Garmin Edge 540 vs. Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3: Which One to Choose?

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I’ve been using Garmin Edge 540 Solar and ELEMNT BOLT 3 for a few weeks, and in this comparison, I will try to help you decide which one to buy.

You will learn about their differences, pros, and cons, and I will also compare them with other bike computers, such as the Edge 530, Edge 830, Edge 1040, Wahoo ELEMNTs, and more.

Edge 540 vs. ELEMNT BOLT 3: The Basics

Here is a summary of the main features and differences between the Edge 540 and the ELEMNT BOLT 3.

Edge 540 vs. ELEMNT BOLT 3: Features Comparison and Differences

Physical Dimensions & Weight

Edge 540 and ELEMNT BOLT 3 have similar dimensions, but the Edge 540 is wider. The weight is almost the same and varies by ~5 grams.

They are among smaller head units, such as the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v2 (note that the previous generation was smaller), and larger ones, like the Edge 1040 or Edge 1050.

I appreciate their compactness, and I believe this size is perfect for a bike computer if you don’t need a larger display for maps or larger fonts due to poor eyesight. But more about that later.

Ease of Setup

To set up both of these bike computers, all you have to do is scan a QR code. If you have already been using a Garmin Edge bike computer, its settings, such as the data pages, data fields, or sensors, will download from the cloud. Leaving you with a ready-to-go unit. You can also adjust most settings directly on the Edge 540, and eventually, via the Garmin Connect smartphone app.

On BOLT 3, you have the data pages and data fields synchronized as well, but you have to pair the sensors. Additionally, many settings are not available on the head unit, and you must use the Wahoo smartphone app. These include changing the data pages and data fields, and a few more.

I declare the Edge 540 the winner, but it was a close call.

Winner: Edge 540 (Solar)

Display

The 2.6″ display size of the Edge 540 is 0.3″ larger than that of the BOLT 3 (2.3″). However, since BOLT is much narrower, the display is also much smaller. Both are non-touchscreen and are supplemented by physical control buttons. Their resolution differs, though. BOLT 3 offers twice as many pixels per inch (PPI) as the Edge 540 (376 vs. 155 PPI), making it appear sharper in close-ups.

But what about readability? Unfortunately, I didn’t have the Edge 540 Solar and BOLT 3 at the same time to take a side-by-side photo of them; however, the Edge 840 is almost identical. The following photos compare the Edge 840 (and therefore the Edge 540) with the BOLT 3. In real life, I find the Edge to be more readable, especially in direct sunlight. The brightness seems to be the same.

It’s also worth noting that the Edge 540 Solar has a slightly dimmer display than the non-solar version units. However, you will probably only notice this in side-by-side comparisons.

The Edge 540 has a slightly less reflective display in direct sunlight, but in most scenarios, readability is almost the same. Still, it’s a win for the E540.

Winner: Edge 540

Control & User Friendliness

The ELEMNT BOLT 3 is easier to control, thanks to fewer features and simpler menus. However, it offers fewer on-device settings, requiring you to carry a smartphone in case you need to change data fields, for example.

I honestly don’t have any preference regarding the buttons’ placement. I’m fine with both approaches – having them below the display like on BOLT 3, or at the bottom side of the unit, like the Edge 540. The buttons on both devices feel tactile and easy to press.

My experience with the Edge 540 Solar was ‘meh.’ Its user interface is designed for touchscreen devices, and using it with buttons is inefficient. I struggled with some of the operations, such as scrolling through menus and setting up data fields. Fortunately, you can do this through the Garmin Connect app.

The same applies to the BOLT 3, even though it’s easier to use due to its fewer menu options. Its interface is the same as the one on the ROAM 3 and ACE, which were also made for touchscreens. That might be why you can’t change data fields directly on the device. It would be too frustrating, so you’re better off using the Wahoo app instead.

Wahoo still remains a bit easier to use, but to be fair, this applies only to the more complicated actions. The day-to-day use (starting an activity/a new lap, and saving it) is basically the same.

In summary, you can perform more actions and adjust more settings directly on the E540. BOLT 3 is more limited and more smartphone-dependent, but also simpler. So I’m calling this a draw.

