Best Small Air Compressor for UTV/ATV Tires – Top 8 Picks!
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For UTV or ATV tires, you need a powerful yet small air compressor that can handle tire inflation while taking up less space in your vehicle, so you have more room for other essentials. Getting an air compressor that doesn’t suit you and your vehicle tire requirements is just a waste of money. That’s why we’ve enlisted some air compressors so that you can choose the best small air compressor for your UTV and ATV tires.
Luckily, our team members have friends who own UTVs or ATVs, so we took their help and tested these air compressors on their tires. We also bought UTV and ATV tires for further testing so that we may be able to give you a clear idea. So, these air compressors are tested by our team and are best for your vehicle tire.
Also, we’ll outline the inflation speed of all the air compressors (Inflation speed may vary depending on tire temperature, weight of of your vehicle, etc.)
We will also guide you on the essential factor to consider while choosing a compressor for UTV and ATV tire inflation.
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Best Small 12V Air Compressor for UTV Tires
What is the difference Between UTV & ATV vehicles?
ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) features a motorcycle (dirt bike style) handle, allowing only one person to ride on rough terrains. You can use this vehicle if you’re riding alone, as it doesn’t allow more than one person to come along. Also, there is not too much space for extra items. However, some people have used fenders to carry backpacks, etc.
UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) features a steering wheel to handle it and a passenger seat. So, this vehicle is best for two people. Also, there is extra space for your essentials. UTVs are used to carry heavier loads on rough terrain and bumpy rides.
Do They Have the Same Type of Tires?
As UTVs have to carry the load and an extra passenger, the tire should be strong enough to handle the weight. On the other hand, ATVs do not have to take the additional load, so the less robust tire will do the job. So, we tested these air compressors on ATV tires and UTV tires. These compressors can be used to inflate both types of vehicles.
Let’s dive into this guide and get the best product for your UTV/ATV tires without further ado.
Best Small Air Compressors for UTV Tires – Top 8 Compressors Tested By Tools Geeks
1. Slime 40061 Tire Inflator – Best for UTV/ATV vehicles
Slime is at the top of our list for various reasons. The first reason is we’re already using this air compressor or tire inflator to inflate car tires. But is it reasonable to go with UTV tires?
So, after some research and testing, we can now approve it to be great for inflation and UTV tires.
This is 1.38 pounds and 6.8 x 2.75 x 6.7 inches in dimension, which means you can easily carry this air compressor, and will not take up a lot of space in your UTV. We flattened a UTV tire to see how quickly this air compressor inflates the tire completely. We could inflate the UTV tire (15 PSI) in less than 4 minutes.
But can it inflate two or three UTV tires without a break? To get the idea, we flattened 8 UTV tires (12-15 PSI) and then inflated them using Slime Inflator. We noticed that the air compressor got hot on the 7th tire (continuous inflating), so we turned off the compressor. So, we’d recommend giving the Slime tire inflator a break after inflating two tires.
The compressor comes with LED light which makes it easier to use in the dark, and the right carrying case, which will be ideal for saddlebags and under-seat protection.
Additionally, it comes with alligator clips, direct pre-wire, and air adaptors for rafts, balls, and other inflatable products.
2. AstroAI Tire Inflator
The next one is the AstroAI tire inflator, a small yet powerful compressor, just like the previous one.
This air compressor (inflator) weighs 2.2 pounds, which can be considered ideal for carrying on adventures.
During our testing, we learned that this is a fast-inflating compressor with the capacity to be used up to 35 L per minute.
Literally, we were able to inflate the UTV tire from 0-18 PSI in less than 3 minutes. So, AstroAI wins the speed game over Slime 40061. But, It gets hot quickly.
Although it has continuous usage, it must be rested after 10-15 minutes to avoid overheating.
The thing we personally liked was the pre-set pressure features because it helps to avoid over-inflation and auto shut-off switches it off in case of overheating too.
Besides, it might be noisy for you because of its 80 decibel of sound level. It uses only 120 watts, and this 8.4 x 6.8 x 3.9 inches compressor is compact.
