An accurate and long-lasting analog tire pressure gauge.
Pressure Pencil
A simple yet highly accurate pencil tire pressure gauge.
Pressure Gauge
A versatile digital tire pressure gauge with a lifetime warranty.
A heavy-duty analog gauge that can rapidly deflate tires.
A trusty and long-lasting tire pressure gauge.
Keeping your car’s tires inflated improves your vehicle’s safety and fuel economy. Even if you aren’t a professional mechanic, it’s a shrewd move to have some way to test your vehicle’s tire pressure, particularly when the seasons change.
When shopping for the best tire pressure gauge, you should prioritize one feature above all others: accuracy. Also important are longevity and your preferred gauge type (digital, analog, or pencil). For this review, we tested several gauges to recommend the best options. Additionally, our team has also tested and reviewed the best tire inflators and air compressors.
5 Best Tire Pressure Gauges
- Best Overall Tire Pressure Gauge: Joes Racing Products
- Best Tire Pressure Pencil: Milton
- Best Digital Tire Pressure Gauge: Jaco ElitePro
- Also Consider: Grit Performance Tire Pressure Gauge
- Best Display: Intercomp Glow-In-The-Dark Tire Pressure Gauge
#1 Best Overall Tire Pressure Gauge: Joes Racing Products
Joes Racing Products offers high-quality car maintenance products. The company’s glow-in-the-dark tire pressure gauge is an accurate and inexpensive option to measure your tire’s pounds per square inch (psi) if you don’t have a gauge.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $30
- Type: Analog
- Weight: 4.8 ounces
- psi measurement range: 0 – 60.0
Our Experience
Using the pressure gauge from Joes Racing Products is simple and takes less than a minute. The readout numbers are large and easy to see. When compared to the test vehicle’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), the Joes gauge showed a pressure reading within approximately 0.5 psi of the vehicle’s reading.
You can also use this air pressure gauge to deflate tires by pressing the button below the readout head.
| Overall | 5 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 5 out of 5 |
| Longevity | 5 out of 5 |
| Ease of Use | 4.5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 2,400 ratings
Positive reviews often say the gauge is long-lasting and easy to read. Many reviewers also claim that they have personally confirmed the gauge’s accuracy.
Some Joes Racing Products users have mentioned a broken bleeding mechanism, rendering the gauge unusable. While this issue seems pretty uncommon, several users have brought it up. Other customers have expressed frustration that the gauge doesn’t maintain its readout once removed from the tire.
#2 Best Tire Pressure Pencil: Milton
The Milton Pencil Tire Pressure Gauge is portable, convenient, and capable of measuring your tire’s tread depth and tire pressure in psi or kilopascal (kPa). Along with being highly accurate, this gauge is relatively inexpensive.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $8
- Type: Pencil
- Weight: 1.6 ounces
- psi measurement range: 10.0 – 70.0
Our Experience
The Milton pencil gauge was simple to use and gave an accurate reading. We found that it confirmed the readout on our test car’s TPMS. The Milton isn’t known for extra features, but its compact size makes it easy to store in your glove box.
We noticed the stick only measures in 2.0-psi increments, though you can estimate the halfway space between hash marks. This gauge may not be the best option if you’re looking for the most granular measure of your car’s tire pressure. Although it’s not made from stainless steel, its nylon/brass build means it is certainly built to last.
| Overall | 4.5 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 5 out of 5 |
| Longevity | 4 out of 5 |
| Ease of Use | 4 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 1,400 ratings
Several reviewers say the gauge works efficiently, even after many years of use. A few users say the gauge is inaccurate, and one reviewer mentions buying two Miltons: one that worked and one that didn’t. It seems that a small number of Milton gauges may be defective, although we didn’t personally experience this.
#3 Best Digital Tire Pressure Gauge: Jaco ElitePro
The Jaco ElitePro is a reliable and accurate digital tire gauge. It can display air pressure in several units (psi, kPa, and bar), and best of all, it includes a lifetime warranty. It’s clear to see why the Jaco is one of our top picks for the best tire pressure gauge. Given the benefits of the Jaco ElitePro, it could be the last tire pressure gauge you’ll need to buy.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $28
- Type: Digital
- Weight: 10.4 ounces
- psi measurement range: 0 – 100.0
Our Experience
The Jaco includes the required AAA batteries and is ready to use as soon as you open the box. The readout differed from our test vehicle by about 1.5 psi, but this is only 0.5 psi outside the range of error for our test vehicle’s TPMS. Jaco gauges are certified accurate to industrial American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 2A standards.
The interface of the Jaco is intuitive and straightforward. However, the gauge bleeds some air while you hold it in place, and it takes a moment for the screen to update with a measurement of the pressure.
| Overall | 4.5 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4 out of 5 |
| Longevity | 5 out of 5 |
| Ease of Use | 4.5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.7 out of 5 based on over 3,200 ratings
Ninety-five percent of reviewers give this gauge at least 4 stars. Most users praise the Jaco for accuracy and ease of use, with a few claiming this is one of the best products they’ve ever used. A few people have complained about the slight delay between attaching the Jaco and the pressure readout appearing.
#4 Also Consider: Grit Performance Tire Pressure Gauge
The Grit Performance gauge primarily serves as a tire deflator. This function removes the valve core from the valve stem. However, the accuracy of this gauge doesn’t make it the best option for regular psi checkups.
The Grit is exceptionally durable and has a braided hose, a solid brass deflator valve, and a rubber cover protecting the readout.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $30
- Type: Analog
- Weight: 10.2 ounces
- psi measurement range: 0 – 60.0
Our Experience
We managed to get the Grit to work, though it was a little more challenging than the other gauges we tested. It can rapidly deflate tires, with the drawback that it deflates them a bit while it measures. The Grit was the least accurate of the gauges we tested and was off by 3.0 psi. On another note, we were big fans of the dark dial face.
