I have a Topeak Road Morph G with a little "foot" that makes it work more like a floor pump than a frame pump. It has a gauge too, but I don't know how accurate it is. It works just fine. I also have a Cannondale brand pump I bought for a second bike (got tired of moving the clamp that goes under a water bottle mount between bikes), but I haven't had to use that one yet.
I wouldn't know how to use CO2 cartridge but it seems wasteful to keep buying disposable canisters instead of buying a tool that should last for years. I assume they aren't refillable or people wouldn't leave them on the side of the road.