The best GPS cycle computers for road and mountain bikes
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These are the best GPS bike computers for 2023, based on real-world use by our expert team of road and mountain bike testers.
GPS bike computers enable you to measure your performance, log rides on apps such as Strava and navigate. The majority provide turn-by-turn guidance.
Garmin dominates the market, with units ranging from the diminutive Edge 130 Plus to the smartphone-sized Edge 1030 Plus. Wahoo is not far behind, while brands including Sigma and Hammerhead are giving the GPS giants a run for their money with useful features and sharp pricing.
Here is our selection of the best GPS cycling computers. Keep reading for our buyer’s guide to cycling computers.
Garmin’s latest top-end computer has a neat trick – there’s a solar glass screen that can extend your runtime up to an industry-leading claimed 45 hours. We regularly gained 10 minutes per hour of extra charge on summer rides. There’s a non-solar option as well, which costs less.
Size-wise, it’s a large device, a tiny bit larger than the Edge 1030 Plus, but it’s got 64GB of memory, so it can store twice as much data. The Edge 1040 is much more of a training aid than just a ride recorder, so it gives you your training status, recovery time and more. It’s highly configurable and records loads of training stats.
It links automatically into the best-in-class Garmin Connect training infrastructure, giving you route planning using Garmin’s heatmaps from its rider community and lots of post-ride analysis options that others make you pay for. Garmin Connect also enables you to integrate data from Garmin smartwatches, to give you 24/7 fitness and training status analysis.
The Hammerhead Karoo 2 does things a bit differently from other cycling computers. It’s based on an Android operating system, which gives you fast screen response and Android-style fields and gestures. The resolution of the sharp colour touchscreen is also much greater than competitors.
The Karoo 2 was the first cycling computer to give you climb profiles on the fly as you ride, so there’s no need to pre-plan a route to display gradient and distance to the top.
The phone app just passes data back and forward to the Karoo 2 without any user interface and the web app has limited functionality, although it does let you plan or import a route and keeps a record of your rides, routes and workouts. Instead, Hammerhead interfaces to third-party software such as Strava or TrainingPeaks for any more detailed post-ride analysis.
With a high-end processor and screen to run, the Karoo 2’s battery life isn’t great at around eight hours though.
Sigma may not be as well-known as the likes of Wahoo and Garmin, but its ROX 11.1 Evo is an excellent bike computer, combining a user-friendly interface with riding and training data.
The unit has a 1.77in display, which is smaller than many other bike computers, but this means it sits unobtrusively on your handlebar.
The computer has over 150 operations, including an emergency crash notification feature, and you can save up to 20 profiles to display different information, making it great if you ride across cycling disciplines.
When it comes to mapping, you can upload routes from Komoot in the computer’s smartphone app.
The display only shows a breadcrumb trail, which is fine for road and gravel rides, but not so great for mountain biking.
If simplicity is what you’re after, the ROX 11.1 Evo is a good bet.
The Bryton 420T is a competitively priced cycling computer that comes with a heart rate monitor and cadence sensor included. The computer is also available as a standalone 420E head unit (£104.99).
The cycling computer has an impressive 77 functions, including everything you need for training, such as heart rate and power readings, which it can present as averages and maximums.
The 420T does not have mapping, making it more of a training tool than a computer that will help you explore your surroundings. You can load a GPX to the 420T for basic turn-by-turn navigation.
A claimed 35-hour battery life after a four-hour charge sets the Bryton 420T apart from the competition.
The Edge 530 is a hugely capable GPS computer packed with features aimed at serious enthusiast cyclists who want to track their training.
Externally almost identical, the Edge 530 shares almost all of its features with the more expensive Edge 830, but uses external buttons rather than a touchscreen.
As a result, navigating menus and setting up ride profiles can be time-consuming and fiddly, but once you’ve got those sorted it’s very easy to live with.
Navigating pre-planned courses is straightforward and the colour display is crisp and easy to read. With added sensors (available separately or as a bundle with the device), the Edge 530 offers a wealth of performance-tracking data.
With an impressive array of interesting and useful – if a little clunky at times – features, the Edge 830 is a true class-leading GPS that offers plenty of useful functions above and beyond its competition.
The maps and navigation features are easy to understand and it’s relatively simple to program in routes. On-device route calculation isn’t great, though, and it certainly didn’t live up to Garmin’s claims of riding like a local.
The on-device data and displays are fantastically simple to read when you’re on the move, but it’s certainly worth investing in the additional sensors if you don’t already own compatible ones.
Overall, the Edge 830 has a fantastically diverse feature-set that makes it one of the most comprehensive training and navigating devices money can buy.
The Garmin Edge 840 Solar is a top-notch bike computer with spotless navigation and a user-friendly touchscreen.
New functions include ClimbPro and Garmin Music, which worked okay for us despite some glitches.
However, solar charging adds £70/$50 to the cost of the standard version. In the UK, this doesn’t boost the already respectable battery life enough to justify the outlay.
