The 7 Best Bike Trainers for Zwift from Low to High-End (2025)

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This article includes the best bike trainers for Zwift that ensure an immersive training experience during your Zwift rides, workouts, or races.

I included only interactive bike trainers, ensuring you get the most out of Zwift. Additionally, I’ve tested some of them, scored them based on my scoring system, and analyzed hundreds of reviews from Zwifters worldwide, saving you time and effort.

Continue reading to find out more about these and other Zwift-compatible trainers. I will also give you tips on helpful Zwift resources.

What Are the Best Bike Trainers for Zwift?

Skip to the comparison table…

The best bike trainers for Zwift are interactive to change the resistance based on the terrain you ride in Zwift.

They also have to be reliable and provide accurate and consistent data (like your cadence, watts, etc.) in case you are into racing. The other features, like the realistic ride, quiet operation, and high resistance, are a nice plus.

Read my buyer’s guide section to learn more about other features to consider when buying a Zwift-compatible trainer.

Wahoo KICKR (Best Bike Trainer for Zwift Overall)

High-end specs, road-like feel, reliability, and compatibility with Wahoo accessories.

Resistance and Gradient 5/5 | Accuracy 5/5 | Noisiness 4/5 | Power Consumption 4/5 | Ride Feel 4/5 | ERG Mode 4/5 | Ease of Setup 5/5 | Portability 5/5 | OVERALL 4.5/5

KICKR is Wahoo’s iconic trainer and is considered the gold standard by many. Wahoo improves it every two years or so to make it competitive.

KICKR v6 adds WiFi connectivity, an ERG Easy Ramp feature, and an odometer. You can read my article comparing KICKR v5 and v6 for more details.

I like KICKR’s road-like ride feel. Its flywheel does a great job, so with up to 20% gradient simulation, you will feel great pain climbing the Alp Du Zwift.

The trainer itself is quiet so that the most noise will be made by your bike’s drive train. You don’t have to use headphones and won’t disturb your family members in other rooms.

One of the KICKR’s benefits is its compatibility with Wahoo accessories like KICKR Climb or Headwind, which will take your indoor training to a new level. Non-Wahoo trainers don’t have this compatibility.

KICKR doesn’t have many disadvantages, honestly. It’s only a shame that the side-to-side tilt of its AXIS legs isn’t very effective.

If the specs of KICKR are insufficient for you, check out the Tacx NEO 2T. It offers higher gradient simulation (up to 25%), more resistance (2200W), and other perks, like different road surface simulations.

Check out the best bike trainer accessories to upgrade your training cave and improve your indoor training experience.

Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One (Best Mid-Range Bike Trainer)

Mid-to-high-range specs for a low-end price.

The Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One is the successor of the discontinued Zwift Hub and Zwift Hub One, which became a hit almost immediately after their introduction. This was mainly thanks to their affordable price and mid-to-high-range specifications. They were both based on the Jetblack Volt trainer.

However, after the Wahoo+Zwift partnership, they decided to merge Wahoo KICKR Core and Zwift Hub trainers into one. Thanks to the Zwift Cog, you also don’t have to deal with a cassette. Plus, it makes the trainer compatible with 8–12-speed bikes.

Additionally, it has a race mode for more frequent power data updates and virtual shifting for a better riding experience.

Honestly, it’s hard to find any major flaws with this trainer. But I did find two. The first is the lack of a handle for easier carrying (for people without a permanent training area).

The second is the inability to fold it up like other trainers (like the Wahoo KICKR), making it less storable. So you’ll have to completely disassemble it after the season.

One final thought: Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One is currently compatible with third-party apps. However, its virtual shifting feature is only available in Zwift (and ROUVY using Zwift Click buttons).

Tacx NEO 2T (Best High-End Bike Trainer for Zwift)

High-end direct-drive trainer for the most demanding riders that can simulate gravel, cobblestones, descents, and more.

Resistance and Gradient 5/5 | Accuracy 3/5 | Noisiness 5/5 | Power Consumption 5/5 | Ride Feel 5/5 | ERG Mode 4/5 | Ease of Setup 4/5 | Portability 2/5 | OVERALL 4.1/5

The NEO 2T is Tacx’s top direct-drive trainer, featuring improved internals for a quieter, more accurate (±1% vs. ±2.5%), and more reliable performance.

With the largest virtual flywheel on the market, weighing up to 276 lb (125 kg), the NEO 2T provides an enhanced road-like riding experience.

