Getting the right tire pressure is important to ensure the safety and comfort of your ride. I believe that most of us usually just eyeball the pressure of our tires when we are pumping them or just checking them before a ride.
Having a pressure gauge would give you the ability to know how much pressure is inside your tire, thus you know how much you need to make it optimal.
In this article, we will help you to go through some of the best tire pressure gauges that you might want to consider to get.
Table of Contents
TLDR – Top Pick
Our top pick and my personal favorite is the Topeak SmartGauge D2
Last update on 2024-04-26 at 13:25 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What To Know Before Buying A Tire Pressure Gauge
Now that you are interested in getting a tire pressure gauge, I assume you might want to know what are the things that you need to look for in this tool.
Although all they do are similar, there are some things that can differentiate one from another, either it’s additional features, how you can read them, or just some gimmicks. So here are the things that you need to know before getting a tire pressure gauge.
Analog Or Digital Gauge?
First of all it’s the type of the gauge. In today’s market, there are commonly two ways that the gauge tells you how much pressure is in your tire.
Digital
Due to the advancement of technologies, now you can see how much the pressure of your tire through a digital display. Usually the info is shown in decimals, so it can be said that they have more accuracy than the traditional analog ones.
Digital gauges are also easier to read under a dim light or even no light at all, thanks to the back light. They are also easier to produce which make the market price can be cheaper.
Analog
The traditional analog gauge. Instead of showing the exact number, they are showing the pressure through a dial. This makes it harder to read than the simple digital gauges.
However, it’s proven to be more durable and doesn’t need batteries to operate.
Valve Compatibility
There are two types of available valves in the market, the presta valve and the schrader valve. You should know which valve you have on your bike so that you won’t get the wrong gauge that can’t fit to your valve.
There are a lot of gauges that are compatible with both of the valves, which can be said to be what we really need here. We need a gauge that is versatile enough to be able to gauge anytime we need on any bike we ride without any needless hassle.
Maximum PSI Reading
For the reading, you need at least it to be in the 100s since most bikes won’t really need that much pressure, especially if they are using schrader valves. So anything that can measure up to 160psi is good enough for you.
In another note, if you have a bike with a gas suspension, you might want the gauge to be able to measure to at least 180psi, 200psi to be adequate. Although it doesn’t seem necessary, having extra psi reading can provide versatility and more uses of the gauge itself.
Accuracy of The Reading
To be able to provide optimal pressure to your bike tire, it goes without saying that the gauge needs to be accurate. However, to pinpoint how accurate the gauge can gauge your tire pressure is not an easy job to do and they can also deteriorate by time.
Luckily, the commercial gauges have a tiny margin of error, which is only by +/-2-5%. So you don’t need to worry about the gauges being wildly inaccurate.
Extra Features
Other than the aspects we’ve discussed above, you might also need to consider the extra features the gauge offers. This can be something like an air-bleed valve. This feature allows you to over inflate your tire before letting the air out to the preferred pressure.
Reviews For The 6 Best Tire Pressure Gauges
1. Topeak SmartGauge D2
Key Features:
- Digital gauge reads PSI, Bar, kg/cm2
- Compatible with presta and schrader valves
- Capacity Reads 250 psi/17 bar
- Size (L x W x H) 4″ x 1.8″ x 1.4″
- Weight 2.29 oz.
This pressure gauge right here is one thing that fits all. Topeak SmartGauge D2 comes with a digital reader that will show you how much the pressure is in your tire, it’s so easy to read and it’s pretty much accurate.
It also shows you the data in PSI, Bar, or even kg/cm2, with a simple push on the button, you can use the measurement that you want.
The most interesting thing in this pressure gauge is the head. It can rotate to any angle so you will be able to gauge in any position. It is also equipped with a built-in switchable head to match the valves, and you don’t need to change any part. It also has the air release button so that you can pump extra air to the tire and then release the extra pressure when you gauge it with a simple button. Convenient, isn’t it?
Pros:
- Accurate reading
- Low air loss
- Small, easy to carry
- Switchable heads without hassle
Cons:
- Doesn’t have backlight
- Air loss
- No clear instructions on how to use
Last update on 2024-04-26 at 13:25 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. PRO BIKE TOOL Bike Pump with Gauge Fits Presta and Schrader
Key features:
- Flexible hose with integrated gauge
- Compatible with presta and schrader valve
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Portable bike pump
- Quick pumping power
You might not expect this to be in the list. But since it also has the ability to gauge, why not?
Having a bike pump that can also gauge really is such a convenience. Pump all the air to your tire, read how much the pressure is. Not enough? Keep pumping until it reaches the optimal pressure.
The hose of this pump where the gauge is located is built with great flexibility and durability. You can easily reach any awkward position of the tire valves you want to pump and gauge. Because it’s a pump, you don’t have to worry about the air loss. It’s really unlikely that it will leak the air out.
Again, about the hose, each end is made with different heads that can fit both presta and schrader valves. Just flip and there, you changed it!
