Until flying cars become the order of the day, which certainly isn't imminent, tires will continue to be indispensable. At the same time, proper tire health remains underestimated by plenty of car owners, despite the significant role tires play in getting optimal performance from a car. In reality, monitoring your tires with the best tire pressure gauge is quite a minimal long-term investment and a simple task you can and/or should do just once a month.
Why do You Need a Tire Pressure Gauge?
Tires perform best when filled with a specific amount of pressurized air; too much or too little of it can be problematic, especially the latter. An underinflated tire tends to deform and curl under the wheel, making it less effective at bearing and distributing the car's weight. Consequently, this affects the vehicle's handling and braking negatively.
It's also key to keep in mind that tires lose small amounts of pressure over time, particularly in cooler weather. Maintaining optimal tire pressure regularly ensures that you resolve all these issues. A gauge helps you to make precise readings of the current pressure in each tire, so you can keep an eye on and regulate the pressure for optimal performance. Properly inflated tires at all times ensure:
- Safety: The car steers quickly, brakes better, and ultimately handles better, thus safe for both passengers and pedestrians on the road.
- Fuel Economy: With well-inflated tires, the car or engine doesn't need to "work hard" to achieve the desired speeds, saving you some significant cash in the process.
- Smoother Rides: When all four tires are the same and correct air pressure, the car gets improves stability and less strain, which leads to a seamless, trouble-free motion.
- Less Wear & Tear: Underinflated tires make more contact with the road and excess heat, resulting in excessive degradation. Tires in good shape prevent premature replacements.
It pays immensely to get reliable, durable equipment. As such, we've rounded up 5 of the best tire pressure gauges on the market to help you pick one that best meets your needs.
Best Tire Pressure Gauge
1. AstroAI Digital Tire Inflator with Pressure Gauge
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AstroAI Digital Tire Inflator with Pressure Gauge, 250 PSI Air Chuck and Compressor Accessories...
- ADVANCED ACCURACY: Professionally calibrated to always return an...
- INCREASED SAFETY: Properly inflated tires provide better...
- ALL-IN-ONE FEATURES: The LED backlit screen features measurements...
- SUPERIOR CONSTRUCTION: Built of high quality, heavy duty...
- BATTERY SAVER: Auto On when pressurized air is detected, Auto Off...
If you are looking for a pressure gauge that does it all and does it well, the AstroAI Digital Tire Inflator Gauge is the one. It's a gauge, a bleed valve and a straight locking chuck combined in one 250 PSI unit that can be used on multiple vehicle models.
A 250 PSI means you get a high level of precision. This gauge comes with an LED-backlit screen that makes sit very easy to read, even in darker conditions. It's made of heavy-duty brass and stainless steel gauge, so you can rest assured you have a durable product on your hands.
It also features an Auto-Shut Off feature, turning off after 20 seconds of inactivity, thus saving the battery. The only substantial downside to this tire pressure gauge is that air might occasionally leak from the chuck.
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2. TEKTON 5941 Digital Tire Gauge
TEKTON Digital Tire Gauge | 5941
- Lighted nozzle and display screen for ultimate visibility in low...
- Digital display instantly and clearly shows exact reading,...
- Nozzle seals to valve stem for quick and accurate measurements
- Simple push button control turns unit on, selects the desired...
- Ergonomic design comfortably fits hand and features a soft,...
This is the best-rated digital tire pressure gauge on Amazon, and it's clear why. TEKTON 5941 will certainly catch your attention just from its unique design.
For starters, it fits snugly in the hand, thanks to the ergonomic shape, plus a non-slip, soft texture. It has an illuminated display screen and nozzle, giving you excellent visibility even in the dark. The nozzle seals to the valve stem quite securely, making this tire pressure gauge incredibly quick and accurate.
The automatic shut-off sets in after 30 seconds of inactivity, saving your battery life. However, this tire gauge needs two different kinds of batteries, one CR2032 3V lithium coin cell and three LR44 1.5V button cells.
