If you just want to see our picks for the best air compressors for bike tires then take a look at the list below.
Otherwise, if you are interested on reading more about why we picked these particular air compressors then read on for more details.
| Top Pick | AirXwills Portable Inflator | Check Prices |
| CYCPLUS Portable Compressor | Check Prices | |
| HAUSBELL Portable Compressor | Check Prices | |
| Worksite Portable Compressor | Check Prices |
When looking for the best air compressor for bike tires there are several things you should keep in mind to make sure the air compressor meets your needs and is ready to go when you need it.
While you may be tempted to use that same small portable air compressor you have for your car tires it will likely not be the best air compressor for the tires on your bike.
That air compressor might work on some general types of bike tires, but some bike tires require an air compressor with specs that many general air compressors designed for car and truck tires do not have in most cases.
Portability
Portability of the air compressor you select is more important than you might think at first.
The reason for this is because the more portable the air compressor you choose is the more likely you will be to actually take it with you.
If you get something that you can technically strap to your bike, but it is not convenient then you will be less likely to take it with you.
No matter how good your bike air compressor is it will not do you any good if you do not have it with you when you need it.
If you plan to take your compressor with you on your bike (which you should) then you will need something light, battery powered, and portable.
These are some things that most of the standard air compressors you will come across will not have in most cases.
Of course, the smaller and more portable air compressor for bike tires will be more expensive than others that are larger and powered from a wall outlet or even a 12V vehicle power source.
Power Source
Most likely you will be looking for the best air compressor that is as light and portable as possible.
This will especially be true if you intend to attach the compressor to your bike to have it with you at all times (which you should).
Those are the models that are powered by batteries in most cases.
One thing to keep in mind about the battery when choosing the best air compressor for bike tires is make sure the battery in the air compressor in a lithium type battery.
Lithium batteries are the same type that are used in laptops, mobiles phones, and electric cars due to their high capacity per size and good durability.
They are much better than older battery technology like NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) because they store more power per weight, stay charged longer, and also last longer.
If you do not want to take the compressor with you on your bike, and you use another vehicle to transport your bike to the location where you ride then you could choose a compressor powered from a 12 volt vehicle power plug.
Lastly, if you are a casual rider who just rides around your local neighborhood with a standard bike then you could choose a basic air compressor for your bike tires that is powered from a standard wall outlet.
As far as price range goes you will usually find the best battery powered air compressors for bike tires will be the most expensive, then followed by the 12 volt and wall outlet powered models.
Pressure
There are several factors to take into account regarding tire pressure when selecting an air compressor for your bike tires.
When selecting the best air compressor it is important to make sure you select one that is able to inflate your tires to the proper pressure for your application.
Since bike tires are small the pressure is not something most people think about as being something they need to be concerned about when selecting the best air compressor for bike tires, but it is definitely something you should take into account.
Here are some of the major factors to take into consideration when making sure the air compressor will meet your tire pressure needs.
Tire Type
The type of tire on your bike has a large influence on the pressure range your air compressor will need to support.
We will go over some of the major types of bike tires which vary greatly.
Mountain Bike Tires
On the lower end of the pressure range you will find mountain bike tires.
Mountain bike tires are designed to work well in rougher terrain, something like you would find on off road mountain trails.
Generally mountain bike tires will have a pressure range of 25 to 40 psi for optimum performance of the tire.
This is the same pressure range you will find on most common passenger car and truck tires.
Hybrid Bike Tires
In the middle of the pressure range you will find what is called a hybrid bike tire.
This is a tire that is designed to perform well on either hard surfaces like a street or sidewalk and something like grass as well.
This type of tire is one like you would find on a bike designed for kids you would see at a department store.
A hybrid tire will usually have a pressure range of 40 to 80 psi to make sure they will work as the manufacturer intended.
Road Bike Tires
Now we have reached the highest tire pressure range tire category on our list, road bike tires.
The pressures these types of bike tires will likely surprise most people if they do not have any direct experience with these types of bike tires.
Road bike tires are designed for on road use like asphalt, concrete, or a similar smooth and hard surface.
These tires will not perform well at all in rougher terrain conditions that either mountain or hybrid tires would perform well in.
You will usually see road bike tire pressure ranges in the 80 to 130 psi range.
Rider Weight
Rider weight also has an effect on the optimum tire pressure for your bike tires, and because of this it will affect the best air compressor you should select for your bike tires.
The heavier the weight of the rider the more tire pressure is required, and this will likely not surprise most of the people reading this.
In general a 10 pound increase in rider weight will require a 1 to 2 psi increase in tire pressure.
Tire Size
Tire size also has an effect on the pressure that performs best in your bike tires.
Larger width tires require less pressure than more narrow tires.
