Ryobi is no stranger to inflators, and I’ve been keeping one version or another in my truck for years. Whether setting proper pressure in my truck tires or preparing my bike for the trails, they’ve been reliable companions. In time for the fall recreation season, Ryobi has launched two new inflators, and their compact size is what initially got my attention.
They’re not due to hit Home Depot until October, but I’ll walk you through what I know so far, including how compact they are, the performance you should expect, helpful features, and what limitations you should be aware of.
Ryobi USB Lithium Smart Tire Inflator
Ryobi bills this model as “the ultimate travel necessity.” While we might argue about that designation, it has some impressive features in the inflator category, especially if you’re into outdoor recreation. Before I jump into those, let’s take a quick look at the performance specs.
Despite its compact size, the USB Lithium Smart Tire Inflator is a high-pressure model that can deliver up to 150 PSI. The key with any inflator is speed, and Ryobi says it can top off a car tire from 30 to 35 PSI in 90 seconds.
For runtime, you can expect to top off up to 8 tires on a charge. The kit comes with two batteries, so you have 16 top-offs’ worth of battery power in the package.
Shifting our attention back to the features, what I love about this model is the smart memory presets. You can set pressures for your car, bicycle, motorcycle, and sports balls. If you’re like me and tend to use the same pressure settings the majority of the time, it’s a time-saver. As a cyclist, I have to add air to my bike tires before every ride, so I can appreciate the convenience this feature can add.
Here are some other highlights:
- Auto Shut-off: Set the pressure, press start, and walk away. The inflator automatically stops when it hits its target.
- Oversized Digital Display: Makes reading the numbers easier.
- LED Light: Helps you set up the inflator in low-light conditions or serves as a flashlight.
- On-board Storage: Keeps the hose, sports needle, and Presta adapter close by at all times.
- Battery Indicator: Helps you keep track of how much battery power remains.
- USB Lithium Power Source: Swap batteries instead of waiting for an integrated pack to recharge.
The model for this one is the FVIF52K. It’s $79.97 at Home Depot, backed by a 2-year warranty, and includes the following:
- Inflator
- 2 USB Lithium batteries
- USB charging cable
- 16-inch inflator hose
- Sport needle
- Presta valve adapter
Ryobi Rechargeable Tire Inflator
The second inflator shares very similar characteristics with the USB Lithium Smart Tire Inflator above. The biggest difference between the two is that this model (FVIF01K) has an integrated battery instead of the swappable USB Lithium battery.
From a performance standpoint, they’re the same. You can fill up to 150 PSI, and it takes the same 90 seconds to top off a car tire from 30 – 35 PSI. Even the runtime is the same – up to 8 top-offs per charge.
The basic features also match up. You have the same preset abilities for your car, bicycle, motorcycle, and sports balls. Additionally, it shares the auto shut-off, oversized digital display, LED light, on-board storage, and battery indicator features with the USB Lithium model.
There are a few key differences to consider, though.
The first is the power source. Once you deplete the battery, you have to wait for it to recharge before continuing. That’s fine as long as you start with a full battery and only need top-offs or recreational fill-ups.
This model also has two USB ports to charge the inflator or use as a power supply for devices, such as your phone. That’s helpful, but keep in mind you can also charge devices directly from Ryobi’s USB Lithium batteries, including the ones that come with the USB Lithium inflator.
Less critically, this model includes a pinch valve adapter that doesn’t come with the USB Lithium model.
At $49.97, this model is $30 less than the USB Lithium version and backed by a 1-year warranty.
Should You Buy One?
I really like the size of these Ryobi inflators, along with the smart and helpful features that are built in. At 150 PSI on the top end, they’re also a 50 PSI jump ahead of the current USB Lithium inflator (FVIF51K). But who benefits and who should consider an alternative?
For cycling and sports balls, I think they’re a win. They’re a bit bulky to carry for road cycling, but if you carry a backpack for mountain biking, gravel biking, or bikepacking, they’re small enough to take on your ride.
For road trips or daily commuting, they should be a solid bet for motorcycles and cars. Truck and SUV tires require more volume, though. If you like the size and drive a truck or SUV, definitely go with the USB Lithium model, so you can swap batteries if you need to.
I think these primarily hit the limit when it comes to full tire fill-ups. Take off-roading, for example. If there’s a risk of having to patch a flat that completely deflates the tire, you’d be better off with the longer runtime of Ryobi’s 18V One+ inflators.
