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I no longer travel without this compact car charger - here's how it works during emergencies

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Kayla Solino/ZDNET

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With holiday travels on the horizon, there's no better time to upgrade your roadside emergency kit -- and I've found a universal option that's a new necessity in my own.

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It's Statik's Tire Hero air compressor. The Tire Hero offers portable air no matter where you are, and while it seems just as straightforward as that, it does plenty more.

The Tire Hero is a multi-use gadget, which means that even though it will cost you $70, you get more value for that cost than just a single air compressor.

Tire Hero reaches up to 150 PSI -- just enough to get you somewhere safely if you have a tire incident. It's also perfect for inflating balls, bike tires, inflatables, air mattresses, and more. I used it a ton this summer for pool floats, and I'm sure it will be just as helpful for snow tubes once the season's first snowfall graces the East coast.

Beyond the obvious (free air), the Tire Hero also doubles as a flashlight and a portable charger, and features an emergency light. Of course, I still encourage keeping another flashlight and portable charger in your car, but it's nice to know I have a backup ready in this gadget, too.

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This air compressor is also lightweight and extremely easy to use. To activate the display, set your desired PSI, and sit back while it works; it's pretty foolproof.

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