Best smart trainers 2025: Top turbo trainers tested by our experts
Optimise your training with our best smart trainer guide, covering the best budget-friendly and feature-rich smart trainers available today
The indoor cycling market has surged in popularity over the past five years and the best smart trainers have played a key role in this recent online evolution. To the uninitiated, a smart trainer mounts to your bike, connects to training apps via Bluetooth or ANT+ and automatically adjusts resistance to match the terrain or your workout. Smart trainers are typically accompanied by apps like Zwift and TrainerRoad which offer gamified experiences and structured workouts to improve your fitness gains.
We think the Wahoo Kickr Core is still one of the best smart trainers for cyclists wanting a budget-friendly entry into the world of Zwift, TrainerRoad and others. For those wanting a bit more accuracy, extra resistance and better connectivity, we'd suggest the Elite Justo 2 or the Wahoo Kickr V6, which come with WiFi connectivity and a few extra features.
We think the Kickr and Justo should meet the majority of cyclist's needs. However, some of you will have specific needs such as portability and multi-bike compatibility with different drivetrains. With that in mind, we've tried and tested a diversity of smart trainers covering a range of unique features and budgets to meet your individual needs.
If you’re still unsure which smart trainer is right for you, head to our How to Choose and Everything You Need to Know sections at the end of this guide for more detailed advice and helpful insights.
Quick list
The Elite Justo 2 takes the top spot by balancing excellent ride feel and accuracy with features such as built-in WiFi, automatic calibration, and detailed pedal-stroke analysis.
Read more below
The Kickr V6 is excellent for competitive riders thanks to its WiFi and Race Mode enabling ultra-fast, stable data transfer and three simultaneous Bluetooth connections to avoid dropouts.
Offering 1,800 watts of resistance and 16% gradient simulation, the Kickr Core is a solid smart trainer at a competitive price. The Zwift One version even comes with a year's Zwift subscription included.
The Saris H3 hits the sweet spot between performance and price with 2,000W resistance, 20% gradient simulation, and a hefty flywheel for realistic inertia. A great choice for riders looking for pro-specs without the price tag.
Read more below
The Tacx Neo 3M is the most feature-packed—and most expensive—trainer on this list. With a virtual flywheel, rumble feedback in Zwift, and power-free operation for warmups on the go, it’s the ultimate choice for feature-hungry riders with big wallets.
Read more below
If you prefer the wheel-on setup, then you can't go wrong with the Kickr Snap. Offering solid accuracy, broad app compatibility, and a stable, foldable design that's easy to store, it's ideal for older bikes or riders on a tighter budget who still want a reliable smart training experience.
Read more below
Last updated on 06th of June 2025
The guide was updated to ensure all smart trainers are relevant and current. The intro was updated for specificity and salient information on smart trainers. The Quick List was updated to justify each smart trainer's superlative. How We Test and Everything You Need Know sections were updated to cover more FAQs and information in depth.
Best smart trainers 2025
Best Overall
1. Elite Justo 2
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want top specs, but don't need the added movement tech: The Justo 2 has best-in-class resistance specs, accuracy of +/- 1%, Bluetooth/Ant/WiFi/ethernet connectivity and additional pedalling analysis metrics. The only things it lacks are additional movement as found on the Kickr Move and Tacx Neo 3M, but if you don't need that, then this will save you money.
✅ You want Elite Square / Rizer compatibility: The belt-drive, virtual shifting and upfront controls of the Square make for a silent ride, while the Rizer lifts the front end as if you're climbing. Both are expensive accessories, but if you want to take your indoor game to the next level, the Justo 2 will help you get there.
❌ You're on a budget: If you don't really care about side-to-side movement, WiFi connectivity or extra accuracy, the Kickr Core and Saris H3 Plus are great trainers that offer basic functionality for less.
❌ You want added fore/aft movement: The Kickr Move and Tacx Neo 3M offer most of the same specs, but their higher price gets you added realism features such as increased movement back and forth.
❌ You can find the Kickr V6 on offer: Unless the pedalling analysis is important to you, then the Kickr V6 and the Elite Justo 2 are very similar. If you can find the Kickr on sale, then buy that instead.
