Why don’t more brands make cordless inflators? It’s something a lot of readers have asked for, from brands like Dewalt and Milwaukee. But we still haven’t seen anything of the like.
I’m sure they’re capable of making cordless inflators, but users are left wanting.
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A few years ago, I was talking to someone at a tool brand, when the topic of inflators came up. It was suggested that inflators are seen as DIYer and consumer products, which would clash with their brand’s strive to appeal to professional users.
That makes sense to me, and remains the most plausible explanation as to why certain pro tool brands haven’t come out with cordless inflators.
If Dewalt or Milwaukee came out with cordless inflators, plenty of folks would buy them. But would such products dilute the brands’ appearances?
What would a cordless inflator be used for? In a consumer sense, maintaining a vehicle’s tire pressure, inflating sports balls, air mattresses, pool accessories, and things like that. In a professional sense, I suppose that trucks and vans have tires that need to be maintained, and there are plenty of tool carts and such with air-filled tires.
But to be realistic, there would be maybe 9 consumer applications for every 1 professional application. Don’t you agree?
In another post, a reader had a great suggestion, that it would be great to see a pro brand come out with a combination inflator plus battery jump starter. Maybe it’s not feasible, but I agree that this would make for a great product.
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Shown above, is the Black & Decker 12V cordless “Air Station” inflator. You can buy one for under $60.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
You can’t get any more consumery than that.
How much do you think a Milwaukee M12 inflator might be? A Dewalt 20V Max inflator?
Maybe it’s not question of guiding users’ brand perceptions, but one of profitability. How much would it cost to produce a pro grade inflator, and how much could brands sell them for? If the price is high enough, a lot of users might opt for a consumer model or simply use an air compressor they already own.
Why do you think more professional cordless power tool brands don’t offer air inflators?
If your favorite brand came out with a 12V- or 18V-class cordless inflator, would you buy one? What’s the most you would be willing to pay?
Bruce
30lb CO2 tank, it’ll drive a your 1/2 impact driver all day and still fill your flat tire before you drive home. It’s almost completely dry, doesn’t get all weird in the tool when you add oil, air temperature drops the longer you use it, which is also good for cooling the tool. Cost $15 to exchange with a full one at the end of the day. AND it doesn’t make any noise.
Nate818
Yes I do want a Milwaukee m12 or m18 inflator. Yes I do have access to nitrogen but not always
Nate818
And I would pay 140ish
Pablo
140? Really? Even though there are $30-40 options on the market despite not being in your platform of choice?
Nate818
Having all the batteries is nice. But your right. I’ll go 100 18 volt and 80 12 volt
Joe
I agree I have a bunch of m12 and m18 batteries and would absolutely love an air inflator from them
Jerry
They want to cater to professional users? THAT is their excuse for not making an inflator? Dont professionals drive trucks & vans that require air in the tires, often at job sites where they can pick up a nail? Are their cheapened down tools they bring out around the holidays geared to pro users? Inflators by their nature are not generally built as heavy use tools, and I wonder if they are having trouble designing one that could be considered suitable for heavy use at avdecent price point?
Or, maybe they have one in the works, but won’t acknowledge it before the official launch date, like the DW 18 to 20Vmax adapter that they had no plans on ever making until it suddenly showed up.
Stuart
That’s what one product manager from one brand told me a few years ago.
Jerry
I’ve done construction in the past. I’ve seen how frustrated people can get after loading everything in the trailer only to notice a low tire on their truck. That means changing a tire or getting out the extension cord and compressor just to add 20PSI or so. This at the end of the day when you just want to get home.
Jerry
Sorry for the typos. Fat fingers on a tablet make for weird words sometimes.
Pablo
I have the Craftsman pistol grip inflator. I use it a few times a week (bicycle dork), but it takes a while to drain each battery and I never felt the need to integrate it into my 18v platform of choice (Metabo). Even if Metabo released one, I doubt I’d buy it unless it were <$50…
Michael
I have used mine so much that I had to replace the hose
fm2176
I keep the Porter Cable 18v inflator in the truck. If DeWalt offered something with similar features, I’d buy one as soon as it was released. The PC is digital and lets you set the desired pressure. Once it reaches that pressure it runs a few more seconds and then turns off. I can usually add a few pounds to each truck tire before needing to swap batteries or plug it in, despite the puny (by today’s standards) 1.3Ah batteries.
mizzourob
I use the same inflator and that is one of the tools that attracted me to that line.
fm2176
They are nice, aren’t they. I picked mine up on clearance for $17 and wish I’d have snagged the last one too. Unlike you, it was one of the last things I picked up for that line. Got a bunch of good deals on what I have but I invested near the end of the 18v’s life.
tim
Would be a must buy for me, we’re chronically filling truck, trailer, handtruck, flat cart tires and pretty much everything else under the sun.
