Best CO2 Bike Tire Inflators [Review] in 2021

Best CO2 Bike Tire Inflator Buyers Guide

CO2 inflators are an important component to carry with you at all times if you are an enthusiastic biker. Even if you aren’t, these inflators can save you a lot of trouble on a flat tire.

They can practically enable you to get to your nearest bike repair shop for a quick fix, and you never know when you might need it.

CO2 inflators can inflate your bike tires within seconds. All one has to do is fit the valve onto the canister nozzle and let it flow.

They also require a lot less effort as compared to pumps that require physical pumping while inflating the tire. These inflators weigh less than a pump and are also easy to carry around as they fit perfectly and easily in your backpack or your bike side holder.

These inflators have a low initial investment as most of them come with 2 cartridges along with the nozzle valve holder in the package.

What I look for in the best CO2 inflators

The inflators we looked at today had to offer a lot, and they really redefined what a CO2 inflator can do in terms of reducing hassle while inflating.

All inflators were compatible with Presta and Schrader valves, the most common valves on bike tires. Some offered sleeves to insulate the canister while pumping to avoid cold hands, while others provided a textured finish to avoid cold cans.

Some had the flexibility to attach to multiple different capacity options for cartridges, while others only came with the inflator head and no cartridge.

All in all, the price was kept in mind, and there were a lot of appealing options in the CO2 inflators we looked at today.

What are CO2 Inflators?

CO2 inflators are used to add carbon dioxide gas into your bike through the tire valve system. They come with different designs such as the twist to inflate, push to inflate and the trigger controlled inflators. You can use them to inflate flat tires or when filling up new tubes.

Here are some benefits:

Time-saving: As compared to air pumps, these fill up the tires faster. They can inflate your tires within seconds so you can get back riding within a blink of an eye. For regular bike pumps, you may be standing there for around 10 minutes tirelessly trying to pump up your tire.

Portable: That being said, CO2 inflators are super portable, especially in comparison to regular bike pumps. Regular bike pumps are massive, and they’re heavy too, whereas CO2 inflators are often pocket-sized so that you can carry them in your saddlebag, backpack, or even your jacket!

They are usually super lightweight, too; they won’t take up too much space– you’ll forget it’s there! When I switched to CO2 bike pumps, I never forget my inflator again; I never had to worry about flats as I was covered.

Easy to use: Another benefit is that they hold gas at very high pressure, making them easy and effortless to use. You only need to place the head onto the valve stem them press/twist.

Some can even inflate tires as big as fat bike tires within seconds, you heard me, within seconds!

It may not be possible to inflate a tubeless tire when using a hand pump unless you use an air compressor or a CO2 inflator. However, air compressors are a bit heavy to carry, which means that CO2 inflators are the best.

Versatile: Most designs are super versatile too, I have selected pumps that are both Presta and Schrader compatible without any head switching needing.

Some CO2 pumps will fit any tire, too: road, mountain, and fat bike tires.

How to pick the best CO2 Inflators

Just like buying any other product, you need to be careful when buying CO2 bike inflators. Some of the things you should check are;

Material:

Most CO2 inflator heads are made from either plastic or aluminum material. If you are on a budget, plastic ones are the cheapest. However, they are not durable, which means that aluminum ones are the best.

I would recommend splashing out a few more dollars and getting better quality aluminum as they are lightweight and much more durable, especially if you’re a trail shredder. It will be rattling around in your backpack, saddlebag, or pocket.

Size:

 A good CO2 inflator should have a good balance of stability and size. Avoid inflators that are too small because they may not be easy to use. The size all depends on where you’ll be storing it on your bike; make sure it fits.

You should look for a balance between storability and stability, you don’t want a CO2 inflator that is too bulky, nor do you want one that is too small.

This probably the most personal part of choosing an inflator is the size and type. It depends on what you’re comfortable with and how it will be stored on your bike.

That being said, you should also ensure that the canister isn’t too heavy, as every hill, every trail-shredding adventure, every commute, you will have to carry this inflator. So in terms of practicality, I would recommend going for a lightweight design.

One of the major benefits of CO2 bike inflators is that they’re super lightweight and compact, making them extremely portable and easy to use on the go.

