Ryobi Tire Inflators Are Versatile And Affordable, But Are They Worth Buying?

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There are a bunch of reasons why your tires might lose a little pressure, from a dodgy valve to hitting a curb a bit hard. So a tire inflator is always a handy thing to have around. It's also great for bicycles, sports balls, and for when it's time to get out those pool floats and accessories in storage through the winter. Ryobi has two cordless options that are competitively priced and provide different levels of versatility, but are they actually worth buying? Let's take a closer look.

Both run off Ryobi's 18V One+ batteries, so if you own other tools from the brand, you'll save money. If you don't, both come as a kit that includes them, and it's cheaper than buying them separately. Both inflators provide maximum pressure of 160 pounds per square inch (PSI), a digital gauge, LCD screen, and auto-shut off. The Ryobi High Pressure Digital Inflator is $39.97 (as a bare tool). It has a chuck for vehicle tires and three additional adapters. The Ryobi Dual-Function Digital Inflator/Deflator Kit costs $69.97 (also bare) and offers a quick-connect tire chuck, six adapters, and an independent high-volume hose for things like air mattresses and other inflatables.

Both devices get terrific ratings from customers at Ryobi and Home Depot, with a host of positive comments and very few complaints. If you already own Ryobi's One+ battery and charger, they should be well worth buying. If you don't, the decision is not so straightforward.

If you avoid some of the mistakes everyone makes when shopping at Home Depot, you may be able to save a few bucks on Ryobi's tire inflators, but if you don't have a battery and charger, you'll likely still be paying upwards of fifty bucks for the cheaper model. At that price there's a lot of competition, so you'll want to compare specifications carefully.

There's another issue. Both Ryobi devices only run off a battery, so if you want to keep the tire inflator in the car (which many people do for convenience), you'll either have to pay extra for a spare to keep with it or fetch one from indoors every time you want to use it. For under $70 you can get models like the AstroAI Cordless Tire Inflator, which also has a main plug if the battery is low but, more importantly, can run from the 12V DC socket (cigarette lighter) inside your car.

If you're already a fan of Ryobi's tools and equipment, buying either of their inflators makes good sense. There are Ryobi models that are not worth buying according to reviews, but these certainly aren't among them. On the other hand, if you haven't invested in the 18V One+ system, there are rivals that are just as affordable and may offer more valuable features.