The gauge on a compressor hose is only a guide, and the ones at servo air pumps are anyone’s guess. The AstroAI Digital Tyre Pressure Gauge is the fix: an awesome little thing that we keep permanently in the glovebox. We paid $30 for it, its readings are very accurate, and the PSI is easy to read.
What You’re Getting
A black digital gauge with a moulded grip, a backlit display, a single button and a loop at the end of the handle for hanging it up. It runs on two AAA batteries that sit in the handle, and they’re included. Ours also came with a small brass valve adapter.
The good
- Very accurate readings
- Easy-to-read backlit display
- Small enough to live in the glovebox
- Also lets air out to deflate
- Runs on two AAA batteries
- Four units: PSI, bar, kPa and kg/cm²
The not-so-good
- Slow for airing down four tyres
- Plastic body
- Switches off after 30 to 40 seconds
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | AstroAI |
| Model | GL-0801B |
| Weight | 72 g |
| Display | 21 × 10 mm backlit LCD |
| Size | 14 × 6 × 3 cm |
| Range | 0–150 PSI / 0–10 bar / 0–1,000 kPa |
| Resolution | 0.1 PSI |
| Units | PSIBarKPaKg/cm² |
| Power | 2 × AAA batteries |
Reading the pressure
There’s nothing to it. Press the button to switch it on, push the nozzle onto the valve and the pressure appears on the display. It reads to 0.1 PSI, and the readings are very accurate, which is the whole reason to own one.
The display is backlit and the numbers are big, so the PSI is easy to read, also in bright sun or when you’re crouched at a dusty wheel. The nozzle lights up as well, which helps you find the valve in the dark. The same button switches between PSI, bar, kPa and kg/cm², and the gauge turns itself off after 30 to 40 seconds to save the batteries. You can also hold the button to switch it off.
We check all four tyres with it before a long drive and after every change of surface.
Letting air out
You can also use it to let air out of a tyre, which is handy for a quick deflate when the road turns to gravel: let a little out, check the number, repeat until you’re where you want to be.
That works well for dropping a few PSI. It’s not the tool for airing down all four tyres a long way, for example before driving on the beach. For that we use a proper set of deflators, the CampBoss Boss Air tyre deflators, and use the gauge to check the result. Not sure what to run? See our guide on how to determine PSI for your 4WD tyres.
Batteries, size and weight
It runs on two AAA batteries in the handle. That’s better than the button cells in a lot of small gauges: AAAs last longer and you can buy them at any servo.
The gauge is about 14 cm long and weighed 72 g on our scale with its batteries. It disappears in the glovebox or a door pocket, so there’s no reason not to have it with you. The body is plastic, so it’s one to keep in the glovebox, not loose in a toolbox.
Conclusion: AstroAI Digital Tyre Pressure Gauge
The AstroAI Digital Tyre Pressure Gauge is an awesome little thing. Its readings are very accurate, the PSI is easy to read, it runs on AAA batteries and it weighs 72 g, so it lives in our glovebox for good. It will also let air out for a quick deflate on a gravel road, though for airing down all four tyres a proper set of deflators is quicker. I paid $30 for it. Every car should have one.
A small, accurate digital tyre gauge with an easy-to-read backlit display that runs on two AAA batteries.
It also lets air out for a quick deflate. It lives in our glovebox. For airing down all four tyres, use proper deflators.
- 4WD tourers
- Car campers
- Caravanners
Yes. $30 buys a gauge whose readings you can trust, and it’s small enough to stay in the glovebox for good. It was cheaper on Amazon when we looked.
