A direct drive air pump has a motor and a pumping mechanism connected to an end of the motor, and further has an auxiliary pumping mechanism connected to the other end of the motor, and a tube connected with the pumping mechanism and the auxiliary pumping mechanism. In each one of the pumping mechanism and the auxiliary pumping mechanism, a cylindrical body has a top plate having an exhaust hole. A single O-ring is used to seal between the cylindrical body and a cylindrical cover for reducing the sealing portions. A valve block of a non-return valve can co-work with a spring for opening and closing the exhaust hole. The valve block is soft for closing the exhaust hole well and reducing the noise of collision between the valve block and the top plate.