Best Budget Bike / Cycling computer 2023

Best Budget Bike / Cycling computer 2023: Riding a bike is awesome for staying fit and exploring places beyond your neighborhood. But if you’re getting serious about cycling, you might want to step up your game by keeping better track of your rides. Doing this doesn’t just help you improve your fitness but also lets you know how well you’re doing.

We’ve picked out some really cool & Best Budget Bike / Cycling computer 2023 for you. These gadgets come in different levels – some are basic, while others are super fancy. We’ve tested out options from companies like Garmin and Wahoo so that you can find one that suits you perfectly.

Let’s check them out!

1. Garmin Edge 530
2. Cateye Quick Wireless Cycle Computer
3. Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2
4. Beeline Velo 2
5. Garmin Edge 130

Garmin Edge 530 1. Best Overall

Pros

• Excellent route clarity
• Amazing Tracking
• Easy to Use

Cons

• Not cheap

The Edge 530 from Garmin is a really good choice for lots of cyclists.

Garmin is known for making awesome trackers for various activities like mountain climbing or diving, and they’re experts in bike trackers.

They have a bunch of bike computers in their Edge series. The Edge 530 is not the cheapest, but it’s packed with great features. It helps you follow your route step by step and keeps track of lots of things like how fast you’re going, how quickly you’re pedaling, how many calories you’re burning, and even the temperature.

It’s super easy to use and connects easily using Bluetooth. It’s like having a personal trainer right on your handlebars!

Cateye Quick Wireless Cycle Computer

Pros

• Beautiful and simple
• Easy to attach
• Has key indicators

Cons

• Not suitable for navigation
• Not suitable for real enthusiasts

Cateye offers a really easy-to-use bike computer that’s perfect for newcomers.

If you’re not keen on spending a lot and don’t need all the fancy features of the pricier models, Cateye has a fantastic, straightforward bike computer with a sleek design.

It’s simple but covers important stuff like distance, speed, altitude, pace indicator, and time. These are really helpful metrics for beginners, and the device is super easy to understand and check while you’re riding. If you’re just starting to explore cycling computers, this could be an excellent starting choice for you.

Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2

Pros

• Good screen
• Tracking Loads
• Convenient pairing

Cons

• It takes some time to get used to

The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2 is a top-notch bike computer that stands out for its connectivity and ease of data transfer.

Wahoo is known for making awesome fitness trackers, especially for heart rate monitoring. But their bike computers, like the Elemnt Bolt V2, are also really impressive. We prefer it over the fancier Roam because of its price and great features.

This gadget has a super clear screen that’s easy to use. It keeps track of lots of things like your speed, distance, and more. Plus, it helps with navigation and has tons of ready-made routes, so you can easily find a cool ride. And the best part is, it’s got ANT+, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, making it a breeze to transfer your data.

Beeline Velo 2

Pros

• Ideal for cities
• Really easy to use
• Reasonable price

Cons

• No fitness metrics

The Beeline Velo second-generation GPS module is super user-friendly, although it’s not focused on fitness features.

If you want a bike computer that’s more about being easy to use rather than having a ton of technical specs, Beeline’s Velo version 2 is a solid pick.

Its compact display is awesome for keeping track of routes, especially if you’re exploring new areas. It also connects to your phone to track distance and speed. This device is particularly great for city riding, making it an excellent choice for urban cyclists and commuters.

Garmin Edge 130 5. Simple but great

Pros

• Solid price
• Excellent Tracking
• Easy to Use

Cons

• Medium Display
• Navigation can be tricky

Garmin, known for top-notch products, offers a fantastic, simple bike computer that’s perfect for beginners.

Even though Garmin is known for higher-end gadgets, they also have more affordable options, like the Edge 130. It’s part of their Edge series, so it covers all the important metrics you need for your workouts.

Although it doesn’t have the fanciest display to keep the price down, and navigating busy areas might be a tad trickier, the Edge 130 still gives great value. It’s from a brand you can completely rely on for accurate stats during your rides.

Share your thoughts regarding Best Budget Bike / Cycling computer 2023 in our comments section.

Fitbit Versa 4 Review

Fitbit Versa 4 Review : The Fitbit Versa 4, succeeding the Versa 3 released in 2020, offers an affordable option that amalgamates Fitbit’s latest fitness, health, and smartwatch features within its design.

This latest model reintroduces the physical button and introduces new apps from Google, continuing with familiar features from the Versa 3. However, despite these updates, the question remains: does this make it one of the finest smartwatches currently available?

The Fitbit Versa 4 review stands as a sturdy activity, sleep, and wellness tracker packaged as a smartwatch. Yet, it’s worth noting that the exclusion of certain important features diminishes its “smart” capabilities compared to previous Versa models in our article Fitbit Versa 4 Review.

Pros:

• Comfortable for continuous wear throughout the day and night.
• Excellent for monitoring sleep patterns and daily activities.
• Reintroduction of a physical button enhances interaction.

Cons:

• Reduced smartwatch functions.
• FitbitOS interface may feel sluggish and segmented.
• Limited differences compared to Versa 3.

