You’re out there on your ATV moving along in nature, it’s a beautiful day and you even hear a bird chirping in the background. “Ah, life… I’m so glad I get to enjoy this..”
But, when you look down, your tire is deflating. What sucks worse than getting stuck in mud? Getting out of it with a flat tire.
It’s a great idea to get yourself a compressor to fill those tires back up on your ATV. There are plenty of options to inflate your flat.. and your spirit after an unfortunate happening.
But, lots of them are cheaply made or overpriced. If these air compressors are going to be bouncing around, or exposed to moisture frequently – being rugged is a must. We took a look at portable compressors and smaller mini-compressors to give you the top options available.
Here’s a guide to the 4 Best Portable Air Pumps for ATVs:
1. Superflow Portable Air Pump 12V
We just got done talking about moisture, so here’s something that will do just fine. The Superflow Portable Air Pump is your best friend in the case of a flat. That black handle fits in the palm of your hand and the whole unit is only about 9 inches in length.
It’s extremely small while having features that make it attractive to us. For example, its got a rechargeable battery. So, even though you can also plug it into your 12v plug to charge it there’s another option there. Some older ATVs don’t have auxiliary plugs and would appreciate that function. Even if your ATV does, this is still an excellent choice.
This will fill your flat in about 2 minutes tops. The cord length is 9 feet and this will last you for years. For the money and the value, this is our top pick .
2. Slime 40001 Tire Inflator
This Slime handheld unit will fill up a tire in minutes and is compact enough to sit in the palm of your hand. If you can store this in a dry place or with a plastic bag then it’s a good pick. It’s not as resistant to the elements out of the box as some other compressors.. but for how tiny it is, while still being able to do the job, we thought it was really cool.
It comes with a tire gauge, carrying case, and the hose is 18 inches. With adapters for any 12v battery source included. You can use the alligator clips or the 12v plug for your ATV.
3. V1 Motor Portable Mini Air Compressor for ATV
Holy moly if you’re looking for something that is incredibly small and light, V1 Motors Mini Air Compressor is your best bet. Coming in at only 3/4ths of a lb on the scale, it’s very light. The hose on this is 26″ and it can connect to your ATV with the 12V adapter or alligator clips.
The downside with having something so small is that all the components are exposed to the elements, so you’ll have to get a case/bag to shield it. This isn’t going to be a “heavy duty” option.
4. Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor
Viair is one of the top brands when it comes to air compressors for all vehicle types. This composite design features a metal/plastic fusion that will connect to any 12 Volt outlet and it draws 20 Amps. Your engine needs to be on for this to work and it can also connect using the alligator clips. Use the LED indication to set your preferred PSI.
There is a gauge to measure tire pressure on top of the unit. This is the heaviest and biggest unit of anything we’ve reviewed, it’s nearly 5 lbs. With the longest hose of any units as well, at 16 feet. Unfortunately it doesn’t come with a carrying case! It has some negatives and positives but the 88P Compressor is still a handy little unit with glowing reviews.
Slime ATV/UTV Emergency Repair and Inflation Kit
If you want something extremely portable that could fit in your pocket, there is the slime emergency repair kit. It’s not a long-term solution like having an air compressor but it comes with 3 cartridges, plugs, an adapter, and tools to stop the damage if a tire is punctured. It’ll get you back home.
The usual tire will take all 3 air canisters so you might want to bring more with you. This will also fit in a Ziplock bag if you want to keep the elements out. The case is pretty nice but not waterproof.
Why get an Air Pump for your ATV?
If you have newer tires and are familiar with where you’re driving – chances are you’ll never need one. But, if you tend to go offroading in new spots or your tires are a bit worn down then it’s a pretty great thing to have. For me, it’s a comfort of mind thing.
I don’t necessarily need a lot of emergency stuff in life, but damn do I feel better when I have them. Kind of like my seatbelt.
Plus, many of the options today are so small and affordable that it’s just a smart thing to do. You can pick up one of the higher quality pumps for under 40 bucks and still have it a decade later.
How do Portable Tire Pumps get electricity?
Slap that baby in a wall socket! Most of the time, this will work fine.
As for how they connect to your ATV battery they connect directly with cables. It depends on each compressor how you’re going to supply the juice, though. Most that we listed use a 12v plug, alligator clips or a rechargeable battery. A few of them have multiple ways to charge.
Conor
I'm the owner of Beast Auto. I live in Phoenix, Arizona. I love anything automotive related, and taking road trips all across my beautiful state.