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This selection of the best mini bike pumps for road, mountain, and hybrid bikes is based on people’s experiences worldwide. It includes pumps with and without a gauge, pumps compatible with CO2 cartridges, and a few pumps with unique features. I scored the pumps according to my mini bike pump scoring system.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The best mini pump overall is the Lezyne Pressure Drive. It can inflate enough pressure (up to 120 PSI) even to a road bike tire. It’s light and compatible with Presta and Schrader valves. You can choose from several colors to match your bike. And finally, it comes with a frame mount. On the other hand, it’s not compatible with CO2 cartridges like some other mini pumps.
Below, you also learn about the benefits of mini bike pumps compared to CO2 inflators and how to choose a mini bike pump that is the best for you. Let’s dive in!
What Are The Best Portable Bike Pumps?
All mini bike pumps listed below are compatible with the Presta and Schrader valves.
Lezyne Pressure Drive Mini Bike Pump (Best Overall)
Ease of Inflation 5/5 | Portability 5/5 | Max Pressure 3/5 | Build Quality 5/5 | Price 3/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 4.4/5
Main Features
- Pressure: Up to 120 PSI
- Weight: 3.2oz / 90g
- Length: 8 inches / 20.3 cm
- Compatible with Presta and Schrader valves
- Flexible hose valve
- Available in several colors
- Frame mount included
The Lezyne Pressure Drive is a universal pump favored by many cyclists for its low weight and high quality.
Its ease of use is notable — thanks to the flexible hose, you won’t damage the valve when pumping, which can happen with fixed-head mini pumps.
The Pressure Drive is versatile, allowing you to quickly inflate pressures of 100 PSI or higher. However, Lezyne offers mini pumps that are more suitable for road bikes (Lezyne Road Drive) and mountain bikes (Lezyne Alloy Drive).
You can choose from various colors, and the package includes a frame mount to hold the pump securely, preventing loss even on rough terrain.
Also available at performancebike.com and tredz.co.uk
Pro Bike Tool Mini Bike Pump (Best For Road Cyclists)
Ease of Inflation 5/5 | Portability 3/5 | Max Pressure 2/5 | Build Quality 5/5 | Price 4/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.8/5
Main Features
- Pressure: Up to 120 PSI
- Weight: 3.6oz / 100g
- Length: 7.3 inches / 18.5 cm
- Compatible with Presta and Schrader valves
- Flexible hose valve
- Available in several colors
- Frame mount included
Pro Bike Tool manufactures top-notch cycling accessories, and this mini bike pump is a prime example. It’s among the most sought-after mini pumps available.
Its popularity stems from its reliability and top-notch quality. Plus, its flexible hose makes it easy to use (your valves will appreciate it).
This pump can inflate tires up to 120 PSI. Its relatively lightweight and compact design make it perfect for road cyclists.
Beto Pump (Best Mini Pump and CO2 Inflator)
Ease of Inflation 4/5 | Portability 4/5 | Max Pressure 4/5 | Build Quality 4/5 | Price 4/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 4.2/5
Main Features
- Pressure: Up to 160 PSI
- Weight: 80g
- Length: 10.6 inches / 26.9 cm
- Compatible with Presta and Schrader valves
- Compatible with CO2 cartridges
- Frame mount included
The Beto mini bike pump offers the option to pump your wheel manually or with a CO2 cartridge.
Unlike the PDW Ninja, this pump stands out for its design and frame mount. It’s cleverly designed to hold up to two CO2 cartridges.
You can screw the pump head onto the valve to prevent air leaks. Just be cautious not to damage the valve when pumping by hand.
This bike pump is lengthy, so it may not fit in your saddlebag and might protrude from your jersey pockets. The best spot to store it is in the frame mount under the bottle cage.
INTERESTED IN CO2 INFLATORS? Read more about them here.
Crankbrothers Gem Mini Bike Pump (Best For MTB)
Ease of Inflation 4/5 | Portability 4/5 | Max Pressure 3/5 | Build Quality 3/5 | Price 4/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.4/5
Main Features
- Pressure: Up to 130 PSI
- Weight: 4.52oz / 128g
- Length: 6.9 inches / 17.6 cm
- Compatible with Presta and Schrader valves
- Thumb lock-on valve
- Available in several colors
- Frame mount included
Crankbrothers, like Pro Bike Tools, produces high-quality cycling accessories. Their ‘Gem’ mini bike pump offers a useful feature: you can switch between high volume or high-pressure mode by turning their patented air switch.
The difference between these modes is that high volume lets you inflate tires faster at lower pressures, while high-pressure mode allows you to inflate to higher pressures, up to 130 PSI.
The pump head features a thumb lock-on system, ensuring no air leaks when inflating your tires. Just be cautious when inflating. Hold the pump securely with your other hand to prevent any damage to the valve.