The Elite Justo 2 is a high-quality smart trainer that looks great, offers excellent specs, and just about beats the Kickr V6 for the top spot thanks to its additional features.
Those top-line specs include 2,300 watts of resistance, simulated gradients of up to 24% and power accuracy within 1%. It will also self-calibrate, fold away neatly for storage, and comes with 'Flex Feet' that offers side-to-side motion for comfort.
In an upgrade over the original Justo, the 2 comes with WiFi connectivity on top of the Bluetooth, ANT+ and ethernet connection options. It also now comes with a 12-speed cassette.
Its flywheel is lighter than the Kickr at 6.2kg, but the ride feel and inertia don't suffer as a result. The lighter flywheel means the total unit weight is also lighter at 17kg, but despite this, it's actually slightly harder to carry around. This is because it uses a leather loop instead of a solid handle - the only real downside.
I particularly like that it can be used without mains power, which makes it a viable option for race-day warmups. I also like the pedalling analysis it provides via the My E-Training app, for which a free three-year subscription comes included.
Best for racing
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You can find it on offer: The Kickr V6 and the Elite Justo 2 are so close that unless you really want pedalling analysis tools, then if you can find this one on sale, it's the one to buy.
✅ You race online and train often: The Kickr V6 is a high-spec trainer, with best-in-class accuracy, every available form of connectivity, a high-frequency race mode, and Wahoo's Erg Easy Ramp technology that helps you get the pedals turning again if you stop on a climb or mid-interval.
❌ You can find the Elite Justo 2 for less: For the same reasons as above, if you find the Justo 2 for a cheaper price, then buy that one instead.
❌ You're on a budget: If you don't care for the extra accuracy, WiFi connectivity or added niceties, and you just want to get onto Zwift for minimal cost - the Kickr Core will do this for less.
The Wahoo Kickr V6 comes a very close second place, losing out for a few small reasons: It can't be used without mains power, it doesn't provide detailed pedalling analysis, and the max power and gradient are slightly lower (albeit still more than most people will ever need). Those few things aside, it performs incredibly well with an excellent ride feel, comprehensive connectivity, and the same retail price, so it shouldn't be ignored, especially if you can find it at a discounted price.
If you're looking for a budget offering to get rolling indoors, then the Wahoo Kickr Core below will do that at a much lower price. But when it comes to the best smart trainers, things like pedalling inertia (from the heavier flywheel) and the amount of available resistance will improve the quality of the ride. There's also an improvement in how accurately your power output is transmitted to your chosen indoor cycling app.
The Kickr's top-level specs are 2200-watt resistance, 20% gradient, 1% accuracy and five-degree left-right movement courtesy of the Axis feet. It comes with a cassette included, folds down for storage and will automatically calibrate itself each time you ride.
The Elite Justo 2 offers a slightly better package if we're just looking at those features, but where the Kickr stands out against that and other similarly-priced trainers is connectivity. All smart trainers will offer Bluetooth and ANT+ connections, but the Kickr offers three simultaneous Bluetooth connections (which is great for avoiding dropouts), as well as WiFi (which allows your Kickr to talk to your computer via your home WiFi network) and Direct Connect via an adaptor and an ethernet cable for a totally wired connection. When connected via WiFi, the Race Mode function can be switched on, to offer 10x faster data transfer for a competitive edge.
It also offers a feature called ERG EasyRamp, which allows you to restart hard intervals without the leg-sapping standing start if ever you stop mid-effort.
It's worth noting that the Kickr Move (further down the page) also offers all of these features alongside even more movement courtesy of a sliding track. If you want the bells and whistles, that is an excellent trainer that you'll be very happy with, but the price is even higher.
You can read more in our Wahoo Kickr review for more information.
Best Value
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want the basics done well: The Kickr Core is a smart trainer that connects to every available indoor cycling app, with better resistance and accuracy than most will ever need, it foregoes extra features such as folding legs, Wifi connections and side-to-side movement to keep the cost down.