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3. JACO ElitePro Tire Pressure Gauge
JACO ElitePro Tire Pressure Gauge - 60 PSI
- Mechanic Recommended - performance tested, certified, &...
- Feels rugged in the hand & built to last from solid brass...
- Robust design is equipped with a built-in air bleeder valve to...
- Larger, 2" glow dial features easy-to-read 60 PSI single...
- 100% Lifetime Warranty by JACO when you order today, so click buy...
If your biggest priority in a tire pressure gauge is accuracy, then JACO's ElitePro 100 PSI is certainly the most precise option you'll come across. It comes with an ANSI B40.1 calibration, ensuring consistent, reliable accuracy.
This pressure gauge is built for heavy-duty purposes, hence it comes with premium-quality components. It features a gear-styled, rugged cover, plus a no-leak, flexible air hose. This tire gauge also comes with a built-in bleeder so that you can deflate an overinflated tire quickly.
It also sports a 360-degree swivel chuck which makes it pretty easy to access valve stems. The glow-in-the-dark dial equally makes it easy to use this pressure gauge in darker conditions. Just as important, the pressure valve remains in place until you press the reset button.
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4. Rhino USA Heavy Duty Tire Pressure Gauge
Rhino USA Heavy Duty Tire Pressure Gauge (0-75 PSI) - Certified ANSI B40.1 Accurate, Large 2" Easy...
- HEAVY DUTY TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE (0-75 PSI) - Certified ANSI B40.1...
- SUPPORT A SMALL FAMILY CO. - Buy From a Father/Son Business in...
- SNAP-ON QUALITY TOOL - Certified Accuracy, Solid Brass 360 Swivel...
- TIME & MONEY - Properly Inflated Tires Save Fuel, Last Longer and...
- PERFORMANCE - Our Large 2" Dial is Heavy Duty, Glow in the Dark...
This tire pressure gauge is a direct competitor to the JACO ElitePro, going at the same price while also featuring the international standard ANSI B40.1 calibration and glow-in-the-dark dial.
The gauge has a solid brass construction and a premium braided no-leak hose that deliver a powerful job, including deflating ability. This makes it ideal for several types of tires and vehicles. What's also great about this tire pressure gauge, the reading remains locked until you push the resent button.
You'll also like the rubber cover, which protects it in case of any accidental drops. It's worth noting the gauge comes with a lifetime warranty. The only drawback of this tire pressure gauge is the 75 PSI limit.
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5. AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge 150 PSI
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AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge 150 PSI 4 Settings for Car Truck Bicycle with Backlit LCD and...
- ▲Check out our VIDEO on the left side and take a quick tour of...
- Designed to maintain correct tire pressure, reduce tire wear and...
- Nozzle easily forms a seal with the valve stem on schrader...
- Simply press "ON/UNIT/OFF" button to turn on the tool, select the...
- Battery included; Perfect car accessories gifts for men;...
Right from the get-go, this is an eye-catching tire pressure gauge, thanks to the elegant build and premium looks. Furthermore, it's available in blue, red and white on Amazon.
This pressure gauge features an impressive backlit LCD and a lit nozzle, ideal for use in the dark or under direct sunlight. Moreover, it comes with four different measurement settings: PSI, KPA, Bar or kg/cm2. This means this tire gauge can be used in different parts of the world without baffling the user.
The design is just as impressive, including the non-slip texture, making this pressure gauge remarkably handy. The only problem is it doesn't have a deflating capability.
