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Deal.ai › Compare

Garmin Edge 1040 Solar vs Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 3

The Edge 1040 Solar is the long-distance and adventure choice: a 3.5-inch touchscreen, multi-band GNSS, solar charging and up to 45 hours of demanding-use battery life. The Elemnt Bolt 3 is the compact race computer: 84 g, a 2.3-inch anti-glare screen, button control and a simpler interface. Reviewers rate the Garmin's navigation and battery highly but note its size and touchscreen fiddliness; Bolt 3 owners praise its readability and setup but accept shorter battery life.

  • Choose the Edge 1040 Solar if you ride long, remote or multi-day routes and want on-device maps, solar top-ups and the longest battery life.
  • Choose the Elemnt Bolt 3 if you race or train on known roads and want a small, light, button-driven computer that is easy to read in sunlight.

Prices

  • Garmin Edge 1040 Solar: $549.00 at Walmart (last seen Nov 5)
  • Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 3: $262.49 at Backcountry (checked today)
  • Difference: the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 3 is $286.51 cheaper than the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar at the latest prices (Nov 5 and Nov 12)
GARMIN
Garmin Edge 1040 Solar GPS Cycling Computer

Garmin Edge 1040 Solar

Garmin Edge 1040 Solar GPS Cycling Computer

4.5(777 ratings)
$549.00at WalmartChecked Nov 5
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Longest battery life in this pair, with solar top-ups
  • Large touchscreen with detailed maps and rerouting
  • Multi-band GNSS holds position under cover
  • Deep training analytics: stamina, power guide, ability rating
Cons
  • Big and heavy on the bars compared with the Bolt
  • Touchscreen can misread in rain or with gloves
  • More menus and settings to learn
Wahoo
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 3

Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 3

5(4 ratings)
$262.49at BackcountryChecked 52 min ago
See all prices and details
Visit Backcountry

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Pros
  • Light at 84 g and aerodynamic
  • High-contrast anti-glare screen is easy to read in sun
  • Button control works with gloves and wet hands
  • Quick setup and simple interface
Cons
  • Battery life is far shorter than the Garmin's
  • Smaller screen shows less map detail
  • Fewer advanced training metrics

What separates them

Garmin Edge 1040 SolarWahoo Elemnt Bolt 3
Display3.5-inch color touchscreen, 282 x 4702.3-inch transflective TFT, 480 x 720, no touch
Weight and sizeAbout 20 mm thick and noticeably larger on the bars84 g, 83 x 47 x 24 mm, aerodynamic
Battery lifeUp to 45 hours demanding use, up to 100 hours in battery saverClaimed 15 to 20 hours
ChargingPower Glass solar extends runtime in daylightUSB-C only, no solar
PositioningMulti-band GNSS for tree cover and urban canyonsDual-band GPS with GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou
ControlsTouchscreen plus buttonsButtons only, works with gloves and rain
Navigation and mapsRide type-specific maps, turn-by-turn with off-course recalculationSmart navigation on a color map, simpler routing
Training featuresStamina insights, cycling ability, power guide, performance monitoringWorkouts, intervals and structured training, fewer analytics

Price history

$589.99$262.49
Nov 3Nov 12
  • Garmin Edge 1040 Solar: lowest $549.00 on Nov 5 at Walmart; $572.99 on Nov 12.
  • Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 3: lowest $262.49 on Nov 12 at Steepandcheap.

Prices at every store

Garmin Edge 1040 Solar

  • Wheat Ridge CycleryNew

    In stock

    $629.93Free shippingChecked 3 h ago
    Visit Wheat Ridge Cyclery
  • WalmartNew

    Availability unknown

    $549.00Checked Nov 5
    Visit Walmart
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $572.99Free shippingChecked 3 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • Broward Motorsports CyclingNew

    Availability unknown

    $599.99Checked Nov 5
    Visit Broward Motorsports Cycling

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • Pro Bike SupplyCheck price at Pro Bike Supply
  • WatchCoCheck price at WatchCo

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 25 stores and price history →

Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 3

  • SteepandcheapNew

    In stock

    $262.49Checked 52 min ago
    Visit Steepandcheap
  • BackcountryNew

    In stock

    $262.49Free shippingChecked 52 min ago
    Visit Backcountry
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $320.89Checked Nov 3
    Visit Amazon
  • Canyon BicyclesNew

    Availability unknown

    $349.95Checked Nov 3
    Visit Canyon Bicycles

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 8 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecGarmin Edge 1040 SolarWahoo Elemnt Bolt 3
display_resolution282 x 470 Device Only480×720px
colorBlackBlack
Time MeasurementRiding TimeRemaining Time (for interval/workout)
Display Size3.5 in screen2.3”
FunctionsGPS, ANT+, BluetoothNavigation, Training
actual_colorBlack, Device Only—
size2.3" x 4.6" x 0.8" (59.3 x 117.6 x 20.0 mm)—
Sensor ConnectivityWireless—
ConnectivityANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi—
With GPSYes—
With TouchscreenYes—
Weather ResistantYes—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecGarmin Edge 1040 SolarWahoo Elemnt Bolt 3
With Color DisplayYes—
With AltimeterYes—
With MapsYes—
Max Battery Life45 hours—
modelEdge 1040 Solar—
Type of ProductBicycle Computer—
Enclosure dimensions—83 x 47 x 24mm
Screen size (diagonal)—58mm
Screen Type—Transflective TFT
Weight (claimed)

What reviewers say

Garmin Edge 1040 Solar

  • 4.5 / 5777 ratings

Owners and testers rate the Edge 1040 Solar highly for its big readable screen, reliable multi-band positioning and long battery life. Professional reviewers are more enthusiastic than the consumer average, and the main complaints center on size, price and touchscreen use in bad weather.

What people mention
  • ScreenPraisedRiders say the large color display is easy to read at speed and in sunlight.
  • BatteryPraisedOwners report multi-day rides on a charge, with solar adding extra hours in saver mode.
  • GPS accuracyPraisedMulti-band GNSS is described as holding a fix in forests and city streets where older units drifted.
  • SizeCriticisedSome owners find the unit heavy and bulky on the handlebars, especially on smaller bikes.
Reviews
  • The Best Bike Computers of 2026 - Reviews You Can Rely On

Questions and answers

Which is better for long gravel or bikepacking rides?
The Edge 1040 Solar. Its battery life and solar charging stretch multi-day rides, and its maps and rerouting suit unfamiliar terrain. The Bolt 3 needs more frequent charging.
Which is easier to read in bright sun?
The Bolt 3. Its transflective anti-glare screen stays legible in direct sunlight and does not wash out. The Garmin's larger color touchscreen is bright but more reflective.
Which lasts longer between charges?
The Edge 1040 Solar by a wide margin, especially in battery saver mode with sunlight. The Bolt 3 is rated for roughly 15 to 20 hours.
Is the touchscreen a problem in rain or with gloves?
It can be. The Garmin also has buttons for core functions, but the Bolt 3's all-button design is more reliable in wet or gloved conditions.
Is the Garmin worth stepping up to for a road racer?
Only if you want maps, long battery life or deep training metrics. For short races on known roads, the lighter Bolt 3 does the core job well.

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More comparisons

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  • Coros Dura vs Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 3

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best bike computers
—
84g
Battery life (claimed)—15hrs
Storage—32GB
GPS Type—GPS, BEIDOU, Dual-band GPS, Galileo, GLONASS
Satellite Systems—GPS
Maps Included—Yes
Distance Function—Distance
Speed Function—Speed
Battery Life—Up to 20 hours
Maximum Battery Life—Up to 20 hours, 25-hours
Rechargeable Battery—Yes
Included Accessories—Stem mount
Color Display—Yes
Touchscreen—No
Display Type—TFT Color Display
Display Backlight—Yes
Display Highlights—High-contrast, Anti-glare
Water Resistance—IPX7
Dimensions—83 x 47 x 24 mm