Best bike computers 2023 | Top GPS devices ridden and rated
These are the best GPS bike computers for 2023, based on real-world use by our expert team of road and mountain bike testers.
GPS bike computers enable you to measure your performance, log rides on apps such as Strava and navigate. The majority provide turn-by-turn guidance. Garmin dominates the market, with units ranging from the diminutive Edge 130 Plus to the smartphone-sized Edge 1030 Plus. Wahoo is not far behind, while brands including Sigma and Hammerhead are giving the GPS giants a run for their money with useful features and sharp pricing.
Here is our selection of the best GPS cycling computers. Keep reading for our buyer’s guide to cycling computers.
Best cycling computers 2023 as reviewed by our expert testers
Garmin Edge 1040 Solar
- Navigation: Full colour with turn-by-turn routing and Rapid rerouting
- Training data: A huge number of training metrics including training status and load, VO2 Max and recovery time
- Connectivity: ANT, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C
- Compatibility: ANT, Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap, Campagnolo EPS, Garmin Varia
- Size: 59×118×20mm
- Screen: 3.5in / 89mm colour touchscreen, 282×470 pixels
- Price: Solar: £629.99 / 749.99 / €749.99 / AU1299.99 as tested (Non-solar: £519.99 / 599.99 / €599.99 / AU999.99)
Garmin’s latest top-end computer has a neat trick – there’s a solar glass screen that can extend your runtime up to an industry-leading claimed 45 hours. We regularly gained 10 minutes per hour of extra charge on summer rides. There’s a non-solar option as well, which costs less.
Size-wise, it’s a large device, a tiny bit larger than the Edge 1030 Plus, but it’s got 64GB of memory, so it can store twice as much data. The Edge 1040 is much more of a training aid than just a ride recorder, so it gives you your training status, recovery time and more. It’s highly configurable and records loads of training stats.
It links automatically into the best-in-class Garmin Connect training infrastructure, giving you route planning using Garmin’s heatmaps from its rider community and lots of post-ride analysis options that others make you pay for. Garmin Connect also enables you to integrate data from Garmin smartwatches, to give you 24/7 fitness and training status analysis.
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Hammerhead Karoo 2
- Navigation: Fast rerouting even over complex route networks, on the fly climb profiles
- Training data: Speed, altitude, power, heart rate, cadence, calories, gears (for non-Di2 electronic drivetrains), distance, time, temperature, navigation, performance monitoring and more
- Connectivity: ANT, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C
- Compatibility: ANT, SRAM eTap, Campagnolo EPS, Garmin Varia (but not Shimano Di2)
- Size: 61×101×19mm
- Screen: 3.2in / 81mm colour touchscreen, 480×800 pixels
- Price: £359 / 399 / €399 / AU639 as tested
The Hammerhead Karoo 2 does things a bit differently from other cycling computers. It’s based on an Android operating system, which gives you fast screen response and Android-style fields and gestures. The resolution of the sharp colour touchscreen is also much greater than competitors.
The Karoo 2 is currently the only cycling computer that gives you climb profiles on the fly as you ride, so there’s no need to pre-plan a route to display gradient and distance to the top.
The phone app just passes data back and forward to the Karoo 2 without any user interface and the web app has limited functionality, although it does let you plan or import a route and keeps a record of your rides, routes and workouts. Instead, Hammerhead interfaces to third-party software such as Strava or TrainingPeaks for any more detailed post-ride analysis.
With a high-end processor and screen to run, the Karoo 2’s battery life isn’t great at around eight hours though.
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Sigma ROX 11.1 Evo
- Navigation: Limited to a breadcrumb trail, but it does sync with Komoot
- Training data: Over 150 functions
- Connectivity: BLE, ANT
- Compatibility: Heart rate, cadence, electronic shifting, power meter, Smart trainer
- Size: 46.8×66.1×20.8 mm
- Screen dimensions: 1.77in, 128×160
- Price: £249.99 as tested
Sigma may not be as well-known as the likes of Wahoo and Garmin, but its ROX 11.1 Evo is an excellent bike computer, combining a user-friendly interface with riding and training data.
