The best tire deflators can come in awfully handy for off-roaders. Tire deflators come in various forms and each allows drivers to quickly and precisely deflate or ‘air-down’ their off-road tires when required for enhanced grip, traction, and adaptability in challenging terrain. You can get the best automatic tire deflators or a more budget friendly option, but all will get the job done.
Though most motorists know that maintaining proper tire pressure is vital to safety, performance, and fuel efficiency, there are plenty of positive benefits of running low tire pressures while off-roading. Here’s a quick rundown describing some of the benefits to airing down your tires when off-roading.
- Smoother ride for you and your passengers.
- Improved tire contact patch for increased traction.
- Increased tire flex that could potentially prevent a punctured tire.
- Less impact on the trails and environment to help ensure that your favorite trail systems stay open for years to come.
With a tire deflator, drivers can quickly air down their tires to tackle a challenging obstacle or path, but remember that you’ll need to re-inflate your tires before driving on the highway after a day of playing off-road. Ignoring to do so, can lead to unsafe driving conditions due to under inflated tires. We’ll cover alternate methods of trail-side inflation devices later down the road.
Tire deflators all do the same thing—but they work in various ways, and not all products are created equal. If you’re after a tire deflator kit, you’ve got numerous options at a wide range of price-points. Here’s a closer look at some of the best tire deflators currently available.
Table of contents
- 1. Editor's Pick: ARB E-Z Deflator
- 2. Best Pre-Set Deflator - Staun Automatic Tire Deflators
- 3. Best Value: Boulder Tools Tire Deflators
- 4. Best Cap-Style Manual Deflator - Teraflex 4807200 Air Deflator
- 5. Lisle 19860 Tire Deflator
- 6. Real 4x4 Tire Air Deflators
- 7. Boulder Tools Heavy Duty Rapid Tire Deflator Kit
- 8. JACO ElitePro Tire Pressure Gauge
- 9. Potek Portable Power Source
1. Editor's Pick: ARB E-Z Deflator
Growing up in a family that was part of an off-road club, meant we were always going out for a weekend of camping or the occasional day-long off-road excursion. As a kid I was excited to help dad air down the tires, which usually meant finding a spare key or twig to depress the valve core in the stem. Let’s face it, the last thing you want to equip a kid with is a valve core remover.
Well times have changed, and the tools used to air down your tires have evolved from random keys, rocks, or twigs to a wide variety of options. These new tools allow you to air down your tires quickly and accurately within a matter of minutes or even seconds. Some options are similar to using a key to depress the valve core by screwing on a deflator and having to pull it off to check the air pressure of the tire. Others give you the freedom to screw onto the valve stem while they automatically deflate the tires to a preset tire pressure, and finally the style like the ARB EZ Deflator that allows you to air down with the speed of removing the valve core without the fear of losing it.
I’ve already reviewed the Boulder Tools Tire Deflators, which allow you to screw them onto the valve stem and automatically deflate the tires to a pre-set pressure. For the price and convenience, they were considered the best value on our list of tire deflators. Were they the fastest? No but they got the job done.
Upon opening the package, you can see that the ARB EZ Deflator is made with quality materials and components, which you would automatically expect from a company with ARB’s reputation in the off-road industry. The EZ Deflator features a 12” flexible hose that features a 2” rubber protected pressure gauge, that reads in 1 psi increments, on one end while the other end is attached to the brass/stainless deflator tool.
Using this deflator is simple by screwing the valve stem adaptor onto your valve stem and snugly seating it. From there you take the long stem portion (valve core remover) and push it in until you engage the valve stem and then turn counter-clockwise which will display the current tire pressure. When you pull out on the slide valve (large bulbous piece at the valve stem), air is then quickly released, and you can watch your tire start to squish. By pushing the slide valve back in, you stop the air and can verify the amount of air currently left in the tire. Once you reach your desired tire psi, you simply screw the valve core back in with the long stem, remove the deflator assembly, reinstall your valve stem cap and you’re good to go.
