It really is amazing what technology we can fit in the palm of our hand – mobile smartphones are one thing while the best cycling computers are another. GPS cycling computers can range from affordable to ridiculous, with capabilities including GPS tracking, Bluetooth, maps, speed, distance, time, and even aero-sensing technology.
The best cycling computers wirelessly connect to sensors such as options from the best power meters and can track your power output, cadence, left/right balance, and more. And that’s not all – many computers can connect to third-party apps such as Strava, Zwift, and Komoot.
While some the higher-end computers, such as the Garmin Edge 1050, run as high as £600, there are cheaper options on the market with many of the same capabilities. For instance, the CatEye Padrone can be picked up for less than £40.
In this buyer's guide, we’ll help you sift through the marketing jargon, and pick out a few of our favourites from the best budget cycling computers segment.
Quick list: Best budget cycling computers
Navigation? Check. Colour screen? Check. Decent battery life? Check. A good offering at a good price.
Ideal for those who don't want to spend much, but also don't mind a simple computer.
The Rider 420 offers a 2.3in screen with great clarity, as well as mapping and plenty of other metrics for not a great deal of money.
If you want something barely bigger than a watch face, and don't need lots of maps or stats, then the Cateye Quick Wireless should be on your 'to consider' list.
An oldie but goodie, the Garmin Edge 130 Plus is the brand's smallest (but still mighty) GPS unit.
If battery life is important, there's not much that can beat the Coros Dura and its 120 hours from one charge.
Last updated on 15th of December 2025
We have been testing some new budget GPS and bike computers that fit into the budget bike computer category. Not everyone wants features like mapping and training features, so we have reviewed some more basic options that are now included in the guide.
Best budget cycling computers available today
You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.
Best overall
✅ You want maps: Not every 'budget' computer has this capability, but Garmin's maps are good even at the cheaper end.
✅ You want a big display: Cheap doesn't have to mean you can't read the screen - at least, in this Garmin's case.
❌ You don't like touchscreens: There are buttons to use, but they're not the easiest to press
❌ You want bells and whistles: A budget computer it may be but it doesn't have all the functionality a serious rider might want.
The Garmin Edge Explore 2 is an entry-level option from Garmin. It comes with a decent-sized screen, touchscreen (and buttons), and mapping, which many similarly priced competitors don't offer.
It's our pick of the bunch due to the performance of the computer at a reasonably low price (RRP: £229.99). The mapping and navigation functionality is good, and can work well off-road as well as on.
It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of something like the Garmin Edge 840, but for the price, it's hard to beat.
Find out more in our review of the Garmin Edge Explore 2.
Best unit without navigation
✅ You want an easy-to-read screen: It's not a massive screen but the clarity is good.
✅ You want a lightweight computer: At 31.8g it weighs less than the banana in your pocket.
❌ You want lots of features: It's a simple unit, and doesn't track everything you might want.
❌ You want an easy-to-use interface: The computer isn't that easy to set up.
The Cateye Padrone is a simple computer that's reliable, straightforward and great for riders who want the essentials but nothing more from their head units. It's super lightweight at 31g, and the battery lasts about a year, so there's no need to charge it or more accurately, forget to charge it.
It does require a sensor to be mounted to your bike's fork, which our tester found to be a bit fiddly - especially if you have a wide fork like on a gravel bike. It doesn't offer navigation, but if you want something to capture basic data and not clutter up your cockpit, the Cateye Padrone is hard to beat for the price.
Find out more in our review of the Cateye Padrone.
Best for data-driven riders
✅ You want good battery life: It comes with a claimed 35 hour battery life.
✅ You want bang for your buck: It comes with 77 functions, not bad for a computer costing £100.
❌ You want an easy user interface: The Bryton interface isn't always the easiest to use or set up.
One of the newer companies on the market is Bryton and while the company isn’t one of the most popular brands, you can get a lot more bang for your buck with its products. The Rider 420 is a fantastic cycling computer that barely costs more than £100.
Unfortunately, Bryton computers aren’t the easiest to figure out, as the user interface tends to have a bit of a learning curve. But once you’re in, the features are almost unlimited – complete with 77 functions and a claimed 35-hour battery life, the Bryton 420 support ANT+ and Bluetooth sensors, and auto-syncs to third-party training software. You can even export workouts directly from TrainingPeaks through the device, and set up your screens and data field through the companion smartphone app. Sounds a lot like the Wahoo Elemnt series which costs more than twice as much.
