The best bike computer is a massive upgrade for any cyclist; loaded with technology GPS computers provide exceptional functionality that's also user-friendly. They can track all your ride data, plus offer maps for navigation, and many now have advanced features like health monitoring, custom training plans and additional safety features.
A cycling computer will link up with a heart rate monitor, a power meter and other devices to provide even more data as you ride. You can use the data collected to analyse and support your training and your cycling computer will transfer your data seamlessly to Strava and other cycling apps.
Best bike computers: Quick list
Garmin's flagship Edge 1050 is a hugely capable smart computer loaded with riding training and connectivity. There's huge functionality, but the Edge 1050 is also large and expensive.
Wahoo has added more memory, more colours, more accurate multi-band GPS and longer battery life to the Elemnt Roam and with V3, there's now a touchscreen. It's easy to use with tight smartphone integration.
The button-only Edge 550 is almost half the price of the Edge 1050 but offers almost all the same functionality. That includes training and multi-band GNSS, as well as a battery life of 12 hours that can be extended up to 36 hours if needed.
Similar to the Elemnt Roam, but with a smaller format and an aero design, the Elemnt Bolt packs much of the same functionality. There are loads of training data, although the small screen and button-only interface make navigation slightly difficult.
Based on smartphone functionality, the Karoo has a responsive touchscreen with a high-resolution display. The Version 3 update has extended battery life to 15 hours or more and doubled internal storage, along with a faster processor.
The Garmin Edge 1040 is available with solar charging, giving exceptional battery life. It's a large device, but it has huge functionality, and with the release of the 1050, its price has dropped.
Last updated 3rd October 2025
Updated to ensure the guide is up to date, all products are still available and new products from Garmin and Wahoo are included and backed up with reviews and testing.
Best bike computers
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Best bike computer overall
✅ You want the most up-to-date features: Whether it's keeping a group ride together, training or simply paying for a coffee mid-ride, the 1050 is unmatched when it comes to features.
✅ You want training features: When used with a power meter and heart rate the 1050 is capable of custom-tailored training plans, whether you're working towards an event or just looking to get a bit fitter.
❌ You don't want to spend a lot of money: The Garmin 1050 is one of the most expensive GPS computers on the market.
❌ You are a weight weenie: At 161g the 1050 is noticeably heavier than the Wahoo Roam, Karoo, or Garmin 850.
The Garmin Edge 1050 is the latest and greatest in Garmin GPS computer range and along with a new sleek look, it packs a load of new features along with the solid functionality you would expect from a Garmin device.
While there are plenty of new features, the 1050 is more of an incremental upgrade over the 1040, which is still a great GPS computer. There are plenty of reasons to go for the 1040 over the 1050, specifically the Solar version, which is why it is also featured later in this best GPS computer guide.
Although the screen size remains unchanged at 3.5in on the new model, the 1050 gets a new liquid crystal display, giving it a much higher resolution and brighter output. Save for a few buttons, it's controlled using the touchscreen, with the screen and processing speed upgrade giving the 1050 a fast smartphone-like response, which greatly enhances the user experience.
GPS tracking stability and accuracy are up there with the best and so is the improved routing and course creator, although it's possibly edged out slightly by the Karoo's navigation presentation and functionality. It's still very good, plus it is supplemented with Garmin's ClimbPro, which presents a climb-specific screen when ascending, whether you're following a route or not.
Garmin has invested a lot of time into its training metrics and the 1050 is loaded with fitness tracking and health metrics to help you start training and monitor your fitness. All the data is really well laid out and easy to understand, especially on the Garmin Connect app, so even if you aren't that experienced with training stats, you can quickly get a good understanding of the training progress and performance metrics, with useful features like training status, identifying cycling strengths and a recommended recovery advisor.
Whether you're training for a specific event or want to generally boost your performance on the bike, Garmin has loads of training plans and workouts; it can even suggest daily workouts based specifically on your fitness, conditions and goals. While riding, there are useful features like real-time assessment of your stamina and power output guides to help with pacing over an interval or a full ride.
