I'm the kind of person who goes over my household expenditures with a fine-tooth comb every month to see if there are any areas where I can cut back and save some money. A few months ago I noticed that we had been paying nearly $20 per month for on-demand roadside assistance that we never used. After doing some research, I decided that a flashlight, jumper cables, flares, and a mini air compressor would probably be enough to get me out of most jams, so I bought those things and discontinued my roadside assistance membership.
The reason for including a flashlight, jumper cables, and flares is probably self-evident. These are essential tools that can either get your car up and running again if the battery dies or that can keep you safe from other drivers until help arrives. But the mini air compressor is something that might take a bit of explaining, since not many people keep one of these in their vehicles -- which is surprising, since I think this is definitely the most useful tool out of the bunch.
The mini air compressor I have is a very basic 300psi model that can run on batteries or plug into the cigarette lighter for power. It is terrific for topping off my tires to ensure that I get the best mileage possible, and is also comforting to have in case of a flat. It can take an inexperienced person upwards of 30 or 40 minutes to change a tire, but with a mini air compressor, you can simply refill the tire without any real exertion and drive (very carefully) to the nearest service station to have someone else change it for you.
And of course the mini air compressor doesn't just sit in my trunk all the time. I can also use it for various tasks around the house and yard, like inflating bicycle tires, footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, or any of the pool toys that my kids have. In addition, I can use it to inflate our camping mattresses in record time compared to the old foot pump that I used employ for the job.
My mini air compressor cost me less than $20, and I'm perfectly satisfied with it. There are more expensive models on the market for those that need real power for bigger jobs, but for the uses I described here, there's no reason to spend too much.
If you're looking for a versatile tool that you can use again and again for everything from a quick flat tire fix to inflatable toys, then buying a mini air compressor makes sense. For about the price of one month in a roadside assistance club, you can get one of these products for yourself and start saving money on services you never use. I've become a convert for sure!