Top 6 Best Bicycle Tire Pressure Gauges In 2021 Review & Buying Guide

When you inflate your bicycle tires, it’s important to keep track of the pressure. When you inflate your car or motorcycle tires, you wouldn’t dream of doing so without using a pressure gauge. The same reasons linked to performance and handling also hold for a bike’s tires.

If you want high accuracy or simply don’t have a gauge integrated into your existing pump, the good news is that there are plenty of options available. We have compiled a list of six of the best currently on sale.

So, let’s get to it and find the best bicycle tire pressure gauge for you, your bike, and your wallet…

Top 6 Best Bicycle Tire Pressure Gauges On The Market In 2021 Reviews

1 Topeak SmartGauge – Most Lightweight Bicycle Tire Pressure Gauge

We like Topeak, and for good reason. This is a company that makes an excellent range of biking accessories that are well made and sold for a fair price. Even better, they also feature products with cutting-edge design and aesthetics.

Lightweight…

The first thing that we like about the Topeak gauge is its size and weight. It measures just 4.09” x 1.77” x 1.38”. It also weighs a mere 65g. This means that whether you’re out on your road bike or on a long tour, it’s a viable piece of kit to take along for the ride.

The second thing we like is its solid construction. It’s made from engineering grade polymer, and the quality of the components is top-notch. This is a pressure gauge you can rely upon over the longer term.

So, what about the specs?

It can measure pressure in psi and bar as well as in kg/cm2. It can read pressure up to 250psi and 17 bar. There are no details concerning the maximum reading in kg/cm2.

However, in everyday use, it’s unlikely that a bicycle tire is ever likely to go much over 120psi. The fact is that these days tire pressures on road bikes are more often around 80psi or lower. Consequently, the Topeak gauge has you covered for every eventuality regardless of the kind of bike or kind of tires you’re running.

As far as measuring the pressure of your gas suspension system goes, then happily, you’re covered here too. Since the recommended gas suspension pressure for riders over 220lbs is still only 180psi, you have plenty of spare measuring capacity to play with.

Schrader or Presta valves…

The Topeak SmartGauge can be used on tires with either Schrader or Presta valves. However, there’s no ability to read pressures for tires with Dunlop valves. Though, with these being rarer by the day, it’s unlikely to be an issue for the majority of us.

Lastly, the display is easy to read and easy to use. This is helped to a large extent by the innovative rotating head.

All of this is powered by a CR2032 battery.

2 TEKTON Digital Tire Gauge – Best Budget Bicycle Tire Pressure Gauge

This is so inexpensive that it would be almost rude not to buy one. For very little, you get plenty of functionality that’s likely to meet the needs of most, though not all, cyclists.

So, what does it do well?

Firstly, the size and weight lend themselves to being suitable for taking on any ride and anywhere. It can easily be put in a bike seat postbag, or it will even slip into the rear of a pocket in your cycling jersey.

It can be used on both Presta or Schrader valves and can measure up to 100psi. As well as measuring in psi, it can also record in bar, kg/cm2, and kPa.

Things we like include the fact that it has an ergonomically designed handle that fits beautifully in your hand. Additionally, the outer cover is made from tough, impact-resistant plastic.

Auto switch-off…

We also like the clear display and the fact that it has an auto switch-off function. This closes itself off after 30 seconds to save your battery. In this case, the battery is a CR2032 coin battery.

And what doesn’t it do so well?

The real limitation is in the maximum pressure reading ability. Going to 100psi is likely to be adequate for most of us, though there is a ‘however.’ There are cyclists still running 23mm and even 19mm tires. If you’re one of these, you may still be pumping your tires up to 120psi and beyond.

Although this is predominantly marketed as a tire pressure gauge, it would be nice to have the option to use it for measuring your gas suspension, too, presuming you have it. However, it’s undoubtedly not a deal-breaker.

3 AccuGage Tire Pressure Gauge – Best Tire Pressure Gauge for Presta Valve

The AccuCage does one job and one job only. That’s to measure the pressure in your bike tires in psi and only on bikes using a Presta valve. It could be argued that it lacks versatility. And that’s a fair comment. However, what it does, it does superbly.

So, who exactly will use this gauge?

Anyone who has a bike with Presta valves. Most commonly, anyone with a road bike, gravel bike, or road tourer will have Presta valves. Additionally, if you have a city bike or hybrid, there’s a strong chance that they’ll have Presta valves too.

If you have a cruiser or a mountain bike, this is likely to be unsuitable. Plus, since your cars, motorcycles, and RVs all use Schrader valves, it means you can’t use it to check on those pressures either.