The Edge 1050 comes with a plethora of new connectivity features to enhance riding. Rogue potholes or road obstructions can be noted using the Hazard Log to warn other riders of potential dangers. There are new group ride features, including GroupRide competitions and awards if your ride group are a competitive bunch and automatic Incident Detection using a speed or cadence sensor should something go wrong.
Garmin watches have been capable of card payments for a while now, but Garmin Pay has made its way to the Edge 1050 too, giving another option to pay for a coffee or avoid an emergency if you find yourself without another method of payment. Finally, there is a new bell function which seems like a gimmick on paper, but our tester Tom found it very useful for alerting walkers and other cyclists; you can even control it with your AXS or Di2 controls.
For more information, check out Tom's in-depth Garmin 1050 review.
Easiest bike computer to live with
✅ You want a really easy-to-use GPS computer: From set-up to menus and syncing with other services, Wahoo's Roam is very easy and straightforward to use.
❌ You want long battery life: The 17-hour battery life of the Roam may not last you for multi-day use.
Version Three of the Elemnt Roam is slightly larger than V2 and has a larger screen and a dual-band GPS chip for an accurate position fix.
Our review of the new Elemnt Roam confirmed what we already knew; that it is the easiest bike computer to live with. Initial setup is all performed via a smartphone app, and it's really straightforward and quick. Once set up, rides will automatically upload to Strava and others, and routes or workouts will also sync immediately from most of the common route-building websites. There's no fuss or complicated setup, it's just incredibly straightforward to use.
That setup is the same as the Elemnt Bolt, but the larger touch-sensitive screen, larger memory, more screen colours and bigger battery life mean the Roam is just that little bit more user-friendly day-to-day.
Regarding the battery, Wahoo claims it lasts 17 hours, and our testing suggests this is correct. That isn't as long as some of the more expensive Garmin devices, but it's still among the best on the market.
The Roam offers seamless connectivity with other devices via Bluetooth or ANT+, allowing direct control from the head unit. From turning lights on and off to capturing photos or videos with a GoPro, everything can be managed through the dedicated Wahoo interface. A standout feature for us is the ability to control music while riding—an addition that keeps us choosing Wahoo for our everyday cycling needs.
The touchscreen is a welcome addition and more colourful too, although you can still use the button interface. The arrays of LED lights have gone, in favour of an on-screen equivalent. The bell is a useful extra to alert errant dog walkers to your approach.
Read our review of the Elemnt Roam V3 for more details.
Best budget cycling computer
✅ You want a great GPS device at a more affordable price: The Edge 550 has most of Garmin's advanced features but sacrifices features like touchscreen to keep costs down.
✅ You want loads of stats: The Garmin Connect app offers a wide range of planning and performance analysis.
❌ You want a touchscreen: The 550 is button control only, which makes some of the menus and navigation a bit more fiddly.
The latest Garmin Edge 550 and 850 computers get a trickle-down of Garmin's latest tech from the range-topping Edge 1050. Their format is much more compact though, and while the Edge 850 gets a touchscreen, the 550 is button-only.
As with the Edge 1050, there's multi-band GNSS for greater positional accuracy under tree cover and USB-C charging. Battery life without solar power is now a claimed 12 hours, a drop from the 540 due to the more vibrant screen; there's no solar option, unlike the older 540/840.
Other functionality inherited from the Edge 1050 includes training advice, on-the-fly climb profiles and an optional power guide for a route so you can pace your effort. With only buttons to use, it's a bit more fiddly to find features than with Garmin's touchscreen devices and the smaller screen can feel crowded.
The Edge 550 offers superb functionality at a much more reasonable price than Garmin's more premium models. We still reckon that the 550 is a great package that will be able to do everything that the majority of riders will need from a GPS computer.
Best cycling computer for racing
✅ You want a small GPS with loads of features: The Bolt has all the training, riding and navigation features you could need but wrapped up in a small aero package.