The unit has a 1.77in display, which is smaller than many other bike computers, but this means it sits unobtrusively on your handlebar.
The computer has over 150 operations, including an emergency crash notification feature, and you can save up to 20 profiles to display different information, making it great if you ride across cycling disciplines.
When it comes to mapping, you can upload routes from Komoot in the computer’s smartphone app.
The display only shows a breadcrumb trail, which is fine for road and gravel rides, but not so great for mountain biking.
If simplicity is what you’re after, the ROX 11.1 Evo is a good bet.
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Bryton Rider 420T
The Bryton Rider 420T is a competitively priced cycling computer with 77 functions. David Caudery / Immediate Media
- Navigation: No mapping capabilities but can be used with a GPX file for turn-by-turn navigation
- Training data: Speed, distance, heart rate, riding time, power (with a power meter), gradient, altitude, metres climbed, cadence, calories burned and more
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, BLE, USB
- Compatibility: ANT and Bluetooth, heart rate, cadence, speed, power meter and Smart trainer, Shimano Di2, SRAM, eTap, Campagnolo EPS
- Size: 49.9×83.9×16.9mm
- Screen: 58.4mm diagonal (2.3in), 128×160 pixels, grayscale mono LCD
- Price: £190 / 230 / AU340 as tested
The Bryton 420T is a competitively priced cycling computer that comes with a heart rate monitor and cadence sensor included. The computer is also available as a standalone 420E head unit (£104.99).
The cycling computer has an impressive 77 functions, including everything you need for training, such as heart rate and power readings, which it can present as averages and maximums.
The 420T does not have mapping, making it more of a training tool than a computer that will help you explore your surroundings. You can load a GPX to the 420T for basic turn-by-turn navigation.
A claimed 35-hour battery life after a four-hour charge sets the Bryton 420T apart from the competition.
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Garmin Edge 530
The Edge 530 is a hugely capable GPS computer in a relatively small package. Matthew Loveridge / Immediate Media
- Navigation: Good, aimed primarily at following courses created in advance, with excellent turn-by-turn instructions and hazard warnings. Non-touchscreen means browsing map is mostly a waste of time
- Training data: Speed, altitude, power, heart rate, cadence, calories, gears (for electronic drivetrains), distance, time, temperature, navigation, performance monitoring and more
- Connectivity: Micro-USB, Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi
- Compatibility: ANT and ANT shifting, power meter and bike trainer, Shimano Di2, Vector power meter, Garmin Varia and Virb
- Size: 85(L)×51(W)×16mm(D, 20mm total including protruding mount)
- Screen: 38×51mm (2.6in diagonal), 246×322 pixel colour screen (non-touchscreen)
- Price: £259.99 / 299.99 / AU499 as tested
The Edge 530 is a hugely capable GPS computer packed with features aimed at serious enthusiast cyclists who want to track their training.
Externally almost identical, the Edge 530 shares almost all of its features with the more expensive Edge 830, but uses external buttons rather than a touchscreen.
As a result, navigating menus and setting up ride profiles can be time-consuming and fiddly, but once you’ve got those sorted it’s very easy to live with.
Navigating pre-planned courses is straightforward and the colour display is crisp and easy to read. With added sensors (available separately or as a bundle with the device), the Edge 530 offers a wealth of performance-tracking data.
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Garmin Edge 830
- Navigation: Good, maps and navigation features are easy to understand and it’s relatively simple to program routes. On-device route calculation isn’t great, though
- Training data: Speed, altitude, power, heart rate, cadence, calories, gears (for electronic drivetrains), distance, time, temperature, navigation, performance monitoring and more
- Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi
- Compatibility: ANT and ANT shifting, power meter and bike trainer, Shimano Di2, Vector power meter, Garmin Varia and Virb
- Size: 48×74.5mm
- Screen: 50×82mm, 246×322 pixels, colour touchscreen
- Price: £349.99 / €399.99 / 399.99 / AU599 as tested
With an impressive array of interesting and useful – if a little clunky at times – features, the Edge 830 is a true class-leading GPS that offers plenty of useful functions above and beyond its competition.