One standout feature is its ability to simulate multiple road surfaces, like cobbles and gravel, which sets it apart from other bike trainers. I really enjoyed this one!

Cyclists, including pros, love the Tacx NEO 2T for its accuracy and durability. It can even measure your L/R leg balance.

The foldability is convenient for storage during summer months, but the trainer lacks a handle, making it challenging to move around with a mounted bike. Therefore, a dedicated training area is a must.

However, there are drawbacks, such as its high price and the need to purchase a cassette separately. I also find its ERG mode too aggressive, and it took me some time to get used to.

Another thing to note is that the virtual flywheel can make pedaling feel “difficult,” as if the trainer is pulling your legs.

So, is the price justifiable? If you prioritize the most realistic ride feel, then yes. For more in-depth information, check out my Tacx NEO 2T review.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com, amazon.com, jensonusa.com, and tredz.co.uk

PRO TIP: Take your zwifting to the next level. Choose one of these best cycling rocker plates to improve your riding comfort thanks to the swing motion, add more realism, and engage your core muscles.

Tacx Flow (Most Affordable Interactive Bike Trainer for Zwift)

One of the most affordable interactive smart trainers on the market.

Resistance and Gradient 2/5 | Accuracy 1/5 | Noisiness 3/5 | Power Consumption 4/5 | Ride Feel 3/5 | ERG Mode 3/5 | Ease of Setup 4/5 | Portability 4/5 | OVERALL 3.0/5

Garmin’s Tacx Flow is one of the cheapest smart interactive bike trainers. It can adjust the resistance based on the virtual world of your favorite training app. This makes your riding more engaging and road-like.

While the 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) flywheel is silent, the nature of this trainer (wheel-on) means that the tire will make more noise than a direct-drive trainer. But it’s relatively quiet compared to other wheel-on trainers I tested (like the Elite Novo Force). I recommend using a trainer tire to reduce the noisiness.

The Tacx Flow is also portable and easy to set up, making it a great option for those with limited space.

Its biggest downsides are the low maximum resistance and gradient simulation compared to other trainers in this price range and lower accuracy.

Some users have also reported connectivity issues, which can be solved with an ANT+ receiver. I didn’t experience them.

Tacx Flow lacks in terms of specs, but considering its price, it offers great value for the money. If you want a better wheel-on trainer for Zwift, check out Wahoo KICKR Snap.

Also available at jensonusa.com

Saris H3

An iconic US-made trainer with one of the best ERG modes on the market.

Resistance and Gradient 5/5 | Accuracy 4/5 | Noisiness 4/5 | Power Consumption 4/5 | Ride Feel 4/5 | ERG Mode 5/5 | Ease of Setup 4/5 | Portability 3/5 | OVERALL 4.1/5

Saris (formerly CycleOps) is a US brand producing bike trainers and racks. The H3 is one of their most popular bike trainers. It is an improved CycleOps Hammer. So, what can you expect from it?

It’s quiet, well-built, and stable. According to Saris, it has a noisiness level of 59dB at 20mph. This is a level of normal conversation.

H3 offers up to 2000W and 20% gradient simulation – enough for advanced, even pro cyclists.

Probably the best feature of H3 is its precise ERG mode. This makes this trainer ideal not only for Zwift but also for TrainerRoad and other apps.

Saris H3 will provide a great road-like feel to make your Zwift rides as high-quality as possible.

One of the main downsides of Saris H3 is that it sometimes has an inaccurate cadence sensor, and the cassette is not included.

The main alternatives for H3 are Wahoo KICKR and Tacx NEO 2T. Both these trainers are a little bit more expensive.

Learn more details in my Saris H3 review or:

Also available at amazon.com

Wahoo KICKR Snap

A wheel-on trainer on steroids.

Snap is the most affordable bike trainer from Wahoo. It is great for Zwift, although it is a wheel-on trainer. Let me explain why.

Wahoo took advantage of its experience with bike trainers. The electromagnetic resistance unit and 10.5 lb (4.8 kg) flywheel create a good riding experience. Naturally, it is not as great as direct-drive trainers.

Snap has much better specs than its closest alternative, Tacx Flow:

• Resistance: 800W vs. 1500W
• Accuracy: ±5% vs. ±3%
• Gradient simulation: 6% vs. 12%

To take your indoor training setup to the next level, you can pair it with a Wahoo Headwind fan and a Wahoo KICKR Climb gradient simulator. The fan will keep you cool, and the simulator adjusts the position based on the terrain in Zwift (or any other training app).

