Going on off-road adventures is one of the most breathtaking trips in the life of any travel guy; it may become challenging if you are on a rocky and muddy road. Many people do off-roading on trucks and even on cars; there are a lot of chances their vehicle’s tires may wear out or get ruptured. Here Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV) help save the journey and easily cross very hard or rocky terrain.
UTVs are built for driving on tough roads where cars or trucks can’t go. It is a side-by-side vehicle where two people can easily buckle up and load extra goods on the back. While driving off-road, the tire pressure should be considered; neither too high nor too low pressure would be in the tires. You should maintain the average pressure level to prevent UTV tires from getting flat.
We know you are upset by thinking about tires that may get flat during your journey. For backup, what should be done? Keeping a portable air compressor in your UTV is a great idea and will also help save you from tough conditions. You are alone in the mountains or jungle, and there is no tire technician close to you. When you have a handy compressor with you, there are no worries.
Depending upon your needs, we have personally used and reviewed the 5 best air compressors for inflating utv tires. We’ve tested them individually and noted all the factors that must be considered before buying the inflator.
Our Top Picks of 2023
| Product | Tire Inflation Time | |
|---|---|---|
| EPAuto 12V Air Compressor | 12 Psi in 1 Minute & 40 Sec | Check Price |
| AstroAI 12V Tire Inflator | 12 Psi in 2 Minutes & 10 Sec | Check Price |
| Slime (40061) Tire Inflator | 12 Psi in 4 Minutes & 10 Sec | Check Price |
| Kensun 12V AC/DC Air Compressor | 12 Psi in 2 Minutes | Check Price |
| VIAIR 88P – 00088 Air Compressor | 12 Psi in 1 Minute & 40 Sec | Check Price |
Editor’s Pick: #1 EPAuto 12V Air Compressor
EPAuto 12V is a cheap, high-quality inflator that thousands of vehicle owners use. It inflates the pressure very quickly and doesn’t make you wait long. This tool covers less space in your utv, and its 1 lbs weight makes it easy to move. There is a handy bag of black color that carries the inflator and also saves it from dust.
The inflator’s design is awesome; we loved the digital gauge installed on the head that makes it easy to measure the pressure rating. There are three buttons below the display to operate the compressor that helps to increase the pressure by pushing plus sign button, decrease the pressure rate using the negative sign button, and set or change the pressure scale through the (M) button.
An emergency flashlight is also given on the front side to inflate the tires in the dark. Let’s see how quickly it will air up the utv tires.
Our Test
Our wildcat 1000 X UTV’s front tires became flat, and we decided to inflate them with the help of EPAuto digital inflators. We’ve done this test at night to check the brightness of the LED mounted in the inflator. The tire has 5 psi pressure, and we fully deflated it to 0 psi to count the total time. Let’s get started!
Before turning on the compressor, you must start your UTV to get the power. This unit uses a cigarette lighter to turn on, so connect the lighter to the socket available in your utv. The air hose length is about 2 feet and 6 inches, which is enough for our 64-inch wide utv. After connecting the hose, we set the pressure at 12 psi, then the compressor starts its job and takes almost 1 minute & 40 seconds to inflate 12 psi pressure. The second tire also takes the same time, which means you can fill tires in 5 minutes. It’s pretty good speed!
The temperature we recorded after inflating two tires is 89°F, which is very cool compared to other inflators. It is vibration resistant; all four feet have rubber that saves the unit from moving on the ground. This is our favorite inflator; whenever we go outside on utv, we always keep it on the back. It is a great value-for-money air compressor and has run for long years.
What We Like
- Run efficiently
- Quickly inflate tires
- It doesn’t overheat rapidly while running if the temperature reaches 167°F, it automatically shuts off.
- Very low price
- LED Flashlight
What We Don’t Like
- A bit louder but quiet compared to other compressors
- Almost in the 5th month, the tool start issues creating pressure. But, soon we got fixed the problem by contacting customer support.
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Runner Up: #2 AstroAI 12V DC Air Compressor
AstroAI 12V is another excellent tire inflator for utv; it is portable and lightweight that covers very less space. Anytime your utv tire gets flat, this inflator runs quickly and airs all the tires. It is a great build quality tool that runs for a long time, and there is no tension of getting rust or moisture on the inflator.
It is a multipurpose compressor that inflates tires upto 35 inches, including vehicles like trucks, cars, and bicycles. This unit also needs some time to cool after performing a job. Like Slime (40061) inflator, this tool also takes a rest after inflating for 15 minutes continuously. But, it is better than Slime because you can inflate all utv tires within 8-10 minutes, whereas Slime takes an hour to fill the air.