✅ You want an easy to use GPS: Like the Roam, the Bolt is extremely easy to set up and use.
❌ You want easy navigation: Wahoo's mapping is generally really good although the smaller screen makes it a bit harder to read while riding.
The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt is similar to the Roam, but with a smaller, aerodynamic body, a slightly shorter 20-hour battery and half the memory capacity at 32GB.
Setup and most adjustments are performed via the Wahoo companion app, which is a streamlined and intuitive process. It works flawlessly, but it's worth noting that getting your phone out mid-ride to change data fields is laborious compared to the press-hold-change that you get with Hammerhead and Garmin.
We found that the device's 32GB of internal memory was more than enough space for preloaded maps - this writer has the whole of the UK, Spain and Belgium currently downloaded, filling less than 10% of the available space. Using these maps, the Bolt offers real-time on-device navigation and rerouting, which proves useful in the case of a wrong turn.
Connectivity to the Wahoo app and third-party navigation tools like Strava, Komoot and RideWithGPS is seamless, and with its 64-colour display, the Bolt's maps are clear. However, the 2.3in screen is a bit too small for me, making mapping without a preloaded route particularly difficult.
The Elemnt Bolt features pretty much every training metric you're likely to need, including support for both ANT+ and Bluetooth, as well as WiFi. It will seamlessly sync your chosen third-party apps when it gets a WiFi signal, so downloading routes/workouts and uploading rides is automatic.
For more details, check out our Wahoo Bolt V3 review.
Best cycling computer for navigation
✅ You want excellent navigation: Large clear display and easy-to-follow maps make navigation very easy.
✅ You want to integrate the Karoo with Sram AXS systems: The Karoo can be set up with AXS Blips and the new Sram Red AXS shifter 'bonus buttons' allow you to control the computer.
❌ You want great battery life: High mileage riders will need to charge the Karoo more frequently although most people don't ride longer than 15 hours at a time.
The Hammerhead Karoo boasts by far the best touchscreen available in a cycling computer right now, making it more like a smartphone than any other device. It has a high-definition 3.2-inch scratch-resistant screen that's accurate and responsive, but the device can also be navigated entirely with buttons, which is useful in the rain. The display is bright, clear and easy to view, despite the device being 40% smaller than the original model. It's also 33% lighter, tipping the scales at just 118g.
When our Tech Reviewer Tom tested the Karoo the navigation stood out as one of its top features. Loading routes is extremely easy and even riding unknown foreign roads routes was easy thanks to the clear-cut navigation.
The 2024 upgrade to the Karoo has addressed one of the previous model's few bugbears, its limited battery life. While the older Karoo 2 managed around 10 hours on a charge, the new Karoo has increased this to 15 hours, putting multi-day rides in reach. The unit is mounted with the brand's own system, a 'linear lock' that ensures it stays planted and balanced while in use. You can now alter the unit's distance from your bars, while you can also switch to the included Garmin quarter-turn mount adaptor.
There's now a companion app, which provides most of the functionality you're likely to need while riding, although you'll need to use the web app to view the ride dashboard and manage your data. I saved the webpage as a shortcut on my smartphone, which gave me access to the extra functionality.
Like all bike computers, the menu structure takes a while to get used to, but once you're familiar with the menu layout, it's easy and intuitive to navigate.
Find out how the Hammerhead Karoo earned its spot on our list.
Best for beginners
✅ You only want basic GPS features: The 130 Plus has all the basic features you need to record your rides and follow basic training features.
✅ You want the smallest GPS device: The 130 Plus is tiny and extremely light if you're looking to save handlebar space and weight.
❌ You want navigation: The 130 Plus has navigation, but it's an extremely basic breadcrumb trail.
❌ You want to track lots of data: The small screen limits the number of data fields visible while riding.
For its size, the Edge 130 Plus is brimming with features. The addition of an accelerometer, ClimbPro, and structured training is a marked improvement over the original (non 'Plus') Edge 130. It has all the connectivity you’d expect from a modern cycling computer and it gets you started in the Garmin ecosystem for less money. That means Garmin Connect access and with it the training features that come included. It also means you can use it with the Garmin Varia rear light and radar system to up your safety levels.
