Dual ANT+ and Bluetooth is what keeps a sensor usable across head units
A sensor that only speaks Bluetooth pairs with a phone but can be invisible to a head unit that expects ANT+, which is why dual-protocol broadcasting is the specification that decides whether a sensor survives your next computer. We compare protocol support, magnet-free designs (which read wheel rotation from the hub rather than needing a spoke magnet aligned to a fork-mounted pickup) against traditional magnet setups, the coin-cell life each manufacturer states, and whether mounting is by rubber band, zip tie or screw.
Dual mode speed/cadence · ANT+ and Bluetooth 4.0 · magnet-free
The best-selling sensor in this hub: one unit that switches between speed and cadence mode by reseating the battery, broadcasting on both ANT+ and Bluetooth.
Best for: A first sensor, or a pair of them, at the price of a set of brake pads.
≈ $17
Speed/cadence · Bluetooth and ANT+ · IP67 · app compatible
A dual-protocol speed and cadence sensor with a published IP67 rating and stated compatibility with Zwift, Rouvy, Ride with GPS, Peloton and Wahoo apps.
Best for: Indoor training, where named app compatibility and a sealed housing both earn their place.
Speed/cadence · Bluetooth and ANT+ · elastic band mount
A dual-protocol speed and cadence sensor at the same entry price as the Magene, mounting with an elastic double-sided band and no tools.
Best for: A second sensor to pair with the first, or a spare for a second bike.
Magnet-free cadence · ANT+ and BLE · pivoting mount
A magnet-free cadence sensor from an established German maker, with a pivoting mount and both ANT+ and BLE, though the manufacturer publishes little detail.
Best for: Riders already using SIGMA computers who want a matching sensor from the same maker.
Both sensors · ANT+ and Bluetooth 5.0 · on-board storage · hub mount
A bundle of both sensors, storing distance on board so rides record without a head unit present, over ANT+ and Bluetooth 5.0.
Best for: Garmin users who want both measurements, and anyone who wants rides logged without carrying a computer.
≈ $125
Cadence, wheel speed and heart rate only come from sensors. The computer does no more than display them.
Water resistance and the reliability of the link decide whether the sensor is still in use in two years. That is what the price buys.
A single-protocol sensor is invisible to a computer that speaks the other one. The stated protocols decide compatibility, not the sensor's brand.
On rapid changes of effort, the chest strap stays truer. The optical armband is more comfortable and smooths more.
Two wireless standards coexist. A sensor broadcasting on both works with a computer as with a phone.
A dry strap does not conduct. Wetting the electrodes before setting off removes almost all of those artefacts.
On the crank, with a magnet or by accelerometer depending on the model. Magnet-free sensors fit in seconds.
GPS is enough outdoors. The wheel sensor becomes necessary on a trainer and in tunnels or under dense cover.
From several months to several seasons depending on use. A link that drops out intermittently often means a weak cell.
Sweat degrades the electrodes and causes irritation. A rinse after every ride extends its life markedly.
A dry strap makes poor contact and gives erratic readings for ten minutes. Wetting the electrodes before setting off removes the problem.
A dry strap gives absurd values: wetting the electrodes before setting off removes almost every artefact. A dual-protocol sensor works everywhere, and a link that drops out intermittently points first at the cell.
To appear here, a characteristic has to be stated by four items in five. Short of that, the column would mostly say nobody publishes.
| Model | Price | Protocols |
|---|---|---|
| Magene S3+ | $17 | ANT+ and Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Garmin 010-12845-00 | $125 | ANT+ and Bluetooth 5.0 |
| CooSpo BK467 | — | Bluetooth and ANT+ |
| CYCPLUS Speed and cadence sensor | — | Bluetooth and ANT+ |
| SIGMA 20336 | — | ANT+ and BLE |
Specifications: manufacturer sheets for bike gear and the matching Amazon product pages. Prices and availability: Keepa. Every figure in this table names its source.
Most recent revision in this category: August 30, 2026.
Prices quoted in these summaries are dated readings. The live price is shown next to each product.