Winner: It’s a draw

Battery Life

The Edge 540 has a claimed battery life of 26 hours for the non-solar version and up to 32 hours for the Solar version. The tested Edge 540 Solar lasted around 27.5 hours, but the Solar didn’t help much due to less-than-ideal conditions. The BOLT 3 results were more surprising. While the claimed battery life is 20 hours, my BOLT 3 lasted 26.7 hours, so almost the same as the Edge 540 Solar.

I used both bike computers on auto brightness settings (yes, both have ambient sensors for adjusting the brightness) and had the same set of sensors connected. Below, you can see a comparison of the claimed battery lives with some of the best bike computers. The Edge bike computers are well above average in terms of battery life.

Let’s talk about the Solar for a second. Garmin claims that Solar models add about 25 minutes per hour of riding. The smaller solar panel is less effective than the panel on the Edge 1040 Solar. This makes the 540 Solar and 840 Solar a worse deal because the 1040 Solar adds 42 minutes per hour (but costs the same extra 100 USD).

The following chart shows that the solar added about 31 minutes of ride time during a about 3-and-a-half-hour-long ride. Not great, not terrible.

So, even though the Edge 540 Solar lasted an hour longer than the BOLT 3, I’d still call it a draw. The non-solar version of the Edge would probably have similar or shorter battery life. Also, the BOLT 3 beat its claimed battery life, while the Edge 540 Solar fell short.

Winner: It’s a draw

Maps & Navigation

This is an area where Edge 540 has the edge. Unlike BOLT 3, it allows you to browse maps directly on the device. It also offers more navigation options and features. I also find the selected routes when navigating more appropriate. So, despite half the storage (16 vs. 32 GB), if I needed good navigation, I would buy the E540. I mean, I would rather pay a bit more for E840 because of its touchscreen, which makes browsing the map so much easier.

The problem with the Edge 540 is that you can’t update maps over Wi-Fi; instead, you must connect it to a computer. That’s just ridiculous. We’ve been able to update maps wirelessly on Wahoo for years!

Accuracy

Thanks to the Multi-Band GNSS system, which enables the reception of satellite signals on multiple frequency bands and from multiple global systems simultaneously, both models are more accurate than their predecessors. However, this technology alone can’t guarantee the same level of accuracy between two competing devices. So, how was the reality?

I always test bike computers on my favorite forest segment. When you take a look at the following screenshots, you can see that the accuracy is almost identical. However, I must point out that for a completely comparable test, I would have to test both bike computers on the same day. It makes a difference if it is sunny or cloudy.

Winner: It’s a draw

Extras

Both bike computers can display information about upcoming climbs. These features are called ClimbPro (Garmin) and Free Summit (Wahoo) and are some of my favorites. They don’t require a planned route, so I can pace myself more effectively on climbs that I’m not familiar with. I did a comprehensive comparison of these two and Hammerhead’s Climber. In summary, the ClimbPro data page is less customizable than the Free Summit one, so keep this in mind.

Winner: Edge 540 (Solar)

Total score: Garmin Edge 540 (3) | Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 (4) | It’s a draw (0)

My Verdict

Both bike computers are similar when it comes to setup, screen readability, and battery life. The battery advantage mainly applies to the Solar version of the Edge 540 in favorable, sunny conditions. The Garmin Edge 540 comes out on top against the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 in terms of navigation and advanced features.

Garmin Connect is another big plus. While I did not include it in the overall score, it is a great choice if you prefer not to use third-party apps like Strava for logging your activities.

Prices for both models are almost the same, especially in the US. Remember, the Edge 540 Solar costs a bit more. Is it worth paying extra for it? In my opinion, not really. The Solar upgrade makes more sense with the Edge 1040 due to its larger surface area. Still, your choice should reflect your riding style and what you value most. For those who appreciate simplicity, BOLT 3 might be a better option.

I hope this comparison helps you make a decision. If you plan to buy one of these bike computers, please consider using the links below. It won’t cost you anything extra, and it helps support me and CyclistsHub. Thank you!

Edge 540 vs. ELEMNT BOLT 3 FAQ