Pros:
- Durable, can be used for long periods of time
- Screw in head to prevent air loss
- Compact, easy to carry
- Less stress on the valve
Cons:
- Hard to read
- The gauge easily lose accuracy overtime
- Sometimes takes the valve core when unscrewed
Last update on 2024-04-26 at 06:28 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge
Key features:
- Has backlit LCD for easy read
- Designed to maintain correct tire pressure
- Range of reading: 4-150PSI / 0-10Bar / 0-10Kgf/cm² or 0-1000KPA
- Easy to use
- Versatile use
Let’s first appreciate how thoughtful the manufacturer is when designing this product. The LCD that shows you the reading is built with a backlight so you can read it clearly when there is not enough light. Speaking about light, the nozzle also has additional light to make it easy to find where you want to gauge. Imagine it like a torchlight, but not as bright.
The design is so ergonomic and fits your palm comfortably and it’s easy to store because of the compact design.
There are a couple of things that don’t really work well with me: it’s not compatible with presta valves and the head is fixed. However, other than that, this pressure gauge is great and can be used on most vehicles!
Pros:
- Backlight LCD
- Has light on the nozzle
- Accurate reading
- Quick at reading the pressure
Cons:
- Battery easily drained
- Not compatible with presta valve
- Limited reach
Last update on 2024-04-26 at 06:28 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. TEKTON Digital Tire Gauge
Key features:
- Lighted nozzle and display screen
- Accurate digital display
- Nozzle seals to valve stem
- Simple push button to control
- Max 100 psi reading
This product seems familiar and similar to what comes in the list just before it. It has the light on the nozzle to improve your visibility. The LCD is equipped with backlight so you can see the display clearly regardless of the light situation outside.
The overall product is designed to fit your grip so that it won’t fall off easily and is comfortable to hold.
You can read the pressure in 4 settings: PSI, Bar, kPa, kg/cm2. Simply push the button to the setting that you want.
Since it’s a digital gauge, you have to watch the battery and always have some battery ready in case it runs out of juice. This product uses 1 CR 2032 for the display and 3 LR44 for the gauge to function.
Pros:
- Accurate reading
- Backlit LCD
- Light on nozzle
- Comfortable to hold
Cons:
- Flimsy structure
- Doesn’t fit presta valve
- Have to be careful when replacing the battery
Last update on 2024-04-26 at 10:36 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge 230 PSI
Key features:
- Green Backlit LCD display and flashlight
- Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Made
- Bi-directional push-pull head design
- One multi-functional button
- Reads up to 260 PSI
When you look at this tool you know that this tool is so long. It’s equipped with a long heavy duty stainless steel head that is made for heavy vehicles use. Still about the head, it’s bi-directional, which means that you can gauge in two directions.
This pressure gauge comes with an LCD display which is easy to read and eliminates all the guesswork you usually do with the analog ones. The LCD is also backlit with classic green color to improve visibility in low light conditions.
How much can you gauge with this tool? Well, it’s up to 260PSI or 1Bar. Although it might sound too much for a bike, it provides versatility of this pressure gauge.
Pros:
- Wide range of reading
- Green light to improve visibility
- Easy to use
- Solid structure and uses 2x AAA batteries
Cons:
- Not compatible with presta valves
- Batteries do not last
- Main parts aren’t as solid
- Too big
Last update on 2024-04-26 at 13:25 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. WYNNsky Bike Pencil Style Tire Gauge 20-120 PSI
Key feature:
- Accurate reading
- 20 to 120 PSI range of reading
- Chrome plated zinc-plated head and aluminum tube
- Easy to apply
- Ideal automotive and road trip accessory
WYNNsky tire pressure gauge is the only analog one in this list. Instead of using the digital display or the traditional dial-style display, this pressure gauge is using the rod as the display. When the air enters the head and goes into the system and pushes the rod then shows how high the pressure is.
This product here is compact and small, just like a pen. You can carry it anywhere and don’t need to worry about it taking up spaces. It’s made from aluminium tube that makes it durable and also can sustain heat from the pressure.
The best thing is that it doesn’t require any batteries to run so you don’t have to worry about it dying out. But the catch is, it’s not as easy to read it as in the digital gauge.
Pros:
- Doesn’t require batteries
- It’s pretty cheap
- Works well at low pressure
- Last long and doesn’t require batteries
Cons:
- Harder to read than the digital ones
- Limited reading
- Not compatible with presta valve
Last update on 2024-04-26 at 10:36 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Which is Best?
All in all, our top pick and my personal favorite is the Topeak SmartGauge D2. It’s really easy to use. And all the features meet all considerations that we’ve discussed before at the beginning of this article.
Having a digital pressure gauge makes it easy to read how much the pressure really is inside your tire since you got the almost exact number on the display. And it has a really wide range, 0-250 PSI, you can basically use this to gauge anything.
Like how we’ve discussed about this pressure gauge, it’s the head that really makes it stand out among the competitors. You can rotate it, switch the head to fit the valve, and have an air release function. Not only you can read the pressure, but you can also adjust the pressure with this pressure gauge by letting the air out.
Although it aces the competition this time around, doesn’t mean it’s perfect. If only it has a backlit LCD it can be better. Even so, it’s still a value buy if you are getting this product.
Last update on 2024-04-26 at 13:25 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
