Air Dragon Review
I’ve always had a problem with my tires. They deflate fast and even swapping them out never seems to fix it, so I’ve gotten very accustomed to needing to use an air pump to fill them back up.
Most air compressors I’ve used are heavy, bulky, but at least powerful. Still, most of the time I don’t want to haul this massive loud thing back and forth from my garage after it’s howled like an animal to get to the right pressure.
That’s why I’ve found that for inflating car tires and filling up other items, few products can compare to the Air Dragon compressor. It is both handheld and portable to help get jobs done without relying on a heavy tool. Along with an automatic shutoff and other features, I think it’s worth the low price.
Air compressors are a must-have for any workshop. Buying one of these machines can cost quite a bit of money though, as I’ve learned more than once. Bringing home even a base model such as those you see at Auto Zone can cost you a few hundred dollars.
That machine will also take up so much space in any garage. That’s where the design of the Air Dragon comes in to be a wonderful alternative when you don’t want a big clunky machine taking up too much space in your home garage.
In my Air Dragon review, you will find out what this handheld air compressor does and the reasons why it’s worth the price to obtain one.
- Ergonomic trigger for hours of inflating
- Works on pools, inflatable toys, balls and tires
- Easy to use
- Plugs into the adapter found in most vehicles
- Doesn’t always automatically shut off
- May show some damage or wear and tire when it arrives
- Not suitable for larger truck tires
- Uses some cheap parts
For inflating car tires and filling up other items, few products can compare to the Air Dragon compressor. It is both handheld and portable to help you get jobs done without relying on a heavy tool. With an automatic shutoff and other features, it’s worth the low price.
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What Is the Air Dragon?
The Air Dragon is a lightweight and portable air compressor designed for use on the go and at home. One of its main selling points is that it’s a handheld unit.
I know with other air compressors, you need to run a hose from the machine to the tire or other item that you want to inflate. Depending on how close you are and whether there are any kinks in the line, you may not get as much air pressure as you need. It can also be awkward to handle one of these bigger hoses.
With the Air Dragon, I haven’t had to worry as much about the problems that come with the size of other air compressors. Some of the top features of the Air Dragon include:
- A lightweight design
- Well suited for inflating everything from tires to kid’s toy
- Extremely affordable for an air compressor
- Shuts itself off when it reaches the level of pressure set on it.
The Air Dragon has a built-in case that stores the hose and other supplies you need to save space.
How Can You Use the Air Dragon?
You can use the Air Dragon on almost anything that needs inflating. I’ve mostly used air compressors for my tires, and the Air Dragon has been a suitable alternative that’s been less of a cramp on my hands and ears in my time using it.
The Air Dragon does more than just inflate car tires. It works just as well on an old swimming pool or as it does a tire if you’re willing to wait a little bit for it to put the air through. Those who love camping can get some use out of the portable air compressor too.
The Air Dragon can quickly inflate all the toys that you use in the pool.
Where Can You Use the Air Dragon?
As long as the Air Dragon has a charge, it can quickly inflate a tire to the appropriate pressure rating. From what I’ve read and seen of it it’s well suited for most car tires, and up to a certain size even truck tires.
It’s perfect for inflating a swimming pool at the start of the hot season too. Any small job that requires you to have an air pressure tool you can rest assured that the Air Dragon will work.
With the Air Dragon and an inflatable mattress, you can make your next camping trip a little more comfortable.
Who’s This For?
I would say if you enjoy camping but hate having to lug around larger air compressors for something like an inflatable mattress, then you will find the Air Dragon is perfect for you. During the summer months, it makes for a quick and easy way to get all those pools toys ready when they’re finally dugout.
Its small size and ability to be connected to your car also offers it the ability to do something most other compressors I know can’t. If you get a flat but stable tire, you should be able to inflate it enough to get to a shop where you can get it patched or buy a new tire. No matter where you go, the Air Dragon can go with you.
Don’t let the desolate desert or jungle stand in your way. The Air Dragon goes everywhere you go.
How to Use the Air Dragon
Using the Air Dragon compressor is a snap because you only need to go through a few steps. Before using it, you will want to pop off the bottom to reveal the hidden storage inside. This lets you grab the right adapter and connect it to the front as well as attach the hose. You may want to turn on the built-in LED light if you’re working in an area that is dark or has a limited amount of light.
The other steps are just as easy to follow:
- Make sure the adapter of your car is empty
- Plugin the cord for the Air Dragon into the adapter in your car
- Press the round button on the front of the air compressor
- Use the arrow buttons to set the pressure or PSI that you need
- Put the adapter or hose that you need in the front of the tool
- Plugin the Air Dragon and let it run
With the Air Dragon, you can monitor the pressure on the digital screen to see it change and reach the level that you want. As soon as it turns off, you should be ready to go. I didn’t get the most use out of this feature, but I can see the use of this for larger jobs.
