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Finding the best TPMS tools can be quite a challenge; if you are in search of a tool that will test your vehicle’s functionalities after being serviced, you’ll find this guide to be quite handy. Finding the right TPMS tool to get the most accurate readings possible is key.
This way, you’ll be able to determine whether or not your vehicle is in good working order or if it needs some work done. If you have no idea what a TPMS tool is, don’t worry. In this article, you’ll find out what it is and how it will work. Plus, we’ll dive into the list of the five best TPMS tools that are currently the most popular on the market.
While there are many of these tools flooding the market, we were able to choose the top five based on characteristics and features that stood out to us. Now, let’s get down to the basics of a TPMS tool and what it does.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for TPMS Tools
- OUR TOP PICK: ScanGauge II Ultra Compact 3-in-1
- RUNNER-UP: PLX Devices Kiwi 3 Bluetooth OBD2
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: ANCEL BD310 2 in 1 Diagnostic OBD2
- Edge Products 84130
Comparison of the Best TPMS Tools
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
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| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
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| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
What is a TPMS Sensor Tool?
A TPMS sensor tool is known as a tire pressure monitoring system tool. This tool is a sensor that determines tire pressure and is used before and after your tires have been rotated or installed. This will help you determine if you have adequate tire pressure that will be safe for operating your motor vehicle.
ScanGauge II Ultra Compact 3-in-1
What Does a TPMS Tool Do?
Simply put, this tool is designed to read the tire pressure sensors on your vehicle. Its purpose is to measure the amount of pressure you have in your tires. This will save you from the potential dangers of getting into an automobile crash as a result of a tire being blown out. If your tire pressure is low, the TPMS system will warn you well ahead of time. From there, you’ll need to replace the tires themselves (or add more air).
Are All TPMS Tools The Same?
The short answer: no. Many of them are different in several ways. To better explain, some of the sensors may be powered in different ways. Some may be powered by a battery while others may be powered by other means like solar power (think solar calculators with the little solar panel attached). Some have also had different methods of reading tire pressure compared to others.
How Do I Choose a TPMS Tool?
Knowing how to choose a TPMS tool is important. You’ll want to know exactly what they key features and characteristics are so you can distinguish a great model from one that is subpar. Here are some things to look for in order to find the right TPMS tool for you:
Price
If you are on a budget, that doesn’t mean you are regulated to cheap and flimsy. It means that you’ll need to find the best possible tool that you can afford in terms of quality and performance. The last thing you want to spend money on is something that won’t work effectively.
ANCEL BD310 2 in 1 Diagnostic OBD2
Find One That Will Last Long in Terms of Power
Yes, long-lasting power will be a plus, especially if you are an auto mechanic that uses a TPMS tool to test tire pressure on a regular basis. You don’t want to miss an opportunity to measure tire pressure during a customer’s vehicle inspection. So you’ll need a TPMS tool that won’t drain all kinds of battery life (and at the same time, one that will take less energy to power).
What Type of Vehicles Are You Testing?
Keep in mind that your regular cars and trucks are not the only ones where testing tire pressure is a must. Tractor-trailer trucks and large vehicles need to be consistently tested in order to prevent disaster on the roads. Find a TPMS tool that is fitting for the type of vehicles you are trying to measure.
Quick Take - Best TPMS Tools
In a hurry? Here's a snapshot of the best TPMS tools:
Review of the TPMS Tools
Below is a list of the five best TPMS tools currently on the market. You should be able to find one that will match your needs and preferences. But more importantly, you should note any characteristics and features that stick out as interesting to you.
Once you find one that you like, you might be stuck with it for a while. Now, let’s begin with the first tool on our list -- our “best overall” choice:
Best Overall:
ScanGauge II Ultra Compact 3-in-1
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new buyers report that they were quite happy with this TPMS tool. They were able to get easy readings and were able to understand what was in working order with their vehicles and what needed work. One user said that he was quite pleased with this tool as it allowed him to stay on top of his vehicle’s functionalities. He was able to catch a potential issue early and managed to take it to his local mechanic as a precaution to prevent any further disaster.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This TPMS tool deserves the title of the very best for a few good reasons. One, it covers all your bases in terms of what it can read regarding your vehicle’s performance. So, it’s not limited to just your tire pressure. You’ll get accurate readings on how much fuel your vehicle is consuming, horsepower, and many other measurements that are important and require constant attention. Best of all, you get a tool that will basically give you the determination of whether or not you need to get it serviced or not.