✅ You want multi-bike compatibility: The Kickr Core with Zwift Cog comes with a singlespeed sprocket that is compatible with most modern groupsets, so you can easily swap between bikes if, say, you and your partner want to ride. It also offers virtual shifting (when using Zwift), which is silent.
❌ You need better power accuracy: Some high-stakes esports races mandate power accuracy better than 2%, which means the Kickr Core can't be used.
❌ You need extra features: The more expensive Kickr V6 offers 5 degrees of side-to-side movement, WiFi and ethernet connectivity, extra simultaneous Bluetooth connections, foldability, a carry handle and adjustable feet. If you need any of these, then look beyond the Kickr Core.
The Wahoo Kickr Core is available in two guises. The standard Kickr Core includes a cassette, for which you can choose between 8- and 12-speed options to match your bike. The Kickr Core Zwift One, meanwhile, includes the Zwift Click and Zwift Cog, which adds Zwift's single sprocket cassette and virtual shifting.
The Kickr Core Zwift One is recommended if you want virtual shifting (this will only work in Zwift itself, not Rouvy, MyWhoosh, etc) and the Kickr Core is the one for mechanical shifting and if you want a wider choice of indoor cycling apps.
It features a 1,800-watt maximum resistance, 16% gradient simulation and a power accuracy of 2%. It doesn't fold away, nor does it come with a carry handle (although at ~15kg, I never have much issue moving it as the fixed feet are quite easy to grab).
The Kickr Core is not going to trouble the likes of the Kickr, the Justo 2 or the Tacx Neo 3M on specs, but at half the price of the Kickr V6, with a year's subscription to Zwift included, its value is unmatched and the Zwift Cog virtual shifting removes one complication from your indoor training.
Read our Wahoo Kickr Core Zwift One trainer review for more details.
Best spec
4. Saris H3 Plus
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You can find it cheaper than the Wahoo Kickr Core: The Saris H3 Plus has a richer list of features, including better resistance specs and folding legs. If you can find it cheaper than the Kickr Core then it's the better one to buy.
✅ You want the extra resistance over the Wahoo Kickr Core: At their usual prices, the Kickr Core is a better value buy, but for its higher price the H3 Plus can provide more resistance. If you want that (or the folding legs) then buy the H3 Plus.
❌ You need Zwift Cog compatibility: The Kickr Core and the Saris H3 Plus are aimed at a similar market, but where the Core has the edge is its compatibility with Zwift's Click and Cog hardware, which offers silent virtual shifting when riding in Zwift.
Compared to the original H3, the H3 Plus gains 12-speed compatibility. It doesn't come with a cassette though so bear that in mind when costing up your purchase.
In terms of specs, it sits roughly between the more expensive Wahoo Kickr and the more affordable Kickr Core. It offers accuracy within 2%, up to 2,000 watts of resistance, can simulate gradients of up to 20%, and it can connect to all the popular apps.
With a substantial 9kg/20lb flywheel to drive, the Saris H3 also offers excellent inertia with electromagnetic resistance, alongside quiet operation. The legs fold away, and there’s a carry handle, which helps given it weighs 21.3kg. It also comes with adaptors to suit most modern bike axles.
It doesn't offer the flexy feet of the Kickr or the Justo 2 though, nor does it offer multiple simultaneous Bluetooth connections, ethernet, or WiFi, which may sway you in favour of the more expensive options.
It's still a great option if you want the higher resistance without the added features though, and when it's on sale, it's a better-value buy than the Kickr Core (unless you want the Zwift Cog version).
Best Premium Option
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want the best money can buy: The Neo 3M offers top-tier specs, fore/aft movement, WiFi and ethernet, detailed pedalling analysis, mains-power-free use, and in-trainer vibration for simulated rough roads.
❌ You don't need the movement or the WiFi connectivity: The Neo 2T offers similar functions at a lower cost, although it doesn't include a cassette.
❌ You only want the fore/aft movement: The Wahoo Kickr Move offers more movement for less money. A Kickr Core on a high-end rocker plate would also offer better movement, if that's more important to you than the trainer specs.
The Neo 3M from Tacx (a subsidiary of Garmin) is the most expensive option on this list, and the most expensive direct-drive trainer on the market (excluding smart bikes, of course).