Also available at jensonusa.com, performancebike.com, and tredz.co.uk
Vibrelli Mini Bike Pump with Puncture Repair Kit
Ease of Inflation 3/5 | Portability 4/5 | Max Pressure 3/5 | Build Quality 3/5 | Price 4/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.4/5
Main Features
- Pressure: Up to 120 PSI
- Weight: 5oz / 142g
- Length: 7.8 inches / 19.8 cm
- Compatible with Presta and Schrader valves
- Puncture repair kit and sports ball needle included
- Thumb lock-on valve
- Available in several colors
- Frame mount included
This pump is primarily used for inflating tires, but the package also includes a puncture repair kit. So, you can fix the inner tube right on your trip, inflate it, and continue riding. Another advantage is that it is automatically compatible with Presta and Schrader valves.
You can use the pump in one of two modes—one for inflating lower pressures faster and the other for inflating higher pressures. Thanks to this function, you avoid lengthy inflating and save some precious minutes.
The package also contains a needle, thanks to which you can inflate a soccer ball.
BV Mini Bike Pump
Ease of Inflation 4/5 | Portability 4/5 | Max Pressure 3/5 | Build Quality 3/5 | Price 5/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.8/5
Main Features
- Pressure: Up to 120 PSI
- Weight: 96g
- Length: 9.8 inches / 24.9 cm
- Compatible with Presta, Schrader, and Dunlop valves
- Thumb lock-on valve
- Sports ball needle and inflatable device included
- Frame mount included
The BV mini bike pump features a ‘smart valve,’ eliminating the need to switch the head for different valve types.
I appreciate its folding handle, which eases pumping and offers a better grip for more convenient inflation.
The package includes a frame holder, a sports ball needle, and an inflatable device for inflating tires, sports balls, or inflatable beds.
Thanks to its size, this pump provides relatively fast inflation, which is why some owners use it to inflate their motorcycle wheels.
Pro Bike Tool Mini Bike Pump (Best with Gauge)
Ease of Inflation 4/5 | Portability 3/5 | Max Pressure 2/5 | Build Quality 4/5 | Price 4/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.4/5
Main Features
- Pressure: Up to 100 PSI
- Weight: 4.5oz / 128g
- Length: 8.75 inches / 22.2 cm
- Compatible with Presta and Schrader valves
- Flexible hose valve
- Available in several colors
- Integrated gauge
- Frame mount included
You need a gauge to inflate your tires to the exact pressure level. This pump from Pro Bike Tool has an integrated gauge inside the flexible hose, so you can monitor the tire pressure.
The pump is well-made, so you can rely on it anytime. Even with relatively frequent use, it will last you several years.
It is easy to use, thanks to the flexible hose. Just screw the head onto the valve and start pumping. This system also makes the pump save for the valve, so you prevent any damage.
I recommend this pump to all demanding cyclists who need to ride with tires with specific tire pressure. This mini bike pump’s only disadvantage is its larger dimensions than other mini pumps in this selection.
PDW The Ninja Pump and CO2 Inflator
Ease of Inflation 3/5 | Portability 5/5 | Max Pressure n/a | Build Quality 4/5 | Price 4/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.2/5
Main Features
- Weight: 2.6oz / 74g
- Length: 5.75 inches / 14.7 cm
- Compatible with Presta and Schrader valves
- Compatible with CO2 cartridges
- Control knob for regulating CO2 flow
- Frame mount included
Portland Design Works (PDW) offers a mini bike pump that’s compatible with CO2 cartridges. Bringing a CO2 cartridge on a bike trip lets you quickly inflate your tires, with the ability to regulate the CO2 flow using the control knob.
But don’t worry if you forget your CO2 cartridge. You can still inflate your bike using the same pump! It takes more time but is more eco-friendly since you can only use the CO2 cartridge once.
A minor downside of this pump is that its head doesn’t seal perfectly, which may make inflating less efficient and take longer.
| Mini Bike Pumps | Weight | Max Pressure | CO2 Compatible | Buy | Ease of Inflation | Portability | Max Pressure | Build Quality | Price | Weighted Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lezyne Pressure Drive Mini Bike Pump | 90g | 120 PSI | no | Check Price | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4.4 |
| Pro Bike Tool Mini Bike Pump | 100g | 120 PSI | no | Check Price | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3.8 |
| Beto Mini Bike Pump & CO2 Inflator | 80g | 160 PSI | yes | Check Price | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4.2 |
| Vibrelli Mini Bike Pump | 142g | 120 PSI | no | Check Price | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3.2 |
| Crankbrothers Gem Mini Bike Pump | 128g | 130 PSI | no | Check Price | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3.4 |
| BV Mini Bike Pump | 96g | 120 PSI | no | Check Price | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3.5 |
| Pro Bike Tool Mini Bike Pump with Gauge | 128g | 100 PSI | no | Check Price | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3.4 |
| PDW The Ninja Pump & CO2 Inflator | 74g | n/a | yes | Check Price | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3.2 |
My Verdict
The mini bike pump that will suit most cyclists’ needs is the Lezyne Pressure Drive mini bike pump.
