Electric bike inflators are a growing segment of bicycle accessories that offer a convenient way to inflate tires without the need for a floor pump. The Fanttik X9 Ace takes the brand’s extensive experience in car tire inflators and applies it to a smaller form factor that is better suited for cycling. Retail price on the X9 Ace is a highly competitive $59.97 which includes an easy to read digital gauge and 150 PSI max. Compared to other mini inflators, the X9 Ace is on the larger size as it houses a 5000mAh battery for extended run time that can inflate up to 12 700×23 tires on one charge. Fanttik has also incorporated a clever reversible nozzle head that makes switching between Presta and Schrader valves quick and easy.
The Fanttik X9 Ace bike inflator combines a compact form factor with a clever reversible nozzle head for Presta and Schrader valves.
| Retail Price | $59.97 |
| Rating | 8.8 / 10 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 386 |
| Likes | + Long runtimes thanks to the 5000mAh battery + Reversible nozzle head for Presta / Schrader valves with no separate parts + Easy to read digital gauge with simple user interface |
| Dislikes | – Digital gauge only shows pressure in PSI units – Battery indicator colors can be confusing |
| Where to Buy (US) | Fanttik |
UNBOXING
The Fanttik X9 Ace pump comes in a compact cardboard box with gray and yellow graphics printed on it that matches the Fanttik branding. Inside the box you’ll find:
- X9 Ace pump
- USB-C charging cable
- Instruction manual
Note, Fanttik does not include any ball or air mattress style nozzles with this pump which could be a negative for some buyers.
FIT & FINISH
While the Fanttik X9 Ace is one of Fanttik’s smallest inflators, it’s pretty big compared to other inflators we’ve seen. It’s about 4” x 2.5” x 1.5” which technically still fits in the palm but is double the size of even the CYCPLUS AS2 Pro Max. This large size is due to the 5000 mAh internal battery which gives the pump long runtimes compared to the competition. The pump has a rectangular profile with fully rounded corners and slightly textured plastic body that make it easy to hold. The top and bottom of the pump are vented while a large orange Fanttik logo is printed on the front and rear. A stripe of shiny black plastic runs down the right side which hides the LCD display and the control buttons.
There are three physical buttons with a power button on top and a plus / minus below it to adjust the pressure value. The user interface is really simple, hold the power button to turn it on or off and use the plus minus to adjust the pressure. Pressing the power button turns the pump on or off once you’ve selected your desired pressure. The pump has mode memory which means it always turns on at the same pressure you left it on. Fanttik allows for pressures up to 150 PSI which is far more than any bicycle tire should be inflated to. Note, the display also only shows the pressure in PSI and has no option to switch to bar which is odd as there is plenty of space on the display and a feature most users would expect. There is also a LED indicator under the buttons that alternate between white (above 50% battery), orange (20-50%) and red (under 20%).
One of the cool features of the X9 Ace is the rotatable inflator head. Mounted on the right side on a swivel mount, the inflator head can be rotated a full 360 degrees to find the best angle to inflate a tire. The head of the nozzle also rotates 360 degrees and has a semi-flexible rubber hose which lets you use the pump at nearly any angle. Fanttik has designed this pump to be compatible with Presta or Schrader valves by using a clever reversible head. You simply unthread the head off the tube and install it in the reverse direction. That means there are no easy-to-lose separate adapters to deal with. It’s a nice design detail that lets you quickly swap between valve styles.
ON THE BIKE
With its larger size and nearly 1lb weight, Fanttik X9 Ace is much more of a floor pump replacement than a CO2 replacement to bring on a ride. That larger size has a number of advantages though, the X9 Ace has a lower more pleasant tone when it’s on and the runtimes are significantly longer. We were able to use the X9 Ace on multiple bikes without worrying about running out of battery. The large display screen and rotating nozzle head make it easy to attach to road or gravel bikes. It’s also easy to attach to valves with a secure thread-on design and has an auto-off feature which lets you air up tires in the morning as you do other tasks. While we wouldn’t take it on our road rides like the CYCPLUS AS2 or Flextail, the small size is perfect for leaving in the garage or to replace a floor pump when traveling.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Fanttik X9 Ace to be a well designed and easy to use bike tire inflator. Even though it’s physically larger than other palm-sized inflators, the pump is still compact and portable. We were impressed with the long runtimes and rotating nozzle head that makes it easy to attach to different valves. Fanttik has also used a clever reversible nozzle head that lets you swap between Presta and Schrader valves that eliminates the need for separate adapters that can easily be lost. As far as negatives, the X9 Ace only displays pressure in PSI and uses a confusing single LED battery status indicator rather than a more intuitive battery gauge on the display. That said, if you’re looking for a compact electric pump that is portable but not quite jersey pocket sized then the Fanttik X9 Ace offers some great features and run time.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Fanttik. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.