Electric bike pumps and electric mini pumps have come on in leaps and bounds over recent years. These fast, convenient and accurate tyre pumps make road- and trail-side repairs easier.
I certainly haven’t looked back since I started using one of the original electric bike pumps back in 2020, the powerful but chunky Fumpa – in fact, they're so good I declared boldly that I was fully done with mini pumps earlier this year.
Since then, the best electric pumps have got smaller, smarter and, importantly, cheaper.
Editor's note: after Warren's initial test of six of the most popular inflators, there were several other pumps you wanted to see reviewed, including options from Cycplus, Magicshine and Topump. These have been included in Warren's expanded testing and the top-scoring reviews added to the list.
Best electric bike pumps at a glance
Best overall: Prestacycle Prestaflator Go
The Prestaflator Go is a powerful, accurate inflator with a large battery, clear display and quiet operation. It's slightly bulky and Presta-only, but fast, reliable, and compatible with spares and upgrades.
Best budget: Flextail Tiny Bike Pump Pro
Flextail’s Tiny Bike Pump Pro is compact, affordable and accurate, with a larger battery and gauge, and rapid USB-C charging. Lightweight and well-equipped, it’s a versatile, great-value option for clincher and tubeless tyres.
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What is an electric bike pump, anyway?
Electric bike pumps employ a small electric brushless motor that drives a little piston, which generates a continuous air feed through the head.
It's all housed within a compact case controlled by an electronic circuit board and powered by a rechargeable battery, usually with a USB/USB-C external charge port.
Electric bike pumps are fast and efficient, not to mention convenient.
However, like any electronic device, you need to check on charge levels regularly, just as you would with a bike computer, electronic drivetrain or even your phone.
With an electric motor and a piston, there are downsides, though.
Firstly, there is the noise. With most of the pumps I’ve tested hitting around 85dBA (above the ambient noise), they sound like the equivalent of a hairdryer or small vacuum cleaner.
Secondly, they all generate heat. That's not an issue if you're inflating a single tyre by the roadside.
However, if you want an electric mini pump to replace a workshop track pump, be aware that multiple inflations will make the unit hot, and you will then need to let it cool.
While you can find lots of very cheap multi-use inflators online, I’ve found the gauges on these less accurate than bicycle-specific models.
They're fine for topping up tyres on your car, or inflating airbeds when you're camping (that’s what I use mine for), but they don’t tend to be compact or accurate enough for purely cycling use.
How I tested the electric inflators
All inflators were tested using a Zipp 303 SW wheel with its built-in tyre pressure sensor and set up tubeless with the Zipp Goodyear Vector R Z35 SW tyre.
According to the SRAM tyre pressure guide, the rear tyre needed to be inflated to 51psi to suit my setup.
The inflators with a gauge were set to this level and monitored on the AXS app for comparison. Those without gauges were inflated using the AXS app for guidance.
I also measured the sound output (above the ambient noise), and each inflator was run to empty. Recharging times were also recorded.
All the units were run continuously to measure the heat level; if they got too hot to handle, they were left to cool before continuing the test.
Best electric bike pumps in depth
Prestacycle Prestaflator Go
- £99 / $129.95 / €99.95 as tested
- Pros: Secure fit; fast; relatively quiet; large battery; spares and accessories available
- Cons: Larger size and Presta valve only
- Verdict: Workshop-quality head; powerful and rapid inflator, but a bit larger than most
The Prestaflator Go has the largest-capacity battery of my half a dozen test pumps and comes with a colour LED screen that shows current battery level and pressure in psi or BAR.
Switching between the two is a simple matter of pressing the + and - buttons simultaneously.
Instead of a proprietary head, it uses a standard Presta head that’s compatible with floor pumps from the likes of Silca.
Unlike a classic track pump head, it’s made from lightweight 6061-T6 alloy rather than traditional brass. Prestacycle claims it weighs around a third as much as a brass head.
The Prestaflator is TPU inner tube safe, because the large urethane grommet inside the head serves to isolate heat build-up from the pump from transferring to the valves. That's something its rivals here can only achieve via the use of an accessory hose.
Rated to 120psi, the Prestaflator Go is good for a wide variety of tyres, both clincher and tubeless.
The push-on head is remarkably secure, and its extra width and deep engagement keep it stably engaged.
The Prestaflator inflated my 35mm tubeless tyre to 51psi on its gauge in 52.01 seconds, and once settled and the valve tightened, the tyre measured 52psi on my AXS app.
