Garmin vs. Wahoo: Which Cycling Computers Are Better? An Objective Comparison

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I used multiple cycling computers from Wahoo (BOLT v1 & v2, ROAM) and Garmin (Edge 520, Edge 830, Edge 1030 Plus, Edge 1040, Edge 540, and Edge 840).

This article summarizes my experience and takes on which computers are better.

Which cycling computers are better for you? Wahoo or Garmin?

Let’s find the answer below.

Garmin Cycling Computers Lineup Explained

The Edge 130 Plus is ideal for beginners and people on a tight budget. It offers most features you may need for training and recording your rides, except full on-device navigation.

The Edge 530 is the successor of the iconic Edge 520. It comes with a colored display and buttons and full on-device navigation. It’s suitable for training, racing, MTB, etc. Riders praise mainly its small form factor and versatility.

Garmin Edge 540 is more capable than the 530 thanks to the additional features inherited from the 1040. It’s also available in the Solar option. This Edge 530 vs. 540 comparison explains all differences.

Garmin Edge Explore is one of the head units not for hardcore cyclists but for people who love adventures or are more casual riders. Its main benefits are a larger display (3“) than the Edge 530 and Edge 830 (2.6“) and affordability. But it lacks some (training) features and has a short battery life of about 12 hours.

The Explore 2, however, comes with additional sensor support and longer battery life. These (and many other) upgrades made it more suitable for day-to-day riding. You can even customize its data fields via a smartphone app (just like Edge 1040).

Everything I wrote about the Edge 530 also applies to Edge 830. The main difference between these head units is that the Edge 830 has a touchscreen display. Edge 830 is also packed with a few extra navigation features.

The 840 is the successor of the 830. It brings one main change, and that’s the physical control buttons. You can learn more about the differences in this Edge 830 vs. 840 comparison.

Edge 1030 Plus has been Garmin’s flagship between 2020 and 2022. It has the largest screen (3.5“), up to 24 hours of battery life, a touchscreen display, and 32GB of internal storage. However, it was the most expensive.

Garmin Edge 1040 and 1040 Solar are more accurate thanks to the multi-band GNSS, have longer battery life and the Solar version can even extend the battery life when it’s sunny. They are also the first Edge computers customizable via a smartphone app.

Garmin Edge 1050 is Garmin’s most advanced bike computer. It has a brighter and more responsive display, a revamped UI, an in-built speaker, and many other features. On the other hand, it has a shorter battery life than E1040(s).

Check out the following table that compares some of Garmin bike computers’ basic specifications and features.

Wahoo Cycling Computers Lineup Explained

Wahoo cycling computers are designed for ease of use, intuitiveness, and reliability. The current lineup of Wahoo bike computers is simple (maybe too much). You can either buy Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM or Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v2. The original Wahoo ELEMNT and BOLT v1 are already discontinued.

ELEMNT ROAM comes with a larger 2.7“ display than BOLT v2. As a result, it’s more suitable for navigation, but you can also use it as a daily driver.

TIP: Here is an in-depth comparison of ELEMNT BOLT 1 vs. 2.

I’ve been using ROAM for about two years and was satisfied with it, except for its buttons that are hard to click with full-finger gloves. You can read my Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM review for more info.

The BOLT v2 comes in a more compact form factor. It’s sleek, lightweight, and aerodynamic. You will love its easy-to-read display and easy-to-click buttons. It’s not as suitable for navigation as ROAM due to its 2.2“ display, but it offers full on-device navigation. See the following table for more details.

Garmin vs. Wahoo: Pros and Cons

Except for the width of the product lineup, the biggest difference between Garmin and Wahoo cycling computers is in the user experience. You can customize Wahoo’s bike computers’ data fields and other settings via the ELEMNT app. Unfortunately, the Garmin Connect app doesn’t offer this option for most of the Edge’s lineup (except for Ex40 and higher).

Additionally, Garmin head units are not as intuitive, mainly because of a poorer user interface and, paradoxically, more features. I have never leveraged all of Garmin’s features, for example, incident detection. However, I find this particular feature useful. It’s a shame Wahoo doesn’t offer it because it can save lives.

Garmin maps are also more detailed, and some of their bike computers can navigate you to “Point of Interest,” for example. The Edge computers (E830, E840, and above) also have a touchscreen display. This is something we haven’t seen on Wahoo head units yet.

The readability of screens is slightly better on Wahoo devices, thanks to the coating of the display that is not as glossy as on Garmin bike computers.

You get more frequent firmware updates on Garmin. However, they can be annoying sometimes. Wahoo updates come from time to time but are more thoughtful and don’t mess up the system.

The following table shows my summary of the pros & cons of Garmin and Wahoo bike computers.

Garmin vs. Wahoo: Which One Should You Choose?

The answer depends on your preferences and riding style. I wrote a fully dedicated guide on how to choose a bike computer. So, I recommend reading it if you are new to bike computers.

However, let me summarize some key points here. If you prefer simplicity, ease of use, and smartphone-bike computer synergy. Go for Wahoo.

But, if you are a bit geek who wants to explore not only many features but also unknown locations and has a wider selection of products (including the endless offer of Garmin’s smartwatches), Garmin is the way to go.

Conclusion

There is no definite winner between Garmin and Wahoo. Both companies produce one of the best bike computers on the market. They differ in their approach.

Wahoo focuses on intuitiveness and pleasant user experience thanks to its ELEMNT app and simplicity. On the other hand, Garmin offers a wider selection of bike computers, from budget to premium. Moreover, they are packed with many features.

Garmin has the edge over Wahoo in navigation and touchscreen displays. Wahoo has less detailed maps and less advanced navigation features and uses buttons instead of a touchscreen.

Wahoo’s bike computers provide a more reliable connection and less frequent updates that are not so intrusive.

The choice is not easy, and it boils down to your preference. So, which one will you choose after reading this article? Garmin or Wahoo? Let me know in the comments below.