Garmin Edge 830 Vs Wahoo Elemnt Roam | Top Tier Cycling Computers Put to the Test | Cycling Weekly

We put two top end cycling computers, the Garmin Edge 830 and the Wahoo Elemnt Roam to the test


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[midhc]

Have had numerous Garmin devices 705, 810 820 and even tried the 530. They were all far too finicky to set up and work and the 530 had to be paired with the phone umpteen times. Moved to an ELEMNT after the 820 piece of rubbish and loved its simplicity in terms of set up and use. Now have a ROAM and equally impressed. If I'm training, I want to see what matters, not some complicated screen full of hard to see data. If I want detailed post ride analysis, I can use Training Peaks for a subscription or Golden Cheetah for free. Give me Wahoo over Garmin any day now.

[colinfisher]

My Garmin 1000 went pop so been deciding on replacing with 830 or roam and was heading towards keeping with Garmin as I know the format. This has confirmed that sticking to Garmin and going for 830 best option for me. Thanks

[robinstuart]

I am in the market for a bike computer and am already frustrated just watching this video. It feels like both of these were design in 1999.

[VanHekTrading]

Switched from Garmin to Wahoo Elemnt Roam a few months back. Best decision I made in 2019.

[TheNooll]

A lot of people switched from Garmin to Wahoo. However I'm sticking with Garmin for two features which are missing on Wahoo and I love them. One is little Garmin Remote which allows me to control the device without removing my hands from handlebars and second are Ride Profiles which I adore - one for training, one for roaming through country-side and one for city riding - quite tricky to configure but I'm loving this :)

[rafaelrossioli]

Best review I've seen so far.
I see plenty of cyclists complaining about Garmin battery and went to Wahoo, but in fact they are usually comparing a 3+ old Garmin with a brand new Wahoo. I was glad to see the new 830 has a great battery life comparable to Wahoo.

I own a 820 Edge for 4 Years and even though I had some issues with it, I really liked, especially on mapping turn by turn.

I was between going to 830 or Wahoo Elemnt Bolt instead of Roam, but my gut still says 830 for me... Still undecided.
One thing is I still check reports and look at plenty of data on Garmin Connect website because Strava doesn't let me customise their reports. If I go to Wahoo I will lose it all.

Has anyone tested BOLD and 830 to give a perspective?

Thanks for the great review.

And for Garmin 820 Users, how better is the 830? Or should I just replace the battery of my 820 and keep using it?

[conradiep]

6 grams difference in weight. "So that's quite a significant difference..." WTF! Serious? Sneeze and you're less 6 grams!

[paulyflyer]

I switched to Wahoo from a Garmin 1000 a year ago. I have the Bolt on my my main bike and the Roam on my tourer. The best decision I've ever made apart from getting divorced. Garmin has had a monopoly for too long and will now have to up it's game massively.

[d.z.]

With the Elemnt you need a phone to setup your screen on the fly - with Garmin you can do it directly on the Edge 830. And seen I ride without phone, that is a big + for me

[icyraikkonen]

Now can you do an Elemnt Bolt vs edge 530 video please.

[harrylook]

I've seen way too many "Garmin failed" Strava posts to ever have confidence in one of their devices. I've had a Wahoo for 3 years, and it has never once failed. Extra features and color aren't very important if the device screws up your ride.

[teundilles]

Wahoo has always supported ant+. The radar support is indeed new, but ant+ has always worked perfectly fine on the element and element bolt.

[rosscads]

All valid review points. On the ease of setup, I managed to pair and configure a new Wahoo Elemnt Roam while riding; Good luck doing that with a Garmin.
Also there's one matter not discussed in the review: reliability. It's the primary factor for many people who ditched their Garmins for Wahoos, myself included.

[carpvictor]

Nobody talks about crash alert on Garmin which is absolutely amazing, I did crash one's and the computer sent a message with exact location to my partner, how good is this, that's why I will always stay with Garmin, their products are well though in all the aspects.

[BikepackingAdventures]

I have the Wahoo Elemnt and believe it or not many people ride in Winter and have to wear gloves. So in that respect a GPS with real buttons wins every time. Any device that has a touchscreen is simply not up to the job in Winter as you are unable to use the screen - oh and before anyone suggests touch-friendly gloves - you've been had they absolutely do not work - ever!

[marcsroberts]

A frustrating thing that seems to get missed by most reviews is that Strava Live Segments don't work on the Garmin units when following a route unless the segments are embedded in the route itself, and even then not all segments get included in the route Strava builds if there are a lot of them, so the segment you're interested in might be missing completely.

With the Wahoo, *all* your starred segments are on the unit just like with the Garmin, but the difference is that on the Wahoo they all work all of the time.

[charlied]

FWIW...
I've owned the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt. While I love the ease of setup and excellent UI, the build quality over time was nowhere near the Garmin 520. The case is made of a cheaper plastic like a toy gun is made of. Buttons are covered by a cheap rubber/plastic gasket. The first unit I owned got a fried screen when I pressed one of the three top buttons. This was after only one year of use. Wahoo eventually sent a replacement unit. The replacement unit has had some software glitches along the way, but now it no longer syncs my routes on Strava. Also, the rubber gaskets that cover the buttons have all come out, requiring me to hold them on (and keep the unit from taking on water) using electrical tape. Wahoo CS would not replace the unit. So, on 'longevity' (which most reviewers ignore), the Wahoo is no great shakes. Two units in two years is not what I expect when I shell out over $300 for a computer.


I left Garmin for Wahoo after having so many frustrating experiences with Garmin's clunky software and their general, "let them eat cake" approach to CS and fixing software issues. OTOH, build quality was much better and I had an old 500 that lasted 6 years. Now that Garmin seems to have upped their game on software and UI (especially with the touch screen on the 830), plus, given Garmin has a much nicer color screen for navigation, I'm going back to Garmin to replace my busted Wahoo. Now I just need to decide if I want the 830 with touchscreen or the 530 with buttons.


Ultimately, glad to see Garmin have a competitor in Wahoo. Both companies are getting better at responding to the many issues and failings of their hardware and software, plus prices are more reasonable. Win win.

[peterbee]

I looked 2 years ago to but a computer for the bike and after much review bought the wahoo. I upgraded to the roam last November and use all year round with gloves on for both on and off road use. The creation of routes with komoot or ride with gps gives turn by turn navigation and gives alternatives in blue breadcrumbs within a second of going off the track. I now use the garmin varia radar for solo rides and this integrates very well onto the wahoo. When riding with a buddy the Ant plus can be shared to other riders so multiple riders get the "car back " message. Angi support now available for crash awareness. Wahoo stuff just works.

[MichaelTandy]

I actually prefer the buttons on the Wahoo Roam after switching from Garmin.. I found the touch screen a pain specially after hours, when you're dripping sweat or if you're riding in the rain.. the screen gets a little more difficult to use, and for the gravel riders, try using the touch screen going along... its a nightmare.. Wahoo set up and use is just 100% winner for me.

[leighncsontos]

It's interesting that I'd totally agree with the way the points are allocated on this review. However I'd easily opt for the Wahoo anyday. It's very much a product that's been designed with the KISS ('Keep it simple stupid' ) principle in mind.