When it comes to navigation, it does lack some features of higher-specced models. Navigation capability is minimal as the 130 Plus doesn't have a true understanding of the world around it. You can create a route, sync it to the unit and it will then help you follow it, but there is no mapping or rerouting so if you get off track or need to make a change, you'll have to figure that out on your own to get back onto the breadcrumb track.
Still, the Edge 130 Plus does offer a few unique features at this price point, things like VO2 Max estimations, a recovery calculator, and mountain bike dynamic metrics. It is very small on your bars but does a good job with simple navigation and after-the-ride data analysis. As a device to record rides rather than getting hung up in data, the 130 Plus covered all our basic needs.
Read our review of the Garmin Edge 130 Plus for more details.
Best battery life
✅ You want a long battery life: In ideal conditions, you can expect up to 45 hours with all the features activated; at its most frugal, the 1040 will run for up to 180 hours.
✅ You want a high-spec GPS device at a lower price: The 1040 is Garmin's outgoing flagship model and comes with almost all the features you could ever need.
❌ You don't live in a sunny place: To get the best battery run times, the Edge 1040 utilises the power of the sun using its solar panel. If you're mostly riding in overcast conditions or through the night don't expect to get as much battery life.
The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar's key feature is its solar power boost from its 3.5-inch colour touchscreen, which differentiates it from the new flagship Edge 1050, which has no solar option.
That gives it a battery life of up to 45 hours between charges, so it's a great tool if you regularly ride long distances without the opportunity to recharge. You can boost that to 180 hours with full power saving and you can use the Garmin Charge external battery to extend that even further.
The 1040 Solar (and the non-solar 1040) can do everything that Garmin's other computers can, and more. That includes GPS tracking, turn-by-turn navigation and rerouting, automatic Strava uploads, connection to the Garmin Connect IQ app store, and much more.
There's multi-band GPS for tracking stability and accuracy. You can set up ride profiles and change the data displayed via your smartphone, rather than having to use the device's screen, and there's good post-ride data visualisation.
As well as the Solar version, there's a non-solar option with 35 hours of run time. It's a good choice if you don't expect to need the extended battery life that the solar charging offers, or can't face the price.
Read our review of the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar if you fancy heading out into the wilderness for a long time.
Also consider
While the above are our pick of the best GPS computers there are several other devices that we have tested that deserve to be mentioned but didn't quite make the cut or have been replaced by newer models.
The first is the Garmin Edge 840 which is only nudged out of the guide as it's been replaced by the Edge 850, although it still offers loads of functionality in a mid-format device. It also has a solar charging option that the Edge 850 lacks and, even without, has longer battery life than the Edge 850.
If navigation is a top priority but you don't need any of the fitness metrics then Garmin's Edge Explore 2 is worth considering. It features a large 3in touch screen and the full power of Garmin's navigation capabilities. It has limited training functions so if you're planning on doing any fitness-focused riding you're better off with one of Garmin's other Edge devices. Battery life at 16 hours is short compared to the 26 hours and over you can get from some Edge devices, although this can be extended with a Garmin Charge Battery Pack or hard wiring it into your e-bike.
Finally, you can look at the legacy Garmin devices which can still be found to buy and are impressive performers. I regularly use a 1030 Plus and the Garmin 830 and 530 are also still worth considering. Features-wise, the Garmin 1030 Plus has everything you'd expect from a top-end cycling computer: navigation, training data, connectivity to external sensors and apps, access to the Connect IQ app store and much more. It can display as many metrics as you're ever likely to need. It supports both ANT+ and Bluetooth to connect to sensors, smartphones and Garmin's smartwatches, as well as WiFi for immediate uploads to third-party apps like Strava.
In our testing, we were incredibly impressed with the battery life. We actually managed to get a little more than Garmin's claimed 24 hours without resorting to switching off the screen or unpairing sensors, so while it's not quite as long-lasting as the 1040 Solar above, it's still excellent and a lot cheaper.
