All Zwift Ready trainers come pre-equipped with Zwift Cog and Zwift Click. This means you can pair them with most 8–13-speed bikes and also unlock virtual shifting, which delivers silent, instant gear changes with 24 virtual gears. 

These features make Zwift Ready trainers the perfect foundation for your virtual cycling adventures on your outdoor bike, plus they can be upgraded with Zwift Ride Smart Frame to make an always-ready, all-in-one indoor setup. 

Not all trainers are the same, and which option is best for you may depend on factors such as your budget, the type of rider you are, and the style of training you’re planning to do. 

There are also some features that set specific Zwift Ready trainers apart from each other, which might be just what you’re looking for. 

Here’s our guide on what to consider when deciding on the Zwift Ready trainer that’s right for you.

---

What to Consider When Choosing a Trainer

Your Budget

Zwift Ready trainers cover a range of price points. While they all provide a great Zwift experience, more expensive models often include enhanced features not found on entry-level options. We’ll explain some of these features in more detail, so you can decide whether those additional features are things that you need. 

Your Type of Training

Are you planning to use Zwift for steady base training or are you looking to sharpen up your sprint power? Perhaps you’re thinking of joining some Zwift races or you’re looking to stick to social group rides? 

Generally speaking, the higher the intensity of your training, the more you may need from your equipment. For example, those focused on sprints or racing may want a trainer with a higher power limit and better power accuracy. 

Power and Performance

If you’re unfamiliar with power, it’s essentially a measure of how much effort you’re putting through the pedals when you’re riding. It’s measured in watts (W). Power is what moves your avatar in Zwift. In simple terms, more power means more speed, just like riding outdoors. 

So what does this mean when picking a Zwift Ready smart trainer? Well, each trainer has a maximum power limit and a figure of how accurate that power reading will be:

What’s Power Limit on an Indoor Trainer?

The power limit determines the trainer’s ability to handle your hardest efforts. If you’re planning to do steady, longer intervals, for example anything over a few minutes in duration, like a freeride or group ride, then you may not need a power limit more than a thousand watts. 

If sprints or shorter bursts of high power are your kind of thing then a trainer with a higher limit might be best. Of course, having a higher power limit doesn’t mean you need to use it. Sometimes it’s just good to know that your smart trainer can handle anything you could possibly throw at it. 

What’s Power Accuracy on an Indoor Trainer?

In real terms, what power accuracy means is that if, for example, a smart trainer has a quoted accuracy of +/-2%, when riding at 200 W that figure might truly be somewhere between 196 W and 204 W. 

In most scenarios, the accuracy that you’d prefer is a personal preference and might depend on how seriously you take your training and data analysis. Although, similarly to power limits, greater accuracy is never a bad thing.

One point to note regarding power accuracy is that some higher-level racing events, such as Zwift Games Elite Finals, require a smart trainer with at least +/-1% accuracy, so this is worth checking if you’re thinking about participating in these events! 

Features and Connectivity

Additional considerations when picking your Zwift Ready smart trainer are the other features that some indoor trainers offer. These can include:

1. Wi-Fi connectivity in addition to Bluetooth, which can be a more stable wireless connection.
2. 10 Hz connectivity or ‘race mode’ as it’s sometimes known, means that the speed at which data is sent is faster, making your avatar respond faster.
3. Heart Rate Bridging is a feature that allows the smart trainer to act as a hub for both your heart rate monitor and the trainer itself. This can simplify your setup and ensure your heart rate data is seamlessly transmitted to Zwift alongside your power and cadence.
4. You may also want to consider practical features such as how well the trainer packs down, how heavy it is, and whether it has a carry handle. 

---

Zwift Ready Trainers: Which One is Right for You?

Wahoo KICKR CORE 2

The Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 is a versatile trainer with a 1800 W max power and ±2% accuracy. At £450 ($534, €499), it is packed with solid credentials at a great value price point. The KICKR CORE 2 is considered one of the best budget smart trainers available today and also can be purchased alongside the Zwift Ride for the complete indoor training package.

Read our full Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 review.

