Mini electric bike pumps are here. Fumpa showcased their “mini” pump at Interbike way back in 2017, but it wasn’t until 2022 that mountain bikers really started adopting the convenient little noisemakers. Singletracks has tested several pumps over the past few seasons, and we decided to put a fresh crop to the test, head-to-head.
| Inflations per charge* | Time to 20psi | Loudness (dB)** | Weight | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flextail Mini Bike Tire Pump | 7.5 | 1:13 | 80 | 136g | $75.99 |
| Topeak E-Booster Digital | 2.65 | 0:59 | 80 | 163g | $144.95 |
| State Electric Bike Inflator | 6.15 | 1:07 | 87 | 152g | $69.99 |
| Asmax T30 | 5.85 | 1:00 | 90 | 134g | $49.99 |
| Fanttik X9 | 15 | 1:32 | 77 | 402g | ~$44 |
Mini electric bike pump test
I tested five mini electric inflators back-to-back to see how fast, heavy, and loud they are, and to see how quickly each one inflates a 29×2.5″ mountain bike tire. All of the pumps can be charged via a USB-C connector.
Flextail Mini Bike Tire Pump
I’ve used the Flextail Mini more than any of the others on the trail, and it’s proven to be incredibly convenient and reliable. It’s one of the lightest and most compact in the test, and among the trail-size pumps tested, it delivered the most inflations on a single charge. However, it’s also one of the slowest.
The Flextail Mini, like all the other pumps tested, comes with a short, removable extender hose. I’ve found it’s much quicker and easier to just plug the pump onto a Presta valve directly. However, all of these pumps get very hot, which has been known to melt (!) TPU tubes and valves. So if you’re pumping up a TPU tube or carrying one as a spare, you should also carry the extension hose with your mini electric pump, even if you don’t use it every time.
The Flextail Mini is the only inflator I’ve tested that also doubles as a safety light when mounted on the back of your bike. Another unique feature is an automatic shut-off to save the battery if the pump is running but not attached to a valve. I also like the transparent body that lets you see some of the pump’s inner workings.
Like all the pumps in this test, the Flextail Mini allows you to set a target pressure (in my case, 20psi) and once your tire reaches that pressure, the pump automatically shuts off. The Flextail remembers your target pressure between uses, as do all but one of the other pumps below.
- Weight: 136g
- Price: $75.99
- Buy from Amazon
Topeak E-Booster Digital
Topeak is known for their innovative pumps and tire pressure gauges, and they’re currently offering two different mini electric inflators. The one I tested, the E-Booster Digital, has a unique valve selector switch for use with Presta and Schrader valves.
In the first round of tests, the Topeak E-Booster turned in a very slow zero-to-twenty time, so much so that I decided to run another test just to confirm. Apparently, something was wrong the first time because the E-Booster ended up being the fastest pump in the test, clocking just under a minute in the 0psi to 20psi timed inflation test.
Unfortunately, the Topeak is the heaviest of the mini trailside pumps I tested. Not only that, the battery only inflated the 29×2.5″ tire 3.95 times before running out. The stated battery capacity is 600mAh, about half what some of the others, like the State inflator below, spec. Clearly, it’s not a bigger battery that’s making the E-Booster heavy.
I can’t say for sure, but the E-Booster felt like it got the hottest of all the mini pumps, so perhaps the motor inside just isn’t as efficient as the others, which would be a double whammy.
- Weight: 163g
- Price: $144.95
- Buy from REI
State Electric Bike Inflator
The State Electric Bike Inflator is the only inflator in the test with a floor-pump-like pump head that presses and locks onto the valve for a secure connection. Of course, you don’t have to use the hose; the pump comes with a more compact direct-connect adapter. Just remember not to use it with your TPU tube.
State is one of two pumps on test that features a tiny white LED you can turn on to illuminate the valve while you’re pumping, which is handy for early-morning or late-night ride repairs. Though it’s heavier and louder than most of the pumps tested, it also delivered more than six inflations on a single charge.
