The Edge 1060 is the Edge 1050 in a smaller case, with a microphone and four more buttons. That is a modest step for a flagship, and it leaves clear room for a Garmin Edge 1060 Pro in 2027; here’s why, plus a few more thoughts on the launch.
The price rise
The flagship Edge cost $749 in 2022 (1040 Solar), fell to $699 (1050) in 2024 and now costs $799. That’s a $100 price rise, or $50 if you’re generous to Garmin. In the UK, it rises from £649.99 to £699.99. The extra money buys a lighter case and a microphone, and it sits oddly beside the volume-first message in Garmin’s 2026 pricing strategy (which I never quite believed). The 1060 vs 1050 comparison sets out what the extra $100 buys.
What changed on the body
The side buttons are the best change. A much-called-for improvement for the obvious ‘miss’ on the 1050. The 1050 relied on its touchscreen, which sometimes struggles in rain and gloves, but even struggling once is annoying for a top-end piece of sports tech. Now the 1060 can be run entirely by buttons – problem solved.
The USB-C port moved to the underside, making it easier to plug in and charge while riding but putting it where road spray lands when you forget to cover it. That move let Garmin put the speaker at the bottom end of the device, where it sounds louder with a more direct audio path to the rider’s ear.
Battery life is unchanged at 20 hours of demanding use. That is 15 hours less than the Edge 1040 managed, and only the Edge 1040 Solar, at 45 hours, offers more. I’ll state the obvious: 20 hours isn’t great for the top device in 2026. Sure, Garmin has clever battery-mounted solutions and all that, but if you have 4 long rides planned, say 6 hours each, you’d have to charge after the second one to be on the safe side.
I expect the existing battery is replaceable at the end of its life (TBC).
Voice control
I like voice control and use it on my watch multiple times a day, especially when riding, including to dictate notes and text messages by raising my watch to my face. It is harder on a bike computer because of wind and road noise, so I expect the Edge to take more attempts to get the message right, and that’s an unwanted distraction and an accident waiting to happen. The Edge also sends messages only through Garmin Messenger, so the person on the other end needs the Messenger app, and it cannot take voice notes during a ride, so the notes and texting I do from a watch aren’t there.
Despite these criticisms, I’m happy with the direction of travel for Garmin. Integrating voice in the ecosystem is a good move and certainly one for the future. The pesky problem is the reliance on the bespoke Garmin Messenger glue that holds much of it together. That is a key strategic weakness.
Re-pairing sensors
As @dcrainmaker pointed out yesterday, moving to the 1060 means deleting and re-pairing Garmin’s newest sensors, such as the Rally pedals and HRM-600, because of their secure Bluetooth connection, while older sensors carry over. I have criticised this before, and it remains a poor experience: sensors continually tell me the connection to my Forerunner is secure, yet I still need another button press. Garmin likes button presses. I don’t.
The case for a 1060 Pro, 1060 Solar, 560 and 860
I expect a Pro model next year. The obvious addition is satellite messaging through inReach, which would let voice messages reach a rider with no phone signal and would give Garmin a subscription to sell. The Garmin inReach Mini 3 shows how that service works today, and the inReach and satellite options for the Fenix 9 and 8 Pro show the direction Edge will follow, at least to some degree. Satellite looks like the obvious addition until you think about it, and then it becomes problematic: it would be awesome for those uber-long off-grid adventures…shame about the battery.
The bright screen is probably why battery life fell from the 1040 to the 1050, and the 1060 does nothing to fix it. These predictions are my reading of the range.
The case for Edge 860 in 2027 is inevitable; the case for Edge 560 less so. An 860 combined with a 560/860 solar makes more sense depending on where and how the solar would be integrated to compensate for the poor battery life currently on 550/850.
I’m not sure Garmin will make a 1060 Solar. It would be a large-format, solar version of the current 1060, with different display tech and solar panels to boost battery life. Dropping the current display and adding solar could significantly improve battery life (in the realm of 40 hours).
The range around it
The Edge 850 and 550 are a year old and, on Garmin’s two-year cycle, are due for replacement in 2027. The 1040 Solar remains the top solar model. Some of the 1060’s software features are also coming to the 1050, 850, 550, 840, and 540 via update, narrowing the gap further. The 1060 vs 850 vs 550 comparison covers who should buy which, and the Garmin Edge upgrade guide shows whether to move up now or wait. The launch story covers the features, the Edge 1060 specifications have the details, and the Garmin Edge hub places every model. Garmin’s own Edge 1060 product page has the official specifications. Rumours of the next models are tracked in Release Radar.
Quick answers
Will there be a Garmin Edge 1060 Pro?
I expect a Pro model with satellite messaging and a replaceable battery in 2027, based on the gaps in the current range.
Can Edge 1060 send text messages?
Voice messages go through Garmin Messenger, so the recipient needs the app. Messages don’t go to the native iPhone or Android messaging apps.
Do you need to re-pair sensors on Edge 1060?
Garmin’s newest sensors, such as the Rally pedals and HRM-600, must be deleted and re-paired because of secure Bluetooth. A Quarq power meter carried over without re-pairing in one first-look test.
Last Updated on 21 October 2026 by tfk the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. See the gear tfk uses. ID
I don’t see how Garmin cannot make an Edge 1060 Solar. As you say, adding InReach satellite comms to the 1060 with the pretty screen is near pointless because of the poor battery life. Therefore, the only Pro that makes sense is a 1060 Pro Solar (as they’ve done with the Fenix).
If they kept the larger battery of the 1060 but paired it with a MIP screen that would – by my calculation – give an amazing 75 hours without sunlight and up to 167 hours with, both in demanding usage mode. This would outclass not just the 1040 Solar but also the Coros. And unlike the latter, you’d still be getting the full feature set.
Hoping it will be early 2027.
they’d have to use different screen tech for the solar and yes your guestiamte is more generous than mine regarding potential battery life. i think there’s a good chance they’ll do it. DURA 2 that there is still a market for long battery life bike computers
if it’s a pro version i would still favour it in one years time (but hey…f9!)
My guestimate is based only on relative battery sizes. It will be lower of course if go for a smaller increase of if there’s a faster processor or a higher definition screen. It will be higher if they enhance the code, use a more modern chip with better efficiency cores or have improved the solar panels in the last 4 years, which hopefully they have. Early next year is wishful thinking on my part as I’ve been waiting for 2 years already!