Having it as a jumper too would be a huge win, also an auxiliary burst feature through some sort of air pisrol to be able to blow out small things on a jobsite would be even more desireable though probably impossible to do.
John
I have a Ryobi 18V inflator, and it’s very handy. I keep it in the laundry room, so if I need to add a few psi to a tire, it’s handier to grab than dragging out a 50′ air hose. Also, the best part for me is, when we go tubing in the summer, I throw the inflator in the truck and can quickly inflate my tubes when we get to the river. The lifespan on the Ryobi inflators seems short though. I’ve already killed one, but Home Depot replaced it, no questions asked.
If a pro tool brand would make a more durable inflator that could sell under $100 (bare tool), I’d be inclined to switch brands/platforms. No one else has the lineup of accessory tools that Ryobi has, all using the same battery.
Pete
If i remeber correctly the larger ryobi inflator has a duty cycle of 30%. IE it can run for 10 minutes but has to cool for 20 minutes.
KL
Must buy for me too, from Milwaukee. But it HAS to take Load Range E tires to a reasonable pressure, like 60psi. So it would have to be M18. I want something that can take, say, a 265/75/16 from 5 psi to 60 psi on a single 5.0 battery. Professionals drive 3/4 ton trucks and trailers that always need air.
Pete
The ryobi inflator can do that and i have done that before but you have to realise the limits of such a inflator. Its ment to be ran at a 30% duty cycle. If i had a 265/75/r16 at 5 psi i would be putting on a spare because if its that low theres a reason its that low. Otherwise i would be pulling over to my compressor, while the ryobi inflator can inflate the tire it would take a while.
Jon
I have always marveled that they don’t build the compressor into the vehicle. Powered by the engine (with a clutch, like an AC compressor) or 12 v. I don’t even care which. But considering the relatively low cost of a dedicated compressor of adequate power for the task, it would be trivial to include one built into the vehicle.
Maybe 12v for consumer stuff, engine-powered for full-size trucks. I work at a GMC dealer. A $50-80K truck could include that without even touching the price and they would still make a ton on those trucks. Or make it an optional upgrade. But to neglect that basic function in such an expensive vehicle, forcing people to buy their own aftermarket stuff to take up cargo space and have to dig it out when it’s actually needed is ridiculous.
SawdustTX
You may know this, but you can buy compressors and small tanks designed to be mounted under the hood. Many in the offroad community have them. Very handy.
Tom
Craftsman made one for the Nextec line and quickly discontinued it. They also got rid of the power station, which you could use to charge your phones with. That seemed like a great thing to have too.
Steve
Yes, I would buy a Milwaukee inflator to add to all of my other Milwaukee 18V tools. I don’t want different brands with different batteries.
mike aka Fazzman
I dont see what the big deal is other than portability,but if Bosch were to release a 12v one id probably buy it because I have the platform.
abnormalist
I have the ryobi inflator, and I will say the thing I love about the ryobi stuff is that they dont scoff at the home user stuff (as it is their bread and butter). Lets me really get by on all my tasks using just ONE battery platform
It was nice saturday, I trimmed my apple trees with the 8″ pole saw, used the inflator to feed air into the fire pit, cut up disks for the smoker with my circular saw, cut up the branches with the recip saw, and used the leaf blower to clean up at the end of it all using two batteries. Well three if you count the one that was in the radio…
Tyler
I added the inflator to my Craftman set a few years ago. I don’t use it frequently, but it’s paid for itself a few times over. Within a week of buying it, it helped me inflate a trailer tire while out of town instead of having to pull the tire from the loaded trailer, drive around to find air and remount it. Any time I leave town I toss it in the vehicle with a fully charged battery for peace of mind.
My daughter likes it because she can help pull the trigger to fill her various inflatable toys.
KL
The Nextec inflator is handy but really not good for over 30psi in a vehicle tire and can’t fill much more than a passenger car or small trailer tire. I tried to help some guys fill their neglected spare roadside and after 2 batteries it had barely pierced the low 20’s in a 3/4 ton on 16’s. This is where Milwaukee could shine. I don’t know if brushless would have applications in a compressor motor?