A general rule for tire pressure vs tire width is that for every extra millimeter of tire width you should add around 1 psi of pressure for an average rider that is 180 pounds or heavier.
Lighter riders would need to add less pressure per additional millimeter of tire width, down to around an additional 0.7 psi per millimeter for a 120 pound rider.
Terrain Conditions
The terrain you will be riding on will also dictate the tire pressure you will run, and therefore the best air compressor you should select for your bike tires.
Rougher terrain, whether on or off road, requires the tire to absorb more force.
A lower pressure will allow the tire’s structure to flex more and allow it to absorb the needed force to make the ride smoother and transfer less force to the bike.
If the terrain is smooth then you will get better performance with a higher pressure since the tire does not need to absorb force like a tire operating on a rough terrain.
A Final Word on Pressure
If in doubt about what tire pressure you should be running you should contact your bike or tire manufacturer to get advice.
You can also talk to someone at a professional bike shop to get advice for your specific application if you are in doubt.
Your tires should have the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall, and you should never inflate any tire to a pressure higher that what is listed there.
Best Compressors
The first compressor on our list is the AirXwills portable tire inflator.
The AirXwills is powered by a 2,000mAh lithium ion battery, so it will be ready when you need it.
This compressor has a maximum infaltion pressure of 150 psi, so it will fill just about any bike tire you will encounter.
It also comes with several adapters for just about anything you will need to inflate, including: schrader value, woods valve, presta value, ball inflator, and more.
The air compressor for bike tires is very compact and can fit in most bike mounts (not included).
AirXwills Portable Tire Inflator
- Up to 150 PSI Inflation Pressure
- Small and portable
- Lithum Ion Battery (2,000 mAh)
- USB Charging Cord
- LED Display w/ Pressure
- Several Adapters (woods, presta, schrader, and more)
- PSI, BAR, KPA, and Kg/cm^2 Units
- Soft Case
- 1.8″ x 9.3″ Size
Check AirXwills Inflator Prices
Next on our list is the CYCPLUS portable air compressor.
This air compressors also has a maximum inflation pressure of 150 PSI, so it will be able to inflate pretty much any bike tire.
Some of the unique features of this unit are its ability to function as a power bank to power your phone or other USB devices when needed.
It also comes with a custom bike mount that makes it very easy to attach it to your bike, so you will always have it available when you need it.
CYCPLUS Portable Air Compressor
- Up to 150 PSI Inflation Pressure
- Small and portable
- Lithum Ion Battery
- USB Charging Cord
- LED Display w/ Pressure
- Several Adapters (dunlop, presta, schrader, and more)
- PSI, BAR, KPA, and Kg/cm^2 Units
- Power Bank Functionality
- LED Flashlight
- Custom Bike Mount
- 2.1″ x 7″ Size
Check CYCPLUS Compressor Prices
Our next air compressor for bike tires is a 12V DC powered one.
There is no battery in this unit at all, so you will need a 12V power source to use it.
It also does not come with any kind of wall outlet adapter.
It does have a 150 PSI maximum inflation pressure, so, just like the previous bike air compressors on our list it will fill just about any bike tire you will come across.
HAUSBELL Portable Air Compressor
- Up to 150 PSI Inflation Pressure
- Portable
- 12V DC Power
- LED Display w/ Pressure
- PSI, BAR, KPA, and Kg/cm^2 Units
- LED Flashlight
- 8″ x 6.2″ Size
Check HAUSBELL Compressor Prices
The last air compressor for bike tires on our list is the most versatile, but it is also the largest and heaviest.
The WORKSITE portable air compressor has a maximum infaltion pressure of 160 PSI, so you will not have to worry about not having enough pressure.
It also has the most flexible power options of all the compressors on our list of the best air compressors for bike tires.
The WORKSITE compressor can be powered from 110V AC, 12V DC, or from the included detachable 20V battery.
While it is portable, it is too large to mount to your bike, and is best suited for keeping in your vehicle until needed.
WORKSITE Portable Air Compressor
- Up to 160 PSI Inflation Pressure
- Portable
- 110V AC, 12V DC, 20V Battery Power
- LED Display w/ Pressure
- PSI, BAR, and KPA Units
- LED Flashlight
- High Volume and High Pressure Modes
- 5.2″ x 13.4″ Size
Check WORKSITE Compressor Prices
Conclusion
There are several different factors to take into account when picking the best air compressor for bike tires.
Most people are surprised that so many different variables needs to be considered when selecting an air compressor, but it is better to know these things up from before you purchase an air compressor.
Otherwise you will likely not buy the best air compressor for bike tires and either not be happy with your selection and living with it, or having to waste money buying another air compressor.
We hope this information and our recommendations will help you make a more informed air compressor selection.
