By Tom Scalisi | Updated May 24, 2022 9:55 AM

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Vehicle breakdowns happen. Whether it’s because someone left a light on or a random item punctured a tire, these mishaps are all part of owning a vehicle. But calling for roadside assistance or a tow truck to bail you out can be expensive. One service call can cost more than $150, and that’s before the vehicle is even repaired. Plus, who knows how long it’ll take for the repair truck to reach you.

With the best jump starter with air compressor—and a bit of preparation—you can save the day on your own. These devices bring enough voltage and amperage right to the vehicle to bring a dead battery back to life. They can also fill a low tire or pump up a leaky one until you can make it to a service station for repairs. Not to mention, these dual functions can also be quite handy for less emergent needs around the house.

This guide will share the most important factors to consider when choosing the best jump starter with air compressor for your needs, and then explore some of the top-rated options on the market today. Keep reading to learn more.

With the best jump starter with air compressor, you’ll be able to handle emergencies and repairs without calling for help. And who doesn’t enjoy a little self-reliance? These devices offer built-in jumper cables to clamp onto the positive and negative terminals of a dead battery. It sounds straightforward, but shopping for one of these devices requires a bit of background and know-how. The following sections will break down the most important considerations to keep in mind while shopping for a jump starter with air compressor.

Jump starters equipped with air compressors include one of two battery types: lithium-ion and lead-acid.

The best jump starter with air compressor—or all portable jump starters, for that matter—has an onboard battery that provides ample power to start a vehicle or operate the compressor. In most cases, the battery size of these portable chargers is described in mAh (milliamp hours) or Ah (amp hours)—1,000 mAh equals one Ah.

The higher the mAh or Ah rating, the more power the battery can store, the more tires it can inflate, and the more batteries it can charge. Generally speaking, most portable jump starters use batteries between 10,000 and 35,000 mAh. Remember that the more storage a battery offers, the heavier it will be.

The purpose of a jump starter is to provide a vehicle with enough power to turn over and fire up the engine, then allow the vehicle’s alternator to continue charging the battery. The amount of power a jump starter needs to accomplish this task is determined by the engine.

Small gasoline engines, such as four-cylinder engines found in most cars (and progressively larger vehicles), don’t require much power. But larger eight-cylinder engines require a bit more. And, because of the extremely high compression ratios of diesel engines, large models found in heavy-duty pickups, RVs, and power equipment require even more power. In general, 1,000 amps or more will do the trick.

Many manufacturers today don’t explicitly list the amount of power provided by their chargers. Instead, they discuss the types of engines their chargers can handle. This is only a concern if you own a diesel vehicle, as any jump starter will handle most gasoline engines.

While it might seem that jumper cables are all created equal, modern jump starters offer additional safety features. Today’s models protect a vehicle’s electrical system and the person using the cables from sparking or reverse polarity, which happens when you install the clamps on the wrong terminals—something that’s very easy to do in the dark. Reverse polarity can wreak havoc on the sensitive electronics in today’s vehicles, so this is a crucial feature.

These units will detect the reverse polarity or contact between the clamps and prevent the unit from expelling stored energy through them. Often, a small light or audible alarm will alert the user so they understand what’s occurring and why the jump starter isn’t charging the vehicle.

When choosing the best jump starter with air compressor, shoppers might notice some variance in the amount of psi (pounds per square inch) offered by these models. Most models produce around 100 psi—more than enough for any road vehicle’s tires. Most vehicle tires require just 30 to 40 psi.

Some models offer 150 psi or more, which is as much pressure as a traditional home air compressor. Are they necessary for typical vehicle repairs? No. But it might take these compressors less time to boost up a tire on the side of the road, so they could be worth the consideration and splurge.

Several additional features might make a particular jump starter with air compressor a bit more attractive to consumers.

There might be a lot to know about these versatile devices, but shopping for the best jump starter with air compressor doesn’t have to be complicated. To help make the process even easier, check out these top-rated products. They represent some of the best jump starters with air compressors on the market, so there’s likely a device that will work for most everyone’s needs.

For those looking for the most from a lithium-ion jump starter, this model from JF.EGWO is worth checking out. The jump starter features 3,000 amps of power, allowing it to crank over gas engines up to 9 liters and diesel engines up to 8.5 liters. It also boasts a 24,000 mAh battery, giving this device the capacity to start up to 55 vehicles before recharging. And, with the smart cables, there’s no risk to the electrical system.

The built-in air compressor produces up to 150 psi, filling a flat tire in less than 15 minutes. There’s also a digital display that users can program to their desired tire pressure. Once this JF.EGWO model reaches that preset pressure, the compressor will shut off to avoid overpressurizing the tire.

The compressor also includes two USB ports, two LED flashlights, an extension hose, and four air compressor nozzles for filling tires, sports equipment, air mattresses, and more.

