The DeWalt 20V MAX range of cordless power equipment has a truly amazing variety of useful tools and other items that all use the same battery platform. The DeWalt DCC020IB 20V cordless tire inflator is one of more than 180 products in the series. It’s arguably the best portable inflator there is.
I’m probably not the only one who has become infuriated with cheap portable tire inflators. Just when you really need the thing it lets you down. This is why I was delighted when DeWalt introduced the DCC020IB 20V cordless air inflator a few years ago. DeWalt is one of only a few top power tool brands to do so. Since I’m a long-time fan of the 20V MAX series, I have the batteries and simply love the expansive range of tools that can be used with these batteries.
I should mention, that DeWalt is not the only high-end tool brand to conquer this market. The Milwaukee M18 2848-20 18V battery inflator is another great product and is extremely popular.
Okay, the DeWalt 20V tire inflator is not cheap, nor is the Milwaukee alternative. Despite this, I think it’s well worth the price. Think about it, once you’ve replaced that cheap air inflator two or three times, you’ve probably spent over a hundred bucks. You could just as well have spent that money once, buying the DeWalt cordless tire inflator, and saved yourself a lot of hassle and possibly a few bucks too.
There are several great advantages to using a cordless battery-powered inflator. Most tire inflators plug into the cigarette lighter outlet in your car. This is okay when you’re topping off your tires, but what about all the other applications for a device like this? Inflating sports balls, air mattresses, and swimming pool accessories is not so easily accomplished when your inflator relies on your car battery. A cordless tire inflator, with its own battery, is much more convenient than one that requires power from your car.
This DeWalt DCC020IB 20V MAX cordless air inflator review will provide a detailed account of all that I admire about this remarkable little machine and the stuff that I’m not too impressed with.
DeWalt DCC020IB Cordless Tire Inflator | The Full Review
Features:
- Can run on 3 power sources: 20V battery power, 12V (car outlet), 110 VAC
- Pressure range: 3 to 160 PSI
- High volume/ low pressure (15.2 SCFM) or Low volume/ high pressure (0.5 SCFM) mode
- LCD digital display
- Automatic shutoff
- Onboard accessory storage
- Weight: 5.5 LBS (without battery)
- 75 Ft 12VDC power cord
- Sound level 92dB
Review:
The DeWalt DCC020IB 20V MAX Cordless Tire Inflator is a compact machine, measuring 11.9” (W) X 9.8” (H) X 5.2” (D), and weighs 5.5 pounds. The weight, whilst perfectly manageable, gives the DeWalt tire inflator a really solid, quality feel. Hey, this is a high-end DeWalt product, so good quality is practically a given.
Great Design
The DCC020IB has a really stable posture, resting on thick rubber feet that absorb vibration. This prevents it from wandering about when you’re using it. While it is nicely balanced when using a regular DeWalt 20V MAX battery, it is not so great when using 20V/60V FlexVolt batteries. The larger FlexVolt batteries prevent it from resting properly on the rubber feet, which have obviously been designed for the smaller 20V MAX batteries. A minor issue, but one that I don’t particularly like. I’d have expected better from the DeWalt engineers who generally think of everything.
It has a nicely designed handle for carrying the machine. The molded rubber handle extends down both sides of the machine to provide impact protection, greatly improving long-term durability – something DeWalt is renowned for.
Cleverly designed onboard storage allows you to keep all the accessories neatly stored and the flexible hoses have storage handy cadies on either side of the machine.
A built-in LED light will certainly be appreciated if you get a flat tire at night.
High-Quality Schrader Valve Connector
I really like the top-quality Schrader screw-on chuck. Most tire inflators have a lever lock valve connector which is probably more convenient than a screw-on connector. When using the DeWalt DCC020IB cordless tire inflator, you need to take a little time to match the thread and then turn the screw. With a press-on chuck, you just push it onto the valve and press the lever, much simpler and easier. However, the screw-on chuck is much more durable. Furthermore, it does not leak as much air when you disconnect it. For things like balls that have a low pressure, this is a great advantage. If you prefer the convenience of a press-on valve connector, an adapter is available for around $10.
Easy To Use
The DeWalt DCC020IB has two awesome LCD screens and incredibly easy-to-use functions. You can set the desired pressure by turning the dial. Pressure is measured in 0.5 PSI increments for great accuracy. Press the play/pause button, and the tire inflator will automatically stop when it reaches the pressure that you’ve selected. The pressure setting is displayed numerically on one screen, while the actual pressure is displayed on the other screen, with an additional dial display.
Versatile
You can choose to use the DeWalt DCC020IB in two modes. The high-pressure/low-volume setting is ideal for inflating tires or any other high-pressure application up to 160 PSI. For inflating stuff like air mattresses, the high-volume/low-pressure setting is great. It will quickly get your inflatables filled with air, thanks to the impressive 15.2 SCFM maximum capacity.
Two high-quality hoses are supplied with the DCC020IB, a high-pressure and low-pressure hose.
The DeWalt DCC020IB portable tire inflator is quite noisy, at 92dB. Though any type of air compressor is a pretty loud beast. Even a small device, like this one, uses a reciprocating piston to compress the air which is never quiet.
The Verdict
The DeWalt DCC020IB cordless tire inflator offers everything you need in one dynamite little package. You can use it to blast away debris on a jobsite, in the garage, or in a workshop. It’s great for roadside emergencies, when you have a flat tire, and equally useful for inflating pool floatation devices, an air mattress, basically anything that requires high-pressure or low-pressure compressed air.
It is, as with any DeWalt product, designed to (almost) perfection. There are a few flaws in the design, as I’ve mentioned, but, overall, it is quite remarkable in just about every aspect of its design, form, and function.
Although you can expect to pay over $100 for the DeWalt DCC020IB, it is a high-quality product from a brand we all know and trust. That, as they say, is priceless. I believe that the DeWalt 20V MAX cordless inflator is worth every dime of its fairly high price tag.