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The Garmin Edge x50 lineup is now complete, as Garmin has introduced the Edge 550 and Edge 850. Below, I summarize the differences between them and also explain the new features they bring compared to the previous generation.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The main difference between the Edge 550 and Edge 850 is that the Edge 850 features a touchscreen display, built-in speaker (enabling electronic bike bell, turn-by-turn prompts, and other audible alerts), Garmin Pay, and on-device course creation. Both models share the same bright 2.7″ transmissive display, UI, and core training/racing features. However, the 550 remains strictly button-based. The most notable trade-off compared to the previous generation is the battery life, as the Edge 550 and 850 deliver just 10–12 hours of typical use, which is roughly half that of the Edge 540 and 840. You can continue reading for more info, or buy the Edge 550 here or the Edge 850 here.
The Differences Between the Garmin Edge 550 and 850
The table below shows the technical specifications of the Garmin Edge x50 lineup.
| Feature | Garmin Edge 550 | Garmin Edge 850 | Garmin Edge 1050 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interface¹ | Buttons only | Touchscreen + buttons | Touchscreen |
| Screen size (resolution) | 2.7″ (420×600px) | 2.7″ (420×600px) | 3.5″ (480×800px) |
| Touchscreen | No | Yes | Yes |
| Claimed battery life | 12h | 12h | 20h |
| Dimensions | 54.6×92.2×16.8 mm 2.15×3.63×0.66 in | 54.6×92.2×16.8 mm 2.15×3.63×0.66 in | 60×118.5×16.3 mm 2.4×4.7×0.6 in |
| Weight | 110g | 112g | 161g |
| Storage | 32 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Start-up time | ∼10s | ∼10s | ∼10s |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Mounts in the box | Out front mount Stem mount | Out front mount Stem mount | Out front mount Stem mount |
| Speaker / Bell / Voice navigation | Beeps only | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Pay | No | Yes | Yes |
| Address Search On-Device Course Creation | No | Yes | Yes |
| Smart navigation (rerouting) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-band GNSS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crash/incident detection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| RRP | $499 | $599 | $699 |
| More info | n/a | n/a | Edge 1050 Review |
| Buy | BUY Also available at rei.com | BUY Also available at rei.com | BUY Also available at rei.com |
¹How is it possible to fully control the device.
Edge 550 is buttons-only, lacks a speaker/voice prompts, and does not support Garmin Pay or on-device course creation.
The Edge 850 adds a touchscreen, speaker, bike bell, voice navigation, Garmin Pay, on-device route creation, and more storage (32 vs. 64 GB). It closely resembles the Edge 1050 in features (just with a smaller display and lower battery life).
All models use the same fast, bright transmissive LCD, which improves visibility but reduces battery life compared to older transflective screens. The battery life was absolutely slaughtered compared to the Edge x40 line. Take a look at the following chart, which compares Garmin Edge units from the past few years.
The Edge 550 and 850 won’t last even half as long as the Edge 540 and 840. Yes, you can use the battery saver mode, but it limits accuracy, dims the display, and so on. It’s not an option for day-to-day use but rather an “emergency” feature.
What’s New with the Edge 540 and Edge 840?
The Garmin Edge 550 and 850 represent a clear generational leap over the Edge 540 and 840, bringing a new display, updated design, and expanded features—but at the cost of battery life and the loss of solar charging options.
- New Display Technology: Both the Edge 550 and 850 replace the older transflective screen (high battery efficiency, but dimmer colors and lower contrast) with a significantly brighter transmissive LCD like the Edge 1050. This improves visibility in most conditions but reduces battery life dramatically compared to the Edge 540 and 840.
- Larger Display: The Edge 550 and 850 now feature a 2.7” display (up from 2.6”).
- Design Refresh: The new devices are “taller” and have also gained some weight and thickness to accommodate bigger batteries for the more power-hungry screen.
- No Solar Option: The x50 models have dropped the solar charging feature that was a highlight of the previous generation.
- Speaker, Electronic Bike Bell, and Voice Navigation: The Edge 850 now includes a speaker for spoken turn-by-turn instructions, an electronic bell, and audible alerts. The 550 still relies on a simple beep.
- Garmin Pay: The Edge 850 supports contactless payments, a feature previously exclusive to the Edge 1050 and not available on the 840.
- On-Device Route Creator: Both 850 and 1050 let you create and edit routes directly on the device, while the 550 still requires Garmin Connect.
- 5 Hz GPS/GNSS Recording: Faster position sampling (5 times per second) is now standard for more accurate tracking.
- Real-time Weather Updates: The Edge 550 and 850 can provide you with weather updates, allowing you to adjust your route to avoid unpleasant situations, such as being caught off guard by rain.
- Timing Gates: You can now set timing gates to track split times.
- Improved Processor and Storage: The Edge 550 and 850 now run on faster processors, have expanded flash memory (Edge 550 up to 32 GB, Edge 850 64 GB), and offer snappier map redraw and overall operation.
- Enhanced Training Features: Garmin’s Cycle Coach, Power Guidance, and “Smart Fueling” have been upgraded with more context, calibrating nutrition and pacing based on route elevation, weather, and user profile.
- GroupRide and More POI: New features for group rides and additional points of interest, as well as improved map layers and weather widgets.
- Battery Life Downgrade: The battery life takes a significant hit due to the new screen: while the 540/840 delivered 25–30 hours in real-world use, the new Edge 550 and 850 are rated for just 12 hours.
- Battery Replacements: Due to pressure from the European Union, Garmin adjusted the device’s design to allow easier battery replacements.
Garmin Edge x50 Alternatives
If I didn’t want a Garmin 550 or 850, I would consider the following alternatives:
The first alternative is the Hammerhead Karoo 3, which offers better battery life but a more limited feature set. It also has an entirely different user interface, which I like, and a similarly good display. You can find out more in my Karoo 3 review.
The second alternative is the new Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 and ROAM 3 models, which have twice the battery life but a poorer (less bright) display and offer far fewer features. In my opinion, the ROAM 3 offers better value and price than the BOLT 3.
And the third worthy alternative is, of course, the previous generation of the Edge x40 series, specifically the Edge 540, Edge 840, and Edge 1040, which are also available in solar versions. Their main advantage is more than double the battery life. Personally, I would choose the Edge 840.
Summary
I think that for most cyclists, the extra $100 for the Edge 850 is justified by the touchscreen and electronic bell alone. Browsing maps on a device and controlling it is significantly easier with a touchscreen. And the electronic bell is more useful than it may seem (I tried it on the Edge 1050).
However, if long battery life is your priority (and you’re willing to sacrifice screen brightness and some modern features), the previous generation Edge 840 or Edge 1040 remains a better choice. They will easily double the real-world battery life of the new x50 models.
The x50 series is best for riders who appreciate display quality and smart features, and don’t mind recharging the bike computer more frequently. You can also consider alternatives like the Hammerhead Karoo 3 or Wahoo ROAM 3, or browse my roundup of the best bike computers on the market.
