Image courtesy of Enis Yavuz @ Unsplash.com
As a die-hard DIYer, you already know the importance of having all the right tools on hand.
You’ve got your hammers for smashing, screwdrivers for screwing, and wrenches for turning. And when it comes to your RV, truck, car or other vehicles, you’ve got all the right tools to keep them in tip-top shape too!
So if you’re reading this, well, you’re probably thinking about adding a jump starter to your tool box.
Which is a great choice! You can check out our Jump Starter Buyer’s Guide to learn more about what to look for when shopping around!
Portable jump starters are compact, multifunctional devices designed for emergency car battery assistance. Some models even offer extra features like charging devices or power banks, built-in flashlights, or in this case, an air compressor.
But one common question garage geeks often run into is whether or not to buy a jump starter with a built-in air compressor.
Combo units like these sound great! They provide convenience and simplicity, all tied into one package.
But as we explore below, that convenience comes with a few trade-offs…
Why Are Combo Jump Starters So Popular?
Jump starters with built-in air pumps and jump starter/battery chargers are popular for a few reasons. But mainly, it’s because they offer a convenient all-in-one solution.
Combo units tend to be a bit bulkier than an individual jump starter or small air compressor on its own.
But because they include both devices, they’re a space-saving solution too. Which is perfect for packing into your RV or car for longer road trips. It’s easy to carry these combo units in your vehicle, so you’re always prepared for emergencies.
Combo jump starters hold a bit of a stronger appeal for emergency-preparedness buyers. So whether you’re expecting a flat tire, a dead battery, or a full-fledged national crisis, combo units provide a bit of peace of mind knowing that you’ll be able to get yourself out of a fix, no matter what comes your way.
Finally, combo jump starter units are also marketed as “4-in-1” or “All-in-One” packages. And that wording alone is often enough to nudge shoppers into wanting one.
But when you take a closer look inside these units, you’ll find they have a few flaws and weak points that make them a less than desirable option for your garage.
What Actually Happens Inside Jump Starters With Air Compressors?
These types of units are usually powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. However, they also include all the components of the jump starter and the air compressor too.
So not only is there a battery pack, but there’s also the jumper cables, charging port, air pump, pressure gauge, safety valve, and reverse polarity protection sensor which prevents damage if the jumper cables are connected to the wrong battery terminals. And sometimes, combo units even have built-in flashlights, or power banks.
In other words, there are a lot of different parts that can break or start to malfunction.
When you’re using the air compressor, it creates a lot of heat and vibration. This puts a strain on all those internal components, which can shorten the lifespan of the unit. We’ve actually seen combo units that failed after just 10 - 20 uses.
Another issue with combo units is that they put some serious wear and tear on the battery pack itself.
Because both the jump starter and the air compressor draw from the battery, they draw a lot of amperage.
So you’re more likely to run out of charge, which can be incredibly frustrating when you run into either a flat tire or a dead battery on the side of the highway.
Most Common Problems With Jump Starter Air Compressor Combo Packs
Wear and tear and using up your battery are two of the biggest culprits when it comes to combo jump starter problems. But let’s take a look at some of the other issues we’ve seen with these “convenient” all-in-one solutions.
- Housing overheats - This is by far the BIGGEST problem we've seen with combo units. Compressors have internal air pumps that generate a significant amount of heat. That's why they usually have ventilation to expel that unit. But because jump starters need to be watertight, there can't be any ventilation due to the risk of moisture getting inside. So all the heat generated by a combo unit's compressor gets trapped inside and there's no telling what sort of damage that could do to other internal components over time.
- Battery wears out faster - You’re not just likely to drain your battery faster. Continually discharging and recharging it can shorten its lifespan. Lithium-ion batteries are built with a pre-set number of charge cycles they can withstand before their capacity becomes reduced.
- Air compressor is slow or weak - Because it’s not an actual air compressor, combo units generally have slower or weaker air pumps. Sure, you might still be able to inflate a tire with one. But it’s going to take much longer than if you were using an actual air compressor, and you may notice a drop in air pressure during use.
Another common problem is the bulkiness of combo units, as their weight can make carrying them less convenient compared to single-purpose devices.
Ultimately, all this means that your jump starter is likely to wear out faster. So it’s great that you’ll have an all-in-one tool. But if you use it often enough, you’re probably going to have to replace it more often, which means you’re probably not saving any money over the long run.
Tip: Cheap or inexpensive “all-in-one” combo units are the worst offenders — but even mid-tier jump starters with built-in compressors suffer for all that extra wear and tear.
The Pros & Cons of All-in-One Jump Starter Combo Units
There’s nothing wrong with buying a combo jump starter and air compressor. As you can see below, there are some benefits of having an all-in-one unit on hand. But for every benefit, you’ll find there’s an equal and opposite drawback.
In our opinion, you just don’t get the same level of quality, reliability or durability when buying combo units like these. I mean there’s a reason why you have a hammer and screwdriver as two SEPARATE tools in your garage.
Sure, you could probably create some sort of hybrid hammer-screwdriver combo tool.
But there’s a good chance it just wouldn’t be as functional or provide the same level of usability, comfort or effectiveness as an individual tool.
