Fastest Cordless Tire Inflators: Milwaukee M18 2848-20 vs Ridgid and Ryobi

Introduction

Cordless tire inflators promise the same thing: park the car, dial in a pressure, press start, and walk away. The question worth asking is how fast each one actually gets there. In a flat-tire comparison, three popular 18-volt inflators were put through the same test: inflating a completely flat tire from 0 to 40 psi. The gap between them turned out to be far larger than expected.

The Speed Test: 0 to 40 psi

Each inflator was connected to the same tire, set to 40 psi, and started from true zero pressure (the Schrader valve core was removed and reinstalled to guarantee a fully flat start). The results were consistent and easy to rank.

The Milwaukee M18 2848-20 completed the job in 3 minutes and 24 seconds. The Ridgid R87044 followed at 4 minutes and 20 seconds. The Ryobi P747 took 12 minutes and 30 seconds, and a check at the seven-minute mark showed it had only reached 27 psi, so it was clearly the slowest of the three throughout.

Overall, the Milwaukee finished about 25 percent faster than the Ridgid and roughly 250 percent faster than the Ryobi. For a cordless inflator, that kind of lead is significant, especially if you ever need to inflate a large tire on the roadside.

Ridgid R87044

The Ridgid R87044 sits in the middle of the pack. At 4 minutes and 20 seconds from 0 to 40 psi, it is meaningfully slower than the Milwaukee but still nearly three times faster than the Ryobi. For buyers who like the Ridgid platform, it gets the job done without being the fastest option.

Ryobi P747

The Ryobi P747 physically resembles the Milwaukee, with a hose wrap on the side and a few included accessories, including an inflatable-adapter style attachment that looks suited for items like air mattresses. Its 12 minutes and 30 seconds fill time is the trade-off: it completed the task, but speed is clearly not its strength.

Why the Milwaukee M18 2848-20 Stands Out

Beyond raw speed, the Milwaukee’s user interface is one of its strongest points. Setting the target pressure is handled with plus and minus buttons, and holding them jumps in increments of five, which makes dialing in higher pressures quick.

A dedicated memory button lets you save four preset pressures. For example, setting 30 psi for topping off vehicle tires and holding the memory button stores the value after a double blink. With four slots, you can cover multiple vehicles or equipment types without resetting each time.

Operation is straightforward too: connect the threaded hose, set the pressure, and press the start button. The threaded hose is a nice touch over a pressure clamp style connection. On the back, the hose coils into a snap-in holder to keep everything tidy, and a couple of adapters are included for inflating different items.

One detail that helps accuracy: the unit takes readings while it is inflating, which helps you end up at a more accurate psi.

Battery Compatibility and Run Time

The M18 2848-20 is compatible with all Milwaukee M18 batteries. It is worth noting that moving up in amp hours does not add inflation power; it extends run time. If you mostly do short top-offs, a smaller battery is enough, while larger jobs benefit from more capacity.

Pricing and Value

The Milwaukee M18 2848-20 is priced at $169 as a bare tool, or $348 as a kit that includes a 5 amp hour battery and a charger. The kit is a convenient way to get started if you do not already own M18 batteries.

Which Inflator Should You Buy?

If speed is the priority, the Milwaukee M18 2848-20 is the clear winner: it significantly outpaced both competitors on an identical flat-tire test and is suited for truck tires, mower tires, bicycles, and similar tasks. The Ridgid is a reasonable middle-ground choice, while the Ryobi makes sense for buyers who already own Ryobi batteries and can live with a much slower fill.

Conclusion

In this comparison, speed separated the field decisively. Milwaukee’s M18 2848-20 delivered a 3:24 fill from zero to 40 psi, beating Ridgid by about 25 percent and Ryobi by a wide margin, while adding practical features like memory presets, a threaded hose, and live pressure readings during inflation. If fast, reliable inflation matters to you, the Milwaukee earns the recommendation.