The noise level of 86.8dBA means this is one of the quieter units, which is impressive considering it's one of the quicker inflators. In context, the sound level is around the same as a coffee grinder or small blender.
After four consecutive inflations, the unit was too hot to handle; it cooled after 10 minutes, and when I resumed testing, it inflated my tyre another seven times, managing 12psi on the 12th inflation.
Charge time was measured at just over an hour (60 minutes 54 seconds).
The Prestaflator is an impressive inflator at a good price. It’s low on included accessories, however, and is Presta valve only as standard.
Prestacycle offers plenty of accessories and spares, and because of its standard threaded valve interface, it's compatible with all of Prestacycle’s head options.
Specifications
Weight: 157g | Dimensions: 78x51x31.5mm | Max pressure: 120psi/8 BAR | Battery: 750mAh | Valve: Presta | Extras: Zip-lock waterproof bag, USB-C charge cable, needle valve (football)
Flextail Tiny Bike Pump Pro
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- £58 / $75.99 as tested
- Pros: Cheap; accurate; quick charge time; good run time
- Cons: Noisy
- Verdict: Great-value mini pump for clinchers and tubeless
I’ve been using Flextail’s original Tiny Bike Pump for more than a year now, and that small pocket rocket has got me out of plenty of jams.
It does have limitations, though. Having no gauge, it’s hard to get tyre pressures just right after road or trailside repairs.
This new Pro model brings increased battery capacity, along with a gauge that can be pre-set to your preferred pressure.
The smooth, compact design is great for stowing in a jersey pocket, using the included ziplock bag, or stowing in a saddle pack, down tube or tool can.
Although the valve head is flush-fitting with the unit, it can be a little awkward to use, especially on small-wheeled bikes.
Thankfully, Flextail includes an extension hose, also useful for TPU tube users because they often come with plastic-bodied valves, which don’t like the heat a mini electric pump generates.
In our test, the Flextail hit 51psi on its built-in gauge in a swift 42.5 seconds. On the AXS app, this equated to 52psi; the Flextail is quite accurate.
It is, however, quite noisy, topping out at 91dBA: that’s about the same as a blender.
Like most inflators, the Flextail gets warm. After five successive inflations, it was hot.
After being left to cool, it inflated my tyre a further five times, although on the final inflation, it could only manage 32psi.
The Flextail charges via a USB-C cable (included), and I timed the recharge from flat at 31 minutes.
Compared to the competition, the Flextail is excellent value; it inflates quickly, has good battery life, and all the accessories you need are included.
I think I may have found my new best-value ride essential.
Specifications
Weight: 130g | Dimensions: 77x53x32mm | Max pressure: 120psi/8.27 BAR / 827.4 kpa | Battery: 450mAh | Valve: Presta and Schrader | Extras: Ziplock bag, extension hose, USB-C cable, needle (football) adaptor
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Topump TB2 Pro
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- £69.99 / $59.99 as tested
- Pros: Lots of power; quick inflation; good price
- Cons: Very loud; low-profile head
- Verdict: Solid-performing and good-value mini pump
You’d be forgiven if you think the Topump TB2 Pro looks familiar; it shares the same casing design, fittings, screen and buttons as Flextail’s excellent-value Tiny Bike Pump Pro.
The compact size and smooth radiused design mean it slips easily into a jersey pocket. The pump also comes with a lightweight ziplock bag to protect the pump from rain and moisture. It’s compact enough to fit in a saddle pack or tool can, and it fits into the down tube storage of a Parlee Taos.
The flush-fitting head can be tricky to use, especially on smaller-wheeled bikes, but you can employ the included extension hose to reach more awkward valves. Topump recommends the use of the hose when inflating TPU inner tubes, which often come with plastic valve bodies that are susceptible to heat damage – all electric inflators get hot after prolonged use.
The Topump was subjected to my usual test of inflating a 35mm road tyre to 51psi (on a Zipp 303 SW wheel with a built-in pressure gauge). The Topump reached that goal in a rapid 43.2 seconds. On the Zipp gauge, this showed 51.7psi according to the AXS app.
After five inflations, it was getting very hot and needed to be left to cool. Once it’d returned to being cool to the touch, it managed another four full inflations. On the 11th attempt, it reached 22psi before the battery cut out.