In the same way the 850 shares many of the features of the 1050, the 830 takes the 1030's features and packs them into a smaller form while the 530 offers a great entry point for a proper feature-rich GPS device.
Wahoo's flagship device, on paper, marks a significant upgrade to Wahoo's GPS computer range. The Wahoo Elemnt Ace features a huge touchscreen display, a full 30+ hours, voice-guided navigation and a unique Wahoo Wind Dynamics sensor. Our tech reviewer Will got his hands on the Elemnt Ace pre-release and although there is a lot that he liked about the Ace, he found some teething problems. It's big and heavy too.
If your absolute priority is battery life, then there is only one GPS computer for you. I awarded the best battery life to the Garmin 1040 Solar due to its combination of comprehensive features and impressive solar-boosted battery life. The 1040 doesn't come close to the Coros Dura though, which has a claimed 375-hour battery life, which is crazy. It achieves this by supplementing the internal battery with a massive solar panel that's claimed to offer 200% efficiency (two hours of ride time for every hour of "direct sunlight"). It's a little clunky to use and Coros is still drip-feeding features through updates. However, it's still worth considering, especially considering it's competitively priced.
Best bike computer spec comparisons
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Connectivity | Companion app | Navigation | Battery life | Colour screen | Screen size | Touchscreen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Garmin Edge 1050 | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi | Yes | Garmin Cycle Maps | 60 hours | Yes | 3.5in / 89mm | Yes |
Wahoo Elemnt Roam V3 | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi | Yes | OpenStreet Map | 25 hours | Yes | 2.8in / 71mm | Yes |
Garmin Edge 550 | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi | Yes | Garmin Cycle Maps | 12 hours | Yes | 2.7in / 69mm | No |
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V3 | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi | Yes | OpenStreet Map | 20 hours | Yes | 2.3in / 58mm | No |
Hammerhead Karoo | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi | Yes | OpenStreet Map | 15 hours | Yes | 3.2in / 82mm | Yes |
Garmin Edge 130 Plus | ANT+, Bluetooth | Yes | Breadcrumb | 12 hours | No | 1.8in / 45mm | No |
Garmin Edge 1040 Solar | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi | Yes | Garmin Cycle Maps | 45 hours (solar), 35 hours (non-solar) | Yes | 3.5in / 89mm | Yes |
Garmin Edge 840 | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi | Yes | Garmin Cycle Maps | 32 hours (solar), 26 hours (non-solar) | Yes | 2.6in / 66mm | Yes |
Garmin Edge 540 | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi | Yes | Garmin Cycle Maps | 32 hours (solar), 26 hours (non-solar) | Yes | 2.6in / 66mm | No |
Garmin Edge Explore 2 | ANT+, Bluetooth | Yes | Garmin Cycle Maps | 16 hours | Yes | 3.0in / 76mm | Yes |
Garmin Edge 1030 Plus | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi | Yes | Garmin Cycle Maps | 24 hours | Yes | 3.5in / 89mm | Yes |
Garmin Edge 830 | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi | Yes | Garmin Cycle Maps | 20 hours | Yes | 2.6in / 66mm | Yes |
Garmin Edge 530 | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi | Yes | Garmin Cycle Maps | 20 hours | Yes | 2.6in / 66mm | No |
Wahoo Elemnt Ace | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi | Yes | OpenStreet Map | 30 hours | Yes | 3.8in / 97mm | Yes |
Coros Dura | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi | Yes | Open Street Map | 120 hours (excluding solar) | Yes | 2.7in / 69mm | No |
How to choose the best bike computer for your needs
If you are considering treating yourself to a new bike computer there are two main points to consider: Firstly, how much do you want to spend and secondly, do you think you will want to use your computer to do a lot of navigating?