Design & Display:

Square design featuring rounded edges.

The return of a physical button.

Utilizes the same AMOLED screen as the Versa 3.

While the initial impression may suggest minimal change from the Versa 3, the key alteration is the reintroduction of a physical button to the watch’s slightly curved, square aluminum case. This brings back the convenience of swiftly accessing main menu screens or manually activating the display, eliminating the need to tap on the sides of the case as in the Versa 3. The reimplementation of buttons adds practicality, a welcome move by Fitbit.

Apart from this alteration, it closely resembles the Versa 3. It features the classic Fitbit silicone straps available in large and small sizes and easily detachable from the case. Fitbit offers various materials and strap designs. The watch maintains its water resistance of 5 ATM (up to 50 meters deep) suitable for pool swim tracking.

The device boasts a 40mm AMOLED display that can remain on continuously or be activated with support for wake-up gestures. The display responds well and though not the market-leading AMOLED, it offers crisp, vibrant colors and the characteristic deep black associated with such screens. Visibility remains good both indoors and outdoors, particularly excellent in indoor settings.

Available color options include graphite, platinum, or copper-pink aluminum cases. The graphite version, accompanied by a black strap in our review, appears the most understated, yet there are various color choices to customize the strap’s appearance, lending the Versa 4 a touch of individuality and style.

Functions:

Built-in GPS for outdoor exercise tracking.
Integration of Google Maps and Google Wallet.
Tracking capabilities for steps, sleep, and heart rate.
Alexa and Bluetooth calling support.

The Versa 4 incorporates many features reminiscent of the Sense 2, missing only some significant health-focused options. Additionally, it leverages certain smartwatch capabilities from the Google Pixel Watch, which aligns with the Fitbit family’s ecosystem.

Notably, the significant additions come from Google, offering pre-installed Google Maps and Google Wallet functionalities, absent in the Versa 3. Although Fitbit Pay is available, the Fitbit AppGallery has undergone substantial reduction, resulting in the removal of numerous third-party apps. However, the watch still offers a variety of watch faces available for download.

Regarding health and fitness tracking, the device retains built-in GPS to monitor outdoor workouts. Its built-in motion sensors facilitate daily step counting, sleep tracking, and more precise tracking of indoor activities, including swimming in a pool.

The Fitbit PurePulse optical heart rate sensor technology enables continuous heart rate tracking throughout the day, during sleep, and during exercise. This sensor aids in measuring power metrics such as zone activity minutes and cardio fitness metrics for those engaging in regular workouts. Furthermore, it can set notifications for irregular heart rhythms, contributing to its robust health tracking features.

The watch also supports a skin temperature sensor and blood oxygen level tracking, providing additional metrics for general health information, though it’s not intended for medical purposes.

Fitness & Smartwatch Performance:

Still excels more as a fitness tracker than a sports watch.

Decrease in support for third-party apps and music functionality.

Certain metrics/features may require Fitbit Premium subscription.

Comparing the Versa 4 to its predecessor, the Versa 3, there have been significant changes in its capabilities, especially from a smartwatch standpoint.

It still serves as a platform for checking notifications in a straightforward manner, offering integration with Amazon Alexa for useful voice commands and the ability to make Bluetooth calls. However, controlling music playback from your phone or downloading audio directly to the device is no longer supported. Furthermore, the Fitbit AppGallery has been removed, limiting the availability of third-party apps to high-profile options from Google.

Regarding Google apps, the Versa 4 offers Google Maps and Wallet functionality. Surprisingly, Google Assistant, which was available in the Versa 3, is absent. To utilize Google Maps, users need to download a dedicated app and set up support within the Fitbit companion app on their phone. Consequently, the experience reflects what’s already available on the phone, providing convenience without introducing any new functionalities besides the ease of access on the wrist.

Using FitbitOS on the Versa 4 delivers a generally good experience, yet there are occasional lags while navigating through screens. The addition of a physical button provides quicker access to settings and apps, and the widgets for displaying tracking stats and weather details are well-optimized. Nevertheless, the system feels somewhat limited compared to other operating systems, such as WearOS, which powers the Google Pixel Watch.

Regarding fitness tracking capabilities, the Versa 4 excels in basic functionalities like step counting, continuous heart rate monitoring, and reliable sleep tracking. However, when it comes to more comprehensive sports tracking, it falls short compared to competitors like the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch. The sports features lack depth in metrics, long-term accuracy during workouts, and user-friendly experience beyond casual activities like jogging or swimming.

The built-in GPS isn’t as accurate as similarly priced Garmin running watches, and the heart rate monitoring accuracy is notably inferior to a chest strap equipped with a heart rate monitor, especially during intense workouts.

In terms of wellness and health monitoring, the Versa 4 lacks certain advanced sensors found in models like the Sense 2, such as an ECG sensor or an EDA sensor for deeper insights into heart health and stress management. Nevertheless, it provides guided breathing exercises and the ability to log stress scores based on sleep data, exercise records, and heart rate. Additionally, it offers irregular heart rhythm notifications, which, during testing, were fortunately not triggered even once.

