Buying Guide
Having a great bike pump is one thing, but having a tire pressure gauge can give you an entirely new dimension of utility for when you’re maintaining your bike. A good cyclist will always keep their bicycle’s tires in top condition. So for you to have the best riding experience, it’s crucial for you to get accurate readings of the air pressure inside your bike.
There are quite a few tire gauges in the market, and not all of them are high-quality. To help you pick out the best tire pressure gauge for your bicycle, we’ve come up with a short buyer’s guide as well as a list of the best products we could find.
Before we dive into our top choices for the best tire gauge, here are some important things that you should know:
Bicycle tires are usually equipped with either Presta or Schrader valves. Presta valves are smaller than Schrader valves and are exclusively found on bicycles, namely, the more expensive ones. On the other hand, Schrader valves are more common in less expensive bike tires as well as other vehicles such as motorcycles, SUVs, trucks, and even go-karts.
Much like bike pumps, tire gauges are also subject to compatibility with your bicycle’s valve types. Today, most tire gauges have nozzle heads that are compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves. However, some are still exclusively compatible with only one valve type.
Fortunately, you can still use valve adapters to make an otherwise incompatible tire gauge useful on your bike. Do note, however, that valve adapters may throw your readings off slightly.
Tire gauges work by measuring the amount of pressure that a tire releases. The air from a tire enters a tire gauge that, in turn, activates the gauge’s internal mechanism.
The accuracy of a pressure gauge depends on several factors such as air seal, maximum gauge pressure, calibration, and external factors like barometric pressure and room temperature. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how accurate bicycle tire pressure gauges are since different makes and models have various configurations.
You may notice small differences between pressure readings if you use multiple gauges, and that’s okay. One trick to getting over this predicament is to simply stick to one type of gauge. You’ll be able to tune the pressure of your tires according to your own needs and as set by your selected gauge relatively well either way.
Do note, however, that commercial pressure gauges have very small margins of error (+/-2-5%). You won’t have to worry about gauges being wildly inaccurate.
If you want to be particular about the accuracy of a pressure gauge, then you can select one based on its accuracy grade. There are eight grades for analog gauges and 12 for digital ones, ranging from commercial grade to laboratory grade.
Since bicycle tire pressure gauges fall under the commercial category, their error margins will range from +/- 3-5% for analog and +/-2% for digital.
The most noticeable difference between analog and digital gauges is their display type. The latter uses digital displays that are much easier to read. Oftentimes, digital gauges can display psi levels up to the first decimal place, giving you a more precise idea of what your current pressure level is.
Analog gauges, on the other hand, use the more traditional dial-style display. With analog, it might be a bit more difficult to get accurate readings since you’ll have to do some manual counting. However, they’re useful in a pinch. This type of gauge has the benefit of not needing any batteries to operate, unlike digital gauges.
Many will argue that digital pressure gauges are more accurate. However, as mentioned in the previous section, accuracy between different gauges may vary.
The electronic nature of digital gauges also means that they will require batteries to run. In addition to this, the presence of electronic parts makes them more prone to deterioration over time. Analog gauges don’t require any sort of power source nor do they have any extra internal components to worry about.
In a hurry? Checkout the winner
BBB BMP-90 PressureGauge
Pros:
Cons:
The BBB Cycling BMP-90 PressureGauge is a digital tire pressure meter that is compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves. It has a maximum pressure of 11 bar (160 psi) and a resolution of 0.1 bar (2 psi). The PressureGauge is also equipped with an auto-off function that saves battery power. It is a small and lightweight device that is easy to carry with you on your bike rides.
Here are some of the features of the BBB Cycling BMP-90 PressureGauge:
The BBB Cycling BMP-90 PressureGauge is a great tool for cyclists who want to keep their tires properly inflated. It is accurate, easy to use, and affordable.
Accu-Gage – Tire Pressure Dial Gauge Pros:
Cons:
This simple yet elegant dial gauge by Accu-Gage is one of their many high-quality products that are built for high precision.
This tire pressure gauge can measure up to a maximum of 160 psi, and it has variants that are dedicated to fitting either Schrader or Presta valves. Its solid metal construction makes it fairly durable, but the glass cover over the dial will still require care if you don’t want it to get shattered.
If you’re looking for something with a bit more flair, then you may find this gauge’s smooth, rustic look visually appealing.
This gauge has one job, and it does that job well. It doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as other pressure gauges, but it makes up for it with undeniable reliability. It’s perfect for cyclists who prefer simpler tools as opposed to more modern ones.
Motion Pro – PSI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge Pros:
Cons:
This electronic tire pressure gauge by Motion Pro offers high precision measurements and readouts in four different measurement scales. It can help you save time and effort by getting rid of guesswork when reading measurements. It also allows users to easily swap between different units of measurement, eliminating the need for manual conversion.
The gauge is calibrated to +/- 0.6 psi and can read up to 0.1 psi in its LCD display, ensuring high precision. The large LCD screen makes it very easy to read in well-lit areas, and the integrated backlight makes reading measurements in the dark perfectly viable. You can also set the screen to display either psi, bar, KG-CM2, or kPa. With this, users will be able to easily change what unit of measurement the gauge displays according to their preference or to whatever a situation may require.
