| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Garmin |
| Type | Premium GPS cycling computer, solar charging, touchscreen |
| Series | Edge |
| Released | 8 June 2022 |
| Price at launch | GBP 629.99 / USD 749.99 |
| Predecessor | Edge 1030 Plus |
| Successor | Not yet announced. See Release Radar. |
Specifications and features as at launch.
Jump to: Expert opinion | What’s new | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Ride profiles | Software updates | Further reading
Expert opinion
The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar targets endurance riders, bikepackers, and cyclists who need maximum battery life. Power Glass solar charging extends its runtime during long outdoor rides, adding measurable time on ultra-distance events and multi-day adventures where recharging isn’t practical.
The touchscreen, mapping, Stamina insights, training load analysis, ClimbPro, and sensor compatibility match Garmin’s other flagship Edges. Its size and price sit above what most everyday riders need, and the Edge 850 or 550 cover typical road riding at a smaller size and lower cost.
What’s new versus the Edge 1030 Plus
Hardware
- Power Glass solar charging lens
- New multi-band GNSS chip for improved accuracy
- USB-C port, replacing micro-USB
- Metal rear mount and repositioned tether hole
- Gyroscope added
- Battery life up to 45 hours, up from 24 hours
Software
- Real-time Stamina insights
- Cycling Ability and Course Demands analysis
- Power Guide race and training pacing
- Ride type-specific maps and heatmap-based popularity routing
- Trip resource search for points of interest
- Training Status 2.0
Specifications
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Type | Transflective TFT |
| Size | 3.5 inch (88.9mm) diagonal |
| Resolution | 282 x 470 pixels |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Physical | |
| Dimensions | 59.3 x 117.6 x 20.0mm |
| Weight | 133g |
| Water rating | IPX7 |
| Sensors and positioning | |
| GPS | Multi-band GNSS. GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| Other sensors | Barometric altimeter, gyroscope, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, magnetometer |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| Connectivity and storage | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi |
| Storage | 64GB internal memory |
| In-ride power compatible | Yes, Power Mount and Garmin Charge Battery Pack |
| Ability to add maps | Yes, via Wi-Fi map manager, with integrated Trailforks trail data |
Battery life
| Mode | Battery life |
|---|---|
| Demanding use | Up to 45 hours |
| Battery saver mode | Up to 100 hours |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
Power Glass solar charging adds up to 20 minutes per hour in demanding use and up to 42 minutes per hour in battery saver mode, assuming continuous 75,000 lux daytime conditions. This remains Garmin’s longest-lasting Edge, ahead of the Edge 1050’s 20 hours demanding use and 60 hours battery saver mode.
Features
Feature explanations are covered in the relevant the5krunner Garmin features hub.
Prepare
- Cycling Ability and Course Demands analysis
- Heat and altitude acclimation
- Daily suggested workouts
- Ride-specific routing
- Bike-specific mapping with Trailforks trail data
- ForkSight mode
- Map manager with Wi-Fi connectivity
- On-device gear tracking
- Garmin Coach training plans, including Garmin Cycling Coach
Train and perform
- Real-time Stamina insights
- Power Guide
- ClimbPro ascent planner
- Cycling Dynamics
- MTB Dynamics
- Grit and Flow metrics
- Nutrition and hydration alerts
- Turn-by-turn directions and off-course recalculation
- Training Status, Training Load and Training Load Focus
Cycling safety and awareness
- inReach device compatibility
- Varia radar and lights compatibility
- Incident detection
- Bike alarm
- GroupTrack and group messaging
Connectivity
- Smart notifications
- Music controls
- Smart trainer compatibility
- eBike compatibility, including Bosch and Shimano E-Bike Systems
- Connect IQ Store, on-device
- Garmin Share
- On-device gear tracking
Ride profiles
Edge 1040 Solar does not list a fixed set of named activity profiles the way a Garmin watch does. Ride-specific routing covers road, gravel and mountain, with MTB Dynamics, Grit and Flow metrics available for off-road riding. eBike profiles are available for compatible systems.
Garmin Edge 1040 Solar software updates
The current Garmin Edge 1040 Solar software is version 31.30. Garmin is still updating the Edge 1040 Solar, with 1 software release since May 2026. This section is updated when Garmin releases a new version.
| Current version | 31.30, released 2 June 2026. |
| Public beta | 31.61, released 16 September 2026. |
| Last update | 31.61 beta on 16 September 2026. |
Features added since May 2026
- 31.30, 2 June 2026.
- On-device gear management. Riders can now add, change, and remove individual components — drivetrain, wheels, and tyres — and organise them into gear collections entirely from the Edge screen, without opening Garmin Connect or a web browser.
- Bosch eBike Smart System support. Edge computers gain live integration with Bosch-powered eBikes: real-time battery status, smart range routing, and live power and cadence data are displayed directly on the head unit.
Full version history, 2 releases including betas and fixes
| Version | Type | Date | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31.61 | Beta | 16 September 2026 | Rider and Virtual Partner marker positioning improved in zoomed elevation profiles on ClimbPro and Segment pages. Strava leaderboard content improved. |
| 31.30 | Stable | 2 June 2026 | On-device gear management. Riders can now add, change, and remove individual components — drivetrain, wheels, and tyres — and organise them into gear collections entirely from the Edge screen, without opening Garmin Connect or a web browser. Bosch eBike Smart System support. Edge computers gain live integration with Bosch-powered eBikes: real-time battery status, smart range routing, and live power and cadence data are displayed directly on the head unit. |
Version history is recorded from May 2026. See also known problems and fixes.
Further reading
Related bike computers
Looking at alternatives to the Edge 1040 Solar?
- Predecessor: Garmin Edge 1030 Plus, the previous flagship model.
- Also consider: Coros Dura, a long-battery-life alternative.
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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