7 best car pressure gauges

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Automotive pressure gauges are devices for measuring tire pressure, the importance of which in the practice of operating vehicles is very difficult to overestimate. These simple devices allow drivers to avoid wheel pressure imbalances that can result in poor handling, and to maintain optimum wheel performance to minimize tire wear.

At this stage of development, automotive pressure gauges are divided into two fundamentally different groups:

1. dial (analog) – reliable and inexpensive devices, the main disadvantage of which is the lack of automation of the measurement process (if the deflator is not provided on the pressure gauge) and the difficulty of using in the dark;
2. digital (electronic) – devices with automatic detection and fixation of measurement results, the disadvantage of which until recently was the low degree of reliability of the constituent elements.

Due to the development of the automotive pressure gauge market, each vehicle owner is faced with a choice problem in one way or another. Often, if the experience of using such devices is minimal or completely absent, one has to rely on the advice of consultants or other sources, the reliability of which leaves much to be desired. In connection with this situation, the magazine conducted an expert analysis of the available information and prepared for you a rating of the best automotive pressure gauges in the two leading categories of the segment under consideration. The selection criteria were collective assessments of a group of experts, as well as customer reviews, along with the aggregate characteristics of the models under consideration.

Rating of the best pressure gauges

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Best Analog Gauges	1	BERKUT ADG-031	RUB 1,270
	2	HEYNER 564200	RUB 499
	3	Airline APR-M-02	297 r
Best digital pressure gauges	1	BERKUT DIGITAL MAX	RUB 1,650
	2	Airline APR-MD-06	495 RUB
	3	CEM TP-5 481257	RUB 900
	4	DAEWOO DWM 7	RUB 690

Best Analog Gauges

BERKUT ADG-031

Rating: 4.9

Flexible hose pressure gauge, extremely handy for off-road use when it is necessary to relieve tire pressure. It has a built-in deflator, with which it is very easy to adjust the pressure indicator in real time, without fear of losing the nipple in an almost hopeless natural mess. True, beginners without special knowledge of foreign languages ​​(namely English) may have certain problems using such a simple thing. Fortunately, you can think of everything by the method of trial and enumeration of actions.

The second feature of BERKUT ADG-031 is that the leading scale uses psi units, which are unusual for domestic users – pounds per square inch. This is due to the orientation of the product to the foreign market, and mainly to the countries of Western Europe. However, it is still too early to refer this to the shortcomings section: the scale in the atmospheres we understand is present on the pressure gauge, but in a minimalistic form and with a division price of 0.2 units. This causes certain difficulties during etching (or pumping), but only when it is required to reach an odd value on the scale (to catch the intermediate position of the arrow between the risks). In general, with BERKUT ADG-031 you can find a way out of any difficult situation, but the most important thing is that it is practically invulnerable.

Advantages

• the presence of a deflator on the flexible hose of the pressure gauge;
• optimal cost;
• high measurement accuracy;
• reliability of all structural elements;
• two scales of measurements (in psi and atm).

disadvantages

• not found.

HEYNER 564200

Rating: 4.8

A simple and uncomplicated Chinese pressure gauge with echoes of the German past, the superiority of characteristics of which is headed by the parameters of reliability. This is reflected in the presence of a sturdy metal case, equipped with rubber inserts to prevent slipping out of the hands. All measurement results are displayed on a scale in units of kg / cm3 (or atmospheres convenient for us). The maximum threshold is 4.5 atm, which is quite enough to control the tire pressure of SUVs and even more so for cars.

Despite its Chinese origin, the HEYNER 564200 is a very accurate pressure gauge, which nevertheless requires periodic calibrations after long periods of operation. Its ergonomic performance is also good, the small body is very comfortable in the hand. The only thing that you can find fault with is the lack of LED backlighting, because of which the use of the device in the dark becomes problematic.

Advantages

• low price;
• metal body with anti-slip rubber inserts;
• high measurement accuracy;
• convenient scale with units of measurement (in atm) familiar to the Russian user.

disadvantages

• lack of backlight for manipulating the device in the dark.

Airline APR-M-02

Rating: 4.7

Monolithic budget dial gauge, a big plus of which lies in the combined scale with two units of measurement. Moreover, the leading scale, opposite the same BERKUT ADG-031, shows the current tire pressure in atmospheres, which is very convenient for the domestic user. The maximum value of the measured pressure of the model can reach 7 atmospheres, which is more than enough even for any type of transport (from a bicycle to a KAMAZ).

As a feature of the Airline APR-M-02, users often call the tilt of the measuring head, which is inconvenient at first to accurately hit the nipple. However, this is one of those moments that you just need to get used to. From the point of view of reliability, the model shows good results, except that it would not be superfluous to 'fasten' at least some semblance of an anti-slip rubber pad to the smooth metal. Among the nuances could be attributed and the lack of backlight for working with a pressure gauge at night, but given the extremely low price, this would be a real 'fat'.

Advantages

• optimal quality indicators;
• convenient leading scale with a cut-off limit of 7 atmospheres;
• reliable case;
• closed measuring head with a small angle of inclination.

disadvantages

• lack of anti-slip pads on the smooth metal body;
• not adapted for work in the dark.

