Garmin Edge Bike Computers Compared: Which One to Buy?

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Garmin is the industry leader in bike computers. But their lineup can be complicated for beginners. It currently includes:

• Edge 130 Plus
• Edge 530
• Edge 830
• Edge 540 and Edge 540 Solar
• Edge 840 and Edge 840 Solar
• Edge 1030 Plus
• Edge 1040 and Edge 1040 Solar
• Edge Explore 2

I have experience with most of these models, so I will try to help you orient yourself in them by comparing them to make your decision on which model to buy easier.

NOTE: All Garmin Edge bike computers are also available in bundles. They include additional sensors like an HR monitor and cadence and speed sensors. The ‘MTB bundles’ include sensors, a silicone case, and a special mount.

Garmin Edge Bike Computers Compared

The following table compares current Garmin Edge cycling computers.

The following chart visualizes the battery life of current Garmin Edge bike computers.

Garmin Edge 130 Plus

• Ideal for: Beginners, people on a tight budget
• Screen: 1.8″ (monochromatic)
• Touchscreen: No
• Battery life: 12 hours
• Weight: 33g
• Full on-device navigation: No

The Garmin Edge 130 Plus is the successor to the Edge 130 and the most affordable Edge bike computer. It has the smallest screen and is light, but it still offers all the features most people need from a bike computer. 

It uses GPS to measure your speed, distance, etc. It also can estimate how many calories you burn. 130 Plus is compatible with additional sensors like HR monitors or power meters. 

You can also use it for training because it can show structured workouts and even display a pre-planned route. However, it can’t be recalculated if you go off-course because it doesn’t offer advanced navigation features. Maybe the Edge 140 will?

Thanks to its affordable price and simplicity, it’s ideal for beginners and people with a limited budget.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com, amazon.com, and tredz.co.uk

Garmin Edge 530

My Edge 530 rating at a glance:
Battery Life 4/5 | Ease of Setup 3/5 | Display 2/5 | Ease of Use 3/5 | GPS Accuracy 4/5 | Maps & Navigation 2/5 | Price 3/5 | OVERALL 3.0/5
More about this bike computer scoring.

• Ideal for: MTB, people looking for great value for the money
• Screen: 2.6″ (colored)
• Touchscreen: No
• Battery life: 20 hours
• Weight: 78g
• Full on-device navigation: Yes

The Edge 530 is an upgraded version of the Edge 520 Plus. It comes with buttons and a colored display. The buttons make it suitable for mountain bikers who don’t want to deal with touchscreens. Additionally, it can measure MTB metrics like jumps, flow, grit, etc. 

Edge 530 offers most of the features of high-end bike computers (like the Edge 830 and Edge 1030 Plus) except for a few. For example, Points of Interest navigation is missing.

Using navigation is a pleasant experience until you need to browse the map on the device. It can be frustrating due to the lack of a touchscreen display.

However, you don’t have to be a mountain biker to use the Edge 530. It’s also suitable for roadies or gravel riders who love to get great value for the money.

Learn more in my Garmin Edge 530 review.

Also available at trekbikes.com and tredz.co.uk

Garmin Edge 830

My Edge 830 rating at a glance:
Battery Life 4/5 | Ease of Setup 4/5 | Display 3/5 | Ease of Use 3/5 | GPS Accuracy 4/5 | Maps & Navigation 4/5 | Price 2/5 | OVERALL 3.4/5
More about this bike computer scoring.

• Ideal for: People who want a touchscreen display and advanced features
• Screen: 2.6″ (colored)
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Battery life: 20 hours
• Weight: 82g
• Full on-device navigation: Yes

The Edge 830 is basically a smaller version of the Edge 1030 Plus. It has a 2.6-inch color touchscreen (3.5-inch on the 1030 Plus). The touchscreen works fine in rainy conditions or if you sweat a lot, and with full-finger touchscreen-compatible gloves.

This bike computer is the go-to choice for many riders because of its price-value-features ratio. It’s popular among pro cyclists and amateurs. It offers all the features of the Edge 1030 Plus except a few in a smaller, more practical form factor.

The Edge 830 is among the best bike computers on the market. You can’t go wrong with it.

Learn more in my Garmin Edge 830 review.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com and tredz.co.uk

Garmin Edge 540 (Solar)

My Edge 540 Solar rating at a glance:
Battery Life 5/5 | Ease of Setup 5/5 | Display 3/5 | Ease of Use 2/5 | GPS Accuracy 5/5 | Maps & Navigation 5/5 | Price 2/5 | OVERALL 3.9/5
More about this bike computer scoring.

• Ideal for: MTB, people looking for great value for the money
• Screen: 2.6″ (colored)
• Touchscreen: No
• Battery life: 26 hours
• Weight: 80g (85g)
• Full on-device navigation: Yes

Garmin Edge 540 is the successor of the Edge 530. It has a completely revamped user interface, longer battery life, a USB-C charging port, and new features like Real-Time Stamina or Power Guide. It also has an improved ClimbPro that doesn’t require a pre-planned route.

The Edge 540 is also available as a solar option that gives an extra 25 minutes of battery per hour of riding.

Read this article comparing Edge 530 and 540 or my Edge 540 review for more info.

Garmin Edge 840 (Solar)

My Edge 840 rating at a glance:
Battery Life 5/5 | Ease of Setup 5/5 | Display 4/5 | Ease of Use 4/5 | GPS Accuracy 5/5 | Maps & Navigation 5/5 | Price 2/5 | OVERALL 4.3/5
More about this bike computer scoring.