The maps and navigation features are easy to understand and it’s relatively simple to program in routes. On-device route calculation isn’t great, though, and it certainly didn’t live up to Garmin’s claims of riding like a local.
The on-device data and displays are fantastically simple to read when you’re on the move, but it’s certainly worth investing in the additional sensors if you don’t already own compatible ones.
Overall, the Edge 830 has a fantastically diverse feature-set that makes it one of the most comprehensive training and navigating devices money can buy.
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Garmin Edge 1030 Plus
The Garmin Edge 1030 Plus has all the trimmings, with a price tag to match. Jack Luke / Immediate Media
- Navigation: Best in class with a faster processor for quick route recalculation
- Training data: A bewildering number of training metrics that can be customised to your heart’s content
- Connectivity: ANT, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB
- Compatibility: ANT, Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap, Campagnolo EPS, Garmin Varia
- Size: 58×114×19mm
- Screen: 3.5in / 89mm colour touchscreen, 282×470 pixels
- Price: £519.99 / 599.99 / €599.99 / AU999 as tested
The Edge 1030 Plus gives you every single feature you could ever want in a bike computer with the same format, but an updated processor and an improved touchscreen over the now-discontinued Garmin Edge 1030 (although you can still buy this computer if you search around).
Battery life has also grown to 24 hours, though this can be extended to an enormous 48 hours if you run the computer in a stripped-down mode. It’s compatible with Garmin’s Charge power pack and Edge Power Mount if you want even more recording duration.
The SD card slot has been removed, but internal storage has grown to 32GB. The Trailforks trail database is also installed as standard on the unit.
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Garmin Edge Explore 2
The Garmin Edge Explore 2 gives you a summary screen at the end of your ride. Warren Rossiter / Our Media
- Navigation: Clear screen with detailed maps, efficient rerouting, climb profiles, heatmaps and high-traffic indicator
- Training data: Live power and heart rate from connected devices, recovery time. Omits the more detailed training data found on other Edge units
- Connectivity: ANT, Bluetooth, USB-C
- Compatibility: ANT, Garmin Varia
- Size: 106×56×21mm, 104g
- Screen: 3in / 76mm colour touchscreen, 240×400 pixels
- Price: £250 / 300 / €300 / AU500 as tested
The Edge Explore 2 majors on navigation functionality and strips out most of the training tools offered by Garmin’s higher-priced computers. Its colour touchscreen is bright, with a size midway between the Edge 830 and the Edge 1040. Battery life is around 16 hours.
It’s easy to search for a location and the Edge Explore 2 will use heatmaps to direct you via the most cycled routes. You can overlay maps with a high-traffic indicator based on data from a linked phone, which can also provide weather information. Rerouting is efficient if you go off course.
There’s no Wi-Fi connectivity, but rides can be uploaded to Garmin Connect and through to Strava via Bluetooth and your smartphone. You can use the Edge Explore 2 to control a Smart trainer.
This is a good option if you want the cycling computer essentials and don’t need the full suite of training data.
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Lezyne Enhanced Super GPS
The Lezyne Enhanced Super GPS computer offers good functionality at a great price. Immediate Media
- Navigation: Good, with turn-by-turn directions and GPS Ally on-the-fly destination finding
- Training data: Speed, altitude, power, heart rate, cadence, calories, gears (for electronic drivetrains), distance, time, temperature, sunset time, workout counters and more
- Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth
- Compatibility: ANT, Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap
- Size: 42.9×67.8mm
- Screen: 31.7×40.1mm, black/white
- Price: £130 / 150 / AU220 as tested
The Enhanced Super GPS looks a little clunky compared to Lezyne’s ultra-sleek tools and pumps, but it generally works well. The 45-degree X-Lock mount is more secure than Garmin’s, and the wealth of data on offer is impressive.
You can have up to five pages with up to four fields on each, with seemingly every metric imaginable available. Turn-by-turn navigation, Strava Live Segments and incoming call/text notifications? Check, check and check.
Similar to the Elemnt Bolt, you can use the Lezyne app to find a destination and use the computer to navigate to it.
The Super GPS has now been superseded by newer models, but it remains widely available.
