This post compares the current Garmin Edge range, so that you can choose the best Garmin Edge bike computer for your needs. Our huge comparative chart, summaries and videos will save you hours of research time. We have covered all of the latest updated Garmin Edge bike computers; that is, the Edge 130 Plus, Edge Explore, Edge 530, Edge 830, and the Edge 1030 Plus. We have left out all the outdated models. We hope this post will help you to quickly choose the best Garmin Edge bike computer for your own personal cycling needs.
Chart Comparing the Garmin Edge 130 Plus, Garmin Edge Explore, Garmin Edge 530, Garmin Edge 830, and Garmin Edge 1030 Plus
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| Best Price right now on Amazon | Best Price on Amazon Right Now: $199.99 | Best Price on Amazon: $239.99 | Best Price on Amazon Right Now: $294.95 | Best Price on Amazon Right Now: $399.99 | Usually around $600. Please click here to see the Best Price on Amazon Right Now |
| Best For? | Cyclists who want a premium bike computer in a budget, compact unit; and who don't need much navigation help; must be OK with black & white & with button control (not touch screen) | Cyclists who want a premium bike computer at a budget price; but who need navigation and turn by turn navigation. Great if you need a larger screen. Better for navigation than training. Not suitable if you want to use a power meter | Cyclists who want nothing but the best in premium training features; must be OK with pre-downloading routes when they need navigation help, and with button control (not touch screen) | Cyclists who want nothing but the best in premium training features and navigation | Cyclists who want nothing but the best in the very latest premium training features and navigation; and who need a bigger screen & free, high-quality maps preloaded on the unit |
| Size of Unit | 1.1" x 1.4" (27 x 36 mm); 1.8" diag (45 mm) | 2.2" x 4.1" x 0.9" (55 x 105 x 22 mm) | 1.9" x 3.2" x 0.8" (50 x 82 x 20 mm) | 1.9” x 3.2” x 0.8” (50 mm x 82 mm x 20 mm) | 2.28" x 4.5" x 0.8" (58 x 114 x 19 mm) |
| Display Resolution | 303 x 230 pixels | 240 x 400 pixels | 246 x 322 pixels | 246 x 322 pixels | 282 x 470 pixels |
| Weight | 1.2 oz (33 g) | 4.1 oz (116 g) | 2.7 oz (75.8 g) | 2.8 oz (79.1 g) | 4.4 oz (124 g) |
| Waterproof rating | IPX 7 (you can drop it in 3 ft of water for up to 30 mins, & it will still work) | IPX 7 | IPX 7 | IPX 7 | IPX 7 |
| Screen size | 1.8" (45 mm) diagonal, black and white | 3.0" (76 mm) diagonal color | 2.6" (66 mm) diagonal, color | 2.6" (66 mm) diagonal, color | 3.5" (89 mm) diagonal, color |
| Touchscreen or button control? | Button control | Touchscreen, works well | Button control | Touchscreen, works well | Touchscreen, works well |
| Battery Life | Up to 12 hours | Up to 12 hours in GPS training mode | Up to 20 hours in GPS training mode | Up to 20 hours in GPS training mode | Up to 36 hours in GPS training mode, up to 48 hours with minimal sensors and backlighting |
| Battery Save Mode (extends battery life by up to 50% while still tracking all ride data) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Option to add Garmin Charge Power Pack (to double battery life)? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bike alarm that connects with your phone? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Find my bike computer? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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| Satellite Systems: | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo | GPS | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo |
| Elevation? | Yes | Yes, based on GPS as it has no barometric altimeter | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Accelerometer? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Light Sensor? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Basemap | No | Pre-loaded Garmin Cycle Map | Pre-loaded Garmin Cycle Maps with Integrated TrailForks content | Pre-loaded Garmin Cycle Maps with Integrated TrailForks content | Pre-loaded Garmin Cycle Maps with Integrated TrailForks content |
| Ships pre-loaded with high-quality maps for two countries, plus can download any other countries for free? | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Can you add maps? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waypoints | 100 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| How many routes can you save on the device? | 30 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| How much history can you store on the device? | Up to 100 hours | Up to 200 hours | Up to 200 hours | Up to 200 hours | Up to 200 hours |
| Address search (input address and it will plot a route)? AKA On-Device Course Creator | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Popularity routing (Trendline) - shows routes used most by cyclists? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Turn-by-turn navigation? | Yes, but very basic, breadcrumb-style navigation only. And only for downloaded courses, e.g. from Garmin Route Creator | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Recalculate route on the device? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| New re-routing options? | n/a | No | No, but will arrive in a future software updatea | No, but will arrive in a future software updatea | Yes. Choose from Rejoin where you left course; Skip ahead to course; or Cut across |
| Calculate route back to start? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can you create a custom course on the unit (this is a sequence of waypoints or locations that leads you to your final destination)? | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Create a round-trip route on the device? | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Find nearby POI (points of interest)? | No | Yes | No, but you can use the included Yelp app to find them | Yes | Yes |
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| How does it communicate? | Bluetooth, ANT+ | Bluetooth, ANT+ | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi |
| Time & date display? | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Smart notifications? | Yes (calls and texts only) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can you respond to a phone call with text on your Android device? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rider to Rider messaging? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Does it display the weather? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Connect compatible? (this is an online community where you can share data, plys analyze - like Strava) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automatically syncs your rides to the Garmin Connect™ Mobile app on your phone? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ANT+ (to connect your devices? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Smart (aka BLE or Bluetooth Low Energy)? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unit to unit transfer (share your data with friends with similar units)? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LiveTrack? | Yes | Yes, new enhanced version | Yes | Yes | Yes, new enhanced version |