Having established its limitations, then why buy it at all?

The main reason is its accuracy.

The fact is that this is highly accurate and about as good as it gets for tire pressure measurement. Where accuracy is critical, then this is a perfect choice. For this reason, it’s likely to find the most favor with more serious cycle enthusiasts.

So, how do they achieve this first-rate accuracy?

The gauge is constructed using a bronze bourdon tube. The result is a measuring instrument that is insulated from any external changes in humidity and temperature. This translates to unparalleled accuracy every time you use it.

Other positives include that the display, which measures up to 160psi, is huge, super clear, and easy to use. This is all surrounded by a thick, robust case. The result is a tough and durable gauge.

Finally, it’s backed with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.

This is an excellent gauge for the purists.

4 Planet Bike Fat Max 15 Tire Gauge – Best Fat Bike Tire Pressure Gauge

At first glance, it does look strikingly similar to the AccuGage that we’ve just reviewed. However, when you take a closer look, there are undoubtedly some fundamental differences. Some favorable and some not.

Let’s start with accuracy…

There’s no doubt that this is an accurate gauge. However, it doesn’t have a bronze casing, so it will be subject to the same weather-induced fluctuations as the majority of gauges. It doesn’t have the same accuracy as the AccuGage, but frankly, it’s accurate enough for all but a very, very small group of cyclists.

Now let’s look at the dial…

We like the dial because the increments are easier to read than just on about any tire gauge we’ve seen. This makes it perfect for reading at lower pressures. If you have a fat bike, then this is probably the best bicycle tire pressure gauge for fat bikes that you can buy.

Presta/Schrader adaptor…

Other features we’re very happy to see include the fact that it comes with a Presta/Schrader adaptor. This makes it much more versatile as you’ll be able to use it on all of your bikes. Additionally, you’ll be able to use it on your cars, motorcycles, and RVs. Plus, it’s likely to be much easier to read for these kinds of vehicles since it’s so easy to read at lower pressures.

Two final features that help to make a compelling case for the Planet Bike Fat Max 15 Tire Gauge are the bleed valve and the reset button. The escape valve will help to more easily get perfect pressures. The reset button will help to more easily see the pressure before moving on to the next tire.

5 JACO BikePro Presta Tire Pressure Gauge 160 PSI – Most Accurate Bicycle Tire Pressure Gauge

This is another highly accurate gauge that can deliver accuracy right up there with the best. It’s also backed up by its thorough testing and calibration. It complies with ANSI standards and is accurate to within plus or minus 1.5%. It is tested at a fully certified NIST facility.

The accuracy is achieved to a large extent by the use of its brass-casing and neck. This leaves it impervious to external conditions. Consequently, you get a high level of accuracy to a known and guaranteed level of tolerance.

Impressive…

What’s also impressive is the quality use of materials, considering that it’s a relatively inexpensive gauge. If you examine the hose, housing, and case, you can see that these are very strong and durable.

What’s also strong is the rubber case-surround. It’s well-designed to ensure that if the gauge is knocked off a bench and falls to the floor, it won’t break.

The gauge can measure psi only, but it’s suitable for use on any tires with either Schrader or Presta valves. This means you can use it on all your bikes and vehicles.

Lifetime satisfaction…

The gage has a handy reset button that’s well placed close to the dial. However, sadly it doesn’t include an escape valve. It’s a bit of a surprise omission on a gauge of this quality but not necessarily a deal-breaker.

Finally, this excellent gauge is backed by a lifetime satisfaction guarantee. We’re sure you’ll agree, that’s a lot of faith in a product. Just make sure you hang on to that receipt!

6 Beto Bike Tire/Shock Pump MTB, 300psi High Pressure – Most Versatile Bicycle Tire Pressure Gauge

The Beto Bike tire pump can be used in and around the garage for a variety of different jobs. However, its greatest potential strength is that it can pump up tires, at the roadside, in the event of a puncture. It can also do this to a known pressure, without the need for having to take out a separate pump and gauge.

So, is it any good?

The first thing that strikes you most is that it’s a highly versatile pump. It measures up to a tire bursting 300psi and can be used on tires with either Schrader or Presta valves. It can also be used as a pump for inflating forks and shocks in high-pressure mode. Or, it can be used as a pump to inflate tires in high volume mode.

These modes help you; for example, in HI-V mode, you increase air for every stroke that allows you to pump faster. On the other hand, HI-P mode increases the level of air output but makes the stroke easier to combat the normal exertion you feel under high-pressure pumping.

Neat!