Nathan
I’d seriously consider buying one if it could reach high enough pressures for my bike tires, but most of these can’t in my experience.
Jon
I would pick up a Ridgid 18v inflator if it were under $50.
928'er
I’ve used both the Ryobi and the Nextec to fill road bike tires to 115# – no problem. 55-60# mountain bike tire – piece of cake.
I did, however, kill a Ryobi trying to fill my little 5 gallon portable tank that I used to take along when autocrossing. Now, I just grab the Nextec rather than messing with the tank. Killed a second Ryobi trying to fill a car tire that had a leak. Seems like they are good for high pressure, but not for high volume. Left a negative review on the HD site after the first one failed and Ryobi sent me a free replacement. HD warranteed the second one, no questions asked. We’ll see how long the third on lasts…. At least I know what NOT to use it for.
Pete
I think this is why the professional brands dont want to make one. Like all equipment and tools you have to understand how it works. The larger ryobi inflator only has a 30% duty cycle. It can not run full tilt till the battery runs out, the components will burn up because theyre too hot. when the tool is used properly it wont have any problems.
Pete
Professionals arent professionals 24/7 365. The rest of the time theyre (as they put it)”homeowners”. Just because i use my tools in a professional capacity doesnt mean i dont also use them at home for home projects.
Every professional i have seen uses some kind of tires with air in them.
Theres only one reason why i would understand them NOT making a cordless inflator. If they cant build it to their standards which would hold up to “professional use”. Like having a larger duty cycle past 30% before it simply burns up. If they had circuitry to shut it down when it got hot, that would work.
Jonathan
I’ve got a 120V infiltrator that I can use on my 16″ P/U tires, it does get warm, it takes a few minutes to go from 15PSi to 40PSI on my F150.
I think that part of the problem with the cordless, is that they are high drain items just like hand held blowers, doubtful that they are brushless motors driving the compressor.
The cordless units feel undersized, compared to 12V lighter or 120V units. I’ve got a jump box with an inflation unit built in, it has an 18AH SLA battery the unit weighs about 15-20#.
I’ve tried the “new” glove box jumper units that will charge your phone. The 20,000mah units that sell for $39-$99. They are a bit of a joke at the moment and only will boost your car or fill your phone. The little jump box that is a little bigger than a Car/boat battery, they are more versatile and are in the same price range as the “cordless” I’ve seen some even have AC inverters for the occasion power outage.
I use the jump box to fill the tires on my walk behind mowers, fertilizer spreaders, wheel barrows, carts, trucks and for recreation the bike.
One thing I’ve not checked on the cordless is will they operate independently or do you have to stand around for a few minutes (depending on the tires).
Pete
I have the larger ryobi inflator. It has a built in pressure gauge which is backlit, then you can set your desired pressure then hit the start button and walk away. The unit will actually fill to 1.0 psi above the set psi to adjust for the blow off when disconnecting the unit.
Keep in mind that thess small compressors have a “duty cycle” meaning they can only run for a limited time before needed time to cool down. The larger ryobi has a 30% duty cycle so if you run it for the longest suggested time of 10 minutes i has to be cycled off and let cool for 20 minutes.
RX9
I think it would be interesting to see an 18V inflator that doubled as a high amp DC power supply. Any pro-grade brand should be able to make an inflator capable of handling a pickup truck tire.
schill
I carry a compressor and jump-start battery in my car. Does it count as cordless if there’s a cord between the compressor and the battery? I can carry the two of them anywhere.
VIAIR 85P Portable Air Compressor
Jump-N-Carry JNC300XLC 900 Peak Amp Ultraportable 12V Jump Starter
I think it ran about $120 for the pair.
SawdustTX
I’ve long wanted a Milwaukee (preferably M18) inflator, and would snap one up in a heartbeat for up to $100.
That said, Milwaukee has half an inflator already – the M18 Mini-blower (which I cannot say enough good about) has attachments for the low pressure stuff. Works great for air mattresses, rafts, pool toys, etc. and is much faster than a typical inflator. More for the consumer/home kind of stuff.
Would love a high pressure Milwaukee inflator for tires, balls, and other high pressure applications.