Who Will Use This Most
This will in all likelihood be used by motorists who are always concerned about what might happen to their vehicle in the near future. It’s okay to be worried. And it’s okay to be prepared for any potential disasters that you can prevent by using this tool. This will not only be good for the regular driver, but also for the mechanically inclined as well. If you are an auto mechanic on the go, you can test this out on vehicles that may need roadside service.
Bottom Line
The ScanGauge II Ultra Compact 3-in-1 Automotive Computer is exactly what you are looking for if you want a tool that gives you a complete reading of how your vehicle performs. That way, you can pick up things that can pose a potential threat before things get worse. This is the tool you’ll want on hand for regular check-ups. Not to mention, it can easily save you money on what could otherwise go to an expensive auto care bill.
Runner-up:
PLX Devices Kiwi 3 Bluetooth OBD2
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most new buyers had no complaints about this TPMS tool. They said that it was easy to read with the help of the compatible apps that were available. One user even said that while reading his diagnostics on Android, he was able to know what was working in his vehicle and what were potential causes for concern. He managed to get an error message that led to the discovery of a failing sensor that was replaced rather quickly (if left unattended, it could have caused an overheated engine).
Why it Stands Out to Us
Imagine being able to use currently existing technology that we use every day to read our vehicle’s stats. It’s possible with this TPMS tool. With the use of the app, you can make sure that everything is in working order without having to worry about any complicated readouts to deal with. Everything will be easy to understand and on display, so you’ll know what’s working and what issues need to be addressed at just the touch of a button (or two).
Who Will Use This Most
This will be a great TPMS tool for those who want something that is easy to use and doesn’t require any complicated setups. So, if you have a smartphone, you have half of what you need. Just get this tool and hook it up to your phone, download the app, and get your readings from there. This thing is the real deal and will help those who don’t know a lot about mechanics to understand their vehicles better.
Bottom Line
The PLX Devices Kiwi 3 Bluetooth Diagnostic Scan Tools is one of those devices where anyone can plug in and get accurate readings on their vehicle. This way, you’ll be able to catch any potential issues without knowing mechanical jargon. It’s set up, plug, and go. Nothing could be more simple than that.
Best for the Money:
ANCEL BD310 2 in 1 Diagnostic OBD2
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new users were looking for an affordable TPMS tool that would allow them to read all kinds of data in order to better understand their vehicles. They found this tool to meet their needs exceed their standards in more ways than one. They were very happy with how accurate the readings were.
They were also able to understand the readings easily so they knew which tire pressure was acceptable and what stats were considered “causes for concern”. One user said that this tool was purchased at a time when he just couldn’t figure out what was wrong with his vehicle. Upon further investigation with this tool, he realized that his engine was in the process of deconstructing due to potential overheating.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This TPMS tool is one of the most useful tools of its kind thanks to the modes that are available. You can use it in the Bluetooth mode and also handheld mode if you are on the go and nowhere near a garage (or at home). The latter mode will come in handy in case you are on the road and something seems amiss about your vehicle.
This is a lot better than finding out when it’s too late and you’re sitting on the side of the road waiting for maintenance. On top of that, it’s a modern design that works with many cars ranging from 1996 to today. So whether your vehicle is a bit older or just recently bought off the car lot, you can depend on a tool like this to get the job done and make sure that your vehicle keeps running smoothly and free of errors.
Who Will Use This Most
This will stand out as a starter tool for those who are looking for something that is not just affordable, but also perfect for first-time users of these kinds of tools. You’ll be amazed by how much you’ll get out of a little tool like this. Simply put, this tool will save your vehicle and your wallet from shelling out all kinds of money for an expensive mechanic’s bill. If you want to stay on top of your vehicle without breaking the bank, this is the tool to go with.
