Inflators

A tire air pump is a tool to keep in your emergency roadside kit. They're also called inflators or air compressors, although there are small technical differences. They provide compressed or pressurized air to fill up tires to the proper Pressure per Square Inch, or PSI. Tire air pumps may save you the cost of a tow truck and can help you maintain safely inflated tires on any vehicle.

Keep Tires Inflated: An advantage of having a tire air pump at home is that you can fill your tires at your leisure and don't have to find a gas station or car wash with an air compressor. If you're stuck on the side of the road changing a tire, use the air pump to fully inflate your spare tire so you can safely drive on it. They not only work great for car tires, but they're an excellent solution for filling bike tires, lawnmower tires, or motorcycle tires as well.

Blow Up Inflatables: Keeping a tire air pump or air compressor on-hand can make holiday decorating quicker and easier too. Instead of using a bicycle pump or other small tire inflator, an air compressor can fill up Christmas inflatables and Halloween inflatables in a snap. It's also great for large inflatables like bounce houses, exercise accessories like balance balls, and sports equipment like basketballs and soccer balls.

Types of Air Compressors: The tire inflators we're discussing here are different from air compressors for pneumatic tools. These basic compressors don't have air tanks. Air compressor tools for pneumatics are far more powerful than small air compressors that you keep in the trunk of your car. Tank air compressors provide much higher pressure to run nail guns, staplers, brad nailers, and other similar tools.

Tire Air Pump Attachments: When you're shopping for inflators or air compressors, look for the accessories that fit what you're inflating. Bike tires take one size of needle adapter, while car tires or inflatable toys take another. Check to see that the tire air pump you're getting includes them or make sure to purchase them separately.

Now that you know the basics of inflators, air compressors, and tire air pumps, you're ready to find the ones that suit your needs. Keep one in the car, another in the garage, and a third with the holiday decor. Whether you're filling tires or inflatables, have these useful tools at home to keep your vehicles rolling along and your holidays joyful.