Noise-wise, the Topump is loud, with a sound level of 96.6dB. Expect roadside inflations to be accompanied by the sound level of a hairdryer.
It charges quickly, in 32 minutes, via its included USB-C cable.
Like the Flextail it shares a design with, the Topump is a great pump.
Specifications
Weight: 128g | Dimensions: 77x53x32mm | Max pressure: 120psi/8.27 BAR / 827.4 kpa | Battery: 450mAh | Valve: Presta and Schrader | Extras: Ziplock bag, extension hose, USB-C cable, needle (football) adaptor.
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Cycplus AS2 Pro
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- £81.73 / $109 / €93.95 as tested
- Pros: Lots of accessories; large battery capacity; quick charging
- Cons: Larger than other small pumps
- Verdict: Towering power and lots of capacity make the AS2 Pro a very smart choice
The AS2 Pro increases the size over the standard AS2 by being 5mm taller. It’s still easy to pocket or stow in a bag. The battery capacity has been upped significantly to 420mAh.
Like all Cycplus pumps, it comes well stocked with accessories and backed with a one-year no-quibble warranty. The alloy push-fit Presta head can be unscrewed, the rubber insert flipped and a brass insert added for Schrader valves. Cycplus includes a replacement rubber insert, too.
The digital monochrome display shows tyre pressure and battery level. Three buttons beneath the display control power on/off and +/- for the pressure setting. A single push of the power button starts the inflator and an auto switch-off stops the pump when it reaches the desired pre-set pressure.
It reached my set 51psi in a rapid 43.4 seconds on average, and compared to the AXS reading on the 303’s pressure sensor, it was within 0.2psi. The Pro Max inflated the 35mm tyre six times, reaching 22psi on the seventh and final attempt before being fully discharged.
For such a powerful pump, the noise level of 82.6db is acceptable.
Even with the larger battery, the AS2 Pro recharges in a few seconds under 30 minutes. I’d certainly recommend the Pro, especially on group rides, where the extra capacity may get called into action on more than one occasion.
Specifications
Weight: 120.6g | Dimensions: 70x49x28mm | Max pressure: 120psi/8 BAR | Battery: 420mAh | Valve: Presta | Extras: Ziplock waterproof bag, silicone case, USB-C charge cable, needle valve (football), extending hose for TPU inner tubes, Schrader insert and rubber
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Cycplus AS2 Ultra
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- £89.23 / $119 / €102.57 as tested
- Pros: Lots of accessories; lightweight; rapid inflator
- Cons: Arguably not worth the upgrade from the AS2 Pro
- Verdict: Lightweight pocket rocket inflator at a great price
Cycplus’ range-topping inflator reduces the compact dimensions of the original AS2 Pro. It’s also their lightest inflator thanks to an all-new Magnesium alloy cage and a small reduction in battery capacity (down to 400mAh from 420). This helps drop the weight by more than 30g compared to the Pro model.
The monochrome digital display shows current battery level and tyre pressure (switchable between BAR and Psi by pressing the +/- buttons together). The +/- buttons are used to set the target pressure, and Cycplus claims the gauge is accurate to 1psi.
Cycplus claims the brushless motor inside will inflate a 25c tyre to 120psi in 120 seconds. For my test, inflating to 51psi, it took only 41.3 seconds. The pump, like all electric inflators, is quite noisy, measuring 80.9db above the ambient noise level. The Cycplus inflated my 35mm tyre five times, reaching 32.14psi on the sixth and final attempt.
It’s accurate too. With the pump measuring 51psi, my Zipp gauge on the AXS app read 51.2psi.
After the third inflation, the unit was getting hot to the touch, although noticeably not quite as warm as aluminium-bodied pumps. Some of that heat was transferred onto the tyre valve, so you’ll need the extension hose. The Ultra recharges in a rapid 25 minutes.
Cycplus doesn’t skimp on extras, with a case and ziplock bag protecting the unit and an extension hose for use with TPU inner tubes with lightweight resin valves. It's a great addition because one of the downsides of electric inflators is they generate heat, which transfers to the valves.
Like all Cycplus pumps, the AS2 Ultra comes with a one-year warranty. If your Ultra fails within the first year, a free replacement will be supplied.
Whether the Ultra is worth the upgrade from the AS2 Pro depends on how much you want to save the 30g compared to the Pro’s extended capacity. However, this Ultra model is only marginally more expensive.
