Tyre pressure is essential when it comes to heavy duty trucks. You need a high quality air compressor that can service the high pressure requirement, while withstanding the test of time.
There are quite a number of brands that offer a wide variety of consumer options when it comes to air compressors. This implies that there is no shortage of highly viable options in the market. However, choosing the right air compressor for a heavy duty truck requires an intricate balance of properties that are suited to your specifications; from portability, to maximum pressure and power draw, while considering cost and quality. A few of the highly functional and rated air compressors in the market include:
Best air compressor for heavy duty trucks – Comparison table
Selected air compressor | Warranty | Max pressure | Power draw | Check on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor | 1 year | 120 PSI | 240 Watts | |
Yome Portable Dual Cylinder Air Compressor Pump | 3 years | 40 PSI | 180 Watts | |
Joyroom Portable Air Compressor Tire Inflator CZK-3631 | 5 years | 150 PSI | 120 Watts | |
TIREWELL 12V Tire Inflator-Heavy Duty Double Cylinders Direct Drive Metal Pump | 3 years | 150PSI | 180 Watts | |
GSPSCN Silver Tire Inflator Heavy Duty Double Cylinders | N/A | 150 PSI | 180 Watts | |
Kensun AC/DC Power Supply Portable Air Compressor Pump with Analogue Display | 2 years | 100 PSI | 120 Watts |
Viair 00088 88P – Top highest maximum pressure model
This highly popular air compressor brand is favoured because it offers a variety of options, making it not just suitable for heavy duty trucks, but for all automobiles in general.
Specs
- Maximum pressure of 120 PSI and a power draw of 240 Watts
- Has LED lights
- 10 Ft long power cord
- Has a user manual
- Comes with a pair of alligator clips
- Has a 1 year full warranty card
The maximum pressure of 120 PSI makes this compressor more than suitable for a heavy duty truck. It has a 3 piece inflation kit which includes a pair of alligator clips, making it suitable for any battery type. This air compressor also has a user manual which makes it easy to navigate while the 1 year warranty card is helpful in case of any problems experienced. It has a rather long power cord which makes it easy to navigate to all sides of the truck without using a power hose extension. The LED lights make it visible to oncoming or passing tucks at night as well as making it easy to navigate with at night, which is an added safety precaution.
The power draw of 240 Watts is relatively high, which is both an added advantage and disadvantage. It is great because it ensures high performance speed in inflating the tyres. However, it is disadvantageous in the case where power is drawn from a car battery because it may cause damage to an old or small battery that is not suited for such a large power draw.
Pros
- Designed with LED lights for use at night
- Has a 1 year warranty from a trusted brand
- Comes with alligator clips and a user manual
- It has a high maximum pressure
- Has a high pressure speed and efficiency because of its high power draw
Cons
- It has a rather high power draw.
Verdict
The Viair 00088 is a great high power and maximum pressure option for all your tyre truck needs for maximum speed and efficiency.
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Yome Portable Dual Cylinder – Top lowest maximum pressure model
Yome is a great option because it has great functionality and comes with a wide range of useful accessories.
Specs
- 40 PSI maximum pressure and 180 Watts power draw
- Comes with alligator clips, a hose extension and user manual.
- Has twin motors
- 6 Ft long power cord
- Comes with a 3 year warranty
This excellent air compressor has a 6 ft. long power cord, which makes it convenient to reach all corners of a heavy duty truck. I has twin motors which make its functionality very reliable and efficient as well as a 3 year warranty giving great manufacturer support. It also comes with very useful accessories like the user manual and hose extension which reduce the need to spend additional money on accessories for it.
It has a relatively low maximum pressure, which is 40 PSI making the inflation rate rather low and strenuous for a high duty truck. This is offset by the dual motors which are designed to increase the inflation rate.
Pros
- It has a 3 year warranty making it rather reliable
- Durable
- Has twin motors which increase its efficiency
- Comes with useful accessories
Cons
- Has a low maximum pressure
Verdict
Despite its low maximum pressure, this air compressor would be very suitable to use for a heavy duty truck due to its high performance twin motors.