The State is the only mini pump I tested that doesn’t “remember” your preferred pressure cutoff between uses.
- Weight: 152g
- Price: $69.99
- Buy from State Bicycle Co.
Asmax T30
The Asmax T30 is the most affordable among the smaller, trail-portable pumps tested above. It’s also one of the fastest to inflate a tire from zero to 20psi, and blows almost six inflations on a single charge. Oh, and it’s the lightest of the crop.
Asmax gives you an extension and a couple of adapters to fit Presta, Schrader, and Dunlop valves. Initially, I couldn’t understand why the hose didn’t fit my Presta valve. Turns out it’s set up for Dunlop, which I know nothing about because I’m not a thousand years old. To use the hose on your Presta, you need to screw the red Presta connector onto the end of the hose.
Where the Asmax falls short is in the sound department. It’s the loudest pump that I measured at 90dB. Based on a quick search, this is on par with a lawnmower, blender, or a person shouting in your ear. All of these pumps sound more like a hairdryer to me, and I wouldn’t call any of them “quiet” by any means. In fact, anything above 85dB can damage hearing over time, so you may want to plug your ears while you inflate.
Like the State inflator, the Asmax T30 has an LED you can use to help you find the valve in dark conditions. The digital display on the Asmax renders smoothly, though it can be hard to read in bright conditions.
- Weight: 134g
- Price: $49.99
- Buy from Amazon
Fanttik X9
The Fanttik X9 is by far the largest pump in this test. I don’t recommend this particular model for on-trail use unless you’re a strong rider and don’t mind hauling around some extra weight (it weighs almost a pound!). Still, I had to include the Fanttik X9 in this test because it’s the most-purchased pump among Singletracks readers. I suspect this is because of the price (you can often find it for less than $40) and its promise of long battery life.
By the twelfth inflation during my test, I was hoping — no, praying — that the damn Fanttik battery would run out. Of course, if I were on the trail, I would be rooting in the other direction. The Fanttik ultimately inflated 15 tires from zero to 20psi, double what the next best pump was able to accomplish on a single charge.
The Fanttik X9 comes with a rather convoluted hose that screws onto a Presta or Schrader valve. All the others in this test simply press onto the valve, making them faster to attach.
Surprisingly, the Fanttik proved to be the slowest pump in the test, but also the quietest. Though it’s a quality pump, my recommendation is to spend about ten bucks more and get a Fanttik X10, which weighs about half as much and takes up a lot less space in your pack.
- Weight: 402g
- Price: ~$44
- Buy from Amazon
More inflators tested
Singletracks product reviewers separately tested these mini electric inflators.
Muc-off AirMach Electric Mini Inflator – Pro
The Mucoff AirMach Electric Mini Inflator is conveniently small, easily packs in your bag or even your pocket, and is powerful, pumping tires to 120psi, allowing you to inflate up to four tires on one charge. There is an LED display that shows battery life and a pressure reading, so you can check and fill your tire to the preferred pressure. The AirMach is USB-C rechargeable within 30 minutes.
- Weight: 122g
- Price: $155
- Buy from Muc-off
Cycplus AS2 Ultra
The Cycplus AS2 Ultra is a wallet-sized battery-powered bike pump that works surprisingly well for topping off tires, though it can’t seat tubeless tires and gets noisy and hot during extended use. While Sam was initially skeptical, he found it to be reliable and convenient, with good battery life that can inflate multiple tires on a single charge. Read his full Cycplus AS2 review.
- Weight: 120g
- Price: $119.99
- Buy from Amazon
Which one is the best mini electric inflator for mountain biking?
I haven’t personally tested the Cycplus or Muc-Off inflator, but among the five I have used, my two favorites are the Flextail and Asmax pumps. Both offer a good mix of battery life, speed, portability, and price.
Your turn: Is there another inflator we should test? Which one do you carry on the trail for mountain biking?
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