Specifications
Weight: 88.9g | Dimensions: 65x47.5x28mm | Max pressure: 120psi/8 BAR | Battery: 400mAh | Valve: Presta | Extras: Ziplock waterproof bag, silicone case, USB-C charge cable, needle valve (football), extending hose for TPU inner tubes, Schrader insert
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Muc-Off Airmach Pro
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- £100 / $140 / €115 as tested
- Pros: Lots of included accessories; powerful; long-lasting
- Cons: Noisier than most; head requires some care in securing
- Verdict: Fully featured fast inflator with lots included as standard
The Airmach Pro takes the effort out of puncture repair, and with this new Pro version, you now get an LED screen to give accurate tyre pressures and show the battery level.
Switching between psi and BAR involves simultaneously pressing the + and – buttons. These also serve to set the required pressure.
I am a fan of Muc-Off’s compact original Airmach; this shares the same great ergonomics and simplicity, but most importantly, adds a gauge.
The Airmach Pro is rated to up to 120psi, which brings it into the realms of clincher and inner tube use compared to the tubeless optimisation of Silca’s Micro.
The pump has a push-fit Presta head as standard, although the internals can be flipped to make it Schrader-compatible.
It also comes with a 70mm hose with a Presta chuck, to keep the heat levels down if you use the Airmach Pro with TPU inner tubes with plastic/resin valve stems.
The hose can also be used with the included ball needle head and a tapered head for airbed inflation.
At 63x64x28mm and 142g (including the protective case), the Airmach Pro is easily pocketable, and with a textured silicone cover, it’s built to take the occasional knock.
The slender head requires a little more care than the Silca and Prestacycle options to secure it correctly.
Once in place, however, it's stable enough provided you have a firm grip. You run the risk of bending a Presta valve stem if you don’t take care, though.
The Airmach Pro hit 51psi on its built-in gauge in a quick 42.2 seconds, and once the tyre valve was secured, this settled to 52psi on the AXS app.
It is the noisiest of our six at 89.91dBA, although none of these inflators is exactly ‘silent’ running.
After four inflations, the Airmach Pro needed to be cooled. Once it had, it was able to inflate the test tyre a further five times.
It charges quickly, in 40 minutes and 48 seconds from empty.
Specifications
Weight: 142g | Dimensions: 63x64x28mm | Max pressure: 120psi / 8 BAR | Battery: 450mAh | Valve: Presta | Extras: Ziplock waterproof bag, valve extension hose, protective silicone case, USB-C charge cable
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Trek Air Rush Mini Electric pump
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- £79.99 / $99.99 as tested
- Pros: Lots of accessories; built-in light; colour screen; good valve security
- Cons: Can get hot; noisy
- Verdict: Trek’s clever compact pump is very well priced and loaded with accessories – ideal if you don’t mind the noise.
Trek’s take on the mini electric pump is designed smartly, with a low-profile screw-in Presta valve and a secondary thread for carrying the Schrader head.
The 80x45x32mm size is compact enough to pocket or stow in a seat pack or tool can.
Its featureset is a step above the average electric bike pump. The full-colour screen shows the current psi, BAR or kPa pressure, alongside a target pressure and current battery level that displays both four bars and colour indication.
The pressure is set via +/- buttons, and stopped and started by the central play/pause button.
Alongside the controls, the Air Rush also features a torch on the flank, next to the head. If you are inflating after puncturing, or repairing after dark, it’s a very neat feature.
The Presta head is well-designed and creates a secure seal, with the pump inflating my test tyre to the set pressure in an average of 1 minute and 20 seconds per inflation.
The gauge is accurate, with the pump cutting out at 51psi and reading 51.3psi on the AXS app.
The pump is one of the noisiest I’ve tried, measuring 91.6dBA above the ambient noise. In context, that’s about the same noise level as a hairdryer.
After three inflations, it got very hot, requiring a cool-down period. It went on to a further three full inflations, and on the seventh inflation, it was finally drained at 37.4psi. That's a good performance for the 370Wh battery.
Charge time is a reasonably quick 34 minutes via a USB-C cable connected to the mains.
Overall, Trek’s take on the mini electric pump is a smart design; it comes loaded with useful accessories.
Although the small light may seem like a gimmick, it’s more than that when you need to repair a puncture, roadside, at night.