| Group Tracking?? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Incident detection (so someone is automatically notified if you have an accident)? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LEV/ebike compatibility via ANT+? | Yes | No, but coming soon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Compatible with heart rate monitors, plus power, speed and cadence sensors? | Yes | Supports heart rate monitors, plus power, speed and cadence sensors, but does NOT support power meters | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ANT+ shifting? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shimano Di2 electronic shifting integration? (“Digital Integrated Intelligence” enables instant electronic shifting) | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can it download free apps and widgets from the Connect IQ™ store? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Compatible with Garmin VIRB video camera? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Compatible with Garmin inReach 2-way satellite communicator (to send your location if you need assistance and your cell phone cannot connect)? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Varia Compatible? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can you control it with a Garmin Edge remote control? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Does it have Extended Display (so you can use your bike computer as an extended display to view data screens from a compatible Garmin mulitsport watch)? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| | | | | |
| Autostart (so your timer will start automatically once you are cycling at a custom speed)? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can You Customize Your Data Pages? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Interval training (so you can set up exercise and rest intervals)? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced workouts? (so you can create customized, goal-directed workouts) | Yes | No | Yes (much improved over 520 Plus) | Yes (much improved over 820) | Yes |
| Daily Workout Suggestions? | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Can You Download Training Plans to It? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Partner (so you can compete against a digital cyclist)? | Yes, within a course | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 Max estimate? (the maximum amount of oxygen a person can utilize during intense exercise) | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FTP tracking? (Functional Threshold Power is the average power that a rider can produce over the course of an hour) | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Will it Advise You on Recovery Time? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Time in heart rate training zone? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TrainingPeaks iLevels (WKO4) | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ClimpPro (new feature that shows you graphically the grades ahead)? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power Meter Compatible? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Performance Power Curve? (tracks your power output over periods of time) | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Power Analysis? | No (not on device, but you can do it on your computer later) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Does it have Physio TrueUP (a Garmin Connect feature that keeps physiological data in sync between multiple devices)? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Does it compute calories based on heart rate? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Strava Live Segments on the unit? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Aerobic training effect? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heat acclimation (how well are you adjusting to heat)? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Altitude acclimation (how well are you adjusting to changes in altitude)? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water and calorie requirements (reminders based on course)? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Pause (so it stops recording when you stop your bike)? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Trainer Control? | No | Not yet, but coming soon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Courses (so you can compete against your previous rides)? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Alerts (to alert you when you reach goals such as heart rate, calories, time, or distance)? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Activity Profiles (that's where you have different profiles for activities such as road or mountain biking)? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| | | | | |
| Best Price on Amazon Right Now: $199.99 | Best Price on Amazon: $169.99 | Best Price on Amazon Right Now: $294.95 | Best Price on Amazon Right Now: $399.99 | Usually around $600. Please click here to see the Best Price on Amazon Right Now | |
| Grit rating (how tough is the route)? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flow rating (how well did you ride the route)? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hang time (how long were you in the air when jumping, how far did you go)? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integrated Trailforks? (130,000 trails preloaded on unit) | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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Contents of Post
- Chart comparing the Garmin Edge 130 Plus, Garmin Edge Explore, Garmin Edge 530, Garmin Edge 830, and Garmin Edge 1030 Plus
- Garmin Edge 130 Plus
- Garmin Edge Explore
- Garmin Edge 530
- Garmin Edge 830
- Garmin Edge 1030 Plus
Buying Options
If you find this review useful and decide to buy one of these bike computers, please use one of our affiliate links to buy. It’s the only way I get paid for the many hours of research and writing I do, and of course, it costs you nothing – so we both win! When you buy with one of our links, you support Maggie and me to keep publishing this blog (thank you!).
