The 8 Best Cycling Power Meters from Budget to Premium (2022)

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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’ve been using a power meter for the last few years, and it feels weird riding without it.

I selected the power meters below based on reading hundreds of reviews, discussions, tests, and my experience. I also discussed this topic with pro cyclists and local bike enthusiasts to provide you with helpful tips.

If you are new to this area, you can read my guide on choosing a power meter. It will help you decide what type of bike power meter is the best for your needs and what features to consider when buying it.

Are you ready to get started?

Let’s dive in!

What Are the Best Cycling Power Meters?

A cycling power meter will take your training to the next level. Thanks to the data it provides, you can follow your structured training more precisely and make it more effective.

The best power meter is the one that is suitable for your use case. Let me give you a few examples.

Pedal power meters are easily transferable between bikes but prone to damage. Spider or crankset power meters are less prone to damage but harder to install.

Then, there are single and dual-sided. The single-sided ones won’t provide you with data and features like L/R leg balance, power phase, etc.

Also, aim for high data accuracy, reliability, and consistency.

Read the how to choose a power meter section first to learn all the necessary details to make an educated decision.

Skip to the comparison table…

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

Stages and 4iiii are two of the most popular crank arm power meter manufacturers. Both will satisfy the needs of most cyclists.

However, I decided to give Stages the ‘Best Crank Arm-Based’ title. Let me explain why.

Unlike 4iiii, Stages Gen 3 power meter is available for Shimano, SRAM, or Campagnolo, and road and MTB cranks. So regardless of your groupset, there is a high chance you will find a Stages power meter for it.

Stages power meters are also available as a dual-sided option with independent L/R readings. This means you get more in-depth and accurate data for each leg. In addition, they can help you find out more about your leg imbalance, etc.

On the other hand, they are more expensive and about ±0.5% less precise than 4iiii.

This particular model, the Stages power meter Gen 3 for Shimano Ultegra R8000, is rated as one of the most affordable and effective power meters for most beginners and advanced riders.

It is easy to install and use – you just need to replace the crank and pair it with your head unit or power meter app. Remember that you will need additional tools like the Shimano crank cap for replacing the crank.

Unfortunately, stages Gen 3 doesn’t feature auto-zero. So, setting the zero-offset is recommended before every ride, and you have to do it manually.

Other advantages are the long battery life and low added weight. Claimed battery life is 200h, but the reality is around 180h. The added weight is 15g, so you probably won’t notice the difference.

If you are looking for a budget power meter that will take your training to the next level, Stages is the way to go.

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Favero Assioma DUO (Best Power Meter Overall)

Favero Assioma DUO (and UNO) are the most popular pedal power meters and one of the best power meters for a road bike.

Thanks to their versatility and easy transferability, they are an excellent option for riders looking for one power meter for multiple bikes.

The benefits of pedal power meters don’t stop here. If you travel a lot without your bike and take advantage of bike rentals, you can pack them and use them on a borrowed bike.

And the best thing is you will get the same, consistent data, regardless of the bike. This allows you to continue your structured workouts and easily track your progression.

Other reasons to buy Assioma DUO pedals are the data they provide. For example, you can learn more about your left/right leg balance, pedal smoothness, ride time in/out of the saddle, etc.

This generation of power meters also has an auto-zero feature. So you don’t have to think about performing it before every ride.

So, what are their disadvantages?

Assioma may add a rotating weight (299g/set) depending on what road bike pedals you currently have. For example, the Look Keo 2 Max Carbon pedals weigh 250g, and Shimano Ultegra pedals 248g.

Some riders also don’t like using the Look Keo cleat system these pedals are designed for. If you are not a fan of Look cleats, you can buy the Favero Assioma DUO-Shi spindles for Shimano pedals.

The Favero Assioma DUO-Shi spindles will allow you to transform your Shimano SPD-SL pedals into a power meter. Unfortunately, their spindle width is longer, making your feet about 1 cm further apart on each side.

And the last minor disadvantage is the short battery life of around 50h. The real battery life is more or less the same as the claimed one. But, you will need to recharge them every month or two.

Favero Assioma power meter pedals are also available in a more affordable, single-sided option (UNO). These are ideal for beginners and people who don’t need advanced metrics.

You can also read my in-depth Favero Assioma DUO review for more info.

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

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SRM Origin Road Carbon Power Meter (Best for Demanding)

SRM is considered the gold standard for power meters. They have been specializing in them since 1986. In the same year, they patented the first spider power meter ever.

SRM’s power meters are suitable for advanced riders and pros that need highly accurate and consistent data they can rely on.

Due to their higher price, I don’t recommend them for beginners because they won’t take full advantage of the data they provide, and they are much more expensive than power meters from Stages, 4iiii, or Quarq, for example.

Naturally, you can expect left/right leg balance or pedal smoothness analysis to satisfy your internal numbers geek.