Best digital pressure gauges

BERKUT DIGITAL MAX

Rating: 4.9

Let the words that Airline APR-MD-06 actually 'beat up' its direct opponent, leading this segment, and sounded within the framework of our rating, nevertheless, it should be understood that Berkut DIGITAL MAX is a pressure gauge of a completely different size. Its high price is due to a number of usage features that make measurements a little easier than that of the vast majority of competitors.

In particular, we should highlight the exceptional convenience of the case with the power button proudly brought to the fore. The need for which, however, is rather doubtful due to the presence of an automatic switch-on function when the measuring head is brought to the nipple. The measurement itself takes place in 1-2 seconds, after which the device carefully informs about the end of the process (by means of sound notification) and displays the obtained value on a bright display. By the way, this is another feature of DIGITAL MAX – it is very easy (one might say, everyday) to use the pressure gauge in the dark, much easier than all the models considered in the category. The final advantage of the model is the presence in the set of a branded cover from 'Berkut', which in the standard sense is a real 'fat'.

Advantages

• sound notification about the end of measurements;
• automatic switching on of the device when fixing the measuring head on the nipple (and duplicating the function with a button on the panel);
• very convenient LED lighting;
• the presence of a storage cover in the package;
• high measurement accuracy;
• The optimum ratio of price and quality.

disadvantages

• not found.

Airline APR-MD-06

Rating: 4.8

The Airline APR-MD-06 can be called a victim of some bias from a number of users, who do not recognize any other authorities in the segment other than the tried and tested and always chic products of the Berkut company. In fact, this device is one of the few who can challenge the more expensive Berkut DIGITAL MAX and emerge from the confrontation as a nominal winner. Just because an important indicator of cost comes into play.

As shown by a number of user checks, the results of control measurements of the pressure of the two above-mentioned pressure gauges are identical to each other, and, therefore, in terms of accuracy, the APR-MD-06 in a cheerful orange case is not inferior to a more serious (metallic) device from 'Berkut'. The whole difference between them lies in the ephemeral concept of 'durability', which entirely depends on the directness of the consumer's hands and the coincidence of circumstances (roughly speaking, how hard the coating will be under the device during its fall). So, discarding prejudices, we state: the digital pressure gauge from Airline has made the famous model from the main competitor.

Advantages

• low price;
• accuracy, completely identical to Berkut DIGITAL MAX (does not have deviations of -0.2 atm relative to real values, as some users say);
• pleasant, no-nonsense design;
• satisfactory indicators of reliability.

disadvantages

• indirectly – a large bias on the part of the consumer segment.

CEM TP-5 481257

Rating: 4.7

Convenient digital pressure gauge for household use (not included in the state register), the measurement range of which is from 5 to 100 psi (up to 7 atm). The overall design of CEM TP-5 481257 is ideal for a firm and comfortable grip, both for male and female hands (fortunately, the device weighs only 77 grams). The combination of the working head of the pressure gauge with the nipple does not require manipulations like those made with the Airline APR-M-02 dial gauge: there are no turns and angles of inclination of the working part at all.

Despite its low price, CEM TP-5 481257 provides satisfactory measurement accuracy within ± (1% + 0.5 psi). This is not enough to impose a struggle on the more eminent pillar of the market in the person of BERKUT DIGITAL MAX, but the model will have enough potential to compete for the middle places. Perhaps the final advantage of this manometer can be considered the presence of a backlight of the display and a measuring head, thanks to which you can comfortably measure pressure in twilight and darkness. The function of memorizing the maximum result has not surprised anyone for a long time.

Advantages

• measurement range from 5 to 100 psi;
• very comfortable body (shape + 77 grams of weight);
• the presence of backlight and the possibility of fixing the maximum measurement result.

disadvantages

• measurement results are presented in psi units.

DAEWOO DWM 7

Rating: 4.6

The pressure gauge of a fairly well-known Asian manufacturer, whose 'filling' very clearly sends us to draw parallels with the products of CEM or Berkut. It has a bright body with a comfortable grip, but mainly for a woman's hand, since the excessive compactness has played a cruel joke with the device. It does not have a deflator (like the main opponents by rating), but it has a very accurate measuring potential that demonstrates to users to the fullest.

If from the point of view of ease of use with DAEWOO DWM 7 everything is more or less clear (in addition, you can note the presence of LED backlight for ease of operation in the dark), then in terms of performance there is one very urgent question. Namely: was the manufacturer cheating when he prescribed -50 degrees Celsius to the lower limit for the operating temperature of the pressure gauge? The answer is yes, and obviously. A number of expert tests have shown that the electronics of the device can adequately perceive no more than -30 degrees Celsius (which is also a kind of achievement). At temperatures below the designated point, the stability of the operation and the reliability of the results are disturbed.

Advantages

• high measurement accuracy;
• backlight for working in the dark;
• electronics honestly withstand frosts down to -30 degrees Celsius;
• durable (albeit inconvenient) case.

disadvantages

• excessive compactness (the device is inconvenient to grip with a standard male hand);
• discrepancy between declared performance and actual results.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.