On paper, its specs are similar to the not-quite-as-expensive Wahoo Kickr Move: 2,200 watts of resistance, 1% accuracy, 25% gradient simulation, feet that let it move back and forth as well as rock left and right, and Bluetooth/ANT+/Ethernet/WiFi connectivity.
However where it edges ahead is in the virtual flywheel, a feature originally seen on the Neo 2T (below). This adjusts the inertia based on your weight and better simulates that real-ride feel, speeding up when descending in game, just like you would in the real world. It also means the responsiveness of ERG Mode is incredibly accurate and means the Neo 3M can work without mains power, so it can be taken to the car park for your next race warmup.
Like the Neo 2T and the Justo 2, it offers individual pedal stroke analysis. It also has a rumbling feature that literally shakes the trainer when you go over rough ground in Zwift, and Garmin listened to our complaints (maybe) by adding a carry handle to make it easier to move around. It does still weigh 52lbs (23.5kg) though, so try not to make it a habit.
To summarise, the Tacx Neo 3M is a 'bells-and-whistles' trainer for those who want the very best ride feel, all the added features and the most amount of 'future-proofing' available. I find it hard to justify the cost over the Neo 2T, the Justo 2, the Kickr V6, or the largely similar Kickr Move though.
Head over to our Tacx Neo 3M review to find out more.
Best wheel on trainer
6. Wahoo Kickr Snap
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You're on a tight budget: The Kickr Snap is the cheapest here, and may also save you from having to buy a separate cassette. You may need to buy a spare tyre though.
❌ You want future-proof tech: The Kickr Snap is eight years old, and the wheel-on smart trainers are fast becoming obsolete as the cost of direct drive trainers keeps falling.
❌ You want a more realistic pedalling feel: Relying on the friction between your tyre and a metal roller, rather than turning the flywheel directly, means there's less inertia felt through the bike. The tyre can occasionally slip too.
If you're looking for a smart trainer, direct drive is the type we'd recommend you go for, but if you need to stick with a traditional wheel-on trainer option due to cost, or you have a really old bike that isn't compatible, then you needn't look beyond the Wahoo Kickr Snap.
With both ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity, Wahoo makes the unit compatible with basically every training app under the sun and the Kickr Snap plays nicely with iOS, Android, Windows and Mac.
At +/-3% accuracy, the power measurement of the V2 edges in just above much of the wheel-on competition and in the ERG mode, the Kickr Snap adjusts the resistance at the rear wheel to match what your app of choice dictates.
The frame is sturdy and doesn't feel as though you're going to tip over when the intervals get tough, but the legs are foldable for easy storage. It's pretty easy to buy no matter where in the world you live, and it's easy to find spares should you have any issues.
Best natural ride feel
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want best-in-class fore and aft movement: Thanks to an eight-inch roller track and a fairly free left/right movement, the Kickr Move is the one to buy if you want added realism.
❌ You want pedalling analysis too: If you want to analyse your pedal stroke in detail, the Neo 3M does this while offering some fore/aft movement too.
❌ You only want the movement, but don't need the specs: A budget-friendly Kickr Core and a high-end rocker plate will offer better movement for a similar total outlay.
The Wahoo Kickr Move takes the Kickr V6 from above and essentially mounts it onto an eight-inch rolling track that lets your bike slide forward and backward, as well as rock side to side slightly. This means it has all the great specs and connectivity of the Kickr, but with additional comfort and ride realism.
That extra functionality does come at a cost, though, so you'll have to decide whether that's something you want from your indoor setup. Bear in mind too that for less money you could pair a Kickr V6 with a budget rocker plate.
In my experience testing the Kickr Move, the extra movement meant I was engaging my core more when riding. That was slightly more tiring to begin with, but after a few rides, it felt great and led to more comfort towards the end of long rides. This is more reflective of real-world riding, and offers a more rounded workout, hence I've awarded it the best smart trainer for a realistic ride feel.
Just be careful when setting up that your Kickr is perfectly level though. I found myself settling into a not-quite-upright position on the first few rides because the feet weren't level and the lateral movement, albeit minimal, is quite 'free'. This could lead to pedalling imbalances over the long term.
