A car compressor is one of those devices that any car owner must have. After all, every driver has faced a situation where the only way to continue driving is to re-inflate the tire. And if you've ever done this with a hand pump, then you know why a good car compressor is necessary.
If you are not sure which car compressor is best to choose, then we have compiled for you a rating of car compressors for 2019, among which are only the highest quality and most reliable.
Types of compressors for cars
Compressors for inflating tires are usually divided into categories based on the principle of air compression:
- using a crank mechanism and a piston;
- using a membrane.
The equipment is equipped with a direct current electric motor, the rotor of which drives the piston group or membrane unit.
A pressure gauge is provided in the air supply line, allowing you to visually monitor the pressure in the tire.
The design of auto compressors includes protective devices that prevent equipment failure due to overheating or short circuit of the windings.
How did we select models for the auto compressor rating?
Today there are many models on the market that differ in cost, quality and number of additional functions. And, of course, if you want to purchase the best auto compressor, then you need to understand some technical features.
First of all, it is necessary to say that there are several main types of automotive compressors:
- Piston compressors, in which air is pumped using the reciprocating movement of a piston. Such devices have fairly high performance and durability, but they heat up quickly and do not have air filtration; in addition, only very expensive models have high pressure,
- Rotary piston compressors differ from conventional piston compressors by the ability to pump large amounts of air;
- Diaphragm compressors in which air is pumped using the forward-return movement of a rubber sheet. Such devices are also called vibration compressors. Their main advantage is ease of repair, since the only part that can fail is a small piece of rubber. However, they freeze quickly and have low productivity.
Therefore, in order to understand which car compressor is better to choose, it is necessary to take into account the type of device. In addition, the following characteristics must be taken into account:
- Compressor performance;
- Availability of analog or digital pressure gauge;
- Type of electrical connection;
- The presence of additional functions, such as auto-stop, various adapters, and a bleed valve.
We must not forget one simple thing - compressors are devices with a very specific purpose, the design of which has not changed for many years. Accordingly, the best models in 2020 and 2019 may be the same.
Recommendations for choosing auto compressors
Basic recommendations for drivers who decide to purchase an electric compressor for inflating tires:
- Performance should be taken into account, which determines how quickly the required pressure in the tube or tire can be achieved without the risk of premature engine shutdown due to overheating. If the parameter is insufficient, the equipment will not be able to compensate for air leakage (for example, through the gap between the bead of a flat tire and the disk). It is recommended to use devices with a capacity of 30 liters per minute.
- When selecting a car compressor, you need to choose devices with a connection to the battery. Budget models are connected to a cigarette lighter, which is designed for a maximum current of 15 A.
- An additional criterion for selection is the length of the cable (for devices connected to the cabin) or the air hose (for equipment connected to the battery). It is necessary to evaluate the material of the insulation or tube; if there is increased rigidity, cracks and breaks will appear on the surface, and if it is strongly stretched, the tube will come off the metal fittings.
Top 5 compressors for cars
The best compressors for SUVs
BERKUT R17
A powerful piston compressor capable of pumping 55 liters of air per minute. The maximum pressure is 12 atmospheres, which is sufficient for any possible use scenario. Connects directly to the terminals of a 12-volt car battery. A 2.4 meter power cable and a 7.5 meter long air hose give a total of almost 10 meters, so you can pump up the rear wheels on a car of almost any size. Thanks to the high-quality assembly and durable metal case, the noise is very moderate - at 67 decibels. Storage and carrying bag included. Analog pressure gauge. A simple, but powerful and reliable car compressor that costs 5,500 rubles.
Price: ₽ 5,450
Aggressor AGR-75
This compressor in a bright red metal casing looks like its name - aggressively, unlike the rather modest previous unit, but it costs less - around 4,000 rubles. The performance characteristics are quite decent: productivity 75 liters per minute, maximum pressure 10 atmospheres, 8-meter air hose. The compressor is powered directly from the battery terminals. In addition to the storage bag, the kit includes a whole set of adapters: for balls, mattresses and boats. The manufacturer declares an operating temperature range from -40 to +80 degrees Celsius. We hope no one will think to check this.
