Air compressors come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes the best air compressor for you, may not be the same style that suits everyone. For example, if you work out in the field, or if you need to run multiple air tools and a paint sprayer, then you probably need a larger capacity air compressor to do the job. On the other hand, if you need to have an ultra portable, hand held air compressor then that is a totally different story! Yes, here at Aircompressorjournal.com, we have a range of hand held air compressor units to suit everyone no matter what your individual requirement.
Hand Held Air Compressor – perfect for emergencies
If you would like to have the versatility of a small hand held air compressor, then there are some excellent new air compressors on the market that you might like to see! When you need to keep a small portable air compressor in the back of your car, just for emergencies, then we have a model to suit. Here is our review of the best 12 v air compressors on the market, in case that is what you are after! But the focus is on the best Hand Held air compressor reviews.
Hand Held Air Compressors are very portable
Without a doubt, a small portable and hand held air compressor can be a great asset to have near to hand, just in case of those little emergencies. Whether it be a small job like blowing up a soccer ball, or fixing up a bicycle tire, a hand held air compressor can be very useful. Likewise when you go on a camping trip, there is always something like an air bed or an inflatable toy that needs to be pumped up. But one of the most important times to have a hand held air compressor is when you get a slow leak or a puncture in your car tire, and there is no other way of getting home. A hand held air compressor can come to the rescue and fix your car tire even when you are in the middle of nowhere, and far away from a repair shop!
Keep a hand held air compressor in the car or truck
The best hand held air compressor can be stored in the back of your car or truck, and is always close to hand. The best small portable air compressor is always easy to access and doesn’t need a power outlet or electrical cables to run, because it runs off a 12 v battery.
Some hand held tire inflators can be plugged into the cigarette lighter in your vehicle, to run off the 12 v car battery. The best rechargeable air compressors run off their own 12 v battery. Of course, you need to make sure that the battery is always kept on charge, but the best thing about a hand held air compressor is that they come with two batteries so that you can have one on charge and one ready to go.
Pros
- Easy Maneuverability: The lightweight design makes the machine easy to use
- Environmentally friendly: These machines do not release toxic byproducts into the environment
- Easy Storage: The device can be stored easily without consuming much space
Cons
- Limited Power Capacity: These machines are unsuitable for heavy duty tasks
- Slower deliver of compressed air: May have to stop to cool down
Best hand held Air Compressor Reviews
There is a wide range of possible options for the best hand held air compressor, including whether you need a pressure gauge, a working light, and even an automatic shut off valve to avoid burn out. But despite the small size of these hand held air compressors, all of these features are available – let us show you what is out there!
1. Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor
The Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor is high on our list of best hand held air compressor reviews because it is purpose built for heavy duty tasks. It won’t leave you stranded in case of an emergency. It is built in the same standards as an industrial air compressor. And therefore it can handle even the toughest conditions. The Viair 88P air compressor has the power to inflate up to 33 inch tires. This is certainly adequate for most cars and trucks, and it can do that in a little as 10 minutes.
The Viair air compressor is built for around the home as well industrial use
Even though the Viair portable air compressor is built for industrial applications, it is more than useful around the home as well. It can be put to good use for inflating all those sporting goods, swimming pool toys and bicycle tires.
Excellent for those with large families, the Viair 88P air compressor is safe for anyone to use. It can be used to inflate up anything around the house in no time at all. The Viair portable air compressor comes with heavy duty power connectors. This model comes with alligator clamps to connect directly onto a 12 v vehicle battery. This hand held air compressor can deliver up to 120 psi. It is the flow rate from such a small air compressor which is truly impressive. Some hand held tire inflators need to stop and take a break for cooling during the average tire inflation, but the Viair can finish the job in around 10 minutes or less.
The Viair has an innovative dual action air pump, which is powered by a 12 volt air compressor motor. It can deliver a much greater flow rate than the competitors. Not only can it inflate tires more quickly, and more efficiently. There are no over heating problems that some hand held tire inflators face.
What we like about it: The reason we recommend the Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor is for those who need a backup air compressor supply. This hand held air compressor is light and portable, yet powerful and easy to operate – we really like this one!
Check out the VIAIR 00088 88P air compressor at Amazon.
Pros
- Very powerful yet very small
- High durability
- Up to 120 PSI
Cons
- Requires a pause to cool down
2. ENGREPO Hand-Held 12V Electric Portable Air Compressor
The ENGREPO hand held air compressor can be easily packed away in the back of your car or truck. Keep an ENGREPO nearby in case of a problem on the road, day or night. The best hand held air compressor is always easy to access and doesn’t need a power outlet or electrical cables to run, because it runs off a 12 v battery.
