Garmin Edge vs. Wahoo Elemnt | Which Is the Best Cycling Computer?

Wahoo Elemnt and Garmin Edge bike computers dominate the market, despite the increasing competition offered by brands like Hammerhead and Bryton.
When it comes to which bike computer you should choose there are a number of things to consider.
Battery life, mapping, and connectivity are just a few of the factors to think about when selecting a GPS computer
So how do you choose? In this video we’re going to run you through everything you need to know but before we do subscribe to the channel with notifications so you know when we post a new video!

Chapters
00.00 Intro
00:25 Garmin + Wahoo Ranges
01:30 Battery Life
02:07 How much do they cost?
02:47 Mounting and Extras
03:40 Configuration
03:58 Features
05:17 Which is Best?

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[andybrown]

I have owned the Wahoo Bolt V1, Garmin 800, 830, Wahoo Roam, and now Wahoo Bolt V2. They all have their quirks. But I think it comes down to a few things (at least for me)... One is being able to see the device in use. All the features in the world don't matter if you cannot see them in practice. Why Garmin uses a full glossy screen for an outdoors device is beyond me. Wahoo is way easier to see with the matte finish. The second is using the app or cpu and the profiles. Garmin is a little bit better in this area being able segment out bikes (Road vs MTB) however Wahoo can accomplish similar with simply allowing you to add a page. Also I dont really like doing all my data and ride analysis on my phone, which is what wahoo's app does. I like that Garmin connect is a computer program I can use to look at routes, rides, and see a birds eye view of my month, rather than a scrolling feed like Wahoo. If Garmin would just get their act together with a screen that is visible I think I would still be using it. But I still have a Wahoo because I can read the darn thing in all conditions.

[thangarajmj]

I do multiple sports and I find that the Garmin system is really helpful. It puts together all of my activities data from my Edge 530 and Forerunner 745.

[Kenneth_McGrew]

finally a no nonsese video that explains wahoo and garmin models, Thank you!

[Hopje]

I use a Hammerhead Karoo 2. Excellent update policy and Android apps can be sideloaded.

[panzerveps]

After 5 years as a Garmin user, I got fed up by the companion app and switched to Wahoo Roam.
Easy to use, good companion app and easier to see the screen in bright light.
The downsides as I see them is the buttons which can be a bit hard to press at times, afaik there's no way to set up profiles for different ride types, they rely too much on wifi for syncing workout plans etc.
Among the positives, the navigation seems a bit better, or that was what I experienced while on a group ride and some of the Garmin users were shown a left turn when we were going right.

[nastycooperation]

Garmin are great. A lot of features and Solar but soooo buggy Software (using garmin since 2004 and it has always bin like that). So i switched to wahoo. Works soo much more raliabel

[kw]

I have a Garmin 830 and used my son's 520 for a while before that. The 830 touchscreen is fantastic and intuitive. I never got used to the 520 buttons. On the rare occasions that I got rained on, the touchscreen worked just fine. It also works fine with either of my 2 pairs of gloves, Pearl Izumi or Bontrager. I would hate going back to buttons.
But as others have said, Garmin has buggy software. My current problem is the Livetrack occasionally quitting early in a ride. I've told Garmin about and they say they are working on it, but it's been a while and I'm not holding my breath.
I've also found Garmin's routing to be terrible, sending me on roads in would never use on a bike.

[Hintonbro.]

Garmin wins in my books for most corrupted maps!

Go on vacation and then your 530 stops working! Support tells you to use a PC to reload maps but you are on vacation without a PC !
Thanks Garmin - you win!

[MrLuigi-oigm]

Just before the Garmin 1040 and 1040 Solar came out you could find the 1030+ and pretty large discounts. It's functionality and price made it the cycling computer of choice for me!!

[BTcycle]

Love my Wahoo Roam. The display is very easy to read on sunny days.

[CatDaddySteve]

The most expensive one is the best....The guy with the most expensive bike is always the best rider. 🙄

[steven_s]

I love my garmin 130. I'm not a huge fan of the larger touch screens, so I really like the small + light size. It has data for everything I care about and integrates very well. Highly recommend for anyone that is ok with less then stellar maps/directions (which isn't an important feature for me).

[rockmountbmxer]

Having had 2 Garmin units (810 and 1000) and a Wahoo Element Bolt, I’d never go back to Garmin but I’d get a Roam for my ailing eyesight.

[vengermanu]

Note you can get the Elemnt Roam for £220 now on most websites so quite a bit cheaper than the £300 quoted in this video

[Svenmpa]

Got the Garmin 520 plus, and it is so good for my demands. With buttons on the side you don't have to worry about a touch screen that is finicky when wet

[adnartmadmartm]

The choice is really simple: not the Garmin. Not any Garmin ever again. For years, as I've found out, they've lacked one basic feature in spite of people complaining about it: synchronising with your phone while recording. What this means is that if you suddenly need to choose another destination mid-ride, you need to stop recording, sync with your phone to upload the new route, then start a new ride, thus having to hurrily first hide your strava rides as soon as they're uploaded, download them, merge, then delete the old ones and upload the single merged ride.

And at least on the 530 the map browsing is utter trash and it can take ages to find a specific point on the map as you can't input any text.

After bringing my list of issues up with the other manufacturers (Wahoo and Hammerhead) I've decided my next device will most certainly not be a Garmin.

For pete's sake, even my ancient Suunto 5 watch allows syncing while recording so that I can pick a new route to follow.

[TexasNightRider]

Wahoo...although I think it is time for Wahoo Fitness to release an updated ROAM with more color, an improved display, and perhaps a solar charging option similar to the Garmin Edge 1040. The ROAM is become dated.

[lexington]

I've pretty much been in the Garmin ecosystem from the beginning, and I do have to say they have incredible support. So I stick with Garmin. My cycling computer is a original Edge 1030.

[scoops]

Have been very happy with my Element Roam. Survived, undamaged, a big MTB crash on a 3ft rock (my knee, hand and shoulder did not). Broke the adapter part inside the clamp, but that was easy enough to replace. No experience with Garmin.

[lv]

Love my wahoo bolt 2 and perfect for what I need and does show street names