Price: RUB 3,697
Jock K70
It seems that we have found the winner of the competition for the most original name for a car compressor. This handsome guy is enclosed in an ergonomic case in the format of “its own carrying bag” (although it is also included in the kit): the air hose is hidden directly in the case. Electronic pressure gauge, with LCD display. A flashlight is built into the body. In addition to pumping up wheels, the compressor is trained to test the generator and car battery. Power supply comes from the cigarette lighter socket. Capacity is 40 liters per minute, maximum pressure is 10 atmospheres. The only pity is that the body is plastic. Otherwise, it’s a wonderful machine with a modest price tag of just over 4,000 rubles.
Price: ₽ 4,150
The best compressors for passenger cars
Alligator AL-400
An inexpensive piston compressor that costs less than 2,000 rubles. With a power of 180 watts, it is capable of pumping up to 40 l/min and creating a maximum pressure of 10 atmospheres. Connects directly to the battery terminals. Comes with a bag, adapters for balls and mattresses. Not the most outstanding, but reliable device in a metal case. The only drawback is that the air hose could be longer (here it is only 4 meters long), although it already reaches any car wheel.
Price: RUB 2,247
GOODYEAR GY-35L LED
Branded compressor from a famous manufacturer of car tires. For such a brand it is relatively inexpensive - less than 2,500 rubles - but it can do a lot: among other things, the device is equipped with a bright LED flashlight and a high-precision analog pressure gauge. The device connects to the cigarette lighter socket and develops a power of 168 watts, which is enough to pump 35 liters of air per minute and create a maximum pressure of 7 atmospheres. The power cable is 3 meters long, but the air hose is only a meter long: you can reach any wheel, but the compressor will have to be placed on the ground. Otherwise, no complaints, an excellent compressor for inflating wheels. An additional plus is the convenient bag included.
Price: ₽ 2,500
Best according to customer reviews
The leaders in quality and reliability of operation include the following compressors:
- the most common is Berkut R15, suitable for restoring pressure in passenger vehicle tires;
- in second position in popularity among drivers is the Aggressor AGR-50 with increased performance;
- The top three is completed by the compact Autoprofi AK-30, which fits in the trunk or under the seat of a car.
The owner of a car or truck can choose equipment from the models presented in the review, focusing both on the technical parameters of the product and consumer reviews. What other manufacturers produce electric pumps for inflating car tires, and what data should you pay attention to when choosing?
The best auto compressors from European manufacturers
In this list there will be a clear division into places, since among the models presented below it is extremely difficult to identify a specific leader. At the same time, each car owner can choose exactly what suits him.
ELEGANT FORCE PLUS 100 043
Traditional rotary piston design in a metal housing made for maximum heat dissipation, with four rubber feet.
Its advantages include:
- Availability of auto-stop function;
- High stability during operation;
- The ability to inflate not only car tires;
- Excellent equipment - bag, long power cord, high-quality reinforced hose.
The downside of this device is the analog pressure gauge, which may not be very convenient for some users.
Types of air compressors
According to the principle of operation, all air compressors are divided into two categories:
- volumetric;
- dynamic.
Positive displacement compressors compress air in the working chambers and supply it to the consumer through a valve system that prevents gas leaks. All models of this type are divided into three groups: piston, rotary and membrane. Rotary compressors, in turn, are divided into screw, oil-free, scroll, gear, liquid ring and rotary vane devices.
In dynamic models, or turbochargers, air is compressed by accelerating its movement. There are three groups of such devices: centrifugal, axial, jet.