Should You Buy It?
Before buying the Air Dragon air compressor, I have some thoughts on its various parts. There are plenty of reasons to look further into the Air Dragon to see how much of a fit it is for you.
Ergonomic Handle
The ergonomic handle on the Air Dragon I find a bit awkward, but still a better fit than most other compressors. Unlike other air compressors, my hand didn’t get sore or cramped up from prolonged usage. The weight might have had more to do with this than the design of the handle, though it is still something I thought was worth a mention.
Micro Compressor
The Air Dragon features a micro compressor inside that performs nearly as well as a large air compressor can. It’s worth noting that it won’t fill up those huge tires that you see on trucks and that it might struggle to fill a swimming pool that can hold more than a few people. True to its size, this is a smaller tool that works for smaller jobs.
How to Check Your Tire Pressure
- Let your car sit for at least three hours before checking the tire pressure, which gives the tires time to cool down
- Place the end of the gauge into the valve stem on the tire
- Check the gauge to see the pressure it registered
- Look in your manual to see what pressure your tires should read
Lightweight
The Air Dragon has a lightweight design that makes it one of the best air compressors to carry around. The typical air compressors can easily weigh 50 to 100 pounds with some weighing even more. My experience with the bigger models out there is they’re effective, but suck to use for anything that requires a lot of moving around.
Even with the included adapters and accessories, the whole box the Air Dragon comes in weighs right around two pounds. That makes it the perfect size for storing in a backpack or knapsack too.
Built-In Storage
All the accessories that come with the Air Dragon are almost impossible to lose because this tool has built-in storage. Unlike other toolboxes where you might find that half the accessories go missing somewhere, with Air Dragon you will simply press on the switch near the bottom of the tool to pop it open and remove the accessories.
This makes sure you always know where they are and minimizes the risk of losing them. Then with a little bit of pressure, you can snap the bottom back on just as easily.
Car Outlet Cable
This portable air compressor comes with a 14-foot-long cable that connects to a 12V outlet. As long as you have an open and working adapter in your car, you can plug in this cable and get all the power that you need.
This adapter serves as the cigarette lighter in older cars and will require that you remove the lighter piece to plug in the cable. Newer cars often have several outlets around the dash and console that you can use. I think this is an understated feature, making it suitable for getting small tires back up with power right from your car.
Digital Pressure Gauge
Thanks to the digital pressure gauge the Air Dragon can be used at any time of day. This gauge appears on the side of the compressor and allows you to see it as you inflate an item.
Though the digital pressure gauge shows the PSI that you set when using it, you can also press another button and view the current pressure. This gives you an idea of how far you have left to go.
Automatic Shutoff
Air Dragon asks that you set the pressure to the maximum level that is set before plugging it into the tire. Once it hits that level, it automatically shuts off.
Other machines make you do the checking, causing you to stop in the middle of the process to make sure that you haven’t gone over. With this feature of the Air Dragon, you won’t have to worry about getting anything overinflated as long as you set the right pressure.
I would still recommend keeping a pressure gauge with you in your car though. You can never be too safe when it comes to your tire pressure.
What is the Maximum Pressure That Your Tires Need?
The maximum pressure that each tire should have will depend on the type of tires and vehicle that you have. It should never climb above 44 to 51 PSI. Your car’s manual will list the ultimate pressure rating for your car.
Built-In Light
With the Air Dragon, you don’t need any type of light source to inflate a tire. This air compressor features a built-in LED light that sits on the front of the tool and just below where you plug in your adapter or hose.
The light shines bright enough that it illuminates both the object that you need to work on and the area around you. You will have no problem seeing everything that you need to see no matter the time.
Included Adapters
One of the biggest reasons why the Air Dragon beats other portable air compressors is because of the included adapters. The Air Dragon comes with an adapter that you can easily insert into your tire plug before inflating it.
Another of the included adapters has a long and thin piece of metal attached to the top. This is the perfect adapter to use when inflating basketballs and toys with thin air holes. The adapters also work on air mattresses.
Flexible Hose
The Air Dragon comes with a flexible hose which is so flexible that you can easily work it around the rim of your tire and even the hubcap. This ensures that you can get to the right spot on your tire to inflate it.
Its length feels just right, not too long that it starts to bend awkwardly, but not too short that you have to hold the product at an awkward angle.
Are There Any Cons to the Air Dragon?
I think no device is without its problems. One of the main complaints I have is how long it can take to inflate objects. Some found that even after 10 to 15 minutes of continuous use that their tires still weren’t at the maximum PSI.
One complaint a single reviewer had was he took it to a shop that found the settings on the compressor were different from the results. While it stated that the tire was fully inflated, it didn’t hit the PSI that it needed. This is part of the reason I recommend keeping another smaller pressure gauge on hand.
