This Mini Air Pump Lives In My Pool Bag All Summer — And You Probably Need One, Too

(Bianca Guzzo)

As someone who frequents the pool and lake all summer long, I like to relax on the water by floating on an inflatable tube or mattress. The only problem is, travelling to and from my swimming spot with a fully inflated item isn’t ideal. That means I have to blow it up once I get to the pool or the beach, which is easier said than done under the hot sun, especially if it’s a larger raft that a few people can lounge on.

In an effort to conserve energy and not pass out after inflating a floatie with just my breath, I got a Tiny Portable Air Pump from FLEXTAILGEAR, and it’s become a permanent fixture in my pool bag.

My experience using the FLEXTAILGEAR Tiny Portable Air Pump

I got the idea to keep a FLEXTAILGEAR Tiny Portable Air Pump in my pool bag after my aunt told me she has one packed for beach vacations. Tired of spending valuable pool time blowing up an inner tube with my own two lungs, I ordered one in hopes it would save me a little time. The pump arrived in a tiny box, along with five attachments and a charging cable.

The pump filled my trusty pool floatie in 45 seconds, which was incredible since it usually takes me around 5 minutes when using my breath. I do find that I lose a bit of air when I turn the pump off, so I usually top it up with a few breaths, but that’s not a big deal to me. I like that I don’t have to waste energy under the hot sun, and I don’t have to risk ripping or tearing the plastic when it’s time to deflate since the pump can also be used as a vacuum.

The nozzle attachments are easy to connect, and they stay put while you’re inflating. I found floaties with a smaller or standard-sized nozzle significantly easier to inflate than those with bigger ones, though the device can technically handle both. It does its job efficiently either way, but I just have to hold those with bigger nozzles awkwardly to make sure it doesn’t let air out.

Aside from how well it works, its small size is its best selling feature. It doesn’t take up too much space in a beach bag or in my carry-on. This makes a great addition on vacations, whether I’m blowing up a tube to float in the ocean or trying to save space with vacuum bags in my luggage. I’m not huge on camping, but I think it would also be great for blowing up an air mattress or sleeping pads while you can finish setting up the tent.

It has saved me time and energy this summer, so I’ll be keeping it in my pool bag for seasons to come.

Is the FLEXTAILGEAR Tiny Portable Air Pump worth it?

At $40, the FLEXTAILGEAR Tiny Portable Air Pump isn’t an expensive gadget, but it’s not a cheap one either. The quality of the pump and attachments is good, and it does blow things up a lot faster than I can with my own breath. Its small size paired with its convenience and versatility make it more than worth it to me.

You should buy the FLEXTAILGEAR Tiny Portable Air Pump if…

• You spend a lot of time at a pool or beach and bring inflatable items with you
• You go camping and want something small to blow up your mattress or sleeping pads
• You don’t want to inflate things using your breath
• You use vacuum packing bags when you travel

You should not buy the FLEXTAILGEAR Tiny Portable Air Pump if…

• You prefer doing things the old-fashioned way
• You think $40 is too expensive for a gadget you won’t use all the time
• You rarely have access to an outlet for charging

What reviewers are saying about FLEXTAILGEAR Tiny Portable Air Pump

The FLEXTAILGEAR Tiny Portable Air Pump has an average rating of 4.3 stars, with customers praising its compact size and power as its best features. Many users say it’s a must for remote camping trips and adventures that leave them with limited space in their pack. Others say they’re impressed by how much they can use it before they need to recharge it. A small minority has had issues with reliability, but most find it to be dependable and well worth the $40 investment.