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Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2
The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt has been updated with a colour screen and USB-C charging. Steve Sayers / Our Media
- Navigation: Colour screen is good for navigation but limited by screen size
- Training data: Over 170 functions
- Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth, ANT
- Compatibility: Apple iOS, Android, wireless training sensors such as power meters
- Size: 47×77mm
- Screen: 55.9mm, 240×300 pixels
- Price: £264.99 / 279.99 / €279.99 / AU419.95 as tested
The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2 has it all when it comes to user interface, with all of the set-up done via a Smart app.
It now offers a colour screen, Smart navigation, USB-C charging and improved battery life over the original Bolt.
It syncs seamlessly with most third-party apps and performs well on the bike and on the road, as well as on a Smart trainer.
If you’re looking for a GPS computer to track your performance with over 170 functions and an impressive 15-hour battery life all in a neat, minimalist package, then the Bolt V2 is for you.
You’ll be best off doing your planning before you set out on a ride. The mapping capabilities aren’t as good as on Hammerhead and Garmin computers, but the Bolt is more affordable.
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Wahoo Elemnt Roam V2
- Navigation: Larger screen for improved mapping and navigation compared to Wahoo Elemnt Bolt
- Training data: Huge range of training data; easy to configure via Elemnt app and read on Roam’s display
- Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth, ANT
- Compatibility: Apple iOS, Android, wireless training sensors such as power meters
- Size: 90mm x 60mm
- Screen: 68.6mm, 240×400 pixels
- Price: £349.99 / 399.99 / €399.99 / AU599.95 as tested
The Wahoo Elemnt Roam V2 takes many of the features of the Elemnt Bolt but puts them in a larger package with a bigger screen for improved mapping and navigation capabilities.
Where’s the Bolt’s display measures 55.9mm (2.2in) diagonally, the Roam ups this to 68.6mm (2.7in). Both offer a 64-colour screen – used sparingly to highlight key training or map details – and USB-C charging.
Like all of Wahoo’s devices, there’s no touchscreen, with the computer operated via a series of buttons and setup coming via the Elemnt app. Configuration is very easy, though, as we’ve come to expect from Wahoo computers.
Screen resolution isn’t as sharp as the Hammerhead Karoo 2 but, as an easy-to-use device with excellent mapping and data options, this is a Smart all-round choice.
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Buyer’s guide to GPS cycling computers
GPS cycling computers are now packed with features that improve training as well as navigation. Matthew Loveridge / Immediate Media
In the past, cycling GPS devices were primarily for riders who wanted ‘pure’ navigation and trail guidance.
However, their usage has changed greatly and these devices now combine navigation, regular bike computer functions, connectivity to devices such as heart rate monitors and power meters, and lots else into one unit. The GPS is now just as much a dedicated training tool and ride tracker as it once was a navigation unit.
GPS bike computers are now also hitting price points that rival basic bike computers. Using GPS technology to provide speed and distance information means it’s no longer necessary to use wheel-mounted magnets and sensors, so switching the computer between bikes has never been easier.
The cycling GPS market is dominated by similar brands to the automotive GPS industry. Garmin is the key player, but brands such as Wahoo, Polar, Bryton, Suunto, Lezyne and CatEye also offer GPS-equipped options.
What to consider when buying a GPS device for cycling
Navigation or tracking?
Navigation and mapping is useful for riding near home and bikepacking. Joseph Branston / Immediate Media
Perhaps the biggest question when choosing a GPS unit is deciding whether you want it to guide you on a ride via maps and navigation, or if you simply want it to track your ride and give you the data to look back at after your ride.
Generally speaking, navigational GPS units will cost more because they feature built-in maps, additional storage, navigation software and often a much larger screen to make use of all of this information.
Devices that offer mapping and directional guidance have come a long way. GPS accuracy has greatly improved, guiding you to within one or two metres of a desired location.
Far more tracking GPS units are sold than those that include navigational aids. For most riders, all they want is live ride data with the option to undertake detailed analysis after a ride.
However, they don’t offer nearly as detailed navigational information, and often only offer ‘breadcrumb’ navigation, which overlays a simple line over a blank screen for you to follow.