Another thing we liked was the two ways to attach the air nozzle: quick connector and screw rotation.
An LCD screen with an LED flashlight is perfect for use in the dark and has perfect pressure reading. This 12V air compressor is excellent; you can power them with a cigarette lighter plug in your UTV vehicle. It comes with 3 nozzles, a fuse, a valve adaptor, extension hose.
3. EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor
This lightweight air compressor weighs only 1 pound. You can literally carry it around, and you might not even feel a weight.
Like other air compressors we discussed, it works on a car charger socket.
Additionally, this compressor is 13.5 x 8.1 x 5.6 inches in dimensions. It takes up so little space that you may not even notice its existence.
It Comes with 4 different measuring units of PSI, KPA, BAR, and KG/CM, which makes reading easier, and the LED flashlight makes it more convenient to use in the dark without needing a torch. But we’d suggest you stick with PSI, as most tires’ max pressure level is rated in PSI.
The automatic shut-off feature makes the compressor special as it shuts off if it exceeds the 167F temperature to protect it from overheating. It will also shut off when it reaches the set pressure. Max pressure we could achieve while testing this air compressor was 70 PSI.
There is one we don’t like about this air compressor. When we plugged this compressor into the car charger socket, the fuse of the car charger socket was blown. We had to change the fuse several times to make it work (finally). We’re trying to convey this feedback to the company.
4. VIAIR 88P – 00088 Portable Compressor Kit
We don’t use this air compressor, but one of our colleagues borrowed it from his friend for our testing.
Although the cubic feet of the compressor are only 1.47, it is enough for tire inflating purposes. Its 4.5 pounds weight makes it ideal to be carried easily. Although the ideal noise level for any compressor is under 50 decibels, and it has 76, you might feel like it is noisy.
However, this 9.8 x 3.2 x 5.6 inches compressor works on 276 watts which is quite reasonable to be used on a UTV battery, and the AC adaptor of 20 amps handles everything smoothly.
If we talk about inflation speed, we were able to fill a UTV tire from 0-18 PSI in the 30s to 40s (fasted from the above-mentioned air compressors)
Additionally, it has a 120 PSI pressure gauge, 12 feet air hose, 9 feet power cords which is great, dual battery clamp, LED power indicator, and lastly, an inflation tip kit.
But there is no Auto-shut off feature, so you should be careful while using this air compressor so that it won’t exceed the desired limit.
You can’t power this inflator from the car charging socket. VIAIR 88P comes with two cords with battery clamps on the other end. You will have to power this compressor from your UTV battery. (You will have to start the ignition)
5. Kensun Portable Air Compressor
This air compressor from Kensun works on 12V and 110V (In the USA). This is an 11.8 x 4.3 x 6.7 inches compressor with only 4.02 pounds of weight which is heavier than other air compressors in our list. But still, 4 pounds is easy to carry and hold.
One thing we did not like while testing was its noisy nature which comes through its 92 dBA sound level. But if you’re using it in places where no one is around, then it’s not an issue (if you’re ok with noise)
But considering other outstanding features, you can ignore it, which include:
The super fast inflation comes through the dual metal motors. As it’s an AC/DC compressor, you can easily use it with UTV tires, car, sedan, and RV tires, and also for your home garage (for small projects).
The 100 PSI compressor allows easy inflation of UTV tires and other bike tires. It can even inflate up to 120 psi with a working time of 30 minutes. We could fill a UTV tire up to 12 PSI within 3 minutes.
Another fantastic feature includes a classic pressure gauge which is large and bright and ideal for a clear glance with 4 different measuring units. But, the pressure gauge does not give accurate results.
Additionally, this high-quality product has easy storage, a simple design, and a long, strong cable to reach the required destination easily.
6. Viair 400P Air Compressor for UTV
VIAR 400P air compressors are popular and considered great because of their outstanding features and work.
Although the weight of the compressor is heavy because it weighs almost 10 pounds, you might not feel like taking it with you is easy, which is true. But, with more weight, it also has some additional features.
Coming with 2.3 CFM and 150 PSI capacity helps to inflate the tires quickly and efficiently. One of the customers could inflate the 22-inch RV tire in under 5 minutes; it can also reach 42 and up to 60 with an extra airline.