For more details check out our Wahoo Kickr Move review.
Best budget option with premium flywheel feel
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want the great flywheel feel of the Neo 3M at a cheaper price: The Neo 2T offers the same motorised flywheel, with downhill freewheel simulation.
✅ You don't need WiFi or ethernet, but want pedalling analysis tech: You can probably find the Neo 2T cheaper than the Elite Justo 2, so if you're interested in that pedalling analysis software, but don't need the added features, this could get you there for less money.
❌ You want future-proof tech: The Neo 2T is around five years old and has been superseded by Tacx. It's still supported for now, but we don't know how long that will last.
❌ You want something that you can easily put away after a ride: The Neo 2T does have folding legs, but it's heavy and doesn't have a carry handle.
The Neo 2T offers a clever motorised flywheel that not only replicates a flywheel much heavier than it actually is, but also provides added features such as pedalling analysis and simulating rough roads. So if you are riding in Zwift and you cross gravel, cobbles or wooden bridges the trainer will shake in different ways to mimic the road feel. The Neo 2T, like the Neo 3M and the Justo 2, can also accelerate the flywheel during descending, replicating your rear wheel in real life.
Using electromagnetic resistance, Tacx says it can simulate up to a 125kg flywheel and offers 2,200 watts to fight against and a max incline of 25% with 1% accurate power readings. It's also compatible with 135x10, 142x12 and 148x12mm axles without the need for extra adaptors. Like the Justo 2, it can even be unplugged and still function meaning it's workable for your pre-race car park warm-up.
On top of those features, there's a bit of side-to-side movement built into the design and if that's not enough you can add the aftermarket Garmin Tacx NEO Motion Plates for around 5cm of fore/aft movement as well. The Neo 2T also offers advanced power metrics like left/right balance and pedal stroke analysis.
The legs do fold, but it doesn't have a carry handle, so at 21.5kg, it's quite a difficult one to move around. I found myself giving it a bear hug when trying to transport it from place to place.
Read more in our Tacx Neo 2T review.
Best portability
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want a lightweight trainer that can be tidied away easily after use: At 14.5kg, with folding legs and a carry handle, the Suito is one of the easiest smart trainers to put away at the end of a ride.
❌ You value high flywheel inertia: Low inertia means the flywheel will stop sooner when you stop pedalling, and take a little more energy to keep on top of the gear when you are. The flywheel of the Suito isn't draggy as a wheel-on trainer, but it's the lightest on this list.
The Elite Suito is a fairly entry-level turbo trainer, sitting beneath the Justo 2, Direto XR and Avanti in the Italian brand's range. It comes completely assembled, with the 11-speed Shimano cassette fitted, so setup is simple for anyone using an 11-speed groupset. It's also available without a cassette, marketed as the Suito-T, which will be of use to anyone running 12-speed.
Once ready, the Suito is adequately quiet in operation. It provides resistance up to 1,900 watts, power readings accurate to within +/-2.5%, and can simulate gradients up to 15%.
It has foldable legs, with adjustable feet to stabilise on uneven ground, plus a carry handle. While its 3.5kg flywheel results in less inertia and a less realistic ride feel, it's still a world apart from that 'pedalling through mud' feeling from years gone by.
It also means it's lighter, which when combined with the folding legs and carry handle, means you're getting an excellent trainer for packing away at the end of the ride. There are many who choose to leave their smart trainer ready to go all the time but if you have to tidy up after yourself, then the Suito might make life that little bit easier.
Want to know more? Have a look at our Elite Suito review.
Best smart trainer for easy setup
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You and your partner use the same trainer: The Kickr Rollr lets you fit and remove your bike in seconds, as there's no wheel to remove or cassette to swap.
✅ You want a hyper-realistic ride feel: Your wheels spin on the rollers, rather than being bolted into a static trainer, letting your bike move left and right as it does outside.
