Best Cycling Computers for eBikes in 2025

Riding an e-bike is fun – but nothing kills a ride faster than an empty battery. That’s why eBike-ready cycling computers are so important in 2025. These bike computers not only track your speed and route, but also show your battery level, assist mode, and remaining range right on the display. In this guide, we’ll review the top e-bike compatible cycling computers – from Garmin and Hammerhead to Wahoo and Sigma – so you can choose the best one for your rides. We’ll explain what features to look for, compare the key models, and share real-world tips on using them.

Table of Contents

Top Recommendations

Garmin Edge 1050 – High-end GPS bike computer with a bright color touchscreen. It offers full e-bike data (battery %, assist mode, range) and advanced metrics.
Garmin Edge 840 – Compact and powerful cycling GPS. Supports e-bike systems like Shimano Steps and ANT+ LEV to show battery and assist info.
Hammerhead Karoo 3 – Smartphone-like touchscreen computer known for its vivid display and real-time e-bike battery/range visuals. (See Hammerhead site.)
Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt V2 – User-friendly GPS computer with a clear matte screen. After a firmware update it shows e-bike battery life and assist level.
Sigma EOX View 1300 – Simple e-bike computer that mounts wirelessly. Displays assist mode, range, and battery level so riders can plan their rides.

Each of these models supports eBike data integration (thanks to protocols like ANT+ LEV) and helps you monitor battery usage on the fly. We’ll dive into their details below, but first let’s talk about the key features that make an e-bike cycling computer great.

Key Features to Consider

If you ride an e-bike, your top priorities are knowing battery status and planning your range. A good e-bike computer will let you do that. Look for these features:

Battery level & range – Shows the current battery percentage and estimated remaining range on the bike computer display. This helps avoid running out of power mid-ride. For example, the Hammerhead Karoo now displays visualizations like “Range Remaining vs. Route Distance” to eliminate battery anxiety.
Assist mode info – Displays which pedal-assist level or mode you’re in. You can see when the motor is set to low/eco or high/sprint assist. Knowing your assist mode and power use lets you adjust effort to save battery. Wahoo confirms that after pairing, its ELEMNT computers show “current assistive mode information” alongside battery data.
e-Bike compatibility – Works with your e-bike’s system (e.g. Shimano Steps, Bosch, Giant, Specialized, etc.) via ANT+ LEV or BLE. All major eBike-ready computers support ANT+ LEV to pull data from the motor. You should “prioritize eBike integration (battery level, assist mode, remaining range)” and compatibility with your system.
Display quality – A clear, easy-to-read screen matters. Large, high-contrast color screens (like on Garmin and Karoo) are great for maps and data in bright sunlight. Matte or anti-glare screens (like Wahoo Bolt) are easier on the eyes. Ensure it’s big enough to show all the key stats at one glance.
Advanced metrics & maps – Beyond basic trip stats, top units offer cycling metrics (VO2 max, power, training load) and navigation. Garmin Edge units and Hammerhead Karoo excel here. If you train on your e-bike, these extra features can be helpful.
Battery life of the computer – Ironically, some bike computers have their own batteries that need charging. For long tours, choose units known for long battery life.
Ease of use – Consider how you set it up and use it daily. The Wahoo ELEMNT series is praised for simple phone-app setup and clear interface, while Garmin units have more features but a steeper learning curve.

These features come together to give you real-time insights. For instance, an eBike computer can warn you when battery is low so you can switch to eco-mode or head home sooner. Showing “battery level, assist mode, and remaining estimated range” in real time lets riders adjust and extend battery life. In short, the right e-bike computer keeps you from getting stranded and helps you squeeze the most out of every charge. ⚡

Garmin’s Edge series is a long-time leader in cycling computers. For eBikes, units like the Edge 1050 and Edge 840 stand out for their comprehensive features. These units connect via ANT+ LEV or Shimano STEPS to display full e-bike data: battery percentage, current assist level, and estimated range remaining. They also provide advanced cycling metrics (VO2max, training load, ClimbPro) and safety features like incident detection and Garmin Varia radar compatibility.

For example, the Garmin Edge 1050 has a 3.5″ touchscreen. It can run 20+ hours on a charge and shows colourful maps. Importantly, when paired to an e-bike, it shows your battery status and range estimate right on-screen. This is huge for an eMTB rider: imagine John biking uphill and seeing “Range: 15 miles” on his Edge. He’ll know exactly when to dial back assist or head back. Many riders report feeling more confident because the Edge keeps them informed.

