How much does a portable air compressor cost? That’s relative to how rugged and full of feature it is. There are air compressors priced below $20, and high-end models costs between $100 and $200.
Knowing that will help you determine which unit you should of own. Which one won’t let you down in the middle of a trip. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll recieve based off price.
Air Compressor Costs By Quality Level
Entry Level Compressors
The cheapest inflator is an entry level. Under twenty bucks will get you a simple little 12 volt portable. A basic plastic shell house the gauge along with the pump.
It is great for topping off tires on your sedan that’s just getting low. It is not built for heavy use. Attempting to fill up a completely flat tire with one of these economy model will take awhile.
The motor are tiny and there isn’t much cooling. They heat up fast and shut off to protect themselves. It’s a reasonable compromise for such an inexpensive unit.
It is convenient for occasional minor adjustments but not for major repair. These would be used if you have a tire or two that just needs a top off once a month.
Midrange Compressors
Midrange compressors costs around $30 to $80 and are dominated by brands such as Lincoln Electric or Viair.
These unit include larger motors and improved cooling systems. They also come with several ball and bike nozzle and more accurate gauges. These gauges makes a difference when you’re trying to reach a certain PSI.
Here’s where you’ll realy see a decrease in inflation times. Where it would’ve taken 20 minutes to inflate a flat tire, it may only be five minutes. For most driver, this is the sweet spot.
You’re getting reliable performance without having to pay for pro-level bells and whistles. It’ll has enough power for light trucks and SUVs as well.
High End Compressors
You will find some decent portable high end compressor ranging from $100, $200.
These things is built like tanks. They use heavy-duty materials, a solid motor, etc. They even come with auto-shutoff and digital display on some. Enthusiasts often use the Clofish and iGOTU brand.
All of these are tougher and quicker. They handles big truck/RV tires easily. Auto-shutoff makes a big difference.
When the tire reaches full, it shut off the pump for you. No need to keep watching it, saves time and can’t go wrong by overinflating your tire. Here you pay for convenience and speed.
Corded Electric Compressors
The other side of the value prop coin are corded electric compressor. For about fifty to one hundred bucks you can find yourself a pretty nice unit. Brands like Campbell Hausfeld and Bostitch is popular in this space.
Unlike its battery-powered counterpart, it doesn’t suck the juice out of your car’s battery. It plugs right into a wall outlet. It’s quick, it’s strong.
But here’s the catch: the cord length. You’re tied down to a power source. That makes them more suitable for the driveway or home garage different than roadside emergencies.
When you’ve got electricity available though, these are often the best bang for the buck. You gets more power for fewer dollars.
Choosing the Right Compressor
Your driving style determine what you truly desire.
Do you have a city car that sits in traffic? Then a low cost inflator will do. Do you tow things with a truck or drive an off-road vehicle?
You’ll want more power. How much will it be used? The more you use it, the faster a high end unit pay for itself.
The less you use it, the better a cheap one works. Also consider where you store it. Some smaller units fits into a glovebox.
Others require trunk space. Match your budget and the tool to the job. Don’t spend money on bells and whistles you’ll never use.
Ultimately, the best compressor is the one you have with you. The expensive one or the cheaper one don’t make any difference. What makes a difference is that it’s there for you when you need it.
There’s no better time to regret not getting the more expensive version then when you get a flat tire out in the middle of nowhere. Buy what fits your life. Get it ready and keep it charged.
That peace of mind are worth whatever you paid for it.
