Whether you’re just starting to explore off-roading, RV life, overlanding, or simply want to stay prepared on the road, choosing the right VIAIR compressor can feel a little overwhelming at first. Don’t worry — we’ve got your back. Here’s how to narrow it down based on your lifestyle, vehicle type, and needs.
Start with How You’ll Use It
Ask yourself:
• Are you mostly inflating tires?
• Do you need it for air suspension or onboard tools?
• Is portability important?
• Do you prefer something permanently mounted?
Knowing how and where you’ll use your compressor makes all the difference.
What to Look For When Choosing a Compressor
- CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute): Higher CFM = faster inflation
- Duty Cycle: Determines how long the compressor can run before needing a cool-down
- Portability: Portable units are great to start with. Onboard is ideal for serious use or clean installs.
What is CFM and Why It Matters
CFM, or Cubic Feet per Minute, measures how much air your compressor can push. Think of it as how fast your tires will fill up. A higher CFM means a faster fill times while a lower CFM models will still get the job done, just with more patience.
Below is some Good Starting Points
For Daily Driving or emergency use
EVC 25 or EVC 31 PRO
- Compact, affordable, and wireless
- Great to keep in the trunk “just in case”
For Light Off-Roading
- Compact, affordable, and plugs into your battery or cigarette port
- Perfect for sedans, crossovers, and small SUVs
For Weekend Warriors & Adventure Seekers
- Higher performance and faster fill rates
- Ideal for mid-size SUVs, light trucks, and off-road builds
- Still portable, comes with a carry bag
Need Something More Serious or Hard-Mounted Setups?
- Designed for extended use and larger tires
- Onboard options available for permanent installation
- Ideal for those who need consistent, heavy-duty performance
Not sure where to start?
Take our quick quiz to find the right VIAIR product for you — it’s fast, easy, and tailored to your needs.
If you have any further questions or suspect internal issues of your compressor, you can always contact us:
Call us at 949-585-0011 from 8AM-5PM PT, Monday-Friday
Chat us with our website’s Live Chat feature from 8AM-5PM PT, Monday-Friday
