EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump Review

Portable tire compressors have become near-invaluable tools for car owners to keep in their vehicles. With countless options on the market, it can be extremely difficult to choose which to go with. Budgets, capacities, sizes, and more all impact the attractiveness of a compressor. Having owned and tested many other compressors in the past, we decided it was time to try one of the highest-rated compressors on Amazon, the EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump with Digital Tire Inflator.

We are always skeptical of a product when it has overwhelmingly positive reviews on any selling outlet, and the air compressor in question here falls into that category with an average rating on Amazon of 4.5 out of 5 stars with over 55,000 reviews. Yet we were pleasantly surprised with the EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump, which has proved to be a versatile and convenient solution for inflating tires on various vehicles. With its straightforward operation and multiple adapters, it offers ease of use and reliability in emergencies or routine maintenance.

Convenience and Versatility:

This air compressor pump plugs directly into the cigarette lighter socket of your vehicle, making it incredibly convenient to use on the go-- just be sure to have your vehicle running when you begin using it, otherwise it could quickly and easily drain the battery. It is suitable for inflating tires on cars, bikes, sedans, and midsize SUVs with engine sizes under 3.5 liters. The inclusion of a universal valve connector for Schrader valves ensures compatibility with a wide range of tire types. Additionally, the package includes adapters for different purposes, such as needles for sports balls and short/long cone adapters for inflatable kayaks and swimming pool accessories.

Safety Features:

The compressor pump is equipped with various safety features to prevent over-inflation and overheating. It automatically shuts off when the desired tire pressure is reached, ensuring precise inflation and protecting against overloading. The overheat protector activates if the unit exceeds 167°F, safeguarding against potential damage. We’re all too familiar with tire inflators and portable compressors reaching near thermonuclear-temperatures, and thankfully this shouldn’t get that hot.

User-Friendly Design:

Featuring a clear digital display with four units (PSI, KPA, BAR, KG/CM), the tire pressure readings are easy to read and understand. Additionally, the built-in LED flashlight provides illumination in low-light conditions, enhancing visibility during nighttime emergencies.

Limited Use:

A major con, or rather caveat and thing to bear in mind with this tire compressor, is that it doesn’t have the capacity for bigger tires, not only in CFM (cubic feet per minute), but in its duty cycle. The latter is important because duty cycle is basically how long the compressor can run without needing a break to cool down, and the EPAuto unit seen here has a 10-minute recommended duty cycle. If you have even 33” tires aired down to 20 PSI, that means you’re taking a break during airing the tires back up just to let the compressor cool off. This means the compressor would have been overtaxed when airing up our 34x10.5R17 BFGoodrich KO2s from 16 PSI to normal running PSI around 35, so we didn’t give it a shot, opting instead for our usual heavier-duty unit. Not ideal, but also not this compressor’s purpose.

Specifications:

The compressor seen here is a traditional 120W-rated unit that runs via DC 12V power. It can provide up to 1.06 CFM of air in optimal circumstances, inflating to a maximum working pressure of 70 PSI, which is more than enough for all passenger car tires.

Conclusion:

In summary, the EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump offers a reliable and convenient solution for inflating tires on various vehicles. Its compact design, multiple adapters, and safety features make it an essential tool for any car owner. Whether you're dealing with low tire pressure or need to inflate sports equipment, this compressor pump is up to the task. It is not meant for inflating oversized off-road tires, and should not be used as such repeatedly as it can overtax the unit, but it’s a decent little affordable tire inflator that now nestles in the trunk of our car.