I did this process at home a few times to become familiar with the operation of the EZ deflator, which I recommend doing with any new tool or gadget before heading out on the trail. It only took a couple of times to get familiar with its operation, so I decided to see how long it took to deflate my 265/70 17 tires from 45 psi to my desired trail pressure of 12 psi. I was impressed to see that it took just about two minutes to install, deflate, and remove the ARB EZ Deflator at each wheel. Once done, put it back in the supplied canvas pouch to keep it protected and stow it with all your other trail gear ready for its next use.
When compared to the Boulder Tools Automatic Tire Deflators, the performance is comparable with the advantage going to the ARB EZ Deflator. While you can screw on the Boulder Tools units and walk away until they’re done releasing air (roughly 7-8 minutes), I found that they were accurate within 1 psi of my desired pressure, meaning you still needed to dial in the pressure with the supplied gauge.
With the ARB unit, when I aired down to 12 psi as it said on the gauge, it was set. I confirmed the pressure with 3 other tire pressure gauges, and it was dead nuts on. Sure, you need to manually deflate each tire with this unit, but once you’re done, you’re done. There’s no need to go back and verify or fine tune the pressure to what you want. For roughly $15 dollars more, the ARB EZ Deflator tool is worthy of finding a home in your rig.
2. Best Pre-Set Deflator - Staun Automatic Tire Deflators
When you want to air your tires down quickly and easily, a set of Staun Automatic Tire Deflators might just be the ideal answer. Whether handling rocks, sand, mud or snow, these deflators make airing down a total cinch by simply screwing on the Staun tire deflator and then removing it once it stops deflating. Simple as that. The standard duty model is adjustable from 6 to 30 PSI, though the factory 18-psi preset is ideal for most applications.
With a deep history in the off road industry, the Australian-built Staun Automatic Tire Deflators are built with precision manufacturing that you can count on, and owner reviews reflect that with statements of good quality, fitment and performance. In fact, the ratings of the Staun tire deflators are strongly positive, with over 98 percent falling into the 4 or 5-star range. Even with a higher price than many competitors, users don’t mind spending a few extra dollars in exchange for the high quality and fuss-free operation.
3. Best Value: Boulder Tools Tire Deflators
While they look very similar to the premium price Staun tire deflators, the Boulder Tools Tire Deflators come in at less than half the cost and much more bang for your buck. When you order the kit, it will be delivered in a plastic case like the Pelican G40 Waterproof Case, but rest assured the looks are where the similarities stop. The material is much thinner and definitely not weather/waterproof, but it does serve as a secure container for contents being delivered. The company makes this clear by placing an insert stating this claim, that also includes tips to follow to ensure the case locks if you do choose to use it as a carrying case for your deflators.
Once opened, the contents of the case include the following:
- (4) brass automatic tire deflators
- faux leather storage pouch
- 80-psi tire pressure gauge
- (4) each plastic and metal valve stem caps
- valve stem core puller tool
- spare valve stem cores
It’s definitely more than you’d expect when compared to comparable deflator kits.
Setup of the deflators is fairly simple by setting the desired tire pressure to one of your tires. Using the included tire pressure gauge, the tire pressure of the 265/70 17 Kanati Mud Hog was set to 20-psi. While the gauge doesn’t seem high quality, it was accurate when double checked with a tire inflator with a built-in gauge and another low-pressure tire gauge. Following the supplied instructions, each deflator was set and secured to stop at 20-psi. Once this is done, you can air up the deflated tire to your normal operating pressure, and double check the other three tires so they’re also at the same pressure.
To check the accuracy and speed of the deflators, you can install them on the valve stem of each wheel. You’ll hear the air of the tire quickly escaping and in a matter of minutes your tires will be at your desired pre-set tire pressure. After about 7 ½ minutes there didn’t seem to be any more air coming from the deflators, so they were removed and double checked with the supplied gauge. While not dead on at 20-psi, each tire was within 1-1 ½ pounds of our desired tire pressure and a quick adjustment was made to even them out.
This is definitely a much simpler and less time-consuming process than having to kneel by your tires to air them down individually, and much safer than pulling the valve core out and risk losing it in the dirt or sand. Considering what you get in the box for the price and the accuracy of the product, the Boulder Tools Tire Deflator kit is a great value.