The 12 V running compressor has a 33% duty cycle, meaning it can run for 40 minutes at 30 PSI. But at the same time, it is noisy too, with its 74 dBA sound level.
We loved the 30 feet long hose, which will allow you to reach the other ends of the car without needing to move the compressor.
Additionally, it comes with thermal protection to make the compressor fully protected and automatically shut off, ensuring the compressor never catches fire or gets heated because it will turn off automatically. (even to avoid overinflation).
The compressor resists vibration through its diamond plate and tray and has heat-shielded quick-connect coupling.
I suggest this amazing portable air compressor for off-roading UTV tires.
7. VIAIR 300P Air Compressor Kit
As we are talking about the UTV tires and their compressor requirements. Another one in the queue was VIAIR 300P which works on 12V, and most customers were quite satisfied with it. So, we decided to give it a shot!!
Our team member personally used it by renting it from his friend who was already using it. Honestly, you may find it relatively light and heavy because of its almost 9 pounds weight, but this is a piece of cake for stronger muscles.
The main highlight of the features is its capacity and ability: this 12 Volts compressor has up to 2.40 CFM flow, and its box says it is ideal for 33″ tires.
The unit comes with a handle which makes holding easier, and the side of the handle has a hook on which you attach the hose. The cord will go to the alligator clips and hooks up to the unit’s battery. ( It has a fuse to protect it from catching fire).
The bag comes with a hose which is an upgraded braided hose that is solid and comes with a built-in deflator and pressure gauge, which helps in keeping track of the pressure of your tire.
The compressor has a 33% duty cycle, allowing it to work for 10 minutes straight. However, it was noisy because of the 73 dB sound level.
With a dimension of only 10 x 7.5×5 inches, this small solid unit has a maximum of 27 amps with a 40 amp inline fuse. Overall this is a good unit for UTV tires because of its specialties; our testing team member was quite satisfied.
8. JF.EGWO 3000 Amp Car Jump Starter with Air Compressor
This product is a US-based electric product company whose motive is to maximize traveling convenience to make traveling an outdoor adventure relaxed which many customers also approved after their experiences of using it with UTV tires.
Our team members personally talked to the customer to know their experiences, and they were pretty happy and satisfied. We will discuss its unique features in detail to let you know more!!
After testing this inflator, I personally bought it for my own vehicle. For me, it’s a survival kit because it contains a battery that helps your vehicle start (when the battery is low). This inflator is amazing for a person who is so much into traveling.
As the product’s weight is less than 3 pounds and the dimensions are 6 x 5 x 3, you can hold it comfortably and take it with you. It won’t take up a lot of space and is portable.
The consumer was quite happy as they got an extension air hose and four inflation needles ideal for bikes, cars, sports balls, pools, or other pumping products within 3-4 minutes (depending on the product size).
Although it can last for about 45 minutes, as mentioned, we had to stop it from letting the air pump cool down after every 10-15 minutes. However, it comes with an automatic shut-off function, so this is not an issue for you.
Additionally, it comes with a digital gauge LCD with 0.5 PSI accuracy with different PSI, bar, and Kps units, on which you can see the pre-set air pressure and the current pressure.
In short, it comes with 3000 amps, 150 PSI, a portable inflator, and an LED flashlight, which is ideal for you in the dark, and you won’t have to use other light sources.
The battery is 24000 mAh and rechargeable, and the USB port allows all kinds of smartphones ( basically works as a power bank). For UTV tires, you can use them easily because of their 12V DC charger and 110V home charger.
The airflow of the inflator is 35L/minute, and the 12V battery can start 9L gas and 8.5L diesel engines in no time anywhere without being worried about the dark because of its LED flashlights and digital pressure gauge.
Things to Consider before buying an air compressor for UTV tires
Buying an air compressor with valuable features and required features is essential. You cannot just go out and buy whatever you need. For this purpose, the first thing is to ensure you know your work nature and requirements.
You must check or consider these things when choosing your air compressor for UTV tires!!
