Best Garmin bike computer – All popular Garmin Edge bike computer models tested and compared

Garmin is the leader in bike navigation: Garmin GPS bike computers and GPS bike sat navs have long been the most popular and widely used on the market. In this detailed Garmin Edge comparison you will learn:

✅ Which are the current Garmin bike computers?
✅ What each Garmin bike computer does and doesn’t.
✅ Which Garmin bike navigation system suits you and which one you should buy

The product range of Garmin bike computers has become very large and therefore it is time for a clear Garmin bike navigator test.

Garmin Edge Explore – Most popular Garmin bike computer

* Werbung - Aktualisierung am 2024-04-18, Preis kann gestiegen sein, Als Amazon-Partner verdiene ich an qualifizierten Verkäufen, Bild:Amazon

The Garmin Edge Explore is currently the most popular Garmin GPS bike computer. The Garmin bike navigator masters extensive bike navigation and comes with preinstalled map of Europe. Plus, map updates are free.

The Garmin Edge Explore offers these highlights:

✅ Full bike navigation: Complete Europe map incl. free map updates and with route recalculation
✅ best readable touchscreen in full color
✅ koomot and Strava Integration
✅ reasonable price

…and many other functions. Click here for the detailed Garmin Edge Explore field test (test & experiences)

Garmin Edge Explore bei Amazon kaufen*

What must a bike computer be able to do?

All Garmin GPS bike computers show you basic bike data. This includes speed, distance covered and also altitude.

The function of most current GPS bike computers goes far beyond that:

• Navigation: Navigating to a specific destination on current maps. Probably the most important function for most cyclists
• Heart Rate: Display your current heart rate and maximum heart rate during training.
• Cadence: Your current cadence
• Power: Your current power and the average power in watts.

The information about speed, distance and altitude are determined by GPS and barometer. These sensors are already built into the bicycle navigation system.

Additional sensors are required for the extended functions. Garmin supplies these with many bike computers. Now we start with the Garmin bike navi test. Below you will find a big guide and if you still have questions: Just write me your comment 😉

The TOP 5 Garmin bike computers – Garmin Edge comparison

Garmin Edge 130 GPS bike computer

* Werbung - Aktualisierung am 2024-04-18, Preis kann gestiegen sein, Als Amazon-Partner verdiene ich an qualifizierten Verkäufen, Bild:Amazon

The Garmin Edge 130 is a classic GPS bike computer for athletes. The Edge 130 is lightweight and supports road cyclists during training and competition with information and tour data.

However, the Edge 130 is not a full-fledged GPS bike navigator: GPX tracks can be transferred via UBS cable or wirelessly via the Garmin Connect app. When navigating, the route is only displayed as a line on a white background. Your current position is indicated by an arrow and there is no map display in the background.

ANT+ and Bluetooth sensors can be easily paired with the Edge 130. Also values of a Garmin sports watch can be displayed on the Edge 130. Thus, the Garmin bike computer is particularly suitable for triathletes.

Good

Best readable display
✅ Large selection of connectable sensors
✅ Simple and logical to operate

Bad

❌ Basic bike navigation
❌ No wheel profiles

Conclusion & suitable for

The Garmin Edge 130 is a small and compact GPS bike computer. It is especially suitable for road cyclists and triathletes. The Edge 130 provides good information about bike chassis data and bike performance data. Full-fledged bicycle navigation has to be dispensed with.

Garmin Edge Explore

* Werbung - Aktualisierung am 2024-04-18, Preis kann gestiegen sein, Als Amazon-Partner verdiene ich an qualifizierten Verkäufen, Bild:Amazon

The Garmin Edge Explore is currently the most popular Garmin GPS bike navigator. The price-performance ratio is excellent and the bike navigation delivers the best results. The navigation device hardly has any weaknesses. In the Garmin bike navi test, I was amazed at how good the price-performance ratio really is.

To the detailed Garmin Edge Explore field test (test & experiences)

✅ Top touchscreen: Easy to read even in difficult situations – can also be operated in the rain
✅ Easy operation: Even beginners can get to grips with it straight away
✅ Excellent bike navigation: Mature navigation with very good results
✅ Integration of komoot and Strava
✅ Tracks transferable with USB cable or wirelessly via smartphone and Garmin Connect app. Routes also transferable from komoot and Strava

Bad

No brightness sensor installed: Screen brightness must be adjusted manually
❌ Battery life only average (approx. 9 to 11 h)

Conclusion

The Edge Explorer offers the best price-performance ratio among the Garmin bike computers – Garmin bike navi test price-performance test winner 🙂 The Garmin Edge Explore is particularly suitable for recreational cyclists: follow a route previously created or transferred to the Garmin bike computer and navigate comfortably. The Garmin Edge Explore does this very well.