• Ideal for: People who want a touchscreen display and advanced features
• Screen: 2.6″ (colored)
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Battery life: 26 hours
• Weight: 85g (90g)
• Full on-device navigation: Yes

Garmin Edge 840 is the successor of the Edge 830, and except for a few features, it’s almost the same as the Edge 540.

The main difference between these two is the touchscreen display and larger storage (read this article for more differences).

Another new feature is that the 840 has the same physical buttons as the Edge 540. This makes it suitable for both those who prefer a touchscreen and those who prefer buttons.

Read this article comparing Edge 830 and 840 or my Edge 840 review for more info.

Garmin Edge 1030 Plus

My Edge 1030 Plus rating at a glance:
Battery Life 4/5 | Ease of Setup 4/5 | Display 4/5 | Ease of Use 3/5 | GPS Accuracy 4/5 | Maps & Navigation 4/5 | Price 1/5 | OVERALL 3.4/5
More about this bike computer scoring.

• Ideal for: Those who want the best Garmin bike computer with advanced navigation features and workout suggestions
• Screen: 3.5″ (colored)
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Battery life: 24 hours
• Weight: 123g
• Full on-device navigation: Yes

The 1030 Plus was Garmin’s flagship bike computer before the introduction of the Edge 1040 (Solar). It has so many features that you probably won’t use them all.

Its main benefits are long battery life and a large touchscreen display. Edge 1030 Plus can last up to 24 hours on heavy use and 48 hours on ‘light’ use. (Source)

This bike computer can also suggest workouts based on your activities, navigate you to points of interest, and more.

When I used it for the first time, I was surprised by its responsiveness and ability to customize data fields quickly on the go.

It’s not the most suitable bike computer for day-to-day riding or MTB because of its size. However, if you plan to use navigation and maps often, you will appreciate its large, easy-to-read screen.

The most significant disadvantage of Edge 1030 Plus is its hefty price. But if you want the best available on the market, you will hardly find an alternative.

Learn more in my Garmin Edge 1030 Plus review.

Garmin Edge 1040 (Solar)

My Edge 1040 rating at a glance:
Battery Life 5/5 | Ease of Setup 4/5 | Display 4/5 | Ease of Use 4/5 | GPS Accuracy 5/5 | Maps & Navigation 5/5 | Price 1/5 | OVERALL 4.0/5
More about this bike computer scoring.

• Ideal for: Those who want the best Garmin bike computer with advanced navigation features and workout suggestions
• Screen: 3.5″ (colored)
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Battery life: 35 hours (1040), 45 hours (Solar)
• Weight: 126g (1040), 133g (Solar)
• Full on-device navigation: Yes

The Edge 1040 and Edge 1040 Solar were introduced in June 2022. They took the game to another level thanks to improved battery life, over 30% longer than the 1030 Plus, redesigned UI, and more accurate GPS thanks to multi-band GNSS.

The Solar option can even charge itself while riding. Garmin claims it can add up to 42 minutes per hour of riding in battery saver mode in ideal conditions.

The Edge 1040 adds new features like Real-Time Stamina and a Power Guide to the Edge bike computers. Garmin seems to be working hard to use training data better and provide helpful recommendations for improving your performance.

Additionally, you can now customize it via the Garmin Connect smartphone app. So Garmin finally tries to catch Wahoo ELEMNT bike computers.

Although the prices of the Edge 1040 and Edge 1040 Solar are high, they bring many improvements that make them more justifiable.

Learn more in my Garmin Edge 1040 review.

Garmin Edge Explore 2

• Ideal for: Casual cyclists and people who love adventures
• Screen: 3.0″ (colored)
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Battery life: 16 hours
• Weight: 104g
• Full on-device navigation: Yes

Garmin Edge Explore 2 is an improved version of Explore 1. It has a fully revamped user interface inspired by Edge 1040 and a claimed 4-hour longer battery life than its previous generation. It has a USB-C port, and like the Edge 1040, it can be configured via the Garmin Connect smartphone app.

Explore 2 can connect with power meters and record the data, but you won’t see them on-screen. The last thing worth noting is that Explore 2 is available in 2 options – standard and power bundle.

If you buy the standard option, you will get a holder without charging pins, meaning you must buy the mount separately.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com and jensonusa.com

Discontinued Garmin Edge Computers

Here are the discontinued Garmin Edge bike computers. You may still find them in online marketplaces, but they are not sold officially.

Overview of the Popular Garmin Edge Features

Below, I list some of the popular features of the Garmin Edge bike computers.

ClimbPro can show you upcoming climbs based on a pre-planned route. You will know their gradient, length, remaining distance, profile, etc.

Cycling Dynamics shows you advanced metrics such as your pedal smoothness position, bike setup, ride duration, and more. Remember, some metrics require additional sensors, like pedal power meters.

Incident Detection can detect if you crash and notify your emergency contacts.

MTB Dynamics measures your jump metrics (jump count, distance, hangtime, speed, etc.), grit (overall ride difficulty), and flow (how well you maintain speed). 

Points of Interest means that the head unit will navigate you to a selected location, such as a restaurant, gas station, grocery store, etc. 

Virtual Partner sets a virtual partner that you can use to pace yourself. 

Conclusion

Or, if you want to save some bucks, you can buy older models secondhand.

Which of the current Garmin Edge computers is your favorite? Let me know in the comments.

Garmin Bike Computers FAQ