Which Garmin Edge device is right for you?
Frequently, people ask me, “Which Garmin computer should I buy?” My response is always the same, “Depends on budget, the type of riding you plan to do, and the features you need.” The first answer should be fairly simple to determine. If you only have a certain amount budgeted for a new cycling computer, that helps narrow down the model. The second answer might be more difficult ― the type of riding you plan to do will determine the features you need. What features do you need versus which are nice to have? If you are new to cycling, you don’t want to outgrow the unit in a couple of years.
The Garmin Edge can be pricey, and for most people, it’s considered an investment, so take into account your future riding needs. Are you hoping to travel internationally, take up bikepacking, or train for an event? The answers to these questions will also guide you to the right model.
Garmin Edge 540 vs. 840 vs. 1040
Garmin introduced the Edge 1040 standard and solar versions back in 2022, and initially, the software was a little buggy. But the company quickly fixed them, providing firmware updates, and it’s now my primary cycling computer.
Garmin released the Edge 540 and 840 standard and solar models a couple of months ago, bringing the count up to six top-of-the-line units. With that many computers to pick from, what are the differences? Essentially functionality is pretty much the same, especially with a recent firmware update ClimbPro is available on all six units when using a course or just riding.
Quick specs for the Edge 540 and 840
Price for Edge 540: $349.99 (std) and $449.99 (solar)
Price for Edge 840: $449.99 (std) and $549.99 (solar)
Controls Edge 540: Buttons
Controls Edge 840: Touchscreen
Size: 2.3″ x 3.4″ x 0.8″ (57.8 x 85.1 x 19.6 mm)
Screen Size: 2.6″ (66 mm) diagonal
Display resolution: 246 x 322 pixels
Weight: Edge 540 (80.3 g (std) and 84.9 g (solar)); Edge 840 (84.8 g (std) and 88.9 g (solar))
Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+, WiFi
Color: Black
USB connection: USB-C
Battery type: Rechargeable lithium-ion
Battery life: Up to 26 hours (std unit) and 32 hours (solar unit)
Compatible devices: See listing on Garmin.com
Detailed specs: See listing for std and solar versions
Availability: Online and retail
How obtained: Company sample
RBR advertiser: No
Comparing all Three Models
Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose which unit is right for you.
- Screen size – The 540 and 840 have a 2.6″ (66 mm) diagonal screen, while the 1040 has a 3.5”. If you have trouble seeing without your readers, a larger screen helps, especially when using the mapping features.
- Screen resolution – The resolution is fairly close, with the 540/840 having 246 x 322 pixels, whereas the 1040 has 282 x 470 pixels.
- Touch screen vs. buttons – My preference is a touch screen unit because on and off the bike, I found it faster and more intuitive to navigate the menus. The 840/1040 have touch screens, while the 540 uses buttons. When I tested the 540, I struggled with the buttons, using trial and error.
- Solar vs. standard –Which one is right for you? Battery life and price are the two key differentiators when deciding between solar vs standard models. Selecting solar will add $100 to the price. Suppose you’re into randonneuring, bike packing, long gravel rides, adventure racing, Ironman triathlon, or just want the eliminate hassle of frequently charging the head unit. In that case, spending the extra money on solar is a good option.
Lastly, if you are a weight weenie and counting every gram, note that a solar unit will add weight due to the type of glass necessary to capture the sun’s rays.
- External memory storage – 16 GB (540); 32 GB (840); 32 GB internal memory (1040 std); 64 GB internal memory only (1040 solar).
- Preloaded maps – The 540 comes preloaded with one region, while the 840 and 1040 have two regions due to memory size.
- Cycle map (routable cycling-specific street map) – The 540 has a single region, while the 840 and 1040 have multi regions. This is due to additional memory.
- On-device course creator – The ability to create a course on the device is only available on the 840 and 1040.
- On-device location search – This feature allows you to search a specific address and is not available on the 540.
- On device workout builder – This feature is only available on the 840 and 1040 since they are touchscreen units.
- Mounting system – Garmin upgraded the 1040 from a rubber to a sturdy aluminum mount on the back of the unit. Unfortunately, the 540/840 still have the rubber mount that can get dogeared over time and even stripped when using a 3rd party bike mount.
- Weight – As mentioned above, the solar versions weigh more. Edge 540 (80.3 g (std) and 84.9 g (solar)); Edge 840 (84.8 g (std) and 88.9 g (solar)); Edge 1040 (126 g (std) and 133 g (solar)).
- Battery life – 26 hrs. (540/840 std); 32 hrs. (540/840 solar); ## hrs (1040 std); 45 hrs (1040 solar). Battery life depends on several factors, including how many sensors are being used (e.g., lights, radar, power meter, etc.).
Garmin chose not to upgrade the 540 and 840 to the sturdier aluminum mount as found on the 1040. (1040 Solar (left) vs. 540 Solar (right).
Bottom Line
With six of the newest head units to pick from and a price range of $349.99 to $749.99, ask yourself the three basic questions:
- What’s my budget?
- What type of riding will I be doing and want to do?
- Which unit won’t I outgrow in 3-5 years?
Answering these questions will help guide you to the right Garmin Edge. If $349.99 is too steep for your current budget, the earlier versions of each model are still an excellent choice. Garmin stands behind their products, and they still use US-based tech support. Over the many years, I’ve owned and used several different Garmin head units and smartwatches. I’ve always had positive experiences when I needed tech support, and I use the same 800# as everyone else. As a writer, I have no special privileges.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.
Garmin firmware is notoriously buggy. They introduced a sensor disconnect bug 3-4 years ago into the 830 and they still can’t get it fixed.
