Tire Gun Plug Repair Kit: How to Choose and Use One

A nail in the tread on a Saturday morning, the tire going soft in the driveway, and a spare buried under camping gear: that is the job a tire gun plug repair kit is made for. A plug kit seals a small puncture in a tubeless tire without taking the tire off the rim. The kits below cover gun-style mushroom plugs and classic string plugs.

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#	Product	Shop Score	Buy
1	Tire Repair Kit with Plugs	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
2	GRAND PITSTOP Tubeless Tire Gun Puncture Repair	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
3	AUTOWN Flat Tire Repair Kit 15pcs	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Boulder Tools Compact Tire Repair Kit with Molle	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Tire Repair Kit with Plugs

Beanewone·9.6/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 16-piece tire plug kit with 10 plug strings, a T-handle probe and insert tool, a knife and glue in a storage case.

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Pros

• 10 plug strings with glue that bonds the plug to the tire
• T-handle probe and insert tool, plus a knife, in the box
• 2 year warranty, the longest term here
• Instruction manual included, simple even for a novice

Cons

• Only 10 plug strings among the 16 pieces
• Glue adds a step the gun kit skips
• No mushroom plugs for a gun-style fix
• The kit is boxed, so it takes more room than a pouch kit

2

GRAND PITSTOP Tubeless Tire Gun Puncture Repair

GRAND PITSTOP·9.5/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A gun-style tubeless tire puncture kit with 15 mushroom plugs that grip the tire from the inside.

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Pros

• 15 mushroom plugs included in the gun kit
• Plugs grip from the inside like rivets to stop air loss
• No need to remove the tire for the repair
• Fits cars, motorcycles, ATVs, trucks and tractors

Cons

• Only 7 days of replacement cover for defects
• Mid-sized build is bulkier than a pouch kit
• Gun design needs the mushroom plugs it comes with
• No glue or string plugs in the box

3

AUTOWN Flat Tire Repair Kit 15pcs

AUTOWN·9.4/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 15-piece heavy-duty tire plug kit with a T-handle and spiral probe tool in a portable storage case.

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Pros

• 15 pieces for cars, motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, jeeps and trucks
• T-handle and spiral probe tool for piercing any tire
• Portable storage case takes up very little space
• Refined high-quality steel build

Cons

• No warranty term is stated
• No knife in the box for trimming plugs
• No glue in the box
• No plug count is stated in the listing

4

Boulder Tools Compact Tire Repair Kit with Molle

Boulder Tools·9.4/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A compact heavy-duty tire plug kit in a MOLLE storage pouch for roadside and off-road repairs.

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Pros

• MOLLE storage pouch keeps the kit organized
• Heavy-duty tools with ergonomic handles
• Fits cars, trucks, SUVs, trailers, RVs, ATVs, UTVs and motorcycles
• Compact design stores easily in trucks and SUVs

Cons

• No warranty term is stated
• No knife in the box for trimming plugs
• No glue in the box
• MOLLE pouch needs a MOLLE panel or strap to mount

How a tire plug repair kit works

A plug kit repairs a small puncture in a tubeless tire. The probe opens the puncture path, the insert tool pushes the plug into the hole, and the plug fills the path so air stays in the tire. Mushroom plugs in the GRAND PITSTOP gun kit grip the tire from the inside like rivets, while string plugs in the Beanewone kit seal with glue that bonds the plug to the tire.

Gun kits vs string plug kits

The gun kit drives a mushroom plug into the puncture, and the plug head grips the tire from the inside. String kits push a string into the hole with an insert tool, and the string seals the hole. The gun kit suits a fast roadside fix with no glue to carry, while a string kit suits a garage shelf with its strings, tools and case.

The gear: tire plug repair kits

The probe and insert steps above need the tools in these kits.

How to choose a tire gun plug repair kit

Start with the plug type. A gun kit drives mushroom plugs that grip from the inside, while a string kit pushes strings into the hole. Then check the plug count: the GRAND PITSTOP gun kit holds 15 mushroom plugs, and the Beanewone box holds 10 plug strings among its 16 pieces. The AUTOWN kit is a 15-piece kit, and the listing does not state how many of the pieces are plugs.

Then match the kit to the vehicle. The GRAND PITSTOP kit states it fits all tubeless tires on cars, motorcycles, ATVs, trucks and tractors, and the AUTOWN kit states cars, motorcycles, ATVs, tractors, lawn mowers, RVs, jeeps and trucks. The Boulder kit states cars, trucks, SUVs, trailers, RVs, ATVs, UTVs and motorcycles. Check the tire type before buying. See the types of tire plugs guide for the plug shapes, and the tire repair sealant guide for a sealant option.

FAQ: garage tools

Can a tire plug kit fix a puncture without removing the tire?

Yes. The GRAND PITSTOP kit needs no tire removal.

How many plugs come in these kits?

The GRAND PITSTOP gun kit holds 15 mushroom plugs, and the Beanewone box holds 10 plug strings. The AUTOWN kit is a 15-piece kit, and the listing does not state how many of the pieces are plugs.

Do plug kits work on all tubeless tires?

The GRAND PITSTOP kit states it fits all tubeless tires, and the AUTOWN and Boulder kits state cars, motorcycles, ATVs and trucks. Match the kit to the tire type before buying.

What is the difference between mushroom plugs and string plugs?

Mushroom plugs grip the tire from the inside like rivets, while string plugs fill the hole and adhere to the tire; the Beanewone kit adds glue that bonds the plug to the tire.

Does the Beanewone kit include glue?

Yes. The Beanewone kit includes glue with its 10 plug strings, and the glue bonds the plug to the tire.

Related: tire plug kits for off-road vehicles, tire plug kits for run-flat tires, cordless tire inflators and engine and shop equipment.