Tech such as GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) has trickled down from the likes of the Edge 1040 to the benefit of mapping. But the Edge 840 screen is smaller than the more premium model.
The Edge 840 Solar also receives the new Garmin touchscreen homepage. This displays some of the mid-range computer’s many training metrics, your last ride data and the most recently added route.
The homepage has more customisation options than before (for example, data fields). Or, you can now tweak device settings on your phone through the Connect app.
The Edge 1030 Plus gives you every single feature you could ever want in a bike computer with the same format, but an updated processor and an improved touchscreen over the now-discontinued Garmin Edge 1030 (although you can still buy this computer if you search around).
Battery life has also grown to 24 hours, though this can be extended to an enormous 48 hours if you run the computer in a stripped-down mode. It’s compatible with Garmin’s Charge power pack and Edge Power Mount if you want even more recording duration.
The SD card slot has been removed, but internal storage has grown to 32GB. The Trailforks trail database is also installed as standard on the unit.
The Edge Explore 2 majors on navigation functionality and strips out most of the training tools offered by Garmin’s higher-priced computers. Its colour touchscreen is bright, with a size midway between the Edge 830 and the Edge 1040. Battery life is around 16 hours.
It’s easy to search for a location and the Edge Explore 2 will use heatmaps to direct you via the most cycled routes. You can overlay maps with a high-traffic indicator based on data from a linked phone, which can also provide weather information. Rerouting is efficient if you go off course.
There’s no WiFi connectivity, but rides can be uploaded to Garmin Connect and through to Strava via Bluetooth and your smartphone. You can use the Edge Explore 2 to control a smart trainer.
This is a good option if you want the cycling computer essentials and don’t need the full suite of training data.
The Enhanced Super GPS looks a little clunky compared to Lezyne’s ultra-sleek tools and pumps, but it generally works well. The 45-degree X-Lock mount is more secure than Garmin’s, and the wealth of data on offer is impressive.
You can have up to five pages with up to four fields on each, with seemingly every metric imaginable available. Turn-by-turn navigation, Strava Live Segments and incoming call/text notifications? Check, check and check.
Similar to the Elemnt Bolt, you can use the Lezyne app to find a destination and use the computer to navigate to it.
The Super GPS has now been superseded by newer models, but it remains widely available.
The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2 has it all when it comes to user interface, with all of the set-up done via a smart app.
It now offers a colour screen, smart navigation, USB-C charging and improved battery life over the original Bolt.
It syncs seamlessly with most third-party apps and performs well on the bike and on the road, as well as on a smart trainer.
If you’re looking for a GPS computer to track your performance with over 170 functions and an impressive 15-hour battery life all in a neat, minimalist package, then the Bolt V2 is for you.
You’ll be best off doing your planning before you set out on a ride. The mapping capabilities aren’t as good as on Hammerhead and Garmin computers, but the Bolt is more affordable.
The Wahoo Elemnt Roam V2 takes many of the features of the Elemnt Bolt but puts them in a larger package with a bigger screen for improved mapping and navigation capabilities.
Where’s the Bolt’s display measures 55.9mm (2.2in) diagonally, the Roam ups this to 68.6mm (2.7in). Both offer a 64-colour screen – used sparingly to highlight key training or map details – and USB-C charging.
Like all of Wahoo’s devices, there’s no touchscreen, with the computer operated via a series of buttons and setup coming via the Elemnt app. Configuration is very easy, though, as we’ve come to expect from Wahoo computers.
Screen resolution isn’t as sharp as the Hammerhead Karoo 2 but, as an easy-to-use device with excellent mapping and data options, this is a smart all-round choice.
In the past, cycling GPS devices were primarily for riders who wanted ‘pure’ navigation and trail guidance.
However, their usage has changed greatly and these devices now combine navigation, regular bike computer functions, connectivity to devices such as heart rate monitors and power meters, and lots else into one unit. The GPS is now just as much a dedicated training tool and ride tracker as it once was a navigation unit.
GPS bike computers are now also hitting price points that rival basic bike computers. Using GPS technology to provide speed and distance information means it’s no longer necessary to use wheel-mounted magnets and sensors, so switching the computer between bikes has never been easier.
The cycling GPS market is dominated by similar brands to the automotive GPS industry. Garmin is the key player, but brands such as Wahoo, Polar, Bryton, Suunto, Lezyne and CatEye also offer GPS-equipped options.
Perhaps the biggest question when choosing a GPS unit is deciding whether you want it to guide you on a ride via maps and navigation, or if you simply want it to track your ride and give you the data to look back at after your ride.
Generally speaking, navigational GPS units will cost more because they feature built-in maps, additional storage, navigation software and often a much larger screen to make use of all of this information.
Devices that offer mapping and directional guidance have come a long way. GPS accuracy has greatly improved, guiding you to within one or two metres of a desired location.
Far more tracking GPS units are sold than those that include navigational aids. For most riders, all they want is live ride data with the option to undertake detailed analysis after a ride.