Sophisticated bike navigation and a highly readable colour touchscreen. Exactly these functions are offered.

In addition, the Garmin Edge Explore has some extras on board: Notifications from the smartphone can be displayed. Of course, this function can also be switched off. Data fields are customizable and the GPS bike navigator is compatible with touring portals like komoot and Strava. Routes and other data can be transmitted wirelessly.

Garmin Edge 530 and Garmin Edge 830

* Werbung - Aktualisierung am 2024-04-18, Preis kann gestiegen sein, Als Amazon-Partner verdiene ich an qualifizierten Verkäufen, Bild:Amazon

* Werbung - Aktualisierung am 2024-04-18, Preis kann gestiegen sein, Als Amazon-Partner verdiene ich an qualifizierten Verkäufen, Bild:Amazon

Garmin Edge 530 and 830 are small and light. At the same time, the battery life of the two Garmin cycling computers is excellent: approx. 19 hours of runtime is a claim! With this very long battery life, both are suitable for particularly long bike rides that sometimes last all day. You’re not satisfied with the runtime? Then you can approximately double the battery life with the Garmin Power Pack.

The sophisticated bike navigation and the wide range of functions are also outstanding: The Garmin Edge 830 is on a par with the current Garmin flagship Edge 1030. To be more precise, the Edge 830 even surpasses the Edge 1030 in terms of features. The new functions are aimed specifically at mountain bikers. In a moment, I’ll also explain the difference between Garmin cycling computers.

The displays of the Garmin Edge 530 and 830 are excellent and can be read very well even under difficult conditions. Of course, both have backlighting.

Both Garmin bike computers are compatible with many popular online sport portals: Of course also with komoot and Strava. If you want to expand the range of functions, you can also install Garmin Connect IQ apps. Garmin Edge comparison: You can find out the differences between Edge 530 and Edge 830 in the next section.

To the detailed Garmin Edge 530 field test (test & experiences)

To the detailed Garmin Edge 830 field test (test & experiences)

Garmin bike sat nav test: These are the biggest differences between Garmin Edge 530, Edge 830 and also the Garmin top model Edge 1030:

• The Garmin Edge 530 is operated entirely with buttons and has limited functions in bicycle navigation.
• The Garmin Edge 830 uses a combination of convenient button and touchscreen operation. It brings sophisticated navigation features. To be more precise, best performance is offered here.
• Garmin Edge 830 vs 1030: The Garmin Edge 1030 is larger and accordingly has a larger display. Both Garmin cycling computers show the information on the display in exactly the right size. Thus, both displays are perfectly readable in terms of quality as well as size. The Garmin Edge 830 still offers some mountain bike specific features.

Comparison table follows 😉

Good

✅ Wide range of functions and sophisticated bike navigation
✅ Compact housing
✅ Long battery life: approx. 19 hours
Excellent readable display (Edge 530) or colour touchscreen (Edge 830)
✅ Routes transferable by cable or wireless transfer from smartphone
✅ Compatible with Strava and komoot

Bad

❌ Garmin Edge 530: Button operation quite complicated – especially on the map
❌ Garmin Edge 530: Address input directly on the Garmin bike computer not possible (Garmin Edge 830 has this function)

Conclusion & suitable for

With the Garmin Edge 530 you can comfortably ride pre-created routes and navigate extensively. The Edge 530 is controlled exclusively by buttons and you have to do without an address input on the road.

The Garmin Edge 830 has all the features of Garmin’s flagship 1030 and even a few more. The bicycle navigation is extensive and complete, i.e. an address input is possible. The Edge 830 is basically a better and more compact Edge 1030.

Especially the Garmin Edge 830 is an excellent and complete bike GPS navigator. It’s also compact, lightweight. With 19 hours in practice, it also has a particularly long battery life. Garmin Edge comparison: The Edge 830 is more extensively equipped. A clear buy recommendation for the Garmin Edge 830.

Garmin Edge 1030

* Werbung - Aktualisierung am 2024-04-18, Preis kann gestiegen sein, Als Amazon-Partner verdiene ich an qualifizierten Verkäufen, Bild:Amazon

The Garmin Edge 1030 is currently the top model of the Garmin GPS bike computers. Right from the start, its large and excellently readable 3.5-inch touchscreen stands out.