Basic parameters of an auto compressor
Many of the parameters are indicated in the technical data sheet of the device, while the rest are collected from reviews during use, as well as after feeling the compressor:
- Performance. The compressor must be of sufficient power, because it is not only the fast speed of inflating the wheel that matters. So, in the case of inflating a tire that is completely flat and even fell off the hump, it will not be possible to inflate it with a compressor with low capacity. Since the device simply does not have enough strength to put the bead of a tubeless tire in place, due to the fact that the air leak will not be compensated.
- Connection type. A high-performance auto compressor requires a powerful engine, since energy consumption is directly proportional to the performance of the device. Therefore, models powered by a cigarette lighter are a weak option, in which most likely the power will be lower than declared or it will be necessary to constantly change blown fuses. It is better to choose the option of connecting with crocodile clips to the battery, but this is only if the terminals are within walking distance, that is, when connecting, you do not have to disassemble the floor of the car.
- Cord length. The very first disappointment may be the insufficient length of the cord, which is not enough to inflate the rear wheels. Also, when choosing, you should take into account the rigidity of the cord, since a twisted cable that is too rigid will constantly pull out the “crocodiles” or plug. It is better to take a regular cord, despite the fact that it is not very convenient to store it, but it has no equal in use.
- Pressure gauge accuracy. The reliability of the readings can only be determined in comparison with a reference device. But it’s worth paying special attention to the division scale. So, on small-sized devices, the scale can be so small that the arrow will overlap adjacent values of the divisions, which will lead to different pressures on all wheels, and the difference can be even 0.2 bar. Also, you should not purchase pressure gauges with double digits, because in Russia no one uses pounds per square inch (psi) when measuring pressure. This means that the second scale is useless and will only confuse and interfere.
- Duration of continuous operation. The operating time must be taken into account along with the performance of the device. So, if you inflate the wheels of an SUV, a compressor with low capacity but a long duration of continuous operation will still pump for a very long time and eventually overheat.
Best lists
Below are the best automotive compressors in four categories:
- Piston.
- From the cigarette lighter.
- From the battery.
- Compact.
Let's proceed to a detailed description of each device.
Piston
Vitol KA-T12181 Tornado is ideal for inflating passenger car wheels. Has good performance with low energy consumption.
| Size _ | 207x80x160 mm |
| Weight | 2.5 kg |
| Hose | 3m |
| Power consumption | 150 W |
Cost: from 1,500 to 3,500 rubles.
auto compressor Vitol KA-T12181
From the cigarette lighter
Hyundai HY 60 is quiet and efficient in operation. The scope is quite narrow. This mainly involves inflating passenger car tires.
| Pressure gauge | analog |
| Type | electric |
| Flashlight | There is |
| Case | There is |
Cost: from 2,000 to 3,500 rubles.
auto compressor Hyundai HY 60
From battery
AVS Turbo KS 600 is often used not only for inflating wheels, but also for boats with mattresses. The manufacturer has equipped its device with protection against overheating during operation and an accurate pressure gauge.
| Weight | 2 kg |
| Case | There is |
| Current consumption | 23 A |
| Nutrition | 12 V |
Cost: from 3,000 to 4,200 rubles.
auto compressor AVS Turbo KS 600
Compact
KATUN-307 has a durable plastic body with holes for ventilation. The analog type pressure gauge provides only highly accurate results.
| Weight | 2 kg |
| Size | 90x155x190 mm |
| Case | included |
Cost: from 2,000 to 3,500 rubles.
auto compressor KATUN-307
Recommendations for women
And just in case, we will describe a situation when a woman herself still has to replace a flat tire or pump it up. Maybe this article will help someone in the future. If the tire has just started to deflate and you notice it, you can use a tire pump or, if available, a tire compressor. After all, the wheel has not yet completely lost its shape. Just don’t confuse it with a car air conditioning compressor – these are different things.
So, if you react in time, consider yourself very lucky, then you can limit yourself to just pumping. We take a pump or a car compressor (which is much better than a pump), connect it to the battery and to the tires. Having inflated the wheel in this way, you can quickly get to the station and carry out a thorough inspection of the inflated tire, and if necessary, then immediate repair, so that there are no problems later on the road. But what to do if the tire is already flat, pumping up doesn’t help, and no one wants to help?
