VIAIR Portable Inflator Comparison Review
VIAIR manufactures a wide range of high quality 12 & 24 Volt DC portable air compressors. From the economical VIAIR 85P that usually sells for under $50 and can inflate up to 31" tires to the brute power of the VIAIR 440P that can fill a large 37″ x 12.5″ tire from 0 to 30 PSI in under 5 minutes.
VIAIR portable compressors are powered by your vehicle's electrical system. Smaller portable compressors such as the VIAIR 85P simply plug into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter or 12-volt accessory jack, heavy-duty models like the VIAIR 440P use special clamps to connect directly to the vehicle battery terminals. In either case, you can keep one of these in your car or truck and always be prepared to inflate a tire without searching around for a gas station with an air pump, which is becoming increasingly difficult to find nowadays.
The VIAIR portable air compressors compared here are all top selling models with hundreds of positive 4 and 5-star Amazon customer reviews. Even if you intend on buying a VIAIR 12-volt tire inflator from a local retailer such as Walmart, Harbor Freight or AutoZone, I highly recommend that you read through some of the negative reviews at Amazon for the models that interest you so you’ll know what problems or complaints others have experienced.
Compare VIAIR 12V Tire Inflators
Item | Specs | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 VIAIR 00085 85P Portable Inflator | Power 12V 15A CFM @ 0 PSI 1.26 CFM Max Tire Size 31" | Plugs Into 12V Outlet Viair Quality Great Amazon Reviews! | |
 VIAIR 00088 88P Portable Inflator | Power 12V 20A CFM @ 0 PSI 1.47 CFM Max Tire Size 33" | Direct 12 Volt Battery Clamps 120 PSI Inflate 33" Tires | |
 VIAIR 30033 300P Portable Air Compressor | Power 12V 30A CFM @ 0 PSI 2.3 CFM Max Tire Size 33" | Heavy Duty Inline Air Gauge Thermal Overload | |
 VIAIR 40043 400P Portable Air Compressor | Power 12V 30A CFM @ 0 PSI 2.3 CFM Max Tire Size 35" | Duty Cycle: 33% @ 100 PSI Inline Air Gauge 25' Air Hose | |
 VIAIR 44043 440P Portable Air Compressor | Power 12V 44A Max Air Flow 3.0 CFM Max Tire Size 37" | Diamond-Plate Sand Tray Inline Air Gauge Hundreds of 5 Star Reviews. |
VIAIR 85P 12V Inflator Review
The VIAIR 00085 85P portable 12V tire inflator is a best seller with thousands of positive reviews. It is a powerful little compressor capable of inflating tires up to 31" and features a built-in LED work light.
The 3-foot-long air hose features a twist-on tire chuck constructed of solid brass and a 10' power cord makes it easy to reach any of your vehicle's tires. The 85P outputs 1.26 CFM in free air and can inflate a 225/60R18 tire from 0 to 30 PSI in only 3 minutes.
VIAIR recommends this 6-foot air extension hose (P/N 00016) for use with the 88P.
You'll want to make sure your vehicle is equipped with a suitable 12-volt DC power jack or cigarette lighter plug with at least a 15-amp capacity. If you lack this, you'll want to get the VIAIR 88P, reviewed below, that offers direct battery clamp connectors. Also note that this model has a 60 PSI air pressure limit, which is plenty for most cars and SUV's that use 32 - 35 PSI recommended tire pressure.
VIAIR 85P vs 300P vs 400P-RV
VIAIR 85P Fill Rates
195/70R14 | Fill Rate |
|---|---|
20 to 30 PSI | 42 Seconds |
30 to 40 PSI | 46 Seconds |
225/60R18 | Fill Rate |
|---|---|
20 to 30 PSI | 55 Seconds |
30 to 40 PSI | 65 Seconds |
VIAIR 85P Resources
VIAIR 85P Specifications & Features
Power
Good power for size - 1.28 CFM in free air with 60 PSI maximum.
Quality
Good quality tire inflation compressor considering price.
Cost
The 85P is competitively priced and usually retails under $80.
Overall Rating : 4.5
The VIAIR 85P is an excellent choice for many users. We rate it 4.5 stars.
