The 7 Best Cycling Power Meters from Budget to Premium (2023)

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In this article, you find the best power meters of the most popular types (pedal, crank arm, crankset, spider…), from budget to premium ones suitable for road, mountain, and gravel bikes.

I have been using a power meter for the past few years, and it now feels strange to ride without one.

After reading hundreds of reviews, discussions, and tests, as well as consulting with professional cyclists and local bike enthusiasts, I have compiled a list of recommended power meters below.

If you are new to this area, you can read my guide on choosing a power meter, which will help you determine the type of power meter that best suits your needs and the features to consider when purchasing one.

Are you ready to begin?

Let’s dive in!

What Are the Best Cycling Power Meters?

A cycling power meter can take your training to the next level by providing valuable data to make your workouts more effective and precise.

It’s important to choose a power meter that fits your specific needs. Let me give you a few examples.

Pedal power meters are easy to transfer between bikes and accurate but prone to damage (on mountain bikes). On the other hand, spider or crankset power meters are less prone to damage and accurate but harder to install.

Additionally, there are single– and dual-sided power meters. Single-sided power meters won’t provide data on L/R leg balance or power phase and are less accurate due to the L/R leg disbalances. So, keep this in mind when making your choice.

Aim for high data accuracy, reliability, and consistency when selecting a power meter.

Before making a decision, read the “How to choose a power meter” section to learn all the necessary details to make an informed choice.

Skip to the comparison table…

Favero Assioma DUO (Best Power Meter Overall)

The Favero Assioma DUO (and UNO) is one of the best power meters for road bikes and is the most popular pedal power meter on the market. This may be due to their affordable price, which is roughly half that of alternatives like the Garmin Rally.

Assioma(s) are accurate, consistent, and reliable, allowing you to rely on them whenever you jump on your bike.

These power meters are versatile and easy to transfer between bikes, making them an excellent option for riders who own multiple bikes.

If you frequently travel without your bike and rely on bike rentals, you can pack the Assioma pedals and use them on a borrowed bike.

The Assioma DUO pedals provide valuable data such as left/right leg balance, pedal smoothness, ride time in/out of the saddle, and more. They also have an auto-zero feature, eliminating the need to perform it before each ride.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. For instance, the Assioma DUO pedals may add some rotating weight (299g/set) depending on the pedals you use. For example, the Look Keo 2 Max Carbon pedals weigh 250g, and Shimano Ultegra pedals 248g.

Additionally, some riders may not prefer the Look Keo cleat system that these pedals are designed for, but you can purchase the Favero Assioma DUO-Shi spindles to use them with Shimano pedals.

The Favero Assioma DUO-Shi spindles allow you to transform your Shimano SPD-SL pedals into a power meter, but they have a longer spindle width, which can make your feet about 1 cm further apart on each side.

Another minor disadvantage of the Assioma pedals is their short battery life, which lasts around 50 hours. However, the real battery life is close to the claimed one, and you will need to recharge them every month or two.

If you’re a beginner or don’t need advanced metrics, you can opt for the more affordable single-sided option, Assioma UNO.

You can read my in-depth review of the Favero Assioma DUO for more information.

TIP: Check out my selection of the best pedal power meters.

Stages Gen 3 Power Meter (Best Crank Arm-Based Power Meter)

Stages and 4iiii are two popular crank arm power meter manufacturers. However, I have decided to award the “Best Crank Arm-Based” title to Stages, and here’s why:

Stages Gen 3 power meter is available for Shimano, SRAM, or Campagnolo and road and MTB cranks. Therefore, you will likely find a Stages power meter for your groupset.

Stages power meters are also available in a dual-sided option with independent L/R readings. This provides more accurate and detailed data for each leg and can help you identify leg imbalances.

However, Stages power meters are more expensive and around ±0.5% less accurate than 4iiii.

The Stages power meter Gen 3 for Shimano Ultegra R8000 is an affordable and effective option for most beginners and advanced riders. It’s easy to install and use, but you will need additional tools like the Shimano crank cap to replace the crank.

