It happens to the best of us.
You’ve headed outdoors for a couple of days - be it leisurely camping or into the action of a festival - armed with carefully chosen gadgets and kit to make open-air living that much more comfortable.
A blow-up mattress, perhaps some inflatable furniture to lounge on. Maybe you’ve pushed the boat out and invested in an air tent, forgoing the faff of threading tent poles through tiny sleeves. But all the gear in the world is useless without something to inflate it with.
Your lungs can only go so far. Save your breath for hiking, exploring or singing your heart out to your favourite bands and invest in an electric pump or manual inflator instead.
These compact devices plug into the nozzle of your inflatable and pump it full of air in mere minutes, giving you a fast-track pass to get on with other things, like setting up the fairy lights or starting a campfire.
Most of the inflators featured are cordless designs, but their power source can vary. Some models require batteries, while others are manual - so you’ll have to exert some elbow grease. Our preferred kind? Rechargeable.
These inflators come with USB ports which can connect to power banks when juice runs low. Say goodbye to ongoing battery costs beyond the first purchase.
Avoid being that guy wandering around the campsite hoping to borrow someone else’s inflator and invest in your own instead. We’ve rounded up the best options, from foot pumps to rechargeable versions that fit in the palm of your hand.
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FLEXTAILGEAR Tiny Pump 2X Vacuum Bag Pump
Don't let the size of this inflator fool you: it's got enough huff and puff to rival the wolf in The Three Little Pigs. Wrapped in a bright orange chassis that will make it easier to spot in a crowded backpack, the water-resistant rechargeable pump comes with a dimmable light function that lasts for 10 hours, meaning it can serve as a camping lantern too. Run time is around 25 minutes, and it comes with a type-C charging cable and five nozzles for stress-free inflating.
Buy now £32.99, Amazon
BOSCH EasyInflate 18V-500 Cordless Air Pump
Bosch's inflator isn't just for camping: it can be used on inflatable balls, pools and toys too. The powerful 18V Power for All battery (compatible with a host of other Bosch tools) means you'll be able to achieve a flow rate of up to 530L a minute - a rapid level by any measure.
A lockable on switch means you're not tethered to the machine while it does its thing: leave it to inflate while you get on with other things. And when you've had your fun, a nifty deflate function allows you to pack up mattresses and toys quickly. It comes with three nozzles to fit most outlets.
Sold with a three-year guarantee.
Buy now £82.99, Currys
Jsdoin Electric Air Pump
Any decent camper will be familiar with this air pump. The simple design is an essential for outdoorsy types and comes with three detachable nozzles to use on a wide range of inflatables. It works quickly but it is on the noisy side so if you're inflating a camping mattress, try to do it before dark or risk the wrath of neighbouring campers. The gadget also comes with a mains adaptor so you can use it at home.
Buy now £7.64, Amazon
Bestway Battery Powered Portable Pump
Get your creature comforts pumped up and ready for action fast thanks to Bestway's electric pump. It needs 4xD batteries to work, pushing out 430L of air a minute. As part of the purchase, you'll also get three nozzles that will fit most valves. A simple on/off switch makes it easy to operate with one hand.
Was: £20.
Buy now £10.00, Argos
Funsicle PowerEase Battery Powered Electric Air Pump
Don't like the idea of lugging around a bulky inflator? Funsicle's super compact 76g inflator is the option for you. This palm-sized gadget may be small, but boy is it mighty with enough power to inflate a paddling pool if needed. It runs on six C-cell batteries and uses a three-in-one valve adapter to get your inflatable sufficiently blown up for use.
£14.99, John Lewis
Vango Mistral Rechargeable Pump
From the outdoor specialist comes this rechargeable pump, with the power to inflate and deflate everything from mattresses to moon chairs in minutes. The tool expels 220L of air a minute through a choice of nozzles that should fit into most valves. It comes with a USB cable, making recharging the unit easy.
Buy now £30.00, John Lewis
Auokai Electric Air Pump
It takes just a few minutes for the AUOKAI Electric Air Pump to get your inflatable to the right level of plumpness, leaving you to get on with the vital business of relaxing in your camp. The diminutive machine runs on a 15W motor, expelling 320L of air a minute.
It's fitted with a 4000mAh rechargeable lithium battery with a charging port located right under the single on/off button. The compact design means it won't add much bulk to your camping kit either.
Buy now £13.48, Amazon
QPAU Electric Air Pump
No, it's not a Dyson Supersonic, but rather a rechargeable electric pump that can be used on everything from blow-up mattresses, lilos, camping pillows and more. The ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to hold for the short time you'll need to get your kit and toys to full operating levels.
It even comes with a light function so you can see what you're doing after sunset but don't worry about making a din: it only emits 75dBs when it's running. Three nozzle sizes are supplied to fit most inflatables.
Buy now £11.99, Amazon
Quechua Double Action Hand Pump 4L
You're out of power in the wilderness with nowhere to buy extra batteries - what now? Quechua's hand pump to the rescue!
Ideal for use on inflatable mattresses, tents and dinghies, the design efficiently pushes air into pockets quickly so while you are doing some of the work, it won't be for very long.
The downside? It's not exactly portable, so better for keeping in the car boot, ready for adventures when they happen.
Buy now £14.99, Decathlon
GREEN HAVEN Powerful 5 Litre Foot Pump
Why sweat over an inflatable when a few taps of the feet will do all the work for you? This manual non-slip foot pump comes with two chambers for inflating and deflating plus a pair of interchangeable nozzles to fit various air valves.
It's bulkier than some of the other options on our list, but the upside is that it's light (57g) and doesn't require a power source - meaning you can save your power bank for more important gadgets.
Buy now £11.99, Amazon