Pros
Cons
VIAIR 85P 00085 12V Inflator
ASIN: B0036E9VB6 - UPC: 818114000850
VIAIR 88P Inflator Review
The VIAIR 00088 88P 12V compressor is a powerful tire inflator with direct battery clamps. The direct battery connection is better, however the trade-off is you need to open the hood to access the vehicle's battery which is typically less convenient than simply plugging into a 12 volt power outlet. The upside is, the 88P has more power with 1.47 CFM and a 120 PSI maximum pressure than the plug in VIAIR 85P model and can inflate tires up to 33".
Like the 85P the VIAIR 88P offers a solid brass twist-on tire chuck and a 10 foot 12 volt DC power cord, however the air hose is a generous 16 feet long. The extra long air hose is really convenient for hard to reach tires such as trailer tires. The 88P outputs 1.47 CFM in free air and can inflate a 225/60R18 tire from 0 to 30 PSI in only two and a half minutes, even a massive 33″ x 12.5″ tire can be filled from flat to 30 PSI in around 5 minutes and 45 seconds.
This power comes at a price, the 88P draws up to 20 amps, requiring you to keep the engine running while using this compressor, which is something we recommend anyway whenever using a 12 volt DC compressor running off of a vehicle's battery.
VIAIR 88P Fill Rates
195/70R14 | Fill Rate |
|---|---|
20 to 30 PSI | 35 Seconds |
30 to 40 PSI | 40 Seconds |
225/60R18 | Fill Rate |
|---|---|
20 to 30 PSI | 50 Seconds |
30 to 40 PSI | 60 Seconds |
VIAIR 88P Resources
VIAIR 88P Specifications & Features
Power
Good power for size - 1.47 CFM in free air with 120 PSI maximum.
Quality
Good quality tire inflation compressor considering price.
Cost
The 88P is competitively priced and usually retails under $100.
Overall Rating : 4.5
The VIAIR 88P is a good choice for many tasks. We gave this inflator an overall rating of 4.5 stars.
Pros
Cons
VIAIR 88P Tire Inflator
ASIN: B005ASY23I - UPC: 818114000881
VIAIR 300P Air Compressor Review
The VIAIR 300P is a more powerful compressor than the VIAIR 85P & 88P models. The 300P can inflate tires up to 33 inches. The 300P is powered from your vehicle's 12VDC electrical system using easy to connect alligator clamps. A long 25' air hose with inline tire pressure gauge is included.
Some key features include:
- Deluxe zippered carry bag with storage compartments.
- 5-in-1 inflator/deflator open ended air hose with 120 PSI gauge.
- Heavy duty sand tray with vibration isolators
One disadvantage of the 300P inflator noted by users is the length of the power cord is only 8 feet. This can make it hard to reach tires in some vehicles even with the 25' coiled air hose. A suggested solution was to use jumper cables to lengthen the electrical connection to the air compressor.
VIAIR 300P Fill Rates
31" x 10.5" | Fill Rate |
|---|---|
0 to 30 PSI | 3 Min. 25 Sec. |
15 to 30 PSI | 2 Min. 0 Sec. |
33" x 12.5" | Fill Rate |
|---|---|
0 to 30 PSI | 5 Min. 0 Sec. |
15 to 30 PSI | 2 Min. 45 Sec |
VIAIR 300P Resources
VIAIR 300P Specifications & Features
Power
Adequate power - 2.3 CFM in free air with 150 PSI maximum.
Quality
Good quality tire inflation compressor considering price.
Cost
The 300P is competitively priced and usually retails under $200.
Overall Rating : 4.5
The VIAIR 300P is an excellent HD tire inflator We rate it 4.5 stars.
Pros
Cons
VIAIR 300P 12 Volt Inflator
ASIN: B000X90YUO - UPC: 0818114003042
VIAIR 400P Air Compressor Review
VIAIR's 400P inflator is popular with off-road enthusiasts worldwide. The 400P is larger and more powerful, capable of inflating a large 35-inch tire from flat to 30 PSI in under 6 minutes.
This power requires a direct connection to the vehicle's battery using the included alligator clamps. The engine should be running when operating the 400P inflator to ensure that the current and voltage requirements of this powerful portable air compressor are met.