The digital gauge has a billet aluminum build, two AAA batteries, and a range of 0-60 psi. This is a fine tool for anyone who owns any sort of vehicle, but it can be used on bikes just as well. An adapter may be required for bikes with Presta valves, however. It’s also a bit heavier than other gauges.
Accu-Gage – Presta Valve Bicycle Tire Pressure Gauge Pros:
Cons:
Unlike other gauges that try to cater to the majority of wheel types, this analog tire air gauge is for bicycles with Presta valves. The Accu-Gage PR160BX is a high-precision tool meant for cyclists of all kinds.
This is an ANSI-rated B40.1 gauge that falls under the Grade B category of international standards. It has a pressure range of 0-160 psi, which is well within the usual road bike inflation range. Its high accuracy is complemented by its bronze Bourdon tube, which allows for precise needle movement that’s unaffected by external factors. It also has an integrated bleed button for finer adjustments to overinflated tires.
Additionally, the needle remains locked in place until it’s released, allowing ample time for users to check the pressure reading on its large dial.
The tire gauge is mostly made out of steel and brass, making it incredibly durable while also giving it a rugged-yet-premium look. The dial is surrounded by a gear-shaped rubber cover to prevent accidental collisions from damaging the gauge’s more vulnerable parts.
Lastly, it comes with a lifetime warranty. The manufacturer will replace or recalibrate this air gauge whenever possible. Overall, this is one of Accu-Gage’s more prominent products. It does its job well, and other than its Presta-only compatibility, it leaves very little to be desired. Definitely a must-have if you’re a fan of analog tire air gauges.
DIYCO – D1 Elite Series Digital Tire Pressure Gauge Pros:
Cons:
DIYCO’s Elite Series of digital pressure gauges are excellent tools for any vehicle with wheels, whether it’s for sports, travel, or leisure. The D1 model is built for high accuracy and user convenience thanks to its wide compatibility with a vast majority of wheel types, such as RVs, cars, light trucks, and go-karts.
One of its main strengths is its quick-change design for air chucks. It allows users to swap different ¼ NPT-style air chucks without the need for any special tools, making this gauge a very versatile option.
It’s classified as an ASME B40.7 Grade A gauge with a +/- 1% margin of error. It can detect anywhere between 5-150 psi and display a resolution of up to 1/10. This is an excellent choice for making pinpoint readings, especially if you want to pump just enough air into your bike’s tires without overinflating them.
The gauge is powered by two AAA batteries and has a couple of power-saving options. The backlight of its LCD screen automatically turns off after 30 seconds, and the gauge itself automatically shuts down when inactive for a few minutes.
The D1 is a great all-around pressure gauge that should work well for your bike. Just be sure to have a Presta adapter available.
Topeak – SmartGauge D2 Pros:
Cons:
Topeak has many different products designed for the serious bicyclist, and their pressure gauges are just as great as their other offerings. The SmartGauge D2 promises unwavering performance and reliability to every cyclist who is willing to invest.
This tire gauge uses engineering-grade plastic for its main body, resulting in high durability and a premium, sturdy feel. The quality of the material makes sure it won’t bend or break even when on the receiving end of high-pressure streams.
The D2 uses Topeak’s SmartHead design, making it compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves. Its SmartHead allows users to seamlessly connect to either type of valve without having to swap parts or fumble around with levers or switches. No need to fiddle around with adapters; switching between modes is as easy as connecting the gauge to a bike valve.
It also features an air bleed button so you can fine-tune your bike’s tire pressure levels. Additionally, the gauge’s head is easy to mount and rotate, giving you a better view of the digital display. Speaking of the display, the digital gauge can accurately read up to 250 psi/17 bar, and it can be used on both tires and suspension. The LCD display can be configured to indicate your preferred unit of measurement.
Overall, the D2 bike tire pressure gauge shows commitment to quality and stands as one of the best digital tire gauges available. If you’re willing to invest a bit more on your equipment, then this should definitely be on your radar.
Pro Bike Tool – Pump with Gauge Fits Presta and Schrader Pros:
Cons:
The Pro Bike Tool Bike Pump is a very well-rounded tool for any cyclist. It can be used on both Schrader and Presta valves, and it has an integrated pressure gauge to help you accurately measure the psi levels of your tires while pumping. The pump is roughly 8 inches long and weighs 4.5 ounces.
This mini bike pump can exert up to 100psi and its oversized piston design lets you reach optimal psi levels with less effort. You won’t have to worry about tiring your arms out or spending too much time on pumping a single tire.
The design of this bike pump is very sleek with a modern-looking finish. It’s made out of CNC-machined aluminum that can withstand a lot of punishment before breaking, and it’s designed with a very secure air seal to prevent pressure loss.
Though reliable and versatile, the only real downside with this pump is that there are much options available in the market that are better in terms of just pumping performance.