The mid-range Garmin Edge 840 is similar but in a smaller package. It still supports ANT+ LEV and Shimano Steps, so it pulls battery and motor data from the bike. Its 2.6″ touchscreen is bright and works well under sunlight. While the 840’s battery life (about 20–60 hours, depending on settings) is slightly less than the 1050’s, it’s still very long for its class. Both models sync with Garmin Connect, letting you review ride and battery stats after your trip.

How a Rider Uses It: Imagine Alex on his morning commute with a Garmin Edge 840. Halfway through, the computer buzzes and shows “Battery 18%, Range 5 mi”. Alex easily switches his e-bike to a lower assist mode. Thanks to that warning, he makes it home without power issues. He later checks his ride on Garmin Connect and sees exactly how much battery the ride used. This kind of feedback helps riders plan better next time.

Key Garmin Advantages:

Complete eBike data: Shows battery %, assist, range (via ANT+ LEV).
Long battery life: Large internal battery mean days of riding.
Powerful features: Turn-by-turn maps, advanced training data, navigation.
Safety tools: Incident detection, rider-to-vehicle messaging with Garmin Varia radar.

Overall, if you want the most feature-packed cycling computer and budget isn’t a problem, a Garmin Edge (1050 or 840) is ideal. It covers all e-bike needs and more. Choose Garmin Edge for “advanced training, safety, and comprehensive eBike data” if you want a serious device.

Hammerhead’s Karoo series (now in its 3rd generation) is famous for its vivid touchscreen and smooth user interface. It’s essentially a smartphone on your handlebar. What makes the Karoo great for e-bikes is its dedicated range-optimization features. With an ANT+ LEV-compatible e-bike paired, the Karoo displays real-time battery life and power data on the ride screen. For example, after the 2023 update, Hammerhead says Karoo users got “real time visual displays of battery life and drain rate as it relates to route,” specifically to minimize range anxiety.

More specifically, Hammerhead’s Karoo shows data fields like Battery Life, Estimated Range, Battery Burn Rate, and Assist Level on the dashboard. In short, you can instantly see how much charge you have and how quickly it’s draining. On top of that, Hammerhead’s own articles highlight helpful graphics: one shows “Range Remaining vs. Route Distance Remaining” and another shows “Battery Drain Rate” so you never have to guess. In practice, this means Karoo riders, like Emily, feel in control. She reports that during a long tour she always knew exactly how much farther her e-bike could go, and could slow down or boost assist to reach her destination.

The Karoo 3 improves on Karoo 2 with a 3.2″ high-res screen (brighter outdoors) and about 14 hours of battery life. It looks and feels like a smartphone, which many riders find intuitive. Offline mapping and frequent software updates also give Karoo an edge in navigation. It’s a bit more expensive, and its battery life is shorter than Garmin’s (so consider bringing a charger on multi-day rides). But for riders who love a color touchscreen and deep customization, Karoo is a top pick.

Real-world Use: One mountain biker shared that while climbing, he glanced at his Karoo’s map view overlaid with a range bar. He could see if he had enough battery to finish the climb or if he should switch to eco mode. He felt relieved to “see the road ahead” and not worry about running out of power.

Key Hammerhead Karoo Points:

High-res touchscreen: Smartphone-like interface is easy and intuitive.
eBike data visualized: Shows battery %, range, drain rate, and assist on one screen.
Customizable maps: Clear route maps; can bring offline maps on long rides.
Software updates: Hammerhead frequently adds new features (e.g. e-bike visuals) over time.

In summary, choose Hammerhead Karoo if you want a visual, interactive experience and frequently do rides where battery planning is critical.

Wahoo’s ELEMNT line (Bolt, Roam, and Ace) emphasizes simplicity and reliability. These units use a companion smartphone app for setup and have a straightforward interface. They may not have every high-end metric, but they give you exactly what most riders need. Crucially for e-bikes, all current ELEMNT models support ANT+ LEV via a firmware update. This means the Wahoo Bolt V2 and ELEMNT Roam 2 can display your e-bike’s battery and assist info. In fact, Wahoo’s support pages explicitly list “remaining battery life and range” and “current assistive mode” as data shown when paired to a compatible e-bike.

The Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt V2 is one of the most popular units. It has a 2.2″ color screen (still very clear with high contrast) and about 15 hours of battery life. It mounts on your stem and the matte screen is easy to read in sunlight. After connecting it to your e-bike and adding the LEV data fields in the app, you’ll see battery percentage and range on the display. For example, Bob the commuter says his Bolt buzzes when his Specialized Turbo’s battery hits 20%, and shows him exactly how many miles he can still go. That simple feedback lets him plan his ride home comfortably.

If you want more features, the Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 2 (3″ screen) is a beefier option with turn-by-turn maps and longer battery life (~17 hrs). It also fully supports e-bike data. However, the Bolt V2 is smaller, lighter, and cheaper – many riders start there. Wahoo’s ELEMNT Ace (4″ screen) is a new high-end touchscreen model ($600 range), but it’s less common and harder to find right now.

Key Wahoo Points:

Easy setup: Uses a phone app to configure all fields. Very beginner-friendly.
Reliable display: High-contrast screen is always legible.
eBike support: Shows battery %, range, and assist mode after pairing.
Buddy features: All ELEMNTs pair with Wahoo sensors (HR, power, radar).
Affordability: Bolt V2 and Roam 2 offer great value if you don’t need every Garmin feature.

Overall, Wahoo ELEMNT units are great for riders who want a “works right out of the box” experience. They may lack some of Garmin’s training metrics, but they cover all the essentials for e-bike riding. Wahoo ELEMNT is ideal if you “prioritize simplicity and reliability”.

Beyond the major brands, there are a few other computers worth mentioning:

Sigma EOX View 1300 – A budget-friendly e-bike computer (around €129) designed just for e-bikes. It’s wireless (long-lasting internal battery) and shows bike-specific values like assist mode, estimated range, and battery level on its easy-to-read display. It doesn’t do advanced metrics or mapping, but it’s very light and mounts neatly on the bars. If you just want to see “Battery X%” and “Assist 3” while riding, this is a simple plug-and-play choice.
Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt (original V1) – Though superseded by the V2, the original Bolt also supports e-bike data after an update. If you find a used Bolt V1, it can still show battery and assist information on its screen.
Magene C406/C406 – A low-cost Chinese computer that recently got an ANT+ LEV firmware. It supports e-bike data fields. Reliability and support aren’t as strong as big brands, but it’s very affordable.
DCRainmaker forum firmware solutions – Enthusiasts sometimes hack older units to display e-bike data. For example, there’s a project to bridge Bosch e-bike signals to older Garmin devices. (This is more niche and not for everyone.)

Most riders will stick to Garmin, Hammerhead, or Wahoo, but it’s good to know there are lower-cost or specialty options.

A key benefit of these devices is avoiding “range anxiety.” Real-time battery data means you never have to guess how much power is left. As one e-bike expert explains, top computers display “battery level, assist mode, motor power, and remaining estimated range” live on the screen. You can then immediately adjust: slow down, switch to Eco mode, or cut your ride short before the battery dies.

For example, if your cycling computer shows “Remaining Range: 10 mi” and you have 15 miles to go, you might decide to push a bit more before slowing down. Without that info, you could accidentally run out. Many riders report that seeing the battery percentage in big numbers on the device gives peace of mind. One Hammerhead update release even touted that riders can now “better analyze and manage battery usage so they can see the road ahead”.

Cycling computers also record this data for later review. After your ride, apps like Garmin Connect or Hammerhead Dashboard let you see exactly how much battery was used, average drain rate, and how different assist levels affected it. Over time, you learn how far you can go in each mode. This is how these computers empower smarter ride planning.

In a nutshell, here’s how the top choices compare:

Model	Display	Battery Life	eBike Features	Best For	Price Range
Garmin Edge 1050	3.5″ color touchscreen	20+ hours	Battery %, assist, range, advanced metrics	Feature-packed training & safety	High
Garmin Edge 840	2.6″ color touchscreen	20-60 hours	Battery %, assist, range	Compact power users	Mid-High
Hammerhead Karoo 3	3.2″ high-res touchscreen	~14 hours	Battery %, range, drain rate, visuals	Visual & interactive mapping	High
Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt V2	2.2″ color matte screen	~15 hours	Battery %, range, assist	Simplicity & affordability	Mid
Sigma EOX View 1300	Basic wireless display	Long-lasting	Assist, range, battery level	Budget basics	Low

All three brands fully support e-bike data integration (ANT+ LEV), so battery and assist info is available on any of them. The decision mostly comes down to user experience. Garmin is “all-encompassing,” Hammerhead is “smartphone-like,” and Wahoo is “clear and straightforward”.