The main disadvantage of Wahoo KICKR Snap is its price compared to Tacx Flow.

Tacx Flux S

A mid-range direct-drive trainer combining great value for the money.

Tacx Flux S is an affordable direct-drive trainer with decent specs. If you don’t need the specs of a high-end trainer, Flux S is a great option for Zwift.

Let’s be honest. The specifications of Flux S will be sufficient for most riders. It can generate resistance of up to 1500W, gradient simulation of 10%, and accuracy is ±3%.

As is common with direct-drive trainers, the Flux S provides a good riding experience that is slightly worse than high-end direct-drive trainers.

It is sturdy and stable, so you can push into the pedals hard while being confident you won’t lose balance or overturn it when sprinting.

The only main issue is that it doesn’t have foldable legs, so it is not ideal for people with limited space. No carry handle that would ease its manipulation makes it ideal for people with a dedicated training cave.

Also available at rei.com, competitivecyclist.com, and tredz.co.uk

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Smart Trainer	Type	Resistance	Accuracy	Gradient Simulation	Buy	Resistance and Gradient	Accuracy	Noisiness	Power Consumption	Ride Feel	ERG Mode	Ease of Setup	Portability	Overall Score
Wahoo KICKR v6	Direct‑drive	2200W	±1%	20%	Check Price Check Price (tredz.co.uk)	5	5	4	4	4	4	5	3	4.5
Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One	Direct‑drive	1800W	±2%	16%	Check Price	4	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	5	5	4.0
Tacx NEO 2T	Direct‑drive	2200W	±1%	25%	Check Price Check Price (amazon.com)	5	3	5	5	5	4	4	3	4.1
Tacx Flow	Wheel‑on	800W	±5%	6%	Check Price Check Price (rei.com)	2	1	3	4	3	3	4	5	3.0
Saris H3	Direct‑drive	2000W	±2%	20%	Check Price Check Price (amazon.com)	5	4	4	4	4	5	4	4	4.1
Wahoo KICKR Snap	Wheel‑on	1500W	±3%	12%	Check Price	4	3	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	4	3.5
Tacx Flux S	Direct‑drive	1500W	±3%	10%	Check Price Check Price (competitivecyclist.com)	4	3	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	3	4	3.0

List of the best bike trainers for Zwift with info about the type, resistance, accuracy, and gradient simulation. type and recommended temperature. The trainers are scored based on this bike trainers scoring.

My Verdict

The best bike trainers for Zwift are ANT+ FE-C compatible, meaning they can transmit your ride data to Zwift. They should also be interactive so Zwift can change the trainer’s resistance based on the gradient.

I don’t recommend non-interactive bike trainers for Zwift because you won’t be able to use them to their full potential, and your rides won’t be as engaging.

*See the full list of considered bike trainers (on request only).

How to Choose the Best Bike Trainer for Zwift?

Below, I explain why these features are important and what you can expect from bike trainers available on the market.

To learn more about all types of bike trainers, read my fully dedicated guide on choosing a bike trainer.

Type of a Bike Trainer

In this guide, I focus on two basic types of trainers: wheel-on and direct-drive.

Wheel-on Trainers

Wheel-on trainers are more affordable because they are simpler than direct-drive trainers. The rear wheel of your bike is set against the roller, which provides resistance.

This resistance is usually (electro)magnetic. There are also wheel-on trainers with fluid or air resistance, but these, except for a few exceptions, are unsuitable for Zwift because training apps cannot adjust their resistance.

Here is a beginner’s guide on how you set up a trainer.

Direct-drive Trainers

Direct-drive or wheel-off trainers require you to take off the rear wheel and mount your bike directly in the trainer.

These trainers use electromagnetic resistance that training apps like Zwift can control. They also offer better riding characteristics and are more accurate than wheel-on trainers.

Check out the advantages and disadvantages of these two types of bike trainers.

