Do NOT Buy The Amazon Basics Air Compressor | Buy This Budget Compressor Instead!

We take a closer look at some air compressor options so you know the best way to stay on budget when buying one.

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[JonDZ_Adventuring]

Interesting to know that CFM ratings aren't accurate with the Amazon unit. Pittsburgh unit airs up faster at 1.35CFM but the Amazon says their unit is 2.12 CFM. I personally use a Viair 88P rated at 1.47 CFM. For anyone that is new to using "tire inflators", make sure you keep them off the ground. The vibrations from the tire inflator will kick up dirt and sand. I have personally seized up a tire inflator because it sucked in dirt particles causing the compressor to seize up. Find a safe place on top of your engine bay to mount your tire inflator while you air up. Don't take chances! Be safe and have fun on your adventures!

[gpaje]

You shouldn't subtract the time to check with the on-board, it's part of the test since you have no choice to check it as it goes since it doesn't have a in-line pressure gauge the other two have. Also, great video and review, very helpful!

[ChevyNglockMan]

Good video, rather save 400 bucks and just wait the extra 10 minutes for 4 tires to fill

[froshproductions]

I bought the Pittsburgh last year. It’s great for the half dozen trips I do per year. Definitely a good way to save money as you build your off road kit.

[collinator]

I got a 40$ hypertough air compressor that looks very similar to both of these from Walmart a year ago and it still works great.

[BIGResultsFast]

This Young Man is a Great Addition To The Team at TFLoffroad. Super Job!!!

[Sylvan_dB]

sounds like buy 4 of the HF units, pump up all the tires simultaneously plus have 3 backups in case one fails and you still spent about 1/2 the price of the ARB. Hmm.

[Hilmi]

Thank you for reviewing gear people can actually afford

[kantill]

Ok let's up the budget a bit to the smitty built, tuff stuff 4x4 and and vivar models i.e. compressors that run 120 to 150 and compare them to the 500 compressor.

[smaltais]

When the truck engine is off, the battery voltage will drop around 2 volts (from 14.4 to 12.7V) impacting the compressor performance. So your ARB compressor is probably better, but the test was not quite perfectly accurate

[willb]

Overall a very good review. Another point in Harbor Freight's favor is the placement of the air gauge. If for some reason you do need to string it out, having the gauge where the air is being input is much more convenient than on the body of the air compressor. One thing that could have been addressed in the review is the relative quality/strength of the clamps for attaching to the car battery. TFL Reviews was a good addition to their "franchise".

[DansOverlanding]

Good Video. Forgot to mention about the duty cycle and that can be a huge factor

[gandrimplement]

While I was sure the arb would win, you can't subtract the time you used to check the pressure, and you need to add an air gauge into the price of the arb unit.

[schmoab]

Lol I bought this compressor at Harbor Freight today! The guy at the cash register warned me not to get the cheap ass one. He was right as the $65 one pushes 5X as much air. You have to hook it directly to the battery. I’ll be testing it out around Telluride this weekend. Oh yeah the Pittsburgh is $56 with the coupon.

[MarkPdot]

I currently have this model Harbor Freight pump in my truck. I have no complaints so far.

[VideosOffRoad]

In the real world all 4 tires need to be aired up. A good test to include would have been filling up all 4 tires to see if either budget compressor would have overheated and shut down, making you wait for it to cool off before you could continue airing up again. If "speed is the name of the game" that could add SIGNIFICANT time to the process. Some budget compressors may need as much as 20-30 *minutes* to cool down. It would be really interesting to see that test.

[CT.]

I own the Harbor Freight compressor and it has worked very well when needed.

[jameshall]

you can buy 4 pittsburgh air compressors and fill all four tires at the same time and still spend less than half of what a arb compressor costs. great video

[marcofemto]

I just use a bicycle pump. High capacity with gauge cost about 20dls at walmart. Inflated my tire to 60psi faster than my air compressor. No need to plug it in and is a good little workout 👊

[sontran]

The auto shut off feature would be the main selling point for me. Set it and forget it. Come back when the compressor shut off.