However, they don’t offer nearly as detailed navigational information, and often only offer ‘breadcrumb’ navigation, which overlays a simple line over a blank screen for you to follow.
Mobile phone connectivity is desirable for a number of reasons. The likes of the Garmin and Wahoo offer Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity and share information with compatible phones.
Many bike computers now include a giddy array of features when linked up to phones and other sensors, including incoming call and text alerts, tracking which allows your riding buddies or family at home to see your location in real-time, and even which gear you are in with electronic drivetrains.
Bluetooth and ANT+ cycling computers will link up to external sensors so you can pair them with devices such as heart rate monitors, cadence sensors, speed or power meters, and more. This unlocks a whole host of possibilities and can help you step your training up a notch.
Most high-end cycling computers will also neatly integrate with third-party cycling apps such as Strava, TrainingPeaks and Komoot.
Some will also link with WiFi for automatic uploads, avoiding any need to upload your ride via Bluetooth once you get home.
The main and most familiar way cycling computers can aid training is by linking up to a power meter or heart rate monitor, providing live data about your power output or heart rate during your ride.
There are benefits and disadvantages to both and many things to consider when deciding whether heart rate or power training is best for you.
Beyond simply providing live readouts for auxiliary devices, some cycling computer brands claim their computers can use this data to establish VO2 max and FTP (Functional Threshold Power), as well as provide insight into needed recovery time and training load.
Various bike computers now come with the option to load workouts and training plans directly onto the computer, making structured training an easier affair.
These plans are either available through brand-specific software (Garmin Connect for Garmin computers, for example) or in some instances through apps such as TrainerRoad and TrainingPeaks.
Some other features available on cycling computers are framed as training tools but are also useful and enjoyable for cyclists who are just out riding for the fun of it. These include alerts signalling how much longer a climb is and live Strava segments introducing some friendly competition against others or your own personal bests.
A key factor, but one that’s easily overlooked, is how the device attaches to the bike.
Most GPS units attach to either the handlebar or the stem of the bike. Generally speaking, the more common the brand, the more available mounting options there will be.
Garmin is the leader in this area, with scores of aftermarket mount options allowing you to decide exactly how and where the device sits on your handlebar or stem.
Gamin and Wahoo use mounts that rely on a quarter-turn twist-lock to hold the computer in place. The 90-degree turn makes it easy to fit your computer but also easy to remove when popping into a shop or cafe.
Out-front mounts are a popular choice because they put the computer in front of the bar, making it easier to look at while moving. These mounts also make the cycling computer flush with the bar, giving a cleaner look for the more aesthetically minded.
As a general rule, the larger the screen size, the easier the information will be to read. You’ll also be able to show more information on the screen without having to scroll to another page.
Of course, the downside is that larger units can be cumbersome, crowd your handlebar, and add extra heft – offending the more weight-conscious riders among us.
For performance and general riding, the Garmin Edge 820’s 2.3in (5.84cm) screen has become something of a benchmark. Most newer devices are this size or larger. For those looking for a truly diminutive option, the Garmin Edge 130 Plus would be our first recommendation.
Screen size and resolution are a bigger concern if you want to use a cycling computer for routes and navigation. Here, being able to see waypoints and your desired route is crucial, so a screen size of 2.5in (6.35 cm) or larger is advisable.
Colour displays are becoming the norm, which makes for easy reading, especially with detailed maps.
Some cycling computers still use a greyscale screen, because these can be more readable in bright light, but if Wahoo’s latest Elemnt Bolt is anything to go by this might become less and less common.
Touchscreens are becoming a standard on newer devices too because they help simplify toggling menus and selecting desired data.
Early GPS cycling computers offered turn-by-turn navigation via a snail trail (also known as a breadcrumb trail).
Snail trails didn’t really give enough information because they were simply displayed as a single line over a blank screen with no landmarks or surrounding roads detailed, but you could get a fairly good sense of where you were going and were often notified if you drifted off course.
Now, many cycling computers are pre-loaded with in-depth maps that are similar to topographic maps detailing roads, landscape, features, waypoints and any amenities. This is particularly useful for bikepacking but is great even if you’re cycling somewhere unfamiliar on holiday or close to home.
Maps often only cover certain territories. For instance, in the UK, the Garmin 1030 Plus comes pre-loaded with maps for Europe and North America, but you will have to download maps for other regions.
Plenty of computers allow you to sync courses from route-building apps such as Ride With GPS or Komoot, and in some cases let you drop a pin on the computer’s map and will automatically route you to that location.
Are you looking to complete long rides, multi-day adventures, or simply want to go out and not worry about having to recharge your device between training sessions?
If any of these sound familiar, it is probably worth seeking out a cycling computer with decent battery life. Many computers will have a claimed battery life of between 15 and 20 hours, but this is of course dependent on use.
Tires,rims&parts External battery expanders can bump up the battery life of your cycling computer if you’re out for a particularly long time.