❌ You don't have a power meter: The Kickr Rollr won't transmit power to Zwift without a third-party power meter. The added cost of such will make this an expensive solution
The Wahoo Kickr Rollr is technically a wheel-on smart trainer but it's unlike anything else on this list. For many years a roller system was the most natural ride quality available when riding inside. The downside though was the ability to fall off. If you weren't careful, you'd find yourself on the ground. As smart trainers rose in popularity the fact that rollers lacked a hard connection to the bike meant that it was difficult to integrate resistance and power measurement. With the Wahoo Kickr Rollr, the brand thinks it's overcome these challenges.
There's no system for bolting your bike to the trainer because all you do is set the bike onto the trainer and secure the front wheel with a hoop. The rear wheel moves just like it would on traditional rollers but there's no risk of falling so it's possible to integrate resistance. Then, sidestepping power measurement issues, you'd want to bring your own option from our list of the best power meters.
The ease of use of the system makes it ideal for those who want a natural feel and fast bike connection. If you've got multiple bikes in the household and everyone has different groupsets and tyres it's still just as easy to put the bike on and get started riding. It's also a good choice if you prefer riding outside, already have a power meter, but sometimes need another option.
One thing to consider though is that Zipp has specifically warned against using its wheels with the Wahoo Kickr Rollr. We will keep an eye on the news as it develops but for now at least, you'll want to swap wheels if you've got something from Zipp.
Want to know more? Have a look at our Wahoo Kickr Rollr review.
Also consider
Elite Direto XR - This high-spec trainer comes at a decent price and has a good reputation for durability. It has 2300 watts of resistance, 24% gradients and 1.5% accuracy. It's not as cheap as the similarly-specced Saris H3, and the flywheel could be heavier, but it comes with a cassette and is fairly portable at 15.8kg. We like it, and if you can find it on offer then don't rule it out, but it's slowly being replaced by Elite so we don't know how long it'll be supported. Read our Elite Direto XR review for more.
Tacx Flux S - With 1500 watts of resistance, 10% gradients and accuracy of +/-3%, the Tacx Flux S offers specs that don't quite match up to the other smart trainers on this list, but the retail price is pretty competitive and it's regularly on offer. It's not for people who need portability though, as it doesn't fold, doesn't have a carry handle and weighs 50lbs/23kg. Read our Tacx Flux S review for more.
Elite Avanti - We've not had chance to review this yet, so we can't say for sure whether it competes well, but on paper the specs look decent, with its accuracy of +/- 1%, WiFi connectivity, auto calibration, flex feet and the neat little draw built into the back to hold onto all the axle adaptors. It's on the list for us to test so watch this space.
CycPlus T3 - I didn't really rate the Cycplus T2 when I tested it last year, as it had too many problems. It has received a chunky update though, and we've just received the T3 for testing, so it'll be put through its paces soon. Watch this space to see whether it fares better.
Van Rysel D100 - a smart trainer that strongly resembles the Kickr Core visually, but with a maximum resistance of 600w and 6% gradients only. Those might be enough to put most people off, but when you see the £250 price, it might make you check twice. Again, we've not had chance to test it, but we'll put it through its paces soon.
JetBlack Victory - We've heard positive things about the new JetBlack Victory, which offers 2% accuracy, 1800 watts of resistance, auto-calibration, WiFi, Zwift Cog compatibility, and even USB-C connectivity to your computer (once supported by apps). Offering all that at under $400 is certainly interesting, so it's high on our list to try out.
How to choose
To the uninitiated, bike trainers (commonly known as turbo trainers, indoor trainers, or when applicable, smart trainers) can present a confusing minefield of options, but that's where we can help.
Firstly, you'll almost certainly want a smart trainer. 'Standard' trainers might be incredibly cheap, but they don't offer any of the connectivity to ride on indoor apps such as Zwift. With that said, they are still produced and widely popular due to their budget-friendly price.
Smart means they can connect (usually via Bluetooth or ANT+, but increasingly via WiFi or direct ethernet ports), to your electronic device (phone, laptop, tablet and most of the best cycling computers) to offer variable resistance which is controlled by indoor cycling apps such as Zwift or workout sessions downloaded to your cycling computer from coaching software such as TrainingPeaks.
When buying, look for connectivity specs and compatibility claims. If it has Bluetooth or ANT+ mentioned, or it claims to be compatible with Zwift, then you're looking at a smart turbo trainer.