As with the VIAIR 300P, there were complaints about the 8' length of the power cord. Many consider this too short for ease of use, even with the 25' coiled air hose. A set of jumper cables can be used as a work-around if you have hard to reach tires on your specific vehicle.
Bottom Line - The 400P is an excellent choice for those needing to maintain larger tire sizes up to 35". For off-road, RV and farm use, having a portable tire inflator that can be used anywhere can be an invaluable resource.
VIAIR 400P Fill Rates
31" x 10.5" | Fill Rate |
|---|---|
0 to 30 PSI | 3 Min. 0 Sec. |
15 to 30 PSI | 1 Min. 35 Sec. |
33" x 12.5" | Fill Rate |
|---|---|
0 to 30 PSI | 4 Min. 20 Sec. |
15 to 30 PSI | 2 Min. 5 Sec |
35" x 12.5" | Fill Rate |
|---|---|
0 to 30 PSI | 5 Min. 20 Sec. |
15 to 30 PSI | 2 Min. 45 Sec |
VIAIR 400P Resources
VIAIR 400P Specifications & Features
Power
2.3 CFM in free air with 150 PSI maximum pressure
Quality
Good quality tire inflation compressor for the money.
Cost
The 400P usually retails for around $250.
Overall Rating : 4.5
VIAIR's 400P inflator is powerful. We rate it 4.5 stars.
Pros
Cons
VIAIR 400P Portable Tire Inflator
ASIN: B000X9AXR8 - UPC: 818114004032
VIAIR 440P Portable Inflator Review
The VIAIR 440P is the most powerful portable air compressor in the VIAIR lineup. 150 PSI rated and a massive 3 CFM air flow.
The 440P can rapidly inflate up to 37" tires. This is the best portable inflator kit to buy if you need to inflate large RV, tractor or truck tires.
A Vibration-Resistant Diamond-Plate Sand Tray helps keep dirt out of the compressor motor and reduce vibration and noise. The inline 120 PSI air gauge and 25-foot coiled air hose with open end air chuck make filling tires a breeze.
What we didn't like - As with the other VIAIR 300P - 450P heavy-duty compressors for tire inflation, the 440P has a 8 foot power cord which some users consider inadequate.
Bottom Line - If you want the most powerful portable inflator on the market, then the VIAIR 440P is likely your best choice.
VIAIR 440P Fill Rates
35" x 12.5" | Fill Rate |
|---|---|
0 to 30 PSI | 4 Min. 30 Sec. |
15 to 30 PSI | 2 Min. 15 Sec. |
37" x 12.5" | Fill Rate |
|---|---|
0 to 30 PSI | 4 Min. 50 Sec. |
15 to 30 PSI | 2 Min. 40 Sec |
VIAIR 440P Resources
VIAIR 440P Specifications & Features
Power
3.0 CFM in free air running with 150 PSI maximum pressure.
Quality
Good quality tire inflation compressor for the money.
Cost
The 440P 12V Inflator usually retails under $350.
Overall Rating : 4.5
The VIAIR 440P air compressor is a powerhouse. We rate it 4.5 stars.
Pros
Cons
VIAIR 440P Heavy-Duty Inflator
ASIN-B000X9BXQS
About VIAIR
VIAIR is leading manufacturer of high-performance mobile air compressors based in Irvine, California. VIAIR Corporation was founded in 1998 and is a global company offering a wide selection of 12- and 24-volt automotive air compressors and air accessories. VIAIR products are currently being utilized by auto enthusiasts, 4x4 and off-road, RV, farm, trucking and numerous others around the world. VIAIR products receive excellent customer reviews from thousands of satisfied customers.
Quick Tip: It is important that you keep your vehicle running while using your compressor. This will prevent your battery from discharging and insure that your 12V portable air compressor has the optimum DC voltage and current capacity that it requires to operate at peak efficiency.
The Bottom Line
Keeping properly inflated tires is essential. It would be hard to go wrong selecting one of VIAIR's portable air compressors to ensure that you can easily accomplish this task. All of the VIAIR compressors on this page come with a one-year limited warranty and are highly rated by users.
