Fanttik X8 Apex vs. Fanttik X8 Portable Tire Inflator Comparison Review

A year ago I was looking for a new portable air pump to keep my motorcycle tires properly inflated.  I ended up buying and trying out both the Fanttik X8 and Fanttik X8 Apex inflators. Here’s what I learned after using them for a year.

Reasons for Buying an Portable Inflator

Why did I need a portable tire inflator?  I wanted to remove two issues from my riding life: needing a tow because of a flat tire and disrupting my weekend morning rides.

Why did I need a portable tire inflator?  I wanted to remove two issues from my riding life: needing a tow because of a flat tire and disrupting my weekend morning rides.

The first issue is a major inconvenience that doesn’t happen that often: getting a flat tire on a weekend motorcycle trip. It’s only happened to me once in 20 or so years riding but when it happened my portable inflator saved the day. I got a screw in my rear tire and I was in the middle of nowhere on a Sunday with no phone signal. I had no idea if or how I could get a tow but carrying a 12v air inflator, plus a tire patch-kit, got me home safe.

The second issue, which was more of personal annoyance rather than a safety issue, was having to go to a gas station to get air. My local gas station has an old air machine that takes quarters and doesn’t work half the time. So, having to find quarters, hope that the air machine works and if it doesn’t, having to find another one at a different gas station before meeting my riding buddies was always a time-consuming annoyance. And to add to that, the gauges on those air machines are wildly inaccurate, if it’s working at all, and having to carry a decent tire gauge in my limited pocket space was just another hassle.

So, keeping a portable air inflator at home was the simple solution to both of the above.

My Old Tire Inflator

My old portable air pump is a MotoPumps.com unit that has served me well for the last 9 years. It still works just as it did when new and I’ll keep it in the garage as a backup. But, I decided to retire it because it requires 12v power directly from the motorcycle’s battery to run. For some bikes, battery access is easy. However, on my latest bike, the battery is behind a few screws and would be nice to not have to break out the tools to simply top off my tires.

So, about a year ago, I decided to find a good stand-alone, battery operated, portable air inflator. After a bit of online research, I settled on the Fanttik line of air inflators. But I couldn’t decide on which of the two they sell, so I picked up both the Fanttik X8 and Fanttik X8 Apex.

Fanttik X8 & X8 Apex - What’s in the Box and Features

Brief highlights of both inflators:

Fanttik X8 Apex Portable Inflator

• Digital Screen
• Built-in Flashlight with SOS signaling
• USB charging output
• Air Tube Length: 13.1in / 333mm
• 40 min. runtime at full charge
• Battery Capacity: 28.86Wh
• USB cable, needle adapter, presta valve adapter, storage bag

Fanttik X8 Portable Inflator

• Digital Screen
• Built-in Flashlight with SOS signaling
• Air Tube Length: 7.7in / 196mm
• 30 min runtime at full charge
• Battery Capacity: 19.24Wh
• USB cable, nozzle and needle adapter, presta valve adapter, storage bag

Both have the same key features and a bright digital readout. The ability to set a max pressure setting works great. And they both will auto-shutoff when not in use.

The "just out of the box" differences between the two is that the X8 Apex has a USB output port for charging your phone and the airtube is much longer.

Size and Weight Comparison

Fanttik X8 Apex

• Dimensions: 2.5in x 2.5in x 8in / 64mm x 64mm x 203mm
• Weight: 1.76 lbs / 0.8 kg
• Air Tube Length: 13.1 in / 333mm

Fanttik X8

• Dimensions: 3.25in x 1.8in x 5.5in / 83mm x 46mm x 140mm
• Weight: 1.10 lbs / 0.5 kg
• Air Tube Length: 7.7in / 196mm

The X8 Apex is noticeably heavier in hand but I think this would be negligible if you plan to store the inflator in a saddlebag or topbox. In my opinion, the most significant difference is the length of the air tube. The X8 Apex air tube's extra length makes the inflator much easier to use.

Inflation Test

The test was to fill up at 180/55R17 rear motorcycle tire from 28 to 38 psi. I wanted to see how they both did with pressure already in the tire. Results:

• Suitability For Straight and Right Angle Tire Valves: Both work fine with tires with 90 degree valves. For straight valves, the X8’s shorter airtube makes getting a sealed connection a bit of a hassle.
• Accuracy: both are accurate to within 1 psi as compared to my liquid-filled analog gauge.
• Heat: Both didn’t get hot in my hand during the test
• Time to Inflate 10psi: X8 Apex -  1:13 (min:sec) | X8 -  2:04 (min:sec)

The X8 Apex is definitely the more powerful of the two. The difference is not just a bigger battery. The X8 Apex seems to have a more powerful air compressor. It filled 10 psi in almost half the time. Aside from time to fill, the big difference is the length of the air tube. The shorter air tube on the smaller X8 forces the inflator to compete for space with your hand as you tighten the connection on a straight-valved motorcycle tire. They both work well as inflators but the smaller X8 is a little bit more of a hassle to use.

Durability

I’ve owned these both for a year and they both have been on multi-day moto trips. Both are working as they should after being toted around in a soft saddle bag. However, I will pack the inflator so it doesn't bounce around too much  and I keep the inflator in a sealed plastic bag to make sure it doesn’t get wet.

Are they Packable?

How packable are these portable inflators? Here’s what I think:

For saddlebags or larger luggage mounted to the motorcycle for a longer trip

Both are easily packed and don’t take up much room in this situation but, if given a choice, I would take the X8 Apex Inflator for the ability to charge a phone and for the longer air tube.

For tailbag or tankbag for a day ride

The smaller X8 is the better choice because of the smaller size

For a backpack

To save a little bit of weight, I would go with the smaller X8. The X8 Apex is noticeably heavier.

Which to Fanttik X8 Inflator to Choose

I think the one to buy depends on how often you plan on carrying it around and how much luggage space you have available.

The larger Fanttik X8 Apex is great for keeping at home to top off your tires before heading out on a ride. And for a longer trip where you plan on carrying more luggage or motocamping without easy access to power, the X8 Apex’s longer air tube and ability to double as a backup battery pack for your phone are definitely worth the asking price.

If you want to carry an air pump around for peace of mind on every ride, the smaller Fanttik X8 is the better choice. It’s lighter and takes up less space. But, to carry it around on every ride, you will need a medium size or larger tailbag or tankbag. For smaller bags, the X8 takes up a lot of space.

However, for larger bikes, with always attached luggage, I would go for the larger X8 Apex.

Quick Summary

• Primarily home pre-ride use & occasional moto trip with removable luggage:  X8 Apex
• Carry every ride & removable luggage: X8
• Carry every ride & backpack:  X8
• Carry every ride & larger always attached luggage:  X8 Apex

Additional Consideration

If you want  to inflate both motorcycle and car tires definitely go for the X8 Apex pump. It’s more powerful and it just moves more air faster.

Caveat for all weather, ADV riders or motorcycles that are parked outside often

There are a couple of warnings in the manual about dust/dirt, getting it wet (rain), need to store the inflator indoors or it being in a hot environment.  So, I suspect that the battery isn’t well protected. For these situations, I would look for a more durable solution or stick with my tried and true MotoPump.

- Ride Safe!