Portable tyre inflators: Why have one, and which is worth the price tag?

A portable tyre inflator can help you correct low tyre pressure when no service station is nearby, while price, power source and features differ between models. Review the spare wheel, repair kit and other essentials when checking a used car before choosing what belongs in the boot.

How to check a used car before money changes hands

The price on the advert is only one part of a used-car purchase. Records, inspection results and written terms deserve the same attention as the test drive.

Flip the MarketLiz Thorne

A tyre inflator can put air into a tyre, but it cannot repair a torn sidewall, damaged valve or large puncture. Buy one for pressure top-ups and limited roadside help, then call for assistance when the tyre shows visible damage.

CARSUN 12V Digital Air Compressor

At about R303, CARSUN is the least expensive option of the three. It connects to a car’s 12V socket and has a 150 PSI limit, 35L/min airflow rating, digital display, pressure preset, automatic shut-off and LED light. Corded power means there is no battery to charge, although the car needs a functional 12V socket.
Buy it from: Amazon South Africa

Xiaomi Portable Electric Air Compressor 2

At R1,099, Xiaomi offers cordless power in a 490g body. It has six inflation modes, a 150 PSI limit, stated sensor accuracy of ±1 PSI, automatic shut-off, an LED light and USB-C charging. Xiaomi indicates that one charge can fully inflate two car tyres or complete several pressure top-ups.
Buy it from: Mi Store Africa

Bosch EasyPump

At R1,359, the Bosch EasyPump is the lightest option at 430g. It has an integrated battery, USB-C charging, a 10.3-bar limit, 10L/min output, live pressure measurement, pressure presets, automatic shut-off and an LED light. Bosch stores the supplied adapters inside the handle, which reduces the chance of a loose adapter disappearing into the boot.
Buy it from: Toolcraft

Which one belongs in your boot?

Xiaomi is the overall choice for an everyday passenger car. The extra R599 over CARSUN buys cordless power, a sub-500g body and preset modes with stated ±1 PSI accuracy. CARSUN is the lower-cost choice, while Bosch offers a hand-held layout for R260 more than Xiaomi.

Store the inflator beside your roadside emergency equipment, where you can reach it before luggage fills the boot. Check its charge or 12V connection at home, rather than discovering a problem beside the road.

What belongs in a roadside emergency tech kit?

Roadside assistance is useful, but the wait can still be long and uncomfortable. A well-prepared boot gives you light, power and a way to deal with the first few minutes.

Flip the MarketLiz Thorne

The right inflator is one you can operate before a roadside stop tests your patience. Know where it is, how it connects and which pressure your car requires.

Choose Xiaomi for cordless power, compact storage and pressure presets. Choose CARSUN when price comes first and a 12V lead is acceptable. Choose Bosch when a hand-held body and integrated adapter storage justify the extra R260 over Xiaomi.

Antjie Somers

Welkom. Ek is Anchen Coetzee. Ek skryf al gedigte vandat ek ‘n kind is. Die gedigte op hierdie kanaal is tussen 1985 en 2023 geskryf en gepubliseer onder Antjie Somers, Annie Vannie Kaap of onder my eie naam. Elke woord is my eie. Ek het met behulp van KI (AI) my eie stem laat herskep en my gedigte begin toonset - nie om die geskrewe woord te vervang nie, maar om dit nog ’n manier te gee om my liefde vir woorde met ander te deel. Ek sal altyd glo dat woorde op papier die hardste slaan. Hierdie kanaal vorm deel van my groter projek om byna vier dekades se gepubliseerde digwerk weer bymekaar te bring, om te lees, om te hoor en om te bewaar. Welkom in my wêreld. - Anchen Coetzee

YouTube

The famous fig tree of Fig Tree Creek

Before there were roads, filling stations or cafés, one giant fig tree became the most famous stop on the journey to Barberton.

De Kaap EchoLynette Spencer

Staying healthy during your holiday: dos and don’ts

Keep your health on track while travelling across Southern Africa with our essential holiday dos and don’ts.

The Travel ThreadMariana Balt

Why old blankets, enamelware and riempie furniture endure

Practicality doesn’t have to be the only defence of an old object. A blanket could matter because it covered several generations. An enamel basin recalls a grandmother’s kitchen, while the creak of a riempie chair can bring back a childhood room.

Karoo TimesNaomi Roebert

A sore throat could lead to lifelong heart damage

As Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Awareness Week, observed from August 1 to 7, highlights these often-overlooked conditions, healthcare professionals continue to stress the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Africa InTouch NewsCharlotte Hayes