What sets the Edge 1030 apart is its advanced bike navigation and training features. With an extra long battery life of about 20 hours, extra long rides are also possible. Want to double your battery life? Then buy the Garmin Charge Power Pack.

Zum ausführlichen Garmin Edge 1030 Praxistest (Test & Erfahrungen)

Good

Large, easy-to-read colour touch screen
Particularly long battery life: In practice approx. 20 hours – can be approximately doubled with the battery pack
Sophisticated and comprehensive bicycle navigation
✅ compatible with Strava and komoot
✅ Many training functions through Firstbeat integration

Bad

❌ Expensive
High weight (123 grams) & Large

Conclusion & suitable for

The Edge 1030 is particularly suitable for all those who appreciate the large and excellent readable color touchscreen. In addition, a highlight is the extensive range of functions. The Garmin Edge 1030 particularly shines in bike navigation and firstbeat training features.

The long battery life of 20 hours also makes particularly long bike tours and training sessions possible. With the optionally available battery pack (Garmin Charge power pack)*. you can even roughly double the runtime.

Alternatives in the Garmin bike navi test: The Garmin 1030 is the current TOP Garmin bike computer and convinces in every respect. The large display and the large case are a matter of taste. If you want even more features and a smaller case, you should take a closer look at the Garmin Edge 830. Nice side effect: The Edge 830 is even cheaper.

Garmin bike computer & Garmin Edge comparison – All you need to know

What is Garmin Edge?

The current Garmin bike computers are from the Garmin Edge series. The Edge series is designed specifically for the needs of cyclists and is suitable for pleasure cyclists, commuters, for road cyclists and for mountain bikers.

Differences of the current Garmin bike computers – Garmin Edge comparison

Which Garmin Edge bike computer is right for you and what are the differences between the models:

• The Garmin Edge Explore is aimed specifically at enjoyment and touring cyclists and has the best price-performance ratio: You can expect comprehensive and sophisticated bike navigation with the Garmin Edge Explore. Addresses are entered conveniently on the touch screen. The navigation is among the best currently available on the market. If you want, you can transfer previously created or downloaded tours to the Garmin bike computer. The transmission takes place via USB cable from the computer or wirelessly via smartphone. komoot and Strava are integrated. You have to adjust the display brightness manually since there is no brightness sensor installed.
• The Garmin Edge 530, Edge 830 and Edge 1030 models have all the features of the Garmin Edge Explore – and more. As you might have guessed, these models are higher-end and also more expensive in price.
• Garmin Edge Comparison: As mentioned, the bike navigation features are similar to the Edge Explore. Only the Edge 530 does not support address input directly on the bike navigator. This is probably due to the button operation.

What can the 530, 830 and 1030 do better than the Edge Explore?

New to these models are sophisticated training features. These Garmin bike computers are therefore particularly suitable for sporty and competition-oriented cyclists. These are then often racing cyclists and mountain bikers. But also touring cyclists benefit from the almost twice as long battery life and the automatic regulation of the backlight provides comfort.

• More sophisticated training functions
• Longer battery life: about 9 to 11 hours vs. about 20 hours
• Automatic backlight versus manual backlight
• Edge 530, Edge 830 and Edge 1030 are compatible with the Garmin battery pack to approximately double the battery life.
• Case size and display size: Garmin Edge 530 and 830 are the most compact, full-featured GPS Garmin bike computers. The Garmin Edge Explore is medium-sized. The flagship Garmin Edge 1030 is the largest GPS Garmin bike computer.

Differences between Garmin Edge 520, 830 and 1030 – Garmin bike navi test

✅ The Garmin Edge 530 is operated completely with buttons. This makes it easy to use even in the rain and with gloves on. However, it does not handle address input.
✅ The Edge 830 Garmin GPS bike computer is operated via the touchscreen and buttons. It has the full bike navi scope, as it also handles address input. It also has additional mountain bike features on board.
✅ The Garmin Edge 1030 has a similar feature set to the Garmin Edge 830. As a bonus, it has a larger touchscreen.

The following table will help you compare Garmin Edge models – so you can see all the differences at a glance:

Comparison table – Follows 😉

Garmin or Wahoo?

Wahoo has its roots in road cycling and this is also noticeable in the Wahoo bike computers: In the top model, the training functions are still very extensive and the navigation has also been greatly improved. However, Wahoo does not yet come close to the bike navigation of a Garmin bike computer. You’ll find out why in a moment.