Get the JF.EGWO jump starter on Amazon.

For an additional well-rounded jump starter, Stanley’s J5C09 JUMPiT Portable Power Station could fit the bill. This jump starter features a lead-acid battery with up to 10,000 amps of cranking power for turning over large engines in gasoline and diesel vehicles alike. It also includes a 120 psi compressor that can fill nearly any tire, with an illuminated analog gauge for monitoring the pressure in real-time.

This unit provides some additional built-in features worth noting. It offers a USB port for charging devices, a reverse polarity alarm to indicate improperly installed clamps, and a work light for shedding light on the repair area.

Get the STANLEY jump starter at Amazon, Staples, and Walmart.

Jump starters with air compressors can be incredibly versatile, and this model from DieHard definitely fits the bill. The lead-acid jump starter offers 950 peak amps for cranking over large diesel engines, as well as reverse hookup protection to avoid damaging the expensive electrical components that are sometimes vulnerable during jumping. It also features two 12V ports and a USB port for charging devices.

The compressor produces up to 100 psi of pressure and includes a digital gauge for presetting the pressure and checking the battery’s charge level. A built-in work light makes working on the side of the road in low light a bit less difficult. This DieHard model also includes three air nozzle adapters for filling sports equipment, pool floats, and other items.

Get the DieHard jump starter on Amazon and at FingerHut.

When it comes to dialing in a tire’s pressure to a precise reading or checking on a battery’s charge level, nothing beats a digital gauge. Utrai’s Jstar Portable Jump Starter with Air Compressor features two of these digital gauges: one for the 120 psi air compressor and another for the 24,000 mAh lithium-ion battery.

Beyond the digital gauges, this jump starter features 1,800 amps of cranking power, allowing it to start 7-liter gasoline engines or 6.0-liter diesel engines easily. There are also two USB ports, and a bright LED emergency light for working in the dark.

Get the UTRAI jump starter on Amazon.

Those who need a bit more pressure from a jump starter with air compressor should check out Michelin’s Power Source XR1 portable jump starter. The air compressor can create up to 260 psi of pressure, filling large, thick tires like those on tractors or heavy-duty trucks with ease. However, this jump starter handles more than just tire inflation. It also provides 1,000 amps of cranking power from its lead-acid battery for motivating large engines.

This model features a USB power port, two 110V ports, and a 12V port for charging small devices. It also includes a built-in work light, a Bluetooth AM/FM radio, and onboard storage for both the charger and the reverse hookup-protected jumper cables.

Get the MICHELIN jump starter at Amazon, Best Buy, and CampSaver.

When a car battery dies in the middle of the night, it can be downright impossible to see where to place the jumper cables. This jump starter from Potek features a built-in work light to help solve that issue. With three LED bulbs, this light offers plenty of illumination for navigating dead batteries and pumping tires in the dark.

This unit also features 1,000 amps of cranking power from its lead-acid battery, which is enough for firing up large gasoline or diesel engines. The 150 psi compressor can fill a flat tire to 30 psi in under 8 minutes. The jumper cables are reverse hookup protected, and power ports for USB and 12V devices and chargers are included.

Get the POTEK jump starter on Amazon.

For a truly impressive jumper starter and air compressor combo, the JF.EGWO will not disappoint with its 3,000 amps of power and 150 psi of air pressure. Shoppers looking for a more budget-friendly option might want to check out the STANLEY J5C09, slightly less power but still enough for most applications. It even comes with a USB port and power port for charging devices.

As we researched the market of jump starters with air compressors, we gathered our top picks and showcased each recommendation based on their standout features for certain categories. Users looking for high power output have plenty of options available on our list, as well as those who have heavy-duty tires to maintain. We made sure to include options for a range of budgets too, with impressive upgrade picks for those looking to splash out on a power house unit, to more budget-friendly options for occasional users.

All of our picks come from reputable brands and each model comes in a relatively lightweight and portable frame, usually with a carry handle. Utility was an important factor for us to consider, so we made sure that all of our recommendations include multiple outlets for charging devices, from USB ports to actual 12-volt outlets that power almost any device.

Even with all this background on choosing the best jump starter with air compressor, you might have questions. The following section is a collection of some of the most frequently asked questions about jump starters with air compressors, so be sure to check for an answer to your question below.

This depends on the vehicle, with smaller engines requiring just a few hundred amps and larger engines requiring 1,000 or more amps. Consider erring on the side of caution and choosing a jump starter from this guide, as they all boast at least 1,000 amps.

Many units include their own AC adapters for charging via an outlet in your home or garage. Others might have plugs to attach a standard extension cord for charging. Some also feature 12V ports for charging in a vehicle.

Most manufacturers suggest charging a jump starter with air compressor every 30 days to ensure it’s in good working order.

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