It is a reliable mini bike pump that offers fast inflating to pressures above 100 PSI. You can use it to inflate the tires of your road, mountain, hybrid, or any other type of bike.
With its weight of around 90g, you will almost forget you have it with you. Thanks to the flexible hose, you can prevent any mechanical damage to a valve.
The best place to store this pump is on the frame mount under a bottle cage, but you can use your jersey pockets or handlebar bag as well.
Overall, it provides the best combination of price, quality, and versatility.
Why Should You Get a Portable Bike Pump?
You know that feeling. You are miles (kilometers) away from home, and suddenly you hear a sound. Tsssssss… You got a puncture.
When I started cycling, I thought I would never get a puncture. I was naive. You probably know how the story ended. I had to call my mom to pick me up because I didn’t have a spare tube, a patch kit, or a bike pump.
TIP: Get these essential tools to repair almost everything on your bike.
Once I got home, I ordered a spare inner tube and a portable bike pump. With these tools, I could avoid a similar situation in the future.
The portable bike pump combined with the spare inner tube can save you a lot of trouble during your workout, cycling trip, or casual ride. Thanks to it, you can inflate the replaced inner tube and continue riding.
Portable Bike Pump vs. CO2 Inflator
If you are at least familiar with cycling accessories, you probably know that portable bike pumps have a strong competitor – CO2 inflators.
Which of the options is better for you? The table below gives you an overview of the advantages of mini bike pumps and CO2 inflators.
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 Inflator | • Inflating a tire is faster and more convenient. • Takes less space. | • More expensive in a long term. • CO2 cartridge is for one-time use only and thus not very environmentally friendly. • Cartridges get very cold when releasing CO2 so you can burn your skin. |
| Mini Bike Pump | • A mini bike pump is reusable. • Less expensive in a long term. | • Inflating a tire is slower and less convenient. • Takes more space. |
There are also mini bike pumps that are compatible with CO2 inflators. This option is the best because you can combine the advantages of mini bike pumps and CO2 inflators.
How to Choose the Best Mini Bike Pump?
Mini bike pumps come in various shapes, sizes, types, compatibilities, etc. Below, I explain what you should be aware of when choosing your next mini bike pump.
Size and Weight
The size of the pump will significantly affect how fast you can inflate the tires. A larger pump has a larger cylinder, which can inflate more air into a tire in one push. This means you will have less work.
On the other hand, if you are a road cyclist, you definitely do not want to take a large pump due to its weight and size. Instead, choose a mini pump that will offer the right balance for your type of ride. For casual riders, a frame bike pump may be better than a portable mini bike pump, and vice versa.
I recommend buying smaller pumps for most riders. Ask yourself: How often do you puncture? Once a year? Once a month?
You will have to be very unlucky to get 5 or more punctures in one season. Personally, I don’t even remember the last time I used my mini pump. And I ride over 3,000 miles (5,000 km) per season on my road bike.
I am trying to say that you won’t take advantage of a large mini bike pump as often unless you get a puncture more often.
Type of Pump Head Lock-On System
There are 3 basic head lock-on systems used on bike pumps:
- The first type of pump head is attached directly to the valve. This is the simplest system, which means the pump head is not bulky and lightweight. However, inflating tires for pressures above 100 PSI may be difficult. The connection between the valve and the pump head is not sealed, and air can escape. You can also damage the valve if you are not careful enough.
- The second system is the so-called thumb lock. It is often used with floor pumps, but some portable and mini pumps also have it. It ensures that the head will hold well on the valve and that there will be no air leaks. Therefore, it is easy to inflate tires for pressures above 100 PSI. Yet, be careful when inflating to prevent damage to a valve.
- The last basic type of pump head is the extendable hose. You can screw the head on the valve. This ensures a perfect seal and allows you to pump pressures above 100 PSI easily. It is also the safest system to prevent damage to the valve because the flexible hose absorbs the energy you put into every push.
Valve and CO2 Cartridge Compatibility
Most of the mini pumps I evaluated during my research were compatible with Schrader and Presta valves. These valves are mostly used on road, gravel, mountain, and hybrid bikes.
Sometimes, I come across a mini pump compatible with the Dunlop valve. So, if you ride a bike with this type of valve, remember to check the pump’s compatibility.
