- Whether you're bouncing down the trail on a mountain bike or sprinting on a racing bicycle, without proper tire inflation, you'll have a bad ride. Fortunately, there are a lot of great bike pumps out there that can fill those tires fast.
- The Vibrelli Performance Floor Pump is our top pick, thanks to its high 160-PSI pressure capacity and low price.
The first device that looked like the modern bicycle was developed in the early 1800s. It was known as a velocipede, and it had as many disparities as shared traits with modern bikes. Early pedal-driven cycles used steel bands or solid wooden wheels instead of pneumatic (air-filled) tires, so its little wonder that one variety of early bike was known as the boneshaker. Pneumatic tires were developed in the 1880s, and cyclists have been enjoying fewer headaches ever since.
But even the latest greatest modern pneumatic bicycle tire is useless without a good pump to fill it with air. If you have a bike manufactured any time after the late 19th century, you also need a good bike pump to keep the tires ready to roll. But how to choose the right bike pump?
First, you need to think about the most basic consideration: What type of bicycle will the pump serve? Road bikes with narrow tires require a fair amount of pressure, generally between 80 and 130 pounds-per-square-inch (PSI). Mountain bikes with large, thick tires use much lower pressures, generally down around 30 PSI. A general-purpose bike, commonly called a hybrid, will, not surprisingly, fall in the middle, with an average range of 50 to 70 PSI.
It logically follows, then, that the racing bike enthusiast needs a pump capable of creating plenty of pressure and ideally that can do so quickly, while the mountain biker will be served just fine by a pump with lower output capacity.
Beyond basic PSI capacity, next, think about pump size and design. Do you need to carry the pump along with you during a multi-day bike camping trip? Or during an all-day road race that will take you far away from the nearest support infrastructure? Then a lightweight and portable pump is a must. Or are your rides mostly around town for commuting and recreation? If so, a larger floor pump stored in the closet or in a shed is just fine.
And finally, how serious of a cyclist are you? If you have to dust off your bike before each ride, a lower cost pump of midrange quality will suit you fine. If you ride every morning and afternoon, then, by all means, invest in a professional-grade pump that fills the tires fast and that will last for years of regular use. Don't worry about the budget too much, as even an excellent pump can be yours for less than 50 bucks.
Here are the best bike pumps you can buy:
- Best bike pump overall: Vibrelli Performance Floor Pump
- Best electric air pump: EPAuto Portable Air Compressor Pump
- Best budget bike pump: Bell Windstorm 400 Floor Pump
- Best professional-grade bike pump: Topeak Sport II Floor Pump
- Best mini pump for gravel and mountain bikes: Blackburn Core Mini-Pump
- Best mini pump with a tire pressure gauge: Lezyne Digital Alloy Drive Pump
Updated on 08/16/2019 by Les Shu: Updated selections, prices, links, and formatting. Added new mini-pump options.
SEE ALSO: The best bike locks you can buy
The best bike pump overall
The Vibrelli Performance Floor Pump has a strong, smoothly-operating steel barrel that inflates up to 160 PSI with minimal effort.
For about $30, the Vibrelli Performance Floor Pump is a bargain for a quality tool. With a maximum output rating of 160 PSI, this pump can inflate just about any bike tires you will ever come across, and it does so rapidly with minimal effort thanks to its efficient and reliable design. Its nozzle can rapidly convert to accept Schrader, Presta, and Dunlop valves.
The Vibrelli has an extra-long barrel that makes each pump productive, saving you time and effort as compared to shorter options. Its wide nylon foot base and broad ergonomic handle work in tandem to keep the unit stable even during vigorous operation.
The highly accurate gauge, which displays air pressure both in pounds per square inch and bar units (a metric system measurement; one bar is equal to 14.5 PSI) makes it easy to know just when you've hit the optimal pressurization for your bike's tires.
In case the high quality and low price weren't enough for you, the Vibrelli Performance Floor Pump also comes with an inflation needle for balls as well as with a puncture repair kit.
With more than 3,000 reviews posted on Amazon, the Vibrelli has a 4.5-star average rating. One customer called it a "fantastic pump" with a gauge that is "accurate and responds quickly."
