Best Portable Air Compressors

Hey all,

I'm looking to buy a portable air compressor to bring along on off road trips. I done some market research and I think I'm going to go with Smittybuilt 2781 5.65 CFM Universal compressor.

Before I purchase this (+$100 purchase) I figured I would ask around to see if I can find a better or equivalent compressor for a cheaper price! I also noticed that this specific compressor gets pretty hot during use, which makes sense, but it doesn't seem like they all do that.

Any extra information here would be great. Is there a masterthread on this topic?

 

Lots of people get the viair from Amazon. I can't remember the model number of the one to get. Some of them need to be ran for awhile and then allowed to cool. But one of the models is ok to just let it keep running.

Anyone know the right model?

 

ARB

I bought and installed the twin on my jeep so it went with the jeep when I sold it. Learned by lesson. Bought the single portable that I have now when I bought my Runner. I expect to have this ARB for the rest of my life.

 

These two have some pretty helpful videos that are fairly entertaining to watch. I saw this one a while back.

 

hey all,

went with the

$77 Viair 00088 Tire Inflator Portable On/Offroad Air Compressor for Car, Truck, SUV & RV | 12V Heavy Duty Pump 120 PSI, Alligator Clip, Twist Chuck

Viair 00088 88P! thanks

 

Does that one clip directly to the battery?

 

$77 VIAIR 88P - 00088 Tire Inflator Portable On/Offroad Air Compressor for Car, Truck, SUV & RV | 12V Heavy Duty Pump 120 PSI, Alligator Clip, Twist Chuck

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ASY23I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 yup it has alligator clamps looks like

 

I think that's the one that you can run for extended time (without having to let it cool intermittently). That's the one to get, if I remember correctly. I did a bunch of research awhile back but a little foggy in my memory now.

 

thats a great deal at $65, too. I just added it to my list!

 

That is a great deal.

The issue I have with those types of compressors is the low volume of air they pump out, 1.47 CFM is not much and if you are running large tires like 33s or 35s and trying to inflate from say 15/16 back up to 30ish for the drive home you are going to be camping out on the side of the road for a very long time. BTDT. It can easily take 8-10 minutes per tire which turns into 10-12 minutes per tire by the time you move from tire to tire and check pressures. Add another couple of minutes to pull it out and set it up and then disconnect it from the battery and pack it up before you hit the road and it is VERY easy to waste an hour + just filling tires. And this hour of down time comes at the end of the day when everyone is tired and waiting to get back to camp or home. My wife is SUPER patient be even she started to ask "how much longer" when I had a made in china $50 1.47cfm compressor for the jeep. She was blown away by how much fast the ARB is. I eventually just gave the other one away.

FWIW

 

You're not wrong. But I use this type of compressor for on board temporary or emergency use. For the truck or other random stuff. Not for airing up 4 tires. Usefulness is definitely limited in scope.

 

Yes for sure. They are a great value and get the job done. I was just posting additional info for others shopping. And dont get me started on the whole CO2 canister set up. Yep, SUPER fast (if you have the high $$$ high flow nozzle) but a total PITA to get refilled. At least it was for me.

 

Are you still using this compressor? Can you give a general review on it? Looking to purchase a compressor myself along with a deflator.

 

I am have been using the small ViAir compressor for the last 1.5 years. NO issues at all. When you get to the last 2 tires it does take quite a while to go from 18LBS to 35 lbs. Im going to sell my Viair over the winter and go with the large GFM Smittybilt compressor.

$189 SmittyBilt AIR COMPRESSOR 5.65CFM - SB2781

https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2...a-567726806086&psc=1&ref=&adgrpid=62497261659

 

I'm getting a

$77 Viair 88p - 00088 Tire Inflator Portable On/Offroad Air Compressor for Car, Truck, SUV & RV | 12V Heavy Duty Pump 120 PSI, Alligator Clip, Twist Chuck

Viair 88p as a temporary until Hefty Fabworks installs an onboard dual ARB compressor when they install my bumpers, then it'll serve as a backup compressor. Im going for the dual because after autocrossing for years, I love quick inflation.

 

Yup, still using it. I love it! Purchased an extended hose for it to easily access rear tires with it. Takes about 30 minutes total to air up, but could go a bit longer, depending on how much you air down. Honestly, it doesn't seem like a long time. One thing I will say - WEAR GLOVES while using it, this compressor gets hot (as most, if not all do). Good value for the price in my opinion.

 

What’s your usual air down/air up PSI? And what size tires are you running?

 

I've got 285/70/17 - go down between 20-25 psi then back up to 40-45 psi (recommended a little higher psi in the rear). I think recommended daily driving is 38-40 psi front and 42-45 psi in the back. I'm never too worried about the precision though

 

Wow, that's good to know. I definitely don't want to wait this long airing up again. Thanks for the info though!

 

That’s exactly why I want the high CFM smittybilt compressor. I take my 275/70/17 from 35lbs down to 18lbs.

 

Super happy with my VIAR 400P... no issues over the past few years, inflates fast, long cord and long hose, good carrying bag with space to fit plugs and rubber cement and even my battery jumper.

 

Was looking at those last night after reading through this thread...this?

$250 VIAIR 400P/40045 Automatic Portable Compressor, Tire Inflator Kit, Air Compressor for Truck, Jeep, SUV, and Car Tires, Portable Air Pump Kit, Car Accessories, 33% Duty Cycle, 150 PSI/2.30 CFM

https://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-400P-A...=e&keywords=viaair+400p&qid=1605380432&sr=8-1

Or did you get the kit with more accessories?

$289 VIAIR 400P-RV/40047 Automatic Portable Compressor, Tire Inflator Kit, Air Compressor for RV, Truck, Jeep, and SUV Tires, Portable Air Pump Kit, RV Accessories, 150 PSI/2.30 CFM

https://www.amazon.com/40047-400P-R...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584001418858132&psc=1

 

This is really all you need. This is what I have and love it. No issues in 3 yrs of use. Good up to 35" tires.

 

That's what I got, the first one; not the kit.

 

So, we’ve been using the ARB single piston compressor (the one that comes ready to use in a toolbox) for the last few days. It works great, is convenient to use with our gauge, and is fast getting the Nitto Terra Grapplers from ~25PSI back to 35.

 

I have a Viair 300p and use it frequently for all my vehicles and riding lawn mower. Works fast for 18psi to 32psi plus I use the hose and nozzle to air down my tires.

$150 VIAIR 300P - 30033 Tire Inflator Portable Offroad Air Compressor for Truck & SUV, 12V On/Off Road Tire Pump Air Compressor Portable Heavy Duty 150 PSI

https://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-30033-...=1&keywords=viaair+300p&qid=1606817554&sr=8-2

I do like that gun on the 400p. I find myself walking back and forth from the compressor to turn it on& off and the tire / gauge to get a reading.

 

$77 VIAIR 88P - 00088 Tire Inflator Portable On/Offroad Air Compressor for Car, Truck, SUV & RV | 12V Heavy Duty Pump 120 PSI, Alligator Clip, Twist Chuck

VIAIR 88P, VIAIR 300P, or ARB (IMO). Pick your price point.

IMO, the Viair 88P CAN work with "true" off-road tires, but I would avoid it if you're not still on passenger rated tires.

 

i just got Free with my suspension kit black Friday deal.
it's ironman4x4america , i am pretty impress how quickly it fill it up .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29GuLY_CXAg