| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Garmin |
| Type | Touchscreen GPS cycling computer, navigation-focused |
| Series | Edge |
| Released | 20 October 2026, orders from 23 October 2026 |
| Price at launch | Explore 3: GBP 349.99 / USD 399.99 / EUR 399.99. Explore 3 Plus: GBP 429.99 / USD 499.99 / EUR 499.99 |
| Predecessor | Edge Explore 2 |
| Successor | Not yet announced. See Release Radar. |
| Variants | Edge Explore 3 (010-04661-00) and Edge Explore 3 Plus (010-04661-10), the Plus adding a speaker, a microphone and Wi-Fi |
Specifications and features as at launch.
Jump to: Expert opinion | What’s new | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Ride profiles | Further reading
Expert opinion
Edge Explore 3 and 3 Plus keep the Explore line where it has always been: navigation and awareness for riders who tour, commute, and ride for pleasure rather than train to numbers. The screen is sharper than Explore 2 at 360 x 640 pixels, storage doubles to 32GB, and free flow routing and pin drop navigation make the device easier to point at a destination someone has just suggested.
Explore 3 Plus answers voice requests for a route, a screen change, a hazard report, or a set of ride statistics; it reads messages aloud and rings a digital bell for pedestrians. It also carries Wi-Fi and the Wi-Fi map manager, so it adds and updates map regions on the device itself rather than through a computer.
Both models receive GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo on a single frequency, so riders who want multi-band positioning in deep valleys or city centres should look at the Edge models instead.
The model is confusingly named. It would perhaps be better called Edge 1060 Explore. Great for exploring but lacking the analysis layer, race day tools and modes, and MTB metric.
Garmin Edge Explore 3
Garmin's navigation-led bike computer. Bike maps, free flow routing and pin drop navigation on a 3-inch touchscreen, with 48 hours in battery saver mode. The Plus adds voice control and Wi-Fi maps.
+other retailersWhat’s new versus Edge Explore 2
Hardware
- Display resolution rises to 360 x 640 pixels from 240 x 400 on the same 3-inch screen
- Storage doubles to 32GB
- Gyroscope and ambient light sensor added, the latter adjusting brightness automatically
- Speaker and microphone on Explore 3 Plus
- Wi-Fi on Explore 3 Plus, alongside Bluetooth and ANT+
- Battery saver mode reaches 48 hours, up from 24 hours
Software
- Free flow routing, which looks for routes with fewer stops, junctions and slow sections
- Pin drop navigation, building a bike route to a pin sent from Google Maps or Apple Maps
- Up Ahead points of interest, showing the distance to cafes, water and toilets on a course
- Route options based on ride time, elevation gain and bike type
- Course preview metrics, covering distance, elevation, surface, traffic and reported hazards
- Garmin Coach cycling plans, with workouts that adapt to performance and recovery
- Training and analysis features including VO2 max, training effect, interval and advanced workouts and Physio TrueUp
- Real-time weather map display
- Garmin Link, which connects a paired Garmin watch automatically for wrist heart rate
- Garmin Messenger on the device, with voice messaging on Explore 3 Plus
- Wi-Fi map manager on Explore 3 Plus
- Hands-free voice control and a digital bike bell on Explore 3 Plus
Specifications
| Edge Explore 3 | Edge Explore 3 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | ||
| Type | Colour liquid crystal, touchscreen | Colour liquid crystal, touchscreen |
| Size | 3.00 inch diagonal | 3.00 inch diagonal |
| Resolution | 360 x 640 pixels | 360 x 640 pixels |
| Physical | ||
| Dimensions | 53.8 x 104.5 x 18.0mm | 53.8 x 104.5 x 18.0mm |
| Weight | 118.8g | 121.5g |
| Water rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | ||
| Sensors and positioning | ||
| GNSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| Other sensors | Barometric altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor | Barometric altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor |
| Speaker and microphone | No | Yes |
| Connectivity and storage | ||
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+ | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi |
| Wi-Fi map manager | No | Yes |
| Storage | 32GB internal memory | 32GB internal memory |
| Waypoints/locations | 200 | 200 |
| Navigation routes | 100 courses | 100 courses |
| History | Up to 200 hours | Up to 200 hours |
| Smartphone compatibility | iPhone, Android | iPhone, Android |
Battery life
| Mode | Edge Explore 3 | Edge Explore 3 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Demanding use | Up to 16 hours | Up to 14 hours |
| Battery saver mode | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | ||
Battery saver mode doubles the 24 hours Edge Explore 2 managed. The speaker and microphone cost Explore 3 Plus two hours in demanding use.
Features
Feature explanations are covered in the relevant the5krunner Garmin features hub.
Navigation and mapping
- Bike-specific maps with turn-by-turn directions and off-course recalculation
- Free flow routing, finding routes with fewer stops, junctions and slow sections
- Pin drop navigation from Google Maps and Apple Maps
- Route options based on ride time, elevation gain and bike type
- Course preview showing distance, elevation, surface type, busy roads and reported hazards
- Up Ahead points of interest with distance to each
- Ride-specific routing for road, gravel and mountain
- Road surface type and high-zoom road visibility on the map
- ClimbPro ascent planner, on courses and free riding
- Trendline popularity routing and popularity heatmap
- On-device course creator and location search
- Back to start
- eBike compatibility with Bosch smart systems and Shimano eBike systems, including smart range routing
- Wi-Fi map manager on Explore 3 Plus
Safety and awareness
- Incident detection and Assistance
- LiveTrack and GroupTrack location sharing
- Group Ride, with rider-to-rider messaging, data comparisons and incident detection
- Community-reported road hazard alerts, with hands-free reporting on Explore 3 Plus
- Varia radar, radar camera, lights and headlight camera compatibility
- Bike alarm and Find My Edge
- Weather alerts and real-time weather map
- inReach compatibility
- Integrated bike bell on Explore 3 Plus
Training and analysis
- Garmin Coach cycling plans with adaptive guided workouts
- Daily suggested workouts, event specific
- Interval training and advanced workouts, with primary and secondary targets
- VO2 max, training effect and recovery advisor
- Race an Activity
- Physio TrueUp
- Calories burned and intensity minutes
- Power meter and smart trainer compatibility
Connectivity
- Garmin Link, connecting a paired Garmin watch or CIRQA band for wrist heart rate
- Garmin Messenger on the device, with voice messaging on Explore 3 Plus
- Hands-free voice control on Explore 3 Plus, for routes, statistics, screens and hazard reports
- Smart notifications, with text response and reject-call-with-text on Android
- Connect IQ Store, on-device
- Smartphone music control
- Garmin Share
- Edge remote, Varia remote and extended display
- VIRB camera remote
Ride profiles
Routing adapts to road, gravel and mountain riding, and a commuter profile reports the carbon saved by each ride in real time and afterwards. Structured workouts and indoor smart trainer sessions are supported on both models.
Garmin Edge Explore 3
Garmin's navigation-led bike computer. Bike maps, free flow routing and pin drop navigation on a 3-inch touchscreen, with 48 hours in battery saver mode. The Plus adds voice control and Wi-Fi maps.
+other retailersFurther reading
Related bike computers
Looking at alternatives to Edge Explore 3?
- Predecessor: Garmin Edge Explore 2, still sold and discounted, with a lower resolution screen and half the storage
- Also consider: Edge 850, the nearest touchscreen Edge at GBP 469.99, for riders who want the full training and analysis stack
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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