Connectivity
Mobile phone connectivity is desirable for a number of reasons. The likes of the Garmin and Wahoo offer Bluetooth and ANT connectivity and share information with compatible phones.
Many bike computers now include a giddy array of features when linked up to phones and other sensors, including incoming call and text alerts, tracking which allows your riding buddies or family at home to see your location in real-time, and even which gear you are in with electronic drivetrains.
Bluetooth and ANT cycling computers will link up to external sensors so you can pair them with devices such as heart rate monitors, cadence sensors, speed or power meters, and more. This unlocks a whole host of possibilities and can help you step your training up a notch.
Most high-end cycling computers will also neatly integrate with third-party cycling apps such as Strava, TrainingPeaks and Komoot.
Some will also link with Wi-Fi for automatic uploads, avoiding any need to upload your ride via Bluetooth once you get home.
Cycling computer training functions
The main and most familiar way cycling computers can aid training is by linking up to a power meter or heart rate monitor, providing live data about your power output or heart rate during your ride.
There are benefits and disadvantages to both and many things to consider when deciding whether heart rate or power training is best for you.
Beyond simply providing live readouts for auxiliary devices, some cycling computer brands claim their computers can use this data to establish VO2 max and FTP (Functional Threshold Power), as well as provide insight into needed recovery time and training load.
Various bike computers now come with the option to load workouts and training plans directly onto the computer, making structured training an easier affair.
These plans are either available through brand-specific software (Garmin Connect for Garmin computers, for example) or in some instances through apps such as TrainerRoad and TrainingPeaks.
Some other features available on cycling computers are framed as training tools but are also useful and enjoyable for cyclists who are just out riding for the fun of it. These include alerts signalling how much longer a climb is and live Strava segments introducing some friendly competition against others or your own personal bests.
How does a cycling computer mount to the bike?
Out-front mounts are a popular choice, especially with performance-orientated cyclists. Simon Bromley / Immediate Media
A key factor, but one that’s easily overlooked, is how the device attaches to the bike.
Most GPS units attach to either the handlebar or the stem of the bike. Generally speaking, the more common the brand, the more available mounting options there will be.
Garmin is the leader in this area, with scores of aftermarket mount options allowing you to decide exactly how and where the device sits on your handlebar or stem.
Gamin and Wahoo use mounts that rely on a quarter-turn twist-lock to hold the computer in place. The 90-degree turn makes it easy to fit your computer but also easy to remove when popping into a shop or cafe.
Out-front mounts are a popular choice because they put the computer in front of the bar, making it easier to look at while moving. These mounts also make the cycling computer flush with the bar, giving a cleaner look for the more aesthetically minded.
Screen size and display type
The new version of the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt has switched from greyscale to a colour display. Jack Luke / Immediate Media
As a general rule, the larger the screen size, the easier the information will be to read. You’ll also be able to show more information on the screen without having to scroll to another page.
Of course, the downside is that larger units can be cumbersome, crowd your handlebar, and add extra heft – offending the more weight-conscious riders among us.
For performance and general riding, the Garmin Edge 820’s 2.3in (5.84cm) screen has become something of a benchmark. Most newer devices are this size or larger. For those looking for a truly diminutive option, the Garmin Edge 130 Plus would be our first recommendation.
Screen size and resolution are a bigger concern if you want to use a cycling computer for routes and navigation. Here, being able to see waypoints and your desired route is crucial, so a screen size of 2.5in (6.35 cm) or larger is advisable.
Colour displays are becoming the norm, which makes for easy reading, especially with detailed maps.
Some cycling computers still use a greyscale screen, because these can be more readable in bright light, but if Wahoo’s latest Elemnt Bolt is anything to go by this might become less and less common.
Touchscreens are becoming a standard on newer devices too because they help simplify toggling menus and selecting desired data.
Mapping
Early GPS cycling computers offered turn-by-turn navigation via a snail trail (also known as a breadcrumb trail).
Snail trails didn’t really give enough information because they were simply displayed as a single line over a blank screen with no landmarks or surrounding roads detailed, but you could get a fairly good sense of where you were going and were often notified if you drifted off course.