All hand held tire inflators can be plugged into the cigarette lighter in your vehicle, or power off the 12 v car battery. The best rechargeable air compressors run off their own 12 v battery. Of course, you need to make sure that the battery is always kept on charge. But the best thing about the ENGREPO hand held 12v air compressor is that it can easily plug into your car socket for a ready supply of 12 volt.
What we like about it: We recommend the ENGREPO Hand Held air compressor because it is light and easy to use, takes up no space in the back of your car or truck. Why not buy a second one for your other car as well?
Pros
- Easy access to 12v power
- Very portable
- Very lightweight
Cons
- Requires a break to cool down
3. Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Portable Compressor
Most SUV and truck owners these days are aware of the advantages of having a heavy duty air compressor. The Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Air Compressor is perfect to carry in the back of your truck.
Designed and built for industrial applications, the Viair 70P can deliver more power while still being a light and hand held air compressor unit. This portable air compressor can operate from either 12 v or 24 v power supplies with a simple switch control between the two options.
What we like about it: The Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Air Compressor is ideal for those with sports vehicles, who travel off the beaten track, or for truck drivers who need spend long hours on the road. This hand held air compressor is compact, easy to use, inflates heavy duty tires in less than 10 minutes, and is built to last for years.
Read a detailed review of the VIAIR 00073 70P at Amazon.
Pros
- 12v power
- Very powerful
- Very lightweight
Cons
- May overheat during long jobs
4. Slime 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator
The Slime 40022 hand held air compressor is easy to use because it has a simple digital display which is integrated into the design of the product. This makes the unit very easy to use. You can simply monitor the pressure rating while the Slime hand held air compressor does all the work for you. In fact, this model comes with impressive safety features such as automatic shut off to avoid over heating the unit or over inflation.
What we like about it: The Slime 40022 12 volt digital tire inflator is designed to be compatible with any standard 12v vehicle outlet and with an extension cord long enough to reach all 4 vehicle tires. Built to be small, lightweight and easy to store away in case of emergency, this is an ideal hand held air compressor for any driving or camping enthusiast.
Pros
- Compact carry and storage
- Very powerful
- Very lightweight
Cons
- Slower for heavy duty jobs
5. Slime COMP06 Professional Power Heavy Duty 12Volt Tire Inflator
The Slime COMP06 is easy to sue with a fully integrated control panel, with LED lights, pressure gauge, and auto shut off controller. This hand held air compressor can run off dual power sources, and is designed for heavy duty usage such as larger vehicle tires, such as SUVs and small trucks.
What we like about it: This hand held air compressor is easy to use, and easy to store away in case of emergency. It comes with all the accessories you need such as instruction manual, air pressure hose, quick release connectors, and protective storage bag. This small hand held air compressor is more than useful to inflate car tires, bicycle tires, soccer balls, and all manner of recreational products.
Pros
- Very powerful yet very small
- High durability
- Up to 130 PSI
Cons
- Requires a pause to cool down
6. Viair 00077 77P Portable Air Compressor Kit
The VIAIR 77P has a great reputation as a compact, yet powerful hand held air compressor. The reason for this high regard is simple, because this small portable air compressor can fully inflate a standard car tire simply by plugging it into the cigarette lighter socket. No more worries about flat tires or slow leaks leaving you stranded by the side of the road. Simply plug this hand held tire inflator into the socket inside the car. You can be back on the road in a matter of minutes.
This super little hand held air compressor has an operating range of 30 to 80 psi, and a maximum operating temperature of 150 degrees. Don’t worry about burning the unit out because it is designed with a safety shutoff to prevent any accidents. You can store one of these hand held air compressors in any vehicle in case of emergency. Even your wife and kids will be able to plug it in and use it with no trouble.
This hand held air compressor also comes with a hand night light for improved visibility even in the dark. It runs off 12 volt power supply which is readily available through any car or truck battery.
What we like about it: The Viair 77P portable air compressor is a cinch to use, no matter where or when you get stuck with a flat tire. No matter whether it is day or night. This is a high quality product that will get you back on the road quickly. It has enough power to inflate any tire so that you can get back home for repairs.
Pros
- Very small – Very powerful
- High reliability
- Up to 100 PSI (operating range 30 – 80psi)
Cons
- Not for big jobs
7. Slime 40026 2X Heavy Duty Direct Drive Tire Inflator
The Slime heavy duty is designed with a dual action cylinder air pump, and is powered from the 12 volt battery. Fully self contained, this powerful little air compressor can deliver more than 100 psi. This unit has the capacity to inflate truck tires in less than 5 minutes.