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Joyroom Portable Air Compressor – Top minimum power draw with high PSI model
This Joyroom model is a great affordable yet highly functional air compressor model.
Specs
- Maximum pressure of 150 PSI and power draw of 120 Watts
- 10 ft. long power cord
- Automatic cut off feature
- 5 year warranty
- Inbuilt convenient pressure display
- Comes with a LED torch
- Inflation kit contains a user manual and warranty card
The Joyroom portable air compressor is a great pick primarily because it manages to have a relatively low power draw, while maintaining a high maximum pressure rating. It has a 5 year warranty card which makes it a very reliable purchase, and a long power cord which makes it very portable during use. It also comes with a LED torch which is very useful at night. The automatic cut off feature and pressure display are instrumental in ensuring that the user does not over inflate the tyres.
This air compressor does not come with a wide array of accessories, it only has a user manual and warranty card. However, the need for an extension hose is offset by its long power cord.
Pros
- It has a very silent motor
- It has a 5 year warranty
- The automatic cut off feature is very convenient
- It has an easy to read inflation display
Cons
- It does not have a lot of accessories
Verdict
This air compressor would be great for a user who requires the highest possible maximum air pressure, while maintaining a relatively low power draw. This coupled with its long hose extension and LED torch, makes it great to use while on the road.
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TIREWELL Tire Inflator – Top dual motor pick
Tirewell is a very well-known brand for high quality air compressors, and this tire inflator pick is not the exception.
Specs
- Maximum pressure of 150 PSI with a power draw of 180 watts
- 3 Year warranty
- 5 ft. long power cord
- Twin motors
- Excellent build quality
- Inflation kit includes; extra fuse, alligator clips, 5 meter long hose extension. 3 nozzle tip attachments, a sleek carry bag, a warranty card and a user manual.
This is the top dual motor pick because it combines a high PSI with a great and efficient dual motor functionality. This ensures that it has a very high inflation rate (Inflates the standard vehicle tire in under 2 minutes), while being relatively silent. Its 3 year warranty makes it very reliable and offers great distributor support. Another winning feature of this air compressor is its comprehensive inflation kit. It is designed to ensure that you don’t need to buy any other additional accessory to this air compressor.
The power draw of 180 watts could be considered to be a little high.
Pros
- 3 year warranty
- Has a high maximum pressure
- It has a comprehensive inflation kit
- Its excellent build reduces the risk of air leakage
Cons
- Has a slightly high power draw
Verdict
This air compressor is the full package; from its wide range of accessories to its fast inflation and efficient dual motors. It would be a worthy investment for any user.
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GSPSCN Silver Tire Inflator – Top heavy duty pick
This is one of the lesser known brands in air compressors. However, in recent times, GSPSCN has been making a name for itself in high quality and reliable air compressors.
Specs
- Maximum pressure of 150 PSI with a 120 Watts power draw
- 9 ft. long power cord
- Twin motor design
- Inflation kit containing; alligator clips, a hose extension, warranty card and user manual
- Comes with a convenient carrying bag
This is a great pick because it provides a high maximum air pressure with a low power draw. Its twin motor design increases its functionality and makes it very fast and efficient to use. Its inflation kit is very comprehensive and saves you the trouble of buying additional accessories. It has been measured to fill tyres at the rate of 70 litres per minute, which is relatively high and comes equipped with rubber feet which ensure it is stable at all times.
This tyre inflator is suited for a limited amount of work time, 20 minutes. Using it continuously for a lengthier amount of time could damage its fuse and reduce its life expectancy. You should give it a 10 minute break before using it again
Pros
- High maximum pressure
- Its rubber feet ensure stability
- Has a very long power cord
Cons
- Useful for short bouts of time (20 minutes)
Verdict
This model would be great for a user looking to buy the best quality heavy duty air compressor.
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Kensun Portable Air Compressor Pump – Top alternate power pick
This is a great air compressor option because it works with both alternate and direct current power outlets.