Now, many cycling computers are pre-loaded with in-depth maps that are similar to topographic maps detailing roads, landscape, features, waypoints and any amenities. This is particularly useful for bikepacking but is great even if you’re cycling somewhere unfamiliar on holiday or close to home.
Maps often only cover certain territories. For instance, in the UK, the Garmin 1030 Plus comes pre-loaded with maps for Europe and North America, but you will have to download maps for other regions.
Plenty of computers allow you to sync courses from route-building apps such as Ride With GPS or Komoot, and in some cases let you drop a pin on the computer’s map and will automatically route you to that location.
Battery life
Are you looking to complete long rides, multi-day adventures, or simply want to go out and not worry about having to recharge your device between training sessions?
If any of these sound familiar, it is probably worth seeking out a cycling computer with decent battery life. Many computers will have a claimed battery life of between 15 and 20 hours, but this is of course dependent on use.
External battery expanders can bump up the battery life of your cycling computer if you’re out for a particularly long time.
Alternatives to GPS cycling computers
The Fenix 7 has colour maps that show points of interest and are customisable. Simon von Bromley / Our Media
While this buyer’s guide is dedicated to GPS units, there are viable alternatives to GPS cycling computers in the form of GPS watches and smartphones.
GPS watches
Many of the best cycling watches will record your cycling data much like a GPS cycling computer. They have the added benefit of having built-in heart rate monitors but don’t have the same mapping and navigation capabilities as many cycling GPS computers.
If you do more than cycling – for instance running, swimming or indeed triathlon – GPS watches are a good choice for their versatility. But a major downside to these devices is the smaller screen size, so if you’re planning to keep the device on your bike, you’re better off with a cycling-specific unit.
Smartphones
Smartphones are ideal if you’re looking for a way of navigating around town and don’t want to invest in a dedicated cycling device, or simply dip a toe in the world of GPS navigation and ride recording.
Smartphones can be used with apps such as Strava and might prove just as useful as a cycling computer for casual riding.
There are many smartphone handlebar mounts and cases available to keep your phone safe and secure while riding, but they are likely to be less waterproof than cycling-specific computers. That said, keeping the phone in your or pack remains an option for data collection.
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How many panels do you need for your EV?
One of the primary benefits of purchasing an electric vehicle is that it allows you to transition from paying for gasoline to lower-cost electricity. But why not take that one step further and power your car with clean, solar power you produce on your own property? Here’s a quick breakdown to help determine how many solar panels you need to power your electric vehicle (EV) with solar.
How much electricity do leading EVs require per charge?
There are a couple of different ways to think about the electricity that an EV requires. The first is to consider the charge required per miles driven, typically expressed in kilowatt-hours per 100 miles driven (kWh/100 Mi). The other way to think about the electricity required to run an EV is to consider the electricity required to fully charge the car. This metric is closer to how we currently think about how much it costs to fill up a tank of gas on internal combustion engine cars.
| Tesla | Model S | 100 | 370 |
| Audi | e-tron | 95 | 204 |
| Hyundai | Kona | 64 | 258 |
| Kia | Soul EV | 64 | 243 |
| Chevy | Bolt EV | 60 | 238 |
| BMW | i3 | 42 | 153 |
| Nissan | LEAF | 40 | 150 |
| Volkswagon | e-Golf | 36 | 125 |
| Honda | Clarity | 26 | 89 |
How much electricity will an EV use per year?
How much electricity an EV consumes per day, month or year depends primarily upon how far you drive. If you live in an urban area and own a car but drive it infrequently, the electricity required to power your EV will be relatively small over the course of the year. On the other hand, if you live in a suburban or rural area and commute in your car every day, then the electricity required to power your car could represent a sizeable portion of your annual electricity usage.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average American travels nearly 13,500 vehicle miles per year. At that level of driving, most EVs will require around 4,000 kWh of electricity per year to operate.
| Tesla | Model S | 27 | 3,600 |
| Audi | e-tron | 47 | 6,300 |
| Hyundai | Kona | 25 | 3,300 |
| Kia | Soul EV | 26 | 3,600 |
| Chevy | Bolt EV | 25 | 3,400 |
| BMW | i3 | 28 | 3,700 |
| Nissan | LEAF | 27 | 3,600 |
| Volkswagon | e-Golf | 29 | 3,900 |
| Honda | Clarity | 29 | 3,900 |
How many solar panels do you need for your EV?