PedalSwift called the Vibrelli a "high performance" option at a reasonable price and noted its "all-steel barrel design."BuytheBest10 said it is "affordable" and "durable" and praised its "multipurpose T-valve."— Steven John
Pros: High-efficiency pumping, good price point, durable barrel, accurate pressure gauge
Cons: Proper nozzle attachment takes practice
The best electric air pump
The EPAuto Portable Air Compressor Pump does all the hard work for you, effortlessly inflating tires to an exact pre-set pressure goal with the tap of a few buttons.
When used to inflate bicycle tires, there are three issues with the EPAuto Portable Air Compressor Pump that we should deal with at the outset. First, it requires a 12-volt DC power outlet, AKA the cigarette lighter port you found in an automobile. Second, it has a maximum pressure output of 100 PSI, which is too low for some road bike tires. And third, to inflate a tire with a Presta valve, you will need to purchase a separate adapter.
Those drawbacks aside, for most cyclists who also own a car, the electric EPAuto Portable Air Compressor Pump will make inflating bike tires easier than ever. Once the nozzle is screwed in place onto a tire's valve, all you need to do to achieve the exact level of inflation desired is pre-program the target PSI using the Plus or Minus buttons, then start the unit up.
The compressor's LCD screen displays pressure in PSI, BAR, or KPA measurements, and the unit features a built-in flashlight for use after dark. This compressor is also more than suitable for use with auto tires. That, after all, is the EPAuto Portable Air Compressor Pump's primary purpose.
The compressor has a 4-star average rating. One owner said its "gauge is accurate" and appreciated that it was relatively "quiet for a compressor." Another said that despite its small size it "packs a punch" or pumping power.
A review from WoodWorkingToolKit appreciated the fact that this compact compressor has a feature that "shut[s] down the unit when the desired pressure is achieved," which can "prevent overinflation."— Steven John
Pros: Fast inflation time, pre-set air pressure target, built-in flashlight
Cons: Requires access to auto battery, maxes out at 100 PSI
The best budget bike pump
The Bell Windstorm 400 Floor Pump can create up to 100 PSI and accommodates both common bike valves as well as sports needles.
At $17, the Bell Windstorm 400 Floor Pump isn't the least expensive option on our list, but it is the most affordable all-around bike pump. This is a bonafide floor pump that can quickly and reliably inflate a tire all the way up to 100 PSI.
Granted, 100 PSI is a bit too low for certain racing bikes, but for most of us, the Bell Windstorm 400 Floor Pump, with its Schrader and Presta valve compatibility, its sturdy base, and its broad handlebar is more than adequate for our inflation needs. Just know that you will probably need to replace it within a year or two if you start cycling daily in the run-up to a Tour de France attempt, as it's not as durable as its pricier counterparts.
On Amazon, One owner said the pump "does what it's supposed to do," inflating tires without issue. A cyclist agreed, saying it "gets the job done" and that he had "no complaints."
A write-up from Top5Best noted that this Bell floor pump costs "only 50% [the price] of other bike pumps" yet calls it effective and easy to use. The review goes on to caution that it likely won't "last more than one season" with heavy use, though. — Steven John
Pros: Great low price point, relatively lightweight
Cons: Maximum output of 100 PSI, no gauge
The best professional-grade bike pump
The Topeak JoeBlow Sport II Floor Pump is a top-quality pump that works fast and is built to last, yet it still fits the budget of any avid cyclist.
The Topeak JoeBlow Sport II Floor Pump is suitable for use in a bike shop or by a professional cycling team, but at just a bit more than $47 in price, it's hardly too pricey for the amateur rider, either. Because this pump should outlast most similar devices by many years, it's a worthwhile investment.
The quality of the materials used to build the Topeak JoeBlow Sport II Floor Pump set it apart from the competition, but so do a number of clever, intuitive design features. For example, like many pumps, this one has an extra-long air hose that makes it easy to access tire valves no matter their position and even when the bike is up on a rack. Here, though, the hose is connected to the pump via a rotating connection point that prevents tangles and makes positioning the nozzle even easier.
The pump's large pressure gauge is easy to read whether you are checking PSI or BAR measurements, and the smooth operation of the barrel makes the pump easy to use even as you approach its 160 PSI maximum output. The Topeak JoeBlow Sport II's double-sided "twin-head" nozzle makes it simple to connect to both Presta and Schrader valves, and you can screw in adapters with ease, too.