The stress-monitoring features, like many other Fitbit software functionalities, make it simple to check stress levels. They rely on reliably tracked data, making it a potentially good indicator of one’s overall stress levels.

Battery Life of Fitbit Versa 4 Review:

The Fitbit Versa 4 boasts an impressive battery life, lasting over 6 days on a single charge. Even more convenient, a mere 12-minute charge can provide enough power to sustain the watch for an entire day. However, if you opt for the always-on display feature, the battery life reduces to about 3 days. While it may not match the endurance of certain other smartwatches like the Huawei Watch, it significantly surpasses many high-end models in this aspect.

In my experience, I’ve found that without using the always-on display, the Versa 4 easily stretches to a week on a full charge. Activating the always-on screen slightly diminishes this, bringing the battery life down to below three days. The usage of features like GPS can notably impact the battery life, draining it faster compared to continuous monitoring features like heart rate, which appear to be more power-efficient.

Fitbit includes a convenient fast charging feature that offers a quick boost to the battery. Just 12 minutes on the charging cradle can provide enough power for daytime tracking, akin to what was available in the Versa 3.

Verdict in Fitbit Versa 4 Review:

Despite the slightly reduced smartwatch capabilities compared to the Versa 3, the Fitbit Versa 4 remains a top contender as a fitness-tracking watch. It excels in monitoring daily activities and sleep patterns, and its focus on overall well-being and stress monitoring is commendable. Additionally, its user-friendly interface, customization options, and impressive battery life make it a strong choice.

However, for those seeking a more balanced array of sports, health, and smartwatch features, other options like the Apple Watch SE or Samsung Galaxy Watch might be worth considering, even though they may sacrifice a bit on battery life. The future trajectory of the Versa 4 as a smartwatch may also be affected, especially with the emergence of the Pixel Watch, which seems to receive more attention from Google and encompasses broader functionalities than Fitbit’s smartwatch lineup. We have tried Fitbit Versa 4 Review based on our experience with this devices. Share your thoughts regarding Fitbit Versa 4 Review / Fitness Smartwatch Review in our comment section.

Whoop Sleep Tracking

Whoop Sleep Tracking : Whoop, a tracking device, keeps an eye on how well you sleep. It pays attention to how long you sleep and whether you rest well during that time, checking things like the quality of your deep sleep and if you wake up during the night.

With something called “Essential Sleep,” Whoop gives suggestions on how much time you should spend in bed to feel your best and have good energy levels.

What’s interesting about Whoop is that it’s a top-notch tracker but doesn’t have a screen like many other devices. It focuses mainly on tracking your activities without any fancy extras.

One of the coolest things it does really well is keep an accurate track of how well you sleep—both how long you sleep and how good that sleep actually is. This helps you understand your sleep patterns better.

In short, Whoop keeps an excellent record of your sleep quality, showing you lots of details about your sleep habits. This information can help you make better choices for getting better sleep and feeling more rested.

How to Check Your Whoop Sleep Tracking

To see your sleep details on Whoop, follow these simple steps:

• Open the Whoop app.
• On the main screen that shows an overview of your activities, look for and tap on “Sleep Hours.”
• Scroll down the page to find all the different statistics and templates related to your sleep.

That’s it! It’s pretty straightforward. Just open the app, tap on “Sleep Hours,” and then scroll down to see all the information about how you’ve been sleeping.

What Does Whoop Sleep Tracking Track?

Whoop tracks several things to give you an idea of how you’re sleeping:

Time in Bed vs. Actual Sleep: It shows how long you’ve been lying in bed versus how long it thinks you’ve been actually sleeping.

Restorative Sleep: This is a smaller number that combines REM sleep (where dreaming occurs) with slow-wave sleep (the deepest and most restful sleep).

Four Stages of Sleep: Whoop divides your sleep time into four stages—REM sleep, slow-wave sleep, light sleep, and wakefulness. Each stage is less restful than the previous one.

Heart Rate Tracking: Whoop uses your heart rate to monitor these sleep stages. If you tap on the hours for each stage, you’ll see a graph showing how your heart rate changed during the night.

Awakening Events: It counts the times when you wake up during the night, even if it’s for a short moment that you might not remember.

Extra Help from Whoop:

Whoop goes beyond just tracking your sleep; it gives you helpful suggestions based on your 30-day sleep data:

Sleep Recommendations: Under the “Sleep Needed” section, it calculates how much time you should spend in bed that night. It considers your usual wake-up time and how long it typically takes for you to fall asleep.

Better Sleep Planning: These suggestions help you plan your bedtime and set your alarm to ensure you get the right amount of sleep you need, rather than wasting time lying in bed before actually falling asleep.

In simple terms, Whoop keeps an eye on various aspects of your sleep, showing how much time you spend in bed versus sleeping, the different sleep stages, how often you wake up, and it even suggests how much time you should aim to spend in bed for better rest and recovery.

Share your thoughts regarding Whoop Sleep Tracking in our comments section.