First, a preliminary conclusion:

• Garmin bike computers have proven themselves for years and provide excellent bike navigation. The higher-quality GPS bike navigation devices (Edge 530, 830 and 1030) are also ideally suited as training computers.
• Wahoo comes from cycling and you can tell that from its top model, the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM: A Wahoo bike computer puts the primary focus on sophisticated training features. The ELEMNT ROAM’s bike navigation is also excellent but not on the same level as a Garmin bike computer.

Here’s why:

• The visible map section cannot be moved: This fact alone is often a knock-out criterion. To really keep track of your surroundings, you need to look on another device. For example, on a smartphone.
• The map display on Wahoo is not as detailed as on a Garmin bike computer: Often details like lakes are not displayed at all and you can’t see the type of road directly on the Wahoo Navi.
• 2GB vs 16GB+: The Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM only has a 2GB small memory. While the full-fledged Garmin bike navs offer 16GB and more of storage.
• When it comes to readability in the sun, the Wahoo bike computers are slightly ahead and when it comes to battery life, Garmin and Wahoo are on par.

Are you interested in a Wahoo bike computer?

• To the detailed Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT field test (test & experiences)
• To the detailed Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM field test (test & experiences)

Garmin Edge Accessories

Garmin is the market leader in bicycle navigation systems. Therefore, in addition to a wide range of products, there are also a lot of Garmin Edge accessories. Especially popular are different mounts or sports sensors for recording pulse, cadence or power.

In this section you will learn the specifics of this accessory and I will show you what other accessories are available.

Garmin Edge mount

Your Garmin bike computer always comes with one or more mounts. Buying another Garmin Edge bike mount can be useful in many cases:

• To mount the Garmin bike computer in a different location on your bike
• As a holder for a second or third bike: To then quickly switch the bike navigator between the bikes.
• If the scope of delivery only includes a very simple mount and adjustment options, such as with the Garmin Edge Explore

Basically, you can save a ton of money by purchasing a third-party Garmin Edge mount. These mounts are often qualitatively excellent and seem to me almost identical to the original Garmin mount. My favorite is the Garmin Edge mount from kwmobile*.

There are different Garmin Edge mounts with which you can attach the Garmin bike computer to different places on the bike:

• Attachment to stem or handlebar
• Mounting on the handlebar – including mounting for an actioncam under the bike navigation device e.g. a GoPro or a Garmin VIRB
• Mounting in the middle directly in front of the handlebar including mounting for an actioncam under the bike navigation device e.g. a GoPro or a Garmin VIRB

Garmin Edge protective cover and protective film

Garmin Edge additional battery

Garmin heart rate sensor, cadence sensor and speed sensor

Garmin bike computers can be paired with Garmin’s own sensors as well as third-party sensors. Most Garmin bike computers also support both wireless standards: ANT+ and Bluetooth.

There is an almost unmanageable number of sensor manufacturers on the market. If you are not sure which one is compatible with your Garmin bike computer, it is best to go for the official Garmin sensors.

Many Garmin bike computers are also offered as a “bundle”: Here, official sensors are already included and the price is cheaper than if you buy sensors afterwards.

Garmin VIRB action camera and power meter

Special Garmin accessories include the VIRB action cameras and the Vector 3S power meter:

Garmin VIRB Ultra 30: This is the 4k action camera from Garmin. It has a built-in image stabilizer, touch screen and voice control. The camera itself is not waterproof, but it records comparatively clear audio and comes directly with a waterproof case.

Garmin Vector 3 and Vector 3S: These are the clipless pedals from Garmin with built-in power meter. With the Vector 3, both pedals have a built-in power meter. With the Vector 3S, only one pedal has a built-in power meter. The system is installed like any other pedal. This means that the power meter can be quickly and easily changed between several wheels. A cadence and a wattmeter are built in. The determined values can be displayed on most Garmin Edge devices.

Overall conclusion and summary – Garmin bike computer

Garmin bike computers are among the most popular on the market for good reason: The navigation functions are extensive, as well as sophisticated. The displays are excellent to read – even under difficult conditions and the battery life is long.

The Garmin Edge comparison shows: There is now a suitable Garmin bike computer for every requirement and for different budgets. Whether you are a pleasure cyclist and want to go on a bike tour with a navigation system on a beautiful day or whether you are a racing cyclist and want to complete challenging training units. For these different needs there is the right Garmin Navi.

The Garmin Edge series offers the right bike computer for almost every cyclist.

Further information:

• Official Garmin Website
• List of all Garmin products on Wikipedia