Trainer Type	Pros	Cons	Recommended for
Wheel-on	• More affordable than direct-drive trainers • Compatible with many types of bikes • Take up less space than direct-drive trainers and are more portable	• Worse riding characteristics than direct-drive trainers • Less stable than direct-drive trainers • Low-end models may be smart but can’t adjust the resistance • Usually noisier than direct-drive trainers	Beginners, people with a limited budget
Direct-drive	• Better riding characteristics than wheel-on trainers • More stable than wheel-on trainers • Can adjust the resistance based on training apps • Very quiet	• More expensive than wheel-on trainers • Take up more space than wheel-on trainers • They require accessories like a cassette • They may not be compatible with every bike	Advanced riders, pros

Pros & Cons of wheel-on and direct-drive bike trainers, and their recommended use

Connectivity

Smart (interactive) trainers use protocols like ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, or Bluetooth to connect with mobile devices or a computer (you can read more about this topic on the DC Rainmaker website).

*To ensure your computer’s connectivity with a bike trainer, you will need an ANT+ USB adapter.

Resistance & Resistance Type

The overall bike trainer resistance is given in watts. You don’t need a trainer with 2000W resistance unless you are a really powerful rider. 1000W or 1500W is enough for most riders.

Electromagnetic is the best resistance type for a trainer you want to use with Zwift (or any other indoor cycling app). These trainers can adjust the resistance based on a training app.

As I explained, you can also use magnetic, fluid, or even air resistance trainers for zwifting. However, your overall riding experience will worsen and require additional sensors.

Gradient Simulation

Gradient simulation is a handy feature popular among interactive trainers. It means that the trainer can slow your pedal stroke when you start climbing in a training app. This simulates real-life conditions where you have to down-shift to keep a similar cadence.

High-end trainers can simulate up to 25% gradients, mid-range around 15%, and low-end around 5%. But does this matter? Well, yes, it does. Let me explain.

The higher the gradient simulation, the faster the trainer can slow down your pedal stroke. GPLama (Shane Miller) explains it perfectly in his video.

Remember to double-check and adjust the trainer difficulty settings in Zwift. It halves it by default.

Accuracy

The accuracy indicates what the power deviation at a certain power is. It is important not only to get the exact idea of how many watts you put out but also if you don’t have a power meter and plan to buy one (here is how to choose it). Let me explain this in more detail.

Let’s say the trainer will have an accuracy of ±5%. So, if you pedal at 250W, your real power output can vary between 237.5-262.5W. Imagine buying a power meter with ±2% accuracy (245-255W). Do you see the issue?

The more accurate the trainer, the better power data you get. Greater inaccuracy can be, for example, the difference between riding in zones 3 and 4. If you take cycling seriously, you want to avoid this.

Check out the power deviations at different power outputs and the trainer’s accuracy levels in the table below.

Accuracy	250W	500W	1000W	2000W
1%	247.5-252.5	495-505	990-1010	1980-2020
2%	245-255	490-510	980-1020	1960-2040
3%	242.5-257.5	485-515	970-1030	1940-2060
4%	240-260	480-520	960-1040	1920-2080
5%	237.5-262.5	475-525	950-1050	1900-2100

Bike trainer accuracy for specific accuracy rate (1%, 2%…) and power output (250W, 500W, 1000W, 2000W)

Noisiness

The noise level of a bike trainer is important to make your training more convenient and pleasant. Furthermore, you won’t disturb your family members or neighbors if you don’t have a dedicated training space.

Manufacturers try to make their trainers quiet. Mid-range and high-end trainers are often so quiet that your bike’s drivetrain makes more noise than the trainer itself.

The quietest bike trainers reach noisiness levels of around 55 dB. This is even less than the level of a normal conversation, which is 60 dB. Expect noise levels of around 70dB on budget wheel-on trainers.

TIP: Here is how to Make your bike trainer quieter.

Other Features to Consider

• Bike compatibility – direct-drive trainers may not be compatible with every bike. Make sure to double-check the compatibility to avoid an unpleasant surprise when setting up your bike.
• Weight – heavier trainers tend to be more stable but less portable. If you are limited by space and need to hide the trainer often, I recommend choosing a more compact and lighter trainer.
• Flywheel weight – flywheel is one of the most important parts of a bike trainer. Together with the resistance unit, it creates resistance. Remember, the heavier flywheel doesn’t necessarily mean a better, more road-like ride feel. If you can’t try the trainer in person, check out reviews of other customers.
• Side-to-side movement – is suitable when riding from the saddle and during sprints. The overall feeling of riding a trainer with this feature is closer to riding a bike outside.
• Portability – does the trainer have foldable legs and a carry handle? If so, its manipulation and storage will be easier and more convenient than with trainers without them.

BONUS: Useful Zwift Resources

Bike Trainers for Zwift FAQ

More bike trainers FAQs answered.

Preview picture source: Zwift