4. Best Cap-Style Manual Deflator - Teraflex 4807200 Air Deflator
The simplest option on our list of the best tire deflators has to be the affordable and extremely portable Teraflex 4807200 Air Deflator. This product is designed to stay close at hand and allow quick and easy deflation of the tires on your Jeep, truck or SUV. With a keychain ring built in, the Teraflex 4807200 Air Deflator is always handy. Zinc-plated steel was selected for toughness, corrosion resistance, and long service life.
Popular with off-roaders who prefer to keep tire deflation simple, the Teraflex 4807200 Air Deflator consists of four individual deflators that screw together into one secure assembly when not in use. Hop out of your rig, install the first tire deflator, let it air down, and move to the next tire. Many owners have found a rhythm that allows each deflator to be installed, and then removed in the same order. In just moments, you’re back up and running at the inflation pressure you need.
Owner reviews are fantastic, with most appreciating the simple design and ease of use. Just note that these deflators are fully manual, so full supervision is required to avoid totally flattening a tire if the deflator is left in use for too long.
5. Lisle 19860 Tire Deflator
With an affordable price tag and extremely simple use, these well-reviewed tire deflators from Lisle simply replace the standard valve cap on your off-road vehicles wheel with their tire deflator caps to quickly air down your tires. Each cap features large air openings that ensure rapid deflation—so you can get to your desired tire pressure and back on the trail in a matter of minutes without having to remove the valve core of your tire. A handy holder keeps all four deflators organized and secured, and the entire package can be stored easily in your bag or pocket.
The Lisle 19860 Tire Deflator has mostly positive owner reviews, with nearly 90 percent coming in with 4 or 5 stars. Most users appreciate the compact size, low price, and effective performance, though some owners have reported defective or missing threads upon delivery—so inspect your package carefully.
6. Real 4x4 Tire Air Deflators
Here’s a handy and affordable tire deflator kit that’s easy to keep in your 4×4 for easy use when required. The Real 4×4 Tire Air Deflators kit includes four automatic brass deflators, which quickly release air to increase the footprint of your tires for use on soft surfaces. The Real 4×4 Tire Air Deflators kit also includes a pressure gauge to confirm proper tire pressure after the automatic deflation process.
The tough and long-lasting deflators are precision designed to deflate each tire to the user’s pre-set PSI, meaning you simply install the deflators and walk away—no kneeling or supervision required. Expect to achieve your desired aired-down pressure in 5 minutes or less, and you’re back up and running. The entire kit stays organized and secure when not in use, thanks to the included plastic carrying case which is easy to store in your glovebox.
Owner reviews are good, with most reporting satisfaction with the quality, price, and speed of deflation. Some owners have complained of inaccurate readings from the included pressure gauge, however.
7. Boulder Tools Heavy Duty Rapid Tire Deflator Kit
When affordability and precision matter, the Boulder Tools Heavy Duty Rapid Tire Deflator Kit is a go-to product for off-road enthusiasts. Simply put, it’s one of the best tire deflators available today. A fast and highly accurate way to deflate your tires, this kit is big on precision, and works after removal of the valve cores, for faster deflation times that’ll see you back at the wheel, faster. The built-in, high-precision pressure gauge ensures an accurate reading from each tire as it deflates, and high-quality materials are used throughout.
The Boulder Tools Heavy Duty Rapid Tire Deflator Kit is covered by a one-year warranty and includes valve caps, a 4-in-one valve tool, pressure gauge, canvas storage pouch, and full-color instruction manual for easier use. Everything you need for fast and accurate deflation is included. Most owner reviews are positive, though some users reported failure of the Boulder Tools Heavy Duty Rapid Tire Deflator Kit after just a few uses, with limited success at obtaining a resolution from the seller.
8. JACO ElitePro Tire Pressure Gauge
While the JACO ElitePro Tire Pressure Gauge is not a tire deflator, it remains a must-have item for the off-road enthusiast to keep on board their vehicle at all times. Not only does carrying a quality tire pressure gauge make regular tire pressure checks easy and convenient, it also allows tire deflator users to accurately measure their aired-down pressure after deflating their tires, if the deflator system they’re using doesn’t have a pressure gauge built in.