At the end of this post, I offer links to online buying options. Click here for buying options. There are several buying links along the way as well, in case you don’t make it to the end (which is a long way ahead!)
Garmin Edge 130 Plus
Overview
This is a brand new, premium bike computer with awesome new training features, at a very reasonable price relative to other premium bike computers. It is small, compact, and intuitively easy-to-use. The range of training options and available data on this bike computer is pretty much unbeatable at this price.
It’s also great if mountain biking is your first love, because it comes with Garmin’s cool new mountain bike metrics pre-loaded. It is also a good buy if you have tons of useful sensor information, user profiles, etc., on an older Garmin unit. If you are anything like me, the auto syncing will put a big smile on your face!
Also amazing at this price, it comes with the very cool ClimbPro feature pre-loaded. Many cyclists find this a must for planning hilly bike rides.
Is the Garmin Edge 130 Plus for You?
Yes, if you are looking for premium training and data features in a budget priced bike computer! And you don’t mind black and white; you like button control; you like low-profile gadgets; and you don’t need much help finding your way around.
Video Review of the Garmin Edge 130 Plus
Related Post: Garmin Edge 530 vs Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt
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Garmin Edge Explore
Overview
This budget-priced bike computer is only a little smaller than the 1030 Plus. And it has a color screen. So, it is very easy to see. Couple that with full-color maps and true turn-by-turn navigation, and you have a unit that is optimized for navigation. You get full color, detailed maps for the country where you buy it. And you can buy more maps from Garmin, or get them for free from third parties. Plus, the maps work really well and very quickly. You can download courses from Garmin Connect, create round trip routes, and find Points of Interest.
This bike computer used to costs a whole lot more money – close to $500. At the current price, it is close to incredible value.
Shortcomings of the Garmin Edge Explore
However, it does not offer the high-end training features found in the more expensive models, or even in the cheaper 130 Plus. It is not optimized from those who want high end training metrics, because:
- It does not support power meters.
- It does not support Strava live segments.
- You cannot download structured workouts.
- It does not support interval training right on the unit.
So, if training is your primary goal, and you plan on racing, this one is not for you.
Is the Garmin Edge Explore Best for You?
Yes, if you are a cyclist who focuses on long rides, often in new places. This is because it is optimized for navigation. It is not optimized for training. That said, it will nonetheless collect tons of data for you to analyze your progress online!
Video Review of the Garmin Edge Explore
Related Post: 7 of the Best Cheap Bike Computers under $65 – Includes Budget Wireless Computers
Garmin Edge 530
Overview
In a nutshell, the Garmin Edge 530 is a premium bike computer with tons of features that will be more than enough for most cyclists. And the cherry on the top is that it is at an attractive price point, relative to the 1030 Plus and 830 ($299). This one is for you if you want absolutely premium bike training features in a small, light, affordable package, and you like the convenience of turn-by-turn directions, but you do not need your bike computer to calculate routes on the fly for you. It cannot find addresses. In practice, you are mainly limited to courses you download in advance.
The Edge 530 is suitable if you are more into button control than touchscreen control.
And if you do extremely long rides, then the Edge 530 is ideal, thanks to excellent battery life (20 hours vs 15 hours on the Edge 520). Plus, you have the option to plug in the extra Garmin Charge power pack to extend to more than 40 hours.
