Which Garmin Bike Computer Is Right for Me?

The lineup of Garmin Edge GPS bike computers is as diverse as the cyclists who use them. So which unit is right for you?

People ride bikes for different reasons. Whether you’re a roadie, gravel grinder or a mountain biker, a triathlete or casual commuter, or even just someone who’s ready to dust off your old bike in the garage and get some fresh air, there’s a Garmin GPS bike computer made specifically for your needs.

We have so many options, in fact, that it can be tough to choose. And while we really don’t think you can go wrong with any of our computers, we also want to make sure you select the option that’s right for you. Below we’ve outlined each of the Garmin GPS bike computer choices, from our more basic options to the most advanced. 

For those who just want to enjoy the ride:

Edge® 130 Plus: Complete with turn prompts and a breadcrumb map to track where you’re going (and where you’ve been), Edge 130 Plus utilizes three satellite systems — GPS, GLONASS and Galileo — to ensure you know exactly where you are in a variety of environments. At an entry-level price point, it’s the perfect bike computer to help you explore the unknown while maintaining peace of mind. Even better? It boasts extra awareness and incident detection¹, so if you aren’t the most confident rider, your loved ones will be able to find you should the need arise.

Edge® Explore 2: Garmin Edge Explore 2 is a dependable, easy-to-use touchscreen GPS bike computer perfect for anyone who enjoys being on a bike. Featuring turn-by-turn directions, ride type-specific maps, off-course recalculation and the ClimbPro feature to monitor remaining ascent and grade of your ride, Edge Explore 2 will help you find more than just routes. It’s also perfect for staying connected — with smart notifications, group messaging, spectator messaging and live event sharing². The options for maintaining contact with other riders and your fans back home are endless. And if you need to make a pit stop? No worries — the PIN-protected bike alarm will notify you on your paired smartphone should anyone be feeling a little handsy while you’re inside grabbing a coffee.

For those who want more performance monitoring:

Edge® 540 and Edge® 840: If performance analysis — and improvement — is more your speed than simply getting from point A to point B, both Edge 540 and Edge 840 (and their solar models) are excellent options that still come with a lower to midrange price point. With dynamic performance monitoring, targeted adaptive coaching, heat and altitude acclimation³, advanced training features and more, 540 and 840 pack a serious punch when it comes to performance. They both track specific mountain biking metrics, including jump count, jump distance and hang time, as well as features specific to Garmin such as Grit®, which rates the difficulty of a ride using GPS, elevation and other data, and Flow™, which measures how smoothly you descend a trail so you’ll have a score to improve on the next ride. Edge 540 and Edge 840 are even smart enough to guide you back to the route or to your starting point if you decide to deviate for a little adventure. The difference between the two? Edge 540 is a button-only device, while Edge 840 has buttons and a touchscreen for those who prefer a little of each.

For performance cyclists who want the longest battery life for their ride:

Edge® 1040 Solar: Using Power Glass™ solar charging⁴, this premium bike computer is guaranteed to take you to the peak of performance. Plus, it gains battery life as you ride. When paired with compatible sensors such as the Rally™ Series power meters or the HRM-Pro™ Plus heart rate monitor, the Edge 1040 Solar provides a host of features to take it to the next level. With real-time stamina insights³, you can see exactly how much energy you have left in the tank, and recommended targets in the power guide feature³ help you manage your efforts throughout a ride. Cycling ability and course demand features³ help you classify your strengths as a cyclist (share them with your friends if you’re feeling extra competitive), focus on improvement and prepare for the demands of a course you plan to tackle soon. Oh, and did we mention loads of battery? Get up to 45 hours of battery life in demanding use cases and up to 100 hours using battery saver mode so you can ride longer and explore further.

For cyclists looking for the brightest and smartest cycling computer:

Edge® 1050: Every ride is better with Edge 1050 — the premium GPS computer that allows you to never stop cycling. Even with a vivid touchscreen display, the Edge 1050 has the battery life to outlast even the longest of rides, delivering up to 20 hours per day even in the most demanding use cases. But the Edge 1050 offers more than just impressive battery life. It comes with smart features that bring the cycling community together with enhancements to GroupRide, including in-ride messaging, live locations, incident detection alerts¹, in-ride climb leaderboards, postride awards and more². From weekend group rides to solo efforts and everything in between, we’re here for all of it. The Edge 1050 also boasts road hazard alerts² that can alert you to potholes and other hazards, an on-device bike bell so you can alert fellow riders and pedestrians in your path — among many other advanced smart features and performance capabilities. One of those features allows cyclists to make contactless payments via Garmin Pay™ with participating providers so you can make purchases on the go without having to bring your wallet on a ride. Want more insights into what the Edge 1050 has to offer? Check out this video, and remember to never stop cycling.

Community features now available on even more Edge devices:

When you thought you couldn’t love your Edge device anymore, it got that much better. Thanks to a recent software update, Edge 540/840/1040 and Edge Explore 2 users can also enjoy community features such as road hazards, GroupRide and more. So you can expect to see even more helpful reports coming through your cycling computers as you crush your workout.

Ready to hit the trail — or the gravel — or maybe just the paved streets of your neighborhood? Regardless of your ride, Garmin has you covered. Shop Edge GPS bike computers here.

¹When paired with your compatible smartphone; see Garmin.com/ble. For safety and tracking feature requirements and limitations, see Garmin.com/safety.
²When used with your compatible smartphone and the Garmin Connect^™ app.
³When paired with your compatible sensors; sold separately.
⁴Assumes continuous 75,000 lux conditions during daytime rides.