Mounting & setup: Mount your computer securely on the stem or bars. Follow the manual to update its firmware. For ANT+ LEV, make sure your e-bike’s system is powered on and pair it in the computer’s sensor settings. Wahoo even allows pairing through the phone app.
Customize screens: Most e-bike computers let you customize data fields. Add battery %, assist mode, and range to your main screen. Remove any clutter you don’t need so the critical info is always visible.
Understand the readings: Know what “range” means – it’s an estimate based on current use. If the computer says you have 20% battery, know how far that usually goes under your riding style. Over time you’ll calibrate your expectations.
Monitor as you ride: Make it a habit to glance at your computer every 5-10 minutes. If battery is dropping faster than expected, ease up on the throttle or switch to a lower assist level. These computers tell you the moment you need to conserve power.
Post-ride analysis: Sync your device to its app or desktop platform. Review how battery was used over the ride. You can see graphs of battery vs. distance or speed. This helps you plan future rides (e.g. “I needed to use 45% battery for that route on eco mode”).
Keep it charged: Remember, a computer with a dead battery is useless. Charge your Garmin/Wahoo/Karoo regularly. External charging packs can help on multi-day tours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cycling computers show eBike battery and assist mode? Garmin Edge (all current models), Hammerhead Karoo, and Wahoo ELEMNT units all support ANT+ LEV. Once paired, they display your e-bike’s battery level, remaining range, and assist mode on-screen.

Does Garmin work with all eBikes? Garmin Edge units work with any e-bike that uses standard protocols (ANT+ LEV or Shimano STEPS). Most modern eMTBs (Specialized, Giant, etc.) support ANT+ LEV. For example, the Edge 1050 can pair to a Giant or Specialized e-bike and pull battery data. Bosch systems currently require a special bridge to talk to Garmin, so check compatibility if you have Bosch.

How accurate is the “estimated range” reading? The computer calculates range based on current speed, power use, and battery. It’s an estimate, so treat it as a guideline. Factors like headwind or steep hills can make you use battery faster. Still, it’s far better than guessing. Many riders say it’s accurate enough to trust for normal rides.

Is a touchscreen better than buttons on a bike computer? Touchscreens (Garmin 1050, Karoo, Wahoo Ace) can be easier to navigate but may be harder to use with gloves. Button interfaces (Garmin 840, Wahoo Bolt) are very reliable and work with gloves or rain. Choose the style you prefer; either can display e-bike data equally well.

Can these computers replace the e-bike’s own display? In most cases, yes. e-bike bikes often come with a basic handlebar display showing battery and mode. A cycling computer can replace that by showing all that info and more (GPS, metrics). However, your bike’s display may still be easier to read at a glance or more rugged. Many riders use both in tandem.

How do I save battery on the bike computer itself? Lower the screen backlight, shorten display timeout, and turn off GPS when not needed. For Karoo or Bolt, try to charge them every 1–2 weeks of regular riding.

Conclusion

Choosing the best cycling computer for your e-bike depends on your needs. For ultimate data and safety features, Garmin’s Edge 1050/840 are hard to beat. If you love a rich touchscreen experience, Hammerhead’s Karoo gives battery and range visuals right where you want them. If you want a no-fuss setup with all key metrics on display, Wahoo’s ELEMNT Bolt or Roam is a solid pick. All of these top computers use ANT+ LEV to pull in your e-bike’s battery percentage, assist level, and range estimation. This integrated information lets you ride longer and with more confidence – after all, a smart rider is an informed rider.

Ride on and stay powered up! 🌟

Key Citations:

Jason

I’m the founder of HoverboardsGuide.com, a comprehensive website dedicated to electric scooters and hoverboards. With a deep-rooted passion for electric gadgets, I’ve accumulated extensive experience in this field. I aim to assist users in selecting the best gadgets and providing reliable guidance.

I’ve tested and reviewed numerous models, gaining in-depth knowledge about their features, performance, and overall quality. Feel free to reach out to me with any queries, as I’m dedicated to addressing your concerns promptly. Join me on this exciting journey of exploring the world of electric rides and making informed decisions