Specifications
Weight: 108g | Dimensions: 80x45x32mm | Max pressure: 120psi / 8.27 BAR / 827.4 kpa | Battery: 370mAh | Valve: Presta and Schrader | Extras: Zipped water-resistant bag, extension hose, lanyard, USB-C cable.
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MagicShine Airro
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- £69.99 / $89.99 / €69.90
- Pros: Lots of accessories; large battery capacity; accurate gauge
- Cons: Casing not as robust as some; noisy
- Verdict: Larger than average capacity makes it a good choice for bigger volumes
Magicshine’s entry into the electric pump world comes in the form of the compact Airro.
Unlike most electric pumps, Magicshine has chosen to put the internal workings of the Airro on display. A clear window in the casing shows the impeller blades on the brushless motor. Neatly gold anodised too, it adds a premium tech touch compared to the usual simple rectangular designs.
The monochrome LED display shows battery level and current pressure in either psi or BAR. The +/- buttons on either side of the power button enable you to set the target pressure. The Airro auto-stops once the pressure is hit.
The push-fit head provides a good seal, and inflation to my required 51psi on the 35mm road tyres took a rapid 43.4 seconds at best.
The 500mAh battery capacity provided enough charge for a further six inflations, and on the seventh attempt, it hit 36.3psi before petering out. I had to stop to let the Airro cool after the fourth inflation because the casing was starting to get very warm.
The gauge was in line with the in-built gauge on the Zipp wheel sensor – with the Airro reading 51psi, SRAM’s AXS app was showing 51.4psi.
The Airro is somewhat noisy at 93.3db, making it one of the loudest pumps I’ve tried, and the 45-minute recharge time is around the average of the pumps I’ve tested.
The package includes Presta and Schrader heads, an extension tube for TPU inner tube inflations, and a needle valve for inflating balls. Most important is the thick silicone casing, because the Magicshine’s clear panels aren’t as robust as the solid casings found on the Cycplus, Topeak and Silca units.
In all, the Airro is a top-performing mini-electric pump; its generous battery capacity and compact size make it a great choice for larger-volume road, gravel and mountain bike tyres.
Specifications
Weight: 147.4g | Dimensions: 76.6x47.2x30.8mm | Max pressure: 120psi/8 BAR | Battery: 500mAh | Valve: Presta | Extras: Ziplock waterproof bag, silicone case, USB-C charge cable, needle valve (football), extending hose for TPU inner tubes, Schrader insert
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Cycplus AS2 Pro Max
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- £85.48 / $114 / €98.26 as tested
- Pros: Lots of accessories; long life; large battery; very rapid inflation
- Cons: larger than most
- Verdict: Super-fast inflator with lots of battery capacity to spare. A great choice for multi-day rides.
Cycplus’ largest mini pump has a large 600mAh battery and a powerful brushless motor. It’s all housed in a large, though not unmanageable, aluminium casing (81x60x32mm). At 203g, it's heavier than most mini pumps. That said, it’ll still fit in a jersey pocket, although it’s better stowed in a large saddle pack, backpack or bar bag.
The monochrome digital display shows battery level and pressure (BAR or psi), and the pressure can be set via the +/- buttons. The on/off button doubles as the on switch for inflation. It cuts out automatically when it reaches your set pressure. The aluminium press-fit adaptor grabs a valve well. It can be unscrewed and the insert flipped, and a brass insert added to make it Schrader-compatible.
The accessories include an extending hose for resin TPU inner tube valves – a welcome addition because electric inflators get warm in use.
The Max is certainly a rapid inflator, hitting my required 51psi in only 24.65 seconds on average. That’s by far the quickest I’ve tried, with the large-capacity battery good for a further eight inflations.
It reached 23psi on its final ninth attempt, before fully discharging the battery. The battery recharges in an hour (59minutes, 45seconds to be exact) from its USB-C charge port (cable included).
The Max hits 82.8db – that’s about the same as a hairdryer. It's loud, but nowhere near the loudest examples around, which exceed 90db.
In all, the Max is an impressively powerful pump. It is larger than its rivals, but not by as much as you’d imagine, and I’d be happy to stow this in a backpack, pannier or bar bag to use on a multi-day ride.
