The Best Tire Pressure Gauges
If you own a car, a tire pressure gauge should be in your car maintenance toolkit. Tire pressure gauges allow you to check how much air you have in your tires quickly. Having the right amount of air in your tire ensures your care performs at its best and helps keep your tires in tip-top condition. We've compiled the list below to help you find the best one for your vehicle.
What to Look for
When shopping for a tire pressure gauge, it’s important to keep the following three questions in mind: Do you prefer a pencil, analog, or digital gauge? Does the gauge measure tire pressure accurately? How durable is the tire gauge? We found several tire pressure gauges that exceeded our expectations. The option by AstroAI got our attention because it’s compatible with various compressor outputs and comes with several extras, making it a complete package. The tire pressure gauge by Vondior stood out for its 360-degree swiveling check and precise readings. Read on to learn more details about our top picks.
AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge
The right pressure at the right time
Accuracy is an essential quality in any tire pressure gauge, and this pick from AstroAI delivers. Not only are its readings consistent and accurate, but its bright backlight makes it easier to read than other gauges at this price point. The LED light at the tip of the gauge makes finding the tire valve easy, day or night. Plus, its ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to hold, and its compact design makes it easy to store in a glove compartment.
Pros:
- The backlit LCD is bright and easily visible, so you won’t miss a reading. Plus, there’s a light at the tip of the gauge, so you won’t need a flashlight when using it at night.
- This tire pressure gauge is lightweight and compact, making it easy to store. It also has a loop for any attachments you need to keep with you.
Cons:
- You may have to push the button more than once to get the PSI.
Vondior Heavy Duty Tire Pressure Gauge
Ready to measure
This tire pressure gauge by Vondior is satisfyingly straightforward. The heavy-duty gauge comes with an ergonomic rubber casing that makes it comfortable to use while protecting it against drops. It’s also compact and easily fits in your palm and glove box for storage. Plus, it comes with a 360-degree swivel chuck for hard-to-reach valves and has a bleeder valve to prevent overinflation.
Pros:
- If you’re working in low-light situations, you’ll appreciate its glow-in-the-dark luminous dial that helps you see what you’re doing without relying on battery power.
- The swivel head makes it easy to match the chuck with the valve stem at any angle, and it holds the reading until you remove the head from the valve.
- We found that this tire pressure gauge was easy to read and just as accurate as more expensive models.
Cons:
- Although it has a glow-in-the-dark dial, you may need a flashlight to find the valve stem at night.
Valve-Loc Pencil Tire Pressure Gauge 2-Pack
Small and precise
Don’t let the small size of this option deceive you. This little tool gets the job done by delivering consistently accurate measurements. The gauge is compatible with all vehicle types, including trucks, SUVs, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles. Its body is made from stainless steel with a heavy-duty chrome head, making it highly durable. The pressure reading bar remains extended until you push it back in, allowing you to get a close-up look at the measurement. What’s more, its small size makes it easy to take with you on the go.
Pros:
- These tire gauges work consistently, delivering readings that are just as accurate as what you’d get with a dial gauge, only in a more compact package.
- Although they’re small, these tire gauges are sturdy with a good amount of heft, so you won’t have to worry about them breaking if you accidentally drop them.
Cons:
- The numbers are a bit small, making them difficult to read.
Jaco Elite Tire Pressure Gauge
Reliable measurement
If you’re looking for an accurate analog tire gauge that’s easy to use, this option from Jaco fits the bill. The tire gauge comes wrapped in a shock-resistant rubber protective guard with durable brass components, so it’ll keep working even after a few drops. It has a glow-in-the-dark gauge for working in low-light situations, and its measurements are easy to read. Since the analog dial keeps the readings until you press the reset button, you can remove the gauge from the valve stem to get a better look at the numbers. Plus, its 360-degree swivel chuck makes it easy to use at various angles.
Pros:
- The build quality is excellent, and it comes equipped with a shock-resistant casing to prevent damage if it’s accidentally dropped. This is one tire pressure gauge that can last a lifetime.
- The gauge holds the tire pressure reading until you push the reset button on the side of the stem, making it easy to read the measurements every time you use it.
Cons:
- It would be nice if it came with a holster.
Rhino Heavy Duty Tire Pressure Gauge
Built to last
This tire pressure gauge by Rhino features a 360-degree swivel chuck and “no-leak” braided air hose that makes it easy to attach to valve stems at any angle. And since it has a long hose, you can hold the gauge and quickly see the readings. Its rubber grip protects it from drops, and its glow-in-the-dark dial makes it easy to see the readings when there’s not a lot of light. The gauge maintains its reading until you reset it and has an air pressure relief valve that works as a deflator.
Pros:
- The long hose makes it easy to attach this tire pressure gauge to valve stems at awkward angles and hold it in your hand to see the reading without straining your eyes.
- Since it has a glow-in-the-dark dial, it’s easy to read in almost any condition, and it doesn’t require batteries.
Cons:
- You may need two hands to use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most accurate type of tire pressure gauge?
The type of gauge you choose will come down to personal preference and where you plan to use it. Generally, analog and digital tire pressure gauges are equally accurate. Digital tire pressure gauges often have LCD-backlit screens making them easier to read in low-light conditions. If you’ve never used a tire pressure gauge, you may find digital gauges easier to read.
Are gas station tire gauges accurate?
Unfortunately, tire pressure gauges found at gas stations are notoriously inaccurate, so you shouldn’t depend on them to give you an accurate reading. The problem with tire pressure gauges at gas stations is they’re often abused and neglected, rarely receiving any maintenance. You’re better off investing in your own tire pressure gauge so you know you’re getting an accurate reading.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.