With nearly 1,500 reviews logged on Amazon, this floor pump has a 4.2-star average rating. One owner said it makes "pumping very ease" without the need for "a lot of muscle power." Another Amazon shopper called it "a very good floor pump" and noted its "large base" that keeps it "stable when pumping air."
A reviewer with Outdoor Gear Lab called the Topeak JoeBlow Sport II Floor Pump versatile and durable, noting its "easy-to-read" gauge and dual valve nozzle. A write up from Bike Radar called the pump's inflation "rapid and comfortable thanks to the generous sized T-handle."— Steven John
Pros: Rugged and durable, pivoting air hose, accurate gauge, sturdy base design
Cons: Nozzle too large to fit between narrow spokes
The best mini pump for gravel and mountain bikers
The Blackburn Core combines a mini pump with a valve core extractor that makes fixing tubeless tires an easier task.
Tubeless tires are a godsend if you live somewhere that's littered with puncture-causing hazards. The sealant that is inside can plug the hole as soon as the air begins to leak from the tire.
Sometimes, even the hard-working sealant can't fix a puncture. This often happens when the sealant has plugged several tiny holes and is running dry. If you've got a regular mini pump, this leaves you in a sticky situation: You'll need to pull the tubeless tire off, clear away the sticky mess inside it, check for any sharp objects in the tire casing, and then put a tube into it. All while your ride time ticks away and your buddies heckle from the sidelines.
The Blackburn Core is no ordinary mini pump. It contains a valve core extractor, which lets you pull the core out of your valve, dump in more sealant, and reinflate the tire as the sealant jumps into action and plugs the hole — without needing to remove the tire. The Core has a flexible hose, so however hard you pump, your valve will stay intact.
How good is this pump? My friends ask to borrow it all the time, even when they have their own, and that's about the best evidence I can think of that it's the cream of the crop when it comes to getting your tires back up to pressure quickly and easily.
The Gravelbike blog spoke highly of the reliability of the Core but noted that the core is better suited to high volume than high-pressure tires, suggesting that it was hard to get above 70 PSI. This should not be an issue for anyone riding a gravel or mountain bike, where pressure in the 30-PSI range is about as high as you'll need to go.
In addition, Amazon reviewers loved the bracket that allows you to attach the pump to a bike frame. — James Stout
Pros: Built-in valve core extractor, inflation hose to prevent snapping valves
Cons: A little larger than other mini pumps
The best mini pump with tire pressure gauge
Low tire pressure can make a huge difference to ride quality. Lezyne Digital Alloy Drive Pump gets tired back to perfect pressure after a flat.
If there is one question that every cyclo-cross racer has asked, it's, "What pressure are you running?" You see, just a few PSI of extra air in your tires is the difference between successfully turning a rutted corner and ripping through the course tape as you bounce off your bike and into a muddy puddle.
Often, when I race cyclo-cross, I would take laps at different pressures to see which one gave me the best traction without flatting. This is great when I'm riding on a closed course with short laps and a mechanic standing by with a pump and pressure gauge, but it doesn't really work when out on the trail.
Until I got my hands on the Lezyne Digital Alloy Drive, I'd start rides at high pressure and then let a little air out, but always err on the side of riding with a little to0 much air in my tires; it might be uncomfortable and slow, but it beats getting a flat. The Digital Alloy Drive changed that: I could dial-in my desired tire pressure for a trail. If I get a puncture, I no longer have to rely on pinching the tire and guessing the pressure — I can inflate it to precisely where I need it to be.
In addition to an accurate digital gauge, Lezyne also uses it trademark inflation hose, which keeps the pump and the valve separated and reduces any risk of damaging the valve when you push on the pump to inflate the tire. The pump's alloy construction makes it a reliable and dependable way to fix flats for years to come — I have one Lezyne pump that I have used for close to a decade and it is still going strong.
Testers at Cycling Weekly found the pump fast to use and accurate, as have I. Unlike many pumps here, the Lezyne also allows for users to inflate Presta or Schrader valves (this probably won't apply to most casual riders). Although it costs a little more than other mini pumps, Lezyne stands by its products and will sell you all the seals and supplies you need to refurbish this pump and keep it running for years. Although the pump is small enough for a jersey pocket, I have invested in several bike frame attachment mounts and use this pump on all of my tubed road bikes. — James Stout
Pros: Accurate pressure readings, well built
Cons: Costs more than a basic pump