Topeak has released the new Topeak E-Booster Digital Mini which is a smaller and more portable electric tire inflator. The Mini version of the pump removes the bulky SmartHead functionality and adds a more vibrant color screen and additional functionality. Retail price for the E-Booster Digital Mini is $154.95 which includes both a fabric and waterproof bag. Topeak has designed the pump to be compatible with Presta, Schrader and Clik valves by adjusting the nozzle rubber and metal inserts. The inflator also has a more advanced color display screen with a flashlight to help with inflating in low light conditions.
The Topeak E-Booster Digital Mini combines a compact form factor with a color screen and LED flashlight.
| Retail Price | $154.95 |
| Rating | 9.0 / 10 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 122 (pump), 16 (Schrader extension), 8 (Presta adapter) |
| Likes | + Compact form factor that is more competitive with other pumps on the market + Clik valve compatibility with reversible head + Premium feeling color screen with multiple unit options and startup logo |
| Dislikes | – Premium price compared to smaller brands – The lack of a SmartHead toggle means the Digital Mini doesn’t really stand out in the market |
| Where to Buy (US) | Topeak |
UNBOXING
The Topeak E-Booster Digital Mini comes in a compact cardboard box with white and yellow graphics printed on it. Once you open the box you’ll find:
- E-Booster Mini pump
- Schrader extension hose + Presta adapter
- Fabric carrying bag
- Waterproof bag
- USB-C charging cable
- Manual
Topeak includes both a fabric bag as well as a waterproof plastic bag which makes it easy to bring the pump on a ride in any weather.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the Topeak E-Booster Digital Mini has standard rectangular design with rounded corners and a slight bevel on the front and rear faces. Compared to the larger Topeak E-Booster Digital pump which has distinctive SmartHead protrusion on top, this Mini version looks more inline with current pumps. The size is in fact smaller as the Mini name implies with dimensions of 5.4 x 3.2 x 7.2 cm or 2.1 x 1.3 x 2.8 inches. While it is not as small as the CYCPLUS AS2 Ultra, the more compact dimensions make it easy to pack in saddlebags or jersey pockets. The outside of the pump feels like plastic with a semi-gloss black finish and simple Topeak branding on the faces.
Topeak has placed the screen on the side with a well sized color screen and three large buttons for adjusting pressure and powering the pump on or off. The nozzle is located on the front with a threaded head and two piece design that lets you use Schrader, Presta or Clik valves. One of the nice upgrades with the E-Booster Digital Mini is the improved color screen. On power up the screen even displays a yellow Topeak logo which is a touch you typically only see on pumps from larger brands like the Trek Air Rush. The display shows the current pressure in large letters in the center with a battery indicator on the top right, the target pressure below that and the units in the right bottom corner. It is an intuitive display that looks higher resolution than other pumps on the market.
The pump can be either used directly on valves, or with the included extension hose. As with most electric pumps, Topeak recommends using the extension for TPU style tubes to prevent damaging the valves from the high heat the pump generates. If you use the pump directly on valves, you can swap between Presta, Schrader and even Clik valves. To convert between the different valve types you unthread the nozzle and then change the orientation of the rubber grommet and the metal inner piece. Without having the manual in front of you for reference, it’s easy to get confused with the correct orientation of the parts which is why we prefer separate valve pieces or Topeak’s SmartHead design. The extension hose is a Schrader valve extension hose and has a flexible rubber design that makes it easier to access valves. There is a separate Presta screw on attachment that threads onto the valve to use it with Presta valves with no dedicated option for Clik valves.
USER INTERFACE
The pump is operated through three physical buttons: minus, plus and a power button. Holding the power button will turn the pump on and off, while a single press with the pump on starts or stops inflation. Single pressing the plus or minus button changes the target pressure and starts to flash the target pressure value. While it is flashing you can hold either button to make faster changes in pressure. If nothing is flashing, you can double tap the minus button to toggle the flashlight LED on or off. Additionally, Topeak has added three unit display options: PSI / Bar / Kg/cm^2 which can be changed by holding the plus button. After a few seconds the units will flash, and pressing the plus button again will cycle through the options. The user interface is fairly straightforward once you understand it, but it is not as simple as other pumps due to the additional flashlight functionality.
ON THE ROAD
Having reviewed the larger Topeak E-Booster Digital, we were excited to see Topeak create the smaller and more portable Topeak E-Booster Digital Mini. The smaller size and improved screen make the Digital Mini more competitive with other pumps on the market. To test the pump we did our standard multiple inflations of a 700×28 tire from empty to 65 PSI with short breaks in between. Despite having a standard 500 mAh battery, we were able to inflate the tire an impressive 5.8 times in around 58 seconds, inflation stopped the fifth time at 52.9 psi out of 65 psi target, which is one of the longest battery lives we’ve seen and competitive in terms of speed. Topeak has also done a great job with heat management as the plastic body does not get overly hot with repeated inflations like the metal bodies of the CYCPLUS AS2 pumps.
The pump has a similar sound to other inflation pumps on the market, that is, it’s loud and buzzy as the tires are inflating. It’s a steady sound with constant inflation rate instead of the ramping up sound and inflation speed of Fantik X10 pumps. With Topeak having removed the SmartHead feature, the E-Booster Digital Mini is competitive with other pumps but doesn’t really stand out with any particular features aside from being more polished overall. Little features like the yellow Topeak startup image, flash light function and larger screen make the E-Booster feel premium. That’s a good thing as the pump has a premium price closer to the Trek Air Rush than smaller brands.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Topeak E-Booster Digital Mini bike tire inflator to be a well designed and polished inflator. Topeak has removed the SmartHead feature from the E-Booster Digital and improved the screen and features to create this more portable Digital Mini. Little details like a color screen with Topeak logo on startup, and the flashlight improve the usability and feel of the pump. We were also impressed with the long battery life and ventilation which helps increase the amount of tires you can inflate while avoiding an overly hot exterior. The downside to the pump is the premium price, and the lack of SmartHead to help differentiate it. That said, the Topeak E-Booster Digital Mini is a well designed and powerful electric bike tire inflator.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Topeak. 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.