Is the Garmin Edge 530 Best For You?
Buy the Edge 530 if you want a premium bike computer with awesome new training features, at a very reasonable price relative to other premium bike computers. But only if you are content with only having navigation and turn-by-turn directions if you download routes beforehand. And you prefer button control to touchscreen control. And you want bang for your buck: respected cycling authority DC Rainmaker has said that it “looks like the best bike computer ever.”
Related Post: 9 Great Upgrades to the Garmin Edge 530 – Garmin’s Game-Changing GPS Bike Computer
This video sums up the upgrades to the Garmin Edge 530
Related Post: 7 of the Best Bike Computers – Budget to Premium
Garmin Edge 830
Related Post: Is a Garmin Edge Bike Computer Worth It?
Overview
The Garmin Edge 830 pretty much has it all in terms of premium navigation and premium training features. You control it with touchscreen controls. Importantly, its touch screen is much improved over the Edge 820. There are not many complaints heard about Garmin’s touchscreens any more, since they introduced an upgrade that started with this model, and has now been extended throughout the range of Garmin Edge bike computers.
The Garmin Edge 830 will support any external sensor you choose to add to your bike or your body.
Navigation
Plus, it has true turn-by-turn navigation built into it. So, you can use it much like a car GPS – simply input an address and the unit will calculate a route to get there. It will give you audible and visual directions and alerts, and re-calculate if you get off-course.
But unlike a car GPS, the Edge 830 has an invisible but important layer – Garmin heat maps. Basically, this is data derived from recorded rides by real cyclists, which tells Garmin which routes are most popular with cyclists. This enables the unit to calculate a route for you that is more cyclist-friendly.
Of course, it is also totally connected to the world, be it weather, incident detection, smart notifications, training alerts – you name it!
Is the Garmin Edge 830 the Best Choice For You?
Buy the Edge 830 if awesome training features and full-feature navigation are important to you.
Related Post: How to Set Up a Zwift Indoor Bike Training System on Any Budget
Video Review of the Garmin Edge 830
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Garmin Edge 1030 Plus
Related Post: 9 Great Upgrades to the Garmin Edge 530 – Garmin’s Game-Changing GPS Bike Computer
Overview
The Garmin Edge 1030 Plus was an upgrade that just had to happen. This is because all the upgrades in the 530 and the 830 meant that there was no longer any reason to buy the 1030. This was a problem as it was the flagship of the series for a long time. With the upgrade to the 1030 Plus, the flagship is once again a very competitive option to consider.
As before, the Edge 1030 Plus has the largest screen of any bike computer. This makes it great for seeing maps with ageing eyes. A bigger screen is not only easier to read (especially when viewing maps), but also a bigger screen makes it that much easier to work the touch screen controls (something I find quite important when riding a bike in the rain).
Navigation
Naturally, the Edge 1030 Plus has true turn-by-turn navigation built into it, right out of the box. And full-feature navigation (that is, you can input addresses into the unit while you are riding, and then navigate to them with turn-by-turn directions). And it ships with detailed maps for two countries pre-installed. Plus, you can download maps for the rest of the world free. This is a big and welcome change.
- If you buy your Garmin Edge 1030 Plus in North America, you will get a full set of high-quality maps for North America and Europe.
- If you buy your Garmin Edge 1030 Plus in Europe, you will get a full set of high-quality maps for Europe + North America.
- If you buy in Australia or New Zealand, you get Australia and New Zealand and Africa.
Also, crucially: the map performance is now more like a smart phone than a bike computer.
It also has awesome training features, of course. And a bunch of attractive new features, such as increased storage, longer battery life, improved Live Tracking, Daily Workout guidance, etc.
Related Post: Garmin Edge 830 vs 820
Is the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus the Best Choice For You?
This bike computer is the best choice if you are a truly dedicated cyclist who wants it all – premium training and premium navigation. With a big screen to make it easy to see the maps. And free pre-loaded maps for two countries. And of course, pretty deep pockets!
Video Highlighting Changes to the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus vs Garmin Edge 1030
Related Post: Garmin Edge 1030 Plus vs. 130 Plus: Premium vs. Budget Bike Computers
Our Affiliate Buying Options
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