Wahoo smart trainers range from entry-level wheel-on trainers to pro-grade trainers to a complete bike for indoor training. We break down the specs and features so you can choose the best smart trainer for indoor cycling.

Wahoo makes indoor smart trainers, which are different from a standard fluid trainer because they let you bike indoors using apps like Zwift and Trainerroad, or let you build your own trainer plan using dedicated ERG modes that are easily adjustable while riding. If you’re looking to get fit so you can enjoy cycling during warmer weather, you need to start with the right trainer. Wahoo makes the most comprehensive line of smart trainers available with trainers available at different budgets and different desires. Which is the best smart trainer?

Has price, type (direct drive vs wheel on) connectivity, incline, accuracy, weight, bike compatibility options, size when folded

The Wahoo KICKR Bike is the ultimate indoor training solution from Wahoo. Technically, this one isn’t a smart trainer, but a smart bike, which means it covers everything one might want in an indoor training package. And as far as smart bikes go, the KICKR Bike is about as impressive as it gets, replicating outdoor road bike feel indoors. 

An indoor bike like the KICKR Bike means that rather than having to mount your bike every time you plan on riding indoors, you can hop on something ready to roll. Wahoo sought to make sure the bike feel is about as similar as your standard bike as possible. It has multiple shift button options to shift gears, the ability to raise and lower the front end according to the grade you’re climbing, and even the ability to change crank length, reach, and stack easily. It even has a built-in natural sway back and forth while riding, as if you were riding outside. 

An indoor bike isn’t for everyone. They’re simply larger and take up more space when not in use when compared to an indoor trainer, and are quite a bit heavier too. But if you have the space and means, we consider the KICKR Bike to be the most immersive option for indoor cycling, bar none.

The Wahoo KICKR Smart trainer was original Wahoo smart trainer, and this latest iteration is still a go-to for most folks who want to ride their bike indoors. The KICKR has been a bastion for reliability, durability, and adaptability. The KICKR smart trainer is a go-to for folks who need power accuracy for something like Zwift racing, as it is the most accurate trainer of the KICKR lineup at +/- 1%.

The Wahoo KICKR Smart Trainer offers a number of upgrades over other Wahoo trainers. On the bike, you’ll be sure to notice the automatic power calibration, the 5 degrees of side-to-side tilt available while riding, and the 16 lb flywheel that keeps momentum like a bike does outside. It is also one of the quietest smart trainers available; most of the noise will be made by your bike’s drivetrain, and is quiet enough to not people below you if you live in an apartment.

Best of all, the Wahoo KICKR Smart Trainer not only folds away to be more compact than most other trainers while in use, but it's adjustable for different wheel sizes. Want to ride your mountain bike on the trainer? The Wahoo KICKR is the most seamless way to do it to accommodate the differences in wheel plus tire diameter of different bikes.

To note, the KICKR Smart Trainer comes with 130/135mm QR adapter & hub spacer, 12x142/148 adapter & hub spacer, 1.8mm cassette spacer. Most other smart trainers lack the cassette in the box.

Direct-drive smart trainers offer a lot of benefits for riding your bike indoors. Among other things a smart trainer that requires the rear wheel off has a built-in power meter, allowing a program to more accurately react to your pedaling inputs. The Wahoo KICKR CORE is an easy recommendation for anyone looking to invest in a wheel-on smart trainer without dropping the money for the KICKR. 

The Wahoo KICKR CORE covers all of the necessities. It offers a stated power accuracy of +/- 2%, and compatibility with standard quick release axles and thru axles for road bikes or mountain bikes. It also has all the compatibility one might want with various training apps. It also works great with something like the KICKR CLIMB or KICKR HEADWIND. One thing it doesn’t come with? A cassette. If you buy it from a bike shop like Contender, we can install a cassette of choice and make sure it’ll be directly compatible with your bike. But otherwise, that is a step not everyone will be confident enough to do. 

While the KICKR CORE has many of the same features and abilities of the KICKR, it lacks the the side-to-side tilt of the KICKR. It also lacks the wheel size adjustment and compact size wheel folded up. But the KICKR Core just plain works. It offers all the benefits of a direct-drive smart trainer at a lower price point.

The Wahoo KICKR ROLLR smart trainer… or maybe smart roller… is a bit different than other smart rollers on the market. It is even different from the other Wahoo smart trainers. For one, the KICKR ROLLR has a front wheel mount that holds the wheel in place. The rear wheel then sits between two rollers that adjust resistance according to the power output and and resistance called for in the app. Besides the KICKR Bike, this makes it the easiest to use of all the trainers, purely when it comes to mounting your bike.

Installing a bike onto the KICKR ROLLR doesn’t require any tools or adjustments to your bike like it does with the other trainers, so there’s no need to worry about compatibility with your road bike. Just put your bike on, tighten down the front wheel, and ride. 

Most will find the KICKR ROLLR to offer the best ‘road feel’ of the KICKR line, as the steel rollers offer some of the minute road vibrations that a smooth road outdoors might have. It also allows for some side-to-side tilt while riding, adding to road feel. But those looking at the KICKR ROLLR will need to have a power meter already installed on your bike. That power meter talks to the KICKR, which then responds with the proper resistance.

If you’re consistently moving your bike from indoor to outdoor cycling, or if you hate switching out wheels to bring your bike in or out, then KICKR ROLLR is a great option.

The Wahoo KICKR SNAP trainer is the most affordable way to enter the Wahoo ecosystem. While it is great for Wahoo X, Trainerroad, or Zwift, this wheel-on trainer has a few drawbacks. But if you’re wary of removing and installing your rear bike wheel, the KICKR SNAP is about as good as it gets. 

The KICKR SNAP is easy to use. It is a wheel-on trainer, so the only thing you’d need to get riding is to swap your rear axle (either a quick release or a thru-axle) for an appropriate trainer axle. This keeps costs lower, and you still get the wireless connectivity, automatic resistance adjustment and ERG mode for trainer workouts. Further, it's stats are right up there with the best smart trainers: max 1500 watts output, max grade simulation of 12%, and up to +- 3% power accuracy, too. 

This smart trainer is quiet, reliable, and has all the bells and whistles of the best smart trainers, just in a wheel-on package. If you want a wheel-on trainer, the KICKR SNAP is one of the best.

We quite like the Wahoo KICKR Headwind. It is far more powerful than a fan its size ought to be, and that means plenty of ventilation. We particularly like the app control of the fans speeds to make fan strength adjustments on the bike easy. But the KICKR Headwind can adjust strength according to trainer speed and heart rate making this one of the best favorite indoor cycling accessories.

Of course, the benefit to buying into the Wahoo ecosystem is the compatibility between tools. That includes the Wahoo ELEMNT computers. All of the ELEMNT computers can control the KICKR trainers, including an ERG mode, incline/gradient mode, and a resistance level too. And with a third party app, the ELEMNT can execute a whole structured workout too. No other smart computer can do that with the KICKR trainers.

There are a lot of smart trainers out there to buy, but Wahoo consistently makes some of the best trainers for indoor cycling around. While the range of accessories available like the KICKR Headwind add quite a bit of value, it is the overall durability and reliability of Wahoo smart trainers.