The trouble with most hand held air compressors is the tendency to overheat in the middle of a large tire inflation. They are generally limited as to how long they can operate continuously. No such problems for the Slime 40026 hand held air compressor! With this unit, the job is done and finished inflating even a medium to large sized vehicle tire before any excessive heating occurs.
What we like about it: Not only is this hand held air compressor limited to tire inflation, this unit delivers such impressive air pressure that you can even use it for short duration DIY projects around the house or garage. However, it is not recommended for tasks that require extended duration. You need to be aware that any small hand held air compressor is subject to overheating on bigger tasks.
Pros
- Very small and compact
- High reliability
- Up to 120 psi
Cons
- Slow but powerful
8. SLIME COMP02 12-Volt Tire Inflator
Yet another extremely versatile and portable air compressor from the Slime brand. The COMP02 is one of the smaller and cheaper products in the range. Perfect to store away in case of emergency, the Slime COMP02 is an insurance item, that you can always rely on to be there when you need it.
Why not buy a second tire inflator just in case!
Why not buy a hand held air compressor for each of your vehicles, to make sure you have help on hand whenever you have a problem. No good having a tire inflator in the back of the truck and then finding you have a slow leak in one of the car tires! Because this neat little hand held air compressor takes up virtually no space, you can easily and cheaply keep one in all of your vehicles.
Operating from the vehicles 12 v battery, this hand held air compressor can easily be plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. It is a surprisingly small tire inflator, that takes up very little storage space. but take note that it may take a little longer to inflate a tire, especially if the tire is very low on pressure.
What we like about it: Small and inexpensive, the Slime COMP02 is the best hand held air compressor in terms of convenience and reliability. At this price, you can give them to your friends and family to keep them safe in times of emergency. We think that is one of the best gifts you can possible share!
Pros
- Very small – Very powerful
- High reliability
- Up to 80 psi
Cons
- Not for big jobs
9. VIAIR 85P Portable Air Compressor
The Viair 85P Portable Air Compressor just might be one of the smallest and lightest unit on the market. Weighing in at only 1 pound, how can you afford to be without it? Despite its diminutive appearance, it still delivers an very adequate 65 psi at operating conditions. This operating pressure is more than enough to inflate most standard car tires.
The Viair 85P runs off 12 volt auxiliary power, and comes with a plug to fit most standard vehicle outlets. It has been well designed and comes in a neatly designed hand held package. It includes an easy to operate work light, control switches and pressure gauge.
What we like about it: At a cost of less than $50 and a weight of less than 1 pound, there is no excuse for not protecting your self and your family from a roadside flat tire. Some people prefer to use this convenient hand held air compressor to top up their tire pressure at home rather than the hassle of visiting the garage.
Pros
- Very small and compact
- Very lightweight
- Up to 80 psi
Cons
- Slow but powerful
10. VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor
In case you have a larger vehicle and need the power and reliability to inflate tires up 30 inch diameter, the Viair 300P portable hand held air compressor my have what you are looking for. With a maximum operating pressure of 150 psi, this unit is small but certainly has some grunt.
It is small enough and portable enough to store in the back of the truck or car or sports vehicle. It is a great insurance against a flat tire crisis in the middle of the night. Even though it is a little larger than other products, the Viair 300P is still a convenient hand held air compressor.
What we like about it: Simply clamp the terminals to the vehicle battery. This 12 v air compressor has enough power to inflate large vehicle tires. It is versatile enough for use on bicycle tires, as well as all manner of sporting goods such as soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, and even pool toys and beach balls.
Pros
- Small and compact size
- The big end of the Hand Held range
- Up to 150 psi pressure
Cons
- More noisy
How to choose a Hand held air compressor or 12 Volt air compressor?
This list of the best hand held air compressor reviews has been taken from the wide range of available small air compressors. The selection included all small units. This means 12 volt air compressor, rechargeable air compressor and many types of tire inflators. There are some subtle differences between the available models types and brands. But the important criteria is that the unit must be hand held, self contained, small and portable.
The basic tire inflator is designed to plug into the standard 12 v vehicle socket or cigarette lighter. They are generally better for short durations to inflate standard car tires or bicycle tires.
The so called 12 volt air compressor is designed to be more powerful. This means that it can be used for heavy duty tire inflators. These little units can even for basic air tools for use around the house or garage. With an operating pressure over 100 psi, this type of hand held air compressor is very popular. And it is not overly expensive to buy.
Check out the following portable and hand held air compressor reviews at Amazon!