Other handy features include a 360 degrees swivel hose and bleed relief valve.

If you choose to take the pump and gauge out on your rides, it has a bracket that can be attached to your frame. Alternatively, measuring just 24.5cm long and weighing in at 211 g, it’s easy to throw in your saddlebag or panniers if you’re on tour.

All good then, eh?

Not exactly.

Firstly, the gauge is hopelessly small. Trying to read accurate pressures, particularly in the lower range, is far from easy. What’s more, the readings are far from accurate. They’re maybe OK in an emergency on the roadside, but we wouldn’t want to rely on the readings otherwise.

This, in essence, is the weak point of the gauge. It does a lot of things reasonably well, and it’s great to have the pump included. But it doesn’t do anything well enough, in our opinion, to warrant its use anywhere else than out on the road.

Best Bicycle Tire Pressure Gauge Buying Guide

Accuracy

Although accuracy is important, it may not be the overriding factor to influence your choice of gauge. For most of us recreational and less serious cyclists, we’re happy to use a gauge that will give us a reading that’s within a few psi of our desired pressure. In these circumstances, a digital gauge like the one from Topeak will give us a perfectly satisfactory reading.

Serious cyclists…

If accuracy is crucial, you’ll need an analog pressure gauge that has a brass casing. This is because brass is the perfect buffer against the elements. Brass helps to stabilize your reading regardless of the humidity or temperature conditions.

The most accurate gauge in our review is the JACO BikePro Presta Tire Pressure Gauge. It measures to within a plus or minus error of 1.5% and is ANSI certified.

In terms of accuracy, the only gauge we have issues with is the Beto Bike gauge. For use in the garage, we would be tempted to give this one a miss. However, out on the road, it’s just about good enough to be up to the job.

Easy of Reading

In our experience, digital gauges are undoubtedly the easiest to read. Since most of them also have a backlight, they are the best to use in low light conditions. Perfect for use at the roadside in the dark.

If you don’t opt for a digital gauge, an analog alternative with a large round deal comes a very close second. Having well-placed increments can further help you to read it. In this respect, the Planet Bike Fat Max 15 Tire Gauge scores full points. The well-laid-out dial makes it a breeze to read, particularly at lower pressures.

It’s an excellent dial to use with fat bikes.

Valve Compatibility

The three different types of valves used on bicycles are Schrader, Presta, and Dunlop. The last of these is now relatively uncommon. Consequently, our review doesn’t feature a gauge that is Dunlop compatible. If you need this, there are specialist gauges available.

All our gauges except the AccuGage are compatible with both Schrader and Presta valves. This doesn’t necessarily preclude us from potentially choosing the AccuGage, though it does considerably narrow its applications around bikes and in a garage more generally.

Size and Weight

This is only a consideration if you need a pressure gauge to take out with you on the road. In this circumstance, the ideal bicycle tire pressure gauge would be either the Topeak SmartGauge or the TEKTON Digital Tire Gauge. In the event you need to have an integrated pump, then the Beto Bike pump and gauge is a solid choice.

Air Bleed Valve

This final feature is something that can make life a lot easier. It’s something we always look for since it allows you to slightly over-inflate your tires before slowly taking out some of the air to accurately reach your desired pressure.

Other Useful Bike Accessories…

While you’re browsing bike accessories, you should check out our reviews of the Best Bicycle Pump, the Best Bike Helmets, the Best Bike Lights, the Best Bike Mirrors, our Best Bicycle Seat Review, the Best Bicycle Tool Kit, the Best Bike Racks, the Best Trunk Mount Bike Racks, our Best Bike Chains Review, and the Best 2 Bike Car Racks currently on the market.

Serious cyclists, please don’t miss our reviews of the Best Bike Travel Cases, the Best Bike Computers, the Best Bike Repair Stands, and the Best Bike Rollers for your money in 2021!

OK, back to the best pressure gauges for bicycles…

So, which is the Best Bicycle Tire Pressure Gauge?

There you have it. Any of the six pressure gauges we’ve reviewed will help you keep track of your bike’s tire pressures. They all offer fair value, and all have a strong story to tell depending on your specific needs.

We like them all, but if we had to choose just one to take home with us and use regularly on all of our bikes, it would be the…

Topeak SmartGauge

Consequently, this is our top pick. We like this gauge because it’s one of the best made digital gauges you can buy. Additionally, it can be used on tires with either Schrader or Presta valves. Plus, it’s lightweight, so it can be taken with you on your rides, and it’s easy to use and read.

It’s a quality little gauge.

Enjoy your bike, or bikes, and enjoy your rides.