Specifications
Weight: 203.1g | Dimensions: 81x60x32mm | Max pressure: 120psi/8 BAR | Battery: 600mAh | Valve: Presta | Extras: Ziplock waterproof bag, silicone case, USB-C charge cable, needle valve (football), extending hose for TPU inner tubes, Schrader insert
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Topeak E-Booster Digital
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- £99.99 / $129.95 / €99.95 as tested
- Pros: Lots of included accessories; easy to use
- Cons: Larger size
- Verdict: Fully featured fast inflator with lots included as standard
Topeak’s take on the electric inflator is typically Topeak-style – lots of functions, lots of accessories, practical to use and well-priced.
The E-Booster digital is the chunkiest of the six pumps I tested. However, its large screen and illuminated buttons, along with an integrated head with a slider to switch between Presta and Schraeder formats, make it very user-friendly.
Rated to 120psi maximum pressure, the E-Booster has plenty of spare capacity, too.
Included in the package is an extender hose for TPU inner tubes, which can also switch between Schrader and Presta.
You also get a protective silicone casing and a soft drawstring storage bag for stowing the pump in a pack or pannier. It’s recharged by a USB-C port using the included (long) braided cable.
The large display shows current pressure and battery level. With a 3-second push of either the + or – button, you can switch between psi, BAR and kg per cm².
The barrel-shaped head fits well and stays stable in use; it inflated my 35mm tyre in a rapid 42.2 seconds to 51psi on its built-in gauge.
Once the valve had been tightened, the tyre registered 51.7psi on the AXS app, proving the Topeak accurate as well as fast. It’s not as loud as some, either, measuring 87.9dBA.
After five inflations, the E-Booster needed to cool, and it managed nearly three more inflations before the battery was depleted.
On the eighth inflation, it made it to 43psi before shutting down. Recharging took 45 minutes and 37 seconds.
In all, the Topeak E-Booster is a top-quality electric bike pump; it’s easy to use, and the large display and illuminated buttons make it a great choice for commuters and night rides.
It’s quite bulky, though, and will take up a lot of space in a seat pack; it won’t fit many down tube storage ports, but it’ll stow in a jersey pocket.
The inclusion of plenty of accessories as standard is welcome, and its run times and recharge times are both ample.
If you have a wider variety of bikes, the E-Booster is one of the better choices, but if you’re looking for a lightweight emergency aid to replace a CO2 inflator or inadequate mini pump, you're better off with one of the E-Booster's more compact rivals.
Specifications
Weight: 185.7g | Dimensions: 85x36x58mm | Max pressure: 120psi/8 BAR | Battery: 600mAh | Valve: Presta and Schrader | Extras: Soft carry bag, Ziplock waterproof bag, valve extension hose, protective silicone case, USB-C charge cable
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Cycplus AS2
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- £66.74 / $89 / €76.71 as tested
- Pros: Lots of accessories; light; compact; fast charging
- Cons: No pressure gauge
- Verdict: Simple and easy to use, although I’d upgrade to a pump with a display gauge.
The tiny AS2 packs quite a punch; it's smaller, lighter and cheaper than Silca’s Micro, yet the AS2 is rated to 120psi compared to the Silca’s 72.
Like the Silca, the AS2 doesn’t have a pressure gauge, just a single large operating button that also indicates battery level (green for 100%-80%, amber for 80%-50% and red for less than 50%). The valve adaptor provides a solid fit, and it’s good that Cycplus includes an extension for use with resin valves on TPU tubes.
Setting your required pressure via the +/- buttons is easy, and the Max has a memory function so the next time you turn the pump on, it’ll be set to your requirements.
The AS2’s aluminium case helps keep the weight down and the brushless motor inside gives plenty of power, albeit with the accompanying noise. It is quite a noisy little unit, hitting 86db, although Trek’s Air Rush inflator, at 91.6db, and Flextail’s Tiny Bike Pump Pro’s 91db are louder.
On my test 35mm tyre, it inflated to my required 51psi in 59.3 seconds and repeated the inflation three times. It expired on the fourth inflation at 42.2psi.
The main unit gets hot, and so does the Alloy adaptor, which transfers plenty of heat to the tyre valve – so if you are running TPU tubes with resin valve stems, the extending hose is an essential.
In its favour, the AS2 charges in only 20 minutes, and it's compact and light. It’s a good option as an emergency inflator on a ride, but there are better options at around the same price.