Standard bike trainers forego this connectivity and are much cheaper. They either offer a progressive resistance curve (the harder you pedal, the more it resists), or a manual controller that lets you choose a resistance level.
Of course, if you have a power meter or speed sensor, you can pair those with your Zwift-running device, but the interactivity is lost (Zwift can't control the resistance automatically).
Within smart trainers, there are two options: wheel-on and direct drive. Just as the names suggest, wheel-on lets you keep your rear wheel on your bike, and places a roller against your tyre to provide resistance. Direct-drive trainers connect a cassette to the trainer itself, and remove the rear wheel altogether. This means your pedalling turns the flywheel directly, rather than turning a wheel and then relying on friction between your tyre and a roller.
Direct-drive turbo trainers are better, more common, and generally more expensive (albeit not in every case). Wheel-on smart trainers are slightly more budget-friendly, and standard (non-smart) turbo trainers are regularly the cheapest.
Of course, there is a trade-off. The wheel-on trainers are usually louder and don’t offer the same power-measuring accuracy as their direct drive counterparts. Tyre wear can be an issue, but you can buy a trainer-specific tyre with harder rubber to slow that down.
If you are starting from scratch and are a little unsure about what other equipment you need to start riding indoors, have a look at our comprehensive guide to indoor cycling. However, our quick rule of thumb is if you can spare around £400 / $500, then a direct drive smart trainer will be the best option for future-proof tech and ongoing enjoyment.
How do I find a trainer that's compatible with my bike?
Bikes use a variety of axle and freehub standards these days, so it's essential to check which your bike uses and make sure the turbo trainer you buy comes with the correct adaptors.
Axles
Most modern bikes use either a 135mm quick-release (QR) skewer or a 142x12mm thru-axle. All of the trainers above are compatible with both. We've outlined the compatibility of each trainer to help you decide which is the best turbo trainer for you.
Many mountain bikes these days use a slightly wider 148x12mm Boost thru-axle, so if you're a mountain biker and wish to use it on the trainer, then you'll need to consider this when buying.
If your turbo trainer of choice doesn't come with the correct adaptor to suit your bike, then it will most likely be available as an aftermarket extra purchase, but of course, this is a cost you may be able to avoid.
Freehubs
When it comes to direct drive trainers, you'll need to consider whether the freehub is compatible with a cassette that is compatible with the groupset on your bike.
The agreed-upon standard is for a turbo trainer to come with a freehub that's compatible with 9, 10 and 11-speed Shimano/SRAM cassettes. If you're using a groupset of that spec, you'll probably find you have no issues with freehub compatibility. However, if you're using Campagnolo, Shimano Micro Spline 12-speed (but not road-going 12-speed), or SRAM 12-speed groupsets, you'll need a different freehub, which will be an additional extra purchase to consider.
Cassettes
If buying a direct drive turbo trainer, it's also worth considering whether or not your prospective new turbo trainer comes with a cassette or not. Some turbo trainers come with an 11-speed cassette included, which can help save money (assuming it's compatible with your bike, of course).
Others allow you to choose a cassette when buying, which simplifies things if you know what cassette you have on your bike. We've made it clear for each of the turbo trainers above which, if any, a cassette is included.
Everything you need to know
Which is the best smart trainer?
Our top pick for best smart trainer is the Elite Justo 2. Of course, the best smart trainer is the one that fits your budget, space, and app preferences as well as training style.
That said, in our rigorous testing, we found that the Elite Justo 2 offers the best overall package with top-tier accuracy, resistance, and connectivity.
Are smart trainers worth it?
Short answer: It depends.
If you train indoors regularly and consistently throughout the year then smart trainers are absolutely a worthwhile investment. Essentially, smart trainers will take your training commitments to the next level with immersive workouts, responsive resistance, and seamless integration with cycling apps like Zwift.
Can a bike trainer ever damage my bike?
Riding a bike on an indoor trainer can place a unique set of forces through certain parts of your frame and in particular the rear dropouts. It's first important to check that your bike is actually compatible with use on a turbo trainer. Most new bikes are, but your bike's manual should offer details, and Wahoo has its own bike compatibility chart for extra help.