Image courtesy of Nina Mercado @ Unsplash.com
When (And For Whom) It Might Make Sense To Buy An Combo Jump Starter With Air Pump
If you’re looking for a convenient solution, then an all-in-one combo unit can be a good choice.
We’ve covered why these aren’t necessarily the best option. But if you’re an RVer or take frequent road trips, it’s not a bad idea to have a combo jump starter on hand.
They can definitely help you out if you run into a flat tire on the side of the highway or in a parking lot, or if you wake up one morning with a dead battery because you forget to turn the ignition off.
Combo units are also good to have in your trunk if you have a longer commute back and forth from work, or if you do a lot of city driving.
Again, they’re great because they’re compact. They can be tossed into your trunk or emergency roadside kit, and they really can help when you find yourself in a pinch, especially during winter when battery issues are more common and you don’t want to end up having to wait for roadside assistance.
But the downside is that if you use your combo unit's air compressor a lot, you'll need to have it on the charger often, which means you're less likely to have in in your car when you run into a flat tire or dead battery.
And, all that wear and tear means that you'll also likely need to replace it every few years since combo units just aren't built for long-term reliability.
Looking for the best jump starters out there? Check out our related guides, like "how many amps do you need in a jump starter?" or "Can you use a jump starter on a motorcycle?" to learn more.
Why Tool Troopers Recommends Separate Tools
Basically we recommend purchasing separate tools because you’ll get better, more reliable, and more durable tools this way. Dedicated tools purchased from a reputable manufacturers are often more dependable and cost-effective for specific needs than generic combo units.
Instead of buying a combo unit, we recommend pairing a jump starter with a standalone tire inflator that won’t put a drain on your battery or wear out other internal components prematurely.
Here at Tool Troopers, we’re proud to design tools and garage products that are built to last!
We have a lineup of JumpForce Pro jump starters that are waterproof, shock-proof and ultra-rugged. When designing JumpForce Pro, our goal was to make it as compact as possible, almost as compact as a combo unit, without sacrificing on the strength, integrity or reliability of our design.
And we did consider including an air compressor!
But we found that a compressor would compromise the durability of the jump starter. So instead, we dropped the idea of designing a combo unit and set out to design the MOST SOLID JUMP STARTER out there.
We're proud to design, test, build and bring the BEST and most rugged tools to market. And we stand behind everything we've ever built!
You can check out the full Tool Troopers lineup and see for yourself just how solid and well-built our tools really are!
In the end, better tools equal longer lifespans.
And that means you’ll have a smarter safety system ready for whenever the next a roadside emergency strikes.
Ultimately, it's important to learn how to use a jump starter properly. Because if you're not careful, you could hurt yourself or damage your car or battery by using a jump starter the wrong way.
Frequently Asked Questions - Jump Starters With Built-In Air Compressors
Jump starter combo units really can be useful. And there’s nothing wrong with buying one if that’s what you’re interested in. But in our humble opinion, combo units just aren’t worth the hype.
They’re often built a bit flimsier, they tend to overheat, and you’re also more likely to use up the battery using the air compressor. And that means that when you run into a dead battery… you’re straight up out of luck!
Can I use a combo jump starter for a completely flat tire and dead battery back-to-back?
It depends on the combo unit you’re working with and its battery capacity. Some units, thanks to a larger battery pack, can perform multiple jump starts and tire inflations from a single charge. So you may be able to fill a tire and then boost a battery several times before needing to recharge the device. But the fact is that if you’re inflating a completely flat tire, you probably won’t have all that much charge left for boosting your battery.
How long does the compressor in a combo unit usually last?
It really depends on how often you use it. Combo units can last anywhere from a few months to several years depending on usage and wear and tear. But we’ve actually tested a ton of jump starters and air compressors over the years and we’ve found that some combo units have failed after just 10 or 20 uses due to internal wear. That’s because they produce a lot of heat and vibration during use, which wears on other internal components.
Is a combo unit jump starter good for heavy-duty vehicles?
No, combo jump starters aren’t ideal for heavy-duty vehicles, larger trucks, or RVs. They’re OK to have with you in case of emergencies. But they’re better for inflating car tires and smaller vehicles. Because combo units have weaker compressors, and because heavy-duty vehicles are heavier, it can take much longer to inflate tires. Plus, because they have a shared battery, you may not have enough power if you try to jump start a larger vehicle.
Can the air compressor wear out the battery faster?
Yes, an air compressor will wear out your battery pack faster. Compressors draw a lot of amperage to run. So you’re likely to use up all your charge when inflating a tire. And that also means that you’ll be discharging and recharging the pack more often, which can use up the available charge cycles the battery pack was designed with.
What’s the best alternative setup to a combo jump starter?
The best alternative is to simply purchase a jump starter and an air compressor separately. Buying two separate units may cost a bit more up front. However, shopping for dedicated tools at a shop often means better reliability and longer-lasting performance. In the end, you’ll save money by not needing to replace your tools as often. Plus, there are plenty of great standalone jump starters and air compressors on the market that are well worth the cost of purchasing them both separately.