make your pick, be sure to check the compatibility of the hose extensions with your tires.
- Store your compressor indoors so it won’t get dusty, especially if you’re in a humid area.
- Your compressor should be part of your vehicle emergency kit when you’re on the road, so make sure the hoses and extensions are always in the car as needed.
Conclusion
While all of the air compressors are good, our recommendation for the best tire air compressor is the Makita MAC2400 Big Bore 2.5 HP Air Compressor as the best choice. This air compressor is equipped for better output which results in better performance, and it also comes with an oil and 1/4 -inch universal quick coupler. It’s a bit pricey, but worth every dollar.
