I don’t know many middle-aged (or older) people without some sort of back weakness.

We have workarounds and muddle on regardless, but one movement that can almost guarantee to put me in the chiropractor’s office is hunching over like a goblin to pump up a Stand-up Paddleboard (SUP) or inflatable tender with the standard short, high-pressure stirrup pumps.

There are two types of commonly available electric air pumps: battery-powered ones or those powered by a 12-volt car cigarette lighter socket. The latter are simpler and cheaper, but have a flaw – it’s not always convenient to pump up your SUP or tender next to your car or boat.

Some models of electric pump also do not deliver enough pressure to reach the recommended pressure level of modern dropstitch items; some paddleboards now require 18 or even 20psi.

Enter the Meridian Zero Air NRG 4000 Pump, rated at 20psi, powered by an onboard 4000mAh lithium battery. It charges from the mains via USB cable or from a 12-volt cigarette lighter socket.

It comes with six different valve adaptors. Credit: Jake Frith

It feels like a well-built item with a clear display and robust rubberised buttons. It’s also simple to use, with a master On/Off switch underneath the device. When connected to an inflatable’s valve, it shows the current pressure; then you just press the + or – button to input your desired pressure limit, hit the On/Off button on the front of the device and let it do its thing. There’s another button to switch the gauge between PSI and BAR.

We tried the pump first on an Aircat 285 tender. This has four separate tube chambers plus a higher pressure dropstitch floor and is inflated in sequence so the floor fits snugly between the tubes.

The NRG4000 pump excelled at this because once the preset pressure was reached, it cut out. This allowed me to make sure the floor remained tucked under the tubes as it inflated. That’s just not possible with a hand stirrup pump, or an air pump with a sprung handle switch that has to be held, and it made inflation of this boat, with its 3psi tubes and 15psi floor, very straightforward.

Each of the tube chambers took just 30 to 40 seconds, and the floor about 2 minutes to achieve full pressure.

The Meridian Zero air NRG 4000 Pump, rated at 20psi, is powered by an onboard 4000mAh lithium battery. Credit: Jake Frith

The pump has two ‘gears’. It uses a higher volume (350L/min), lower-pressure circuit to get the first chunk of air in rapidly; then there is a noticeable change in noise as it automatically switches to the high-pressure, lower-volume circuit.

Four LEDs to indicate battery charge level, and only one went out after inflating the tender.

It deflates as well as inflates, which is perfect for SUP storage, and it comes with six commonly used valve adapters.

The valve adapters are stored on a captive plastic loop, a nice touch that makes them harder to lose during the life of the device.

The adapters are described as for SUPs, air tents, boats/kayaks, mattresses, floats and yoga balls. I’ve had the pump for three weeks and successfully pumped up double airbeds, a paddleboard and an inflatable kayak, so I would say the selection of valve adapters is extensive.