Unfortunately, Stages Gen 3 doesn’t feature auto-zero, so it’s recommended that you set the zero offset manually before every ride.

Other advantages of Stages power meters are the long battery life and low added weight. The claimed battery life is 200h, but the actual battery life is around 180h, and the added weight is only 15g.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly power meter that can improve your training, Stages is a great option.

4iiii Precision Power Meter (Best Budget Power Meter)

Do you remember the Stages Gen 3 power meter mentioned earlier? The 4iiii Precision power meter is the best budget option for Shimano groupset owners.

The biggest disadvantage of the 4iiii power meter is that it’s only available for road Shimano groupsets (105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace, GRX, XT, and XTR), which is something to keep in mind when considering your options.

However, the 4iiii provides ±0.5% better accuracy, is more affordable, about 6g lighter, and comes with an extended warranty of 3 years.

You can choose between the single-side option for the left crank or the dual-sided option for more accurate left/right leg data.

The 4iiii Precision 2 has a much shorter battery life than the Stages power meter. This means that you will need to replace the CR2032 battery more often. However, the 4iiii Precision 3 has an incredibly long battery life of up to 800h!

Aside from these slight differences, both power meters are a great option for beginners looking to upgrade their cycling experience.

SRM Origin Road Carbon Power Meter (Best for Demanding)

SRM has been specializing in power meters since 1986 and is considered the gold standard in the industry. In fact, they patented the first spider power meter ever in the same year.

SRM’s power meters are designed for advanced riders and pros who require highly accurate and consistent data they can rely on.

However, I don’t recommend them for beginners due to their higher price. Beginners won’t take full advantage of the data they provide, and less expensive options are available, such as power meters from Stages, 4iiii, or Quarq.

If you’re a numbers geek, you can expect features such as left/right leg balance or pedal smoothness analysis to satisfy your data cravings.

Additionally, the SRM Origin can actively compensate for temperature, ensuring your power remains consistent regardless of outside temperature fluctuations.

The carbon cranks make the entire power meter crankset weigh only 599g, which is even less than the Dura-Ace (R9100) which weighs between 614-650g, depending on the cranks’ length. The SRM Origin power meter’s design is also highly praised by users.

However, there are some major disadvantages to the SRM Origin power meter. These include the high price, complicated installation, absence of Bluetooth SMART connectivity, and relatively short battery life.

Quarq DZero DUB Power Meter (Best Power Meter for SRAM Groupsets)

If you have an SRAM groupset, you’ve probably heard about Quarq power meters, which have excellent integrations with SRAM groupsets. SRAM acquired Quarq in 2011.

NOTE: If you have a Shimano groupset, check out the Quarq DFour DUB designed for Shimano groupsets.

Compared to the SRM power meter, the Quarq DZero DUB is much more affordable while providing similar features. It can actively compensate for temperature changes, so you always get accurate and consistent data regardless of the temperature.

The DZero DUB is a dual-sided power meter, which means it shows your left/right leg power output. It will allow you to spot any leg imbalances that you can later consult with a bike fitter or physiotherapist.

Installation of this power meter is naturally more complicated than installing power meter pedals, but even inexperienced riders can do it.

It has a claimed battery life of 200 hours, which is double the SRM power meter. Unfortunately, the battery is not rechargeable, so you will have to replace it occasionally.

The main disadvantage of this power meter is its compatibility. You must use Quarq DZero DUB crank arms and an SRAM DUB bottom bracket.

Also available at amazon.com

Power2Max NGeco SRAM

The Power2Max NGeco SRAM is a power meter suitable for MTB and road groupsets. It is also affordable, making it a great choice for cyclists on a budget.

Compared to more expensive power meters such as those from SRM or Quarq, the Power2Max NGeco SRAM has a much longer battery life of 300-400 hours. This means it may last you an entire season, depending on how much you ride your bike.