Types: 

CO2 cartridges are either or non-threaded. Threaded ones are the most popular due to their low price. On the other hand, non-threaded ones are straightforward to use, but they are expensive.

There are also three ways to release gas from the cartridges: press to inflate, turn to inflate or unscrew to inflate. When choosing which one is best for you, you should consider which one is easiest for you.

Make sure you practice at home at too, so in the case of a tire flat, you know exactly what you’re doing, plus so you know exactly what tire pressure your bike tire will need.

Pressure:

When looking for a CO2 inflator, you should look for one that allows you to have a good amount of control over how much psi you put in your tires.

Different bike tires need different psi levels, so it’s important first to know how many psi’s your bike needs and get a co2 inflator to make your life easier when inflating.

These tend to be slightly more expensive, but you don’t need to waste a whole canister every time you have a flat. This is also helpful as it allows you to add a small amount of air before you even fit the tire.

You should also look for ease of use; flat tires occur at the most inconvenient times and tend to happen in bad weather. To make things easier for you, you should look for an inflator that is easy to use and will work quickly.

The best type of valve for complete convenience has to go for one that has a push-fit, they do tend to be quite pricey, but they’re definitely worth it!

Threaded v Non-threaded:

Before you buy yourself a CO2 inflator, you should always make sure it is compatible with your bike tire. If you’re unsure, I would recommend going for one that is compatible with threaded and non-threaded valves.

Luckily nowadays, most CO2 inflators are both Presta and Schrader compatible, meaning that they will fit both threaded and non-threaded valves without needing to change the head.

Canister’s Wrapping:

This is arguably the most important factor to consider. If the canister is metal and not wrapped in anything, it will become cold within seconds of inflating your tire.

If it doesn’t have any protective wrapping, then go for one that does have some, or even invest in a good and warm pair of gloves as this can cause frostbite in your pretty fingertips.

If your CO2 inflator doesn’t have an outer casing around it, then you must use a towel, sock, or long gloves when using it to prevent damage from the cold. Most brands offer an outer casing to prevent this, luckily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are CO2 bike pumps any good?

One of the most outstanding things about CO2 inflators is that they have a very compact size. Due to this, they are straightforward to carry and are also easier to use than hand pumps.

They will also inflate your tire much quicker than a regular bike pump; instead of puffing out all your energy using a bike pump, CO2 inflators will pump up your tires within seconds! They can then be chucked in your backpack or saddlebag, ready to go for the next time you need them. 

Which is the most durable CO2 inflator?

In terms of durability, Lezyne CO2 is one of the most durable options on the market. It also provides instant inflation. But the next best has to go to Briskmore, thanks to their heavy-duty, durable aluminum alloy and alloy steel. 

The canister itself will last you a long time, but the CO2 canisters may only last 3-4 days after opening, so if you do get a CO2 inflator where you get the option to not use all of the canisters at once, it may not be worth it as you will need to get rid of it after 4 days. 

Do I Use an Entire Cartridge?

Every time you inflate your tires, you will have to use a whole canister; some inflators will allow you to use however much you need, but since the canister only lasts up to 4 days after opening, it isn’t really worth it. 

How do you use a C02 bike tire inflator? 

If you’re a beginner, you may be asking yourself, how on earth do I use a bike canister? Well, never fear, as this YouTube video massively helped me when I first started using CO2 bike inflators. 

All you really need to do is screw the threads of the CO2 canister all the way in to puncture the canister top and then unscrew to let the CO2 flow out, and it will inflate the tire! Then screw it back in to stop the flow, and you’re done. 

However, all CO2 inflators work slightly differently, so if you’re still confused, I recommend consulting your local bike shop. 

Summary:

All in all, CO2 bike inflators are the way to go when it comes to complete convenience. Carrying a pump not only takes up a lot of space, but it also takes up a lot of un-needed time, especially you’re just trying to commute home in horrid weather, and you get a puncture– it’s the worst! 

The best CO2 inflators will inflate your tire within seconds, so you can get back to shredding the trails, get back to enjoying your ride, or just get out of the rainy winter evening and get home. 

Choose any of the CO2 inflators I have selected for you today; I can guarantee that they will make your life so much easier and make flats less of a hassle and less of a tedious job. 

Get cycling!