Hoto Air Pump Pocket review – Perfect for bicycle rides!

REVIEW – I reviewed the Hoto Electric Spin Scrubber on November 15, 2024.  I was very impressed with the build quality and performance of the tool.  So when the Hoto Air Pump Pocket came up for review, I jumped on it.   I have been trying to find a small portable pump that can handle Presta valves and pump up tires to very high pressures for my gravel bicycle.  I dislike using CO2 cartridges, and small hand pumps can never reach the pressure I need to inflate the tire fully.  Read on to see if the Air Pump Pocket can meet my demands.

⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $59.99
Where to buy: Amazon

What is it?

The Hoto Air Pump Pocket is a .56-pound air compressor that can inflate tires up to 150 PSI.  It has a 2000 mAh battery and can pump up to pressures you preset.  It has adapters for Presta, Schrader, and balls.

What’s included?

• Air Pump Pocket
• Presta Valve Adapter
• Quick Connect Valve Adapter
• Needle Valve Adapter
• Soft Rubber Band
• Charging Cable
• User Manual

Tech Specs

• Size: Approx.93x58x38 mm/3.66×2.28×1.50 in
• Charging temperature: 5°C-40°C
• Battery capacity: 2000 mAh (7.2 Wh)
• Charging time: Approx. 1.5 h
• Inflation Pressure: 3-150 psi

• Weight: Approx. 255g /0.56 lb
• Battery type: Lithium-ion battery
• Rated input: :5V—2A
• SensorAccuracy: 1psi

Design and features

I am happy to say that this air pump is small enough to fit in the back pocket of my bicycle jersey.   As I stated above, the dimensions are approximately 93x58x38 mm/3.66×2.28×1.50 in.   It can handle tire pressures from a minimum of 3 psi up to 150 psi.   It has two modes (M1 and M2.) The default pressures for those modes are 8psi and 45psi.  You change your mode by pressing and holding the power button (the button with the yellow dot) for a few seconds.  It will set the psi for that mode to be the last working pressure you set in that mode.   I set the PSI for M1 to 80k (for my bicycle) and for M2 to 60 (for my husband’s bike).  

The pump will automatically turn on when you rotate the nozzle around the unit.  It will automatically turn off when you put it back flat.   When the pump turns on, the default psi of the mode you are in will display.  You can use the plus and minus buttons to change the preset value.  

The following pictures show the unit’s front, back, and sides.  There are tons of ventilation and air suction vents.  A micro USB port to charge the pump is on the bottom of the unit.

Next, I will show you pictures of the various adapters installed on the pump.  The first picture is the standard quick-release Schrader adapter used on car and motorcycle tires.    The next picture has the pin adapter to blow up basketballs and other balls.  The third picture is of the Presta adapter that some bicycles have.  I was happy to discover another way to use the Presta adapter, which is in the fourth picture.  I will explain more about this below.

The included rubberband has some recommended pressures for various items.  You use the rubber band to lock the air hose on the side of the pump to keep the pump turned off when not in use.  The machine will shut off automatically if not used in three minutes.  The air hose must swing at least 30 degrees to turn the pump on.

Performance

Here is the part where I get excited.  I don’t know how many of you have ever had the pleasure of trying to pump up high-pressure road bicycle tires.  Those tires often need pressures of 100 to 125 psi.   If you get a flat on the side of the road, trying to get halfway to that pressure with a tiny frame-mounted hand pump is impossible (at least for me.) I have resorted to carrying around CO2 cartridges, hoping I never get the bad luck of having more than two flats on a long ride.  The Hoto Air Pump Pocket will let you screw on the Presta valve adapter and lock the air hose in place before you start to pump the air into the tire.   The pictures below show the steps you take.

1. This is a picture of a closed Presta valve.
2. I have opened the Presta valve by unscrewing the top cap.  It does not come off of the valve.
3. I screwed the Hoto Presta valve adapter onto the Presta valve.
4. I placed the Schrader quick connect on top of the Presta adapter and locked it into place

I could then pump the tire to my desired pressure of 80 psi.  I did not have to worry about the pump valve adapter flying off due to high pressure.   With the hand-held small pumps, I had to use my hand to hold the valve in place while I pumped, which can be difficult as the pressure gets higher.

I tried the pump out on my motorcycle tires, and it worked great.

It also worked great for my car tires.

I recommend getting a larger battery portable air pump for your car or motorcycle.  The Hoto can pump them up just fine, but the air hose is very short, only about four inches long, so you end up holding it in an awkward position while pumping up your tires.  

For storage, I locked the Presta adapter into the Schrader locking adapter.  It is all in one tidy package, ready for my next bicycle ride.

Final thoughts

I love this little pump. It will be my new companion on my bicycle rides.  No more wasteful CO2 cartridges for me!  I could complain and wish for a longer air hose, but that would make the size of the entire unit bigger, which I would not want.  It is simple to rotate bicycle tires to a position where the pump rests on the ground.

What I like about the Hoto Air Pump Pocket

• Small enough to fit in my bicycle jersey pocket
• Presta valve locks into place with less chance of it shooting off at high pressures.
• I could easily pump up four tires that were completely flat, plus top off two motorcycle and four car tires.

What needs to be improved?

• Nothing!

Price: $59.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Hoto. Hoto did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.

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