Of course, your choice will be dictated by your budget. If you don't need to use many map functions on your computer, you can potentially save yourself some money and buy a unit that focuses more on delivering key data such as ride time, speed, distance, averages etc whilst also having the capability to pair to things like HR monitors and power meters. If you want to do a lot of navigating and route following on your computer you may need something with a larger memory for more maps and more inbuilt GPS and navigational aids as well as the ability to link with third-party route planning apps.
What do you get in a cycling computer?
More importantly, what do you want?
If all you want to know is how far and how fast you’ve ridden, a basic cycling computer will give you that. If it has a GPS chip, it will also provide you with a map record of where you’ve been and help you navigate a route.
Many of the best cycling apps will let you do all this on your smartphone, while the best cycling watches even provide a lot of the functionality of more advanced bike computers, as well as monitoring your fitness and health off-bike, so you may not even need a cycling computer.
On the other hand, a cycling computer will probably be more weatherproof than a smartphone and easier to mount to your bike. It will also be easier to read as you ride than a smartwatch.
More expensive cycling computers will give you a lot more training-related functionality, so if you’re looking to up your cycling game, maybe by also purchasing a power meter and heart rate monitor to record your performance, a more advanced computer will capture and allow you to make better use of your training data.
How easy are cycling computers to set up?
Setting up and configuring your cycling computer has, in general, got a lot easier with newer devices. Manufacturers make it easy for you to get out and ride, but give you more complex configuration options if you need them, often via a smartphone app.
Most of the best bike computers use a standard playbook where a widget guides you through setting up data like your language, height, weight and age and other user data. The computer will usually prompt you to download the latest software version, and if it has a base map, the newest update for your geographic region.
Most cycling computers can be paired with the maker’s smartphone app and link the two devices. Often, set-up is performed on the phone rather than on the device itself, making for easier interaction. Setting things up on a smartphone is something a lot of us are very comfortable doing these days.
How much should I spend on a cycling computer?
Just like anything else in cycling, trying to figure out which bike computer will fall within your budget constraints while offering the features you prioritise can be a tall order.
Depending on how much money you have to spend, your GPS computer may have base maps, interval timers, in-depth power metrics, a colour touchscreen and more connectivity than you can shake a stick at, or it might be a simple, compact unit with a black and white display and basic training metrics.
If you have a hard budget, then you may need to compromise on some features. Conversely, if you have a prerequisite list of features, then make a checklist and see which of the best cycling computers meets those requirements, then weigh up the decision with price as one of the deciding factors.
As mentioned above, a smartphone app provides a cheaper alternative to a dedicated cycling computer.
What makes the best bike computer for navigation?
Most bike computers feature a GPS chip, as well as access to other satellite networks like GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo, and all of the best bike computers on this list offer some form of navigation. Many also have a base map pre-installed which allows for turn-by-turn directions and on-the-fly redirection and some allow you to create routes and courses directly on the device.
More budget-friendly head units won’t have a base map, but may still offer what’s called ‘breadcrumb’ navigation, where the head unit will display your route as a line that you’re meant to follow.
If you're the type who likes to load up a route in advance and follow it, then look for a device that offers seamless route integration. You might prefer to get your route from one of the best cycling apps, such as Strava, TrailForks, Komoot, RideWithGPS or others. Check in advance to see what third-party integrations your chosen cycling computer offers so that loading routes onto your device will be seamless.
However, if you're the type who likes to get out there and just explore, then you may want something with a large screen and a clear, concise map that's easy to comprehend whilst you're moving. The last thing you want to do whilst exploring is keep stopping to check where you are.
Alternatively, you might know all your local routes and not care much for exploring. If that's the case, then mapping features probably won't be high on the priority list, in which case, focus on something that can provide the data fields - speed, distance, time, power, etc - you want to be displayed.
Do I need a touchscreen cycling computer?
Among the best bike computers, there's a good balance of touchscreen and non-touchscreen devices, and both have their merits and their pitfalls, which will depend on what, where, and when you ride.