The digital guage on the top is a great location where we can easily record the pressure. Three buttons are given to control it; you can increase, decrease, and set the pressure. We’ve used this AstroAI compressor to inflate our utv cat 1000X; it will help you get a clear idea of how the tool is performing.
Our Test
We will now check the performance by inflating the four tires. So, let’s begin our work!
The air hose is 3 meters long, which is less, but to overcome this short length, a long power of 10 feet can go very close to all the tires. An extra locking air chuck is also given, which makes the air inflation process easy. It gets locked to the valve stem, and you don’t need to hold it all the time. So, attach the hose to utv tire and keep in mind the tire pressure is at 0 psi. Now, begin airing up the tire, and don’t forget to start a stopwatch that will tell us the time.
The tire successfully goes from 0 to 12 psi within 2 minutes and 10 seconds. Similarly, we inflated the 4 tires, which took almost the same time. It means you need about 10 minutes to get ready for the ride. It is better than the Slime tire inflator, which takes more than 50 minutes to do that work.
Astro is giving tough competition to the EPAuto tire inflator, it also contains maximum features that are available in EPAuto, but obviously, the performance is not the same. This unit is quieter than other compressors because the noise level we got on the decibel meter is 89 decibels.
This is a handy compressor that can be taken anywhere in a carry bag; it must be with you when you are going to drive utv.
What We Like
- Rapidly air up tires
- A great inflator according to price
- Have emergency light
- Easy to use
- Digital display to see pressure rating
- Lightweight
- Vibration resistant
What We Don’t Like
- Short air hose compared to other brand compressors.
- The unit needs to be cool after 15 minutes; otherwise, it may damage the motor.
- Its reading is inaccurate; we got different pressure readings when checked with another pressure gauge.
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3: Slime (40061) Tire Inflator
Slime (40061) is a super handy air compressor for your utv to inflate tires anytime and anywhere. It is properly packed in a good build quality case that covers less space in your vehicle. The pressure gauge on the front side made it easy to measure the pressure rating. A small button on/off the compressor is given on the front.
This tool is very lightweight; you can easily hold it with your single hand. If you are driving on utv in the night in a dark forest and one of the tires becomes flat. In that darkness, you can turn on the flashlight installed in the Slime inflator. It is enough for easily inflating the tires. We have tested it on our (Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 X) utv and noted the total time it takes to fill maximum psi. Let’s see how it is performed.
Our Test
As there are 26 inches tires installed in our utv, the recommended pressure in this model utv tires is about 12 to 15 psi. We made the tire fully flat to know the exact time it would take to inflate the tire. Two power sources are given in this Slime unit, so there is no need to worry about powering the inflator.
You can use alligator clips directly connecting with the battery and a cigarette light to run the inflator. We go for the cigarette lighter option and connect the male side to the female socket given inside the utv. The power cord length is about 9.2 feet, enough to reach both power sources. We easily reach the four tires with 7.5 inches of air hose length.
So, turn on the button to run the inflator, and it takes 4 minutes and 10 seconds to fill the tire from 0 to 12 psi. It means you can easily inflate two tires in the first duty cycle. The inflator can run for 12 minutes continuously, and then you have to wait 25 to 30 minutes to cool it down.
When the compressor cools down, then you can get the next job. You will inflate all four tires in an hour, which is time-consuming. Especially when you are in a hurry and have no spare time to wait for a long time, then these types of inflators are not worthy.
This Slime’s inflator provides a quiet job and does not vibrate too much. The noise level recorded is 69 decibels from a distance of 1 foot. It is much more portable than the other brand inflators, but you must wait a long time to fully inflate all the tires.
What We Like
- It is a very handy tool that covers less space and can even keep it in your go-bag.
- LED flashlight for night use
- Very lightweight
- Multiple power sources (Alligator clamps, Cigarette Lighter)
What We Don’t Like
- The build quality should be improved; its body is made of soft plastic that can be easily damaged.
- It takes more than an hour to inflate all tires; it includes the waiting time (The duration to cool the inflator). We expect a compressor that takes less time to fill the air.
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#4: Kensun 12V AC/DC Air Compressor
Kensun 12 voltage is a dual power source tire inflator that can air up your utv at home and during off-roading. It runs on AC and DC, adding more uniqueness to this compressor. Double motors are installed in it tha spin very fastly and air up utv tires within minutes. It is very small in size that looks like a lady holding a handbag.
The pressure guage is given on the front to measure the pressure reading; two power cables are also attached. One power cord uses a cigarette lighter plug to run the inflator, and the second is used in the wall outlet. To know whether Kensun is worthy or not, we must check its performance. We have inflated our utv tires; let’s know what we got.
Our Test
As the tool runs on dual types of current AC/DC, always make sure to push the button that current is available. Simply, if you want to use it in the home, then push the AC button and if you want to run it on utv battery, then press the DC button.
We have to inflate 12 psi of pressure in the tires, so let’s see how much time it takes. The air hose is very short compared to others that we discussed here. You will not easily approach the four tires. Same case with the cord. We added extensions in both types to use for longer distances.
The inflator takes an average of 2 minutes to inflate at 12 psi pressure; that’s a very fast filling time. So, if you want to fill up four tires, it will take 8-9 minutes to fill them. A great feature of this tool is that it has a maximum running time compared to Slime and AstroAI. You can run it consistently for 30 minutes, which means it will inflate tires of 2 utv at a time.
It is a perfect option if you are looking for a portable, small air compressor for utv.
What We Like
- Digital screen
- Automatically shut down when tire inflation done
- Good quality carry case
- Less weight
- Very easy owner manual guide
- Affordable unit
What We Don’t Like
- A loud noise of 88 decibels
- Digital guage is not accurate; it should measure precisely
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#5: VIAIR 88P – 00088 Air Compressor
VIAIR 88P is a heavy-duty small-sized air compressor that is easily fitted in your utv and covers a very small space. It is a beautifully designed air tool in which the build quality is taken under consideration; with a good airflow rate of 1.47 cfm, the compressor doubles the speed of inflating tires.
This little compressor is easy to lift with a handle on the top. You can calculate the total pressure through the analog pressure gauge. The 12-foot air hose can easily go around the utv, and with the addition of 9 foot power cord, you can approach bigger vehicle tires. As the main power source of this device is utv battery, so alligator clamps are given.
VIAIR 88P can air up tires upto 33 inches, which means you can speedily inflate 12 psi in utv tires. This unit has been in our utv inflator collection for the last 8 months and is doing a pretty good job. We discussed some important things you should know about this compressor in detail below.
Our Test
On the tire inflation side, the VIAIR 88P works next level because it pumps up the tires fastly. This tool has the fastest tire airing up time compared with others listed in this guide. When we started filling up the air, after 1 minute and 40 seconds, the pressure reached 12 psi. It is very fast! Within almost 6 minutes, we got the job done and became ready for the journey.
The tool also heats up a bit quickly; when we run it for 1.5 minutes, the temperature rises and is 80°F. This is unlike other inflators where you have to wait 30 minutes until it cools down. That’s the main reason VIAIR’s made compressor run for a long time.
We found this compressor quieter and recorded the noise level; it is about 79 decibels. It is a great option for under 100 bucks for your utv; you must go for it.
What We Like
- Small in size and lightweight
- 10x faster tire inflation speed
- Run very silently
- Long air hose and power cord
What We Don’t Like
- Get warmed quickly
- It keeps eating fuses
- Don’t auto stuff when it overheats
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Ultimate Buying Guide For Utv Air Compressors
Higher PSI
We recommend a compressor that produces maximum pressure because it increases the tire inflation speed, gets the job done quickly, and saves the unit from overheating. As the average time pressure required for a utv is about 10-20 psi, it will air up the tires within minutes when the compressor has a higher pressure rating.
Tire Inflation Time
The time really matters; when you are in a hurry and your utv tires get flat, if you don’t have a fast tire inflator, it will surely waste your precious time. There are compressors in the market that takes more than 50 minutes to inflate four tires. Because they get heated very quickly and need to cool down for 20 to 30 minutes, it seems very boring. So, always go for the compressor that takes less time to air up your utv tires. We have an incredible inflator on the list that inflate 12 psi within 1 minute and 40 seconds.
Temperature
Temperature is a major issue among the majority of air compressors. When the tool overheats, the chances of burning motor and fuse increases. We always prefer and purchase inflators with less heat and do the work quickly. Various brands’ compressors need some time to get cool after doing an 8 to 15 minute job; here, we favor the tool that works cool and does not overheat rapidly. If you can wait for the cool-down time, there is no issue; you should go for those units.
Loudness
While analyzing an air compressor, you have to see the performance because loudness can be ignorable. It will not bother you if you run the tool outdoors, like airing up utv tires. The average noise level of a portable compressor should be 70 to 80 decibels. Some people don’t like loud noise, so they can go for the compressor that produces sound below 70 decibels.