We calmly take out the wheel wrench, which can be used to unscrew the wheels, and, with a little effort and effort, unscrew each bolt a little. In order for this to be done without difficulty, we put a 50 cm long piece of pipe on the key handle, which we find or have in the trunk. After this, we place a jack underneath in a safe place and, using the jack handle or a special wrench, raise the car to a height such that the wheel rotates freely and can be removed.
Before doing this, the car must be positioned so that it does not roll. To do this, place a stone under the opposite wheel and apply the handbrake. Then unscrew the bolts completely and remove the flat tire. We take out the spare wheel from the trunk and put it in place of the removed one.
We do not tighten each bolt too much and lower the car with a jack. When we lower it, we tighten the bolts until they stop using the same pipe. That's it, we hide the keys, the jack and the broken tire in the trunk and drive to the nearest vulcanization. There, the craftsmen will carry out repairs and replacements themselves. In this way you can help yourself in the most extreme conditions for a woman. We don’t wish this on any of our lovely creatures, but we described the situation so that they knew how to act.
Which car compressor to buy
From the above information, the reader learned that compressors are divided into two types: membrane and piston. Their most important distinguishing feature is that the former are much easier to repair, but they are not suitable for use in winter. Piston auto compressors can be used at any time of the year.
Their performance differs little, while that of their absolute analogues is the same. But the maximum diameter of the wheels, which can be inflated using any compressor, depends on it. Owners of passenger cars only need to purchase a device with a maximum output of 30-50 liters per minute. But if you need to inflate the wheels of an SUV or crossover, this figure should be higher - about 50-70 liters per minute. Car compressors with higher performance are intended for trucks and vans.
When choosing an auto compressor, you should also consider the type of connection. Usually the most convenient option is to use a cigarette lighter, but many people prefer battery terminals. Also, when purchasing, you should immediately pay attention to the length of the cord so that it reaches the rear wheels.
You can also look at the equipment, if the auto-compressor will inflate children's balls, mattresses, swimming pools and other inflatable products, it is better to take a device with a large set of nozzles, so as not to look for them additionally later.
Classification
In domestic conditions, you can use small compressors capable of creating a pressure of 6 to 10 bar. The fact is that for inflating car wheels and other similar products (inflatable boat, bicycle inner tubes, etc.) an output pressure of 4 bar will be sufficient, but for normal operation of a pneumatic drill a pressure of at least 8 bar will be required. An additional 2 bar is allocated for losses due to pressure surges in the pneumatic system itself.
Most often, compact piston and oil-free compressors are used in everyday life, which can be easily transported. The presence of a receiver for such a device is not necessary, since housework is carried out rarely and not for too long a time. However, these are fully functional devices that allow their owner, with the help of special pneumatic nozzles and appropriate tools:
- quickly inflate or inflate car wheels, bicycle tubes, inflatable boats and other similar products;
- sand and paint walls, ceilings and other putty surfaces;
- unscrew any bolts and nuts;
- lay parquet and floor boards, install baseboards, nail clapboard, siding and metal tiles;
- water, feed and treat plants at the dacha.
This list can be continued endlessly, but do not forget about your own safety when performing any work and the disadvantages that household compressors have.
Attention! When working with pneumatic tools, you must wear special clothing (no protruding parts) and protective ear protection. All other safety recommendations are written in the instructions for the devices. In addition, it should be remembered that devices of this type are not designed for long-term operation, they make a lot of noise and vibration, and also have other disadvantages.
In industry, more powerful compressors are used that produce an output pressure of 8 bar and have a receiver capacity of 50 liters or more. The range of use of such devices is very wide: from auto repair shops to industrial production. Professional and industrial compressors are valued for reliable operation, performance, etc. Such equipment has one drawback, but it is very important for our compatriots - high cost.
