Prow's electric air compressor offers a lot for its $78 price tag. You can choose between a 12-volt power system for your car or an included AC cord, a convenient carrying bag, and a design that completely covers the unit with a plastic shell. Unfortunately, there is no battery and the unit cannot apply pressures in excess of 90 PSI.

Priced at $78, the Prow Electric Air Compressor is a bargain considering it is dual-powered. The company also sells black and pink plastic air compressors. For those who don't like the neon green.

The Prow electric air compressor, which looks like a large stapler or flashlight, has a black and green plastic outer skin that hides the internal gears. Measuring 11.9 x 6.6 x 4.2 inches, it is nearly twice the size of the similar AstroAI Air Compressor and weighs 5.3 pounds, nearly three times as much.

The well-designed Prow compressor handle flows out of the main unit case and holds a 1.7" backlit monochrome screen. Below it are three LED lights and two switches to turn the pump on and off.

The three-button interface has one button for determining pressure units, including pounds per square inch (PSI), kilopascals (KPA) or bars, and a key for increasing or decreasing the automatic shut-off set point. There is also an AC/DC switch on the back to select the power source.

The unit's 12-volt cord and air hose have their own dedicated space, and the two can be wound together for safe storage. However, the AC cord is completely external and must be plugged in. This means it is easy to lose. Thankfully, it's a standard cord, like those used in laptop AC adapters.

The Prow electric air compressor comes with a zippered bag, but unlike competing units that can pump up to 160 PSI, the maximum pressure here is 90 PSI. This means it is more for cars and light trucks than large vehicles.

A built-in handle makes it easy to carry the Prow electric air compressor from tire to tire. There is no battery option, but with a 12-volt adapter, it can be used in a home garage or on the road.

The 12-volt power cord and air hose combine for a reach of about 12.5 feet. This air inflator is an unusual tire inflator that offers a choice of screw-on or clamp-on connectors, and it also comes with a short extension cord. The AC cord, sold separately, is 69 inches long.

The Prow electric air compressor was powered by my car, but the unit proved noisy with an annoying low hum. It took me 3 minutes and 24 seconds to fill my tires to 30 PSI, which is right around the middle of the pack. The soccer ball took 10.8 seconds to reach 10 PSI.

The automatic shut-off worked like a charm, the pressure gauge on the unit was accurate, and as an added bonus, the display showed the pumping progress in a horizontal bar graph. The device comes with a two-year warranty, though it pales in comparison to the lifetime warranty on the Roofpax Air Compressor.

Fully covered and with cords and hoses tucked out of the way, the Prow Electric Air Compressor runs on AC power or the car's 12-volt power supply, stops at 90 PSI, comes in a bag, and has a choice of screw-in or clamp-on valve chucks, for $78, It's for people who want an air compressor that doesn't look like an air compressor.