SRM Origin can also actively compensate for temperature. This means your power won’t be affected by different outside temperatures and will remain consistent.

Thanks to the carbon cranks, the entire power meter crankset weighs 599g. This is even less than Dura-Ace (R9100), which weighs between 614-650g depending on the cranks’ length.

People also praise the Origin’s design. Are you also its fan?

The major disadvantages of the SRM Origin power meter are the high price, more complicated installation, absence of Bluetooth SMART connectivity, and relatively short battery life.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com

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4iiii Precision Power Meter (Best Budget Power Meter)

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

4iiii power meters are only available for road Shimano groupsets (105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace, GRX, XT, and XTR), so this is their most significant disadvantage compared to Stages.

On the other hand, they provide ±0.5% better accuracy, are more affordable, about 6g lighter, and come with an extended warranty of 3 years.

You can choose 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. So you will need to replace the CR2032 battery more often. However, the 4iiii Precision 3 comes with a crazy long battery life of up to 800h!

Except for these slight differences, both these power meters will be a worthy upgrade for most beginners.

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Quarq DZero DUB Power Meter

If you are using an SRAM groupset, there is a high chance you have already heard about Quarq. They have the best integrations with SRAM groupsets because SRAM acquired Quarq in 2011.

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

Unlike the SRM power meter, 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.

DZero DUB is a dual-sided power meter. This means it will show you your left/right leg power output. So if you find any leg disbalances, you can consult them with a bike fitter or physiotherapist.

NOTE: Quarq power meters estimate the power output of the right leg (learn more).

The installation of this power meter is naturally more complicated than the installation of power meter pedals. However, with patience, even inexperienced riders can do it.

It has a claimed battery life of 200h (double the SRM power meter). Unfortunately, its 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 SRAM DUB bottom bracket.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com and amazon.com

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Power2Max NGeco SRAM

The P2M NGeco SRAM* is an affordable dual-sided spider power meter available for MTB and road groupsets.

So, how does it stand against more expensive power meters from SRM or Quarq?

It has a much longer battery life (300-400h), so depending on how much you ride your bike, it may last you the entire season.

Its default accuracy is ±2%, but you can pay for the upgrade in the P2M mobile app and get ±1%. Although the first accuracy level is sufficient for beginners and advanced riders who don’t count every watt, the upgrade is worthy for serious cyclists and pros.

Power2max NGeco can measure your L/R balance after a system upgrade so that it will provide you with interesting and valuable insights.

NOTE: Power2max power meters measure the total power output of both legs in one sensor. This means they can’t measure both legs separately. However, they can calculate the L/R balance because they assume that the pulling force on the pedal is almost neglectable.

It also has an auto-zero feature, so you don’t have to worry about setting zero-offset before every ride. The power meter also actively compensates for temperature changes once you stop pedaling for more than 2 seconds. So you always get accurate data that are not affected by the temperature.

The main downside is its limited compatibility. You won’t fit it on SRAM 1X 40T chainrings and SRAM Red cranksets*.

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

However, considering its price, this power meter is hard to beat.

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ROTOR 2INpower DM Road Power Meter

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

This high-end power meter comes with chainrings and a universal bottom bracket. So, all you need to do is replace your current crankset and take advantage of the power data.

ROTOR 2INpower (like SRM Origin) belongs to the higher end of the power meter spectrum. Therefore, it is ideal for advanced riders who prefer accuracy, reliability, and consistency.

Another ROTOR’s advantage is their ROTOR POWER app for iOS and Android. It allows you to dig deep into your power data.

You can analyze your toque, pedal smoothness, balance, etc. So, if you are a data geek, you will have some data to analyze.

The major disadvantages of ROTOR 2INpower are its high price and more difficult installation. Also, remember it has a 2mm wider Q factor than SRM Origin.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com

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Velocomp PowerPod v4 Power Meter

The PowerPod v4 offers three major advantages – affordability, ease of setup, and compatibility.

You can use it on any bike regardless of its type, components, etc. You simply attach it and its sensor to your handlebar, and you are good to go.

Velocomp PowerPod v4 is the only opposite force power meter on this list. This means it measures your power using an accelerometer, elevation, speed, and wind pressure sensors.

The included Isaac software allows you to dig deeper into data like aerodynamic drag coefficient, rolling resistance, etc. So if you are a data geek, you will have a lot of fun going through these data.

It has multiple downsides, though. First, its accuracy is slightly lower than other power meters on this list. Second, its rechargeable battery also doesn’t last long.

However, if you have multiple bikes, for example, MTB, road, and gravel, you can use this power meter with them all.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com

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Other honorable mentions:

• Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 Power Meter is relatively popular but not as reliable as other crankset power meters on this list.
• Garmin Rally pedal power meters are a significant upgrade over the previous Garmin Vectors, are available for Shimano and Look cleats and for road and MTB. However, they are more expensive than the Favero Assioma DUO and UNO.
• S-Works Power Cranks is a solid power meter suitable for Specialized fanboys (and fangirls).

