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There are several key differences to consider when choosing between the Edge 840 and Edge 850. Below, I summarize them and explain which one I would buy based on experience, especially since I have used the Edge 840 and E1050. My Edge 850 is on its way, so my in-depth comparison is coming soon.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The main differences between the Edge 840 and Edge 850 are the display size and type, battery life, and features. The Edge 850 features a 0.1″ larger, 2.7″ touchscreen display with a much higher resolution (420×600px vs. 246×322px), a built-in speaker (enabling electronic bike bell, voice navigation prompts, and audible alerts), and Garmin Pay contactless payments.
Both models share Garmin’s latest training, racing, and connectivity features, but the Edge 850 improves some features, such as Group Ride. The claimed battery life of the new generation is drastically lower (12 vs. 26 hours). For this reason, Edge 840 remains my favorite, despite the excellent display and advanced features on the Edge 850. You can continue reading for more information, or buy the Edge 840 here and the Edge 850 here.
Garmin Edge 840 vs. Edge 850 Technical Specifications
The table below compares the technical specifications of the Garmin Edge x50 lineup.
| Feature | Garmin Edge 840 | Garmin Edge 850 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface¹ | Touchscreen + buttons | Touchscreen + buttons |
| Screen size (resolution) | 2.6″ (246×322px) | 2.7″ (420×600px) |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Claimed battery life | 26h | 12h |
| Dimensions | 85×58×20 mm 3.35×2.28×0.79 in | 92.2×54.6×16.8 mm 3.63×2.15×0.66 in |
| Weight | 85g | 112g |
| Storage | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| Start-up time | ∼13s | ∼10s |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Mounts in the box | Out front mount Stem mount | Out front mount Stem mount |
| Speaker / Bell / Voice navigation | No | Yes |
| Garmin Pay | No | Yes |
| Address Search On-Device Course Creation | Yes | Yes |
| Smart navigation (rerouting) | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-band GNSS | Yes | Yes |
| Crash/incident detection | Yes | Yes |
| Connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| RRP | $449 | $599 |
| More info | Edge 840 Review | n/a |
| Buy | BUY BUY at amazon.com BUY (Solar) BUY at amazon.com | BUY BUY at amazon.com |
¹How is it possible to fully control the device.
Edge 840 vs. Edge 850: What’s New?
Here is a quick overview of what’s new:
- Edge 850 has a larger, brighter, and higher-resolution 2.7” transmissive LCD touchscreen, Edge 840 uses a smaller 2.6” transflective MIP display.
- Edge 850’s battery life is shorter in typical use (12 hours vs 26 claimed for 840).
- Edge 850 includes a built-in speaker (voice navigation, digital bell, workout prompts); Edge 840 only beeps.
- Edge 850 is heavier (113g) but slimmer; Edge 840 is lighter (84.8g) but thicker.
- Edge 850 has double the internal storage (64 GB vs 32 GB).
- Edge 850 supports Garmin Pay for contactless payments; Edge 840 does not.
- Edge 850 uses a faster processor.
- Edge 850 features 5 Hz GPS recording for higher trail/enduro accuracy.
- Edge 850 introduces Smart Fueling (intelligent nutrition reminders) and an expanded Garmin Cycle Coach with weather and route adaptation.
- Edge 850 allows on-device route creation directly on the touchscreen.
- GroupRide, real-time weather on maps, and integration with SRAM AXS are available on both, but the Edge 850 integrates them more seamlessly.
- Edge 850 is significantly more expensive ($449 vs. $599).
The Edge 840 features a 2.6″ transflective TFT screen, which offers slightly worse readability than the Edge 850’s 2.7″ transmissive LCD (the same one as on the Edge 1050). Both retain the touchscreen and button-based interfaces, allowing you to choose the one that suits you best in a given scenario.
Battery life is the most significant talking point. The one on the Edge 850 was slashed to “up to 12 hours”. For comparison, the Edge 840 is expected to last up to 26 hours (depending on factors such as brightness and sensor usage) and is also available in a Solar option. The E850 is not. Therefore, if you prioritize battery life, this makes your decision easier. Due to European regulations, the E850’s design now allows easier battery replacement—thumbs up.
The Edge 850 doubles the base storage from 32 GB to 64 GB, providing more space for multiple map regions. However, the built-in speaker is a bigger deal. It enables you to use an electronic bell, which is more useful than it might seem, voice prompts, and audible alerts.
Both models use multi-band GNSS for fast and accurate positioning, but the Edge 850 also offers a 5 Hz GPS recording for enduro and downhill ride profiles. These are new, by the way, same as the timing gates feature.
The Edge 850 can provide weather updates, but only the 850 can announce them audibly. You can set timing gates to track split times—a feature for interval and competitive training. Garmin also improved its Cycle Coach, Power Guide, and “Smart Fueling” features. They can now understand the wider context, calibrating nutrition and pacing based on route elevation, weather, and user profile.
There are also new features for group rides, additional points of interest, and improved map layers and weather widgets. These can be especially useful if you don’t carry a smartphone with you and like to explore new routes.
Garmin Edge x50 Alternatives
If you don’t want a Garmin 840 or 850, consider these alternatives:
The first is the Hammerhead Karoo 3, which offers better battery life but a more limited feature set and a different user interface.
The second is the new Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 and ROAM 3 models, which have twice the battery life but a less bright display and fewer features. The ROAM 3 offers better value and price than the BOLT 3 for most users.
Summary
Garmin’s pricing strategy is pretty clever. I’m sure they designed it in a way that subconsciously pushes you to the higher tiers. Why would you pay $499 for the Edge 540 when you can pay just $100 more for the Edge 850 with a speaker and touchscreen? But wait, it has a terrible battery, so why not pay more for the Edge 1050? I don’t like where the prices of bike computers are going, but we can’t deny the fact that this is clever.
If you value an excellent screen more than long battery life and appreciate advanced training features, the E850, priced at $599, is worth considering. Personally, I would rather pay a bit more ($699) for the E1050, because of its longer battery life, but with a similar feature set (and most importantly, the same display).
Alternatively, I would opt for the previous generation, the E840, for its lower price ($449) and even longer battery life.
I hope this comparison has helped you make a decision. Please consider clicking the links below, as this is the best way to support me and my website. Thank you very much in advance!