Bottom Line
The Ancel 2-in-1 Diagnostic Scanner is the go-to choice for you if you are in search of a tool that is affordable and allows for easy reading and understandable diagnostics. You don’t have to be a mechanical genius in order to use it. But it will definitely give you a good opportunity to get to know your vehicle more and what’s considered normal for them in terms of performance stats.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Many new users were impressed with this tool as a whole. They plugged this into their vehicles and placed the display on their dashboards (where it can fit) and were able to get accurate and reliable readings on their vehicles. One user said he bought this for his wife’s car since it seemed like she was having trouble. He was also able to use it for his own vehicle and was quite impressed with its abilities. He added that it was good enough to get another one for himself so he doesn’t have to steal his wife’s all the time.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Many new users were quite happy with this tool. Not only that, they were able to easily install this on their vehicles to ensure that they got accurate and reliable readings every time they used it. The displays are electronic and are the closest thing you can get to a small computer to tell you what parts of your vehicle are working and which ones are probably going to need some attending to. If you are looking for a tool that will keep you ahead of the game and be able to catch problems before they catch up with your vehicle, this TPMS tool will probably be what you’ll want to invest in.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be useful for many users that will probably rely on more modern technology to make sure that their vehicles are in working order. So if you want a TPMS tool that is easy to use, allows for a display of accurate stats, and makes sure your vehicle stays in working order without the complicated technological jargon, this tool would be perfect for you.
Bottom Line
The Edge Insight Monitor might just be what you’ll want on hand if you want something that will be easy to hook up and able to fit on your dashboard. It’s a smart tool that can read just about anything and will give you a good reading on your vehicle’s vitals. Think of it as a diagnostic doctor for your vehicle.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This gauge might just be one of the easiest tools to use, according to one user. Many of them were able to plug this into their vehicles by way of the plug-in (or the cigarette lighter) and were able to read off their stats for gas mileage, RPM, and engine temperature, among others. They were also able to figure out what every section represented and read messages regarding potential issues without reading any complicated jargon.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This tool has the ability to deliver you a good amount of stats in order to determine whether or not your vehicle is in working order or if there are some fixes that need to be made. Simply put, it can detect potential issues before they get worse. You can plug this sucker in and get a good reading in about 10 minutes time. So if you want to know how well your vehicle is running, this TPMS tool might be just what the doctor ordered.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be an excellent tool for those who want something that allows for easy measurements and easy reading. In fact, this might be one of the simplest to use TPMS tools on the market. All you have to do is plug it in, play around, get your readings, and you’re done. Nothing too complicated to deal with, right?
Bottom Line
The UltraGauge Automotive OBD2 Scanner will be the best little tool you’ve had when it comes to reading all kinds of things that pertain to your vehicle. And since it’s easy to use and has all kinds of configurations at your disposal, you’ll probably spend a good time checking up on your car to see how good it runs. And it might even save you from a ridiculously high repair bill.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Other than the features and characteristics, you’ll need to consider some other important aspects that factor into your final purchasing decision. You need to know what these are before you make a choice on which TPMS tool is best for you.
What Should I Pay Attention To?
While tire pressure is important, these tools have the capability to measure the stats of your vehicle like gas mileage, engine temperature, and even detect any potential problems. This should be a must since you’ll be able to determine what might be the cause for concern. Your TPMS tool may reveal something that might be part of an underlying problem.
Is My Vehicle Compatible?
Most of the TPMS tools available are designed to work with vehicles ranging from 1996 to the present. So long as you are able to plug it into the power source located inside your vehicle (like a cigarette lighter) you will be able to operate it.
How Accurate Does It Need To Be?
There is a good chance that these tools will be accurate in terms of reading your vehicle’s stats and functionalities. So you’ll need to consider a TPMS tool that will be consistently accurate so you are able to make an informed decision on whether or not there is a problem that exists rather than waste time finding out there wasn’t one in the first place.
How to Use a TPMS Tool
If you do not know how to use a TPMS tool, you’re not alone. Follow this guide below and you’ll be able to know how to use it if and when you need to. In this example, we’ll be using a tool that is simply designed to measure tire pressure.
- Position the sensor located on the top of the tool and hold the “ON” button and wait for short horn beep (like a car alarm activating).
- Once you hear the horn, move on to the next tire and repeat the process until all four tires are scanned.
Conclusion
Finding the best TPMS tool is going to take a bit of time and a little bit of detective work. It’s important that you find one that will not only read your tire pressure but will also be able to detect any issues that might be going on within your vehicle. If you find something that needs urgent repairs or the like, take it to your nearby mechanic or body shop immediately before the problem gets worse.