The default accuracy of the Power2Max NGeco SRAM is ±2%, which is sufficient for beginners and advanced riders who don’t count every watt.

However, for serious cyclists and pros, you can pay for an upgrade to ±1% in the P2M mobile, which is worth considering.

With a system upgrade, the Power2Max NGeco SRAM can also measure your L/R balance, which provides valuable insights.

It is important to note that the power meter measures the total power output of both legs in one sensor, so it cannot measure both legs separately. Nonetheless, it can calculate the L/R balance assuming that the pulling force on the pedal is almost negligible.

The Power2Max NGeco SRAM also has an auto-zero feature, which means you do not have to worry about setting the zero offset before every ride.

Moreover, the power meter actively compensates for temperature changes once you stop pedaling for more than 2 seconds, ensuring that you always get accurate data that is not affected by temperature.

One downside of the Power2Max NGeco SRAM is its limited compatibility. You cannot fit it on SRAM 1X 40T chainrings and SRAM Red cranksets*.

*The 4-bolt 110 Shimano bolt circle diameter (BCD) is available.

Considering its price, the Power2Max NGeco SRAM is an excellent power meter that is hard to beat.

ROTOR 2INpower DM Road Power Meter

The ROTOR 2INpower DM Road Power Meter is an upgraded version of the previous INpower. With the newer version, you can independently measure your L/R leg power.

This high-end power meter comes with chainrings and a universal bottom bracket, making it easy to replace your current crankset and take advantage of the power data.

ROTOR 2INpower, similar to SRM Origin, belongs to the higher end of the power meter spectrum. As such, it is ideal for advanced riders who value accuracy, reliability, and consistency.

Another advantage of the ROTOR is their ROTOR POWER app for iOS and Android, which allows you to analyze your torque, pedal smoothness, balance, and more. If you are a data geek, this app will provide you with data to analyze.

The major disadvantages of ROTOR 2INpower are its high price and more challenging installation process. Additionally, it has a 2mm wider Q factor than the SRM Origin.

Honorable Mentions

Garmin Rally pedal power meters are a significant upgrade over the previous Garmin Vectors. They are available for Shimano and Look cleats and for road and MTB.

However, they are more expensive than the Favero Assioma DUO and UNO, making them appealing only to Garmin fans and those who already are in the Garmin ecosystem.

S-Works Power Cranks is a solid power meter suitable for Specialized fanboys (and fangirls). However, this article includes many alternatives providing better value.

And finally, Wahoo POWRLINK is the only pedal power meter suitable for Wahoo SPEEDPLAY.

What Power Meters to Avoid?

I recommend avoiding Shimano power meters (Dura-Ace R9100 and R9200). This is based on several independent reviews (GPLama, DC Rainmaker, and many others).

Although we can see these power meters in the pro peloton, the only reason is that Shimano sponsors the teams.

Their power meters are unreliable; even the pro teams don’t want to use them because professional riders need accurate and reliable power meters.

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My Verdict

Favero Assioma DUO and UNO are the best cycling power meters for most non-professional riders. They are easy to set up, accurate (±1%), reliable, and affordable.

4iiii Precision 3 is the best budget crank-arm-based power meter. It’s accurate (±1%), reliable, and has long battery life (800h). Unfortunately, it’s only available for Shimano cranks.

And finally, Stages Gen 3 is the best 4iiii alternative crank arm because it’s in a similar price range, has similar specs, and is available for Shimano, Campagnolo, and cranks.

I recommend reading the following section to learn more about power meter features.

How to Choose a Power Meter?

This buyer’s guide is a condensed version of my comprehensive power meter guide.

It offers the most important information about bike power meters, also known as watt meters, to help you make an informed purchasing decision.

I excluded some details to keep this article concise. I suggest reading the full guide if you want to learn more about power meters and their benefits.

Power Meter Type

There are various types of power meters, including pedal-based, crank arm-based, bottom bracket-based, and more.

Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, which are summarized in the table below.

What type of power meter is best?

Pedal power meters are among the most popular power meters for amateur cyclists. They are popular because they are accurate, versatile, easy to set up, and transferable between bikes.

However, pro and serious cyclists mostly ride crank arm and spider power meters because of their low added rotating weight, data consistency, and reliability (and brand sponsorships).

Compatibility & Versatility

Compatibility and versatility are critical factors when choosing a power meter, especially if you have multiple bikes and want to use one bike watt meter on all of them.

Compatibility refers to whether a power meter is compatible with your bike’s components, such as cranks, bottom bracket, and frame. Versatility refers to the ability to use a power meter on multiple bikes.

For example, road bike pedal power meters are compatible with any road bike and are easily transferable between bikes due to standardized pedal threads. Conversely, spider or bottom bracket power meters are less compatible and versatile.

Data Accuracy & Consistency

All bicycle power meters have a claimed accuracy rating in percentage, such as ±1%. Most power meters today have an accuracy rating between ±1% to ±3%.

If you are not a pro or data accuracy enthusiast, a super-accurate power meter may not be necessary. Power variations are not as significant in lower power zones. Refer to the table below.

It would be best to look for a data-consistent power meter. This means that it measures data consistently across multiple conditions, such as on different bikes, in varying temperatures and altitudes, etc.

Data consistency is crucial for effective training and tracking your overall progression. Unfortunately, manufacturers do not always provide consistent data, so it is best to rely on in-depth reviews and data analysis.

You can learn more about this topic in my article on power meter accuracy and consistency.

Left/Right Leg Measurement

NOTE: If you use a single-sided power meter during single-leg drills, you get zero power readings for the opposite leg.
Read the pros & cons of dual and single-sided power meters if you don’t know which one to choose.

Dual-sided power meters can provide valuable information, but knowing how to use that data is important.

Some cyclists may be concerned about their left-right leg balance. However, there’s no need to worry if your imbalance is around 48:52 and you don’t experience any issues.

If you do experience discomfort or pain and you notice a significant left-right imbalance, it’s a good idea to seek advice from a professional such as a bike fitter or physiotherapist.

To learn more about this topic, I recommend this article by TrainingPeaks or watching the following video by TrainerRoad.

Weight

Certain power meters have a greater rotating weight than others. For instance, pedal power meters are heavier than crank arm power meters.

Depending on your preferences, weight can be a factor to consider when selecting a power meter.

If you choose a crank arm-based power meter that adds 10-25g, you probably won’t detect the difference.

However, some spider power meters can add hundreds of grams (compared to your current components), so keep that in mind.

Battery Type & Battery Life

*Power Meter City tested the battery life of single-use and rechargeable power meter batteries and found that single-use batteries lasted 230 hours on average, while rechargeable ones only 140 hours.

If you ride for 7 hours a week, and the battery in your power meter lasts for 140 hours, you can ride for 4 months without recharging or replacing the battery.

So, the battery life of a power meter shouldn’t be a big concern when you’re buying one. However, if it is important to you, the chart below shows the battery life of the power meters mentioned in this article.

Zero-Offset vs. Calibration

Automatic zero-offset is common on advanced and higher-end power meters.

You can learn more in my in-depth article on zero-offset vs. calibration.

Q Factor, Spindle, and Stance Width

It’s important to distinguish between the Q factor, spindle width, and stance width when buying power meters.

Pedal power meters don’t affect the Q factor but may affect spindle and stance width. Crankset power meters may affect the Q factor depending on your current crankset.

If power meter pedals have a wider spindle width than your current pedals, it could cause bike fit issues. Always double-check the spindle width of pedal power meters before buying.

To learn more about choosing power meter pedals, read this article.

Brand

Depending on your preference, the brand may or may not play a role when deciding what power meter to buy.

Power Meters FAQ

What Power Meters Do Pros Use?

The following table summarizes power meter brands pro cycling teams use in the 2023 season.