For your situation, i honestly think a 12V plug-in is the way to go cuz you never have to worry about the battery being dead when you actually need it! I use a slime brand one that fits great under the floor.

sooo i totally get the anxiety of not having a spare in a new car... it's like why do they even do that now?? anyway, since you're looking for something budget-friendly that actually works without blowing a fuse in ur new buick, i might want to consider a middle-ground option.

I'm still kinda new to all the technical specs, but i did a ton of research before picking up the AVID POWER Tire Inflator Air Compressor 20V Cordless with 12V Car Power Adapter Pack. i think it's basically the best of both worlds because it comes with a rechargeable battery pack BUT it also includes a 12V power cord if the battery is dead. honestly, having that backup is a huge peace of mind for me. it's pretty compact and should definitely fit in that under-floor storage area in the Encore GX. plus, the digital display is super easy to read and you can preset the pressure so it stops automatically—make sure to double check your door jamb for the right PSI tho!

another really affordable and reliable one is the VacLife Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor 12V DC. it's strictly a plug-in model, so no battery to fail over time, and it usually goes for a really good price on amazon. it feels pretty sturdy for the cost, and the cable is long enough to reach all four 18-inch wheels easily. just be careful not to run it for more than 10 mins straight so it doesn't get too hot, right? hope that helps you feel a bit more prepared on your commute!! gl!

Totally agree with the 12V suggestion from Reply #2!! I once had a cordless one die mid-fill on a dark highway—actually terrifying since we dont have spares anymore. For max safety, I recommend:

• Viair 88P Portable Air Compressor

It's way more reliable than lithium batteries that hate trunk heat. Just be careful with the cord and keep the engine running. Safety first, honestly. gl!

For your situation, I'd honestly go with the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator. I’ve used a bunch of these, and since you’re worried about space in that Encore GX trunk, this thing is basically perfect. It’s cordless but surprisingly powerful, so it handles 18-inch wheels without breaking a sweat, you know?

I prefer the battery ones cuz you don’t have to mess with wires across your nice new interior. Just make sure to charge it like once every few months. If you’re really paranoid about battery life tho, the Viair 85P Portable Air Compressor is a 12V classic that’ll literally last forever. But yeah, the Fanttik has that digital display you wanted and fits right in the under-floor bin. gl!

Lol I was literally about to post the same thing. Glad someone else brought it up.