Correct installation of your frame and regular checks are important to ensure nothing is ever damaged. Don't just clamp your bike onto a trainer and ride it all winter without checking things over, especially after a few hard sessions.
It's also really important to protect your bike and components from corrosive sweat if you're doing a lot of riding on your indoor trainer. We like to drape a towel over the handlebars to catch the majority of the sweat, and a wipe down after each use and regular bike wash will keep everything working as it should.
For a more detailed answer, check out our in-depth article covering whether a trainer can damage your frame.
What is ERG mode?
ERG mode is where the trainer will tailor the resistance to help you hit your target power, and is a feature of all smart turbo trainers. For example, let's say you're riding a preset workout and your target power is 200 watts. ERG mode will provide the right resistance for 200 watts regardless of whether you're pedalling at 60RPM or 150RPM.
This means you can focus more on the pedalling and less on shifting gears or ensuring you remain on target. It's also a big point of differentiation for every smart trainer.
The hardware has the ability to almost instantly lock you to a specific power level but our bodies don't respond like that. Our pedalling isn't perfect and our power output vs cadence varies. The way that different manufacturers tune the software to respond to those realities changes the feeling of the ride.
Some companies are faster for tighter adherence to specific power outputs. Wahoo follows this strategy. Other companies, like Elite, intentionally respond a little slower to provide a more natural feeling ride even if your intervals aren't as tight. You'll want to think about how you ride when you consider which brand of trainer is right for you.
Which apps are compatible with my smart trainer?
When it comes to communication with your device, almost every smart trainer can connect via Bluetooth Smart FTMS (the FiTness Machine Service designed specifically for Bluetooth fitness equipment) or ANT+ FE-C. Both allow your trainer to speak to and receive commands from your computer, meaning you can ride in ERG mode or have the resistance affected by the terrain in Zwift.
ANT+ FE-C can generally accept multiple connections at once, so you can record data on multiple devices or have your trainer controlled by TrainerRoad whilst following roads in Zwift for entertainment. Bluetooth is usually limited to one concurrent connection, although Wahoo devices support up to three.
As of around 2016, virtually every smart trainer on the market is dual-band, meaning they work on both protocols, so no matter if you're using a Garmin cycling computer or your Bluetooth smartphone, your smart turbo trainer should be able to speak the right language.
Remember, a standard trainer forgoes this technology, so cannot communicate with your device at all.
What's the best alternative to Zwift?
Although Zwift is arguably one of the most popular cycling training apps, there's viable alternative apps such as TrainerRoad and Rouvy.
TrainerRoad is great for structured workouts while Rouvy offers excellent real-world routes. Plus, there's also MyWhoosh if you're looking for a free, competitive alternative.
Which indoor trainer is worth it?
We think the Wahoo Kickr Core offers excellent value with solid performance and app compatibility, making it a top choice for most indoor cyclists.
How we test?
We take testing very seriously at Cyclingnews. When we test indoor cycling gear, we take it through a range of real-world use cases including structured interval workouts, long endurance rides, virtual races, and simulated climbing efforts using apps like Zwift, TrainerRoad, Rouvy, and MyWhoosh. This helps us understand how each smart trainer performs across different training needs and riding styles.
For this guide, we tested a total of 10 smart trainers over hundreds of hours riding across thousands of virtual kilometers. Our team includes seasoned cyclists with over a decade of indoor training experience, bringing both expert insight and first-hand comparison knowledge to the process.
Since there's a lot to consider in purchasing the best smart trainers, we chose to evaluate each smart trainer on key metrics:
We're well aware that different cyclists have different budgets and training requirements. With this in mind, we've provided options that cover both high-end and entry-level options as well as different use-cases.
Testing is the backbone of the tech department at Cyclingnews and how we test is taken seriously. If you'd like to find out more, check out how we test page.
Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews – leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton. He has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he's covered everything from buyer's guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews.
On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years. He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, 'cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.
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Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews – leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton. He has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he's covered everything from buyer's guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews.
On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years. He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, 'cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.