For more details on how the Bryton Rider 420 cycling computer performed during testing, read our full review.
Best for simplicity
✅ You don't want to spend much: At under £50 it's cheap and it's cheerful and does the job.
✅ You want an easy-to-read display: It's not massive but it's clear.
❌ You want external connectivity: The data stays on the screen, and power meters and the like don't work with this unit.
❌ You want lots of features: It has four features in total. None of which are pedalling the bike for you.
Here’s the entire list of this computer’s functions: speed, distance, time, and clock. That’s it – but don’t let that dissuade you. The Cateye Quick Wireless Cycle Computer is a sleek and slim product that takes out all the fluff of modern data recording. Without power, heart, cadence, and all that nonsense, the Cateye simply tells you how far you rode and how long it took you. Simple.
It’s a refreshing outlook, but of course, it’s not for everyone. The unit comes with a handlebar mount that puts it right out front, and it is as light and aero as any other cycling computer. We’re not really sure why the battery life is described in years, but we’re not complaining that it lasts that long. To serious riders and anyone wanting navigation or connectivity: the Cateye won't be an option, but for many others – like commuters and beginner cyclists – this affordable budget cycling computer could be the perfect fit.
Best tiny computer
✅ You want Varia radar compatibility: Sadly the 130 Plus doesn't work with Garmin's Varia rear light/radar.
✅ You follow a training plan:Structured training sessions can be used on the 130 Plus, so it's ideal for the serious rider.
❌ You want advanced power metrics: Sure it works with power meters but don't expect any fancy metrics.
❌ You want a touchscreen: Only buttons keep this unit working.
The Garmin Edge 130 Plus is about as simple as it gets, with a few buttons to help navigate its screens, and ANT+ and Bluetooth capabilities. Experienced riders and those who value performance will love the Edge 130, which can pair with heart rate monitors, cadence sensors, and power meters.
However, it is a bit pricier than many of the other options on this list, so if you’re not interested in power or heart rate data, the Edge 130 is a bit too much. You can even load Strava live segments onto the Edge 130. The lack of a touchscreen is both a pro and a con, depending on which you prefer. Garmin’s higher-end computers use touchscreens, but ultimately it is up to you to decide.
Read about how the Garmin Edge 130 Plus performed in our full review.
Best battery life
✅ You do long rides: The Dura offers a claimed 120 hours from one charge.
✅ You want a well-styled and high value unit: It's sleek, looks good and for the price is hard to beat.
❌ You want a fast display: Faster than dial-up, sure. But the display is a little laggy.
❌ You want lots of functionality: This will change, but for now the functionality leaves a little to be desired.
Coros is likely better known for its watches and heart rate monitors, but its first foray into cycling computers looks pretty good. The Coros Dura is one of the more expensive options on this 'budget' list at £250, but we reckon it's well worth the investment.
It offers a crisp, clean display, and the battery life is seriously impressive. Our reviewer only used 1% battery life on a 3-hour ride, and the brand claims it can last up to 120 hours from one charge.
Currently, the functionality of the unit is a little thin. But, as Coros invests in bringing more features to the unit, we reckon it will only improve the score.
Find out more in our review of the Coros Dura cycling computer.
Best for commuting
✅ You want a compact GPS computer: The Beeline combines a small form with a cute aesthetic, whilst still featuring ride tracking and navigation.
✅ You want a simple-to-use device: The Beeline app is simple and intuitive.
❌ You want detailed mapping: The mapping is very simplified and isn't suited to complicated routing or off-road riding
❌ You want lots of information: The stripped-back features and small screen won't satisfy the data-hungry riders.
A simple and stylish computer, the Beeline Velo 2 is pared-back and offers an intuitive design at a very affordable price. It's not going to be the choice for off-road adventurers or long-distance tourers, but for the average commuter and casual road rider, it'll do more than enough.
There are several ways to mount it to your bike, and it's compact and lightweight, so it doesn't take up much room on the cockpit. The main attraction is how simple the Velo 2 is, particularly with its navigation. This makes it ideal for cycle computers that don't need a barrage of data.
No more confusing maps, simply follow the arrow and the countdown to your turn if you've pre-loaded a route. It's not going to compete on metrics with the likes of the Garmin Edge 130 Plus, but it doesn't necessarily have to.
Read more in our review of the Beeline Velo 2.