There's no doubt that a touchscreen device is more easy and intuitive to navigate, as you can easily swipe to switch between screens of data, browse around a map or pinch to zoom in and out. However, if your riding is often in deep winter and you're wearing thick gloves, your dexterity to swipe through pages in such a way will be hampered and buttons might actually make life easier. Also, if you only ever ride on roads you're familiar with, then will you ever need to browse a map anyway?
Look at the type of riding you do and ask yourself what you need most. If a device has a touchscreen, it will also allow button control, so you've always got an alternative.
The same goes for colour displays. They're nice to have, but they will invariably add to the price, and outside of mapping they don't add much beyond a nicer aesthetic.
How much battery life should I look for?
How long your cycling computer's battery lasts will dictate how long you can enjoy being out on your bike, especially if you're relying on it for navigation or training data.
Generally, the best cycling computers will have a battery life of around 15-20 hours when used conservatively, but this will be reduced if you're pairing to numerous sensors, scrolling between screens or following navigation for hours at a time. Riding with the screen light on full for hours on end will also sap battery life. Not too many of us will be riding for 15 hours straight, so a shorter battery life probably won't cause any issues whilst riding, but it will mean you need to remember to charge it more frequently.
So to answer the question, look for enough battery life to comfortably cover the duration of your longest rides, then consider the time between charging, if ever you find yourself riding multi-day trips without a power source.
Does a cycling computer need Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity?
Every cycling head unit on the market will give you data fields like speed, distance, and time. Even many of the best budget cycling computers will support an ANT+ or Bluetooth connection to a heart rate monitor plus speed and cadence sensors.
Almost all cycling computers work with both, and many devices also connect to your home WiFi network, seamlessly uploading your ride to Strava before you’ve taken your helmet and sunglasses off and supporting quicker upgrades and map and route uploads.
How do cycling computers connect to third-party apps?
Apps like Komoot, Strava, Today’s Plan, Training Peaks and TrainerRoad make useful additions to your ride experience. They'll allow you to download routes and workouts, and then upload your ride so you can analyse it afterwards. Having a cycling computer that connects to them will streamline the process of uploading or downloading the required data.
To connect to these apps, your cycling computer will use one of two methods. Either it will connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth, or a companion app will allow the integration with the third party. Or it will connect to WiFi and speak directly to the third-party server (after an initial setup).
However, not all computers will connect with all apps, so check with the manufacturer before you buy. Just because your computer has WiFi or Bluetooth, it doesn't mean the brand has built the software that enables it to connect.
What features can I expect in an entry-level bike computer?
As you probably expected, the more money you spend on a cycling computer, the greater the number of features you're likely to get. At the very budget end of the spectrum, cycling computers will work using a magnet attached to a spoke and a sensor attached to the fork. This counts the number of times the wheel rotates and uses this to calculate the distance. At this price point, many of these sensors will use a wire to connect the sensor to the computer itself, but some will use Bluetooth and remove the wire.
Manufacturers prioritise small size, low weight and ease of use, and it will often track basic metrics such as speed, distance and time. Rarely will such a device provide any form of maps or navigation, and the screen will often be devoid of any colour.
Battery life at this point is usually measured in months, rather than hours; since the feature list is so small, the power usage is low. As a result, many are operated by coin cell batteries, rather than rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
What features can I expect in an mid-level bike computer?
At the mid-tier price point, cycling computers begin to see the inclusion of a GPS chip, which means they can track your route and allow you to upload your ride to third-party apps like Strava. Some also get on-device navigation, usually via a 'breadcrumb' trail, rather than full-blown on-device map databases. They often also see Bluetooth and ANT+, meaning they can connect to smartphones and sensors, although some devices limit what sort of sensor they can connect to.
The device itself will often be slightly bigger, meaning room for more data on display at any one time, and more room for a larger battery - which is almost always USB-C rechargeable - to handle the increased processing power.
It's at this price point that manufacturers often trade features for cost savings, so while some might be given full sensor compatibility, that might be at the expense of mapping or colour, and a competitor might offer the colour screen and mapping at the expense of sensors. It's at this price point that you will need to spend the most time prioritising what features are most important to you.