Elite Rivo and Avanti with Zwift Cog and Click

The Elite Rivo with Zwift Cog and Click is a compact, budget-friendly trainer that still delivers solid performance. With a maximum simulated gradient of 18%, ±2.5% power accuracy, and both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, it offers reliable training data and stable connections at £449.99 / $499.99 / €499.99. At just 10 kg, with foldable legs and an integrated carrying handle, it’s also one of the most portable trainers available, making it ideal for riders with limited space.

Stepping up to the Avanti model, the Elite Avanti with Zwift Cog and Click is a pro-level trainer trusted by WorldTour cycling teams. With its integrated Optical Torque Sensor (OTS) delivering ±1% accuracy, it rivals high-end standalone power meters and ensures highly precise data for serious training.

Read our full Elite Zwift Ready Trainer Analysis.

JetBlack Victory with Zwift Cog and Click

A practical, affordable option with Wi-Fi and 10 Hz connectivity. The JetBlack Victory with Zwift Cog and Click comes with a 1800 W max power and ±2% accuracy, it provides solid performance with additional features not typically seen at the £399 / $399 / €475 price point. 

Read our Jet Black Victory review.

Van Rysel D100 and D500 with Zwift Cog and Click

If you’re a beginner on a budget, the Van Rysel D100 with Zwift Cog and Click stands out from the pack with a price of only £279.99. This excellent value comes with the caveat of a 600 W max power limit and 5% power accuracy, whilst this is sufficient for most Zwifters it is not best suited for racing, sprints or more powerful riders.

If you’re willing to step up to the D500 at £349.99, you’ll benefit from a maximum power of 1,500W with 2.5% power accuracy. Whilst still at a great price point, this upgrade makes it a closer comparison to the KICKR CORE or Elite Rivo models.

Note: The Van Rysel D100 with Zwift Cog and Click is not able to provide the mechanical resistance to reach the 600 W power limit while riding at a low cadence. For this reason, the D100 is not suited to more powerful riders or those looking to do high-power low-cadence training.

Garmin Tacx Neo 2T (US only)

The Tacx Neo 2T has a realistic ride feel and road surface simulation. It has a 2200 W max power and sub-1% power accuracy. The Neo 2T can also operate without external power, making it convenient for warm-ups. It’s priced at £859.99/$1,099.99/€999.99.

Garmin Tacx Neo 3M (US only)

The Tacx Neo 3M shares the Neo 2T’s strengths and has added integrated motion plates for fore-aft movement, providing an even more natural and immersive ride feel. It has a 2200 W max power and sub-1% accuracy. Priced at £1,599.99/$1,799.99/€1,799.99.

Note: The Garmin Tacx Neo 3M is not compatible with Zwift Ride Smart Frame.

Zwift Cog Compatible Trainers

The complete list of indoor trainers compatible with the Zwift Cog:

• Elite Avanti

• Elite Direto

• Elite Direto X

• Elite Direto XR

• Elite Direto XR Team

• Elite Direto XR-T

• Elite Justo

• Elite Justo 2

• Elite Rivo

• Elite Suito

• Elite Suito-T 

• Garmin Tacx NEO 2 (Not compatible with Zwift Ride. You’ll need to identify the axle type on your Tacx NEO 2 before installing the Zwift Cog.)

• Garmin Tacx NEO 2SE (Not compatible with Zwift Ride.)

• Garmin Tacx NEO 2T

• Garmin Tacx NEO 3M (Not compatible with Zwift Ride.)

• JetBlack Victory

• JetBlack Volt V2 (If you don’t see V2 stated on your Volt, you can confirm your trainer is V2 from the design of the axle interface. V2 models look like the image below with an angled slope on the housing.)

• Van Rysel D100 (UK and EU only.)

• Wahoo KICKR (Only Wahoo KICKR v6 is compatible [2022 or newer].)

• Wahoo KICKR CORE with Cassette

• Wahoo KICKR CORE 2

• Wahoo KICKR MOVE (To use the Zwift Ride Smart Frame with the Wahoo KICKR MOVE, you’ll need to use the LOCK-OUT option to prevent movement on the trainer.)

• Zwift Hub

Looking to go Zwift Ready? Take a look at our Zwift Ready options in the Zwift Shop which includes the Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 and the Zwift Ride.