How to choose the best budget cycling computers
- Decide on the features you need: At the budget end of the scale, you're not going to get as much connectivity or data as a premium computer. And for the majority of us, that's likely okay. But make sure you decide what you really can't do without, whether that is mapping and navigation, Bluetooth connectivity etc.
- How much you want to spend: Cycling computers can be a big investment; heck, that's why we've put this guide together, to show that sometimes the simpler options might work better for your budget. We've included computers up to £250 in this guide, but if your budget is bigger, have a look at our best bike computers guide to see what else is out there.
- How important is battery life? Some offer 10 hours, others claim 100 hours, and those without rechargeable batteries offer even more battery life. But depending on how much you ride and what you want the computer for will help you to decide if battery life is key.
- What type of riding do you do? If you're commuting to and from work and know the route, then a budget computer will likely do. If you want to head on off-road adventures, then you might want something with decent mapping and navigation. And if you're someone who trains on the bike, make sure your chosen computer works with 3rd party apps or can display workouts.
Everything you need to know about the best budget cycling computers
How much should I spend on a budget cycling computer?
Chances are, if you’re reading through a list of the best budget cycling computers, then you’re operating on a pretty tight budget. It’s no secret that cycling is expensive, and when you see cycling computers that cost £500, you begin to wonder what all the fuss is about.
If you’re a commuter who’s looking for new roads to explore, then you don’t need a high-end cycling computer capable of analysing your pedalling metrics and left/right balance. You need a computer with good GPS capabilities and an easy-to-use navigation system that works even when it’s dark and wet outside.
When it comes to value, there are a number of cycling computers on this list that skip the famous name (i.e. Garmin or Wahoo). Companies such as Bryton might not be the most popular or easy to use, but once you get familiar with the interface, the Bryton Rider 420 has nearly all the capabilities of higher-end models. So when you’re shopping on a budget, take a closer look at the options, not just the popular models.
Which computer is best for my type of riding?
Perhaps the most important factor when choosing a cycling computer is where you ride. Consider the weather, the terrain, and the amount of natural light you’ll get. Will a dim, black-and-white computer screen be readable? Or will you need to see the map on a brighter, colour screen?
The display is one of the biggest faults of many budget cycling computers, as they can be small, dim, and difficult to read. And the last thing you want to be doing while descending at 60km/h is squinting at your cycling computer, trying to see where the next turn is. A larger and brighter display is more common nowadays, even on budget models, but it’s always worth having a proper look at it before you commit to purchasing a new cycling computer.
Commuters won’t mind the short battery life of some budget cycling computers, but if you’re looking for any long adventures, such as backpacking, you’ll need a computer with decent battery life. Some of the units on this list last only half a day, while others can make it well over 24 hours. Keep in mind that recording data, keeping your display backlit, and following navigation will drain your cycling computer’s battery much faster than normal.
Budget-friendly cycling computers don’t always have the beautiful navigation maps of higher-end models, which use a GPS chip and access to other satellite networks like GLONASS and Galileo. Many even have a base map pre-installed, which allows for seamless recalculations, turn-by-turn directions, and, with some, you can even create routes directly on the device. Budget cycling computers, on the other hand, will often use ‘breadcrumb’ navigation, which is when the computer displays your route as a line that you follow – quite literally like following a trail of breadcrumbs.
What features do I need on a budget cycling computer?
These may not be the first thing on your mind when you’re shopping on a budget, but the plethora of features included in some of these budget cycling computers is what makes them truly special. WiFi and Bluetooth capability usually enable connection to third-party apps such as Strava and Komoot, which can be one of the most underrated features of a cycling computer. With these, you can connect to your phone, receive messages, re-route on the fly and go after Strava Live Segments. A few years ago, this level of capability was reserved for only the high-end cycling computers, but now, you can find these features in several budget options.
Do budget cycling computers work with Strava and other third-party apps?
If uploading your rides to Strava is your motivation for getting a cycling computer, you'll need to find one that can track your location as you ride, so look for something with GPS, GLONASS or similar. Sadly, a wheel-based speed sensor won't cut it.
If you want to download routes from Strava onto your device, then look for smartphone app connectivity. The app will usually be able to integrate with Strava, TrainingPeaks and the like, allowing you to share data back and forth with ease.
How we test
Cycling computers are one of the most fun gadgets to test and use, and it's no secret our crack team of reviewers know what they're talking about when they recommend one. Although not all of the computers on this list have been tested in-house, the ones that have have received high scores over hours and hours of testing in all conditions and all terrains.
