Head-to-head · Best Portable Tire Inflators

AVID POWER Cordless Inflator vs Milwaukee M18 Inflator (2848-20)

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Milwaukee M18 Inflator (2848-20) comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.3 vs 4.7). The gap is mostly about Milwaukee M18 tool owners and pros who want the fastest, most accurate cordless tire top-off — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #4 in Best Portable Tire Inflators

AVID POWER Cordless Inflator

4.3

$70as of May 28

The AVID Power is the budget cordless pick: a detachable 20V battery, a 12V car adapter as backup, a drill-style grip and a digital gauge for around $70. Automoblog scored it 88/100. It is slower and less rugged than the premium units and some owners flag durability, but for an affordable, maneuverable car-and-bike inflator it delivers solid value.

Strengths

— Inexpensive cordless inflator with a detachable 20V battery and 12V car adapter
— Drill-style grip is easy to maneuver around tight valve stems
— Filled a Camry tire from 20.5 to 35 PSI in about 2 minutes 32 seconds in testing

Watch-outs

— Some owners report durability and longevity issues
— Slower and less powerful than the Milwaukee M18 or Viair 88P
— Battery runtime is limited; not built for many tires in a row

$70 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Portable Tire Inflators

Milwaukee M18 Inflator (2848-20)

4.7

$168.9as of Jun 7

The M18 2848-20 is the best cordless inflator if you already live in Milwaukee's battery ecosystem or want the fastest, most accurate cordless top-off available. Pro Tool Reviews and Tool Box Buzz both rate it near the top of the category. The catch is total cost once you add a battery and charger, and the lack of a 12V backup.

Strengths

— Fastest cordless inflator tested, topping off an F-150 tire in about 52 seconds
— Highly accurate digital gauge with auto shut-off, within ~2 PSI of a manual gauge
— Runs noticeably quieter and lower-pitched than rival cordless inflators

Watch-outs

— Tool-only price plus an M18 battery and charger makes it the most expensive pick
— Heavy at around 9 lb with a battery attached
— No 12V backup if the battery dies, unlike hybrid Slime/AVID units

$168.9 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

AVID POWER Cordless Inflator

The budget cordless choice, cheaper than the Milwaukee M18 Inflator (2848-20) and the Slime Cordless Pro Power, with a detachable 20V battery and a 12V car-adapter backup. It is slower and less rugged than those and than the corded Viair 88P, but the most affordable cordless option here.

Milwaukee M18 Inflator (2848-20)

The fastest and most accurate cordless pick here, ahead of the hybrid Slime Cordless Pro Power and the budget AVID Power on speed and precision. Unlike the corded Viair 88P it needs no 12V outlet, but it also lacks their 12V fallback and costs the most once a battery is added.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	AVID POWER Cordless Inflator	Milwaukee M18 Inflator (2848-20)
Max PSI	150	150
Power Source	20V battery + 12V car adapter	M18 RedLithium battery
Accuracy	Within ~2 PSI	Within ~2 PSI
Fill Time	~2.5 min (15 PSI top-up, Camry)	~52 sec (6 PSI top-up, F-150)
Nozzles	Tire, ball, inflatable	—
Display	Digital PSI/KPA/BAR/KG	—
Light	LED flashlight	Integrated LED
Includes	Battery, charger, case	—
Auto Shut-Off	—	Yes, digital preset
Weight	—	~9 lb with battery
Chuck	—	Brass Schrader

← See the full ranking of best portable tire inflators