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Summary

When choosing a power meter, don’t look only at its data accuracy and consistency.

Compatibility with your current setup, versatility, and durability are also important. For example, pedal power meters like Favero Assioma DUO and UNO are easy to set up, usable on multiple (road) bikes, and highly accurate.

On the other hand, their battery doesn’t last as long as the battery of the crank arm or spider power meters (Stages 3 Gen, 4iiii Precision, power2max NGeco, etc.).

Also, if you are a beginner, you probably won’t take full advantage of high-end power meters (SRM Origin, ROTOR 2INpower DM). They bring diminishing returns.

Therefore, always consider your needs and use cases to get the best value for your money.

Learn more about power meter features in the following section.

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How to Choose a Power Meter?

The following buyer’s guide is a consolidated version of my in-depth power meter guide.

It provides you with the most important information on bike power meters (also called watt meters), so you can decide which one to buy.

However, I left out some details to keep this article reasonably long. Therefore, if you want to learn more about power meters (why to use them, how they work, etc.), I recommend reading the entire guide.

Power Meter Type

There are many types of power meters like pedal-based, crank arm-based, bottom bracket-based, etc.

They all come with pros and cons. I summarized them in the following table.

What type of power meter is best?

Pedal power meters are one of the most popular types of power meters among amateurs because of their accuracy, versatility, ease of setup, and transferability between bikes.

However, pro and serious cyclists tend to prefer crank arms and spider power meters for their low added rotating weight, data consistency, and reliability.

Compatibility & Versatility

Power meter compatibility and versatility are some of the main determining factors when choosing it. Especially if you have multiple bikes and you want to use one bike watt meter on them.

The compatibility means that a power meter is compatible with your bike (cranks, bottom bracket, frame, etc.). The versatility, or transferability, is the ability to use a power meter on multiple bikes.

For example, road bike pedal power meters are compatible with any road bike. They are also easily transferable between bikes, thanks to standardized pedal threads.

On the other side of the spectrum, we can find spider or bottom bracket power meters that are less compatible and versatile.

Data Accuracy & Consistency

All bicycle power meters have a claimed accuracy in percentage (e.g., ±1%). Most of today’s power meters have an accuracy between ±1% to ±3%.

If you are not a pro or a data accuracy geek, you probably don’t need a super-accurate power meter. The power variations are not as significant in lower power zones. See the following table.

You should look for a data-consistent power meter. This means it measures data consistently across multiple conditions (on various bikes, in different temperatures, altitudes, etc.).

Data consistency is essential for effective training and tracking your overall progression. Unfortunately, manufacturers do not state it, so you must 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 interesting data. The question is what to do with them.

Some riders are worried about their L/R leg balance. If you don’t experience any issues and your L/R imbalance is 48:52, you don’t have to worry about it.

However, if you experience knee pain, for example, and you find a significant L/R imbalance, you should consult the possible solutions with 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

Some power meters add more rotating weight than others. For example, pedal power meters add more than crank arm power meters.

Depending on your priorities, weight can play a role when deciding what power meter to choose.

If you decide to go for a crank arm-based power meter that adds 10-25g, you probably won’t even notice the difference.

On the other hand, 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 only 140 hours.

Let’s say you ride 7 hours a week, and the battery in a power meter lasts 140 hours. This results in 4 months of riding without the need to recharge or replace the battery.

Consequently, the battery life shouldn’t play an important role when buying a power meter. But, if it does, the chart below shows the battery life of the power meters in this article.

Zero-Offset vs. Calibration

A common misconception among riders is that: calibration = zero-offset.

Zero-offsetting and calibration are not the same, as Josh Matthew from Power Meter City explains.

Calibration is a one-time process done during manufacturing, while Zero-offsetting should be done by the rider before every ride.

Automatic zero-offset is relatively common on more advanced and expensive power meters.

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

Q Factor, Spindle, and Stance Width

Another common mistake of riders is mixing up the Q factor, spindle width, and stance width.

These measurements are important when buying power meters.

Pedal power meters don’t affect your Q factor. However, they may affect your spindle and stance width.
Crankset power meters may affect your Q factor depending on what Q factor your current crankset has.

If the power meter pedals have wider spindle width than your current pedals, it will cause your legs will be further apart. This may lead to bike fit issues. So, remember always to double-check the spindle width of pedal power meters.

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

When buying crankset power meters, double-check their Q factor and compare it with your current crankset.

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Brand

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

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Power Meters FAQ

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What Power Meters Do Pros Use?

The following table summarizes power meter brands pro cycling teams use in the 2022 season.

Preview picture source: power2max