The JACO ElitePro Tire Pressure Gauge is one of the most affordable and highly-rated pressure gauges on Amazon, and is small enough to fit in your pocket or glovebox. High precision construction and quality materials ensure a long life and accurate readings, and the luminescent glow-dial ensures easy readability, even in low light. Look for brass construction, and a built-in air-bleeder valve. Whether you’ll use it to check your deflation pressure, or perform regular tire pressure checks when driving on the road more travelled, the JACO ElitePro Tire Pressure Gauge should take up permanent residence in your 4×4.
9. Potek Portable Power Source
After deflating the tires on your off road rig, you absolutely need to inflate them back up to the proper pressure for highway use to avoid damage, wear and ill handling. Enter the Potek Portable Power Source—which combines numerous functionalities into a single portable unit that takes up minimal space inside your truck or Jeep. Powered by your vehicle’s battery, the Potek Portable Power Source is a power bank, jump starter, safety light, and more in one convenient package.
The Potek Portable power source also features a built-in 150-PSI air compressor, complete with a built-in pressure gauge for accurate inflation. Most owner reviews are in the 4 and 5 star range, citing solid functionality and a decent price as prime purchase considerations. Just note that inflating a tire may take some time, and that the unit is manual—meaning you’ll have to spend some time waiting for each tire to inflate, monitoring the pressure in the process. Further, some owners say the LED safety light isn’t bright enough to be useful.
What are the benefits of airing down when off-roading?
By airing down, your off-road rig will have better traction in virtually every terrain. Traction is gained by the tire having a wider footprint from the tire carcass spreading out from lower tire pressures. This provides better grip for the tires and provides a little more cushion for the driver and passengers in the cab. Finally, running lower air pressures in your tires off-road aids in preventing tire punctures by being able to mold around sharp objects rather than pushing into them. Just remember that low tire pressures are only good for running at slower speeds. Before you plan to get back to driving on the streets at regular highway speeds, you’ll need to air up your tires to the recommended specifications to ensure safe handling of your rig.
What are the different kinds of tire deflators?
There are three types of tire deflators that you can use on your off-road rig that work great but are vastly different.
- Rapid Tire Deflators: The first style is like the E-Z Deflator from ARB or Boulder Tools HD Rapid Tire Deflator kit. These deflators thread onto the valve stem in the wheel, and once secured the longer shaft portion of the deflator allows you to remove the valve stem allowing safe and securely for you to control air passage to deflate the tire. With this style you have to monitor the amount of air that is being released until it gets to your desired air pressure.
- Automatic Tire Deflators: These deflators like the Staun or Boulder Tools Automatic Tire Deflators come in a pack of four deflators that you can thread onto your valve stem simultaneously and air your tires down to a preset pressure. While these do require an initial setup, once they’re set you can install them and walk away when you’re at the trail head. In a matter of minutes, you can be on your way without having to monitor them during the process. We’d still recommend verifying the pressure before you head out and make any necessary adjustments, but it is probably the simplest way to get the job done.
- Unmetered Deflators: These are the deflators that you just thread onto the valve stem, which depresses the valve core releasing air from your tire. There is no way of monitoring how much air you’re letting out, so you’ll have to closely monitor how much air is being released by unscrewing the deflator and checking with a tire pressure gauge. They’re probably the least convenient of all the deflators, but they do get the job done.
What makes the automatic tire deflators like Staun or Boulder Tools products better than any other like the ARB deflator?
Systems like the ARB deflator require you to air down your tires individually and monitor them in the deflation process so you can stop at your desired tire pressure. With the Staun deflators, you can just screw them onto your valve stem and they do all the work for you by automatically stopping when you get to your desired air pressure. Sure it takes some work on your part at home to set them to your pre-desired air pressures, but once they’re set, airing down is effortless and quick. You also take less chances of losing your valve core in the dirt, which can totally ruin your day if you don’t have a backup.
Do I need to check my tire pressures after using these products?
While some of these kits have built-in pressure gauges or allow you to pre-set your desired tire pressures, we still highly recommend keeping a good quality tire pressure gauge in the cab of your rig. It never hurts to double check your pressures to ensure that either your pre-set deflators or built-in gauges are still accurate.
Additional Resources
- Best High Lift Jacks for Your 4×4 or Jeep
- 10 Best Mud Tires You Can Buy
- Best Off Road Wheels for Jeeps and Trucks
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