Ride Engine Air Box Mini Review

The Brazilian Brothers are back to bring you a review of the brand new Ride Engine Air Box Mini. They were big fans of the original Air Box from Ride Engine, but this new version is a significant upgrade. So what are its features, and how long does it actually take to pump up an 8-meter kite?

A Ride Engine Air Box Mini sits on a wooden post at the beach.

Size and Portability

The first thing you'll notice about the Air Box Mini is just how small it is. It is 38% smaller than the original Air Box, measuring 13.5cm by 12.9cm (5.3 x 5.1 in). This is a huge advantage if you are traveling, as it will fit into your carry-on bag with plenty of room left over. Try that with your old hand pump!

Speed and Efficiency

A previous downside of electric pumps was the time it took to fill your kite or wing, with some riders finding they could pump up faster with a regular manual pump. However, the Air Box Mini has changed that. It is 20% faster than the previous generation. Once you get used to the convenience of an electric pump, it becomes nearly impossible to go back to a hand pump.

The Air Box Mini is 20 percent faster than the previous model.

Battery Life and Charging

Another major improvement is the number of kites you can get out of a single charge. The Brazilian Brothers were able to get anywhere from 8 to 10 kites pumped up, depending on the size of the kite and the amount of PSI required. And then it's easy to recharge using a standard USB-C port.

The USB-C port on the Air Box Mini.

The 8-Meter Speed Test

To put the speed to the test, the Brazilian Brothers timed how long it took to pump a Slingshot NXT V2 8-meter kite. Just like the previous generation, it is easy to set the amount of PSI you want before the pump shuts off automatically. For this specific kite, the recommended pressure is 9 PSI. Simply set the pump to 9.0 PSI, press the power button, and you don't need to worry about an over or under inflated bladder.

Kite: Slingshot NXT V2 8m
Target Pressure: 9 PSI
Total Time: 1 minute 24.83 seconds

Coming in at under a minute and thirty seconds to fully pump an 8-meter kite to 9 PSI is incredibly fast and a much-needed improvement over the last version.

Rubens adjusts the pump to 9 PSI and presses start.

Brazilian Brothers Unfiltered: Pros and Cons

Here, the Brazilian Brothers break down their honest opinions on where the product shines and where it could improve.

Where It Shines

Convenience: It is smaller and lighter, making it perfect for travel.
Speed: It is 20% faster at pumping up kites.
Power: The battery capacity allows for 8 to 10 kites on a single charge.

The Air Box Mini can pump up 8-10 kites on one charge.

Where It Could Improve

Attachment Compatibility: The included attachments will fit almost any kite on the market and work well for brands like Slingshot, Cabrinha, North, and Eleveight. However, they don't work as well for Duotone and Brainchild kites. While you can still pump those kites, you have to push the attachment in firmly to ensure a tight fit.
Air Intake Protection: Because there is often a lot of sand moving around at kiteboarding spots, they wish Ride Engine had included a filter cover for the air intake to prevent sand from getting into the system. You'll have to be extra cautious to make sure no sand gets in there. It does, however, include a storage pouch you can use to help keep it clean when you're not using it.

Rubens holds the Air Box Mini inside its storage bag.

Final Verdict

Overall, the Brazilian Brothers are stoked on the Airbox Mini. It is a better product that is smaller, faster, and more powerful, which is a testament to Ride Engine's ability to innovate. Once you experience the convenience of this electric pump, it is hard to go back to the manual version.

Rubens pumps up his kite with the Air Box Mini.