We spotted the new Ridgid 18V cordless air inflator, model R87044. It was announced a couple of months ago, and is now shipping as a bare tool for Ridgid cordless power tool users.
The new Ridgid cordless inflator is one of the most compact designs we’ve seen, and works with Ridgid 18V Li-ion cordless power tool batteries or 12V auto DC ports thanks to the included power adapter.
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Features include a 2″ digital pressure gauge, auto-shutoff sensor, quick connect air chuck, on-board hose storage, 20″ hose, rotating dial for setting the desired inflation pressure, and a manual inflation override trigger switch.
The inflator also comes with a couple of accessory nozzles – a ball inflation pin, brass Presta chuck (for bike tires), and an nozzle for use with inflatable toys and other such devices.
The Ridgid cordless inflator can reach pressures of up to 150 PSI.
Price: $69 for the bare tool
Discussion
The new Ridgid 18V inflator looks quite compact – it measures 10.63″ x 8.32″ x 3.78″, and it weighs 1.35 lbs without a battery.
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All in all, I’d say this inflator has a very appealing design.
Some users might prefer it to have a boxier shape, for self-supporting while inflating their tires, but you can probably still set this down while it’s doing its thing.
It looks to be a solid new part of the Ridgid 18V cordless power tool lineup.
See Also
If you’re looking for a similarly styled cordless inflator but haven’t bought into Ridgid’s 18V lineup, there’s also the Ryobi P737DKN, which is a complete kit priced at $69 at the time of this posting.
This Ryobi cordless inflator doesn’t look to have an automatic shut-off switch, but it does feature a 150 PSI max pressure, digital gauge, schrader valve tire chuck, and 20″ hose with built-in storage clip. It also comes with a Ryobi 18V One+ 1.5Ah Li-ion battery and charger.
Buy Now: Ryobi Kit via Home Depot
Ridgid’s design is also not too unlike Makita’s 12V cordless inflator, which has large rubber feet for self-supporting it during use. The Makita can only inflate up to 120 PSI, but also has an auto-stop pressure sensor and backlit pressure gauge display.
Frank D
Biggest thing my Ryobi lacks is digital gauge ( fixed in new model ) ( analog ones are notoriously inaccurate in their series, first one was off by more than 10 psi, its replacement reads about 3-4 high ) and auto shutoff.
If you have a certain amount of outdoor equipment and dollies, that need air in their tires, well worth it for not having to drag a compressor to the thing or the thing to the compressor.
Jared
I have the boxier dual mode Ryobi inflator (e.g it has separate high volume and high pressure outlets). Really handy tool to have in my pickup tool box.
However, I would have looked at this Ridgid if it were available at the time just because of the 12v power adapter. Inflating tires can be somewhat battery intensive. If 12v power is readily available on whatever you’re inflating, then the ability to use that power instead of the battery is a nice feature.
I’m thinking of, for example, times when I bring it camping as a backup for vehicle and trailer tire needs. If I decide to use it to inflate some bike tires or an inflatable water toy, etc, might be handy to know I can still use it for the truck if I ran the batteries down.
Albert
I looked in the manual and it seems the gray sleeve slides and locks the chuck in place. I’ll have to try it. I’m familiar with the toggle clamp that Ryboi and Makita use. It works fine. I really don’t like the threaded chuck that Milwaukee uses.
Jp
Man I want a M18 version. The m12 is just noisy and slow. Unsure why Milwaukee hasn’t released one
Tom D
They do have the M18 compressor now which would work – the most annoying thing for me is I always hit the power button instead of inflate after setting the PSI on the M12.
Travis
Hahaha! I thought I was the only one that has that problem. You are in good company. Almost every time
King duck
I wonder if one is coming the way the M12 has been on sale for so long. I’m probably goi g to get the compressor but an inflator has some nice features.
Bob H
Makita recently added an 18v version of their inflator to their lineup.
The 18v version seemed to be a very requested model.
Sash
AEG in Australia has just released their version of this about 1 or 2 months ago. Its funny that they share other tools, but with this one they have changed the structure and both have gone their own way. Most likely the same internals, but different bodies.
https://www.aegpowertools.com.au/power-tools/products/details/18v-12v-hybrid-high-pressure-volume-inflator-deflator-skin-bhpv18-0?list=all_products&list_name=All+Products
BRIAN LEE
would have rather bought that instead of the Ridgid, my only complaint is that it is SO loud, its not just kinda loud, its VERY loud. I have other portable compressors, which are MUCH quieter (~$30) but I bought this one to match the batteries with my set up. Also for the price of the Ridgid, the other brands have a deflator included, which that AEG has.
Pastor Dan
I bought the M12 inflator kit several months ago, when I caught a good sale and a couple more dollars in my pocket than usual in the same week. Finally had to use it this weekend when something poked a tiny hole through the shoulder of my Frontier’s RF tire (265/70-16). It got us home from the restaurant okay, but I’m seeing numerous comments expressing thoughts that have come to me in the past 36 hours or so. M18 would make sense, as more power and endurance wouldn’t harm this thing at all. Hitting the power instead of the inflate button is definitely much too easy. One more: when I turn it on, I would like to see it still set to the same pressure as when I left it, not go back to zero (each time I hit Power instead of Inflate🤔). Just seems like that would be more convenient. The Ridgid price is about what I would expect, based on my experience with the Milwaukee/Ridgid differences generally. Definitely would save a few bucks if I’d waited for this, but if I need another one someday, I’ll probably not switch to a new line of tools and batteries just for an inflator, though.
Patrick
I have used that Ryobi one a couple times a week for two years. It’s fantastic!
Matthew
I’ve had the original version of the Ryobi one for a couple of years. It’s good for what it is (mostly used to top of basketballs and footballs) but it can inflate a car tire from flat. It took a few minutes but it got the job done.
ChicagoJeff
Approximately how many minutes to fill a car tire?
Clay
I don’t recall exactly, but it is not super fast. You also have to hold the trigger the whole time.
Clay
I have the Ryobi and use it constantly.: dolly tires, balls, bike tires. Have used it on car tires often and it does great. Going to do it here in a few minutes.
The gauge is the weak spot. Might get one of the new models so I can keep one in each vehicle.
Flotsam
i want this. it is priced pretty well . I have Dewalt 20v & M12 platform as well but their pricing is higher.
I especially like the fact that is is both battery and 12v power. this is what i really want.
Initial reviews i have seen are good
GML
I’m “invested” in Dewalt and Ridgid cordless tools. I bought the Dewalt inflator about a year ago and I’m very happy with it. That being said I probably would’ve gone with the Ridgid if it were available due to the lower cost and smaller size. Either way, a cordless inflator is incredibly convenient.
Patrick
I have both Ryobi and Ridgid tools, but since Ridgid is late to the party, I have the 2 Ryobi inflators. The pistol grip is great for bike tires and balls. But I use the larger square style one for car tires. Great to set and let sit.
The Ridgid compressor has my interest more, but I don’t know if I should go with that or the Ryobi option for nail guns, etc…
Rx9
I have the m12 equivalent of this tool, and I will say that the auto-shutoff is an extremely valuable feature. It’s easy to get distracted when inflating a large tire, and overinflating a tire can be dangerous.