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Factors to Consider in the Best Tire Pressure Gauge
1. Type of Tire Pressure Gauge
The main consideration you'll make when buying a tire pressure gauge is the type. Each has its own merits, and it all narrows down that best meets your needs and budget. For instance, if you'll need to check your tire pressure often in the dark, a digital gauge with a backlit display would be more convenient for you. That being said, a good tire gauge should have a wide enough range even to measure the pressure in a spare tire.
a). Stick Gauges
Stick gauges are the cheapest option, generally costing around $5. They are simple and compact, almost resembling a ballpoint pen. However, they can be a tad harder to interpret than your run-of-the-mill digital gauge.
b). Digital Gauges
Digital gauges are typically pretty accurate and they cost between $10-$12. They are also fairly easy to use and read, thanks to electronic LCD displays. In fact, you can even find a backlit digital tire pressure gauge, making them nifty for checking tire pressure in dark conditions. Furthermore, they tend to be more dust-and-dirt resistant.
However, digital gauges are normally bigger than stick gauges, partly because they need batteries.
c). Dial Gauges
Dial gauges are bulkier and costlier, generally ranging from $20-$50. It's worth noting they are very durable, so the cost is arguable reasonable. These gauges feature an analog dial with a needle to indicate the pressure, making them quite easy to read.
Some dial gauges also come with extra features, such as an extension hose, a dual-scale dial, a bleeder valve and a shock-resistant dial.
2. Construction
No matter what kind of pressure gauge you're looking to buy, it's important that it has a solid, durable build. First, it'll be significantly less likely to break, giving you a longer lifespan. Second, high-quality components have fewer chances of leaks, which tend to distort the accuracy of your readings.
3. Key Features
Some tire pressure gauges come with nice add-ons, which might not be particularly essential but still nice to have. If you go for a digital gauge, an auto shut-off feature might appeal to you since the device turns itself off automatically after a set period without use. This makes the process rather simple, plus you don't need to fret about your battery.
A backlit LCD display, which is also exclusive to digital units, is equally handy, particularly if you mostly operate in dark conditions. It also makes for a certainly better user experience.
Tips for Checking Tire Pressure
Here are a few tips that can help you to maintain proper tire health for your car:
- Tire pressure increases after driving. Therefore, check your tire pressure after the tires have cooled to ambient temperature, generally 3 hours after sitting parked.
- Set air pressure using the tire information placard on the driver's doorjamb (rather than the maximum pressure shown on the tire's sidewall).
- Check your spare tire's inflation pressure as well.
- Remember that your car's Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is an alert rather than a maintenance reminder. The system is letting you know that one or more tires have substantially low air pressure and require immediate attention.
- Similarly, the TPMS not showing any warning light doesn't imply your tire pressure is right. Check for yourself.
- Tire pressure gauges should be stored in clean, secure and accessible places, such as the glove compartment. Dirt and grime can damage different components in different types of gauges.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tire Gauges
1. What's the lowest tire pressure I can drive on?
For starters, it's highly advised against driving your car with underinflated tires since you can cause plenty of problems on the road. The lowest it should go is 20 PSI, beyond which point it's considered a flat tire.
2. How do I tell if my tire pressure gauge is accurate?
A pressure gauge's accuracy is generally determined by the particular environmental conditions, the most ideal being a 1013 bar (29.92 Hg) barometric pressure and a 23°C (73.4°F). Any deviation from these two will certainly affect your device's precision to a degree.
In such situations, it would be best to use two different gauges and compare your readings. If you find a discrepancy of 4 or more PSI, then one or both devices are arguably faulty. However, the best tire pressure gauges come with accuracy certifications, meaning you don't have to worry about this.
3. How much does the temperature change tire pressure?
The numbers tend to vary, but on average, a 10° fluctuation in air temperature results in roughly 1 PSI change in air pressure.
4. At what PSI does a tire explode?
Tires normally explode when the pressure exceeds 200 PSI.
Generally, a standard tire inflates at the rate of 30-35 pounds per square inch, although this varies depending on the weather conditions. This is particularly relevant in hot weather and highway conditions. At this point, the tire-air temperature can go up to 50 degrees, translating into a 5 PSI increase in tire-air pressure.