What features can I expect in an top-level bike computer?
As with most things, when you start to spend the big bucks, you have to make the fewest concessions, and the best bike computers are regularly accompanied with comprehensive feature lists and complete connectivity.
The more features you add, the more expensive the unit is likely to be. At the most basic level you will get a rainproof colour touchscreen display with speed, distance, and time. From there, things will build along with the price. Available options include on-device navigation, turn-by-turn directions, compatibility with Bluetooth and ANT+ sensors, WiFi connectivity, and automatic synchronisation with third parties such as Strava, Training Peaks and Komoot. Many devices will also come with a barometric altimeter for more accurate altitude and rate-of-climb statistics, the ability to display detailed training metrics and the ability to adjust the fields displayed to match your requirements.
All those features will also come with a battery life expectancy. Built in rechargeable batteries are the only option so make sure if you plan to go for longer than 8-9 hours you've got a sense of how long you can expect from your computer and what to do when it gets low. You can charge the best cycling computers while riding but only Garmin has an option that's impervious to rain. When it comes to the built-in batteries, the range is vast covering anything from 15-40 hours.
What are the alternatives to a bike computer?
Not everyone needs a dedicated standalone bike computer, we get that. Luckily, it's possible to get many of the same features in other devices.
The obvious one that most of us already own is a smartphone, and with the help of a bike phone mount, you can typically mount your phone to your handlebars safely, and a multitude of apps will track your ride. Just make sure that your phone is waterproof. Also, if you crash, it could be a costly repair as phones are typically more expensive than the best bike computers.
A smartwatch is the other solution. Most of the best cycling watches offer the ability to connect to all the same sensors as a computer, but instead of mounting it to your bars, you wear it on your wrist. This is a favoured option for triathletes, as it also tracks run and swim metrics and is one less thing to think about in transition, but could also offer a solution to cyclists who want a little more value for their investment. While a computer is put away between rides, a smartwatch can continue to be used off the bike too and may provide useful additional metrics including sleep and recovery status.
Read our comparison of the pros and cons of a bike computer vs smartwatch to help you to decide.
How do we test cycling computers?
The team here at Cyclingnews is a group of dedicated cyclists and how we test is taken seriously, so read on to find out more.
We spend most of our time riding bikes and we are constantly testing new gear. We spend time racing, training, and exploring both on paved roads, and on roads that are a bit rougher and where navigation is at its trickiest. We go out before dawn and after sunset. We test during the summer, the winter, and the rain, and we put things to the test in whatever way we think will be best for the specific product.
For this collection of the best cycling computers, the team has put them through their paces as well as pulled from their collective 20 years' worth of experience. There are brands here that make multiple appearances because they offer a wide range of options. We've spent time with this stuff and we are presenting what we think are the best options out there for a wide range of different riders.
Each unit has gone through the same rigorous testing process. We weigh each device and set it up to ascertain how intuitive the page customisation process is versus the competition - this should never be too complicated. Once that is sorted, we look at the metric tracking performance in detail, and test how each device interacts with its native app as well as third-party apps such as TrainingPeaks and Strava.
An important part of the testing procedure is navigational performance, and this is conducted on a standardised test route taking in both urban roads and off-road paths. This allows us to benchmark each device against one another thanks to the repeatable nature of the test route. While performance testing is often done with multiple cycling computers affixed to our handlebars at the same time, navigational testing is carried out back-to-back in isolation.
Meet the tester
A self-confessed data nerd, Josh is often found training indoors, testing the accuracy of various sensors such as power meters, smart trainers and heart rate monitors. As a result, he is often surrounded by bike computers capturing data for dissecting later. When he's not training indoors, he's usually exploring new gravel trails near his home in Bath using routes he's made on Komoot or Strava.
When it comes to judging the performance of a computer, he likes easy syncing of routes, a big display with a clear map, reliable Bluetooth connectivity, and although he doesn't ride much beyond a few hours at a time, his forgetfulness means he likes a good battery life too.