Specifications
Weight: 99.5g | Dimensions: 65x46.5x28mm | Max pressure: 120psi/8 BAR | Battery: 300mAh | Valve: Presta | Extras: Ziplock waterproof bag, silicone case, USB-C charge cable, needle valve (football), extending hose for TPU inner tubes, Schrader insert
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Silca Elettrico Micro
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- £119 / $119 / €139 as tested
- Pros: Small; quiet; surprisingly powerful; quick recharge
- Cons: Can get hot; no gauge; pricey
- Verdict: A smart emergency replacement for a C02 cartridge, but comes at a price
Silca’s Elettrico Micro is, as the name suggests, a very small unit, measuring only 65x48x28mm.
It’s the easiest of our quartet to fit in a saddle pack. It was even compact enough to fit into the down tube storage compartment of Cannondale’s latest Synapse.
The small dimensions also mean a smaller-capacity battery, though, and no gauge (you’ll have to step up to the larger £149 Elettrico Ultimate for that luxury).
Using the AXS app to monitor the pressure, the pocket-sized Micro took one minute and 20.85 seconds to inflate my 35mm-wide tyre to 51psi. It was the quietest of our quartet, measuring 85.4dBA over the ambient noise.
After two consecutive inflations, the Micro got too hot to hold and needed to cool down. It then went on to a further three inflations before petering out at 19.8psi on the sixth attempt.
Recharge time from empty is a quick 20 minutes and 42 seconds through its USB-C port with a mains connection.
The Silca comes with an extender hose to isolate heat from plastic valves often found on TPU inner tubes. This doubles up as a Schrader adaptor.
It can also be used with Silca’s aftermarket chucks, should you wish.
The Micro is a good option even without its gauge; Silca has cleverly built in a 72psi cut-out, the generally accepted safety limit for hookless rims.
Overall, the Silca is compact, quiet and very well put together. It’s significantly more expensive than its rivals here without the same level of features, though, and for that reason, I can't recommend it over its rivals.
Specifications
Weight: 110.5g | Dimensions: 65x48x28mm | Max pressure: 72psi / 5 BAR | Battery: 300mAh | Valve: Presta (Schraeder with extension) | Extras: Ziplock waterproof bag, USB-C charge cable, needle valve (football), valve extender hose (Presta/Schrader)
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What to look for in an electric bike pump
Size
Think about where you’re going to stow your electronic pump. If it's in a larger saddle pack, size won't be an issue, but if you want to store it in either a jersey pocket or downtube storage, then a more compact size is preferable.
Also, make sure the pump comes with a waterproof bag, especially if you are going to put it in a jersey pocket. None of the pumps available is fully waterproof, so their extra protection is worthwhile.
Battery life
Battery life is also important; even the most compact of inflators should be good for four full inflations of a road tyre.
Larger-capacity batteries, such as those found on Presta and Topeak’s pumps, will do more. A battery-level indicator is useful, but as ever, it's more about making sure your pump is charged.
Pressure gauges
I’ve found most of the built-in pressure gauges to be accurate to within a single psi or so when testing them against a control gauge – in my case, the built-in pressure sensor on Zipp’s 303 SW wheels.
They are certainly a lot more accurate than the thumb-press test with a standard pump.
Pressure accuracy is essential on tubeless setups, especially on wheel-tyre systems with a maximum pressure, as you’ll find on some hookless systems, both on and off-road.
Many of the latest pumps are programmable, so they’ll automatically shut off when they reach your optimal pressure.
If you are more of a clincher and inner tube fan, you may want higher pressures, too. Most, but not all, inflators have a maximum pressure of 120psi, so make sure you check the specifications first.
If you use lightweight TPU inner tubes, lots of those have plastic valve stems, which don’t mix well with heat. So, look for a mini pump that includes a valve extension or a pump that's claimed to be TPU safe.
Electric bike pumps vs mini pumps
Throughout my years of cycling, I first used frame pumps, then a succession of mini pumps and C02 inflators.
Mini pumps generally do an average job, and while C02 inflators are fast and effective, they aren’t exactly eco-friendly, with empty cartridges being disposable and needing recycling, not to mention manufacturing them in the first place.
The problem with these solutions is they don’t typically come with accurate pressure gauges, or gauges at all.
In these times of tubeless tyres across road, gravel and mountain bikes, tyre pressure is all the more critical to get the best out of your tyres, for both grip and safety, on the road and off it. The ideal solution for this is an electronic inflator.
The latest generation of electric bike pumps has improved over early designs. They are much more compact, with larger-capacity batteries, programmable pressures, and more. It is the most efficient way to get your tyre pressures right.