Hang Fire
After burning out countless of tiny compressors, it makes NO SENSE at all for me. I had to find and buy a Viair to get away from the consumption (pre-broken) carp and get a small compressor that actually functioned for more than a few hours of runtime. If the major brands don’t want my money, then I’ll just continue to buy Viair.
fred
Which model do you recommend? The 88P I bought some years ago – based on good reviews – seemed to work OK out of the box – but then died during the first real use a few days later on a road trip – filling a motorcycle tire! I sent it back to Amazon. Maybe I got a lemon – but it put me off on the idea of an exchange – so opted for a refund.
glenn
We were only discussing this very subject yesterday morning as we used my Ryobi inflator to pump up the tyres on our hand trolley. Although I don’t use the inflator every day, it does get used regularly and it is a very handy thing to have
I find it hard to fathom why other brands won’t release one. Most tradies use a vehicle of some kind for work. And as someone else has stated above, outside of work we are all “homeowners” or “diy-ers”.
Professionally we both use Milwaukee and would buy one each in a heartbeat, whether it be in M12 or M18. Price? I would pay up to @ $120 where I live.
The first pro brand to release one will sell a stack of them.
DonC
I use the Craftsman C3 inflator regularly and pretty much never use a manual floor pump for my bikes anymore. I would love if they made one with a small tank that let you pressurize it to 80psi and then use it to seat tubeless bike tires.
In the car I keep a small 12v ryobi inflator that has saved a bunch of people at various times. Every car should come with one.
Nathan
OK so move up a tool size.
I mean I’m in the camp of “would love a quality battery inflator product from big yellow” (and if I had some other flavor battery system then the color would be different.
but – if they feel the inflator is a toy product then make me a pancake 3gal compressor that run on a 18V battery system. Should be equally feasible. or OK 2 batteries – I don’t so much care at that point. Might even be more useful. Now they eat into the market for their cordless nail guns. but give me an equal or slightly better than equal 3gal pancake device – battery run with power cord. Like the Dewalt vac or that new light of theirs. Big Red has some tool like that too.
I can get behind not letting it charge the battery while on cord, but the ability to swap into both is golden. Size and weight – well it’s already a tradeoff there.
Not it’s a more capable inflator – better duty cycle – useful for even more jobs – like running that nailer for the next 3 boards you need to finish out the job on the way home. bickety bam.
sell for say 180ish. bare tool.
or – make the more capable inflator tool with add on jump starter. And I only want a 18v platform for this.
James C
How about making a professional grade portable/handheld compressor that we can use to pressure test plumbing and gas lines with? There is an entire trade (plumbers/fitters) that use compressors almost every day to do their jobs – give ’em something durable that uses a professional battery platform! Even better: give us fittings on the air inlets/outlets so we can use it on the refrigeration lines of smaller equipment (ductless heat pumps, etc.) I would honestly consider it completely secondary that I could inflate tires with it.
My ideal compressor:
– M18 FUEL (for runtime and CFM) brushless motor
– 1/4″ male brass inlet/outlet fittings (fits standard vacuum/charging hoses)
– Backlit digital pressure gauge with selectable auto-off
– LED light above trigger like with drills
– Short hose with locking brass chuck for schrader valves
– On-board brass needle and nozzle adapters (great to blow out crevices)
Dacan
I dont think Milwaukee could price a M12 or M18 inflator that would be too high for me….. like others I really really want them to make one, please, pretty please…
As long as it will do a min of 60psi !!!
Fazal Majid
Yes. I am a Bosch 12V tool user, but I am going to get Ryobi 18V just for the inflater. If Milwaukee had one in M18, I would have gone for them instead
Chris
Plumbers must pressurize water and gas supply and distribution lines to 80psi+ for testing and inspections.
And almost every pro tradesperson is a DIYer by nature. So that leaky excuse doesnt hold water.
Id like a battery powered inflator that performs better than standard DIY models(i.e. fill a ‘truck’ tire in 2-3 mins instead of 5mins+) from Milwaukee (12v) or Makita (18v) to match my existing batteries.
Brien
Stuart- it finally happened. Milwaukee now has an M12 inflator!! The future is real.
MarylandUSA
Among cordless inflators, there’s a new kid on the block. Make that two new kids. Both from Skil: the PWRCore 12 and the PWRCore 20:
https://www.skil.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=inflator
The 12 is aimed squarely against the Milwaukee M12; the 20, against the Dewalt.
Currently just $50 and $70 on U.S. Amazon Prime.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=skil+inflator&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
(I posted this under your Dewalt 20V inflator article, too. Feel free to delete one.)