CRAFTSMAN V20* Inflator, Tool Only (CMCE520B)
✅ PROS
- Tire pressure presets with auto-shutoff stop overinflation — set it and walk away
- Compact, balanced form factor that fits in a truck door pocket or tool bag
- Digital gauge reads accurate to 0.5 PSI in testing — matches a quality stick gauge
❌ CONS
- Tool only — no battery or charger included, adding $80–$100 to the real cost
- Struggles on large truck tires; fine for cars but slow above 40 PSI
- No accessory storage — the nozzle and hose are easy to misplace in a garage
The Verdict
If you’re already in the Craftsman V20 battery ecosystem, the CMCE520B is the inflator you’ve been waiting for. If you’re not, the real cost of entry might change your math. Here’s the honest breakdown after digging through 225 ratings and the specs that matter.
What you actually get
Open the box and you’ll find the inflator body, a 20-inch braided hose, a tapered nozzle, and a ball needle. That’s it. No battery, no charger — this is the tool-only SKU, so it’s designed for people who already own V20 batteries from other Craftsman tools. The unit itself is compact at roughly 9 inches long and weighs about 2.3 pounds without a battery. It’s got a backlit digital display, a pressure preset function, and a simple two-button interface: plus and minus to set target pressure, and a start/stop toggle.
How it performs in the real world
The headline feature here is the auto-shutoff. You set the target PSI on the digital readout, clip the chuck onto the valve stem, and walk away. When it hits the mark, it stops. This isn’t a gimmick — it genuinely prevents the overinflation dance of “check, add, check again.” For car tires, which typically run 30–35 PSI, the CMCE520B gets there in about two minutes per tire from a low state. That’s not race-car fast, but it’s perfectly acceptable for topping off all four tires on a Sunday morning.
The digital gauge is the other standout. Multiple buyers noted it matches their analog gauge readings within 0.5 PSI, which is reliable enough for anything short of track-day precision. One reviewer put it plainly: “I’ve owned three inflators and this is the first one where I trust the gauge enough to set it and forget it.”
Battery life depends on which V20 battery you use. With a 2Ah battery (the most common starter size), expect to inflate four car tires from 28 to 35 PSI before needing a swap. With a 4Ah or larger, you’ll get 8–10 tires or a mix of balls, bike tires, and air mattresses without issue.
What buyers consistently praise
- Accuracy and auto-shutoff: This is the #1 reason people rate it 5 stars. “Set it to 35, walk inside, come back — it’s done. No guessing.”
- Cordless convenience: “Finally ditched the 12V cigarette-lighter inflator that took forever and killed my car battery anyway.”
- Build quality: The housing feels solid, and the hose attaches with a firm click that doesn’t leak. Several owners report dropping it from workbench height with no issues.
Where it falls short
The honest downsides matter. First, the hose is short — 20 inches is fine for reaching valve stems on cars and SUVs, but you’ll be kneeling on the ground next to the tire. No coiled extension here. Second, it’s not a heavy-duty unit. Inflating a 35-inch truck tire from 15 PSI to 40 PSI will take 8–10 minutes and tax the battery hard. It’s a top-off tool, not an air compressor replacement. Third, there’s no onboard storage for the nozzles. The ball needle and tapered tip have nowhere to live, and more than a few buyers report losing them within months.
Who should buy this
Buy it if: You own Craftsman V20 tools already and want a portable inflator for cars, bikes, sports balls, and air mattresses. It’s also a strong pick for road-trippers who want to skip the gas station air hose entirely.
Skip it if: You’re starting from scratch — the battery and charger add $80–$100 to the purchase price, at which point a corded inflator or a dedicated unit with its own battery makes more financial sense. Also skip it if you regularly inflate large truck or tractor tires; this isn’t built for that duty cycle.
FAQ
Q: Does it work with other Craftsman batteries? A: Yes, any V20 battery — the red-and-black 20V line — fits. It does not accept the older 19.2V Craftsman batteries or 60V FlexVolt.
Q: How long does it take to fill a car tire? A: From 28 to 35 PSI, roughly 90 seconds to 2 minutes per tire depending on battery charge. From flat, expect 5–6 minutes.
Q: Can I use it to deflate tires? A: Yes, there’s a deflate mode — hold the minus button and it releases air. Useful for off-roaders airing down, though it’s slow for large volume loss.
The Verdict
Rating: 4.6/5
The CRAFTSMAN V20 Inflator (CMCE520B) earns its strong rating through accuracy and convenience. The auto-shutoff works exactly as advertised, the digital gauge is trustworthy, and the cordless design genuinely changes how often you’ll check your tire pressure — which is the whole point. It’s not a heavy-duty compressor, and the tool-only pricing punishes newcomers. But for V20 users, this is a no-brainer addition to the toolbox. For everyone else, factor in the battery cost and decide if the convenience is worth it. For most car owners, it is.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.