Also Garmin’s navigation algorithms in the 830 are very primitive. Go off course for any reason and all it will do is direct you back to the point of deviation. Not very useful of there a road closure or even if you go off course for s put stop.
I want a bike computer with navigation as good as my phone. That’s the whole point of having GPS on the handlebars.
Several reviewers have noted that the display on the solar versions is not as bright as the non-solar, but no one goes into it any more than that. I’d spring for the 840 Solar if anyone could provide some meaningful insight into whether the display is adequate (or not). After dealing with the 820’s horrible halo issue, I’m reluctant to take a flyer without some reliable info.
My 510 had been slowly dying for over a year and finally croaked a few weeks ago. I test drove the Karoo 2 but was let down by battery life and barometric altimeter that was showing double what Garmin/Strava show. I was about to pull the trigger on a 1040 (found a good price), but then discovered the Garmin Edge Explore 2 at a much lower price point.
Long story short, the Garmin 5xx, 8xx, and 10xx computers are navigation and serious training tools (workouts, recovery, VO2, etc). The Explore focuses on navigation while still connecting to and displaying all your sensor info, but does not have the serious training tools. I’ve only had it for a week now, but so far it is great for me as I just want to ride, navigate, and record route/sensor data. I’ll follow up with a full review in the future, but if you don’t do structured training then the Edge Explore 2 could be all you need and save you a ton of money.
I completely agree. I went from an Edge Explore to an Edge Explore 2 and I love it. The “Where To” feature isn’t that great when I want to go to the nearest train station (in France), but apart from that I have no complaints at all.
After 4 yearsGarmin still can’t address or fix their 15 second delay reaction times for displaying Gradient changes. My Edge 1000 was awesome – with only 2-3 second delays. My Edge 1030 is acceptable – with 5 second delays. The 830, 840, 1030+, and 1040 are abysmal – with embarrasing and frustrating delays of 10-15 seconds….
They are aware of it but don’t choose to address it.
I for one am getting tired of the constant freezes and the battery depletion of Garmins after 2 or 3 years of use, given the cost. How about a non-Garmin focused article? My riding buddy tells me that Hammer Head is the way to go, wondering how others fell.
Hi Gen,
Couple of thoughts. Have you updated your firmware to the latest version? That usually solves most problems. If firmware is up to date, call Garmin support, they are awesome and quick to help.
As far as reviewing other brands, thanks for the suggestion. We can reach out and see if they are willing to provide a media sample unit. Not all companies provide samples. But note that we’ve reviewed other brands in the past.
Sheri
Hi Sheri, I often update the firmware. The freezing has been an issue for all of my Garmins except the old 750. Perhaps support has some suggestions, I’ll give it a try. Thanks!
Hi Gen,
Hammerhead Karoo 2 is a nice computer and on sale right now for a deeply discounted prices price (perhaps clearing out stock for Karoo 3?). But like Garmin, it has it’s pros and cons. I bought one, but returned it after two weeks. It’s a really nice unit, but there were a few issues that were not acceptable to me.
1. Battery Life – I could get 14 hours on one charge if not using navigation, phone not connected, only one sensor and screen brightness at 0%. So decent battery life if you don’t use any of the fancy functions of your expensive computer! Using Nav and screen brightness to actually see the screen dropped battery life to 6-7 hours. For me this is enough for my biggest rides generally, but the unit was brand new. In a year or two battery performance will degrade (many more charging cycles compared to Garmin in same time period means much faster capacity drop) and then I will possibly not have enough juice for my rides. I kept my last computer Edge 510 for over 10 years (still got 10 hours per charge after all that time) and i don’t see Karoo 2 lasting anywhere near that long because of the battery.
2. Elevation – A know issue with Karoo 2 is super inconsistent Climbing numbers (total ascent). At the end of rides I would compare total meters climbed with by ride mates’ computers and sometimes Karoo was dead on, but more often it was showing up to 2x the amount of climbing. Correcting the climbing with Strava would always match the Garmin units.
3. Beta Tester – Hammerhead touts its software updates every two weeks, but in reality this means all users are Beta Testers as Hammerhead are playing catch-up in the computer game. Problem is they are adding tons of new features to appeal to new/different customers (sell more units) and not solving the problems of current customers. Read the Karoo 2 forum and basic problems (like climbing) have gone unfixed for years.
Bottom line, the Karoo 2 is a really nice computer and lots of people love it. After two weeks of testing and lots of online research I decided it was not for me. If the Karoo 3 comes out with better battery that is very enticing, but it will run the same software so would probably still wait until it is a more mature product. It could be a great computer for you, just be honest about your use cases and do your research to understand if the Karoo 2 is compatible with your needs.
-Brandon
great info, thanks!
I have the regular 1040. Its battery life is more than sufficient for 4-5 25-50 mile rides or more. I passed on the solar because I am neither a radonneur nor do I do multi-day rides without access to electricity. Navigation is great, as is the ability to see the profiles of climbs as you do them. The bug I have run across a couple of times has to do with uploaded routes from Ride With GPS. In these instances the route looks like it’s on the device, but the navigation cues I get are for a different route entirely.. Guess I need to call Garmin.
My 1030 randomly discharges from whatever 80 or 100 to 0% in matter of few days while not doing anything, Garmin changed unit once and now warranty ended but problem is back, initially it was ok for half year or so. It still holds charge while riding ok, but it is very annoying that now I have to have powerbank ready even for short ride, and obviously frequent discharge damages the battery. They probably fixed this bug in more recent units, but not sure if I want to test it. Thinking of testing wahoo or something when I become too annoyed ))