When we travel in our RV, it’s easy to forget how many tires we rely on: four on the truck, four on the trailer, and then there are two on each of our electric mountain bikes. That’s not to mention the tires on our kayak roller cart and golf club caddies. Needless to say, a portable tire inflator was a smart investment. That’s why we’re reviewing the Kohree tire inflator and portable air compressor.
Article Overview
Do You Need a Tire Inflator?
How much have you spent at a gas station filling tires in the past 10 years? I can’t calculate it, but I know I cringe every time I finish filling my tires and the compressor is still running. It feels like flushing money down the toilet. So there was no hesitation when I had the chance to work on this Kohree tire inflator review.
A portable tire inflator is great for RVers, but also useful for every day life. I’ve used ours to top off bike tires and even tire pressures in my partner’s truck several times. It’s a great addition to your road trip packing checklist, even if you’re not camping along the way. Tire pressure mismanagement is a leading cause of tire blowouts.
As someone who has lost days to blowouts on long road trips, I can personally attest to the importance of avoiding them at all costs. Keeping a portable tire inflator or air compressor in your vehicle makes it easy to top off pressures or deflate tires on especially hot days—like that time it was 117℉ outside of Vegas when my trailer tire blew…not fun!
My bottom line is that all road trippers and RV campers should own a portable tire inflator or an air compressor. But don’t sleep on the benefits of a tire inflator for your home-based adventures, too. It’s the best portable tool for keeping the tires on your mountain bikes, rolling carts, and other recreation equipment at the recommended PSI.
But how does the Kohree compressor stack up?
Kohree Tire Inflator Features
Images by Tucker Ballister
So, now that you know the importance of a tire inflator, let’s look more closely at this model. Here are some of the stand-out features of this portable tire inflator from Kohree:
Dual-Cylinder Air Pump: Inflates tires twice as fast as standard air pumps.
Two Power Supply Modes: Usable with its 12V car charger or via the built-in battery (provided it’s charged).
LED Dual-Screen Display: Easily select pre-set values for quick inflation and monitor real-time tire pressure.
5 Inflation Modes: Choose bike, motorcycle, car, ball, or custom mode to ensure the safest inflation for various equipment.
Large Battery Capacity: The internal battery boasts a 2,000 milli-amp hour capacity.
It also has a light on the top of the unit for night-time use. The light has three modes: a standard white LED, a red light, and a flashing red light. This helps to signal other vehicles if you’re on the side of the road, doubling as your inflator and your emergency roadside signal.
Pro Tip: “Auto/Car” mode limits the PSI to 50. Generally, the pressure value of car tires is within this 50 PSI range. This setting prevents accidentally setting it too high. If you switch to bicycle mode or custom mode, you can adjust it to above 50 PSI.
How Does the Kohree Tire Inflator Perform?
One of the biggest benefits of this tire inflator is that it inflates fairly quickly. Compared to using the compressor at most gas stations, I don’t have to sit there and hold the lever the entire time. I simply plug it into the tire and/or to a car’s cigarette lighter if not using battery power. Then, I set my desired PSI—the metric can also be changed to KPA, BAR, or KG/CM. Finally, I press the start button and it inflates up to the set value, stopping automatically.
The only downside is the relatively short hose length, which typically requires rotating tires so that the valve is close to the ground if you want to inflator to rest on the ground while it works. Aside from that, you should also be aware that the hose heats up quickly when the pump is running. It’s best to allow it to cool for 30-60 seconds before handling, especially if inflating larger tires where the pump is running for longer than about a minute to get the job done.
For me, its performance extends to how easy it is to store. The compact case keeps everything secure, helping me avoid losing key fittings or valve connections. The only downside is the PSI limit on the Auto mode, which means I have to use Custom mode to inflate the larger tires on my truck, but that’s the only use case so far where I’ve run into that issue.
Do I Recommend the Kohree Tire Inflator?
Images by Tucker Ballister
I’d recommend the Kohree tire inflator for general use. I think it’s best for RV campers and those who enjoy long road trips. But it’s also highly useful for any inflation need around the house. It’s also compact enough to store it in any vehicle in case of emergency.
I love the auto-stop feature on this tire inflator. With my desired PSI set, I can walk away without worrying about over-inflation. The entire inflator and its fittings are contained in a small drawstring bag that fits well in my truck’s DECKED bed drawer system. So far, it has done the trick every time I’ve asked.
It comes with multiple fittings to work with common auto tire valves and the two main bike tire valves. It also has a needle for inflating any sports ball, so I love that versatility. I haven’t yet tested if the built-in battery can achieve the number of charges specified by the manufacturer, but I have no reason to doubt it. I’ll list those figures here in case you’re curious:
Car Tires: Up to 10 fills
Motorcycle Tires: Up to 15 fills
Bicycle Tires: Up to 20 fills
Balls: Up to 40 fills
Does a Tire Inflator Drain Your Car Battery?
Unless you’re inflating multiple bikes, balls, or inflatables for an extended period, a portable tire inflator like this Kohree air compressor should negligibly drain your car battery. A small drain will take place, but only if you’re plugging the inflator into the 12V outlet and operating the pump without running the car’s engine.
Should The Engine Be Running When Using a Tire Inflator?
It doesn’t have to be, but it can be smart to start your vehicle when using the Kohree tire inflator. Especially if you’re on a long road trip, it can help you avoid battery issues.
