Zwift Ready: Which trainer is right for me?  

ZWIFT COMMUNITY | on December 9, 2024 by Zwift
Zwift Ready: Which trainer is right for me?  

All Zwift Ready trainers come pre-equipped with Zwift Cog and Zwift Click. This means you can pair them with any 8–12-speed bike 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

  1. 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. 
  2. Your type of training
    • Are you planning to use Zwift for steady, base training or looking to sharpen up your sprint power? Perhaps you’re thinking of joining some Zwift races or only 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. 
  3. 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:

  • Power Limit: This 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. 
  • Power Accuracy: In real terms what this 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!  
  1. Features and Connectivity
    • Additional things that you’ll want to consider when picking your Zwift Ready smart trainer are the other features that some 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?

KICKR CORE Zwift One
KICKR Core Zwift One is a versatile trainer with a 1800 W max power and ±2% accuracy. At $499.99 / £449.99, it is packed with solid credentials at a great value price point. 

Elite Direto XR with Zwift Cog and Click
Known for its high-performance specs, including a 2300 W max power and ±1.5% accuracy, the Direto XR with Zwift Cog and Click is a well-equipped trainer at a price point of $699/£649.

Note: The Elite Direto XR has a default level of resistance built into the mechanical design of the trainer that equates to ~130 W at a cadence of 90 rpm. For most people, this will be ok, but if your training involves very light recovery rides or low-wattage, high-cadence spinning, this trainer may not be the best fit for your needs.

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 price point. 

Van Rysel D100 with Zwift Cog and Click
A budget-friendly entry point into Zwift, the Van Rysel D100 with Zwift Cog and Click stands out from the pack with a price of only £229.99. 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. 

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.

Wahoo KICKR with Zwift Cog and Click
A proven performer, now in its sixth generation, the Wahoo KICKR with Zwift Cog and Click offers precise power measurement of 1% and 2200 W max wattage. It packs advanced connectivity via WiFi as well as 10 hz race mode at a price point of £939.99/$1049.99. 

Wahoo KICKR MOVE with Zwift Cog and Click
The KICKR MOVE with Zwift Cog and Click shares the same specs as the KICKR and adds fore-aft movement, allowing your bike to move naturally for a more comfortable and realistic riding experience. It’s priced at £1,189.99/$1,349.99

Zwift Ready trainer availability by region

TrainerAvailable Regions
KICKR CORE Zwift OneEU, UK, US, AUS, JPN, CAD
Elite Direto XR with Zwift Cog and Click EU, UK, US, AUS, JPN, CAD
JetBlack Victory with Zwift Cog and Click EU, UK, US, AUS, CAD
Van Rysel D100 with Zwift Cog and Click EU, UK
Wahoo KICKR with Zwift Cog and Click EU, UK, US, AUS, JPN, CAD
Wahoo KICKR MOVE with Zwift Cog and Click EU, UK, US, AUS, JPN, CAD