Power Source
The power source is a main factor that comes to mind of every utv driver, how to run the air compressor when you are on a rocky road, and there is no power outlet source. Don’t worry; the compressors we mentioned here can all run with the help of an utv battery. Inflator like Kensun AC/DC has two power options; you can use them at home and outside.
Don’t go for the air inflator that only runs in the home, and also check if the alligator or cigarette lighter plug is available on the device. It will ensure that your tool can run on the utv battery.
Air Hose & Power Wire Length
Don’t forget to check the length of the air hose and power cord, because if they are small, you have to buy an extension to reach your target. Check the length of the air hose should be enough as it can easily go near the time, similarily, know the length of power cord so you won’t face any wire shortage while connecting with battery or cigarette lighter socket.
Price
We know no one wants to break their banks to purchase a tire inflator for utv. That’s why collected and tested 5 different compressors; they are affordable and come under 100 bucks. In this price range, there are incredible handy inflators that work best. Have a look at the start of the guide.
Night Usability
In some cases, folks are traveling at night on utv, and the tire got flat. No doubt, you can use your smartphone flashlight to inflate tires, but this should be a built-in functionality in the air compressors. Inflators having LED flashlights make the tire filling work easier. It’s very good if you keep this point in consideration before buying the compressor.
Comparing 2 Top Picked Air Compressor For UTV
We are comparing the two best-performing compressors that are cheap, quickly fill pressure, and run for longer times.
EPAuto 12V Tire Inflator
This is our first picked compressor that is a great choice for your utv. It is perfect for filling tires, small in size, affordable, LED flashlight, and has a digital pressure guage. In a nutshell, this unit is worth buying, and it serve your utv for years. It is a little loud but doesn’t irritate you.
AstroAI 12V DC Tire Inflator
AstroAI is also a majestic tire air compressor under 50 bucks; it is a very handy and compact device that can easily fit in your utv. It is enriched with features like rapid tire air-up, a digital pressure reading display, a flashlight for night use, and vibration-resistant rubber feet. We think it should be improved because the compressor must have high job times so any folk can quickly pump up tires. Waiting for 30 minutes after getting a 12 minutes job doesn’t make sense, but according to price, it’s a worthy inflator.
Final Verdict
After testing the 5 best air compressors for utv tires, we concluded that EPAuto 12 digital tire inflator is the champ. It is the most reliable tool that everyone should have in their utv. This unit comes under 50 bucks, and we think you are getting a high-quality tool for less price. We not only use it for utv but also inflate tires of ATVs, cars, bikes, and many other air tools.
Winner
EP Auto 12v air compressor
EPAuto 12V is the perfect option if you’re looking for a portable air compressor for your UTV. It is the best value-for-money compressor that runs for a long time and inflates the tires quickly within 5-7 minutes (Approx. 1 Minute & 40 Seconds/Tire). With the integrated LED light, you can also use it at night and keep riding. We really loved this small compressor.
Key Features
- Rapidly Air Up Tires
- Don’t Overheats Quickly
- Mounted LED Light
- Small in size, you can take it anywhere easily
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Do share this detailed guide with your friends if you like it!
FAQs
How much is the air pressure in a UTV tire?
The pressure in a utv tire depends on the size of the tire. In some conditions, the pressure should be maintained. If traveling on a rocky or muddy road, the pressure should be 10 psi so the tire won’t get bad. We have made a table in which different tire sizes are mentioned with the required pressure. Have a look!
| Tire Size | Pressure Required |
|---|---|
| 14 inches | 6 psi (If you are in desert), or upto 8psi |
| 16 inches | 6psi to 8 psi (On rocky road or desert) |
| 18 inches | 8 psi |
| 19 inches | 8psi to 10 psi |
| 20 inches | 10 psi |
| 21 inches | 10 psi |
| 22 inches | 10 psi |
| 23 inches | 10 psi |
| 24 inches | 10 psi |
| 25 inches | 12 psi |
| 26 inches | 12 psi to 14 psi |
| 27 inches | 12 psi to 14 psi |
| 28 inches | 12 psi to 14 psi |
| 29 inches | 12 psi to 14 psi |
| 30 inches | 12 psi to 14 psi |
| 31 inches | 12 psi to 14 psi |
| 32 inches | 18 to 20 psi |
| 33 inches | 18 to 24 psi max |
| 35 inches | 20 psi to 30 psi max |
Should I buy an air compressor with an emergency light?
Sometimes you have to be off-road at night in mountains, sand/desert, and forest areas. Here, you will need a light to easily inflate your UTV tires. So, we suggest buying an air compressor with an emergency light.