Are there good and bad pumps or are they all pretty much the same?

I have a floor pump that I got at Target many many moons ago. I rarely use it and have always tended to just go to the gas station if I need air in my beach cruiser. The pump sticks on one of the tires and it doesn't want to come off...additionally, its just a lot of work!

Now that I have a road bike, I'd like to not have to do the whole gas station thing. I've been told the co2 cartridges are really only a temporary fix.

So...is there a preferred tire pump out there?