276°
Posted 20 hours ago

Milwaukee M18 Inflator 2848-20

£9.9£99Clearance
ZTS2023's avatar
Shared by
ZTS2023
Joined in 2023
82
63

About this deal

Most portable inflators are rather loud when operating; nearly all of the ones we tested came in at just under 90 decibels, or about as loud as a leaf blower.

Renowned brand-name inflators didn't necessarily perform any better than the off-brand ones we tried. Handheld inflators proved to be just as fast as, if not faster than, console units at inflating car tires. Viair built its trusted reputation on its high-quality industrial and commercial air compressors and the 88P is, in form and function, a scaled-down version of one of those. But why the seemingly outmoded power hookup? Why the quaint-but-wonky analog gauge? We didn't want to fault a company we know and trust without hearing its side of the story, so we reached out. Once we had our final tire inflator lineup, we ran them through the Gear Team wringer to see how they performed: which ones stood out, which ones dominated the competition, and which ones left us wanting more. And we photographed the whole process. ( Editor's Note: The above time-lapse GIF is around two minutes of actual time; that Milwaukee inflator is a BEAST .) What to Look for in a Portable Tire Inflator TypeThe Fix-A-Flat S40074 plugs directly into a vehicle's 12-volt outlet—there's no other power option—via a 10-foot cord and clamps onto Schrader valves easily. Its inflation time to 30 psi and 45 psi was surprisingly comparable to the competition. As you might expect, though, the smallest and lightest unit also felt far more fragile than its rivals—that is, even more like a flimsy plastic box than the rest. We'd hate for it to slip out of our hands during use and fall on a hard concrete garage floor or asphalt road shoulder. We wouldn't even trust it to roll around unsecured in a cargo bay or trunk. All of these units warned against overheating; always allow any portable air compressor (especially handhelds) to cool down after about 10 minutes of constant use. That's subjective. The "best" for you will be the one that's ideally suited to your needs. In our testing, we found that brand-name inflators generally weren't any more effective at tire inflation than the less-expensive imported brands. That said, reliability, durability, and warranty coverage should be a consideration. If you're looking for a battery-powered inflator, we always recommend going with the proprietary battery system you already own and use. Should I get an air compressor or a tire inflator? Dave Rittenhouse, Viair Corp.'s Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, told us Viair's main concern is providing a quality product that works, and a direct line to the battery was the only way to achieve that with the 88P. "This unit requires about 16–19 amps for its compressor motor to function effectively," he said. Unfortunately, the typical 12V accessory power port in any car "tops out at around 15 amps. AC power runs a different type of compressor motor, and Li-Ion batteries wouldn't provide the power required to drive this motor," Rittenhouse said. Thus, the need to draw directly from the car battery. Dave assured us that options are in the works from Viair. But, for now, alligator clips it is.

Powered by a fast-charging (about an hour) 20V 2.0Ah Li-ion battery, it also offers a power cord that plugs into either the wall or your car's cigarette lighter, with an adapter. The pistol-style AstroAI is simple to use; just set the desired psi, clamp on the connector, and pull the trigger. Its inflation times to 30 psi and 45 psi were faster than most of the other units in our test, handheld or console. (It was also louder than most of the other units here.) And it all comes in a carrying case that should fit in most cargo cubbies and perhaps even your spare tire well. Whichever one is best for your needs. If you're looking for a truly "portable" inflator to keep in your car, opt for one that's small enough to stash in your vehicle and easy to use, such as the Avid Power Pistol Grip. How long do portable tire inflators last?

Tool Repair Service

Portable tire inflators come in many shapes and sizes, but they effectively break down into two distinct types: handheld devices and console units. The most important consideration when shopping for a tire inflator is what you'll be using it for. Exclusive 3 Years Warranty on all Milwaukee Power Tools including Batteries & Chargers when registered.

More known for its cargo carriers, RoofPax's tire inflator stands out because it offers all three power options, a rarity among the off-brand units we tested. It deflates too. Considering it's the smallest and lightest unit we tested, this inflator's performance was an eye-opener, right up there with the portable and hands-free VacLife and Teromas. ( Note: An older version of this inflator is linked above. The updated product link is here.)Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. is an industry-leading manufacturer and marketer of heavy-duty, portable electric power tools and accessories for professional users worldwide. Going strong in the tool market for over 85 years. Quality is the Milwaukee brand's highest priority. Starting with an understanding of the professional power tool user’s needs, quality is shaped through the design of superior products, components and processes and is extended through the use of high grade materials, supplies and stringent in-house/field testing. Quality has built Milwaukee’s reputation since 1924, and continues to be the driving force behind its growth. Milwaukee's 2848-20 M18 Inflator blew away (sorry again!) the competition in inflation time. It inflated our test tire to 30 psi in just over a minute and hit 45 psi in only about two and a half minutes, allowing us to make a cool inflation GIF with the tire on a Ford Bronco (at top). Both times were nearly five minutes faster than most other inflators we tested, save the Viair. As long as you take care of yours, it should last for years. Be advised most are plastic-cased, and just one solid drop on a hard garage floor from being rendered useless. Handle with care. Also, batteries do have a tendency to lose their strength after a while; look for one with a replaceable battery. Who makes the best tire inflator? But it's not ideal. The 2848-20 is a relatively large and heavy unit that's too big to carry around in your daily driver. The valve attachment is screw-on, which is fine for everyday inflating but a (literal) pain for cold fingers to manipulate in extreme weather. Most egregious, there is no alternative power source; the unit requires Milwaukee's proprietary M18 Li-ion battery—and that's not included. Threaded screw-on connectors will provide a surer seal but can be hard to manipulate in cold weather. Furthermore, Schrader air valves are designed mainly for rubber or plastic end caps, not metal screw-on connectors; cross-threading (or stripping) the brass threads on your tire valves is a real possibility.

Asda Great Deal

Free UK shipping. 15 day free returns.
Community Updates
*So you can easily identify outgoing links on our site, we've marked them with an "*" symbol. Links on our site are monetised, but this never affects which deals get posted. Find more info in our FAQs and About Us page.
New Comment