Garmin Edge bike computers: model comparison and buying guide

Garmin Edge bike computers are one of the most popular choices for cyclists to navigate, record their rides and train more scientifically.

Over time, Garmin has upgraded the capabilities of its GPS bike computers. Advanced tech has trickled down to all but its entry-level models.

So what does the Garmin Edge range offer and which head unit is right for you?

The Garmin Edge range starts with the basic models that feature a simple black-and-white screen. Moving up the range gets you increasingly larger devices with larger-format colour touchscreens and more training data available. That said, even the base models have a lot of Garmin’s features included.

As well as offering standalone computers, Garmin also sells bundles for each Edge model.

These package up the Edge computer with other kit, such as a sensor bundle, which adds a heart rate monitor strap, and speed and cadence sensors.

Opt for the mountain bike bundle and you get an off-road-specific mount, a silicone case for the computer and a remote, so you can operate it without taking your hands off the bar.

Garmin has recently done some housekeeping on its Edge range, discontinuing some older longstanding models, so you might not see some familiar names below.

We’ll start with the simplest, most affordable Garmin Edge computers, and work up from there.

Garmin's most basic computer, the Edge 130 Plus has an accelerometer. This enables it to include mountain biking metrics and incident detection. ClimbPro shows the profile of a climb from a pre-loaded route.

There is no base mapping on the 130, so you're limited to breadcrumb mapping, but the screen resolution is sharp.

Battery life is just 12 hours, but that should be more than enough for most riders. The Edge 130 Plus can also control smart trainers.

The Garmin Edge Explore 2 has better navigation features than some of Garmin's deluxe models at less than half the price. The screen is large, high-resolution and rerouting is reliable.

Connectivity options abound, but you lose out on the geekier training analysis, including pedalling efficiency, that its pricier Garmin brethren deliver. The live data the Edge Explore 2 does deliver will satisfy the majority of riders though.

Lacking WiFi connectivity, the Edge Explore 2 cannot directly upload your activities to Strava or other ride-sharing apps when you get home. Nor is it compatible with electronic groupsets.

The Garmin Edge 530 weighs 76g and has a slightly larger screen at 51x38mm, while battery life is a claimed 20 hours.

It provides training data such as effectiveness measures and VO2 max, as well as recovery time. The ClimbPro feature tells you how much further a climb goes on and how steep it gets ahead.

The Bike Alarm is also a nice security feature that tells you via your smartphone if the bike is moved while you’re away from it.

The Edge 530 was the first Garmin to receive WiFi connectivity, so you can exchange data wirelessly rather than needing to use a USB cable to connect to your computer.

The Garmin Edge 540 Solar uses a PowerGlass screen to recharge from sunlight, bringing battery life to a claimed 32 hours when running GPS. The non-solar Edge 540 can manage 26 hours in GPS mode, according to Garmin.

Both Edge 540 bike computers garner the ClimbPro 2.0 feature, which doesn't require a loaded course to preview ascents. The mid-range device also uses USB-C charging – a feature Garmin was curiously slow to adopt.

It features some of Garmin's more sophisticated training tools, such as Targeted Adaptive Coaching, which suggests a training plan based on your goals and progress.

The Garmin Edge 830 is the first model in the Edge range to get touchscreen control of its functions. It’s larger, but not a lot heavier, than the Edge 530 at 79g and with a larger 74x48mm colour touchscreen.

We also found it relatively easy to input a destination to the device, although route calculation isn’t great, despite its Trendline routing based on riders’ most popular roads and trails.

Solar charging, multi-band GNSS navigation and AI-enabled training guidance make their way to the Garmin Edge 840. On both solar charging and standard versions, the screen is operated by touch and side buttons and cable charging is via USB-C.

The Garmin Edge 840 computers receive the second-generation of ClimbPro, which previews climbs without needing a loaded route, along with Power Guide and Live Stamina features.

The Garmin Edge 840 Solar impressed in testing, with its flawless mapping and brilliant touchscreen, but Liam Cahill queried its solar function in dim countries like the UK.

Now superseded by the 1040 and 1050 range, the Edge 1030 Plus was the previous flagship model. It still gives you nearly every feature you could ever want in a bike computer.

Its functionality is very similar to the 830, but with a larger screen, increasing ease of navigation.

Battery life is said to be 24 hours, though this can be extended to 48 hours if you run the computer in a stripped-down mode.

Second on the Garmin Edge tree, the Edge 1040 and 1040 Solar give you every feature you could ever want in a bike computer in the same overall format as the Edge 1030 Plus.

The 1040 Solar is said to run for up to 100 hours by recharging with sunlight on the go, using the same Power Glass technology as found on its top-end smartwatches.

Compared to the 1030 Plus, the 1040 is claimed to offer improved GPS and more data analytics while riding.

The ride settings on the 1040 models can be adjusted via the Garmin Connect app – a feature long requested by users.

At the top of the tree, the new Edge 1050 is claimed to be Garmin's “brightest and smartest” bike computer yet.

With nearly double the resolution of the 1040, the biggest upgrade is to the screen, although this comes at the cost of battery life, which drops to a still chunky 20 hours for the 1050.

Other new features include in-ride hazard alerts, leaderboards and “witty post-ride awards”.

Curiously, no solar charging version is available yet.

At a bare minimum, Garmin bike computer use GPS tracking to log where you’ve been, how far and how fast.

They get position data from the GLONASS, Galileo and standard GPS satellite constellations.

That basic data can be augmented with a raft of extras.

Most computers will give you mapping, enabling you to plan and follow a route, with turn-by-turn navigation. Their ability to re-route if you willingly or unwillingly go off track has greatly improved.

Cheaper models have just a breadcrumb trail that doesn’t superimpose your route on a base map.

You can also pair your computer wirelessly with peripheral devices such as a heart rate monitor strap, speed and cadence sensors and a power meter to get more information on your performance.

Entry-level Edge models are controlled using buttons on the sides of the unit, whereas more expensive ones include a touchscreen.

The screen gets larger and sharper as you move up the range too, and goes from black-and-white to a colour display.

All Garmin Edge computers enable you to control Garmin’s Varia front and rearview radar lights, with the rear-facing units using radar to alert you via your computer of approaching vehicles.

The computers link to the Garmin Connect web or smartphone app, where you can view and analyse your data and plan routes.

The smartphone app enables you to pair your Edge to your mobile, and they will 'talk' to one another, with the computer showing you notifications of incoming calls and texts. The app can also share your position and other metrics with other riders and family at home.

Free-to-download apps in Connect IQ store enable you to personalise your Edge with, for example, a wind direction indicator. Integration with route planning and tracking apps, such as Strava or Komoot, are also available.

Here’s a full list of discontinued Garmn Edge models as of June 2024:

Whereas five years ago, a bike computer was a Garmin, there are now alternatives. It's not all about Wahoo vs Garmin either.

Some of the best bike computers we've recently reviewed come from rivals to the big two. For example, we rated the Hammerhead Karoo 2 as highly as the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar and it costs half as much (though note its been superseded by the Karoo 3). For even less money, consider the high-scoring Sigma ROX 11.1 Evo.

You can also get a lot of the functionality of a bike computer in a GPS watch/smartwatch, with more versatility if you’re into other sports besides cycling.

Garmin has a comprehensive range, but other quality options we've tested include the Coros Pace 2 and Polar Ignite GPS fitness smartwatch.