What's the difference between a cordless tire inflator and a cordless 2.5-gallon air compressor?

A tire inflator is a single-purpose pump that pushes high pressure at low volume — fine for tires, balls, and small inflatables. A 2.5-gallon portable compressor (like DeWalt's DCC2520T1) stores air in a tank, which lets it run brad nailers and other pneumatic tools. The trade-off is roughly 4–10x the weight, size, and price.