Ultimate Speed Portable Compressor

I bought this from the middle aisle of one of those German supermarkets. It was a bit larger than I expected and included a bright flashing warning light/torch. After giving it a full charge, I first used it on my car. It puffed away for a few minutes, but only managed to add four pounds of pressure before the battery went flat. I assumed it was simply that the volume of air car tyres needed was too great for such a small thing.

I charged it, and it managed to inflate two bicycle wheels from flat but used up half the battery. Recharged again, I used it on my BSA. After attaching it to the valve, I turned the device on, and it then pumped ineffectually for five minutes, managed to add 10lb to the tyre, and then the battery went flat again.

It was bought to be convenient and useful for carrying around, but with less than one partial inflation a charge and being the size of a small French baguette, it was therefore pretty useless. The torch is okay. If you are tempted, don’t bother.

Tested by Oli ■ Lidl ■ £27.99