Best Brake Bleeder Kits: Get on the Pro Level

OEM Tools is known for supplying respectable specialty tools the DIYer can depend on to keep them motoring along safely. This is a vacuum brake bleeder that comes with all the attachments you need to hook up to most bleeder valves or use to perform additional specialty tasks. The large, legible gauge tells you how much vacuum you're building and if it's holding, ensuring you won't let any air contaminate your work. We should point out that it's also much more robust than many, cheaper alternatives, and you can count on this pump for years to come. 

On top of that, it also builds approximately one inch of vacuum with each pump, minimizing the amount of work you have to put in. As great as this pump is, there are some weak points. Quality control seems to be an issue as faulty units can show up. Also, it does have fittings that work with most applications, but it does fail to create a seal on some, even with all of the included attachments, and it's worth reading to ensure this will work with your car. 

• Manufacturer: OEM Tools 
• Part Number: 25136
• Type: Vacuum 

Pros:

• High-quality construction
• Attachments cover a wide range of applications 
• Builds vacuum quickly 
• Can be used for other specialty work 

Cons:

• Quality control issues are somewhat common 
• May not create a proper seal on select applications

Saving money doesn't mean you need to get ripped off. This set from HTOMT is an excellent example of what we're talking about as it includes the vacuum brake bleeder, along with a decent combination of attachments that allows you to hook up to various bleeder valves and use the tool for other special purposes. As if that weren't enough, it also comes with a nice storage case to help you keep track of all the parts. The various tube lengths included also give you the means to work under the wheel of virtually any application without worrying about snags or the line being too short to work properly. 

As affordable as this kit is, you can expect some drawbacks. In this case, durability is a concern. While it will last a respectably long time, a little more money will get you a tool that'll stick around for a lot longer. Leaks can be a real nightmare, and it is relatively limited when it comes to the number of attachments included for bleeding brakes. 

• Manufacturer: HTOMT
• Part Number: Htomt-brake
• Type: Vacuum 

Pros:

• Affordable price point 
• Includes attachments for various projects 
• Storage case included 

Cons:

• Relatively low durability 
• Leaks are often an issue 
• Limited attachments for bleeder valves

This bleeder from Mityvac taps into the master cylinder to pressurize it, allowing you to quickly move from wheel to wheel to remove air from the lines much more quickly than you could with a vacuum bleeder. It is extremely easy to use, and the range of attachments included allows you to hook up to many different applications. On top of that, you also fill the reservoir with fluid, meaning you don't need to continuously return to the master cylinder to ensure you're not bleeding the system dry. 

Also, coming from Mityvac, you can count on the quality beyond cheap competitors. Is this for everyone though? Yes and no. While it does cover a wide range of applications, it's priced a  little too high for many. So, unless you're working with many different vehicles, this kit hardly seems worth it. Also, there are more moving parts and connections on this type of bleeder, meaning setting up and chasing down leaks can be more time-consuming. 

• Manufacturer: Mityvac
• Part Number: MV6480
• Type: Pressure 

Pros:

• Pressurizes system to save time while working
• Continuously adds fresh fluid to the system 
• Compatible with most applications 
• Storage case included 
• High-quality construction 

Cons:

• Premium price point 
• One may not have use for all attachments 
• Setting up and stopping leaks can be time-consuming

To make things even better, the quality of this system is surprisingly good for the price, and Four Uncles even throws in the air fittings you'll need to get up and running in no time at all. While this is a great choice for those with an air compressor, it's utterly useless to those without. We should also point out that the number of bleeder fittings it comes with is rather limited, keeping this entry from sitting any higher on our list. 

• Manufacturer: Four Uncles 
• Part Number: AIR-001
• Type: Pneumatic 

Pros:

• Eliminates manual input 
• Relatively affordable price point 
• High-quality construction 
• Air fittings included 

Cons:

• Relies on air compressor to function 
• Limited bleeder valve connections included

Of course, a universal benefit to this type of bleeder is that it cuts down the amount of time you spend bleeding each wheel and the constant introduction of fresh fluid keeps you from bleeding the system dry. Something to note about using the universal attachments for older vehicles is that setting up can be difficult. You have to make sure a perfect seal is made on the master cylinder, or it will push fluid out all over the engine bay. On top of that, the wing nuts can be somewhat uncomfortable during setup, which can already be rather time-consuming. 

• Manufacturer: Motive Products 
• Part Number: 250 
• Type: Pressure 

Pros:

• Competitive pricing 
• Fits most classic vehicles and some newer 
• Pressure makes it easy to move between wheels 
• Constantly introduces fresh fluid to the system

Cons:

• Setup can be difficult and time-consuming 
• Wing nuts may cause discomfort

Orion's brake bleeder kit has an excellent entry price for a pressure bleeder, and ensures your next brake fluid change is flawless. On top of that, it comes equipped with a brake fluid reservoir cap that fits most European vehicles, though other applications are available. 

This type of system is easy to use, just make sure the cap is fastened down tight. You can either fill the bottle or fill the reservoir and just use the bottle as a pressure source, just be careful as the latter can introduce unwanted air into the system if the reservoir level isn't high enough. 

• Manufacturer: Orion Motor Tech 
• Type: Pressure 

Pros:

• Very appealing pricing 
• Fits most European cars and newer models 
• High pressure reserves makes it easy to start at the rear wheels and move forward without having to continually re-pump 
• Pushes fresh fluid into the system

Cons:

• Setup can be a tad confusing 
• The system can leak if all attachments aren't on tight—like, leak a lot