To calculate the number of solar panels required to power your EV, you’ll need to know three key data points: 1) how much electricity your car will use annually, 2) the wattage of the solar panels you are planning to install, and 3) how well solar panels produce electricity where you live.
As outlined above, for an average American driver, a typical EV will require about 4,000 kWh of electricity per year. According to the most recent EnergySage Solar Marketplace Intel report, the most frequently offered solar panels on EnergySage are in the 320 to 330 Watt range. Finally, the production from your solar panels will vary from region to region, with each panel producing more electricity in sunnier climates–such as the Southwest–than they will in the Northeast.
Pulling all of these data points together creates a range of solar panels required to power different types of EVs each year in different regions. Depending upon where you live, charging an electric vehicle typically requires 7 or 9 solar panels.
| Tesla | Model S | 8 | 6 |
| Audi | e-tron | 15 | 11 |
| Hyundai | Kona | 8 | 6 |
| Kia | Soul EV | 8 | 6 |
| Chevy | Bolt EV | 8 | 6 |
| BMW | i3 | 9 | 6 |
| Nissan | LEAF | 8 | 6 |
| Volkswagon | e-Golf | 9 | 7 |
| Honda | Clarity | 9 | 7 |
Again, it’s worth noting that these calculations are based heavily upon the assumption that you drive the same amount per year as the average American driver. If, however, you drive less than 1,000 miles per month, then you would need fewer panels to power your EV.
Install an EV charger at home at home with Qmerit
EnergySage partners with Qmerit, a home EV charging installation leader who works with a trusted network of certified installers. They can help you quickly and easily install your home EV charger.
Want to power your EV with solar?
If you are purchasing an electric vehicle, why not power it with the sun? When you register for a free account on the EnergySage Marketplace. you can indicate that you would like to power an EV with solar panels, and our network of local, pre-screened solar companies will help design a custom system for you that meets your specific needs.
reading on EnergySage
Looking to go solar? Here’s everything you need to know in… Are solar panels worth it in 2023? How to install solar panels Best solar panels in 2023: Top products compared Is solar still worth it under Net Metering 3?
About Spencer Fields
Spencer is the Technology Product Alliance Strategic Lead at EnergySage, where he wears many hats. A 10-year industry veteran (and a solar owner himself!), Spencer spent five years at Synapse Energy Economics before joining EnergySage, providing environmental, economic, and policy analysis for public interest groups. These days, he leads market and consumer intel and research for EnergySage. Spencer has degrees in Environmental Studies and Hispanic Studies from Brown University.
Your home’s solar panels can shave a considerable amount off the cost of charging your EV.
By Jeff Vasishta | Updated Oct 18, 2022 6:48 PM
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
How exactly do solar panels work with the electric grid to charge my electric car?
A: Let’s start with the basics. Most homes, as we know, are powered by the electric grid, and that electricity use is billed to us through our local utility or energy company. Solar panels, on the other hand, enable a home to use the energy the panels produce instead of having to purchase energy from the grid. Can we use energy gathered from solar panels to charge an electric vehicle (EV)? Yes. Energy gathered from solar panels can be used to charge your EV the same way it’s used to power the lights in your home. If the panels do not produce enough energy for charging an EV and the household needs combined, you can draw additional electricity from the grid.
In some cases, homeowners install a solar panel setup expressly for the purpose of charging their electric vehicle.
Solar energy is cheaper than electricity from a utility company.
The up-front cost of solar panels runs from 17,000 to 21,000 in 2022 for a 6-kilowatt-hour KWh system, an expense government subsidies can help offset. Despite the size of the initial outlay, in the long run, solar panels can be a worthwhile investment. In a sun-baked state such as California, solar energy is more cost-effective than gas, coal, and nuclear energy. Solar energy costs around 6 to 8 cents per kWh, while the average cost of grid electricity is 16.6 cents per kWh as of July 2022.
Level 2 chargers are the most convenient for home use.