Power Source
Consider buying an air compressor that can easily connect to the UTV battery. (no need for changeovers or any other thing).
As most UTV batteries run on 12 V, consider buying a 12V air compressor. This makes work easier and more effective.
Otherwise, your compressor will run slow or either fast, which will ruin the tire of your UTV.
You can also run a rechargeable compressor, but this compressor should have a good running time.
Portability
This 4 wheels car is used for off-roading purposes: sand or any off-road areas, which means you will need to carry your compressor with you. In that case portability of the compressor is essential to avoid the heavy load of carrying it.
The lightweight compressor will be portable with a good grip, making it more efficient.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the air compressor are crucial because of the UTV space. The car is already loaded and is small. So, you are not in a position to just choose whatever compressor you like.
You need to consider the space.
We have recommended all eight small compressors in this article, along with dimensions, so it will be easy for you to choose.
PSI requirements
Before buying an air compressor for UTV tires, you must know the tire sizes and PSI requirements. Check the tire size and PSI requirements, and see which air compressor from our list can fulfill your requirements. If it doesn’t match your needs, please contact us, and we’ll get the best thing for you.
You can check the PSI requirement from the tire (usually written on the tire) or from the user manual. Below we’ve given you a random idea of tire sizes (inches) and their PSI requirements.
| Tire inches | PSI |
| 35 inch | 20-30 PSI |
| 32, and 33 | Requires 18-20 or 18-24 PSI |
| 26-31 inch UTV tire | 12-14PSI |
| 20-24 inch | 10 psi |
| 18 or 19 inches | 8-10 PSI |
| 14 or 16 inch | 6-8 psi |
CFM and Inflation Time
The duty cycle of your chosen tire inflator matters: it should be less than 5 minutes. But how? It happens through CFM and PSI ratings.
The high CFM will pump the motor and make the compressor compatible.
You do not have a day to inflate a UTV tire; consider CFM up to at least 2-3 CFM to ensure it can inflate the UTV tires quickly.
Motor Heat
You need to consider the compressor, which will work fine on the UTV tires. As most of the UTV works on a 12V battery, you need to choose the compressor according to that.
If the compressor overheats during inflation, you won’t be able to get the required results because the battery of the UTV will damage the compressor.
Consider buying an air compressor with a unique feature of automatic shut-off: to protect the compressor from damage in case of overheating or sudden outrage of current.
Power Cord length
To avoid using extension cords, consider the long power cord compressor. This will make your work quick and easy.
The small power cords lead to extension, and you won’t be able to inflate all four tires quickly but will have to move your car to reach the compressor.
Screen with Light (for night use)
You will not be only going on adventures and outdoor trips on the day. Sometimes you need an air compressor in the dark.
For this purpose, you should choose an air compressor with an LED light and pressure gauge. This makes reading much easier. In the dark, you will not have to find a torch to read the pressure but just a button to click on, and the light will turn on.
User Reviews and Price
Research before choosing should be the first step. After considering other features, check reviews and experiences about the product. You can talk to some users, or online reviews can help you.
If you’re spending money on something, make sure other people who have spent their money are happy.
However, spending a good amount on a good product is better!!
Can you use your bike or car air compressor for UTV tires?
There is no issue in using your car or bike air compressor for UTV tire inflation purposes. However, the critical thing to consider is the requirements and specifications of both compressor and UTV tires.
We have already discussed the needed consideration while choosing the compressor for your UTV tires. The compressor should have a max of 100-120 PSI. If the max PSI range is more, you’ll inflate your tire quickly (12 PSI-18 PSI is a piece of cake for 120 PSI compressors). Also, go for a lengthy power cord and hose.
If you get a compressor with all specifications, go for it!!.
Conclusion
The UTVs/ATVs are mainly used for off-roading purposes, which means they need a balanced amount of PSI to keep them running smoothly.
For this, you need a good inflator with you all time to avoid any mishap or difficulty during your adventure. We have suggested some best air compressors for UTV/ATV tires you can consider.
They all are primarily small, portable, and easy to work with. Their outstanding features allow easy inflation of UTV tires and other car or RV tires.
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