There were also issues with the design of the air compressor, especially the plastic housing. Some thought that this made it look cheap. Others complained that it broke when they dropped it just a few inches off the ground.
I also found a reviewer who said that they threw it in the trash after using it once because it didn’t perform the way the manufacturer stated and they wanted a high price to ship it back.
You will want to think about those cons and some of the other cons I’ve listed below when deciding whether to buy the Air Dragon compressor.
Good Part of the Air Dragon
- A built-in storage compartment keeps adapters safe thanks to the built-in storage compartment, which is easy to both open and close.
- The ergonomic design allows use for longer periods with less discomfort and pain.
- It works on all types of tires including road bikes trail bikes, cars, motorcycles, and many other smaller tires.
- It is compatible with car adapters for easy use on the go when you need to inflate something away from an outlet.
- There are no complex steps. Once you plug it in and have the right adapter you just set the pressure on the digital screen. It will turn itself off when done.
Where to Buy
Buying the Air Dragon is simple with the link right here. Buying through this link lets you pay $39.99 for the tool and skip some of the high shipping and handling charges. If you have Amazon Prime, you even get free shipping on your order.
The Air Dragon will come with all the extra supplies that need, including a built-in LED light to see your tire as you work on it and a power cable that plugs into your car. This allows you to use the tool when you’re stranded on the side of the road or camping in the middle of the woods and miles away from a power supply.
Clicking on our link takes you to the product page where you can read reviews from other customers before placing your order for one or more of the Air Dragon portable air compressors.
Air Dragon works perfectly to inflate flat tires on new and old vehicles.
Competition
I’ve spent a while searching for Air Compressors, so I’m aware of quite a bit of competition for the Air Dragon. Many of these tools are similar to the Air Dragon in terms of design and functionality as well. Here are some of these models.
Craftsman 6-Gallon Air Compressor
The Craftsman 6-Gallon Air Compressor is an air compressor with a pancake design and does not require any general or routine maintenance. With a maximum pressure rating of 150 PSI, it hits the pressure level that you need quickly and keeps you from worrying about over-inflating the item. This air compressor is better suited for bigger jobs that require a bit more pressure than others might give. With it, you will get a handful of accessories that can help you with other tasks, including a blow gun and tire chuck.
Oasser Electric Air Compressor
The Oasser Electric Air Compressor lets you quickly inflate any other object that you need. The design mimics that of the Air Dragon and includes a simple trigger that you pull when you need air. It has a solid base that holds the 12V battery and the tools that you will use.
This air compressor comes with both a storage bag and tooling gloves that fit inside that bag. These gloves help you keep your hands clean as you work on tires and dirty surfaces when you don’t have access to running water.
Many customers were unhappy with the price, which is significantly higher than the price of the Air Dragon compressor for a similar design.
Avid Power Tire Inflator Air Compresor
The Tire Inflator Air Compressor from Avid Power can tackle most types of tires, including those found on motorcycles and bicycles, but doesn’t produce enough pressure to inflate larger tires such as those used on pickup trucks. You will find that it has a few more bad reviews than the Air Dragon does.
POTEK Jump Starter Source
The POTEK Jump Starter Source does more than just help you tackle flat tires. This is an example of a jump starter tool or combo box that has a built-in jump box. When your car battery dies, you can hook up this box and charge your battery in minutes.
It lets you inflate a tire to a PSI of 30 in eight minutes or less and comes with charging ports for cell phones and other devices on the front. This handy tool takes up more space but can come in handy during an emergency.
Final Verdict
With the Air Dragon, you get a portable and handheld air compressor with an ergonomic handle to reduce discomfort. It has a simple trigger that you hold to inflate all types of objects, including mattresses, pool toys, tires and swimming pools. It’s so easy to use that you may even feel comfortable letting your kids inflate their toys while you mow the lawn.
With being priced much lower than similar air compressors, the Air Dragon is an affordable item for people that need tools on a budget. It doesn’t take up that much space and can fit in your trunk or a small space in your garage. As long as you have a car adapter that works, you can use it on the go.
If you need an air compressor that’s simple to use and made for smaller jobs, or just something to keep in your car to feel safer, than this is one of the best products I could recommend you.
Resources and Further Reading
- Air Dragon Review: Hands-On Look at This Handheld Air Compressor – James White, Freakin Reviews
- Air Dragon Review – TV Stuff Reviews
- Air Dragon Portable Air Compressor Review: An As Seen on TV Scam or Not? – More Real Reviews
- Air Dragon Review: Portable Air Compressor Does It Really Work? Updated 2020 – Brian Tucker, Review XL
- The Air Hawk vs. Air Dragon: Comparing Air Compressors – Lovely Carillo, Auto Tire Solutions
- Air Dragon Reviews – Product Review
- Air Hawk vs. Air Dragon Real Honest Comparison – Alex Vel, At Full Drive