This product is better for those who often go off-roading, which calls for underinflated tires.
| Overall | 4 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Longevity | 5 out of 5 |
| Ease of Use | 4 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 2,100 ratings
Positive reviews frequently mention the product’s ability to quickly deflate tires. So, as mentioned, the Grit is a valuable tool if you often go off-roading.
Some negative reviews say the product doesn’t deflate tires quickly, but based on our experience and other customers’ comments, these users may not have adequately attached the Grit to their tire valve. However, we made the same observation as some negative reviewers: The product leaks air while in use.
#5 Best Display: Intercomp Glow-In-The-Dark Tire Pressure Gauge
Intercomp is a storied and reputable brand known for its highly accurate tire pressure gauges. The Intercomp Glow-In-The-Dark tire pressure gauge is pricier than other options but can be worth it for the quality construction and easy-to-read gauge.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $70
- Type: Analog
- Weight: 4.8 ounces
- psi measurement range: 0 – 100.0
Our Experience
This tire pressure gauge was very easy to use and accurate to within 1.0-psi (the margin of error for our test vehicle’s TPMS). The large face and numbers are easily read, while the air chuck was easy to attach. It should be noted that this tire pressure gauge has one of the largest pressure ranges, or psi range, of the gauges we tested.
| Overall | 4 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 5 out of 5 |
| Longevity | 4 out of 5 |
| Ease of Use | 4 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
Few reviews for the Intercomp glow-in-the-dark tire pressure gauge are available on Amazon, but its ratings are strong at 4.1 stars. Other Intercomp analog gauges are highly rated as well. Although this glow-in-the-dark Intercomp is last on our list of the best tire pressure gauges, the company’s reputation carries enough weight for this device to make the cut.
Tire Pressure Gauge Buyers Guide
It bears repeating: Accuracy is the most crucial aspect of a tire pressure gauge. Many commercial models are pretty accurate, but even the best brands can sometimes deliver faulty products. Whichever tire pressure gauge you purchase, check its accuracy by using it. It can be worth buying multiple tire pressure gauges so you can check them against one another.
You can also take your vehicle to a mechanic or dealership and ask to have your tire pressure measured. Whenever you take your car in for an oil change or tune-up, it may be good to bring your tire pressure gauge and compare it against what the mechanic says.
Tire pressure gauges come in several styles, all of which can be accurate.
- Pencil gauges (or stick gauges) are small, inexpensive, and easy to use. They can be just as accurate as any other type of gauge. The downsides to pencil gauges are that they can be easily lost and may not offer advanced features such as showing several types of readouts (such as barometric pressure, psi, and kPa).
- Analog gauges typically consist of a hose and a readout head. These devices don’t require batteries and are easy to use and maneuver. Analog dial gauges may come with several head attachments.
- Digital gauges look like analog gauges, except they have a digital display. The advantage of a digital gauge is that it may show several measurement standards. Digital gauges may also read more precisely and offer readouts to the tenth of a psi. In addition, a backlit LCD screen display can be easy to read in the dark. The downside of a digital tire inflator is that they often rely on battery power, meaning said batteries may need changing every so often.
Whichever type of gauge you choose, keep in mind that even the best pressure gauge requires calibration after a time, so check it every year or so.
Tire Pressure Gauge Testing Process
We tested each tire pressure gauge on a 2018 Ford Fusion equipped with a direct tire pressure monitoring system. Sensors in each of the vehicle’s tires can detect tire pressure and display information as close as 1.o psi from the actual reading.
We checked the reading of each tire pressure gauge we tested against the Fusion’s TPMS. In addition to testing for accuracy, using each gauge allowed us to evaluate the ease of use.
To determine our longevity scores, we combed through customer reviews from those who have owned these gauges for a long time. Gauges reported to be accurate and hold up after several years scored the highest in this category.
How We Tested
The tire pressure gauges in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching Amazon for top products, looking at factors such as customer ratings, Amazon superlatives, and price. We tried to select gauges of different styles and price points.
Later, our review team conducted in-person testing of the five gauges. We based our final recommendations on the following criteria – accuracy, longevity, and ease of use.
Accuracy
Accuracy is the most critical aspect of a tire pressure gauge. While you don’t need a gauge to be accurate to the nearest tenth of psi, a quality gauge should be accurate within 3.0 psi and ideally within 1.0 psi.
To measure accuracy, we compared the readout of the gauge we were testing to our test vehicle’s TPMS, which is accurate to within 1.0 psi.
We weighted accuracy most heavily in our review standards for our overall rating.
Longevity
Every tire pressure gauge can become less accurate over time, but a quality gauge will remain accurate for several years and beyond. Also, gauges built of durable materials will last longer in the potentially rough-and-tumble environment of your garage.
Ease Of Use
The best tire pressure gauges measure automotive tire pressure instantly, and all our recommended gauges are straightforward to use. Some of the best tire pressure gauges come with carrying cases that make them easy to store and keep organized.
Other top-notch gauges include attachments that can help with different kinds of tires. Another feature often seen in the best tire pressure gauges is a backlit or glow-in-the-dark readout, making them easier to use in low-light situations.
Why You Can Trust Us
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
Tire Pressure Gauge: Bottom Line
The best tire pressure gauges you need to prioritize accuracy. Low tire pressure is a safety concern and should be addressed immediately. Tire pressure gauges serve as a tool to check tire pressure and are a great product to add to a car emergency kit and the trunk of your vehicle. The best tire pressure gauges will provide accurate results and be simple enough for any driver to use effectively.
Tire Pressure Gauge: FAQ
*Data accurate at time of publication.