Most EV households use a Level 2 charger that runs off the home’s utility service and delivers 220 to 240 volts of charge, as opposed to a Level 1 EV charger, which delivers a lower charge and results in much slower charging times.
Level 2 chargers can require 6-12 hours to charge your car fully, which means overnight charging will be convenient for most people. However, overnight charging will pull energy from the grid and not your solar panels unless you have a solar battery to store the day’s sunlight.
This long period of charging is set to improve. Tesla says its Model S Plaid can add 200 miles of range in only 15 minutes using one of the company’s powerful Superchargers, negating the need for extensive overnight charging. As EV charging evolves, solar panel options will become even more viable.
You’ll need 6 to 12 solar panels to charge most EVs.
To charge your EV using rooftop solar power alone, you will need an adequate setup.Unless you know what you’re doing, it’s best to hire a professional for installation. You’ll need:
- Rooftop solar panels
- A central string inverter that combines the DC output of the solar panels to AC, or micro-inverters that convert each panel’s output to AC
- A level 2 EV charger
- A storage battery
Six to twelve solar panels should be enough to charge most EVs. However, the number of panels will vary from car to car. If you live in a temperate climate without significant sunlight hours, you might want to err on the side of caution and get more than six panels. To charge a Nissan Leaf year round would require six solar panels at 370 watts each, taking up 132 square feet. The Hyundai IONIC requires five panels at 370 watts, and a Porsche Taycan 45 requires 10 panels to drive 40 miles.
Portable solar panels are not a viable solution for EV charging.
One day, when technology advances, the anxiety of running out of juice on the road will be a thing of the past. Portable solar panels that can simply be taken out of the trunk to charge your car in minutes and send you on your way are every EV driver’s dream.
Unfortunately, we’re not quite there yet. That’s not to say portable solar panels can’t be used at all to power EVs. They can, in conjunction with a generator and MC4 connectors. However, it would be best to use them only in emergencies because they can only generate a small amount of energy.
A 220 W solar panel connected to a portable 100-watt-hour generator will take 8 hours of charging to get you about 8 miles worth of driving. You might be better off walking or calling an Uber! Portable panels might be enough to get you to a place with better cell phone reception, but don’t expect to go long distances.
Newly designed solar panels closely resemble roof shingles
The EV revolution is upon us. The United States government’s goal of making at least 50% of all cars electric by 2030 means that electric usage is not only going to go through the roof, but also come from the roof.
Panels are transforming from their traditional blue/black photovoltaic sheen into objects more closely resembling roof shingles and tiles, making installation more appealing to homeowners.
While warmer areas of the country will benefit most from the solar spike, the whole country can benefit from using the summer sun. It’s time to embrace your higher power and help the planet—and your bank account too.
Xiaomi 50W Wireless Car Charger Pro
Xiaomi Wireless Car Charger Pro supports 50W fast wireless charging.
Multi-compatibility
The Xiaomi Wireless Car Charger Pro is compatible with a variety of devices with wireless charging. It can provide 50W Max flash charging for Xiaomi Mi 12, Xiaomi Mi Mix 4, Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11 Pro, and Mi 11. It can also provide fast charging for Samsung and iPhone phones that support wireless charging. But the charger doesn’t support wireless charging of the Mi 10 Ultra.
New Generation of Microwave Sensors
Xiaomi Wireless Car Charger Pro uses a new generation of microwave sensors, which opens the arms of the grip as the smartphone approaches, while simply touching any button on either side of the charger to remove the phone with one hand. The vise arms can reach 84mm, while the charging range is up to 4mm, this means the phone can also be charged with a case.
A Built-in Super Capacitor
Xiaomi Wireless Car Charger Pro has a built-in supercapacitor. When the car charger is in normal use, if the power to the vehicle is interrupted, the arm with an electric mechanism can still be opened once by touching the button.
A Hidden Direct Air Duct
Xiaomi Wireless Car Charger Pro is designed with a hidden direct air duct, which is directly through the internal air duct to fit the surface of the car charger. It can be intelligently adjusted with the charging power and can help actively cool down the phone when charging with high power, shorten the charging time and improve the charging efficiency.
This device is NOT compatible with Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra.