I tested the best 8 bike tire pressure gauges. There is more to pressure gauges than meets the eye!
As I switched between tubed and tubeless setups, I've relied on pressure gauges to help me get the right level of pressure for rides.
Technology ended up winning me over and Topeak SmartGauge D2 got my ultimate vote.
Pressure gauges are one of those tools that we are quick to overlook. However, when they don't work, it can be incredibly frustrating. I bring you the best of the rest in pressure gauges so you’ll never have to experience this frustration.
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The appearance of this tire pressure gauge is undeniably elegant. Accugage are known for their high-quality products that do the job and this one is no exception.
This tire gauge can measure pressure up to a maximum of 160 psi. That should be more than sufficient for the majority of riders out there.
As you can expect from AccuGage, it facilitates both Schrader or Presta Valves.
Durability shouldn't be something you need to concern yourself with, as the construction of this pressure gauge is crafted using metal. The delicate part is the glass used over the dial. You will need to take care of that.
This type of tire pressure gauge will appeal to riders who are after something a little more rustic than your usual high-tech gauge.
The weight of this gauge is appealing too, and at under 5 ounces, it's relatively lightweight. It is heavier than others on the list but its build quality and components account for the weight.
There's something nice about taking the stripped-back approach and AccuGage does it well. It feels like time and care has been taken with this gauge.
Sure, you don't get as many features as you do with a digital tire pressure gauge, but this thing is reliable at its finest.
Pros
Cons
Readability is at the forefront of this gauges' design.
I know you're going to say that the display is small, so that couldn't possibly be true.
However, Tekton has made sure the backlighting of this display is excellent so it should remove any difficulty in reading the screen.
There's more to this digital tire gauge than its display, though.
As far as pressure gauges go, it's one of the most comfortable to hold. This is thanks to its ergonomic design. This bicycle tire pressure gauge is also coated in a soft material that is non-slip, so it feels solid in the hand.
You won't find this much extra weight in your jersey or backpack either at 2.4 ounces. You're likely to forget it's there!
I do like a digital tire pressure gauge, but a common issue can be the battery life, especially when you forget to turn it off. Thankfully, Tekton has fixed this problem and the pressure gauges are fitted with a battery-saving feature.
If you don't use it for more than 30-seconds, it will power off. Ensuring that the next time you need to check your bike tires, you can!
The Tekton bicycle tire pressure gauge isn't complicated, it's delightfully uncomplicated.
It is a Schrader valve-only pressure gauge.
If you're looking for a drawback of this inexpensive kit, the display of the tire pressure is 0.5 psi increments. This is slightly less precise than some digital gauges out there. However, those are more expensive so there's a compromise to be made.
Pros
Cons
The DIYCO D1 is aimed at those who want a tire pressure gauge for more than just bicycle tires. They're super-capable for any vehicle.
So the D1 product is intended to give you high accuracy as well as being convenient to use.
Not only is the D1 compatible with Schrader and Presta valves, but it also works with many other valves, making it suitable for RVs, go-karts, cars, and many more.
One of the standout features of this gauge is how easy it is to change air chucks. You don't need any special tools to do it - great for when you're in a hurry!
This digital pressure gauge has a margin of error of +/- 1% so, in terms of precise readings, you can be sure of them.
It will start to register air pressure at 5 psi and go all the way up to 150 psi/10 bar. For the majority of people, this will be more than enough.
Batteries are included when you purchase the D1, though when they do need replacing they are AAA so widely available.
Not that they should need replacing often, as DIYCO has implemented a number of power-saving features.
If you're not using it, after 30 seconds, the display screen will power down. The actual gauge will power off after a few minutes of inactivity.
Despite it being so feature-packed, this gauge has a weight of only 2.4 ounces so it's not going too much weight to your backpack if you're carrying it around, which is a real bonus.
The only downside to this digital pressure gauge is getting a separate Presta adapter if that's what your tires need. However, that's a small sacrifice for a superb product.
Pros
Cons
This is a brand that is well-known in the cyclist world. Their products are geared towards the "serious" cyclist. However, for those who don't categorize themselves as such, don't let that put you off.
The Topeak SmartGauge D2 uses engineering grade plastic for its main body. This gives you a super durable, not to mention a premium product, which feels good to hold.
As you might expect from the Topeak SmartGauge D2, it is compatible with Schrader and Presta valves and switching between the two is very straightforward.
This is because the SmartGauge D2 uses Topeaks's SmartHead technology. What this does is give you the ability to use both Schrader and Presta connections, without the need to change any parts. It genuinely saves a lot of hassle and switching between the valve types is as simple as connecting the gauge to the valve.
The features don't stop there with the SmartGauge D2.
It allows you to fine-tune your air pressure, and there is an air release button. This means that you can release pressure quickly if you need to.
The head of the gauge can be rotated so mounting is straightforward. It will allow you to see the display at all times.
I feel like this is where things get impressive. The Topeak Smartgauge D2 can take measurements up to 250psi, accurately too.
If psi isn't your choice of measurement and you prefer bar, then you can switch units on the display.
The weight of this tidy unit? 2.3 ounces so our lightest one yet.
All in all, this Topeak D2 tire pressure gauge proves to be one of the best gauges available. It's a pricey bit of kit but one which will see you right for many years to come.
Pros
Cons
The Pro Bike Tool is an all-around device that appeals to cyclists using both Presta and Schrader valves.
What makes this bike pump special?
Well, not all bike pumps have bicycle tire pressure gauges built-in so it's a neat two-in-one solution.
It gives you the ability to monitor your air pressure whilst you're pumping air into your tire, saving you time so that you can enjoy your ride!
The great thing about this tire pressure gauge is that it's portable. The weight only totals 4 and a half ounces and being only 8 inches in length, it can easily slot into your jersey pocket or backpack.
Now, this bicycle tire pressure gauge isn't a powerhouse in the pressure gauges world, but it's not trying to be. It does two jobs and it does them pretty well.
The Pro Bike Tool can get you inflated to 100 psi/7 bar. Again, this should be enough for most cyclists.
Despite it being a hand pump, it shouldn't require much effort to use and that's down to the design, which has an oversized piston.
As far as the design of this pump goes, it's stylish and modern. Crafted from CNC-machined aluminum, it's built to last and can take a few drops out on the road (or trails if you're on a mountain bike) before it'll start to show wear.
If you want to know about the downsides and in the spirit of keeping this review fair, I will say that there are many options out there if you're after a bike pump. It isn't the best of the best. However, the fact that you get a bicycle tire pressure gauge built-in makes it a decent purchase.
Pros
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This gauge from CycloSpirit offers plenty of flexibility, not only is it compatible with Schrader and Presta valves, but it is also suitable with Dunlop too.
It doesn't stop there. Should you want to, you can attach it to a compressor.
Readings will go up to 200 psi, which will be suitable for mountain bikers wanting to check on their suspensions too.
The design of this head is universal and if you're familiar with floor-standing pumps, you might recognize it. One thing that I like about this pressure gauge is that there's no need to change adapters or the head to use it. So it's a real-time saver.
You don't need to worry about not being able to see the display on these pressure gauges as they are large, with a fantastic green backlight display. You will see it in all weather conditions. Battery life has been considered too, as the backlight will switch off after 30 seconds.
If the psi measurement isn't your thing, you can easily change it with the click of a button.
You can take this gauge on your ride with you as the weight only totals 1.18 ounces. So it's not something you're going to notice when you're cycling.
Overall, these pressure gauges from CycloSpirit are some of the best in the market.
Pros
Cons
Etekcity has considered the usability when designing this pressure gauge.
On the end of the nozzle, there is a light that increasing your ability to see the valve for easy connections.
The LCD display features a blue backlight, so from start to finish, you can see what you're doing without any difficulty.
As for the pressure gauge accuracy, it's pretty impressive. It goes up in 0.1 increments so you will be able to get precise readings.
It does take readings up to 150 psi/10 bar so it's ideal for most people but not everybody.
I'll be honest, usability-wise, it doesn't get more simple than this.
3 buttons. On/Off/Unit. You don't need anymore - why complicate things?
This gauge also feels firm in the hand and that's thanks to the non-slip texture paired up with the ergonomic grip. It's something you'll get used to in no time.
Batteries are supplied so it will come ready working. It also has a total weight of 3.4 ounces so it's quite respectable.
Etekcity has confidence in their products (with good reason it has to be said). You get a 90-day money-back guarantee and a 2-year warranty free of charge.
Pros
Cons
This pressure gauge is an inexpensive gauge that does the job.
You get a tire pressure dial gauge screen and to be fair, it's easy to read. The readings are accurate up to 0.1 psi.
It's compatible with both variants of valves so it gives you a good level of flexibility there.
The Schwalbe Airmax is a compact air pressure gauge, and one that you can easily fit into your jersey pocket or backpack and not notice it. However, it is still reasonably comfortable to hold in the hand too. So in a lot of ways, it gives you the best of both worlds.
As with many other gauges, battery-saving features are built-in, that being an automatic power-off after 30 seconds of inactivity. So you shouldn't find that the batteries run down quickly.
There is nothing too complicated about this bike tire pressure gauge. It's a one-button system which will appeal to many.
Overall, the Schwalbe Airmax is your budget-friendly pressure gauge that is built well, compact, and competes with the more expensive gauges in terms of performance and precision.
Pros
Cons
Before you go out and pick up a tire pressure gauge, here are a few things to consider to make sure you get the one for your needs.
Tires on bicycles more often than not use either Schrader or Presta valves.
The difference?
Schrader valves tend to be used on lower-end bikes. They can be seen on other vehicles too, such as car tires, go-karts, and trucks.
Presta valves are smaller and are only found on bicycles. You often find them on the higher-end models.
Like bike pumps, tire pressure gauges have to be compatible with the correct type of valve. The good news is that most gauges have nozzle heads that work with both Schrader and Presta valves so it's not the same issue it used to be.
However, I would stress that not every gauge is compatible with every valve type so be sure to check this.
Don't fret if you find that you've purchased a pressure gauge that isn't compatible with your valve type as you can buy an adaptor to make it work. The downside is that they aren't always as accurate with the readings as the dedicated pressure gauges.
Telling the difference between analog and digital pressure gauges can be done from the display type.
Digital displays are said to be easier to read and can often give you a more precise reading. They can show your psi reading up to the first decimal place.
That doesn't mean analog doesn't have its advantages because it most certainly does! These pressure gauges don't require any batteries so they are consistently reliable.
As digital pressure gauges have more electronic parts, you will see that they're more likely to deteriorate over time.
There are positive aspects to both types. It's a case of knowing what you prefer and the limitations of both systems.
Depending on what you intend to use your pressure gauge for, you'll need to be aware of the maximum psi /bar reading.
If you need a gauge for mountain bike bicycle tires, you won't need to worry about the maximum too much.
Road bikes don't often need their psi to go above 100 these days, especially if running tubeless. If you're using Schrader valves on mountain bikes, you won't be able to go above 100 psi and most gauges will accommodate this.
However, if you want to take readings for your suspension on mountain bikes, you could be looking at needing your pressure gauge to read over 200 psi.
Durability is especially important if you intend to carry your pressure gauge around on rides.
Ideally, you want to find a model that will take a few drops without worrying about it breaking down.
Some pressure gauges are built from industrial-grade materials so they will provide you with the most certainty of durability.
However, depending on the model you choose, some of them come with the option of adding a rubber cover. This gives you added protection, without the cost.
This depends on what tires we're talking about as they vary.
There will be a recommend psi level written on the side of your tires.
However, if you can't find the recommended psi level, the best thing you can do is pump them until they feel firm but still can be squeezed. Overtime, you will start to get an idea of the best pressure for your tires.
Below is a rough guide to certain tires:
Here's a quick guide from REI about tire pressures:
You can use the same pressure gauge for car tires for your bike. Ensure that you have the correct valve though.
Cars are generally Schrader valves, so if your bike tire is Presta, you'll need an adapter.
Here's a guide on how to find the best pressure for your tires.
This will vary depending on a number of factors. However, if this is a mountain bike tire, then a good psi pressure is 30 to 50.
It could also be hybrid or road tires. These are thinner and are generally used on roads, rather than trails. Road tires don't have a lot of tread as it's all about minimizing the amount of rolling resistance to increase speed.
With road bicycles pressure, it is recommended that they should be somewhere between 60 - 100 psi.
GCN explain how tire pressure has changed over the years:
Check out more bicycle accessories
Is there more to bike pressure gauges than you first thought?
My favorite is the Topeak SmartGauge D2.
Why?
It offers readings that go up to 250 psi, which covers almost every eventuality. The readings are also extremely accurate.
You don't need to worry about changing the pump head as the nozzle is included.
The build quality is outstanding.
Overall, it's a solid product that does the job with style.