Schrader valve
The Schrader valve, also called the American valve, was patented as early as 1893. It was named after August Schrader, the founder of The Schrader company.
They are slightly wider and do not require as many steps when inflating as Presta valves. You unscrew the plastic cover and start inflating. Also, they are not as prone to damage as Presta valves.
Nowadays, they are used mainly in cars, motorcycles, and bicycles with wider rims.
Presta valve
Presta valves are frequently used on inner tubes for road and MTB bikes. They are narrower compared to Schrader valves and also more prone to damage.
Some cyclists don’t like them very much because they require more steps when pumping than Schrader valves and their fragility.
Before you can start inflating the Presta valve, you have to release it and press it to ensure the air will go through. Then, once you inflate your tire, you have to retighten the valve. Sounds complicated, right? But trust me, it is not.
NOTE: There are also Dunlop valves, but I excluded them from this guide due to their low popularity.
Inflator Head CO2 Cartridge Compatibility
Some inflator heads are compatible with CO2 cartridges. You can find this feature on mini bike pumps because it doesn’t make any sense to make a floor pump compatible with a CO2 cartridge.
Gauge
Some mini bike pumps feature a gauge. It is useful if you insist on inflating your tires to a specific pressure. This feature makes the hand pump slightly more expensive and sometimes even heavier than non-gauge mini-pumps.
I expect the mini bike pump to inflate the tire after a puncture so I can continue on my ride. I don’t need the exact pressure of 110 PSI I am used to. Once you gain more experience, you will estimate the tire pressure by pressing the tires with your hand. Of course, once I get home, I inflate the tire to the right pressure using a floor pump.
Extras
I noticed that many mini bike pumps come with other accessories during my research. The standard is the included frame mount. However, some pumps also include a puncture repair kit, sports ball needle, or inflatable device.
If you are looking for a pump with which you only inflate your bike, don’t be influenced by these accessories. The pump’s quality will probably be much lower than a pump for the same price.
Nevertheless, I chose several pumps with these accessories, which form a good combination of price and value.
What Types of Bike Pumps Are There?
It is easy to get lost among many types of bike pumps. Let me help you sort them out and find the best for your needs.
Floor Bike Pumps
Inflating your bike will be pretty easy with a floor bike pump. They have the largest barrel (also called cylinder, tube, etc.), so they allow you to inflate a large amount of air per push. This makes them the fastest way to inflate your tires with a pump. Yes, I hear you. There are also CO2 inflators that are much quicker, but more about them later.
Floor pumps are standardly equipped with a digital or analog gauge so you can see the pressure you inflate.
You can inflate the highest pressures (easily around 120 PSI) with floor pumps. There are also floor pumps that can inflate pressures around 250 PSI.
TIP: Don’t you have a floor pump yet? I recommend you buy one. Your bike maintenance will be much easier. Check my selection of The Best Floor Pumps for MTB, Road, and Hybrid bikes.
There are also mini floor bike pumps that are more compact and suitable for traveling with a lot of things. They don’t take up as much space as standard floor pumps.
Mini Bike Pumps
Here are the 3 main types of mini bike pumps, also called portable bike pumps:
- Mini bike pumps that fit into your jersey pocket, saddle bag, or you can attach them to your bike’s frame using the mount attached under a bottle cage. I recommend them to all cyclists so they can inflate their tires after they get a puncture.
- Mini bike pumps (also called frame bike pumps) are very similar to the previous type of mini bike pumps. The difference is that they are longer and thus can inflate more air per push. The best place to store them is under the top tube. Frame bike pumps are more suitable for riders who don’t mind having a larger pump attached to their frame.
- The third type is shock bike pumps. These are used to adjust the pressure in the shock suspension of mountain bikes. One shock bike pump should be part of every mountain biker’s equipment so he or she can adjust the pressure of the shock to suit the rider’s weight and riding style.
PRO TIP: Every cyclist should have a mini bike pump or CO2 inflator as part of their equipment, along with a floor pump. With this combo, you can inflate your tires at home with a floor pump and on your bike trips with a mini bike pump.
CO2 Inflators
CO2 inflators are a very specific category. They are not ‘pumps,’ but they are used to inflate tires quickly. Thanks to the CO2 burst they can produce, you will be able to inflate your tires within seconds.
This makes them very convenient for cyclists who need to quickly get back on their bikes after fixing a punctured inner tube.
The main downside of CO2 cartridges is that they can be used only once. Inflating tires with CO2 inflators can be costly because you must buy new cartridges. This option is also not very eco-friendly because CO2 cartridges are often not reusable. So take them to your local scrapyard, and don’t throw them into nature.
Mini Bike Pumps FAQ
This post is regularly updated to provide the most up-to-date product tips. If you find a product that is not up to date, please contact me.