Specs
- Maximum pressure of 100 PSI and a 120 Watts power draw
- 32 inch long power hose
- 2 year warranty
- Dual motor functionality
- Has a tyre pressure gauge
- Has a 2 piece inflation kit; user manual and twin power connectors
- Works with 12 volts and 110 volts
This Kensun air compressor is very unique because it can use both AC and DC power sources as well as switching between them when needed. This makes it suitable for use on the road and at home, which greatly diversifies its uses. The pressure gauge allows you to check the tire pressure while ensuring not to over inflate
The power hose is short and it does not come with a hose extension. This means that you would need to make a separate extension hose purchase.
Pros
- It can switch between and work with both AC and DC power
- It is highly durable and reliable
- Has a 2 year warranty
- It is very light
Cons
- It has a short power hose with no extension in the kit
Verdict
This is by far the most versatile air compressor pick on this list due to its dual current motor, making it the perfect pick for a buyer with a wide range of uses for it besides being for a heavy duty truck
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What should you consider when buying an air compressor for a heavy duty truck?
Air compressors have a very diverse range of uses, from filling bicycle tyres, to inflatable beds and even to filling heavy duty truck tyres. There is a basic list of factors to consider when picking the right one for your specific use:
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Maximum air pressure
Air compressor come with a marked maximum pressure measured in PSI (Pound per Square Inch). The maximum pressure you choose, is solely dependent on the intended use of the air compressor because they can range from as low as 50 PSI or lower to 150 PSI and higher. The maximum air pressure feature on a compressor is not its only setting, it is simply the highest so you can adjust the pressure as low as you require but the maximum is fixed. When it comes to heavy duty trucks, a maximum pressure of about 100 PSI should be more than enough.
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Power consumption
Most air compressors are electrically powered, meaning they require a certain amount of electricity draw to operate, depending on their maximum pressure and overall construction. It is an assumption that a higher power draw equates a higher equipment performance speed and efficiency, which is typically true when it comes to air compressors. It is not enough to simply pick the one with the highest power draw because in the case that you need to use it on the road, it draws from your car battery and you don’t want to burden it. This implies that you have to carefully weigh the power draw with the maximum air pressure and your intended use.
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Air compressor display
There is basic information that is vital when using an air compressor, to ensure that neither the compressor nor the tyres get damaged.
- Output pressure
- Input power
- Air pressure in the tyre
- Required pressure in both sets of tyres
- Alert when air pressure in the tyre is sufficient
Some of this information can be learned or estimated, reducing the need for a comprehensive display. However, better safe than sorry, which makes it advisable to choose an air compressor with a digital display which is more comprehensive than an analogue one.
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Input type
This factor also depends on the intended use of the air compressor. Most air compressors are designed to be powered from the car battery, so they come with a 12-Volt connector that should easily pair with the battery outlet port of the common car battery. However, if either the compressor does not have the correct inlet or your car battery has a different outlet, or the outlet is damaged, alligator clips can be used to directly connect the two. The tricky part of the alligator clip connections is that it is very dangerous if the clips come into direct contact with each other.
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Tyre size and automatic cut off
Different air compressors are suited for a variety of tyre size specifications. This makes it mandatory to choose an air compressor that will suit the specific tyre size and type that you intend to use it on, to avoid having to return it or finding little use for it.
A cut off in a compressor, is the feature that allows it to automatically stop inflation once the desired pressure set on the compressor is reached. This is very helpful because it prevents the user from over inflating tyres which can damage the inner tyre tube or the tyre itself.
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Wire length
The wire length of the compressor is very important because it will have to be connected from the power source all the way to the tyre(s) being inflated, meaning that it has to be long enough. There is always the option of using a hose extension to increase the reach of a compressor, but it is like buying two implements for the work of one. This implies that the longer the wire length, the better it is for ease of functionality.
Final thoughts
Deciding on the right air compressor for your heavy duty truck requires a careful examination of the factors to consider against your specific needs and capabilities. If weighed properly, it could be one of the wisest purchase decisions you make.
